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TWO units of the fire brigade were called to assist the crew of a Health Service Executive ambulance in Clare in the early hours of Saturday morning after smoke began to blow from its engine.

The HSE has denied, however, that the safety of a patient travelling in the ambulance at the time was in any way compromised by the incident or that the ambulance was “burned out”’ as had been reported on local radio.

The incident occurred near Bunrat- ty at around 3.20am as the Limerick City-based ambulance was. trans-

porting a patient from Shannon to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick. The patient was not in any danger and the call was not an emergency.

According to a spokesperson for the Regional Fire Control Centre in Lim- erick, they received a call at 3.24am reporting a vehicle on fire on the in- bound lane of the Ennis to Limerick dual-carriageway near Bunratty.

Two units of the fire brigade from Shannon responded to the incident and were at the scene within min- utes. While originally reported as a vehicle on fire, no fire was found on arrival by the fire service.

The HSE has confirmed that one of its ambulances was involved in the incident but that safety of the patient or the two-person crew was never oyna one yeeb isle em

‘There was an oil leak in the engine and the oil splashed on to the engine manifold creating smoke.

‘The ambulance crew pulled over immediately and, in accordance with procedure, they notified the Regional Ambulance Control Centre in Lim- erick of the matter.”

A second ambulance was sent to the scene while the local fire brigade was also notified as a precaution.

The HSE spokesman also con-

firmed that there was no danger to the patient or the crew and that the patient was transported on to Lim- erick in a second ambulance a short time later.

“The ambulance crew remained with the patient at all times and a short time later that patient was transported to the Mid Western Re- gional Hospital in Limerick on board another ambulance.

‘There was no fire and the vehicle was not damaged.”

It had been reported on one radio station that the vehicle was burned out in the incident. However, the HSE denied this.

KILLALOE and O’Briensbridge are the next two areas in east Clare which will benefit from the local authority’s cash for playgrounds scheme.

Clare County Council has set aside ۤ3,000 for the two areas, both of which had applied for grant funding under the scheme.

A meeting of Killaloe area council- lors was told last week that the prob- lems which have dogged the grant- ing of planning permission for play facilities in Parteen and Meelick are Aledo Ob

Planners met with the developers to discuss concerns about public light- ing and other matters.

The councillors were told that both schemes can now move ahead and it’s expected that work should begin be- fore the end of June.

The meeting heard that proposed sites had been identified in both ar- eas. Area engineer, Sean Lenihan, said that there is “strong community support” behind each proposal, with a local group pushing for the facility.

Killaloe councillor, Tony O’Brien, said that the “two projects are com- mendable. It’s great to see _ that communities are willing to be- come involved and undertake these projects”.

Councillors were asked how they wanted the available money divided. Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald said that it

should be given equally to both com- munities.

But, he added, he would “like to see the planners meeting with the developers and getting it right from the start, unlike Meelick and Parteen and one and a half years on, there are still no playgrounds in these areas”.

Community and Enterprise Admin- istrative Officer, Catherine O’Hara, said that the local authority is en- couraging all community groups to ebgage in the pre-planning process.”

She added that the grant, while it assists communities to provide fa- cilities, “never covers the entire cost which is usually more in the region of €120,000. It’s just a contribution towards it”.

Cllr O’Brien asked that should one or other of the groups being unable to draw down the grant, because of something unforseen such as a site falling through, that the money should then go to the remaining eroup and not out of the area.

The planning stumbling blocks holding the Parteen and Meelick fa- cilities back were resolved last week at a meeting organised by local coun- cillor, Pascal Fitzgerald, between planners and members of the two Loy eaveenlAKoieky

Almost €500,000 a year is divided between six electoral areas in the county and nine playground develop- ments are due to be part funded this yeasr from the 2006 grants scheme.

LISDOONVARNA Failte is facing a race against time to secure €1.27 million in Government grant-aid funding towards the provision of a new theatre for the north Clare Ke e0k

Currently, Clare County Council is deciding on the group’s plans to restore the existing Park Pavilion building, which will accommodate a theatre and community uses.

“Grant funding of €1.27 million has been set aside for the realisation of this project. However, we are re-

quired to satisfy the Department of Tourism of the project’s feasibility by June 30,” said architect for the project, John O’Reilly, in a letter to the council.

“To achieve this, we would greatly appreciate the council’s efforts in progressing this application within the two-month decision date dead- line.” The work proposed involves the carrying out of works to a pro- tected structure or a proposed pro- Kee Kore MID MUCOLAU TKO

Mr O’Reilly said that the project was for theatre and community use for such events as the Lisdoonvarna

Matchmaking Festival and it would encourage tourism in an area zoned for tourism development in the Clare County Development Plan 2005.

The Department of Tourism states that Lisdoonvarna will have to pro- vide evidence of matching funding to enable completion of the project and to comply with all conditions set down by the council and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The letter also states that the pro- moters will have to provide any addi- tional funding required to complete the project. The letter states, “If the above conditions are not met by June

30, the grant will be withdrawn.”

Independent councillor Martin Lafferty said last night that “the res- toration of the theatre will provide a valuable asset for Lisdoonvarna and itis being driven by chairman of Lis- doonvarna Failte, Joe Garrihy.

“The building itself has a rich his- tory. It has a huge hall and massive floorspace and should be of great use to the people in the local area.”

The original grant was made by former Heritage Minister, Sile de Valera. Lisdoonvarna Failte success- fully applied for an extension to the erant approval.

THE Diocese of Killaloe “has no 1m- mediate plans” to sell the lands oc- cupied by the Ennis residence of the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh.

A spokesman for the diocese said yesterday, “There are no immediate plans to sell Westbourne or the lands here. It is the Bishop’s residence and also accommodates the diocesan of- fice.”

The spokesman said that if the St Flannan’s (Killaloe) Diocesan Trust didn’t explore the possibilities with the land owned by the diocese, its members could be held in breach.

Last week, it emerged that the trust was seeking to have the eight acres of prime development land at Bishop Walsh’s Westbourne residence re-

zoned for mixed-use development to allow residential, commercial and retail activities take place at the site.

The surprise move would greatly increase the value of the lands and raise the prospects of shops and busi- nesses being developed on the site.

‘There are very onerous responsi- bilities attached to acting on behalf of the trust and I’m sure if these possi- bilities weren’t explored, there would be questions down the road from the Commission of Bequests and Dona- tions,” the spokesman added.

The planner’s response to the Church request pointed out that the site is an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and that the residence, Westbourne House, is a protected Habel Abb Ken

The spokesman also confirmed that

the trust made a submission in rela- tion to all diocesan property in the greater Ennis area.

“Zoning of land has only come into force in recent years and we are ex- ploring what zonings should apply,’ he said.

The request to rezone lands at Dr Walsh’s residence is one of a series of applications by the Diocesan Trust in the Ennis area.

The trust also lobbied the council to rezone lands at Station Road in Ennis, the Maria Assumpta Hall, a scout hall and some space near the St Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The review of the Ennis and Envi- rons Development Plan is due to be discussed by members of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council at their May meetings.

A GROUP of people living in a housing estate in Shannon have ac- cused their local Residents Associa- tion of failing to be democratic and has asked the town council to refuse to make grants available to it.

In a letter addressed to Shannon Town Council and signed by 21 Cro- nan residents, it 1s claimed that the Cronan Residents Association 1s not representative and does not hold public meetings.

Those who signed the letter stated that several people living in Cronan have endeavoured to join the com- mittee, but have been refused entry. They say that they have called for an AGM, on several occasions, but this

request was not granted.

“We would feel Cronan deserves a residents committee that engages with the issues in our area 1n a posi- tive manner,’ stated the letter.

“We can only assume that the com- mittee does not want other residents to have a say in their area,’ added the letter.

The letter also stated that the group has not produced financial state- ments. “It is not our aim to allege financial impropriety, but we believe that a Residents Association com- mittee should be seen to operate in an open and honest manner in all matters,’ it stated.

“We request that you refuse this committee, of the Cronan Residents Association, further funds or grants

until this committee submits a fi- nancial report to an Annual General Meeting of an open and accountable Cronan Residents Association,’ it added.

Following receipt of the letter, Shannon Town Clerk Tomas Mac Cormaic wrote to the Chairman of the Residents Association, Jim Duffy.

He has asked him to furnish the council with minutes of the AGM, showing that the officers have been democratically elected. He has also requested a financial statement which has been adopted by the members.

“It would also be helpful if the council could be informed of the method used to notify residents of the time and place of the general

meeting and if the council could be given a list of the members showing that the association is representative of the majority of residents in the Cronan estates,” said the town clerk, in the letter.

The Chairman of the Residents As- sociation Jim Duffy told

Wel Sree lia acwreuon oes (CoeKEo.¢olou ce enced its busiest week in many years with each of Clare’s seven fire sta- tions responding to a series of gorse, bog and forest fires over a wide area.

To the week ending April 20, fire crews responded to more than 30 gorse and forest fires across Clare spending. They spent almost 60 hours tackling the blazes over hun- dreds of acres.

The weekend rain brought a wel- come respite, helping to bring many

fires under control and extinguishing others. Fire crews hope continuing rain will prevent fires from restarting although it is feared that the worst of the gorse fire season 1s yet to come.

Units of the brigade from different stations were called to some of the fires.

The most severe took up to seven hours to bring under control. Less threatening fires were allowed burn out. The fires were at Kilmaley, Whitegate, Mountshannon, Kilfeno- ra, Broadford, Doonbeg and Mo- yasta.

Clare County Fire Service was un- able to confirm the actual causes of the fires in Clare.

It is thought that in some cases lo- cal farmers began to burn off gorse on their lands and these fires got out of control. However, the hot weath- er probably caused the majority of NB Kee

The fire authority has warned that burning of gorse on lands is prohib- ited between March | and August 31 each year. According to Clare Coun- ty Fire Service Chief Officer Adrian Kelly, “Landowners have a special

responsibility to preserve the coun- tryside, its landscape and its wildlife. They should take reasonable precau- tions to ensure that uncontrolled fires do not occur on their property be- tween March and September.”

Clare County Council’s fire author- ity has laid down very strict guide- lines. “Where farmers are burning scrub/vegetation, they must in all cases inform the fire service at least one day before burning, giving the location, time and duration of burn- ing,’ Chief Kelly said.

Speaking about the public involve-

ment in assisting to fight fires on lands, Adrian Kelly said, “While Coillte personnel and ourselves gen- erally work in groups, both to be more effective and also for safety es- pecially during dusk hours, members of the public that assist may not do deh

“They must also be co-ordinated. If members of the public/landown- ers are assisting Coillte/Fire Service, they should accompany these per- sonnel at all times to ensure proper co-ordination of resources to deal with these incidents.”

GARDAI have refused to comment on an allegation that a Liscannor man has been “punched, kicked and beaten” by members of the force on numerous occasions over the last six eaeyelaetsy

Niall Harnett, of Clare Shell to Sea, claimed to have been the vic-

tim of harassment by members of the Gardai since October 2006.

Mr Harnett, who has an address in St Bridget’s Well, is one of a number of Clare people currently protesting against the construction of a Shell pipeline in Bellanaboy, Mayo.

“IT have done nothing wrong, nor ever been accused of any offense of law at Bellanaboy. I have been

punched, kicked and beaten by gardai. I’ve been forcibly searched on the street against my will and I have had personal property stolen and destroyed by gardai.”

Mr Harnett was arrested, but later released uncharged, following an altercation with gardai last Monday, April 16.

“IT have also been under constant

surveillance by gardai who film me constantly and refuse to give legal reasons for this.

“T asked them to stop filming and they refused. I informed them that I would be taking immediate action to protect my fundamental human and constitutional rights by physically di- recting their video camera away from myself. As a result, I was arrested.”

A Garda spokesman declined to comment on the specifics of the case but said, “Within reason, we would always explain what we are doing but not always.

“I have no first-hand experience of the situation up there but, from what I can see, everyone already seems to filming everyone else anyway,” he SP ALGe

A RESIDENTS Association in Shannon is proposing that a skat- ing rink, bowling alley, cinema and community centre be built in the Oyaee

Members of the Cronan Residents Association are calling for politi- cians to support their plan, which, they say will benefit the young people of the town, who they ar- gue, currently have few pastime

options.

Chairman of the Residents group, Jim Duffy says the young people of Shannon have nowhere to socialise, and this must be addressed.

“We met Tony Killeen (junior minister) and we put forward a list of issues. We felt that he, as a min- ister Should address this,” he said.

He said that residents are hopeful of meeting Minister Killeen again over the next fortnight, to again ad- dress the issue.

“These are facilities that most towns have. Where do the 14 – 18 year olds in Shannon go? They have nowhere to go,” he said.

“It would be tremendous if we get two out of the four facilities,’ he rn em

“Let’s start planning it. The job of politicians is to pursue it. We need to get the land and money. There is plenty of land in Shannon. The GSCeh orm sbeelesel mm KM COVUBDOTSMRU NMEA elos Roms Km: lot of money in Ireland. Why not

give it to Shannon? We would in- tend to meet all politicians on this issue,’ said Mr Duffy.

He said that while locals in his housing estate, Cronan, are happy with progress made on issues relat- ing to footpaths, lights and litter bins, one other outstanding issue is causing huge concern.

“We also want answers relating to the availability of the ambulance in Shannon. It still isn’t here,’ said Mr Duffy.

THE Department of the Environ- ment has raised concerns about fur- ther development on a floodplain on the outskirts of Ennis. Department officials were reacting to a planning application to Clare County Council by Gareth Kelly.

Mr Kelly has applied for plan- ning permission for a water supply scheme to facilitate the develop- ment of lands at Bunnow, Doora, Skehanagh and Clareabbey.

Officials say that major develop- ment in this low-lying coastal flood- plain area is likely to require up- graded flood defences in the future.

According to the department, this will raise the likelihood of addition- al negative impacts on the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and on sensitive species and wetland sys- tems in the area.

Mr Kelly has applied to have a total of 150 acres of land rezoned from low density housing to resi-

dential, commercial and to remove the flood risk designation.

In response, the council has stated that there is no identified need for additional zoning for development to meet the needs of the plan.

The Department of the Environ- ment has called for a detailed ex- amination of the Kelly application, through the drawing up an Environ- mental Impact Statement (EIS).

“The proposed development is located in and near Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conser- vation (SAC) and on its own and in combination with other plans and projects in the area is likely to have significant negative impacts on the SAC and its conservation objec- tives, including a range of species protected under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive.

“Significant impacts on the SAC and on Annex II species, including otter, salmon, Lesser Horseshoe Bat and Marsh Fritillary are likely as a result of habitat loss, fragmentation

and degradation, including as a re- sult of changes 1n hydrology and wa- ter quality and a result of increased noise, light and disturbance.

“The proposed development be- cause of its nature, size and location and its association with other major developments in this area — pro- posed, permitted and under con- struction — is likely to have a signifi- cant impact on the environment.”

It goes on, “The site and associat- ed proposed development lands are low-lying and are known to flood extensively.

“A hydrological assessment and flood risk assessment will be re- quired to assess the likely cumula- tive impacts on the hydrology of the area and the need to redevelop or upgrade the flood defence work and the tidal barrage at Clarecastle in the future.”

Officials warn that “the flood risk assessment should be based on ex- treme flood events taking climate and sea level changes into account.”

AN 11-YEAR boy failed in his des- perate efforts to revive his four-year- old brother after finding him hang- ing by his hood from a toilet window at their primary school in east Clare last year.

At an inquest in Ennis last Tuesday into the death of junior infant, Karl Fox, a jury was told that his then 11- year-old brother, Gavin, climbed on top of a friend’s bicycle and lifted Karl from the window and on to the ground on March 14, 2006 at Feakle National School.

According to evidence from Garda Vivian Cahalane, “Gavin tried to wake up Karl, but failed to do so.”

Garda Cahalane said Gavin re- membered that “Karl was cold at that stage’. The inquest was told that Gavin put Karl over his shoulder and went onto the public road outside the school to get help.

Local | woman,

Mary Rose

Loughnane was bringing her daugh- ter from dance class and saw Gavin in a very distressed state and he called out “Help Miss’.

Ms Loughnane said that she no- ticed that Karl’s lips were blue and that he was unconscious. She drove the two home and on arriving at the Fox home, the boys’ mother, Linda came out “to take Karl from Gavin’s shoulder and tried to wake him by shaking him. She then became dis- tressed as he wasn’t responding.”

In her deposition, Linda said, “Karl was limp in my arms and I noticed that his lips were blue.”

She then ran to a neighbour’s house with Karl in her arms.

At the house, a student nurse at- tempted to revive Karl before an ambulance arrived to take the boy to Ennis General Hospital. How- ever, Karl was pronounced dead at 6.20pm.

The inquest was told that Gavin was at hurling training after school between 3pm and 4pm and had seen Karl playing around the field at 3.30pm.

Gavin returned home after train-

ing but Karl was not there and their mother Linda asked Gavin to return to find Karl “because I remember looking at my watch and thinking it was too late for Karl to be out”.

Feakle National School teacher, Marie Clune took hurling training on the day and in her statement said she remembered seeing Karl at around 4.05pm walking by himself in the school yard. She was asked to lock up the school as principal, Ted Har- rington had to go to the local bank.

She called out a couple of times to make sure that there was no one left in the school building before she locked up.

She said, “I didn’t get any response so I proceeded to close the door and lock it. When I drove away from the school, I was happy that there was nobody left on the school grounds.”

Garda John Cunningham – said when later examining the scene with Mr Harrington, “we visited the boys’ toilet and the window Karl had got

caught on was in the middle above the sinks”.

Garda Cunningham said that they also found a yellow infant’s chair and a brown chair also 1n the toilet under a window that was barred.

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis said he found three very faint discontinuous bruises on Karl’s neck that were consistent with the application of a broad ligature, such as clothing. He concluded that the cause of death was accidental hanging.

County Coroner, Isobel O’Dea said Karl’s death was very tragic and very sad for his parents, his siblings, his school and the wider Feakle commu- nity. She said ‘accidental hanging’ was the appropriate verdict and after deliberating for a short time, the jury returned that verdict.