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has learned that Shannon LNG 1s currently con- sulting with local householders in a bid to move along plans for a €400 million liquified natural gas receiv- ing terminal on the Shannon Estu- ary.

A planning application for the con- struction is expected to be lodged by the summer and there are no indica- tions at this stage that there will be any objections lodged to the applica- nl)

Speaking this week, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheal Martin said subject to feasi-

bility studies, technical assessments, planning and other approvals, the Ballylongford/Tarbert site could be- come the location for a major import terminal.

He further revealed that an applica- tion for planning permission is likely to be made in the second quarter of 2007 to Kerry County Council.

This major project was announced in May last year and is to be under- taken by Shannon LNG. The site which has been designated for deep water projects is about 25 kilometers from the national gas pipeline grid and the terminal would have the po- tential to provide over 40 per cent of Ireland’s gas requirements.

The proposed terminal would com- prise a ship unloading jetty, two or more storage tanks and related build- ing facilities.

The operation is earmarked to be up and running by 2011, employing over 350 during construction and 50 full-time staff. Construction work is expected to begin next year employ- ing workers from Clare who will avail of the daily Killimer/Tarbert ferry service.

A Shannon Development spokes- person pointed out that additional jobs will also be created in ancillary, support and contracted services.

“We are fully committed to active communication and _ consultation

with the local community and all interested parties along the Shannon Estuary,” said Managing Director at Shannon LNG, Paddy Power.

‘“Treland needs secure, diverse, competitively priced and environ- mentally friendly supplies of energy. The terminal will provide this and it will give rise to increased competi- tion.”

Kevin Thompstone, Chief Execu- tive of Shannon Development said the company is excited about the project. “It has the potential to pro- vide over 40 per cent of Ireland’s gas requirements. We also believe that the project could bring long-term benefits to the Shannon region.”

KILMURRY Ibrickane/North Clare Athletic Club are holding the Michael Egan Memorial four mile open road race and four mile fun walk this Sun- day at Quilty. The walk will start at lpm with the race at 1.30pm.

Changing facilities at the Kilmurry Ibrickane Football Field on the main Kilrush Road will be available for all and presentation of prizes and refreshments will be available in the Quilty Tavern.

The senior men’s race will once again be a very good contest with last years title holder Gerry Ryan, Galway City Harriers, going for three in a row. Seamus Power, Kil- murry [brickane/North Clare, Der- mot Galvin, St John’s, and Brian Maher, Kilkenny City Harriers, will all be in contention for prizes.

Fresh from his European master O50 silver medal in Helsinki, Eu- gene Moynihan, Marian, will bat- tle for the masters title along with

Ger Mullane, Bilboa, Mick and Pat O’Shea, Iveragh, Frank Garrihy, En- nis Track Club, Michael Harvey and Tom Mackey, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, Thomas Walsh, Tulla, and Pat Nugent.

The ladies race has always at- tracted a huge entry and once again the individual contest could throw up a surprise. Veronica Colleran, Ennis Track Club, will take some beating along with Tracy Guilfoyle, Kilnaboy.

Others in the running will be Josephine Macken, Mayo, Marion O’Loughlin, Ennis Track Club, Sue Garrahy, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, and Margaret Ryan, Kilnaboy.

THE €36 million deal struck be- tween management and unions at Shannon Airport will collapse if the Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) does not secure 200 voluntary re- dundancies.

Balloting of SIPTU members at the airport is due to commence today (Tues) and continue until next Thurs- day, April 5. A count is to take place later on that day.

All three unions concerned, SIPTU, IMPACT and the TEUU recommend acceptance. The deal is expected to be endorsed in the ballot prior to SEN Coe

However, 200 workers must then accept the voluntary redundancy package that the SAA has put for- ward.

The deal makes it more attractive

for staff to remain with the lump sum payment increased from €10,000 to €16,000. The SAA will be seeking the first of the redundancies before the end of April.

According to the 1l0-page docu- ment drawn up after marathon nego- tiations, “‘all parties understand that in the absence of 200 volunteers for severance from the company, this agreement will not be capable of 1m- plementation”.

It is understood that there are 105 working in catering, which is to be completely outsourced. However, the deal allows those workers to transfer to the new operation with the same terms and conditions enjoyed and not take the redundancy package.

The deal also allows for the rede- ployment of catering staff to other areas of the company.

The airport will revert to a 16-hour

operation instead of the 24 hour op- eration that is currently in place.

The deal states that “it is acknowl- edged by all that this agreement is based on exceptional circumstances — the long term viability of Shannon — and as such, its terms will not be used as a precedent for any future claims by either side”.

According to the document, the payment of €16,000 to staff re- maining will be paid in two phases, €10,000 to be paid on the agreement going through and €6,000 four and a half month later. The lump sums to be paid to staff who remain on 1s ex- pected to cost €6.5 million.

The agreement also states that “the acceptance of these terms by the un- ions will not imply that the unions accept any of the conditions set out in the State Airport Acts 2004 have been met”’.

RESIDENTS in some of Shannon’s housing estates have sought a meet- ing with council officials, in an ef- fort to compile a plan to tackle a lit- MOIST

Parts of the town have been plagued by litterbugs and residents say they are no longer willing to put up with this. Some elderly residents, who have lived in the town all their lives, say they are forced to go out and clean areas near their homes.

Chairman of the Finian Park Resi- dents Association, Wayne Cluitt said some areas in Aidan and Finian Parks are constantly targeted by peo- ple dumping litter.

“Tt is particularly bad at the bottom end of Aidan Park and the bottom end of Finian Park. When people buy fast food, they eat it along the street and throw their fast food cartons and bottles around. They also do it near the hall as well, where people drink and throw their bottles and cans around,” said Mr Cluitt.

“A number of people are trying to keep their own areas clean, but the rubbish blows around,” he said.

He said there are bins located near the shops in the area, but people do not use them. Council staff carried out a clean-up in recent weeks, but locals believe this should be an on- going project.

‘“T have requested from the council

that more litter bins be put around the estate, but people dump their black bags of rubbish in those litter bins,’ he said.

The residents association has or- ganised a major clean-up. This will take place at the beginning of April and they are encouraging everyone to get involved.

Shannon Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) said the town was left “severely under-resourced” after the council took over its running, three years ago.

OW elo) komme D ice u no t10 Nam) @mmee) ED eLenD | workers, working on the ground, compared to at least 14, which was available when Shannon Develop- ment managed the town, he said.

“The council was never given the Same resources. That is the prob- lem,” said Councillor Mulcahy.

He said that while work on the roads and footpaths has been carried out, the litter problem 1s still preva- one

‘The problem is we were left short- changed by the Department of the Environment. We need a huge up- gerade of infrastructure, water, etc. That funding has to be provided to the town. Shannon Town Council should have been given full Town Council status, like Ennis. We rely on the County Council for funding, even though, 67 or 68 per cent of the rates in the whole county come from Shannon,” he said.

THE Munster Athletics Association road championships were held in Dundrum, County Tipperary, over a flat and fast course. Jason Fahy, Ol- ympic Harriers, ran a very big race to take the silver medal in the Munster Novice category and he led Clare to bronze medals in both novice and senior sections.

The masters men were dominating in all sectors and Pat Nugent took a bronze medal in the O40 with Clare taking the silver medals and Tommy Madden, Marian, having a fine run to take the silver medal in the masters O55 and Clare taking the silver med- als in the O55 team.

Sue Garrahy, Kilmurry Ibrickane/

North Clare, took the gold medal in the masters ladies O40 and led Kil- murry Ibrickane/North Clare and Clare to Munster silver medals.

Cushla Murphy WHehir, Marian, who celebrated her 50th birthday on Saturday took the silver medal with Clare taking the silver medals in the inter county awards.

All three ladies races were com- bined. Niamh O’Sullivan, Ruocht, made all the early running and with one mile complete she was well clear of Carmell Parnell, Leevale, Mary Sweeney, St Finbarr’s, with Sue Garrahy settling in well and having a great contest with Breda Barrett, Gneeveguilla, for the masters O40 title.

Marian Burke, St Mary’s, Siobhan

Lennon, Ennis Track, were going very well for the Clare team as Ni- amh O’Sullivan, the overall leader, was gone well clear and she captured this munster title O45 and senior la- dies. The Clare team packed well to take silver medals.

Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare also took silver in the inter club.

The masters ladies O50 saw Cushla Murphy Hehir, Marian, produce a fine race to finish 33rd.

The novice ladies inter county awards saw Clare packing well to take silver medals.

The race of the afternoon was the novice, senior and masters mens and this race attracted a big field of ath- Ke KOleeM-VOMOdcmmLY ebelsineie

Alan O’Shea, Bantry, led the field

over the first mile, with Clare ath- letes sticking close behind.

With all races combined O’Shea was in control at the front and at the three mile mark he made a very decisive break and opened up a big lead. He took gold in 19.12mins with the novice title going to Pat McCa- rtan, West Limerick, in 19.53mins. Jason Fahy, Olympic Harriers, came through in second in 20.04mins.

The masters men’s saw Pat Nugent give a good account of himself when taking the bronze medal in the mas- ters O40 field.

The masters O50 saw Michael Harvey, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North GET KCHBED OD ROD tTcme Marlee Vooe-DUmBnemmaents big field and leading Clare to silver medals.

A BREAKTHROUGH is hoped for this afternoon in the talks between management and unions at Shannon Airport on the Airport Authority’s restructuring plan. A SIPTU ballot last month rejected the deal from the authority, which offered average payments to staff taking voluntary redundancy of €100,000.

Staff choosing to stay on would also receive a loyalty bonus, but the plan would require a major overhaul of work practices with the outsourc- ing of many Services and turning shops and restaurant facilities over to Jee-NNON oy

Since then, there have been what are being described as “exploratory meetings” under the auspices of the

Labour Relations Commission on a number of occasions.

The last meeting, on Thursday of last week, went on until 4am and it 1s hoped that the intensive discussions will produce results when the sides meet again today.

While nothing is certain about the Outcome of what are very detailed talks, covering wide-ranging issues including work practices and pen- sions, it is understood that there was a positive atmosphere at the end of Thursday’s marathon session. Attend- ing the talks were union representa- tives, members of the airport authority and members of SIGNAL, the airport workers’ representative group.

The sides sit down again together today at 10.30am, but it will be mid- afternoon before any breakthrough

which might be achieved is expected to be announced. Meanwhile, talks at the Labour Court between SIPTU and Aer Lingus management on the airline’s Programme for Continuous Improvement are also ongoing.

Discussions centre on a Labour Court recommendation on the plan and are covering issues such as cut- backs in leave and overtime pay and reductions in payments for bank holi- day work.

The union is expected to make a strong case for compensation for workers affected although manage- ment argue that the changes are a ne- cessity for the future of the airline.

There was good news for Shannon Airport this week, with passenger fig- ures since the start of the year up 11 per cent on the same period last year.

AN invading Japanese Army will descend on the old FCA barracks of Slough Hall in Lahinch next week. Fear not however, this merry army comes not to fight and kill but in- stead to sing and dance.

The Ennistymon Choral Society will stage Gilbert and Sullivan’s M1- kado from March 22 to 25 and this years production promises to be one of the best in recent year. This is the third time in its 34 year history that the society will perform the Mikado and there are some members who have been involved in all three pro- ductions.

The group was founded by Fr Ned Crosbie in 1974 and their first pro- duction was HMS Pinafore.

“The group has been going bril- liantly ever since. There is so much talent in the group. Our catch- ment area goes from Ballyvaughan down to Miltown and over as far as Corofin,” said one of the organisers.

‘This whole area is so rich in mu- sic and the quality of the singers is fantastic. When we can produce a full Gilbert and Sullivan musical from within our own ranks it is re- ally amazing. And the young singers just keep coming and coming, we are really blessed with a lot of talent and dedication.”

Getting young people involved in musicals is one of the main aims of the society and they work with hun- dreds of local young people each year, sharing with them the joy of music and acting on stage.

“We encourage the school and young people to get involved. We run an art competition for all the local schools and exhibit their work during the production. They come in then for the matinee and they love it. We also have several transition years in out society from the Christian Broth- ers, the Vocational School and the Convent,’ she continued.

Mikado tells the story of Ko-ko (James Barry), a young man who is condemned to death for flirting but is reprieved only to become the lord high executioner. He wants to marry Yum-Yum (Grainne Curtin) but a strolling minstrel comes along and falls in love with her. This minstrel is Nanki-Poo (Michael McCormack), who is also the son of the Mikado (Mark Wright).

“It is a hilarious comedy, it has a ri- diculous plot like all Gilbert and Sul- livan shows. They are as improbably as fairy tales and a lot more fun,’ she continued. “The music is gorgeous and we sing every note which is very unusual for a local society. We have always had all our own principles and we sing every single note on the Ne) Kone

For more information or to book tickets contact 7071828.

A YOUNG man who is accused of driving a noisy sportscar is to bring his car and a mechanic to court, to prove that the noise is not excessive.

Jason O’ Toole, of Drumline, New- market-on-Fergus, appeared before Ennis District Court on Friday, ac- cused of not having an exhaust si- lencer fitted to his Honda Prelude car, at Station Road, Ennis, on August 20 last year.

Garda Cyril Daniels of the Clare Traffic Corps told the court that he stopped the accused on the morning in question. “In my opinion, it was not fitted with an exhaust silencer,” he said.

Mr O’ Toole, who represented him- Self in court, said the car’s exhaust system conformed to Honda stand- ards. He said he later brought the car

to Shannon and Henry Street Garda Stations and the gardai who inspect- ed the car expressed views that the noise was not excessive.

“TI didn’t see any reason to change the exhaust system. That is the stand- ard for a Honda Prelude,” he said. “There was nothing malfunctioning with the exhaust. It is in no way ex- cessive,” he said.

He said he would accept the noise level of his car would be louder than a Ford Mondeo or Ford Focus but added, *““The manufacturers make the cars these ways.”

He told the court that he had carried out research on the matter and had been told that the issue of exceed- ing the decibel limit – 80 decibels – was purely on the basis of opinion. There was no means of carrying out a mechanical test. ““There is no way my car is over 80 decibels. I have re-

searched this,” he said.

Inspector Kevin Moynihan, pros- ecuting, told the court the defendant could call a mechanic to give evi- dence, in his defence. He said that the legislation stated that the opinion of a garda in a given case was relevant.

“The defendant has admitted the noise iS more excessive than any normal car. On the day, Garda Dan- iels was of the opinion the noise was excessive. It is up to you to decide, on the evidence before you,” said Inspector Moynihan to Judge Joseph Mangan.

The judge asked the defendant, “Would you bring the Honda me- chanic to court? … Would you bring the car to court?” and the accused replied, “Yes,” after he had told the court the car was at home.

The judge adjourned the case for a peeKeyeleee

THE anticipated start date for con- struction of the €80 million Car- nelly House nursing home has been thrown into jeopardy by the decision of two local residents to appeal its planning permission.

Last month, the council gave Stam- er Ltd the go-ahead to proceed with Ireland’s first full-scale retirement village at Carnelly.

The company was hoping to be on site by the end of the year, with the facility opened by the end of 2008.

However, two sisters living locally, Maura and Helen O’Donoghue, have appealed against its development.

An Taisce opposed the planning application when the plan was before the council. However, a spokesman confirmed that the organisation had not lodged an appeal.

In their original objection against the development, the O’Donoghues stated, “The proposed development of 150 houses would be located in rural countryside away from village and services.

‘Therefore, it would be inappropri- ate. It would severely impact on the beautiful character of the area which is comprised of woodland and a vari- ety of wildlife undisturbed for many years.”

The O’Donoghues state that the

wildlife includes the red squirrel, deer, birds and woodcock. These would be disturbed for ever and eventually driven out of the area.

Financial director with the Stamer Group, Tim Kelliher said there was already “a high level of interest be- ing shown by potential residents in the development plans”.

He said, “As part of this €80 mil- lion development, in excess of €3 million is to be expended on restor- ing Carnelly House, its currently derelict courtyard, the grounds and woods, as well as comprehensive conservation measures including the accommodation of a small maternity roost for the Lesser Horseshoe Bat specie.”

Mr Kelliher said, “Once the devel- Opment is complete, Carnelly will be home to up to 300 residents and will create over 100 jobs in the local economy. The retirement village will include 95 houses, 40 apartments and a 64-bed continuing care facility.

“Village facilities include a spa with a 12-metre pool and a specially- equipped gym, a shop, restaurant and bar. The 50 acres of open parkland and woods situated to the front and side of Carnelly House will be com- pletely restored and preserved.

“This parkland and woodland set- ting will offer residents a tranquil setting for a relaxed lifestyle.”

A BID by a west Clare primary school to prevent an 80-ft-high mast from being erected in close proxim- ity to the school has failed.

Clare County Council has granted planning permission to O2 to con- struct a telecommunications mast at Torr, Lahinch.

The council gave the plan the go- ahead despite stiff opposition from the Board of Management of Rineen National School and the Moy-Torr

Action Group.

In their objection, the Board of Management of Rineen National School stated that they were object- ing due to the close proximity of the mast to the school, that there were already three masts in the area and that the proposal would be visually harmful to a highly scenic area and beautiful natural landscape.

In their objection, the Moy-Torr Action Group pointed out that the proposal was located adjacent to the route of the west Clare railway.

They said, “If the development were to go ahead, it would conflict with this policy as it will have a negative impact on the amenity provided by the walking route and the enjoyment of the Black Hill along the route at this point.

‘Furthermore, the proximity of this development to the proposed route raises questions about public safety and the security of the proposed de- velopment.”

The Action Group also lodged a petition with their objection and stat-

ed, “The proposed development is contrary to policy in both the Clare County Development Plan and the North Clare Local Area Plan.”

They state that the proposal is ad- jacent to a designated scenic route and is clearly visible from both ap- proaches and that it will have a nega- tive impact on the residential amen- ity of adjoining properties.

The Action Group also stated that as the proposal was located close to two national schools and adjoining residential properties, the “precau-

tionary position” with regard to pub- lic health should be adopted.

They also claimed that O2 had not demonstrated “reasonable effort” with regard to co-location. However, despite the opposition, the council gave the plan the go-ahead, ruling that it wouldn’t seriously injure the amenities of the area.

The council made its decision hav- ing regard to Department of Environ- ment guidelines, the rural nature of the site, the lack of a specific visual designation and the pattern of devel-