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A MAN who bought replicas of ri- fles in a toyshop in Ennis has been convicted of two charges, relating to their possession.

John Hehir (28), of Davit Terrace, Cloughleigh, Ennis, pleaded guilty to two offences, arising out of an in- cident on May 4 last year.

Garda Michelle Holian told Ennis District Court that she received con- fidential information that the accused was in possession of unlicenced air rifles, air guns and ammunition.

She obtained a warrant and went to his house. She found two air rifles, two air handguns and two different types of ammunition.

“They are replicas of rifles. They

are air rifles and are illegal under the Firearms Act. Mr Hehir told me he purchased them in a shop in town,” Sr HCO MO elommee- KOE: B

The accused told the garda he would go to Dromore Woods with friends and would shoot at static tar- gets, like drink cans.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client fully co-operated with ee KOrNE

She said he bought the items in a toy shop and that he used the guns for sport.

“Technically, it is illegal but my cli- ent didn’t mean any harm by it,” she SrHKOE

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a fine of €100. He refused a request to apply the Probation Act.

TWO east Clare organisations have been awarded cash from the De- partment of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs under the Pro- gramme of Grants for Locally Based Community and Voluntary Organi- sations 2006.

The grants of €5,100 for the Scar- iff-based Alpha Project and €1,812 for the East Clare Community Co-op were announced by Minister Tony Kileen, who said that “it 1s impor-

tant that the voluntary effort of lo- cal community groups throughout County Clare is recognised.”

The Alpha Project aims to provide education for adolescents whose needs are not best met by the conven- tional exam-based system.

The 15 participants in the pro- gramme take part in hands-on learn- ing with projects such as building a Yurt – a traditional hut-style shelter – for use as a chemistry lab as there wasn’t room in the project’s accom- modation to practice chemistry.

By doing so, they not only got to study chemistry but learned the nec- essary physics to construct the dwell- ing properly.

A spokeswoman for the project said they are “delighted to get the grant. We don’t as yet get funding from the department so this will be important for buying equipment and training.”

On the list of things likely to be bought with the grant money are sewing machines, and equipment for physics and chemistry.

The project has 15 students and

next year, it’s hoped that 15 younger adolescents will come on board.

Of the first intake of students to eraduate from the alternative learn- ing system, all have gone on to some further form of education or training, including Leaving Cert studies and FETAC courses.

The other east Clare grant went to the East Clare Community Co-op, an umbrella organisation for communi- ty groups based in Scariff. The co-op could not be contacted for comment PLO OUI B DO Blom

TWO Clare developers have told Clare County Council that searches for a protected butterfly on lands they intend to develop in Clarecastle turned up blank.

Developers Sean Lyne and Nowel Connellan said that the Marsh Fritil- lary butterfly was sought out during fieldwork on the site. The council had put the development on hold, cit- ing concerns about the EU protected butterfly.

The developers state in a submis- sion to the council that, “a special visit was made to look for flying adults on a sunny day in June when the insects were seen elsewhere in Clare. None was found.

‘The butterfly did occur on the site of the Clareabbey link road and cat- erpillars were translocated in 2004 before constructed began. The new site is SOO m to the north of the link road, but south of the Bunnow River. The development will not have any impact on the survival of the species there.”

The submission also reveals that the developers have agreed to pay landowner, Michael Lyons, €1.175

million for a 2.35 acres site at Ske- hanagh, Clarecastle.

They still intend to construct a link road to the Ennis by-pass that will facilitate businesses from the Quin Road area.

The council told the developers last year that it wasn’t favourably dis- posed towards the development, due to the location of the proposed link road.

However, the developers have stat- ed that: “The applicant is the major- ity land owner within the area and will accommodate almost half of the length of the road on his own land and that the applicant has agreement with other land owners within the area in place that allows the delivery of the full length of the link between Quin Road and Skehanagh rounda- xe) Ul a

“This allows the council to avoid a lengthy compulsory purchase or- der process in order to obtain the land and provides the opportunity to submit a Part 8 Roads and Services application, which could speed the delivery of the link road.”

A decision is due on the application later this year.

THE CHERRYTREE’S Chef de Cuisine, Mark Anderson, was one of a chosen few to take part in a top cookery competition last week.

The chef who has been delighting diners on the shores of Lough Derg in Killaloe/Ballina, was short-list- ed in the hugely popular Féile Bia Chef’s Competition 2007.

Mark was chosen from the 40 en- tries that were received. The aim of the competition is to encourage chefs to support artisan producers by sourcing the maximum of authentic and freshly available produce and highlighting this on the menus.

As part of the competition, profes- sional chefs were asked to submit a copy of their restaurant menu.

The six shortlisted chefs from all over Ireland took part in a cook-off in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Mark’s dish of choice for the com- petition was noisette and chop of spring lamb, wild mushroom boudin, Shallot ‘tarte tartin’, slow roasted garlic puree pomme fondant with tarragon infused jus.

The dishes were reviewed by the judging panel which consisted of food writers Marilyn Bright and Georgina Campbell, Lorcan Cribbin, Commissioner General, Eurotoques Ireland and Maire Dufficy, Bord Bia Food Advisor.

Mark Donohue, the head chef in The Oak Room Restaurant, Adare Manor was the winner on the night but the Cherrytree chef said it was a “very enjoyable experience” to have

been shortlisted to take part. This was not the first time that Mark was shortlisted. “It’s always good to see what other people are doing in their restaurants,’ he said.

As a member of the Bord Bia group of restaurants, The Cherrytree is committed to using the best of lo- cally produced produce wherever possible.

“We’re committed to using quality Irish products. That was our inten- tion from the start. We source local products as much as possible and all our meat is traceable. If you order lamb, I can tell you what field it was grazing in,’ said Mark.

And, he added, the restaurant 1s fortunate to be based in east Clare, where there are increasing numbers of producers growing and farming

organically and selling their produce on.

The Cherry Tree Restaurant was opened by proprietor Harry MckK- eogh in February 2000 and Mark has been with the establishment since its opening.

He won the ‘Georgina Campbell Chef of the Year’ Award in 2006 and together with his team in the kitchen, Mark changes his menus monthly to use the best of local ingredients, many of them organic.

Mark, 33, is originally from Clon- mel, County Tipperary.

HOUSE buyers are being warned to be wary when shopping around for a mortgage after a study revealed that more than one in three independent brokers dealt with less than half the lending institutions.

37 per cent of Ireland’s independent mortgage brokers deal with less than half of the mortgage lenders in the market, according findings from a re- cent survey conducted by Lansdowne market research on behalf of the mortgage division of IFG.

According to Iggy Duffy, Mortgage

Manager of IFG Mortgages, Ennis, “Mortgage brokers with less than 6 agencies out of 13 are describing themselves as ‘independent’ when, in fact, they are restricted in the choices they can offer a potential mortgage customer. Not all brokers have the capacity to offer a comprehensive

choice to their clients. Many have a restricted range of lenders and there- fore product offerings”.

He added that on the upside, “in- creased competition in the mortgage market has afforded consumers the benefit of a wider variety of products from which to choose.”

“The 6 ECB interest rate hikes in 2006 and late 2005 have impacted heavily on mortgage holders, first time buyers in particular,’ Duffy added.

The figures show that 40 per cent of mortgage applicants now choose to deal with a mortgage broker.

A FISH which is threatened with extinction, could be saved by a new plan to increase its numbers in Lough DOyse

The humble Pollan could repay the favour by breeding in large enough numbers to make the lake more at- tractive to anglers.

The scientific co-ordinator of the study, Dr Fran Igoe, a marine bi- Ologist with the Shannon Regional

Fisheries board says a new scheme will try to solve why stocks of once plentiful Pollan in Lough Derg have declined.

If the Tipperary Leader Group car- rying out the research are successful, “it will hopefully restore the once ac- tive Pollan commercial fishery in the lough”, Dr Igoe said.

The fish species is found only in Ire- land’s five large lakes, and stocks in Lough Derg, Lough Ree and Lough Erne have seriously declined.

The situation has become so bad that a Local Area Species Action Plan has been drawn up by the Clare Biodiversity Forum.

Dr Igoe explained that the neces- sary steps include investigations into the possible impact of hydro-power, pollution and non-native organisms on fish numbers.

Eleven angling clubs which use the lakes and the Lough Derg Sub-Aqua club will be supporting the research.

“This is very significant as there is

no other animal except perhaps the Irish hare, that comes close to this kind of uniqueness when it comes to our wildlife heritage in Ireland’, said Dr Igoe.

Competition for food, the impact of water quality and a study to see where the fish spawn will all be part of the investigation.

Universities in Ireland and Canada as well as experts with the Irish Char Conservation group will be working with personnel involved in the study.

A TOTAL of 104 houses and apart- ments in private estates throughout the county have been made available at an average discount of €60,000 to first time buyers over the past few years.

These included housing units in Ennis, Clarecastle, Newmarket-on- Fergus, Quin, Sixmilebridge, Shan- non and Kilrush. The market price averaged at €225,000 while the special discounted price averaged alow nee eF

Cllr. Joe Arkins, Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Strategic Policy Com- mittee for Housing and Social Serv- ices, says that the concept of afford-

able housing has really taken off in Clare. It is anticipated that an addi- tional 300 units will be made avail- able in the next three years at various locations throughout the county.

“I would encourage people with incomes of € 35,000 – € 40,000 to avail of this excellent opportunity to own their own homes. Having regard to the fact that the average house price in Clare during 2006 was € 263,000, the possibility of purchas- ing a quality home at a discounted rate of between 20% and 25% should be seriously considered”.

Commenting on the scheme, one developer stated that his firm has pro- vided over 20 housing units in Ennis. “We found the scheme to very effec-

tive and easy to administer.Without it many people would be deprived of the opportunity of owning their own home”.

David Timlin, Director of Serv- ices, Housing & Social Policy, said the investment in housing services had never been greater. “The com- mitment of the government in mak- ing available a wide range of options allows local authorities to focus on a comprehensive set of actions to 1m- prove housing availability to develop sustainable communities.”

At present there are affordable homes available in Ennis, Clare-

castle, Crusheen, Lisdoonvarna, Kildysart, Miltown Malbay and Shannon.

ENNISMAN Noel Moloney, a re- gional manager with Trocaire in Af- rica, has thanked the people of his hometown for their continued sup- port of Trdcaire’s Lenten campaign.

This year’s campaign highlights the agency’s work supporting equal rights for women and men in the de-

veloping world.

“Statistics show that 70 per cent of those living in poverty worldwide are women,’ said Noel, “while in Africa women produce 80 per cent of the food from agriculture but earn only ten per cent of the income. If we don’t support equal rights for women and men in the developing world, we have no chance of eradicating pov-

erty. Trocaire’s work helps women to have a voice, to earn an income and to become more independent.’ ‘“Trocaire has received fantastic feedback from people in Clare again this year,’ continued Noel. “The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes by clergy, parish workers and teachers is phenomenal and can never be underestimated. Their com-

mitment to Trocaire’s Lenten cam- paign every year is crucial”.

Trocaire boxes can be returned to any Catholic church around the country. Donors returning their con- tributions by post are asked to send cheques or money orders to Trocaire, Maynooth, County Kildare.

Call 1850 408 408 or log on to www.lent.ie for further information.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s deci- sion to hold the forthcoming general

election on Thurs- day will alienate hundreds of young Clare voters accord- ing to a member of Clare County Coun- oe

Ennistymon Cllr WE Taabe) Conway (FG) lashed the Taoiseach over sug- gestions that this summer’s election would not take place on a Friday.

“This is going to

have a massive effect on young peo- ple from Clare and other counties who want to travel home to vote,’ said Conway. “The last two general elections and the last two local and European — Elec- tions were held on a Friday. Why is this election so Che Knol “This is a cyni- cal attempt by a government _ that now realises that it has failed the young people of Ireland to deny deCejeeMm Oe Comm Urea OL mmKO vote,” he said.

THE most important thing about gardening is to begin.

Once you start to dig the soil, sow a seed, plant a plant or tend to nature in any way you are embarking ona journey that can lead to unexpected places. In many ways it is a journey within. When you are pottering in the garden, tidying and tending, embarking on a project or harvest- ing the fruits of your labour, you can feel at one with yourself and the universe. When you dig the soil you ANucm DOMOUD Kee meOynle-lMmy alee ser-lMmyyen(ee| nurtures and sustains us. There is no better way to get connected to the goodness and the bounty of the earth that I know of. And the results can be spectacular. Not just in the sense of peace and calm satisfaction that pervades the body and mind but in the abundant generosity of nature in her gifts of colour, form and taste.

So, how to begin? The first thing to say is that it’s easy; seeds and plants want to grow; all they need is a chance. So don’t be afraid, give it a go and see the results. There is something amazing about sowing a seed and witnessing its first green shoot piercing the soil and emerging into the light. Truly it is a miracle, and it happens all the time – even without our help.

Start small. A garden should be a pleasure not a burden. You can al-

ways expand. Pick a few seed pack- ets that you fancy. I would always encourage everyone to grow a few flowers. They are so easy and give us such joy. To begin with, annuals (ie they flower and go to seed in one year) are a good choice; Calendula (Marigold), with its beautiful bright orange and yellow heads, would cheer anybody up.

Nasturtiums are also good value, sprawling and crawling with their beautiful edible leaves and flow- ers to fill any vacant space. There is Cosmos to tower over them all summer long in their willowy grace and, of course, Sweet Pea to climb up a fence or a pole and provide a gorgeous aroma. To finish it off, if you have the space, poppies are easy to grow and self-seed abundantly, and sun-flowers (while needing a lit- tle more care) will reward you with a stunning display. They also attract beneficial insects to help keep your garden pest and disease free.

Apart from their beauty, all these flowers are easy to grow. You can start them in a tray or a pot of compost in early spring, say April or May, on a bright window sill inside, and plant them out once the danger of a hard frost 1s past. Or, even easier, once the soil has warmed up outside, say May or June, sow them directly in rows in a garden bed and transplant them to their final position once they have germinated

and are established. Be sure to water them well before you lift them care- fully with a fork, and water them into their new positions.

So there you have a beautiful flower garden which will flower throughout the summer and into the autumn, especially if you pick the flowers regularly. As a bonus it is easy to save the seed from these flowers for planting in subsequent years. You only have to buy the seed once and then you have them for Nate

Now for food plants. Again, start small. Even a window-box and a few pots can provide an abundance of leafy greens and herbs to enliven and season your meals. Once you begin to eat them from your own garden there is no turning back.

There is nothing like fresh, vi- brant, tasty, succulent and flavour- some vegetables harvested from your own garden. That is just the taste, let alone the wonderful feeling of pride and achievement you get from growing some of your own food and being, in some small way, self-reliant. Then there’s the treats for the belly.

Your body knows what’s good for it and once it gets sufficient expo- sure to real food; food that is grown in a live organic soil, food that is full of health and vigour and life- giving forces, there is no going back to the dead stuff; food that has been

poisoned, pumped up, irradiated and bred for a long shelf-life.

So be warned, you are embark- ing on an anarchic journey when you plant a seed. Salad greens are a good place to start. They are easy, quick, look beautiful and taste delicious. Because we eat them raw they are a particularly important and nutritious food.

There is no harm in having some ordinary lettuce such as a Cos-type, loose-leaf or Iceberg mixed in as well. A few Nasturtium flowers thrown in adds colour and the leaves add a peppery taste. Other easy-to- erow vegetables for beginner gar- deners include peas, beans, potatoes, cabbages, kale, beetroot, parsnip, swede, turnip, onions, radish and carrots.

Most of these can be sown thinly, in the positions where you want them to grow, once the soil has warmed up and been cleared of weeds. Then you can thin them, to the spacing they require, when they get big enough to handle. Thinnings of young plants often make lovely snacks early on in the year, they are extra-sweet and succulent.

Another way is to begin some seeds inside in trays or pots of soil or compost on a bright window sill. | QT om daTereemeslOmMm ns sloe MU sloAa IE hVc reached a good size and the danger of frosts is past, transplant them out- side in their growing position. Water

them in well.

Frost-sensitive plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, pumpkins and courgettes respond well to this treatment and then you don’t always need a greenhouse or polytunnel to grow them on. Some of the varieties we grow at Seed Savers have been selected for their ability to ripen outside in an aver- age Irish summer, such as Stupice, Marcel and Aurora tomatoes, the Ebisu pumpkin (the creamiest one I’ve ever had the good fortune to eat), and the Healthy Pepper (better in the warmer south of the country).

SO go on, get a window-box or cultivate a piece of ground. Begin with a few seeds. Look after them and they will return your care many times over. When you pick those flowers or harvest your own vegeta- bles you will get a warm, satisfying (even Self righteous) feeling inside. When you cook the food and share it with friends you will be glad.