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ONE of Shannon’s longest serving companies and biggest employers, Molex Ireland Ltd, returned to profit last year with gains of €2.8 million after tax.

The company announced last week that it would consolidate its opera- tions at Shannon by closing down its Cork-based plant with the loss of over 100 jobs. In response to reports that up to 50 jobs could be lost from its Shannon plant, Molex Ireland has stated that it has begun a month long

consultation phase with all of its em- ployees. A company statement said: “Until the review period is complete, no further information or comment on the extent of possible changes is available or possible at this time.” The profit was recorded in the company’s latest returns to the Companies Office and contrast with losses of €3.5 million in 2005. The accounts also showed that the com- pany’s turnover rose to €122 million last year from €113 million in 2005. According to a statement attached to the accounts, “the directors expect

the general level of activity to con- tinue for the foreseeable future”’.

The loss in 2005 was partly attrib- utable to restructuring costs of €1 million. During that year the num- bers involved in production at Molex dropped from 497 to 433.

Restructuring continued at the com- pany last year at a cost of €443,000.

The company’s operating profit of €2.8 million after tax was helped by a dividend of €5.5 million giving a retained profit of €5.7 million at the end of March last year.

‘The turnover grew by over 8 per

cent in the year with most of the erowth originating in EU markets. Growth was achieved in a market- place that continued to be competi- tive.

Cost of sales grew by over 7 per cent reflecting the increased costs of production and purchasing manu- factured product during the year,’ it continued.

The statement added that directors did not propose the payment of a div- idend for the year.

“The principal business risks and uncertainties faced by the company

in the future are currency risks in dealing with entities with non-Euro denominated currencies as well as the possible effect on sales volumes and margins of end user market de- velopments in relation to new prod- ucts giving rise to product obsoles- cence and loss of competitiveness,’ the statement concluded.

The company’s gross profit in- creased from €12 million in 2004 to €14 million last year.

Molex Ireland Ltd was established in 1971 at Shannon as the first Euro- pean facility for Molex.

WEST Clare is to play host to what promises to be one of the most excit- ing events in the Irish music calendar

this year.

Sony Ericsson and MCD are launching the “new boutique music and surfing festival” in The Lodge at Doonbeg Golf Club tomorrow

QU eretiTeeE ASF

Details of the event remain a close- ly guarded secret among organisers but The Clare People has learnt that a three-day music and surfing festi-

val is planned in the coastal towns of Kilkee and Doonbeg.

Surfing will be organised during the day at the White Stand beach in Doonbeg while the concerts will be held at night in the popular tourist resort of Kilkee.

Among the acts rumoured to per- form at the concert are Republic of Loose and The Blizzards.

Speculation also suggests that Ocean Colour Scene, who were originally scheduled to appear at the launch, may also be playing at the event.

Republic of Loose, The Blizzard and a new band called “28 Cos- tumes” are to visit Doonbeg for the launch during which the date of the event and further details will be re- vealed for the first time.

Meanwhile a series of events have been announced to mark the home- coming of Clare hurler Tony Griffin. Saturday June 30 will see a major celebration of life, sport and peo- ple with events organised by Ennis Street Festival, Clare Community Games and the Tony Griffin Cycle. On Saturday morning Griffin will begin the final leg of his epic 7,000

mile trip which started in Canada and ends with a cycle from Dublin to Ennis. The day begins with the finals of the Clare Community Games in Ennis. The finals are preceded by a parade from Station Road in Ennis to the courthouse.

Details have also been revealed of another festival to hit the streets of Ennis on the same weekend. The En- nis Street Festival will take place in the town on Sunday July 1 from 12 pm until late. Music, dance, work- shops, story telling, magicians, pup- pets, art exhibitions, street entertain- ment, pub gigs and an outdoor gig rig will be held in the Upper Market area.

Griffin and his group are due to arrive back to Ennis at about 4pm. The celebrations kick off later that evening in the West County Hotel.

Further information on the weekend can be found at www.ennisstreetfes- tival.com and www.tonygriffinfoun- dation.com

AN assertion by Patrick O’Dwyer’s mother that he had no control over his actions when he killed his sister was disputed by the trial judge.

Mr Justice Paul Carney reflected on Claire O’Dwyer’s Victim Impact Statement, at the sentence hearing in the Central Criminal Court in Dub- lin yesterday.

“Mrs O’Dwyer has said that Patrick had no control over the events that

happened that night. If that were the Situation, he’d be entitled to an ac- quittal on the grounds of insanity,” said Mr Justice Carney.

“Diminished responsibility is ex- actly what it says. It reduces your responsibility. It doesn’t extinguish it,’ he said.

“In my view you still bear respon- sibility for this savage killing,” said the judge, in reference to a case in the UK, where the defence of diminished responsibility was utilised.

“It is obviously a particularly tragic case. It’s something that happened within a family but it’s not a family law case. There is very live public in- terest in it,” he said.

“If people go out and behave as this man did one morning they wake up facing either a rape or a homicide tbe exen

“Everybody must have great sym- pathy for the family in this case,” he rae

He said he was taking into account

the remorse expressed by O’Dwyer and that he had no previous convic- tions.

“IT am ruling out a suspended sen- tence. It’s far too grave and serious for that,” said the judge.

He imposed a six-year jail term, backdated to November 30, 2004, when the accused went into custody.

“In view of the fact that this is the first case arising from diminished re- sponsibility, I am granting a certifi- cate of leave to appeal,’ he said.

He refused a request to suspend a portion of the sentence.

Earlier, O’Dwyer’s defence barris- ter Patrick Gageby, SC, said the kill- ing was “not a premeditated crime.”

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Paul O’Connell — who gave evidence dur- ing the trial – told the court yester- day there was a noted improvement in O’Dwyer’s mental health since he started taking Lamotrigine, a mood regulating medication last year.

He said O’Dwyer had participat- ed in group therapy and a cookery course in Wheatfield prison.

‘He is making progress, better than I anticipated,” he said.

He said, however, that his disorders would require “a lifetime manage- ment”.

He said the absence of intoxicant use would be an “absolute require- ment” in the future reintegration of O’ Dwyer into the community.

ONE season may have only just finished but clubs in Clare face a quick turnaround for the beginning of a new one. The last action of the 2006/07 season took place on May 27 when Fern Celtic defeated Avenue United in the replay of the under 14

cup final.

A month on and a new season of Summer soccer is just around the corner. The first league out of the blocks is the under 11s which is due to get underway on June 28.

The Clare schoolboys soccer league made the decision to switch to sum- mer soccer following positive discus-

sions with Bord na nOg Iomant, Bord na nOg Peil, A formal meeting be- tween then took place in March be- tween all parties at the West County Hotel, Ennis.

A schedule was agreed with no days of the week being used by any more than one competition. It was noted that the re-scheduling of fix-

tures, for genuine reasons can some- times prove necessary, but that where this occurs, the re-arranged fixture will not impinge on the other sports’ designated fixture days. The matter of training and challenge games was discussed. It was agreed that clubs would need to liaise at a local level. The respective committees would

not be involved with this, other than to encourage the officers of clubs to meet to discuss such arrangements. In order to ensure the continued smooth running of fixtures it was agreed that the fixtures secretaries would be in regular contact and fu- ture meetings would take place to re- view how the schedules operates.

A NEW policy has gone before mem- bers of Clare Council County aimed at channelling investment across se- lected towns in the county.

In the paper put before the council’s Special Policy Committee on Eco- nomic Development by Liam Con- neally last Friday, he revealed that the council is currently liaising with Shannon Development in relation to the potential for additional economic development on Shannon Develop-

ment owned lands at Kildysart, En- nis, Kilkee and Miltown Malbay.

The SPC is under the chairman- ship of Clir Richard Nagle (FF).

Mr Conneally said, “It has been Clare County Council policy not to duplicate the process of acquiring lands for economic development in towns where Shannon Development already have a significant land bank. Shannon Development is in posses- sion of 750 acres of industrial lands in the county and four million sq ft of floor space. The council is con-

scious that its work must provide ad- ditionality instead of duplication in the area of economic development promotion.

‘The towns considered most suit- able for this type of approach are Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe, Scariff and Ennistymon owing to particular to their size, their poten- tial for population growth and the requirement in these areas for prop- erty solutions for growing small and medium indigenous enterprises.

He added, “In those instances

where large tracts of land have been zoned, the acquisition of smaller sections of the land holding with maximum road frontage are being advanced.

“The acquisition of the lands will require the availability of a seed fund to acquire the land bank essential to further the model set out.”

Mr Conneally also revealed that in order to kick start the initiative in Ennis, a site located to the south of the town currently zoned ‘other set- tlement land’ was been considered

in regard to its suitability to cater for small growing enterprises requiring property solutions.

In relation to Kilrush the council confirmed that it was in possession of two acres of industrial land at Kil- ubtsee

Mr Conneally said, “The coun- cil has recently partnered Kilrush Town Council, Shannon Develop- ment, Leader, Eiri Corca Bascinn in a feasibility study funded by Leader to audit community facilities 1n west OE ikne

THE future of an ambulance base for Shannon must be clarified as a matter of urgency, according to the mayor of Shannon.

Councillor Tony McMahon (La- bour) is seeking clarification on the issue, which has been on the cards for a long time.

A letter, sent by Acting Chief Am- bulance Officer Pat Daly to Shannon Town Clerk Tomas McCormaic last month, said that a spatial analysis will be carried out on the service in the Mid west area in the near fu- REN Ken

Mr Daly stated that future capital infrastructural developments will

be reviewed and prioritised on a na- tional basis.

He said that a review was commis- sioned in December 2003 and com- pleted in September 2004. Propos- als included in the review included an ambulance station for Shannon.

‘However, this was prior to the es- tablishment of a national ambulance service,’ said Mr Daly, in his letter.

Councillor McMahon said Shan- non has been identified as needing an ambulance base, but progress has not been forthcoming.

“Just because the responsibility for the service has been moved to an- other body doesn’t mean our needs have changed,’ said Cllr McMahon.

He said that a spatial analysis was

“nonsense”.

“What has a spatial analysis got to do with a service of that nature in Shannon?” he asked.

“It 1s another example of the typi- cal kind of thing that is done to Shannon. There are a lot of reasons why there should be an ambulance in Shannon. What I am talking about is a service to get people from A to B. I don’t care what they call it, an ambulance car or a helicopter,’ he added.

Last year, the Shannon Ambulance Action Group collected signatures for a petition, demanding that plans for an ambulance base be situated in the town. They are concerned that no major progress has been made,

since then.

Green Party councillor Brian Meaney said he will raise the issue at a meeting of the Health Service Executive later this month.

He pointed out that the key issue is quick response times, rather than the location of the ambulance bases.

“IT would be very concerned if there are issues in relation to response times,” said Cllr Meaney.

“Essentially it doesn’t matter where the ambulance station is. If there is a disparity between response times across the county, then there 1s an 1s- Sue,’ he said.

“There is an ongoing review of the ambulance services in the region,’ he added.

GLEANN Bhreandain, a develop- ment of three and four-bedroom homes in Lisdoonvarna, comes to the market with the benefit of Section 23 relief and rental guarantee for five- years for investors.

The development is of a high qual- ity design and layout and is divided into two clusters of 14 and 15 houses. SOTA eMC LUr-VOUR Yam eer-I cou rcDicMECLbCe) omc K MN OTL ce ural slate, timber windows, cedar timber and stone cladding have been UEoxO

The scheme represents good value for money with the first phase of Sec-

tion 23 type holiday houses being re- leased at €345,000 excluding VAT. These homes come fully furnished and include five-years guaranteed rent of €9,500 per annum.

A second house type targeted at owner occupiers will also be re- leased, with prices starting from €235,000 inclusive of VAT.

Throughout Gleann Bhreandain a high standard of landscaping can be found and there is direct access to green roads for walking and cycling, safe from disturbance by vehicular traffic in the town environs.

The development is located in the very popular town of Lisdoonvarna

– Ireland’s only Spa Town. The town prides itself in the amenities it offers to residents and tourists alike, includ- ing 100 acres of public amenity lands with facilities such as a town park for walking, playgrounds and creche fa- cilities together with the famous Spa and Health Centre.

The new houses at Gleann Bhrean- dain were launched at the beginning of the month jointly by Toureen Es- tates and Costelloe Estate Agents.

THE CLARE roads will play home to bigtime international cycling later this year during the Tour of Ireland Stage Race that takes place from Au- gust 22 to 26.

Stage three of the flagship cycling event in Ireland will take in the 35 miles from Killaloe to Ennis giving cycling enthusiasts an opportunity to see some leading professionals 1n ac- nen

Ciaran Power and David O’ Loughlin have been named in the Navigators Insurance cycle team. The Irish duo will ride the UCI 2.1 ranked inaugu- ral event sponsored by Failte Ireland in the team announced by Director Sportif Ed Beamon this week. The other riders named in the seven-man U.S based outfit are Kristian House, Hilton Clarke, Valeriy Kobzarenko, Sergey Lagutin and Phil Zayicek.

Mayoman O’Loughlin has won the Irish championships’ triple-crown by winning senior time-trial, crite-

rium and road race titles. He has is a regular on the Irish national team at major events including the world championships. Ciaran Power, from Waterford is a double Olympian from the Sydney and Athens Olympics. The 31-year-old roadman sprinter is a former overall champion and mul- triple stage winner of the FBD Milk Ras.

FORTY eight per cent more men in Clare die by suicide each year than the national average.

Death by suicide is the number one cause of death among young Irish men with 12.4 men per 100,000 dy- ing this way every year. In Clare the figure is as high as 18.4 men per 100,000.

The death among women in Clare by suicide is half that of the national average with 6.2 women per 100,000 OND Eom HOBIE WE

The earliest figures from the cen- tral statistics office show that just two people of Clare residence died from suicide in 1980.

In 1985 this number had multiplied by more than five bringing the total number of deaths to 11. In 2005 15 people died from suicide in Clare.

Ireland has an alarmingly high rate of suicide – the fifth highest suicide rate in Europe among 15 to 25 year olds.

The highest rate of suicide is found among young men aged under 35 years – accounting for approximately

40 per cent of all Irish suicides. In general, men are reluctant to seek professional advice to help them cope with difficulties.

The often taboo subject of suicide 1s now being tackled by a new national mental health promotion campaign called “Tough Times”.

This campaign aims to reduce the large number of deaths by suicide by raising awareness of the alternative options available to young people in crisis. It will use a combination of television advertising, poster cam- paign, online marketing and pres- ence at festivals and concerts, radio, newspaper and magazine features to communicate its key message; that everyone goes through tough times and answers are out there.

“Tough Times” encourages young people to realise that it’s normal to experience difficult times and that, however small or big the problem, there are help and support options available. It points young people to- wards www.spunout.ie, which pro- vides fact sheets on a range of health and lifestyle issues, signposts users to relevant help services.

STRESSED out exam students in Shannon have had the opportunity to relax in a friendly environment over the past few weeks, in their very own café!

The Kick Back café opened in Feb- ruary, specifically geared towards those between the ages of 16 and 21. It has been a hive of activity during weekends, over the past few months.

Students sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificates this year have taken the opportunity to reflect on their various exams, in the café.

Exam students mingled with volun- teers and other non-exam students, in a friendly and relaxed environment.

The café is run by Shannon Youth Office and the organisers were very happy with its success.

Shannon Youth Worker Cathal Dil- lon said the café has been running very well.

“We had an average of 18 people attending, which is good, and they seemed to really like having the chance to unwind with their pals af- ter the exams were over,” said Cathal DIU eye

All of those who attended the café over the past few weeks paid glowing tributes.

‘This cafe 1s just what we need, a place to chill and relax after the ex- ams, it’s so cool,” said Junior Cert student Hayley.

Another Junior Cert student, Si- mon, pointed out that the refresh- ments were particularly nice!

“IT love the cafe as its really relax- ing, I love the hot chocolate especial- ly,” he said.

His classmate Estelle said, ““The cafe is a fun place to hang with friends, its a place where teens can relax, its great.”

“I love coming here, the youth information boards here are very helpful,’ said another exam student, Lindsay.

Aine, who a fourth year student and a volunteer at the café, was delighted with her chance to help out.

“LT enjoy working at the exam cafe! I get on great with the customers and I

think its a relaxing place for students to come after exams. I hope it will still be around when I’m doing my leaving,” she said.

Grainne, who was a volunteer with the group over the past few weeks, enjoyed her role.

“Volunteering in the cafe was a great experience, and I will definitely do it again. I thinks it’s great for the exam students to have such an outlet to unwind after important exams and relieve the pressure,” she said.