Category: Uncategorized

STRONGER commitments regard- ing the delivery of broadband serv- ices in Ennis are being sought amid claims Clare could be missing out on thousands of jobs.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council, Councillor Joe Carey stated that many homes in Ennis still had no access to broad- band services.

He called for the council to provide a full report with regard to broad- band services in the county indicat- ing which areas have been enabled and what plans Clare County Coun- cil have to expand the network.

He said, “In reality there is a large part of Ennis that is still without broadband services. No commitment has been given to when it’s going to

start up.”

Responding, Director of Services Community and Enterprise, Tom Coughlan said the council had al- ready submitted proposals for Ennis and Shannon to be included in the Metropolitan Area Networks Pro- eramme (MAN).

“The responsibility for the rollout of broadband services nationally lies with the Department of Communica- tions, Marine and Natural Resourc- oe

“To co-ordinate the delivery of broadband in the Shannon region, Shannon Broadband Company Ltd was established in 2003. This com- pany comprises the six local authori- ties in the mid-west region including Shannon Development.”

Mr Coughlan continued, “The de- partments strategy for broadband

connectivity nationally since 2002 has been on two fronts, The Metro- politan Area Networks Programme (MANs) and the Group Broadband Scheme (GBS). MANs deals with the provision of infrastructure to strategic towns in the country with a population greater than 1500.

“GBS includes towns and commu- nities with a population of less than 1500. Proposals have also been sub- mitted for Ennis and Shannon.

“Government approval and excheq- uer funding will be required for this development. It is anticipated that these projects should be at the plan- ning stage by the end of this year”’

An inadequate broadband infra- structure could also mean that Clare iS missing out on thousands of jobs. That’s according to the Managing Director of Magico.ie, the Ennis

based web design and software de- velopment company.

Paul Montwill said a growing dig- ital divide had emerged between rural and urban areas resulting in a loss of investment, job creation and competitiveness.

Montwill said, “In light of the re- cent significant job losses in the mid- west region, the Government should now look to ways of creating new employment opportunities’.

He continued, “Numerous studies have shown that the development of an advanced communications infra- structure can lead to job creation and retention, increased business effi- ciency, improved education systems, faster industrial growth, increased start-up and entrepreneurial activi- ties, and more productive research and development.”

A PILOT plastic collection scheme, conducted in conjunction with Clare County Council last year, 1s to be ex- tended to the rest of the country and could provide the solution to the farm plastic issue which has plagued Irish farmers for the last number of years. The Irish Farm Film Producer Group (IFFPG) and the Irish Farmers As- sociation (IFA) have announced the agreement of a major deal with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Dick Roche, to

clear the accumulated backlog of plastic all over the country.

Over the next seven week services will begin in seven new counties, Cork west, Cavan, Donegal, Kilken- ny, Meath, Sligo and south Tipperary, which will see farmers bringing bale wrap and silage covers to designated local authority collection centres.

There will be no charge for this service and the accumulated plas- tics will be delivered to authorised recycling facilities. The scheme will be extended to farms in Cork east, Kerry, Limerick, Laois, Monaghan,

Westmeath and Wexford during June and July.

The final phase of the project will focus on Dublin, Kildare and Louth during September and October.

“The scheme to date has been rolled out on a phased basis because we know there are significant back- logs to be collected. It also gives local authorities sufficient notice to agree and put in place the necessary arrangements for collections in their areas,’ said Minister Roche.

Under the Spring Clean project, each local authority listed will organ-

ise, on a once-off basis, special open days to allow farmers in those coun- ties to deposit their stockpiled farm plastic. This service will be free to the farmer and funding to assist the local authorities will be made avail- able from the Environment Fund.

The IFFPG have been having dif- ficulty collecting all of the plastic waste produced by Irish farmers over the last number of years. The prob- lem is a result of illegally imported plastic which is not subject to a levy which goes to the IFFPG to support the proper disposal of the plastic.

WALKING around the narrow halls of Ennis National School the one thing you quickly notice are the pic- tures. There’s quite a few of them.

Old grey images, which chart the school’s achievements through the years, be they sporting or other 8 Ion

Grouped among various teamshots of hurlers, footballers, basketballers, soccer players and the few youth- ful, but instantly recognisable faces of future All-Ireland winners, are photos of the Ennis National School band.

Founded by former teachers Sean McDermott and Michael Collins, the band nurtured and encouraged many

aspiring young musicians.

This year marks the 30th anniver- sary of the band’s formation and to celebrate the occasion a special con- cert will be held in Glor this Wednes- day (March 21).

Two schools from Clare; Knocka- nean National School and Ennis National School will be joined by students from Limerick’s Milford National School for a school band’s spectacular. The students will also share the stage with local piper, Michael Coyne.

This is the second year of the event, which was last year held in the con- cert hall of the University of Limer- ee

Organisers decided it would be ap- propriate to acknowledge the contri-

bution made by Sean McDermott to promoting music in the school.

Teacher Fiona de Buitleir explained how the band developed in the early days.

“We only just realised that the band would be going for 30 years this year. When Sean started the band with another teacher at the time Michael Collins, they didn’t know how to play themselves so they were teach- ing themselves as they were teaching the kids.

“They used to say they were one note ahead of the band while they were playing. At that time they didn’t have a set room, so they used to prac- tice in the hallway.”

Ms de Buitleir said the school band was one of the few forums available

Where children could learn to play music.

“If you think about it, 30 years ago there was no maoincheoil or other eroups where kids could go to play.

“It gave the opportunity to children who weren’t necessarily the best at sport or other areas a chance in the limelight, so from that point of view it was important.

“The band has performed in pa- rades and I| think they got to play in Cusack Park one year.”

The full timetable for the concert is: llam – Knockanean; 11.15am – Milford; 11.30am – Ennis national school during which time the 30 years will be acknowledged.

The grand finale will take place at 11.45am.

MARY Shannon’s decision to go public last week and her call for mandatory sentences for rapists re- kindled memories for several other rape victims.

One Clare rape victim recalled horrific memories of her own or- deal, at the hands of her former partner.

The woman, who is from west Clare and who wished to retain her anonymity, said she was repeat- edly raped over a period of a long number of years but was too afraid to take a case against her attacker.

After going through prolonged pain for several years, she eventu- ally left him, five years ago.

“If he wasn’t raping me, he was beating me. I would refuse to have sex with him but he would force himself on me. I would get a belt anyway. I would lie to the doctor about my injuries.

‘“T reported it to gardai, but I didn’t go any further with it, because I felt I was the one that was in the wrong. I have been feeling guilty all my life,’ she said.

Not only was she afraid to make a statement to gardai, but she was also in fear of telling her family

what she was going through.

“IT was afraid to make a statement in case I hurt his feelings. He had a hold over me. It was up to me to walk away but I couldn’t,” she said.

She eventually managed to tear herself away and she fled.

“It was very hard to walk away from it. He cut my breasts and that was the end of it,” she said.

She attended counselling at the Rape Crisis Centre, but believes the psychological effects of her ordeal will remain with her forever.

She said that Mary Shannon’s de- cision to go public has inspired con- fidence in her and, in hindsight, she

regrets not pressing charges against her attacker.

“T regret not going ahead with it. I always get angry when I hear some- thing like this (Mary Shannon’s case). I have come a long way, but you have to get help,” she said.

“My advice to other women would be to report incidents like this… fast. You never forget. You start drinking or using drugs to dull the pain. It works for a while, but then you become addicted and you are worse. The biggest thing I felt was anger and I would feel angry again when something like this happens again,” she said.

THE Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh has said that it irritates him when people suggest that bishops and priests are out of touch with life today.

He insisted that priests were very much in touch as a result of continu- ous dealings with families in diffi- culty.

‘I think the one area where we find

it difficult is to be 1n touch with the daily lives of young people, that 1s a difficulty.

“I would say to priests regularly that it is not just us that are finding life difficult at times in this era — that despite all the material progress, parents are finding it quite difficult CNM DO New DOM DB KOR

‘Also, whether it 1s young couples coping with pressures of mortgages, very long hours or work or it 1s cou- ples coping with teenage children.”

Dr Walsh went on, “I think that we have made great progress, financial- ly, economically, socially – in many ways in recent years.

“But I often think that, for some people, the Celtic Tiger hasn’t touched them and they are finding life difficult. I think of the ones who are successful 1n economic terms, very often they are under so much pressure they can’t enjoy the fruits.

“The way our society has devel- oped, there are an awful lot of people

who are under pressure.

‘Probably, we as priests tend to see more of it. We are more 1n touch with people who are suffering. Whether it is people suffering from poverty or tragedy, priests are very much in- volved in tragic events.”

He added: “We had so many priests that somehow in the 1950s, ’60s, °70s and ’80s that we didn’t encour- age lay people to get involved in the running of the Church. I suppose that if somebody has been doing that

all their lives, it 1s not easy if you come to 70, you tend to feel that you still have to do that. I would accept that we didn’t encourage lay people to take their responsibility.

Dr Walsh’s Lenten Letter sends out a call on lay people to get involved in the running of the Church.

He states: “It is not a question of helping the priest, it 1s a question of lay people and the priest working together, sharing their responsibili- on

IT IS just days away from one of the largest annual days of celebration in the town of Kilrush – St Patrick’s Day. This year like others, the day would not be complete without the traditional parade through the town.

Once again the Kilrush Chamber of Commerce will be organising the event on the day – March 17.

“It is our hope that we can continue to build on the huge success of the past, in creating a parade that en- compasses and celebrates all aspects of our west Clare community that is enjoyable and interesting for all the

family,” said newly elected president of the Chamber of Commerce Karen WW toe-bee

The optional theme for this year’s parade is ‘Are you right there Michael?’ allowing participants to let their imaginations run wild as they decide on costumes and floats.

The parade will be judged under three categories, including musical entertainment; the St Patrick’s Day theme and the children’s category.

There are also three overall prizes including Best Junior Category, Best Senior Category and Best Overall Parade Character.

Those who venture out for a day

of festivities can look forward to a live music in the Square from 2pm to 4pm.

For those who still have some en- ergy left the Four Courts Céili Band will also be playing in Kilrush Youth Centre from 4pm to 7pm.

“It’s a guaranteed fun day for all the family. We look forward to see- ing you all on the day,’ said Ms Whelan.

The assembly for the parade is at 2pm at the Millennium Park (oppo- site Glynn’s Mill), Francis St, Kil- Mets oF

Meanwhile the Miltown Malbay St Patrick’s Day parade will be held

at 2.45pm on the same day from the GAA pitch.

The theme for this year’s parade 1s “Cultures of Europe” and as always there is huge interest and a great days entertainment guaranteed for all the Je Deen ens

This is the 10th parade in succes- sion in Miltown. There will be prizes for best float, best walking group and an adjudicators prize. There will also be a raffle to help defray the running costs of the parade with excellent prizes of “dinner for four in local well known restaurants” and the well known usual third prize of “a year’s supply of toilet rolls”!

THE ADARE 10k road race organ- ised by West Limerick Athletic Club was held in dreadful weather condi- tions over the weekend. Despite this, over 200 athletes went to the starting line.

There were outstanding perform- ances from a number Clare athletes. Loretta Duggan, St Mary’s, last years title holder came home in a very good third position in the senior ladies with last years runner-up taking the title in 41.48mins. Marian Burke, St Mary’s, was fourth, Siobhan Lennon, Ennis Track, fifth, and Deirdre Daly, Ennis Track, was sixth. The team t1- tle went to St Mary’s.

Jason Fahy, Olympic Harriers, made a big return after being out with a shoulder injury to finish sec- ond with victory going to Cian Mur- phy, Iveragh, in 32.29mins.

GSE Te eka elroy E verre Koe corded a great victory in the masters

ladies O45 with another Clare ath- lete, Maura Falsey, Kilmurry Ibrick- ane/North Clare, second.

In the masters men O50 Michael Harvey, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, ran a fine race to finish second with victory going to Gerard Mul- lane, Bilboa.

Clare athletes were well represent- ed in this very big field. The heavy rain at the start made running con- ditions very difficult. Paul Buckley, Ferbane, County Offaly, led the big field out over the first 5k with Cian Murphy, Iveragh, and Jason Fahy in close contact. This was always going to a battle of the fittest in these test- ing conditions.

Brian Murphy, Marian, along with Thomas Walsh and James Murphy, Tulla, were running very well and coming through the field as it entered into the final three miles. At the four mile mark Cian Murphy was mak- ing his presence felt as he began to take over the lead with Fahy right

on his shoulder. Over the final mile the Kerry man pulled away on the slight uphill stretch to claim victory in 32.29mins. Fahy ran very well to take second in 32.39mins with third place going to Paul Buckley in 32.44mins. Brian Murphy, Marian, finished 11th in 34.04mins.

The O50 title went to Gerard Mul- lane, Bilboa, in 36.49mins. A close second was Michael Harvey, Kil- murry Ibrickane/North Clare, in 37.28mins. Third was Dermot Mo- ran, St Mary’s, in 43.24mins.

The Clare ladies were very much to the fore with Tracy Roche, Dooneen, last years runner-up, going into bat- tle with Loretta Duggan, St Mary’s, last years title holder Catherine Con- way, Limerick.

Over the first two miles these three were well in control at the front with Marian Burke, St Mary’s, running her first 1Ok road race, leading the next chasing group that included Siobhan Lennon and Deirdre Daly,

Ennis Track, with St Mary’s packing well for the team contest with Hillary Cunningham also in the top 20.

The final 5k of this race developed into a great contest. Tracy Roche be- gan to take a slight lead on Loretta Duggan with Catherine Conway coming under pressure in third spot. Over the final mile it was anybodys race. Roche, with the wind at her back, upped the tempo and crossed the finishing line to take the title in 41.48mins with Catherine Conway coming with late burst to take second spot in 42.34mins.

Loreta Duggan was a very close third in 42.39mins and they were followed home by Marian Burke, St Mary’s, with fifth, Siobhan Lennon, and sixth, Deirdre Daly.

St Mary’s packed well to capture the team title with Loretta Duggan, Marian Burke and Hillary Cunning- ham clocking a total of 39points. Second were Limerick Country Club on 59points.

SPORT is cruel. A Harty Cup medal is one of the most prestigious prize on offer in the game, but typically a hurler will only get one shot at win- UND OreaK@) alse

For this year’s St. Flannan’s side that chance materialised on Sun- day against De La Salle, but cruelly they were denied by a combination of atrocious weather conditions and some suspect refereeing decisions.

There is no question of sour grapes among the St. Flannan’s camp, but they would be well within their rights to query some of Seamus Roche’s de- cisions and why the fixture was ful- filled in the first place.

The weather was like something out of the old testament and by the end of an hour’s hurling both goal- mouths were flooded. In fact it was impossible to decipher, such was the muck, where the respective sidelines were.

“You couldn’t but praise the lads

or fault any of them for the effort they put in,’ explained joint-manager John O’Connor in the aftermath of the defeat.

“The lads were terrific especially in the second half and once we got into that three-point lead Donal (Cahir) turned to me and said if we could get one more score we would go on to win it. But that score never came and De La Salle came back at us.

“Their second goal, which brought them level, really killed us. In a match like that, in those conditions, a goal is almost mentally worth four or five points and after that all the momentum was with De La Salle.”

The circumstances that led to Stephen Power’s second goal were more than suspect. St Flannan’s led by three points in the 49th minute when Power dropped a long-range free into the Flannan’s goalmouth. The sliothar dropped among a forest of hurls before becoming completely submerged in a flooded goalmouth. Then, and inexplicably, Seamus Ro-

che penalised St. Flannan’s ‘keeper Donal Tuohy for lying on the ball. Stephen Power rammed the 21-yard free home and a critical turning point had been reached.

“Most referees, especially in those conditions, would have _ stopped play and given a throw-in,’ adds O’Connot.

‘The referee was very harsh. How the hell he figured that it was a ’21 is beyond me. The ball had literally disappeared into a puddle of water. There was nothing that Donal (Tuo- hy) could have done especially with the goalmouth so crowded. That goal absolutely killed us.”

Such a talking point should never have materialised since the game should never have gone ahead. A sug- gestion that O’Connor agrees with.

‘The referee said to us at half time that if the conditions got any worse he was going to call it off. Even if he had called it off when we were three points up we wouldn’t have minded. Both sets of players deserved better. You just couldn’t hurl in those cond1- tions. Tactics went comepletely out the window and De La Salle, for ex- ample, only scored once from play. Look it’s not sour grapes. The con- ditions were the same for both sides, but it would also have been fairer to both sides if the game had been called off.”

St. Flannan’s now await the loser of the Leinster final between Castle- comer and Kilkenny CBS before they know who they face in an All- Ireland quarter-final in three weeks time.

A SHANNON-BASED pharmaceu- tical company yesterday announced plans to relocate part of its enterprise to a business park it strenuously op- posed in the planning process.

Yesterday, as part of its €70 mil- lion expansion plan, German-owned Schwarz Pharma announced that it is relocating part of its operation to the adjoining Westpark Business Park in Shannon.

However, the pharmaceutical com-

pany’s opposition to the business park prompted An Bord Pleanala to hold an oral hearing into planned €150 million development in 2002.

The promoters behind the business park claimed that the appeal was vexatious and argued to the board that the motivation was related to ne- gotiations over office space.

The board ruled that the appeal had substance, but granted permission for the development.

More recently, Westpark Devel- opments objected to three separate

planning applications at the Schwarz Pharma site, though the council granted permission for the propos- AES

However, yesterday, at a ceremony in Shannon, Schwarz Pharma con- firmed that it is to expand its op- erations into Westpark, occupying a new 110,000 sq ft building over five levels and will accommodate qual- ity control, IT services, employees amenities and a research and quality CH Ker

Managing Director of Westpark

Shannon, Brian O’Connell said, ““We are absolutely thrilled that Schwarz Pharma has chosen to work with BOC Holdings Ltd and have chosen Westpark as the strategic location of choice for their European expansion. Construction on the development will commence this month and is due for completion in late 2008. Managing Director of Schwarz Pharma, Werner Kunz said, “This new building will allow us to add strategic value to our future devel- opment initiatives while freeing-up

valuable growth space in our current production facility. This is a very significant and important decision by Schwarz Pharma and it underlines our confidence in the Shannon region to support our corporate business eva

Minister Tony Killeen TD said, “The decision by Schwarz Pharma to embark on this highly significant ex- pansion is a considerable boost to the Shannon region. The establishment of its R&D operation bodes well for i eTom RULAUD Kone

THE Athletics Association of Ire- land All-Ireland Inter Club Cross Country Championships was held in Sligo Racecourse and hosted by Sli- go AC on an excellent cross country course.

With heavy underfoot conditions a number of athletes found it very tough going and Orla O’Mahoney once again had to settle for that number four spot in the senior ladies.

Seamus Power produced a great ef- fort until the final lap where he was in fourth position and once again that final lap was too much. He jogged home in 12th place.

The junior men’s race was run over a distance of 8,00Q0metres and the star of the show here was John Coughlan, Metro St Bridget’s, son of Eamon Coughlan. He was one of the brightest stars of Irish athletics at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championship two weeks ago and he captured another big title beating David Flynn, Clonliffe Harriers, and David Rooney, Raheny Shamrocks.

Ennis Track Club were well rep- resented with Brian McGinley pro- ducing a mighty performance and coming home in 22nd position. He has another year in this grade and he was followed home by David Quinn (38), Sean O’Flynn (50) and Stephen McGinley (52). This gave Ennis Track eighth place overall on 162 points, victory going to St Malachys Belfast on 43 points.

Mary Cullen, North Sligo, finalist in the European 3,000 metres indoor championships last week was among the leading contenders for the senior ladies 8,000 metres title.

With one lap to go Fionualla Britton, Sli Chulinn, Wicklow, made a very decisive move and went well clear of the field to take this title. Deir- dre Byrne, Sli Chulinn, was having a great battle with Orla O’ Mahoney, Ennis and Raheny Shamrocks, but the Wicklow girl had too much power on the final uphill stretch to the finish and once again the Clare girl had to settle for fourth position.

With just one month to the World Cross Country Championships in Kenya these championships were always going to be very well con- tested. Last years title holder Garry

Murray, Letterkenny, was going into these championships with a massive amount of training runs of over 100 miles a week along with Mark Ken- neally, Clonliffe Harriers, and after

two big laps these two athletes were at the front.

They took this race out at a blister- ing pace and on the second lap of the six the field of over 150 athletes were well strung out. Peter Mat- thews, Dundrum South Dublin, Joe Sweeney, St Malachy’s and Seamus Power, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, were in the next chasing group along with local athlete David Kelly, Sligo, Killian Lonergan, Clonliffe Harriers, and Brian Maher, Kilkenny City Harriers.

Two laps from the finish Murray and Kenneally made another surge on the downhill stretch and opened a big gap on Sweeney with Power working hard. He was well in con- tention with two laps remaining with Brian Maher having a very big race as he had moved into the the top six along with Kelly.

Over the final lap the Letterkenny man Murray showed his class when he went well clear. With 5Ometres of a gap he crossed the finishing line in fine style with Kenneally taking the silver medal and Sweeney running a big last lap to take the bronze medal ahead of Kelly and a surprise fifth Brian Maher.

The fast pace over the early laps took its toll on Seamus Power and he was feeling the full effects over the last lap. He was putting in a big ef- forts and he looked dead on his feet. Many onlookers thought he would not finish, but he never gives up and finished in 12th place.

The junior ladies race over 6,000 metres was a classic with Dundrum South Dublin athletes dominating this race from start to finish with victory going to Rebecca French- O’Carroll, second was Suzanne Huet and third was Bryony Triston.

Our own 17-year-old and Clare jun- ior cross-country champion Claire Madigan, St John’s, finished in eighth position.