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THIS week signaled the beginning of a new era at the home of the GAA in Ireland. Michael Cusack’s joined the elite of the footballing world last Saturday week when they officially opened the new floodlighting at Glenn Ciosog.

The grounds new state of the art lighting system and upgraded chang- ing facilities were christened in good fashion with a brace of matches and an evening packed with quality foot- ball.

The GAA’s’ Munster Chairman, John Fogarty,

Council joined

Clare County GAA Board chairman, Michael MacDonagh in flicking the switch and bringing light to football in the centre of the Burren.

“This field was developed 25 years ago with the stand and dressing rooms coming two years later and at that time it would have been one of the finest facilities in the county,” said a club spokesperson.

“Tt will also be very important for the parish. We now have a large room which could be used for all sorts of community events in the parish.”

Liscannor were the big winners on SoMeA COND OTM DEO DITCME: Ae NAM SLES EES Te Corn An Chéad Cup after defeat-

ing Ballyvaughan in the final of the north Clare Senior and Intermediate competition.

Fittingly, it was an underage team from Michael Cusack’s who had the honour of being the first team to claim a victory under the new lights as the under-12’s saw off the chal- lenge of Lisdoonvarna.

“Our numbers are small, like every rural parish, but every child in the area 1s playing football and enjoy- ing it. The floodlights will add to the excitement of it for the children and bring a bit more buzz for them,” con- tinued a club spokesperson.

Meanwhile, just down the road, the

finishing touches are being put on the Michael Cusack’s Centre which will open to the public from Easter Sun- day. The fully restored 18th century cottage of Michael Cusack will be the highlight of the tour for many people while the centre itself will provide a host of information and photographs which is sure to be a must for any GAA fan.

The centre, which was officially opened by GAA President Nick Brennan in November will be open from 10am to 5pm each day dur- ing the Spring. Admission is €5 for adults, €3.50 for children and under 5’s are free.

GREATER responsibility should be conferred on individual electoral ar- eas in order to enhance the delivery of services within the county.

That’s according to west Clare councillor Christy Curtin (Ind), who says electoral areas should be given a more expanded role in the decision making process.

He called on the county manager to outline his system of monitoring for the delivery of council services and management guidance within each electoral area.

Cllr Curtain stated, “The electoral area is the key unit within the coun-

cil for the implementation of policy decisions and the delivery services throughout the county. It embraces a defined landmass and its own charac- teristics and infrastructural needs”.

He added that the role and influ- ence of specific electoral areas had diminished since their creation eight years ago.

“However, its role has been limited and restricted since the creation of electoral areas in 1999 due primarily to the absence of a planning services clinic and a management ethos and co-ordination in each area. In this case, I strongly advocate that in or- der to redress the situation, the man- ager would as a matter or urgency

review the present arrangements for an expanded role and a mechanism for a broadened engagement with the communities of each electoral area.”

Clare County Council says the de- livery of services is constantly moni- tored.

According to Michael McNamara, Senior Executive Engineer, “There is a system of regular management team meetings which monitors the delivery of services from both a functional and a geographic perspec- tive.

“The annual budget, which in- cludes a report from the county man- ager on each of the services, sets out the programmes and the targets to be

delivered in the following year. This is supplemented by performance indicators across each programme ea cele yoy

“If circumstances do not allow for the delivery of a particular work programme, the members would be informed of the circumstances pre- vailing as regards that programme. Directors of services are delegated functions as area co-ordinators/man- agers. The area co-ordinator/manag- er 1s responsible for co-ordinating all services in their assigned electoral area, he said.

Clare County Council has six elec- toral areas – Ennis, Killaloe, Kilrush, Scariff, Ennistymon and Shannon.

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-

This compares with just seven ar- rests, during the St Patrick’s week- end last year.

14 of the arrests were made in the Ennis District, which also takes in the Shannon area. There were six ar- rests in the Killaloe District and one

in west Clare. There were no arrests in the north Clare area.

The 21 arrests bring to 125 the number of people arrested for drink driving in the Clare Garda Division, so far this year. This compares with 66 during the same 11-week period in 2006 – an 89 per cent increase.

Several additional checkpoints set up over the weekend, as part of a na- tionwide crackdown on drink driv- ers. The arrests were made at differ- ent times of the day and night, with a significant number made on the evening of St Patrick’s day and again on Sunday evening.

The increase is due to a combina- tion of the enlarged Garda Traffic Corps in the division – a new traffic

unit was set up in Killaloe last year – and a tendency by some people to ignore repeated warnings.

The Head of the Clare Garda Divi- sion Traffic Corps, Inspector Kevin Moynihan said the latest figure is WOrTying.

‘People have to realise the figures don’t lie. People should adjust their habits accordingly, if they want to re- tain their licences. In relation to road safety, if people have alcohol on them while driving, there is a danger they will get injured or killed,” he said.

A number of drink driving cases which were heard in court in recent weeks yielded particularly high read- ings, with a number of drivers three or four times the legal limit.

A MAN in his 30s, with an address in North Clare, was set upon and attacked in Limerick prison, just a week after his personal property was damaged by fire.

The attack on the man last week, took place in the B2 wing of the prison.

He was set upon by five other pris- oners, who attacked him with a large piece of wood with a nail attached.

However, the convict, who is serv- ing time for public order and drug offences, swiftly turned the tables on his attackers. He grabbed the weap- on from his attackers and struck two of them – who are both from Limer-

ick city – on their heads. Both were taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital for treatment. The man with an address in North Clare – he is not originally from the county – did not require hospital treatment for his in- juries sustained in the attack.

Sources suggest he was beaten af- ter he failed to co-operate with the group of Limerick men in prison.

Separately, gardai in North Clare are investigating an incident in which the same prisoner’s property was damaged by fire.

The incident happened almost two weeks ago. The man is due to complete his sentence within weeks and is expected to be released next month.

IT’S time for the people of Tuam- eraney and Scariff to phone a friend and show off their general knowl- edge. And all in a good cause.

On Thursday last, the 50/50 joint effort of the Scariff Community Council and the Tuamgraney De- velopment Association was unveiled as details were announced of the coming “Who Wants To Be A Thou- sandaire?’ fundraiser.

The two groups are jointly organis- ing the night to raise money for com- munity projects in both areas.

Damien Heaney, spokesperson for the organisers of the fun night out said it’s hoped that the event will raise in the region of €20,000 for worthwhile projects.

The Palace Marketing group have been brought on board to stage the event, which will be just like the real SAVa eveerce

“It should be a great night out and people will have loads of fun. If someone doesn’t want to compete personally, they can nominate anoth- er person or we will pick someone for them at random from a panel. But the person who bought the ticket gets the prize money,’ said Damien.

The organisers are expecting up to ten rounds on the night, which is Fri- day April 20 at Scariff Community College from 8pm.

A huge amount of organisation is going into the night, with six teams of six working under two co-ordina- tors, Margaret O’Meara, PRO of the Tuamgraney Development Associa-

tion and Harry O’Meara, Chairman of the Scariff Community Council.

‘Even the launch was a joint ef- fort between the two communities,” said Damien. “We had Niall Malone and Diarmuid Nash, world champion handball players, draw the first tick- et. They both play with Tuamgraney handball club Niall is living in Tua- mgraney while Diarmuid 1s living in Scariff.”

Local businesses have also rowed in behind the event, with Centra in Scariff, Finsa Forest Products and Sports World Netting coming in as the three main sponsors. The prize money for the night 1s being gener- ously put up by Queally’s Supervalue in Killaloe.

And the real winners from the clash of knowledge will be the two local

communities.

Scariff organisers are aiming to raise cash to install play equipment in their riverside park development, which has been improving every year and Tumgraney will be using the cash for the continued develop- ment and upgrading of their memo- rial park.

Tickets are €10 each and are avail- able from any of the 30 people in- volved in promoting the night or from the community council or de- velopment association members.