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EDITH Van Burgh decided to change her lifestyle last year. She had spent her life living in The Netherlands, where she was born and bred. Edith knew that, at 46, the time was right to move to another country. She had al- ways had a love of Ireland and when she saw a job advertised in Shannon company Digital River, she decided to apply.

From her home in The Netherlands, Edith sent off her application and was delighted to get the job. In February 2006, she packed her life into a few Suitcases, bade farewell to her native country and headed for Shannon.

Edith had always had a preference for the west coast of Ireland and was

thrilled when she found her dream job in the Digital River call centre in Shannon.

And Shannon did not disappoint Edith. Given that Shannon is home to hundreds of people from all over Ireland and overseas, there was eve- ry chance that she was going to settle in quite fast and that is exactly what happened.

Although she misses her husband Taco – she is hopeful he will leave his job in the fire department in The Netherlands and join her in Shannon later this year – she is delighted to have made the move to Ireland.

“It was not difficult to settled in. The social side is very easy. I speak English, but it would be very differ- ent if I didn’t. It is not hard to talk to

people here,” she said.

Through her work at the interna- tional call centre, Edith has got in contact with various people of dif- ferent nationalities – including from her native country – and this has also helped her settle in to Shannon.

She believes that she would not have settled in to Shannon as quickly if she had been younger when she took the decision to move here.

“T imagine there is not a lot to do for young people in Shannon, but for me, there are a lot of things to do,” she said.

Asked does she miss home, she replied, “I am home…of course you miss some things, but Iam not home- sick. I plan to stay here.”

‘Ireland has much more space than

The Netherlands. I like Irish people. They are more gentle than Dutch people. I have waited for 20 years for an opportunity like this,’ she beamed.

Edith is just one of the many people who have chosen to move to Shan- non and start a life there. Locals are keen to embrace the outsiders into their community.

THE sight of wandering cattle with big horns on a busy stretch of road near Sixmulebridge caused grave dis- tress to passing motorists, a court has heard.

Before Shannon District Court was Christy Grady, of Rath Beg, Sixmile- bridge, accused of allowing beasts to wander, at Feenagh, Sixmilebridge, on January 10 and 11 last.

Sergeant Con Ryan told Shannon District Court the defendant’s frie- sian bullocks were wandering on the road. It resulted in a lot of motorists getting frustrated.

‘He had been warned a few times about them. A lot of people were con- cerned. The animals hadn’t been de- horned,’ said Sgt Ryan.

He said the first report was made to Sixmilebridge Garda Station, at 3.10pm on January 10, from a driver who became “very distraught” on seeing what he described as “bulls with big horns”.

Sgt Ryan went to Feenagh, where he found two long-horned friesian cows wandering. He and another man moved the animals off the road.

A local farmer told him the cattle were belonging to the accused.

The following day, gardai received further reports, that cattle were wan- dering on the road near the mart at Sixmilebridge. Sgt Ryan found one long-horned friesian and put him back on land.

He said he met the accused and told him he would have to move the cattle. He co-operated fully with him.

“He undertook to move them. He is an elderly man. I don’t think he realised the significance of this. It 1s a busy stretch of road. He did move them the third day,” he said.

Mr Grady told the court he did not have cattle on the road at Feenagh – which was named on the summons – and for that reason he was not guilty.

His solicitor Caitriona Carmody said her client was adamant his cattle wouldn’t wander at Feenagh. If they wandered anywhere, it would have been at Ballysheen.

Sgt Ryan replied that the accused admitted to him that the cattle were Nhe

“T’ve seen Mr Grady on that road, tending to cattle and at that field,’ he nem

Ms Carmody said there was an ele-

ment of doubt. She pointed out that none of the complainants were in court and Sgt Ryan said they did not want to give evidence.

Mr Grady told the court that he removed one of the cattle to County Limerick.

“He was a bit wild. He might be used to mountainous country. They’d be used to be not confined. I took him to County Limerick and he hasn’t broke out since. He won’t ever stand in Clare again,’ he said.

Sgt Ryan said if the accused un- dertook to fence the land, he would agreed to withdraw the summons.

Mr Grady replied, “I will, but there’s no cattle breaking out since January 11. I have very good fences.”

Judge Joseph Mangan struck out the ores

ILLEGAL parking of caravans in Shannon is posing huge problems for the people of the town and flies in the face of the county’s Traveller Accommodation Programme.

That was the view expressed at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last week, where councillors hit out at the trend of illegal parking.

Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Independent) called for a height restriction barrier to be placed at the entrance to the laneway, ad- jacent to the Shannon Olympic yiKe ee

She said while she does not want to see the town being “fenced off”,

parking restrictions should be put in place there, as it is “too easy to open the gate and get in there”.

“There is very obviously a loop- hole in the legislation, where some- body who has accommodation can up and leave,” said Cllr McCarthy.

“Unauthorised and illegal park- ing is detrimental to Clare County Council’s Traveller Accommoda- tion Programme,” she said.

Cllr Gerry Flynna (Independent) said, “There is a huge problem of illegal parking all over the town. There doesn’t seem to be legisla- tion there to deal with it at a local level. I think it 1s a huge problem.”

Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) said it appears that some areas are ex-

posed to “this type of behaviour” which is not acceptable.

“If there are areas with a history of this type of parking, we should be protecting these areas,” he said.

Clir Greg Duff (Labour) agreed with this view and pointed out that there was “a long history” of this type of behaviour.

He said if a barrier was put in place beside the Shannon Olympic pitch, he would be afraid that the problem would just move a short distance down the road.

Cllr Mike McKee (Independent) agreed with this and said he felt that if one area was blocked off, then another area would be used to park caravans.

Clir Sean Hillery (FF) made the point that Travellers should be in- tegrated, “but in a controlled man- ner”.

Shannon’s mayor, Cllr Tony Mc- Mahon (Labour) said Shannon ap- pears to be getting “a right lash- ing’, in relation to illegal parking.

‘The whole issue needs to be re- visited. There is no use in us trying to provide accommodation, if we have new people on the block next week looking for accommodation,” he said.

“It has to be addressed at national level. It is doing no good for either the settled community or the trav- elling community,” said Cllr Mc- Mahon.

SIPTU 1s to ballot its members for in- dustrial action at Shannon Airport.

Crunch talks are to take place to- morrow (Wednesday) at the airport between management and unions. The talks will centre on the thorny issue of staffing the security opera- tion at Shannon.

Already, 23 of the 90 temporary workers at Shannon have been told that their contracts will not be re- newed on March 23 next.

This follows the rejection by unions of the €35 million restructuring plan put forward by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which involved the voluntary redundancy of 200

workers.

The meeting tomorrow between the Executive Chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority, Pat Shanahan, the airport director, Martin Moroney and senior union officials is seen as crucial to any alternative package that might be agreed.

However, SIPTU Industrial Or- ganiser, Tony Carroll confirmed in a letter circulated at Shannon, that the union was proceeding to a protective ballot for industrial action.

“The Labour Relations Commis- sion (LRC) convened a meeting of the three unions in Dublin Airport Authority Shannon last Wednesday to look at ways of involving the 1m- passe in the stalled cost reduction

programme at Shannon Airport,” the letter states.

“SIPTU and the union sought a reversal to the status quo situation relating to decisions made and an- nounced by the airport management including the giving of a terminal notice and contract workers to finish on March 23, 2007.

“SIPTU has now decided to pro- ceed to issue notice of its intention to ballot its members on a protective ballot for industrial action to be im- plemented in the event of the DAA proceeding to impose change unilat- erally which may affect in anyway on our members and/or in breach of our procedural agreements.

“The protective ballot for indus-

trial action in no way diminishes our commitment to engage with the DAA management through the LRC in trying to secure a settlement of all TSS UC ehe

“This ballot would not have been necessary had the company agreed to revert to the status quo as request- ed at the LRC while we processed the dispute through the normal pro- cedures. In the meantime, you may be approached by management to discuss matters, you are under no ob- ligation to talk to management as all these issues are 1n process.”

Already, the stalemate has resulted in the closure of the Marsh Point bar and the curtailment of restaurant hours.

THE people of Sixmilebridge and Kilmurry are being encouraged to attend the parish mission which will get underway on Sunday.

The six-day programme will spring into action on Sunday evening and will continue through until Friday. A number of events for young and old people will be part of the programme throughout the week.

According to the organisers, the event is about welcome, renewal and

community in Sixmilebridge and aims to involve everybody. A group of 50 people gathered last week and they were divided into groups, where they travelled to homes in the par- ish and encouraged people to attend some of the events throughout the ete

Organiser David Deighan said there have been huge changes in the parish in recent years and this will be reflected during the mission.

“So many new people have come to live in the parish, while others

have lived in the parish all their lives, or come here over the years. It is all about bonding together, in an annual event. We have a new par- ish priest – Fr Harry Bohan – and the church has been redeveloped in re- cent years. A lot of things have hap- pened,” he said.

The mission will be led by Fr Tony Flannery and teacher Ann O’Toole. Fr Flannery is a Redemptorist priest who is well known for his human- ity and is a man gifted in connect- ing Christian values to real life. Ms

O’Toole is a young person who has taken time away from the classroom to participate in the mission work.

“The Mission guarantees at least a welcome to all to come. Every per- son in the parish is invited to take a little time out and come a along,’ said Mr Deighan.

“Hopefully we will have a full church every night,” he added.

The mission will start on Sunday evening with an opening celebration and welcome. Christ the Healer is the title of Monday’s event, while the

Rite of Reconciliation will take place on Tuesday evening. Young people are being encouraged to attend Youth Night on Wednesday while the par- ish’s deceased will be remembered on Thursday night. There will be a finale and close of mission on Friday night. All of the events will start at 7.30pm, with the final night’s events getting underway at 7pm.

During the Mission Week there will be daily morning Mass in Sixmileb- ridge Church at 7am and 10am and in Kilmurry Church at 8.30am.

THE ATHLETICS Association of Ireland in association with Sligo AC will stage the National Senior and Junior Inter Club Cross Country on Saturday, March 10.

There will be four races on the programme starting at lpm with the junior ladies 6,000 metres, followed by the junior men’s 8,000 metres, at

1.30 pm, the senior ladies 8,000 me- tres at 2.15pm the final race of the afternoon will be the senior men’s 12,000 metres at 2.45pm.

The senior ladies will see a big number of new names 1n action with local athlete, Mary Cullen, Sligo AC, taking on the new up and coming star, Fionualla Britton, Sli Chulainn AC, Wicklow. She was the European U23 silver medal winner in Spain

last December and she will be the big pre-race favourite.

Also contesting the title will be Jolene Byrne, Donore Harriers, Rosemary Ryan, Bilboa, Marie Mc- Cambridge, Dundrum South Dublin, Niamh O’Sullivan, Riocht, and Orla O’ Mahoney from Ennis now running with Raheny Shamrocks, Dublin.

The senior men’s race will be the highlight of the day with all the

top middle distance athletes going to the starting line. Mark Christie, Mullingar Harriers, will start as fa- vourite along with Garry Murray, St Malachy’s, David Kelly, Sligo, Mark Kenneally, Clonliffe Harriers, and two former national champions, Seamus Power, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, and Peter Matthews, Dundrum South Dublin, also look- ing for top spots.

AER LINGUS staff at Shannon may have to adopt a range of new work practices, following recommenda- tions from the Labour Relations Commission.

The LRC yesterday released its rec- onebaelesslee-T allele Rene (ore mel Moon ODNITcMmNals long-running dispute between unions and management.

The airline has been told to discuss cost-cutting practices with staff in- stead of seeking to impose them on a unilateral basis. The Labour Rela- tions Commission also recommend- ed staff be compensated for loss of earnings or annual leave.

The court states that where loss of

holidays or earnings result from the new measures, compensation should be paid. The precise level of compen- sation is likely to be the subject of further negotiations to be completed within four weeks.

However, it was also recommended that major changes in work practices would have to be implemented if cost cuts were to be achieved at the air- line.

The changes have been the source of a serious dispute between unions and management, which almost re- sulted in strike action.

LRC Chairman Kevin Duffy said he was satisfied that the current situ- ation warranted the implementation of measures to bring about further

cost savings and efficiencies.

Both sides have welcomed the recommendations, but stated more would be needed to bring about a to- tal resolution.

Michael Halpenny, SIPTU Nation- al Industrial Secretary, said the LRC had clearly indicated in its findings that Aer Lingus had compromised existing work agreements and the se- curity of future agreements.

He said SIPTU’s disputes’ commit- tee would meet again to discuss the document.

Aer Lingus Chief Executive Der- mot Mannion welcomed the input of the LRC but added, “Much remains to be done and management remains committed to addressing the real

commercial issues that the company faces and ensuring unnecessary cost is removed from the business.”

The court is recommending that staff who currently get 26 or more days of annual leave per year should relinquish two days. Staff entitled to 23, 24 or 25 days should relinquish one day. Greater flexibility over shift arrangements is also recommended, as is the elimination of the practice of working through breaks and fin- ishing early.

SIPTU shop stewards at Aer Lin- gus are meeting on Thursday morn- ing to consider the Labour Court Recommendation on the company’s Programme for Continuous Improve- ment 2007.

THE generosity of a group of Shan- non workers is set to greatly enhance the lives of several children in the mid-west.

Workers at Genworth Financial in the Industrial Estate in Shannon raised €6,/00, through a variety of events last year. They have donated this money to The Blue Box Crea- tive Learning Centre.

The Blue Box is an innovative charity, which provides support to young people and their families,

through creative therapies.

Genworth selected The Blue Box as its charity partner for 2006. A committee of six people organised various events and everybody was keen to get involved, in some way.

Among the fundraisers organised included a Valentine’s Day cake sale, children’s art competition on St Patrick’s Day, a mini marathon, table quiz and Christmas card com- petition. Groups of staff also took part in a 10k in Limerick walk last SLennapas lore

Committee member Toni McDon-

agh said the 300-strong staff at the company are keen to help various charities.

“We adopt a different charity every year and try to raise funds through- out the year,” she said.

“The art competition involved the children of people who work here. Everybody gets involved,” she said.

The organisers were thrilled to raise so much money. The aim is to collect €5,000 every year, but this was surpassed last year.

“We aim for €5,000. If we get more than that, it is a bonus. We

were very proud to have supported The Blue Box. We aim to reach out in our community, give back to 1m- portant local causes and have lots of fun along the way,” said Ms McDon- agh.

Last year, the Blue Box was chosen after a vote. Staff were all invited to make suggestions on who should benefit from the money raised throughout the year and The Blue Box came up trumps last year.

This year, the staff have voted to make donations to Bluebell ABA, which is a pre-school for autistic

children in the mid-west.

‘Parents have got together and set up the pre-school. It is based in Ra- heen, Limerick. We heard about it, through work and picked it out, to donate our money raised this year,’ added Ms McDonagh.

Bluebell opened its doors in March 2004 and caters for autistic children homey vue Ceber be

Its aim is to help move children into mainstream education and the staff at Genworth are optimistic that their effort will go a long way in helping those children.

A NORTH Clare man died as a re- sult of smoke inhalation, after he fell asleep near a gas cooker at his home, an inquest has heard.

John Flanagan (39) died as a result of a fire at the family home, at Lis- doony East, two miles from Kilfeno- ra, on April 9 last year.

Mr Flanagan, a labourer, died at the farmhouse, which was more than 100 years old.

The fire was noticed by a neighbour who was tending to cattle, but it was not possible to get into the house and save the man.

Frances Flanagan recalled being at the family home that afternoon. Her parents, Micheal and Tess, had gone to Dublin that day, for an Easter break. She said her brother John took food out of the freezer and said he would cook it later. She and Michael later went to Kilshanny to get ciga- rettes. They had a drink there and

later, as they travelled home, the house was completely ablaze.

Her brother Michael recalled that as they were leaving Kilshanny, they received a phone call, indicating that their house was on fire. He didn’t be- lieve it at first.

He said his brother John had in- tended to cook a fry and there was a second-hand gas cooker in the house, which the family had acquired a short time earlier.

Martin Neylon met John earlier that day and said they were to move cattle the following day.

‘John’s last words to me were “See

you in the morning’,” he said.

Later, he saw smoke coming from the house. He could see the slates on the roof cracking from the heat. At that stage, the house was completely in flames and there was “no way” anyone could go near it.

Detective Garda Niall Kampff car- ried out a technical examination of the scene. He said the heat intensity was such that it caused the plaster to fall from the walls.

He said it seemed likely that flames from the gas cooker spread to the curtains and then to the wooden ceil- ing, before spreading throughout the house. “It has been suggested to me he may have fallen asleep. I suggest that he did.”

Dr Elizabeth Mulcahy, who carried out a post-mortem examination on the deceased’s body, said death was likely to have been from smoke inha- lation. Coroner Isobel O’ Dea (above) said she was satisfied that the cause of death was accidental.

THE roads and byways of east Clare have been humming with the rich sound of singing over the last few months as a group of interested peo- ple have established a new commu- nity choir in Scaruf.

The inspiration for the group came after a visit from Archie Simpson of the Lismorahaun Singers last year which saw the north Clare based voice teacher offer a singing work- shop for the locals.

So popular was the work-shop that another workshop was organised

with Kate Daly, also from the Lis- morahaun Singers.

“We really like it and a couple of us came together with the idea of start- ing a singing group of our own,’ said Carla Bauer, one of the organisers.

‘In October we organised a second workshop, this time with Kate Daly. It was so popular, about 25 or 30 people turned up and after that we have been continuing the group on our own steam.

“We call it a choir but at the mo- ment it is more like a singing group really. We are hoping to one day to erow to become a choir.”

Carla is currently studying a mas- ters degree in Community Music in UL while her co-organiser Cather- ine Patience is a professional voice coach.

“We have a good mixture of people – there are a few teenagers as well as a mixture of men and women. We really try to stay open to everything that the members want to do,” con- tinued Carla.

“We enjoy examining different styles and different songs and every idea that is put forward is very wel- come. Overall though, it’s isn’t so much like a church choir, so far any-

way. It is more lively like a Baptist choir or something like that.”

Carla is currently hosting a series of six workshops with the group through her University of Limerick fo) actos

“We are going to experiment a bit during the workshops,” said Carla. “We will try a few different vocal exercises and see how we get on. We also want to introduce differ- ent rhythms and some instruments. Hopefully at the end of it we will come up with something original.”

Anyone interested in learning more can contact Carla at 061 – 921633.