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A CONTENTIOUS planning deci- sion described as “unbelievable” by a senior member of Clare County Council has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

Last month, the council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a €40 million housing development in Kilkee prompted Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) to claim that if the local authority was a company, it would be wound up by now.

Cllr Kelly, who is a long-time critic of the planning process in Clare, said, “As a result of this unbelievable deci- sion, the council has forfeited around €4 million, including €2.5 million towards the provision of a new relief road for Kilkee.”

The council turned down a plan- ning application for 196 homes on zoned land at Kilkee Upper by Colm Kennedy, Noel Gallivan and James Rael after strong opposition against the proposal.

The three developers were seeking

full planning permission on the 25- acre site for 116 homes and outline planning permission for a further 80 elt one

The plan also included the con- struction of a childcare facility and nursing home.

However, it attracted 24 separate objections and was subsequently re- jected by the council planning de- partment.

In the appeal lodged with An Bord Pleanala by Byrne O’Donnell Scully architects, the developers state that

they are prepared to provide a relief road joining Dunlickey Road to the Carrigaholt Road.

‘The council themselves were very keen to have the entire relief road, as described on Kilkee maps as far back as 1972, constructed to allevi- ate traffic congestion within the town of Kilkee especially during the sum- mer period.

The developers also asked the council to consider the possibility of a ‘split decision’, to grant permission for houses numbered one to 46 which

are accessed and separated from that part of the proposed development di- rectly affected by the construction of the proposed relief road.

They are also seeking permission “for the remainder of the develop- ment subject to the satisfactory out- come of the now stalled negotiations with adjoining landowners and the satisfactory completion of the relief road joining Dunlickey Road to the Carrigaholt Road”.

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

PLANS have been lodged with Clare County Council to extend a major quarrying operation in east Clare by 45 acres.

As part of its expansion plans, McGrath (O’Callaghan Mills) Ltd is seeking permission to extend its business for another 30 years with a rock reserve of seven million cubic metres in the planned extension site.

The move to extend the operation Loy eaTeAMa Usd 0 MMO eComereye el orcDeh Van oles Orca NO me)

very strong financial position as the most recent accounts to the Compa- nies Office by McGrath (O’Callaghan Mills) Ltd show that retained profits at the end of March 2006 stood at €5.4 million.

The accounts also show that the company more than doubled its pre- tax profits in 2005-06 going up from €322,000 at the end of March 2005 to €792,000 at the end of March paul ees

There are 30 people employed at the facility and underlining the im-

portance of the operation to the east Clare economy, the accounts show that €721,000 was paid to staff in 2005-06.

The accounts also show that the remuneration to the company’s two directors, Thomas and Joseph Mc- Grath stood at €217,488 for ‘man- agement services’ in 2005-06.

In the Environmental Impact State- ment (EIS) lodged with the planning application, it outlines the need for the extension, stating that there is a market demand for aggregate rock,

that there is a history and an estab- lished industry 1n the area for the ex- traction of rock.

It points out that the existing quarry area of 48 acres is nearly exhausted, while the company was founded in 1952 and has been in the quarrying business since then.

“Since its establishment, the com- pany has maintained a good relation- ship with the local community and the local authority,” the EIS states. “The company has made a contribu- tion to the development of the region

through the supply of construction materials and providing employment in the east Clare area.”

It states that the operation of the quarry will have a minimal addition- al impact on neighbouring activities.

“The quarry is a major employer in the local community as it employs 30 people directly with another 30 people working in ancillary depend- ent services and industries,’ the EIS adds.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

OLD friends gathered last week for Ennis Town Council’s senior citizens night as uncertainty hung over the future provision of services for the town’s elderly community.

According to Independent Council- lor Frankie Neylon more needs to be done to cater for the senior citizens of Ennis.

Many of those that attended on Wednesday avail of meal services provided on weekdays at the CYMS hall.

However, according to Cllr Neylon the continuation of this service has been placed in jeopardy due to the potential sale of the building.

He said people were disappointed with the current situation.

“People are very disappointed that the Parish Council are considering selling the CYMS Hall in Chapel Lane. They are also looking at sell- ing the scout hall.”

Ennis Town Council has already conducted a registry search to de- termine ownership of the two build- Tbh eae

Cllr Neylon said, “There is no reg- istered owner of the CY MS hall. The scout hall was registered by the Par- ish council six or seven years ago. The people of Ennis collected money for the scout hall and they should be notified before anything happens. It belongs to the people of Ennis.”

He also repeated calls for the de- velopment of a day-care centre in the ROD e0k

‘There is a major need for a facility

in Ennis. The parish council have to tell us what their plans are for both halls. We need to know if a new cen- tre is going to be built on one of the current sites. I have invited them to come to the council to discuss the matter”’.

Wednesday night marked the tenth anniversary of the annual event host- ed by the council.

Bishop Willie Walsh and Mayor of Ennis Joe Reidy were among those who attended. Voluntary organisa- tions that provide services for the town’s elderly community were well represented on the night. They in- cluded members of the Cloughleigh and Turnpike Resident’s Association and the senior citizens club.

First hosted in 1997 the event was organised to salute the contributions

made by such groups and by the eld- erly to enhancing community life in J Syav Avie

Cllr Neylon explained, “It was done to give something back to senior citi- zens who make such a great contri- bution to Ennis. In particular around the time of the Tidy Towns judging, they are the ones making sure the ar- eas and estates are kept tidy and look well. It was a great night and as they were going out the door they were al- ready talking about next year. Eddie Power and the staff did a great job.”

THE Equality Tribunal has dis- missed a further 16 cases brought by Travellers under the Equal Status Act against Clare County Council.

The cases were dismissed after the Travellers failed to turn up at the hearing.

A previous ruling to dismiss four cases by Travellers has been ap- pealed to the Circuit Court and these have yet to be heard. The latest deci- sions are also likely to be appealed.

The dispute concerns claims by the

Travellers that they were discrimi- nated against by named officials of Clare County Council and the coun- cil itself on the Traveller Community eround. They also allege that they were harassed contrary to section 1] of the Equal Status Act.

A council spokesman said, “These cases involve a huge amount of ad- ministrative work which could be better used in a number of ways.

The council would still incur legal costs in spite of the Travellers failing to turn up.

He pointed out that each equality

tribunal sittings demand the attend- ance of several council officials.

In a sample decision, the Equality Tribunal officer stated, “The com- plainants’ representative was noti- fied orally by me on October 20, 2006 that I was arranging a callover on December 4, 2006 of all the cases referred against the respondents, in- cluding the cases of the complainants oaKeabee

‘The representative applied for an adjournment of the matters on the grounds that she was out of the coun- try on holidays and would be unable

to notify the complainants of the callover.

“The adjournment was granted and the parties were notified that the callover would take place on January 15, 2007.

“Tt should be noted that during the course of other hearings of cases against Clare County Council listed for the week of 16 to 20 October 2006, the complainants’ representa- tive submitted a letter on behalf of all of the complainant family groups, including the complainants in this case, requesting that I withdraw from

hearing the cases.

““T informed her that I would not be acceding to the request. At the com- mencement of the callover on January 15, 2007, the complainants’ represent- ative made a further application for an adjournment and also stated that she wished to judicially review my deci- sions 1N previous cases.

“On the basis of the foregoing, I find that the complainants have not established a prima facie case of dis- crimination and accordingly their cases cannot succeed,’ the decision concluded.

RESIDENTS in the Ardnacrusha area have told Clare County Coun- cil that it is necessary to restrain children in their back gardens due to truck traffic passing their homes from a local quarry.

Bobby O’Connell and Sons Ltd has lodged plans for the continuation of quarrying at Ballycar South, Ard- nacrusha.

At present, O’Connell’s quarry is the main supplier of quarry material to the southern section of the Limer- ick ring road scheme, together with other major projects in the city.

The existing quarry consists of an area of 42 acres which has a rock re- serve of seven million cubic metres. This will ensure that the site will continue in excess of 25 years.

However, residents from Quinpool, Ballyfinnan, Ballycannon and Bally- car have come together to object to

the continuation of quarrying activi- ties at the site.

The residents claim that the vibra- tion caused by heavily loaded trucks and speeding empty trucks is dis- turbing to the occupants of the many houses along the road and the dust, dirt and stray rocks from the trucks make the road unpleasant for all.

The residents claim that Bus Eire- ann won’t operate a regular bus serv- ice on the road because of frequency of trucks and it is essential to restrain children in the back gardens for fear that they would ever venture out onto the road.

They open windows in houses at night time because the noise of the trucks early in the morning will wake you up.

They can’t open the windows in houses during the day because of the dust coming from the trucks.

A decision is due on the application later this year.

IT all began last year with an idea. An idea which has slowly blossomed over the past few months into a beau- tiful relationship between young and old.

Ennistymon Hospital’s Ragainre Room has played host to an inter- generational project, co-ordinated by local artist Sara Foust, between the elderly women visiting the day cen- tre and nine transition year students from Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon.

The project, entitled Women’s Work, aimed to unearth the women’s youth through the art of conversa- tion. Most students focused on a par- ticular aspect of life back then, such as butter-making and herbal cures, while others created photo journals of the project and drew portraits of the women.

The students worked with several

different groups of women from Liscannor, Carran, New Quay, Moy, Lahinch, Quilty, Corofin, Inagh and Lisdoonvarna.

The women, all of whom were over 65, enjoyed their time spent with the students.

“Oh yes, I think it is a good experi- ence, especially as you get older. It puts your mind right thinking back. We had a great time,’ said Nancy O’Connor and Margaret Connors from New Quay.

“You remember things you thought you had forgotten all about. We told the girls stories that we wouldn’t have told anybody else.”

The project was very beneficial for the women as it allowed them to re-examine certain aspects of their youth which became tantamount to Reminiscence Therapy. This process has proved very successful in helping to stimulate memory and as a guard

against feelings of isolation and de- pression.

The students themselves also devel- oped a great rapport with the elderly wey eatsa ee

“Looking back on the project, I’m really glad I did it and I know that all the girls are because it’s changed our view on the elderly,’ said Maura Garrihy, a transition-year student from Scoil Mhuire.

“I think we all have more respect for them now and this project really bridged the gap between the genera- alee

The project received funding from the Arts Office of Clare County Council and LEADER and was filmed by local filmmaker, Fergus Taige. DVDs will be on sale by Sep- tember to raise money for another project.

‘There was a real sense of joy evi- dent throughout the project,’ said

Mary Lucas, Diversional Therapist at the Ennistymon Hospital.

‘The intergenerational projects are always a success because there is a special bond between the young and the old which is important in our so- ciety. Hopefully there will be more. Perhaps next time it will be focused on the men.”

A week-long exhibition of the stu- dents’ work will take place in the En- nistymon Courthouse Gallery from Thursday, May 17.

FOLLOWING the Taoiseach’s visit to Ennis on Saturday, a notice seek- ing planning permission for the de- velopment of Ennis Hospital will appear in the press at the weekend, according to Fianna Fail election candidate Senator Brendan Daly.

“The move is a clear signal of our intent to get work started on the En- nis Hospital development as quickly as possible” he declared.

“On his visit to Ennis, the Taoi- seach reaffirmed his commitment to the development which has the Government’s full financial backing and political support. It’s now time to progress the project.

“Vd urge the HSE to get on with

securing plannng permission so that the people of Clare can finally get the medical services they deserve. The Taoiseach’s ongoing support for Ennis Hospital should allay any local fears, largely stoked by cynical Op- position politiking, that the future of Ennis Hospital was in doubt.

‘When the project is complete, the people of Clare will have a new day ward, upgraded radiology, A&E and pathology departments.The wards in the hospital will also be refurbished.

‘“We’ve made real progress on 1m- proving our health services in Clare. We’ll continue to drive that progress with the full support of the Govern- ment and the explict commitment of the Taoiseach,” Senator Daly con- cluded.

GRAVE concerns about Crusheen Garda Station lying idle have been aired at a national Garda conference. The Crusheen station was closed due to damage in January 2005 and has since been refurbished.

However, a dispute between the owner of the building and the Office of Public Works (OPW) has prevent- ed gardai from gaining access to it, for work.

As a result, Garda Declan Keavey, who is based in Crusheen, is forced to work from Ennis, or from a car.

Clare representatives attending the annual Garda Representative Asso- ciation (GRA) conference last week in Westport, Co. Mayo raised the 1s- sue and received support from their counterparts across the country.

Clare delegate, Garda Tom Keane said the people of Crusheen were forced to suffer because of a dispute which they had no control over.

‘The Garda station has been ready for the past 12 months. It is disgrace- ful that the people of Crusheen do not have a station, an area where the population has increased substantial- ly,” said Garda Keane.

The conference heard calls for the OPW to be removed from all in- volvement in the Garda buildings programme.

The Clare delegates attending the conference raised a number of other

issues Of concern to them.

One of those was the procedure which is currently in place to deal with bullying and harassment. Under the existing procedure, grievances and problems are dealt with inter- nally. Rank and file gardai want this to be an external process.

“It is an internal grievance proce- dure and we feel it is not working,” said Gda Keane, who is the chair- man of the GRA’s Health and Safety sub-committee, which is currently compiling proposals for changes in this area.

He said that gardai were particu- larly concerned that complainants were victimised. Once a complaint had been dealt with, they were often subjected to disciplinary action.

“We are looking for an outside in- dependent body to investigate issues like that. There are a lot of issues. People should be entitled to make complaints and have them treated in- dependently,” he said.

The four Clare gardai attending the conference also called for an inde- pendent review on pay.

“The last commission on pay was back in 1979. We feel that the current system, which is based on concilia- tion and arbitration, does not work as it is too bureaucratic,” said Garda WO aler

He said that gardai will receive a pay increase of two per cent this year, which “isn’t good enough.”

A TALENT fulfilled is a joy for all the world. The life and talent of one of traditional music’s best loved young musicians, Joseph Browne, is to be further celebrated by the first ever series of musical bursaries offered to young musicians in his name, it was announced this week.

These bursaries, which are open to all young traditional musicians in Clare and Galway, come as a result of money raised during this first an- nual Joseph Browne Spring School of Traditional Music which took place in Gort earlier this year.

A Crusheen native, Joseph Browne tragically lost his life in 2005.

Two bursaries to attend the Meitheal Residential Summer School in July of this year, as well as three bursaries to attend the 2008 Joseph Browne Spring School of Traditional Music in February 2008, are on offer.

Young musicians of 13 years of age and over are invited to submit appli- cation for the two Meitheal Residen- tial Summer School bursaries.

Each applicant should include a written presentation of less than 1,200 words entitled ‘Me and My Music’.

This application should outline the applicant’s musical journey, includ- ing past musical experiences, mu- sical influences, important people in his/her musical life, what music means to the applicant now and where it could go in the future.

Young musicians who wish to ap- ply for this bursary should also sub- mit a recording of their own playing on tape or CD.

Meanwhile, there are three bursa- ries on offer for next year’s Joseph Browne Spring School of Tradition- ZV MAY RUS Com ders sel matbemRKe)ee Malco) aee ary 14 to 16, 2008.

The competition is open to all

ages, with one bursary each being awarded to seven- to 10-year-olds, 11l- to 14-year-olds and 15- to 19- year-olds.

Each applicant is asked to submit a written presentation of up to 800 words entitled “Me and My Music’ while a recording 1s not required.

All applicants should send their presentation to the Joseph Browne Spring School of Traditional Music, Cnoc Maol, Crusheen, on or before Wednesday, May 9, 2007 with name, address, contact number and age.

For further information, contact 087 0674335 or www.josephbrowne. oes

A WOMAN has won her battle to transform a 19th-century school building into a holiday home.

The former primary school is lo- cated at Ballyfaudeen, Liscannor, in a remote, sparsely populated rural area. Nora French lodged plans to convert it last year.

The school dates from 1882 and has not operated for around 10 years.

However, Clare County Council turned down the proposal over site

drainage issues. Ms French appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

The board inspector who investi- gated the case agreed with the coun- cil, stating that the proposal would be prejudicial to public health. The inspector was not satisfied that the site could be drained satisfactorily by means of a new Envirocare unit with peat-based system and outfall to an existing trickling filter on site.

However, the board over-ruled its own inspector to give Ms French the go-ahead.

It stated that having regard to the long established use of the existing building on the site as a school, the proposed development would not be prejudicial to public health and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area.

The appeal lodged on Ms French’s behalf stated that the building had become derelict since its abandon- ment.

“Taking account of the prominent location of the building, and its his-

tory, it is appropriate to preserve and protect the local community spirit as many of the school attendees con- tinue to live in the area.

“Appropriate and imaginative re-use will provide for the general enhancement of the area. The ‘do- nothing’ scenario for a building in this location does nothing more than present a ‘no-confidence’ vote in the multiplicity of projects, which are undertaken countrywide to provide remediation for sites with similar drainage issues.

“On a broader note, the develop- ment is located in an area in which the houses to serve the increasing tourist market are not being permit- ted, and are only infrequently com- ing available on the local market.

“At the outset, it 1s important to make the distinction between a pro- posal for development on a green- field site and a proposal for rede- velopment of a building, which is constructed, has been used and is part and parcel of the local commu- ia Ae