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JUNIOR minister Tony Killeen has joined the chorus of disapproval at plans to construct a five-storey apart- ment block overlooking the prom in Lahinch.

Lahinch Community Council and residents from across the seaside resort have expressed their opposi- tion to plans by Seamus Carroll to develop a €3 million complex that involves demolishing the existing McDonald’s amusement arcade. He wishes to construct a_ five-storey building including 20 apartments, 18 duplex units and six ground-floor retail units.

Now, in a written representation to the council’s planning department, Minister Killeen states that he shares many of the residents’ concerns in relation to the height and design of the proposed structure.

“The proposed development would appear to be premature and in con- flict with the provisions of the Clare County Development Plan,” he said.

Local businessman, Donogh O’Loughlin, in a personal objection states, “The proposed development of an apartment block of such mass

and bulk is not in keeping with the character of Lahinch, a unique sea- side village in the west of Ireland… Such parking facilities are entirely inappropriate given the proposed size and location of the building.”

Businessman Austin Slattery has also expressed his opposition to the proposal.

“The proposed development of 36 apartments is, given its scale and size, entirely inappropriate for La- hinch prom. It is, in my opinion, an overdevelopment of the site,” he stated. Mr Slattery said that existing car-parking was inadequate to cope with a development of this size.

“The existing water and sewerage facilities in Lahinch are unable to cope with the demands placed on them at present. The proposed devel- opment will generate considerable additional traffic and the road infra- structure and parking facilities are unable to cope with traffic generated in Lahinch.”

Mr Slattery added that “the design, scope and scale of the development is totally inappropriate to a seaside resort on the west coast of Ireland”.

A decision is due on the application later this month.

MOUNTSHANNON Park was re- cently covered in graffiti with the blessing of local authorities as part of an initiative to fight boredom among young people.

John Damsell, one of 50 people currently studying for a diploma in community development locally, ap- proached a group of local children and teenagers to put their artwork on display because he feels that there are not enough outlets for them in the community.

“The graffiti project came about because there was a minor problem with vandalism and we decided to turn that energy into something positive. They painted up panels and

hung them up in the park. Martina Lamas and myself met with some young people and one of the things that came up was that they would like a space of their own that they could decorate and maintain.”

This space could be the eventual site for a local skate-park – an idea which was put into practice during the recent Iniscealtra Arts Festival when teenagers built a temporary ramp in the park.

“They were there all day queuing up to use it and they looked after the area themselves. The next day there were kids there collecting litter. It got a brilliant response- if they have the control and responsibility, they take it seriously. Even the older kids were watching out for the younger

ones,” he added.

Mr Damsell hopes to eventually form a formal lobby group to raise funding to buy a piece of land, equip and insure a skate-park like success- ful projects in towns like Galway and Loughrea.

“As part of my course I will be formulating a proper presentation for funding and we will try to make a model that could spread to other youth projects. There is already a eroup working to get a playground locally but older kids need some- thing as well. The facility would be good for biking and rollerblading as well as just a place to go and meet up.”

Mr Damsell said that a skate-park would have other benefits for tourism

in the area.

“What I have found out from talk- ing to tourists is that they research an area and come to where there are facilities for kids. It would be more commercial and valuable in that ie Nall

He also thanked graffiti board spon- sors- Finsa Forest Products, Citizens Information Centre Ennis, Tuohy’s builders’ merchants and PJ Macs.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating funds can contact Mr Damsell on 087 7615851.

OUTGOING Agriculture Miu£inis- ter, Mary Coughlan, has put a shot across the bough of the EU ahead of a Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting which takes place later to- day, June 12.

Setting out her stall ahead of the meeting, Coughlan pointed to the contentious issue of cross-compli- ance as one of her main targets for reform. With the areas of concern for farmers already well established, Coughlan has called for a number of amendments to the commission’s proposals to be agreed upon and made operational in a reasonable time-frame.

The Donegal TD commented that she had made the ministers in the council, the commissioners and the president of the council well aware of the principal concerns of farmers in the areas of cross-compliance and simplification.

“Tam happy about Ireland’s initia- tive on many of the issues, not least the need for adequate advance notice of inspections which recognised the practical realities of modern-day farming,’ she said.

“Tam well aware that there is still a long way to go to convince the com- mission and to secure the necessary changes to cross-compliance = ar- rangements.

“T will be doing my utmost at the

council to get my fellow ministers and the commissioner to understand and accept the need for reform of the cross-compliance requirements in a way that reduces red tape and recognises the practical situation on Teena

In tandem with the commission’s proposals on its review of cross- compliance, the minister said that her department had undertaken a review of the paperwork associated with cross-compliance inspections with a view to simplification and a practical approach.

The inspection report forms have been substantially reviewed and will now be discussed with the farming bodies.

Coughlan pointed out that the pa- perwork involved in the inspections is internal department documenta- tion for use by the department in- spector only and under no circum- stances do these documents have to be filled in by the farmer.

“The fact is that the farmer being inspected does not have to complete any paperwork apart from signing the inspection report if he or she so wishes,” she continued.

Two thirds of the 7,000 or so farm- ers to be inspected in 2007 will be checked for no more than two of the 18 cross-compliance requirements while the number of inspections at 7,000 is down from approximately 18,000 before decoupling.

CONSTRUCTION work on_ the €204 million Gort Crusheen bypass moved a step closer yesterday with An Bord Pleanala confirming the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for the scheme.

The planning board also confirmed the Environment Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

However, confirmation of the CPO does not include the provision of a second access road into Gort that

was being sought by local groups in the Gort area.

The lead agency in the scheme, Galway County Council, will now take the next steps to compulsorily acquire almost 500 acres of land contained in 103 farms along the 22km route.

Galway County Council has al- ready initiated the tendering process for the scheme.

The scheme will also involve the severance of 845 acres of farmland.

In its decision, An Bord Pleanala

stated that the construction of the route would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and would not result in significant adverse ef- fects on the environment.

The overall cost of the scheme is €209 million, with construction costs put at €156 million.

A spokesman for the National Roads Authority (NRA) said yes- terday that construction was due to commence by the middle of next year and the construction phase

would last between two and a half and three years.

On the need for a second access junction into Gort Road, the board inspector stated, “The current pro- posal provides for only one access to Gort at Ballinger’s corner on the north east of the town.

‘The submission by Gort Regional Alliance for Community and Envi- ronment related to the need for a sec- ond limited type access at the point at which the proposed route crosses the Gort-Tubber Road.

“It is considered that the capacity of the junction as proposed, taken with the intention to build a com- plete grade — separated junction at Ballinger’s Corner with a future ex- tension of the scheme – is adequate for the current and projected traffic NO) LUN aa Shee

Much of the road passes through a karst landscape. The route will pass within 300 metres and 3km of nine designated Special Areas of Conser- vation (SAC) or National Heritage Areas (NHAs).

FINE GAEL has continued its trend of electing younger representatives to public office with the election of Paul Murphy to succeed newly-elect- ed TD Joe Carey on Clare County Council.

Mr Murphy was elected ahead of Tony Mulqueen on Friday night to take the place of his fellow Clarecas- tle man.

Despite pleas from the Mulqueen camp that experience be considered

over youth, the majority of the hun- dred-plus delegates voted to elect 29- year-old Mr Murphy.

Earl Mulqueen, nominating his brother, described the family’s long history in the party, going back to his erandfather, Thomas, who took the side of Collins after the “tan war”.

He told delegates that his brother’s lineage in Fine Gael went back to Cumann na nGael, and that he be- lieved faithfully in the party’s motto of integrity and decency.

“Forget parish loyalties. This is not

a contest between young Fine Gael and old. It is about preparing for 2009,” he said.

Ennis Town Cllr. Johnnie Flynn, who replaced Mulqueen’s cousin Anna Mulqueen in the council in 2004, seconded the Ennis man’s nomination.

“I believe this party wronged him in 2004,” he said, referring to Mr Mulqueen’s 40-vote loss at the local ere nen se

“I believe this party let him down in 2004. If he does not get support

tonight, he would be let down again,” said the Ennis councillor.

When Clarecastle’s Pascal Russell pulled out of the council race just minutes before nomination, it left just one other candidate, Paul Mur- phy, a supporter of outgoing council- lor Joe Carey. He was proposed by Willie Halpin.

“In 1999, we were in a small little room upstairs and we nominated Joe Carey to go for the county council. He was 23 years of age then. Nine years later, he was elected as a TD.

If you invest in youth you will reap the rewards.”

Una Lynch, from Young Fine Gael, was equally sure of his ability and dedication when she seconded his nomination. The two candidates then introduced themselves to the del- egates, before the votes were cast by secret ballot.

The chairman of the convention and director of elections, Paul Bu- gler, confirmed that Mr Murphy was elected by an undisclosed majority vote.

MEP Jim Higgins (FG) has lent his support to efforts by Shannon Town Council to get the Government to ap- ply for an EU subsidy that could see a return of daily flights from Shannon to Dublin.

It comes despite Ryanair announc- ing the commencement of its service from Shannon to Dublin from this November.

The Public Service Operation (PSO) scheme gives financial assist- ance to certain essential but unprofit-

able transport routes offered out for tender. It currently supports several routes in regional airports such as Kerry, Sligo and Galway.

“The Government would have to apply to the EU Commission in Brus- sels for this assistance. There will be conditions to do with competition law and negotiations but the commission is very Sympathetic towards Shannon since the introduction of Open Skies. Once an application is made, my col- leagues and I can enlist support and stress the importance of it.”

As Fine Gael transport spokesman,

Higgins was instrumental in con- vincing the Government to apply for a PSO ruling for commuter routes to and from Knock Airport.

“The Knock commuter flights are packed because there is such a huge demand,” he added.

Shannon councillor Sean McLough- lin (FG) said that the council agreed last week to send a letter on the matter to the incoming minister for transport.

‘“PSOs are not restricted to internal flights but the return of a daily Shan- non to Dublin route would be wel-

come. If properly timed, this route would allow people to fly to Dublin, get a return flight to Europe and be back in Shannon that night. This would really benefit business people. Ryanair is planning a Shannon/Dub- lin route but the times have not been announced and they are key for con- necting flights.”

“If this was subsidised, the pressure would be off. Up to 200 people a day were using this route at its height and it could run all year around… Shan- non will survive once the infrastruc- ture and financial support are there.”

AN AIR Accident Investigation Unit inquiry into a “very serious in- cident” involving an Aer Lingus jet has blamed the faulty installation of a cargo door seal for pressurisation problems which forced the aircraft to declare an emergency return to Shannon Airport.

The inquiry concluded that a cargo door seal had been fitted incorrectly by an engineer at Dublin Airport who had never carried out a cargo door seal replacement on an A330 previously. The seal in this case was fitted inside out and upside down.

The incident occurred on August 18, 2005 after the Aer Lingus Air- bus A330-301 aircraft left Shannon for JFK Airport in New York.

Shortly into the flight, the captain declared an emergency due to pres- surisation problems. The aircraft made an emergency descent from 35,000 ft and the captain requested a diversion to Shannon. A normal approach was executed and the air- craft, although overweight, landed safely at 4.23pm.

Earlier, when the flight first ar- rived at Shannon, the captain was forced to abort his first landing af- ter reporting a pressurisation prob-

lem. The plane landed safely on the second attempt.

The door seal was fitted inside out and upside down which, according to the report, “would indicate that neither the crew leader nor crew- members understood how the seal functioned in flight. Taken collec- tively, they all had adequate experi- ence but obviously none were aware of the significance of the inflation holes.”

According to the investigation unit report, the incident should sig- nal the need for a review of the con- tractor’s initial and ongoing train- ing system.

The report cited mitigating cir- cumstances, however, stating that the crew leader’s attention was di- vided between two aircraft. There was also the length of time taken to acquire a seal, the time spent on the job as a consequence, the move- ment of the aircraft to another stand and the encroaching darkness.

Had the new seal been fitted at the time of the damaged seal removal, its correct orientation in the door might have been obvious to the crew who might also have noted that the inflation holes were on the incorrect side and facing out from the door centre.

PLANS for a major overhaul of Shannon ‘own Centre, to include a traditional streetscape, have been drawn up – they will go to the public and key stakeholders in the town, to allow them to have an input into the finished product.

The aim is to create a new ‘urban retail environment’ and a ‘living cen- tre’, a task described as ‘challenging’ by the firm of architects overseeing the project.

The plans – for a site across the road from SkyCourt – include a develop- ment focused on ‘people-orientated places’ with ‘daytime and evening vibrancy’, featuring a mix of town

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A presentation on the plans was made by Murray O’Laoire architects to town councillors last week. Vari- ous stakeholders, including council- lors, the business sector and local groups, will be consulted, before a draft design will be put on public dis- play later in the year. A public infor- mation evening will also be held.

Senior Urban Designer with Mur- ray O’Laoire, Daibhi Mac Domhnaill told councillors the plans – if imple- mented – would add to the image of the town and would “redefine how people view the town”.

“The objective would be to have a draft plan by September 2007 and if itis approved, it would go forward for

adoption,’ said Mr Mac Domhnaill.

“You would like to make the town centre accessible for young teens and elderly. There should be routes that would be safe at day time and after dark,” he said.

“Shannon hasn’t a great street- scape,’ he added, to responses from councillors who pointed out that there are no streets in the town.

“That is something we would want to bring to the project,” he contin- ued.

John Murray, of Murray O’Laoire told councillors the biggest challenge was to “integrate it successfully with the existing town centre”.

Clare County Council Senior Exec- utive Engineer (planning), John Bra-

dley said the council was working on a “very tight schedule”.

“There are a couple of major plan- ning applications in at the moment. Developers don’t waste time. We want to get it right. We are looking at something that will bring devel- Opers in and who want to develop in this area. This is going to be the hub of your town. At the moment a large amount of employees don’t use the town for shopping,’ he said.

He said that the land in question is owned by four landowners – the main one which is Clare County Council – all of who are being consulted with.

‘We have to flesh out what is possi- ble. What will attract the investors to invest in Shannon?” he asked.

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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would hope that everyone will be committed and happy with the plan NOLO MM OLombN OYOcOy aD OTSarel er: be Tecoma

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.”