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in the Quilty Tavern at 9pm on May 5 will go towards a commemorative weekend for the last week in Sep-

tember.

PJ, who plays and tours with Séa- mus Shannon, said that the heroic rescue of the crew of French ship Leon XIII in October 1907 had in- spired generations.

“In a huge storm, the ship got stuck in a reef off the coast of Quilty and all rescue attempts failed. So the fishermen of Quilty had a go at it and they rescued them. It was the talk of the world and people came from everywhere to see and meet

them. Money donated at the time was later used to build the Star of the Sea Church.”

He added that reaction to the song, which has been played on Clare FM and is on sale locally and in Ennis, has been very positive.

“I did a lot of research when I wrote the song last January and it tells the proper story of what happened. It was very much a local job and we re- corded it in Malbay Studios. People seem to like it anyway. The launch

will have well-known guests like Kitty Hayes and David Culligan and maybe a surprise or two.”

PJ, originally from Mullagh, said that plans for the commemoration weekend and possibly a dedicatory plaque have not been finalised but there is already some interest in the event.

“Lots of the ancestors of the fish- ermen are still around. We are even expecting people to come home from abroad for it,” he said.

A CLARE motorcyclist is threat- ening to take the county council to court over what he describes as “wil- fully dangerous roadworks”.

Mountshannon resident Ciaran Ma- cAodh came close to serious injury at the weekend when his motorbike skidded out of control after he drove across gravel which had been thrown up on the road surface from road- works on the opposite side.

The accident happened at Cloon- tymweenagh on the road between Scariff and Mountshannon.

“I saw the roadwork warning signs and slowed right down but the gravel dressing that the council put on the other side where the works are go- ing on wasn’t rolled into the road. Cars driving over it threw up stones, which went all over the road on the side I was driving. There was noth- ing for the bike to grip on — it was just sliding,” he said.

MacAodh was thrown from his bike and the bike went spiralling away.

He was treated in the accident and emergency department for injuries to his wrist and said that he was still unsure what damage was done to the bike.

“There was a car coming in the other direction and it was just as well that I wasn’t going any faster because

I could have ended up under that car. This happens all the time with road- works. The council never considers what happens to a bike when it hits loose gravel.

“Cars can cope but not bikes. I’m sick of it and I’m going to court this time,’ he added.

A spokesman for Clare County Council’s roadworks section said that surface dressings like this were “always rolled”’.

He added that there was “always signs imposing a temporary speed limit and warning about roadworks. Nowadays, health and safety issues are all important and every precau- tion is taken to warn motorists and prevent accidents”.

A spokesman for the Tulla area of- fice of the local authority confirmed that the work at Cloontymweenagh are part of a major roadworks pro- gramme, which will be ongoing in the favourable weather conditions.

The spokesman said that the council tooks certain measures when putting down the temporary surface.

The procedure was a “normal part of the construction process.

“The stones are there to form a base for the final surface. There’s not much can be done, aS some stones are thrown up by car wheels as the temporary surface is driven on,’ he explained.

THE €36 million deal to restructure Shannon Airport looks set to be rati- fied with over 180 workers express- ing an interest in exiting the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA).

An airport source said that around 182 were exiting with still a small number to make up their mind.

Prior to the package being put on offer, the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) stated that 200 voluntary re- dundancies were needed in order for the Shannon deal to be viable.

While the SAA might not reach the 200 target, it is believed that the high number will be enough for the deal

to go through.

However, workers retiring at the airport are understood to be angry that their cut-price travel will be lost. Traditionally, workers at the SAA have been entitled to concession travel with Aer Lingus.

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) agreement delivered to both sides in March makes no mention of the concession travel for people who retire.

It is understood that the matter is being referred back to the LRC for clarification.

“The encouraging take-up of the severance package is a tribute to the unions that have obtained an excel-

lent outcome for the workers who wish to avail of the package and those who will remain directly em- ployed by the Airport Authority.

Itis also a clear indication of LRC’s productive and professional input to the facilitation process,’ said junior Minister Tony Killeen.

‘In many of these cases, issues arise which may not have been foreseen or PUNE DBRSoxOn

“I am confident that the process is sufficiently robust to resolve any outstanding issues in a fashion fa- vourable to all parties involved.”

As part of the deal with the air- port’s 550 workers, the SAA is to exit completely from catering. In the

new revamped Shannon airport, in- ternational retail and catering organ- isation, HMS Host has secured the contract to operate five retail outlets at Shannon and they are expected to become operational this coming summer.

It is believed that the rates offered by the two catering firms that will provide ground catering and in-flight catering have disappointed workers.

Those workers with 24 years expe- rience or more who opt to leave the SAA will receive over €100,000, while the 350 who do remain are to receive a payment of €16,000.

The deal is expected to save the SAA €10 million per annum.

RUGBY has broken into the GAA stronghold of west Clare.

Munster’s newest rugby club West Clare Warriors RFC was formed in February to give boys and girls from Miltown Malbay and Mullagh areas an opportunity to play rugby. Al- ready over 70 children are attending training sessions.

The club was officially launched in Spanish Point by Bob McConkey,

Senior Vice-President of Munster Rugby and present were representa- tives of other Clare clubs. As part of the celebrations the Heineken Cup won by Munster last year visited lo- cal schools in the area and was re- ceived with great enthusiasm.

President of the Warriors is local Miltown Malbay publican David Hillery cousin of another famous President, Dr Paddy Hillery former President of Ireland. His wife Ca- triona is club treasurer.

The officers are all delighted with the support the new club has received from the public.

“Its fantastic to see the huge num- bers turning up for training and its great to see the youth of west Clare getting the opportunity to play rug- by,” said David Hillery.

Former Shannon RFC player Paddy Hayes who is Club Youth Officer said: “our club is enabling the young boys and girls to participate in a game that has never been as popular

as now with the success of Munster and our Irish rugby team.”

Other high profile Munster rugby officials present at the launch cel- ebrations were John Noonan, John King and Gerry Quaid.

has learned.

Their action could include day-long work stoppages, if a resolution can- not be reached by this Friday, May ay

In a joint statement released late

last night, the Irish Nurses Organi- sation (INO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) ex- pressed their “deep disappointment and frustration” at the progress be- ing made at talks between the un- ions and the National Implementa- tion Body (NIB).

“In view of this lack of progress… we have decided to advise all local co-ordinating committees that in the absence of meaningful propos-

als capable of resolving this dispute, to prepare for escalation of the cam- paign before the end of this week,” read the joint statement.

It was also agreed that executive committees of both unions would meet at 11 am on Thursday morning next to review the existing situation.

An INO spokesperson confirmed that this review would involve con- sidering daily work stoppages na- tionwide.

A CLARECASTLE woman its seek- ing damages from the State and the Garda Commissioner over her al- leged false imprisonment at Ennis Garda Station five years ago.

The woman is also seeking dam- ages in respect of a Garda making an “unfounded” complaint to the Mid- Western Health Board over the care she provided for her then four year old daughter who was also detained at the station.

The woman’s partner was stopped at a Garda road checkpoint in Clare in August 2002. The woman and her daughter were also in the car.

The partner admits that he turned

his car in the direction of Limerick before he was stopped by a Garda patrol vehicle. The man _ refused to give the garda his address. The Garda found that the tax disc and the insurance disc were apparently out of date. The partner was physically restrained, arrested and brought to Ennis Garda Station.

The woman and her daughter were brought to Ennis Garda Station in a separate Garda vehicle. The man was processed at the station and then placed in a cell, while the woman and her daughter were placed in another room. Legal documents allege that although the woman wasn’t arrested, she was detained at Ennis Garda Sta- tion for a number of hours.

“Arising from the foregoing, the woman was improperly and unlaw- fully detained and falsely imprisoned by the Gardai.”

The affidavit lodged by the woman notes that the State denies that the woman was unlawfully arrested.

Two months later, the woman was contacted by a social worker from the Health Board, setting out that gardai had made contact with the health board outlining concerns they had regarding the woman’s care of her daughter.

In October, the Health Board in- terviewed members of the partner’s family, the woman’s doctor and teachers in her daughter’s school. They interviewed the woman and her

partner on a number of occasions.

The woman subsequently found out that the Garda who made the com- plaint was the Garda who stopped the car driven by her partner the pre- vious August.

The woman claims that the allega- tion made by the Garda was mali- cious and without foundation. She also claims that the allegation was an abuse of position.

The woman is seeking damages for the alleged breach of constitutional rights, damages for abuse or misuse of public position and damages for defamation.

The case is due to come before the civil sittings of Ennis Circuit Court today (Tuesday).

A KILKEE woman will lead four cyclists on the long Bothar from Stillorgan to Clare on May 5 in sup- port of the third world development ZIXeBLOas

Ann Power said that she decided to do something for charity and a “coast to coast” cycle jumped out at her even though she was a not a regu- lar cyclist.

“I’m from Kilkee so I thought I would see if I could cycle the 180 miles down and I asked a few peo- ple if they would be interested. The

others would have a bit more experi- ence. One of them was in a club and has cycled a good bit. I started train- ing in October especially for this.”

Ann, a nurse who has lived in Dub- lin for 13 years, outlined the team’s eruelling training regime.

“It has been very tough. I had to buy a new bike and everything. I work Monday to Friday and I get up every Sunday at 8am to train. We’ve gone as far as Naas a few times on the old N7 road. I watch the signs and when you see the kilometres going down it is a great incentive. It keeps you go- ing,” she said.

The self-confessed amateurs – Ann’s husband Mick Vine and col- leagues Theresa McEvoy and Im- elda Redmond – will cycle as far as Nenagh on the day before continuing to Kilkee on May 6. Ann said that the support from family and col- leagues has been brilliant.

“My parents and everyone down in Clare think it’s a great thing we’re doing. Lots of people are amazed by it because they reckon it will be quite tough with the winds coming from the west. How it goes will de- pend on the weather. That will be a huge factor.”

“We will definitely finish it, no mat- ter what. I would never do something like this if 1t wasn’t a challenge. You just have to get motivated. But I am looking forward to hanging up my bike for a few weeks and staying in on Sundays.

‘“Bothar is a great charity and very hands on. We haven’t counted up what we’ve raised so far but there was no target so anything will be a bonus,” she added.

If you would like to support the coast to coast cycle, donations can be made to Bank of Ireland account number 65862912, sort code 901335.

A BOYKE girl who is afraid of fly- ing and heights has conquered both by jumping out of an airplane for a good cause.

18-year old Lorraine Lynch and three friends decided to take on the challenge of a 10,000 foot parachute drop to help the childrens’ charity, UNICEF.

And in doing so, the plucky psy- chology student raised €600 for the oon

“We saw leaflets for the jump one day and we decided we’d go for it,” said Lorraine, who made the drop along with three of her fellow stu- dents at Sligo college.

“IT wanted to do something for the charity and people were very sup- portive in helping me with sponsor- ship,” she said.

Jacko’s Pub in Scariff and publican Eamon Moloney helped by putting sponsorship cards out for Lorraine and her friends and family rallied round also.

Customers and _ colleagues at Shaney Macs shop, where Lorraine works, also helped out.

When the day came, she travelled to the aptly named Airfield parachute centre where she was teamed up with an experienced jump-buddy and then taken 10,000 feet aloft.

“I did get nervous just beforehand. When we were at one thousand feet,

I thought ‘this is it — this 1s as high as we have to go’. Then they told me we were climbing another 9,000 feet. My heart skipped a few beats all right.”

At the zenith of the flight, Lorraine said, she “didn’t have time to think about it — you’re at the door of the plane and the next thing you’re out. When we were up there, it was very peaceful above the clouds”.

After 30 seconds of free-fall at 120 mph, the parachute opened and Lor- raine had a leisurely seven minutes of floating towards the ground with a chance to enjoy the view.

“The people who jump with you and the photographers who jump at the same time are just amazing. The man who jumped with me has made

more than 3,000 jumps,” said Lor- een b alee

Describing the jump as “a really amazing experience’, newly initi- ated adrenalin junkie, Lorraine, says she now plans to do another charity jump, this time from the highest alti- tude available to non-qualified jump- ace

‘“l’m going to the States for the sum- mer and in San Diego, they have the highest jump in the world at 13,000 so myself and a friend are planning to do that one. I can’t wait to do it eee 0

CLARE Heritage Office, in associa- tion with the Notice Nature campaign and the Clare Biodiversity Group, held the first ever Clare biodiversity seminar at Clare Museum last week.

The event features discussions on a range of issues from designated sites in Clare, native trees and hedgerows, and biodiversity at a local and na- tional level.

Newly-appointed Clare Biodiver- sity Officer, John Murphy opened the seminar with an introduction to biodiversity in the county.

Following that, renowned ecologist Janice Fuller addressed those in at- tendance about ‘Buds of the Banner: A Guide to Growing Native Trees

and Shrubs in Clare’, which was recently published by Clare County Council in conjunction with Rural Resource Development.

The seminar also featured Lorraine Fitzgerald of the Notice Nature cam- paign and David Lyons, Acting Dis- trict Conservation Officer (ADCO) and ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), who will provide a presentation on the various designated biodiversity sites in Clare.

“This biodiversity event aims to outline the unique combination of wild places, beautiful scenery and all life forms that make Clare a unique county that is enriched with biodiversity,’ said Clare Biodiversity Officer, John Murphy.

“Biodiversity provides us with a ereat variety of products and serv- eLearn

“It gives us food, fuel, medicines, building materials and our beautiful countryside, landscapes and ocean. It also helps to purify our air and wa- ter, and to stabilise our soil.

“It provides for tourism and rec- reational activities, walking, cy- cling, angling, boating and bird- and whale-watching. The conservation of biodiversity is life enhancing and is of economic, cultural social and health value.”

Clare became the first county in Ireland to produce a local biodiver- sity action plan when the Clare Bio- diversity Action Plan was launched in May 2006.

Clare 1s also the first county to have a local biological records centre and has been acknowledged as the lead- ing example for biodiversity protec- tion and promotion.

“The interest in biodiversity issues has been growing steadily in County Clare over the last number of years. This is particularly evident in the amount of individuals and commu- nity groups now actively engaged in its protection and promotion,’ said Tomas Mac Conmara, the acting heritage officer with Clare County Council.

The seminar provides an oppor- tunity to discuss biodiversity on a broad level and also to disseminate awareness about issues concerning biodiversity in the county.”

THE trial of a man accused of mur- dering Ennis hackney driver Liam Moloney will enter its fourth day at the Central Criminal Court today. Anthony Kelly, a 54-year-old na-

tive of Ruan, has denied murdering the father of four, at Portlecka, Ruan, on February 11, 2005.

He has admitted the killing, but claims he was of diminished re- sponsibility at the time. It is the prosecution case that the killing was

“planned and executed” and that the victim was lured to his death.

Mr Moloney was struck 17 times to the head and his throat was then cut from side to side. According to the prosecution, the motive was robbery and the accused went to his victim’s

flat in Ennis a short time after and stole cash.

The accused told gardai he felt “possessed” when he hit Mr Molo- ney, who he had met through a mutu- al friend some months beforehand.