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THE restructuring plan at Shannon Airport, which includes 185 volun- tary redundancies, has already be- gun. Current workers expect the first instalment of their “loyalty bonus” on June 20.

The €10,000 payment to around 350 workers will be followed with another €6,000 within four and half months according to the original agreement, which was given the all clear after management and trade unions resolved outstanding differ- ences under the auspices of the La-

bour Relations Commission (LRC) last week.

A spokeswoman for the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) said that some redundancy dates had already been agreed.

‘Some people have been given an exit date but the majority will be phased out over the summer. That is our busiest time so changes will be gradual. We also have catering busi- nesses taking over so everyone will be working together as the structure undergoes a major transformation.”

The catering companies, HMSHost and EFG In-Flight, will also start

providing terminal and services from June 20.

The SAA fell 15 short of the origi- nal redundancy target of 200 but this was not a major stumbling block.

‘Between the number that applied and their gradings, we are satisfied that we will make the savings we need. Workers with over 24 years experience will get redundancies of approximately €100,000 and other payments will be decided on a slid- ing scale,’ she added.

“The airport is in a good position with a bright future and lots of new routes have been announced. We

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SIPTU Industrial Organiser at Shannon Airport, Tony Carroll, said that although redundancies were al- ways disappointing, SIPTU tried to negotiate for the best result.

‘We had to work on the basis that the company wanted voluntary re- dundancies and if people wanted to go, they could. The important thing was to structure and secure the jobs for those remaining. We are satisfied that the remaining staff have viable jobs.”

A YOUNG mother who stole five bottles of aftershave from an Ennis pharmacy was jailed for four months after a court heard that she had sev- eral previous convictions for theft.

Andriena Williams (25), of Doneen Road, Woodview, Limerick, admit- ted stealing four bottles of aftershave from Cassidy’s pharmacy, Ennis, on May 19. She also pleaded guilty to stealing another bottle of aftershave, earlier that day.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told Ennis District Court that the defendant was in the pharmacy with her five-year old son.

She was seen leaving the premises with one bottle of aftershave. She was not apprehended at the time.

Some 30 minutes later, she was seen leaving the same shop with four more bottles. She was stopped by security and the four bottles were recovered.

Defending solicitor, Daragh Has- Sett, said his client wanted to come

up with compensation. He said he believed the case was suitable for the ake): IHNEN MA CoKy

“She has a bad record. She is plead- ing on the first available date,’ said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a four month jail term and fixed a bond of €600 in the event of an appeal.

Mr Hassett said his client wouldn’t be able to meet the bond and he asked the judge to reduce it.

He said if the court would agree, his chent would “submit herself to

the gates of Limerick Prison next Wednesday”.

Judge Mangan reduced the bond to €500 and Mr Hassett said that was still very high.

The judge replied, “It’s not a very high sum, considering the offences and she has a string of previous con- victions.”

The woman then apologised to the court. The judge told her, “You shouldn’t have used the child in the commission of those offences. You did. Now face the consequences.”

A FEASIBLE shopping alternative – different to what is planned for Coon- agh in Limerick – should be planned, in an effort to attract shoppers in to SJetvevaleyey

In general, Shannon town council- lors endorsed the need for a major change in the town, to incorporate more shopping and an_ attractive Streetscape.

OE Ticet Orelireia an eel mn Ome arne ecutive Engineer John Bradley said the shopping centre at Coonagh will have a huge impact on the Shannon and Limerick areas and Shannon needs an “alternative option’.

Reacting to last week’s presenta- tion by Murray O’Laoire architects, Labour councillor Greg Duff said, “We have had numerous presenta-

tions since the 70s, but what we have been left with is a private mall that has been dressed up as a town centre. We’d be better off if we got the folk village in Bunratty and transported it vo

He said over the years, development in the town has been “solely develop- er driven. We keep on repeating the same mistakes.”

The Mayor of Shannon, Councillor Tony McMahon (Labour) said this was a “unique” opportunity to do something that was “neglected previ- ously in relation to streetscape.”

“That is the most important thing the people of Shannon would be anx- ious to have,’ he said.

Councillor Gerry Flynn said an arts centre must be an integral part of the plans and should be located in a “prime position,’ while adequate

public parking must be made avail- able.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Independ- ent) said a “living centre” is required, and overnight accommodation and facilities should also be addressed.

She noted that the land was owned by a small number of landowners and expressed concern that there would be no opportunity for others to “buy rhe onae

“It’s not just about putting in devel- opment. It’s also about putting in a centre, that there’s going to be a life there,” she said.

Cllr Sean Hillery, who runs a chem- ists in the town centre, said, “If I had my time over again, I don’t think I’d be in the town centre and that is a hard thing to say. The rents keep go- ing up.”

He said the last thing Shannon

should do is try to compete with oth- er major shopping centres, “because they would wipe the floor with us.”

“We need to do something unique. It’s most important that people would be in control, not the multinationals. I’m not against them but they are transporting our money out of here. We can have a traditional town. That’s what the people want,’ he said.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said that a piece of land was left out of the plans and said it must be put back in.

“We deserve an answer. Somebody took it out. These guys (architects) didn’t get the correct mapping. This is the same bull we went through two years ago,” he said.

Mr Bradley replied, “I inherited this project. Those were the lands I know are there. Your concerns have been noted on the report.”

THE Shannon Airport Authority has moved to expand the airport’s €30 million terminal building to prepare for the end of the Shannon stopover.

The phased ending of the stopover will be complete by April of next year. The Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) is hoping that by then the air- port will have a competitive advan- tage by having in place a full Cus- toms and Border Protection Post.

As a result, the SAA has lodged plans with Clare County Council for a two-storey extension to the existing oomeepnireve

Planning documents lodged with the council state that “the proposed terminal extension is an integral part of Shannon Airport’s physical devel- opment to meet the significant chal- lenges that lay ahead for the airport and in particular the introduction of ‘open skies’ in April 2008.

“The design updates the existing terminal building in a sensitive man- ner, improving the external appear- ance of the older building, as well as the overall function of the terminal.”

The SAA’s consultants believe that the extension will lead to an improved passenger experience at Shannon.

In a statement, the SAA said yes- terday, “Management at Shannon Airport confirmed that the DAA are

currently examining the feasibility of upgrading the current US Immi- gration pre-inspection facility to a Full Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection Post at Shannon.

“Exploratory talks have been held between the DAA, Shannon Airport management, the Department of Transport and the CBP Organisation on the matter. As part of the feasibil- ity study, the airport confirms that they are seeking planning permis- sion to extend the terminal building and carry out alterations to existing sections of the main terminal build- bate

The statement said that “summer 2008 is the target date for the estab- lishment of this facility subject to approval”.

Explaining the significance of the move to put in place a customs facil- ity last month, the SAA’s Executive chairman, Pat Shanahan said, “This means that airlines can fly into any domestic terminal in the US and won’t have to go through the inter- national hubs. That is going to be a major bonus in Shannon and Shan- non would be first airport in Europe to have that facility

‘That is one of our tactics to try to sustain transatlantic traffic.”

A decision is due on the application during the summer.

ENNIS Town Council is seeking a meeting with Clare’s most senior Garda to discuss crime related issues in the town including anti-social be- neha col eue

Members invited Chief Superin- tendent Gerry Mahon to address the council at the June monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Figures from Ennis Town Council show a major drop in the number of prosecutions for people consuming alcohol on streets and public places in the three-year period from 2003

to 2005.

In 2003, there were 73 prosecutions while in 2004 that figure fell to 12. Figures for 2005 show that only two people were prosecuted by the coun- ote

The issue was raised in the cham- ber by Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra who asked that the council provide a report in relation to the suc- cess or otherwise of the Ennis Town Council Prohibition of Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor on Streets and in Public Byelaws 2000.

Cllr O’Bearra said he had noticed increased numbers of people drink-

ing on the streets.

“T put forward this motion because it seems to me that there are more and more people strolling around the town with cans. In the interest of public safety, I would be very con- cerned at the number of people on the street with alcohol. I would like us to be able to meet with the Gaurds on a regular basis to discuss issues like this.”

Independent councillor Frankie Neylon suggested that the council meet with Chief Superintendent Ma- teva

“It would be a very beneficial for us

to get a picture of what is going on in the town. We could invite the chief Superintendent to come in and meet with the council.”

Independent councillor Tommy Brennan supported the proposal and said he had heard of inequalities in the present system of bylaws.

“I would definitely support that suggestion. It would be a useful ex- ercise. Its not always the lads that are drinking that are the ones caught. I know of a case of someone up by me where there was a load of lads drink- ing on his land and he ended up be- ing brought to court over it.”

A 50TH birthday with a difference will be celebrated in Shannon later this month.

‘The Big 50s bash’ is the multiple birthday celebration for dozens of Shannon men and women who are turning 50 this year.

The event will be twofold – it will mark the special occasion and will also form part of a reunion for many of those who have lost touch over the years.

The celebration is the brainchild of Gail Fean, who has decided that, as she turns 50, she should get back in touch with many of her former schoolfriends!

“We needed to do something like

this for years. There are at least 50 of us going to be 50 this year,’ she CrHTOR

“IT thought that we needed to locate people who have been and gone and try to get them back for one bash. We were the babies of Shannon and we are now the parents of Shannon,” she PALO

Gail grew up in Shannon and moved to Cork for many years. Although she returned to Shannon in 1994, she never regained contact with many of her former friends.

“We haven’t met up in years. We would have been the class of 1969 – 69 in St Senan’s, when there was very, very little to do. It was so tight that fifth and sixth classes shared the same room back then. After leav-

ing there, we had the choice of the Comp’ or boarding schools away from the town. People split up then. The bulk of us stayed in Shannon, but commitments pulled many oth- ers in all directions,’ she said.

“We were all very close, but we drifted,” she added.

Ms Fean said there are also plans to make this event an annual celebra- nee

“It is good to have a different out- let. I think we will do something every year to keep the spirit going. Let’s hope this is the first of many reunions in Shannon,” she said.

A number of those who will attend on the night are also planning to walk the Clare People 10k, on June 23. Participants in the 10k are given

the opportunity to donate to a char- ity of their choice and the Shannon group will donate to kidney dialysis units.

The party will take place at the Oakwood Arms Hotel, at 9pm, on Saturday, June 23. Tickets, at a cost of €30, are available from committee members Gail Fean, Fergus Cough- lan, Heather Halton and Claire Mc- Cracken or by phoning 087 4160876 or 086 8206557.

THE IFA has launched a blistering attack on Kerry Co-Op, accusing the company of ‘pocketing’ the money generated by the upsurge in the mar- ket and not passing anything on to JE Du nN ace

The IFA’s National Dairy Com- mittee Chairman, Richard Kennedy, commented on Wednesday that the May 1.4c/l (6.3c/gal) milk price in- crease by Kerry fell 2c/l (9c/gal) short of the 30c/l +VAT benchmark which co-ops “can easily afford” in the present record dairy market re- aebw ete

Kennedy accused the board of Ker- ry of ‘letting down’ its suppliers by following the deliberately weak tone set by Glanbia and failing to pass

back a much higher price increase. He accused both Kerry and Glan- bia of corporate greed in pocketing most of the market upswing. “Sup- pliers demand their fair share of the massive market improvements. It 1s absolutely legitimate after five years of constant price cuts in view of the huge surge in markets,” he said.

“Yet, so far, most dairy farmers have received less than 20 per cent of the historical return increases of the last 12 months. There are already sions of real anger that they are be- ing cheated of fully justified price increases.

Kerry and Glanbia have now in- creased their milk price by a total of 3.6c/l (16c/gal) and 4c/l (18c/gal) respectively, but both have benefited from IDB SMP/butter increases of

three times as much, at 12.7c/l (58c/ gal), as well as significant equivalent increases on returns for most of their product mix.

“Dairy farmers must not be hood- winked by their first milk price in- creases in over five years — 30c/I is the price they received over 10 years ago. They should demand from their board members a far better milk price than Kerry and Glanbia’s in- crease,’ he continued.

“Farmers cannot afford to leave money on the table in this market up- swing when they have taken the full hit in milk price cuts over the past five years.

“The IFA has called for a 30c/I +VAT May milk price, because it is economically fully justifiable, with current market returns, for co-ops to

pay this price and still improve their own margins. Indeed, markets are continuing to strengthen, and further milk price increases will be justified TbOMMO elem exoye sn batcanneleyelne tne

MEMBERS of Clare County Coun- cil last night agreed to extend the town boundary of Shannon to facili- tate the expansion of the town.

County manager Alec Fleming rec- ommended the extension apart from the inclusion of a townland, Clon- money West, in anticipation of the population of Shannon and its envi- rons tripling by 2011.

Mr Fleming laid out the grounds cited for the extension in a document that went before the council’s June meeting in Inagh.

The document is to also go be- fore the members of Shannon ‘Town Council.

Mr Fleming said that the residents of Shannon town and its environs were to be brought under a single ad- ministration with devoted electoral representation for all communities within the expanded town.

The proposed expanded town would be better able to deal adminis- tratively with the future development of the town.

He said that Shannon town resi- dents had no significant input into the running of the affairs of Shan-

aCe em KO). a0e

Mr Fleming also stated that an expanded Shannon town would be better able to promote the social, economic, sporting and cultural fa- cilities and amenities and integrated os ATA CCL IB UOTE A OLoeEs Bote B

The document anticipates that the lands in the extension area could provide an additional 3,027 housing units that would satisfy the primary demand for accommodation in Shan- non town during the life of the cur- rent plan and to 2020.

However, Mr Fleming has ruled out an extension into the townland of

Clonmoney West.

He said: “Given the existing capac- ity of the zoned lands within Shan- non town, there would appear to be no valid reasons for the extension of Shannon town into such townlands save for the possible addition of 172 acres to the north.

“The incorporation of the town- lands into Shannon town would create unsustainable expectations amongst property owners that such areas would be identified for future short to medium term development.

“The development of these lands would be contrary to national poli-

cies and should be retained for agri- cultural and rural type uses.

Mr Fleming has conceded the as- sessment had not taken into account the financial consequences of the re- allocation of rates or capital contribu- tion income to the respective parties and the availability of transportation and infrastructural services.

He added that these issues were critical to the success or failure of the application and required more detailed information. But he rec- ommended the boundary extension apart from the Clonmoney West sec- won

A NEW facility for skaters in Ennis will be officially opened on Saturday, June 16. Mayor of Ennis Joe Reidy will officially open the skateboard park, which is the latest addition to facilities at the Lees Road sports and amenity park.

Sports Surfaces Ireland Ltd, the contractor responsible for the design of the skate park, has arranged for a skateboarding exhibition as part of the official programme of activities for the opening.

The development consists of a modular skate park on a 30m x 20m

concrete surface complete with two- metre high perimeter fence and ac- cess gates. Now that a specifically designed and purpose built skate- board park has been provided, Ennis Town Council intend to introduce new bye-laws prohibiting skateboard in public spaces around Ennis.

The new byelaws will mean that skateboarding can only take place at the new facility at the Lees Road sports and amenity park. According to Ennis Town Council, the statu- tory process will commence in the next few weeks. The council is also seeking input from the general pub- lic throughout the process with the

draft budgets and any submissions received to be considered by the council in the autumn.

The announcement of the official Opening of the skate park was made at the June monthly meeting of Ennis SKon stm Oxeltbntene

At that meeting, councillors raised concerns over safety measures in place at the park and any potential liability risk to the council.

Green Party councillor Donal O’Beara said those using the park must be aware that safety equipment must be worn at all time in the park.

He said, “It is very important, in terms of reducing the liability risk to

the council, that safety gear is worn by people when using the facility.”

This sentiment was echoed by Inde- pendent councillor Tommy Brennan who also asked whether the council could rent out safety equipment.

“The people who looked for the skate park should be notified that safety equipment must be worn. Is it possible that this equipment could be rented out.”

The need for a new skating facility in Ennis first emerged in 2005 when the council proposed the introduc- tion of bye-laws that would prohibit the use of skateboard, roller blades or any other vehicle in any park.

AND so the curtain has finally come down on Clare’s soccer season. Eve- ryone in the County Grounds on Saturday evening were singing from the same hymn sheet. It was some curtain call for fans of the garrison game.

There were many strands to make the occasion. The summer sunshine was one such strand — the biggest advertisement yet that summer soc- cer could be the way to if the game is finally flourish.

The hard sod, shaved to within a couple of inches of its life by dedi- cated groundsman Tommy Austin; the sun on players’ backs. Then came the football, something shy of cham- pagne football but still high on enter-

tainment.

The ingredients were there before- hand. Town versus Country 1s just as compelling in the garrison game as it is in games of the Gael. The spirit of the country against the skill of the townies.

Avenue United. The masters and undisputed kings of Clare soccer over the past quarter of a century. Seven times cup champions, a hat- ful of leagues too, not forgetting the romance of their affairs with the FAI Junior Cup.

It was way back in 1990 when the Avenue Kop set up home on the ter- races of Dalymount Park when the Avenue took on a crack Cherry Or- chard side in the blue riband of the amateur game in Ireland — Europe for that matter as the FAI is the big-

gest knockout competition on the continent.

Alas, it wasn’t to be for the Avenue back then, but their pride of place in the Clare game was secured on that romantic run through Ireland. The players’ place was also secured — John the Man, Johnny Purtill, Ray Casey, Mannix and many more.

John O’Malley and Noelie Purtill are still around the team — the joint- managers patrolled the sideline on Saturday with the same enthusiasm they showed in their playing days.

Barking instructions, giving out, but always encouraging. Preaching a work ethic, but wanting that married with total football at the same time. It’s a townie thing, a skill thing that found expression in Mikie Mahony and many more on the Avenue team.

Mikie seemed born for this day — he dazzled like the summer sun and while the brave Moher defence kept him at bay for most of the game he wasn’t to be denied his moment of glory.

PAV AKO MYL TKCK\, ONG (omc MED EN LUbosloloems Oye joy while the Moher Magpies lay strewn on the pitch. So near and yet so far —1n many ways they were the team of the year in Clare soccer, but bridesmaids at the same time.

Premier League runners-up and now cup runners-up.

Aidan Moloney summed up their torment. The Puddin had given eve- rything, slotted the penalty that had the Magpies dreaming of glory and kept going for 110 minutes.

All for nothing, except for hope that their day will finally come.

It must, but this was Avenue’s. The bluebloods of Clare soccer.