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NORTH Clare County Councillor, Flan Garvey, (FF) has spoken out against the decision to grant preferential treatment to groups living closest to the controversial Ballyduff Beg waste manage- ment facility when the second round of commu- nity funding is allocated.

Councillor Garvey’s comments come in the wake of a decision made by the local Liaison Committee, ratified at the October 10 meeting of Clare County Council, to allow groups living in the Ballyduff area favourable status when the €55,440 in funding is distributed.

The decision was made on the foot of allega- tions of “obnoxious smells” emitted by the Bal- lyduff Beg facility which are causing discomfort to those in the area. Applications for the second round of funding for sustainable community- based environmental initiatives in Inagh, Kil- namona and Cloonanaha were requested last week.

“If the people around the edge of the dump have a problem then that is a different issue (from the funding) and they should bring their grievances to the County Council separately,” said Cllr Garvey. “It was made clear from the word go that this is a community environmental project and any group or organisation in the par- ish who fulfils the terms as set out is entitled to apply for a share of the €55,000.”

Responding to these comments the Chair- person of the Community Liaison Committee, Councillor Joe Arkins, stressed that funding is only being made available to organisations

rather than individuals and said that it was “un- fortunate” that Cllr Garvey had not attended the meeting when the matter was discussed.

‘As chairperson of the liaison committee it is my responsibility to bring the decision of the majority of the community to the council,” said Cllr Arkins. “It was the decision of the meeting that the next tranche of funding would favour the projects of those who have been adversely effected by the landfill. It 1s up to them to decide

how the funding is to be dispersed and they have done that.”

The local community receives €1.27 for every ton of waste disposed of at the Ballyduff Beg landfill. Since its opening in September of 2002 some 150,000 tonnes of waste have been dis- posed of at the site. It is predicted that the landfill has a capacity of close to 900,000 tonnes which represents more than €1 million of funding be- ing made available to the local community.

THREE Limerick men who came to the atten- tion of the gardai while on a stag party in Lahi- nch last week do not plan to return to the seaside town, their solicitors told a court.

Seamus Corbett, of Garryspillane, Knock- long, and Oliver Hayes and Billy Lynch, both of Knocklong, were all convicted of an offence un- der the Public Order Act, on November 13, last, at Main Street, Lahinch.

Sgt Brian Howard told Lisdoonvarna District Court the three defendants were members of a Stag party.

He said Hayes was extremely drunk and abu-

sive, and told gardai “f*** off for yourselves”. He resisted arrest, fell on the ground and refused to get up.

Sgt Howard said Lynch was extremely drunk and very loud. He got into the patrol car and re- fused to get out. When he eventually got out of the car, he thumped the back of it with his fist.

Gda Denis Curtin said Corbett got into an altercation with Lynch, as Hayes was being ar- rested.

Corbett’s solicitor, Jim Finnegan said his cli- ent, a 33-year-old carpenter, had never been in trouble before and does not drink regularly. Mr Finnegan, who also represented Hayes (30), said his client was very drunk, and when asked to go

home was incapable of complying with the in- structions. Eugene O’Kelly, solicitor for Lynch (35), said his client very much regretted the of- fence, which was completely out of character.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked how frequently did the three visit Lahinch and was assured that none plan to return there.

He remanded them on continuing bail, for a professional report re. substance and alcohol abuse to be carried out and presented to the court next January.

“It might be a good idea if they bring a sub- stantial sum of money the next day, and not for the usual purposes people bring money to Lis- doonvarna,” said the judge.

A JUDGE yesterday granted bail to a man who, it is claimed, threatened to burn his wife’s house Keyan

But Judge Joseph Mangan said he was giving the O’Callaghan’s Mills man bail on condition that he live in Limerick.

Denis Peppard of Keldara, O’Callaghan’s Mills, was before the court accused of criminal damage, and breaching a barring order.

Gardai gave evidence in Killaloe District court of having arrested Peppard after getting a call from his wife in the early hours of Monday morning.

Gardai had asked the court to remand him in custody until the case can be heard.

Garda Colin McGrath said that he responded to acall from Peppard’s wife and found her at her home “in a very distressed state. She alleged he told her that he would burn the house down.”

Garda McGrath said that he took the threat se- riously.

Sergeant Gerard Mulqueen said that at the house, he saw that a window had been broken by having stones thrown through it.

While he was there, Sgt Mulqueen said more large stones were thrown in.

The sergeant told Judge Mangan that the ac- cused man “lives in a caravan on his own land

about 100 feet away from his wife’s house.”

Peppard’s solicitor told the court that her client is contesting the charges and that he would abide by any bail conditions imposed.

After hearing that Peppard works in Castletroy, Judge Mangan said he would agree to bail, pro- vided Peppard lives in Limerick and that he would go there directly. The judge asked if the gardai would drive the defendant into the city in a squad car.

He also ordered that Peppard have no direct or indirect contact with his wife and that he sign on daily at Henry Street garda station.

He was remanded to appear again in Tulla Dis- trict Court on December 1.

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‘There is no doubt that the car-park is necessary as the current situation can be dangerous and inconven- ient. The challenge will be to ensure it doesn’t dis-

turb the unique character of the site, where its beauty is its remoteness”.

Clare Tourist Council spokesman, Paddy Maher, said, “The site is so special that it has to be managed properly, but a carpark is absolutely needed because of the dangerous situation of people coming out of buses on the roadside and clambering over walls. I believe that they have also chosen the correct site as it is a greenfield site and doesn’t interfere with the karst landscape”.

Currently, a herd of eco-friendly Government cat- tle is grazing the site in order to improve conserva- tion, as recommended in a management plan.

Dr Lynch has already confirmed that the cattle grazing “has had a very significant impact on the ecology of the site”.

The excavation of the site in 1986 was prompted by one of the slabs of limestone pavement that made up the dolmen being cracked, necessitating its re- placement by a nearby slab of pavement.

Full-time rangers are now employed by the Gov- ernment at the site, after it purchased the dolmen, along with 16 acres of land, in 2002 from a local levutloe

Those wishing to make submissions on the council plan have until December 16.

this system is of concern to parents. ‘Nobody wants to be paying for teachers. We lost two teachers last July because the roll dropped in September 2004,” said Mr Mac Cor- maic. “Now the roll has come up again, but we

will have to wait until September 2006 to get out teachers back. Despite appeals to the De- partment of Education and lobbying our elected representatives for even a part-time extra teach- er our requests have fallen on deaf ears. All we are looking for is a part-time teachers, for fifth and sixth class students. This doesn’t make sense. The reason we are fundraising is that the children get an equal chance,” he added.

He said the Department told the Board of Management that if there were 187 students (just five more than is the case at present), the school would have been allocated two addition- al teachers. Mr Mac Cormaic said the problem could be overcome if the fifth and sixth classes were split up, but this would not be fair to the students and teachers concerned.

A number of fundraising initiatives have tak- en place in recent weeks, including a golf out- ing, while a sponsored walk and table quiz are also planned.

VANDALS and thugs who are causing late- night distress to residents in Kilrush council estates face eviction and exclusion if their anti-social behaviour continues.

Kilrush Town Council responded to ongoing problems in the town’s estates yesterday by launching the Tenancy Management Policy, including Combating Anti-Social behaviour. Ongoing problems in areas such as John Paul Estate, where people are leaving their homes in fear of vandalism and shootings, are to be addressed through the new policy.

A spokesperson said, ““While Kilrush Town Council recognises that the great majority of tenants and residents of council housing are aware of their obligations, a small number are involved in behaviour that causes their neigh- bours difficulty. Sanctions such as eviction or exclusion orders are available and the council is committed to using them.

County manager, Alec Fleming advised that the new policy sets out positive response pro- cedures for the management of tenancy and estate issues in the council’s housing stock. It encourages the establishment of residents’ as- sociations and aims to support them, and take measures against anti-social behaviour. The council has also vowed to record every com- plaint and respond within five working days. Town clerk, Fiona Mooney, stressed the confi- dentiality of the complaints procedure.

‘Kilrush Town Council is aware of the need for confidentiality, so this policy includes a confidential complaints system,” she said. “Senior staff will investigate all complaints and appropriate action will be taken where

breaches of tenancy are evident.”

The town council has also developed a two page brochure, “Together we can make it work’, incorporating a confidential com- plaints form. The Gardai and council will work together in the implementation of the complaints procedure. A series of open in-

formation sessions will be hosted by Kilrush Town Council and the Garda Superintendent to disseminate the procedures.

Meanwhile, John Paul Estate will feature in a

INCREASING class sizes are impacting on the level of attention teachers can give to pupils.

Principal of Ballyea National School, Eddie Liddy believes overcrowding in the classroom is one of the main problems facing schools in Clare. He said the current situation, where classroom sizes are increasing, imposes extra burdens on teachers and limits the amount of attention they can give to students. In Ballyea the problem has been particularly prevalent in split classes, where children from two different classes share the same room.

‘Absolutely it is a big problem. We have split classes with 32 children in them, where one teacher in one classroom is looking after all of

the junior infants and half of the senior infants. In the other classroom a teacher has all of first class and half the senior infants. It can be very difficult to manage.”

The issue of class size in primary schools was discussed at a public meeting of representatives of parents, teachers and management in Ennis last night. There are currently 159 children at- tending Ballyea National School and this year the school received an extra teacher in accord- ance with directives issued by the Department of Education. “We still have huge class sizes but it definitely has made a difference.”

Ballyea National School had been highlighted as being typical of the overcrowding problem but the school is hopeful of getting a new build- ing in the future.

A CLAIM that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment owes more than €30,000 to the White hotel group is not true, Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court.

He said information given during the hearing last month by White hotel group accountant, Robert Hurley, was incorrect.

“That department owes no money and owed no money on the date of the hearing,” said the in- spector, who added that a member of staff from the department was in court to give evidence to this effect.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’Kelly said this was a “scurrilous” and “outrageous” allegation of perjury.

Mr Hurley had told the court last month that during the past two to three years, 194 applica-

tions were made to the Department for work joes WNDU

None of the 194 were taken on and the money had not been refunded.

Each application now costs €400.

Meanwhile, the outcome of the two-day court hearing was hugely disappointing and may be appealed, according to the managing director of the two hotels at the centre of the case.

Jim White, a former Fine Gael Donegal South- West TD, told The Clare People, “I am very dis- appointed with this court ruling.

“Tt is a very difficult place to run, Lisdoonvar- na, opening in March and closing in September.

“T think it has been unfairly treated. I still have to decide on an appeal.”

He pointed out that out of the 190 or 200 work- ers employed by the hotel group, just a few were found to be illegal.

A MASSIVE €33 million shortfall in the Shannon Development pension fund will have to be met by the taxpayer.

Accounts recently filed with the Com- panies Office also show that the company would have made a much greater loss last year than the €1.6 million recorded, but for a €12.518 million profit made in selling off property. This included €4.2 million on the sale of Shannon town to Clare County Council.

The pensions deficit increased by €6.9 million during 2004. However, the accounts state that the exchequer will meet any short- fall, as a result of a High Court settlement between the Trustees of the pension fund, and the company and Department of Fi- nance last year.

The company’s pension fund stood at €46.5 million at the end of last year. But the anticipated cost of the fund — which gives each employee a guaranteed amount at the end of their working lives – is €80 million, resulting in the shortfall.

The company has declined in the past to give a breakdown of the numbers working in each department.

However, accounts show that the high- est number (75) work in industrial devel- opment, and these are the jobs threatened through the new mandate for the company announced by the Minister for Trade, Em- ployment and Enterprise, Michael Martin ETS aves

This is currently the subject of negotia- tions between SIPTU and the Dept of En- terprise, Trade and Employment, where SY UE ORS ee lacoseel olan stam comm ClUs nome soMBADIRUD KS of Shannon Development in promoting the Shannon Free Zone.

Staff costs, including salaries and pension provision, cost €14.535 million in 2004.

In a bid to reduce staff numbers, Shannon Development has had in place a voluntary retirement scheme costing €2.24 million over the past two years.

In relation to the transfer of Shannon town to Clare County Council, the company spent €690,000 on redundancy and €922,000 on other costs. And it cost €104,000 to remu- nerate its Board of Directors last year.

Underlining the importance of the com- pany’s property portfolio, the accounts show that €17.913 million was generated in rental income last year.

The company’s balance sheet shows that its fixed assets were valued at €150 million at the end of last year.

TALK of a possible coalition between Fine Gael and the Green Party could af- fect the larger party’s rural vote in the next election, according to rural housing lobbyist, Jim Connolly.

Speaking to The Clare People, the sec- retary of the Irish Rural Dwellers’ Asso- ciation warned that “courting the Greens is a high risk strategy when looking for votes in rural Ireland”’.

Mr Connolly accused the Green Party of being totally against one-off hous- ing, adding that Green county council- lor Brian Meaney expressed such views when he addressed the IRDA conference in Kilkee last September.

Cllr Meaney countered that Mr Con- nolly was listening to the “honeyed words of Fianna Fail, and they are the ones directing policy. Where are the Green Party members that are influenc-

ing this (one-off housing) policy?” he asked.

“Mr Connolly is blinkered in his thinking and his logic. He needs to re- visit some of the comments made to him in the past by members of larger parties. I went back (to Kilkee) and gave policy and no one else did,’ he said.

Cllr Meaney sent a transcript of his speech to The Clare People. In it he said, “T wish to state clearly that the Green Party is fully committed to the develop- ment and prosperity of rural areas.

‘Development and prosperity has to be achieved in a balanced and a sustainable fashion, and no reasoned argument can be made to allow uncontrolled develop- ment, be that badly-designed and sited commercial development, or uncon- trolled ribbon development along every road in the country.”

Cllr Meaney continued, “We believe the best way to maintain and increase

population numbers in rural areas, based on the evidence of the recent census, 1s to support villages and clusters, as vil- lages and clusters have held their popu- lation better than scattered communities in the open countryside.

‘Areas of population loss, as indicated by CLAR maps, match areas with poor or non-existent village and cluster struc- ture. This lack of structure is the main reason these areas suffered more popu- lation loss than others.

“Therefore, we believe that the best way to address population loss in weak areas is to create new villages or village clusters and to actively prevent further dispersal of settlement,’ he said.

Meanwhile Mr Connolly called on Fine Gael to publish its policy on one- off housing. He said while Deputy Paul Connaughton (FG) was very supportive of rural housing, he was speaking per- sonally.