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CLARE’S Fianna Fail general elec- tion candidates have rowed in with their support behind the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, after last week’s launch of the party’s new agriculture policy.

The new policy documents, which are called “The Next Steps Forward for Farming Communities’, were re- leased to the public last week and re- ceived a warm welcome from Clare Senator Brendan Daly and Minister Tony Killeen.

“The plan, launched by my Fianna Fail colleague, Agriculture Muinis- ter Mary Coughlan, sets out details of proposals covering all aspects

of farming and the food industry,’ commented Senator Daly.

“Fianna Fail believes that farming requires further sustained support at a time of great change. We’re com- mitted to ensuring that farmers’ in- terests remain a core priority for the next government.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, described the publication as responsive to the needs and concerns of the Irish farming community.

“All farmers face the challenge of reducing the cost of inputs while striving to have high-quality market- able products, which will attract a premium price. Food producers face challenges from South America and

Australia, which can only be met by producing quality food that is attrac- tive to the consumer,” he said.

“The EU and World Trade poli- cies will change during the next five years. The Irish Government has set out its stall regarding how it will pro actively influence these changes. I am confident that the successes en- joyed by Irish food exporters, with the help of Bord Bia over the last five years, will be acted upon by the cur- rent farmer-friendly Government,” he added.

Senator Daly also used the publica- tion to take a stab at the agricultural policy adopted by other parties.

‘The Taoiseach was the only party leader to mention farmers in an Ard

Fheis speech this year,” he said.

‘“Labour’s recent comments on their hill-walking legislation showed that the alternative government doesn’t believe farmers should be consulted on matters that directly affect them.

“Our plan outlines a range of com- mitments, including support for the development of higher-value prod- ucts with more secure markets, the extension of country-of-origin la- belling, a strong position on EU and WTO negotiations and the improve- ment of a range of schemes designed to give farmers the freedom to farm as they decide.”

The policy in full can be viewed on www.thenextsteps.ie/farmingcom- munities.

FINE Gael leader Enda Kenny says he is confident that the party’s con- troversial four-candidate strategy will see the party return a second deputy to the Dail.

During his visit to Clare last week, Mr Kenny echoed the belief ex- pressed by Fine Gael’s Director of Elections in Clare.

Speaking in these pages three weeks ago Paul _ Bugler commented that the key to Fine Gael’s strategy would be miaintain- ing and hold- ing the party’s internal trans-

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Mr Kenny SF NCMR Meee CAN which

had provoked heated debate at the party’s County Convention, would prove successful. Commenting on the importance of the internal transfers Mr Kenny said, “They (transfers) will obviously be the key to it. But I expect the peo- ple and our supporters are going to make a real effort here to send back a second deputy with deputy Pat Breen. We have already encouraged our supporters to vote the full Fine

Gael ticket, thereafter to vote the Labour ticket and thereafter to pass their preference votes onto the Green Party, who share the same objective as ourselves as getting the Govern- ment out of office”

Mr Kenny also pledged his com- mitment to the retention of consult- ant delivered accident and emergency services at Ennis General Hospital.

He also outlined his opposition to the controversial Hanly report,

which is ex- pected to rec- ommend the downgrading of services at the hospital “We’ve committed to that. We’re opposed to the Hanly report were opposed to closing down small hospi- tals and services. We are committed to keeping accident and emergency services opening and to full-time consultant led services in Ennis.”

THIS week sees the culmination of a long road strew with paperwork for a north east Clare group and their little Od tNaxone

Minister Brian Lenihan will be the VIP on Friday at the official opening of the Lough Graney Kids Corner community creche, childcare and af- ter-schools facility.

The facility was purpose built after sucessfully securing a building grant of €1 million and a further €94,000 for equipment.

“We started several years back in the national school, where we had a playschool in a spare room,” said Kathleen McNamara, Secretary of the childcare committee.

“We applied for and got a staffing erant, which meant we were able to expand to pre-school and after school care. That grant was a major cog in the wheel. It gave us the opening to keep going forward.”

What followed was “a mountain of paperwork”, said Kathleen. “We had forms everywhere. It was never ending but when you see the benefit to the community today, it was well worth it.”

Now the facility operates out of a state-of-the art purpose built home at the back of the school, with fifty children being catered for.

The structure is child-friendly, tim- ber framed with underfloor heating and wood floors for little feet.

“We don’t just sit around keeping an eye on them. We are very activ- ity oriented. While we do homework with the children, we also have peo- ple come in to do activities like gym- nastics and crafts. We do a cookery class for children which is very pop- ular. There are lots of things like that that parents just don’t get time to do with the children anymore.”

And the youngsters are not the only ones who benefit from the new build- ing. There are regular community classes in the activity room such as (0yeeF

“When older people come here for a class, they get to mix with the chil- dren,” said Kathleen.

The staff even offer a summer camp and a birthday party facility, where children can celebrate their big day without parents having the hassel of having to bring gangs of children to their homes or drive their own miles to a party.

Built by a local builder, to a design

by architect, Peter Sheils, the child- care centre will soon have it’s own website and open days are planned for new parents and their children. Welcoming the official opening, lo-

cal councillor Pat Hayes said the fa- cility is “a really valuable part of the infrastructure of the area and a re- source for the entire north east Clare area. We can be justifiably proud to

have an important facility like this”.

A FEAKLE man died after he fell awkwardly from his bicycle as he cycled home after a night out, Ennis Coroner’s Court has heard.

The body of Sean Tobin (41), of Gurrane, Feakle, was found at Fur- nacetown, on the main Feakle to Scariff road, at around 2am on April 17, 2006.

An inquest last Thursday heard from witness Mary McGuinness. She was on her way home from Feakle when she noticed something

on the road, just lOO yards from Pep- per’s pub.

She saw a body lying partially on the grass margin and there was a bi- cycle between the man’s legs.

Garda Pat McGrath of Mountshan- non said he attended the scene of the accident. He recognised the cyclist as Sean Tobin, a factory worker, who lived just a half-mile away.

Garda McGrath said there were two lamps on the bicycle, none of which were turned on.

He said there was no damage to the bicycle, but the front wheels and

handlebars had been turned a full Rol Oe (fea terene

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy said Mr Tobin had been half- way home, when he fell off his bicy- cle and was lying “awkwardly”.

She said there had been “no evi- dence of a road traffic accident”.

It appeared that Mr Tobin may have hit a stone, which would have top- pled him from the bicycle.

‘He was acutely intoxicated by al- cohol. His co-ordination would have been poor. He would have been un- steady,’ she said.

The post mortem examination showed Mr ‘Tobin had _ sustained mainly “trivial” injuries, consistent with a fall.

“Although the injuries were trivial, the position in which he landed would have left him susceptible to asphyxia, due to lack of oxygen,” she said.

She said that death was due to as- phyxia, which was due to the awk- ward way he fell, combined with acute alcohol intoxication.

The jury returned a verdict of acci- dental death, on the recommendation of Coroner Isobel O’Dea.

TNS MRBI opinion poll which showed a five per cent surge in support for Fine Gael.

The findings also revealed the al- ternative coalition of Fine Gael and Labour to be in a strong position to win the forthcoming election.

According to the poll, Labour and Fine Gael have a combined 41 per cent share of the vote while Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats have a combined share of 37 per

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Mr Kenny said he sensed the coun- try wanted a change and that mo- mentum was now very much with Opposition parties.

“The result of that poll is certainly very encouraging but its only reflec-

tive of other polls published in the last few weeks and they reflect a view of people around the country that they want change, that they are tired of this Government and that momentum is there and we are going to continue to build on that.”

According to Mr Kenny, the poll revealed the strides made by opposi- tion parties and revealed high levels of public dissatisfaction with the cur- rent Government.

However, he was quick to point out that the battles ahead would be

fought on multiple fronts. He admit- ted he was encouraged but that he wouldn’t be getting carried away.

“Well a few months ago you wouldn’t get any bet on the result of that particular poll. The point is that this is an election that takes place over 43 constituencies on any given day that takes into account person- alities, local issues and all of that. So that’s what my focus is on. While the poll itself 1s very encouraging. it’s only part of a trend that’s being reflected by the people which will decide the ultimate poll.”

He also fired a broadside at Taol- seach Bertie Ahern. Reacting to Fine Gael’s strong showing in the polls, Mr Ahern had warned the elector- ate to think twice before entrusting the reins of power to the alternative coalition.

In response Mr Kenny rounded on the Government’s performance over the previous ten years.

“Well, I won’t take lectures from Fianna Fail who have misspent the people’s money over the last ten years. This administrations is one whose hallmark is indecisiveness and incompetence on a vast scale and you can find it through every town and parish in County Clare,” said Mr aah

PARENTS and pre-school young- sters are being invited to make new friends at the resurrected Parent and Toddler meetings in Scariff.

The group has started up again af- ter a year’s gap 1n the childcare room behind Brian and Jo’s café on the main street.

A few parents and their tots began meeting last week and there’s room

for lots more, says co-ordinator with the East Clare Community Support eroup, Jo Baker.

“We can accommodate up to twelve parents and if there’s more demand than this, then we’ll start up a second eroup,’ she said.

The fun meetings give parents a chance to chat and relax while the younger participants can play and enjoy each other’s company as well.

Shortly, the group will be enjoying

arts and crafts classes and story-tell- ing sessions.

“Parents can enjoy activities with their young children and it’s a friend- ly, sociable environemnt,” said Jo.

The meetings are free to anyone with a child up to school age and they are held on Wednesday mornings be- tween 10am and |2pm.

The group is just one of a number of activities organised under the aus- pices of the East Clare Community

Support organisation at Derg House in Scariff.

Currently, there is a tyranoing pro- gramme for people with disability in train and a diploma course in Com- munity development practice, which is under NUI Galway.

The support group runs various academic and community-oriented courses through the year as well as facilitating community groups and networking organisations.

THE MURDER of elderly farmer Jack Daly sent shockwaves through- out the quiet village of Belharbour, four years ago.

The 83-year-old was lying in his bed shortly before 7am on April 30, 2003, when he was attacked by his nephew.

John McInerney had been anxious the previous night and feared that the devil had been trying to get in to the family home, at Abbey West, Bel- harbour. His obsession with the devil ultimately cost his uncle his life. He believed the devil was in his defence- less uncle.

MclInerney’s mother Kathleen was worried about his behaviour in the hours leading up to the murder.

He had been admitted to Our La-

dy’s Psychiatric Hospital on March 18, 2003, after he had disappeared from his home and spent a night at Corcomroe Abbey.

A neighbour, Gerard Kerin, later found him there, standing on an altar and carrying a fork in his hand. He claimed he was trying to ward off the devil, who was taking over the altar.

He spent a month at Our Lady’s and was discharged in mid-April. On the night of April 29, he began to talk Vole) Ulm a slome (oa EB

Kathleen, who was 83 at the time, knew that something was not right the following morning when she heard her son going in to her broth- er’s room.

She was terrified and ran from the house. She later heard Jack saying, “I killed Jack”.

McInerney was arrested a short

time later and was questioned at En- nistymon Garda Station throughout the day.

He was charged with murder at a special sitting of Tulla District Court later that night. He pleaded guilty but insane to murder, at the Central Criminal Court in November 2004.

Medical experts for both the pros-

ecution and defence agreed that he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time. The jury returned a verdict of guilty but insane, without leaving the jury box. Mr Justice Paul Carney ordered his detention at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.

The inquest into the death has taken four years to be heard and in some way brings to a conclusion a very sorry chapter for the Daly and McInerney families, and for the peo- ple of the close-knit community of Belharbour.

Coroner Isobel O’Dea and Garda Inspector Tom Kennedy paid tribute to the wonderful neighbours of the Daly and McInerney families during this “traumatic” time.

INDEPENDENT TD James Breen SEISMW se NW OLecO MO OFLU Slom @cOn/orusbestoIIMAY el suffer if Clare isn’t compensated for the Open Skies aviation deal, which was ratified in the Dail this week.

The Minister for Transport, Mar- tin Cullen, said that the Government would deliver an economic plan for Shannon to support the region.

But Deputy Breen said that Clare was long overdue a pay-off to make up for decades of neglect.

“IT guarantee the minister that if that payback is not announced in the near future, the Government will get its own payback in spades in the forthcoming election.

“The Minister has let Shannon and the mid west down and has sold us down the river.

“Shannon is the one airport for which Open Skies represents a major negative and the minister can only wash his hands of it.

“If he was serious with regard to securing the future of Shannon and the mid west, this fund and other packages would have been put in place before the Open Skies agree- ment was announced.”

He added, “The lack of proper

measures means that the Shannon area can expect a 30 per cent drop in trade. The shortening of the intro- ductory period leading into the start date of the Open Skies agreement confirms the apathy with which this administration views the mid west.

“In the immediate aftermath of the announcement of the agreement, Aer Lingus announced new routes to San Francisco, Orlando and Washington. Significantly, all of those routes will operate from Dublin Airport.

‘There is no doubt that this agree- ment will lead to a cherry-picking of routes by airlines.

‘Much was made of the establish- ment of customs and immigration clearance in Shannon and this was trumpeted as a jewel in the crown of SI erVeveCOye MAURO DKen

‘However, it now transpires that a similar station will operate out of Dublin Airport within a year. This is further proof of the minister’s con- tempt for the mid west.

Speaking on the issue, Pat Breen (FG) said, “The minister had a gold- en opportunity to announce the im- plementation of the tourism and de- velopment plan but failed to do so.

“We’ve had enough photo opportu- nities. We need action.”

A LITHUANIAN man who falsely imprisoned and threatened to kill a 40-year-old woman in Ennis has been jailed for three years.

Ennis Circuit Court heard yesterday that the attack was “unprovoked” and the woman was “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

Arturas Kupriscenka (22), of Hol- land’s Place, Liscannor, also admit- ted assaulting the woman and steal- ing her handbag in the early hours of October 15 last year.

Garda Trevor Sheehan said the woman was walking towards Sand- field Place when the accused pulled up alongside her in his car. He jumped out of the car, grabbed her and forced her into the car. He then locked the door and drove off at speed in the di- rection of Galway.

He hit her with the back of his hand. He drove as far as Ballyalla and beat her to the face and body. He tried to rip her clothes off, but she fought back. He put his hand up to her mouth and threatened to kill her.

‘He told her to shut up or he would

kill her. She was terrified. She put up a huge struggle,” he said.

Kupriscenka eventually opened the door of the car and threw her out and she managed to make her way to a house in Ballyalla and raise the rUPDeOee

Kupriscenka was arrested shortly afterwards on suspicion of drink driving at a Garda checkpoint.

The court was told that the victim suffered extensive bruising and spent four days in hospital. She continues to suffer emotionally.

Defence Counsel John Edwards,

SC, said his client was not charged with abduction and was denying that he had dragged her in to the car.

‘His contention was she had sought a lift from him and he had given her a lift,’ said Mr Edwards.

He said that Kupriscenka, who has lived in Ireland for almost two years, had a difficult upbringing in his na- OAM COUNT RA

He said he had drank six pints and four double vodkas and he could not remember a lot of what happened that night. Kupriscenka apologised in court.

Judge Carroll Moran said the case was “disturbing”.

‘There was no reason for the ac- cused to attack this lady. He didn’t know her and she didn’t know him. I haven’t been given any explanation as to why he did this. . . Clearly this is worrying because this sort of thing could happen again,” he said.

He said he was obliged to accept that the accused gave the woman a lift, rather than drag her into the car.

He imposed a four year jail term and suspended one year because he had pleaded guilty.

WITH the arrival of the good weath- er, the urge to get out in the field and get some work under the belt is erowing all the time. It is appropriate then, at this time of increased activi- ty, to remind farmers, and especially young farmers, of the importance of insuring their safety while working and operating machinery.

With this in mind, the FRS Net- work Training Services, in conjunc- tion with Teagasc and IFA Skills Net, will hold a one-day training course in Ennis on Friday, May 11 and in Limerick on Wednesday, May 9.

The training courses, which are en- titled “Young Agricultural Drivers’ Safety and Skills Awareness’, were

launched last week by the Minister for Labour Affairs and Clare Gener- al Election candidate, Tony Killeen.

The majority of young agricultural drivers are allowed on the public roads with just a basic provisional licence, without any formal safety awareness training. These drivers carry a huge responsibility for public safety while on the road.

‘They are responsible for being in control of very large modern tractors with large implements attached, such as Silage trailers laden with anything up to 20 tonnes of grass, and it’s all rush, rush, rush and long hours dur- ing the busy harvest or sowing time,’ said a spokesperson from the FRS.

“Unfortunately, this all adds up toa very serious accident waiting to hap-

pen and, in order to minimise this possibility, FRS along with Teagasc and IFA Skills Net have joined forc- es to put on the courses in the two fo) tonal she

“If there is a good uptake this year, we see the idea being rolled out na- tionwide next year.”

Each course has been designed and will be delivered by experienced tu- tor Val O’Connor and there will also be experienced drivers available on the day to deliver invaluable practi- cal driving instruction.

The courses are designed to create safety awareness for all agricultural drivers, be they silage workers, hay- making contractors or tillage work- ae

Items covered will include law, work

equipment, use on the road and dan- gers in the yard, tractor maintenance, checking trailers, lights and tyres and driving and tipping trailers.

More information can be got by contacting the FRS Network Train- ing Services in Limerick on 063 y1Uelelon