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THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has put in place addi- tional safeguards in a bid to prevent a re-occurrence of pharmaceutical plant Schwarz Pharma polluting the Shannon area.

This follows the EPA issuing a draft license to the German-owned com- pany, imposing increased controls on the company to ensure that it does not breach its Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licence.

The company was one of the first fa- cilities in Ireland to secure an IPC li- cense in 1996 and a significant breach of the licence caused a dank odour to spread across Shannon for a number

of months in 2002 and 2003, prompt- ing the EPA to demand a review of its IPC licence.

The company pleaded guilty to various breaches of its [PC license in the distrist court in 2003 and the li- cence review has now culminated in the Agency giving the green-light for a new license for the company, which has spent in excess of €6 million this year on increased environmental safe- guards at the plant, where bulk active pharmaceutical ingredients are pro- duced.

The EPA has ruled that the new li- cense shall have effect for four years, having regard to the nature of the works and arrangements necessary in connection with the installation

and upgrading of plant environmental abatement and protection infrastruc- ture and plant environmental proce- elt Kee

As part of the new license, the EPA has instructed Schwarz Pharma to employ an experienced installation manager who shall be responsible for the management of the wastewa- ter treatment plant and air emission abatement equipment. The EPA has also instructed the company to estab- lish and maintain a Public Awareness and Communications Programme to ensure that members of the public are informed about the environmental performance of the installation.

In its decision, the EPA refused none of the proposed activities sought by

Schwarz Pharma — which employs 176 people — in its application.

The interim Managing Director of Schwarz Pharma, Peter Brunk, this week said that the company was still studying the licence and would prefer to comment when that process was complete.

Shannon Town Mayor, Cllr Tony Mulcahy this week welcomed the tighter controls contained in the new 36-page licence. Cllr Mulcahy told

THE construction arm of controversial US multi- national, Halliburton is set to scoop the contract to construct the €370 million Shannon tunnel.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) has iden- tified the “Direct Route” consortium, including Kellogg Brown & Root Limited as “the most eco- nomically advantageous tender” to complete the project.

As the construction subsidiary of Halliburton, KBR employs 64,000 people in 43 countries around the world and it is part of the same “Direct Route” consortium that has won the contract to construct the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy bypass.

The other companies involved in Direct Route in- clude the Austrian company, Strabag AG involved in the Ennis by-pass; John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Limited, Lagan Holdings Limited and Roadbridge Ltd. The Texas-based Halliburton conglomerate is the biggest private contractor for American forces in Iraq and has received contracts worth some elev- en billion dollars for its work there.

US vice-President, Dick Cheney was chief execu-

tive of Halliburton in the five years immediately prior to becoming Vice President and Mr Cheney earned €45 million during his tenure at the world’s largest oil-and-gas-services company.

One of the many contracts that Halliburton has se- cured from the US Government is the €37 million deal to build prison camps in Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay for suspected terrorists — the company has had more than 35 of its contractors killed while work- ing in Iraq.

The NRA is to now proceed with discussions with Direct Route with a view to appointing it as the Provisional Preferred Tenderer. If such discus- sions prove successful and Direct Route are ap- pointed Provisional Preferred Tender, that is likely to lead to an award of the Contract for the Project in Spring 2006 with work expected to start around the same time. As part of the deal, the Direct Route consortium stands to generate €456 million in tolls from the route over a 30-year period.

The Direct Route consortium is also one of four pre-qualifying consortia for the controversial M3 Motorway, which skirts and the Hull of Tara.

THE INCREASING number of Ryanair _ flights through Shannon has played a crucial role in the air- port breaking all-time passenger records for the first nine months of this year. Figures published by Shan- non airport show that passenger numbers are expected to top three million by the end of the year.

More people used the airport during the first nine months of this year (2.5 million), than did during the whole of last year (almost 2.4 million). The figures point to a 36 per cent increase in passengers flying into and out of Shannon, when compared with the same pe- riod last year.

The largest-growing market is the UK. More than 873,000 people have travelled on UK routes since the start of the year, an increase by 68 per cent on the 2004 figure. European services have carried 518,000 pas-

sengers, which is up 41 per cent on the corresponding period last year. There was also a slight increase in transatlantic traffic – two per cent – through Shannon during the first nine months of the year.

In addition to this growth, the figures show that more people are flying to the sun from Shannon. During the first nine months of the year, 132,440 passengers flew on holiday charters from Shannon, an increase of 14 per cent on the first nine months of last year.

Airport Director Martin Moroney said the increases across the board are positive. “Ryanair has contributed greatly to this. It has played a huge role and a big part of the growth is outbound traffic. People are coming to Shannon from all over the country, to fly to various destinations all over Europe and beyond,” he said.

“Shannon is seen as an airport for the country, not just the mid-west,’ he said, adding that the two per cent increase in transatlantic traffic was particularly

satisfactory, given the difficult tourist season. Shannon airport management are particularly satis-

fied with the new Shannon/Boston flight operated by

American Airlines, which commenced in May.

“We are pleased with this daily flight, which is prov- ing very popular. American Airlines is the world’s biggest airline and we hope to expand with them in the future,” said Mr Moroney. He stressed the importance of elements in the tourism sector promoting Shannon in overseas markets in the run-up to the winter. “With ongoing co-operation between ourselves, Shannon Development and other tourism agencies, I am con- fident that we can respond to that challenge and that west of Ireland tourism will be the major beneficiary of Shannon’s record-breaking traffic performance this year,’ he added.

CLARE County Council yesterday launched a ‘zero- tolerance’ policy against those engaged in anti-social behaviour across local authority estates in the county.

In the wake of the Council securing its third exclu- sion order against unruly tenants from a Council estate in recent times, the local authority unveiled its Strate- gies in Combating Anti-Social Behaviour at its Octo- ber meeting in Ennis on Monday.

Those found dealing drugs or engaging in violence will face the Council applying to the courts fora three- year exclusion order against the entire household.

The policy document states that “anonymous com- plaints will be recorded but not investigated by the Councils, unless a pattern is seen to be occurring”.

The chair of the Council’s Housing Special Policy

Committee (SPC), Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) told

THE CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern that the installation of CCTV is not likely to be put in place in the town until early 2007.

Rita McInerney says the Chamber was led to believe that it would be put in place by the end of next year, but the Jus- tice Minister Michael McDowell has now indi- cated that there will be a further delay.

“We keep _ getting promised and we would be disappointed if it was put back to 2007. This must be the fourth oc- casion it was put back,” said Ms McInerney.

She said the issue of CCTV is a high prior- ity on the Chamber’s

agenda.

“We see it aS a pre- ULE TOA (OMB OO CerKIIDKoMEEA Ke just want to be proac- tive. Let’s get the CCTV before we have a huge problem with crime. There is a slight prob- lem of public disorder. We need to stamp that out and CCTV 1s a huge CK ere MUNM NNR USteTROR

“Windows do get bro- ken, but this could es- calate to more serious types of crime, includ- ing burglary,’ said Ms McInerney.

The need for CCTV in the town was also raised at this month’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Councilor Tom Glynn (FF) stated that CCTV was urgently needed to serve aS a deterrent to anti-social behavior in the town.

“If there was more CCTV it would certain- ly help to bring these culprits to justice.” Cllr Glynn who is a teach- er in Ennis National School was speaking after a number of cars were found burned out in the car park adjoining the school.

Meanwhile the De- partment of Justice has confirmed that one En- nis community group has applied from the department’s new part- funded CCTV scheme in the coming year.

Community groups had to raise at least 15% of the funding while the remainder could be sought from public bod- loa

In total, 32 groups ap- plied for funding for the schemes nationwide.

THE ‘Taoiseach has this week LoysVebuenlo(eMmBn I MER, SUL ONOTcammOer-l Mmm als continuation of acute care at the Mid West Regional Hospital En- nis “remains a Government com- mitment”’.

His strongest indication to date that Ennis’s 24-hour accident and emergency service will remain Open came in a letter to the chair- man of the Ennis General Hos- pital Development Committee (EGHDC), Peadar McNamara.

A member of the EGHDC de- scribed the letter as “political soothing noises.”

The letter stated, “…. capital investment of €20 million indi- cates the Government commit- ment to keeping a fully function- ing Accident and Emergency Department in Ennis.

“It is not just in the capital side that we have made clear our commitment to Ennis A and E. Dedicated Emergency Care phy- sicians have also been employed providing round-the-clock med1i- cal cover to Ennis A& E. A & E Consultants sessions have been introduced from July 2005.

“Eight nursing staff have been upgraded to CNMI Level at En- nis and clerical staffing at the Ennis A & E Reception has also been extended.

‘There has also been structural reconfiguration of the A & E de- partment carried out to improve patient flow; this included a new reception area.

‘T would hope that our commit- ment to acute care is clear from our investment thus far, and the continuation of this acute care remains a Government commit- ment,’ Mr Ahern continued.

‘T would also take this opportu- nity to reiterate any commitment to continued planned investment in Ennis General Hospital’s serv- ices with a programme of new hospital facilities, new consultant posts and consultant led services, and new paramedic services.”

The PRO for the EGHDC said yesterday “we can have all the political soothing noises, but we have to hear that the para- graph (referring to A & E) in the Hanley Report will not be imple- mented.”

‘There are three people in this

trinity, the Minister for Health, the Taoiseach and _ Professor Drumm. We now want to get a meeting with Professor (Brendan) Drumm, CEO of the Health Serv- ice Executive,’ he said.

The spokesperson for the lobby group also expressed annoyance that a journalist had been leaked the letter, dated October 6, be- fore the intended recipient had received it.

He called into question the Government’s “way of doing business,” describing the leak as appalling.

ORGANISERS of the Ceifin Conference 2005 are hoping that the event AUN Mab Komr NU CNSne mms el ommD Dene portance of community in the modern world.

The conference is en- titled ‘filling the vacu- vse

It will explore how people have become disconnected from so- ciety and related issues including the role of the family, the economy, spirituality and the role of the community.

It is being organized by the Shannon based SS Oo isces

A wide range of speakers from across the social spectrum will appear at the event, which takes place in the West County Hotel, En- nis next month.

These include Presi- dent Mary McAleese, who will host a talk called ‘Counting on

Community’.

“The conference 1s pretty unique to Clare.

“It will highlight the importance and good work done by people giving up their time to volunteer in the com- munity.

“Volunteering is also important for your spir- it,’ said Susan Ward of the Ceifin Centre.

Other speakers in- clude Dennis Bradley, Vice-Chairman of the Northern Ireland Polic- ing Board, Pat Duffy, Chief Executive’ of Sports Coach UK and Marie Murray, Director of Psychology at St Vin- cent’s Hospital.

Dr Murray, who also has extensive experi- ence working in the me- dia, will speak on the second day of the con- ference about the prob- lems of suicide in young males called ‘Prophets or Profit; who fills the eTeLULbN OO ee

CHARGES against a 27-year-old an- tiques restorer who had been accused of involvement in two hit and run acci- dents have been dismissed.

Keith Russell, of 30 Cahercalla Heights, Ennis, denied he was the driver of a van involved in two accidents, dur- ing which €7,000 damage was caused to four cars, on June 12, 2004.

Taxi driver Michael O’Connor told Ennis District Court he was driving along the Clare Road towards Captain Mac’s cross at around 2am and stopped AMA eCoM DECAL RODW OSLO mK SLOD

He said a van came along behind him and crashed into the back of his car, be- fore driving off.

He said “Clare Van Hire” was writ- ten on the van and he took down the registration number. The driver was a young man in his early 20s with sandy hair but he could not be certain as to his identity.

It was alleged in court that the van then took a sharp bend, hit two parked cars outside a house in Gallows Hull, and continued on to the home of the ac- cused, where it was found parked in the CTU AoANe WA

Garda Mark Murphy went to the scene

of the accident and noticed a trail of lig- uid on the road, which he followed.

The trail turned right into Cahercalla Heights and stopped at the home of the accused. Gda Murphy said a white van was parked in the accused’s driveway, bearing the same logo and registration identified by the taxi driver.

He said a young man came running out of the house. “I asked him who was driving the van. He said, ‘I was driv- ing. No-one else in the house’,” said the garda. He said the accused was drunk and was unsteady on his feet.

When cautioned, the accused then strenuously denied driving the van.

Results of an intoxylser test taken by the accused showed there was 75 micro- grams of alcohol per 100 mls of breath.

He had the van on loan from Clare Van Hire and said he had full use it.

According to the owner of the van, the accused was ‘the only person to have access to it’, said gardai.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’Kelly applied for direction on a number of points including that the State’s case was built on circumstantial evidence.

Judge Mangan said “I have to hold with the defence. If the State wants to seek judicial review, it is a matter for the SIF Kone

ENNIS fire-fighters have been forced to call in Garda protection after being pelt- ed with missiles by children as young as te

Gardai are escorting fire crews, when responding to alarms in the Cloughleigh area of the town.

Last week, a fire-fighter was struck on the head by a missile during a response to a hoax call.

The incident was the latest in a series where fire-fighters were subjected to at- tack by a group of teenagers and children in Cloughleigh. Crews now don their helmets and visors to protect themselves when entering the area.

Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly con- firmed this week that Garda escorts were being requested to accompany fire units to Cloughleigh, where it was suspected

that the calls to the station might be hoax.

Mr Kelly said that a fire unit received a Garda escort to the Cloughleigh area last AYA”LerebaTehsre FWA

Mr Kelly said, “I can’t tolerate a situ- ation where the fire-fighters are the tar- gets for young people throwing objects at them.”

Mr Kelly confirmed that already this year, the fire service had received 21 ma- licious calls and 17 nuisance calls from the Cloughleigh area.

A fire-fighter said this week, “You name it, rocks, bricks and bottles have been thrown at us and we can’t risk go- ing into the area anymore without a Fer Menieesa mn 4 blot MA WLoM oon AVM toler Roms Ker] hoax call. There are kids as young as 10 and 11 throwing the stones.”

The fire-fighter added, “The problem has been there for a while, but has been

particularly bad over the past 12 months. We can’t risk any injury now, it has got KeXO mo) 6 (0) t

Supt John Kerin of Ennis Garda Sta- tion warned that gardai would be able to accompany fire units to Cloughleigh only in very exceptional circumstances.

“It wouldn’t be viable for Gardai to be on call to provide an escort every time a fire unit is called out to the area in ques- nCoyn a

OW Comp net-larosmmye: pepe) oyKeltrca slam Commo) ULor lic attention by Green party councillor, Brian Meaney at the Council’s Special Policy Committee (SPC) on the Envi- ronment last week.

‘A means has to be found locally to stamp out this behaviour. The imposition of a curfew must be investigated. I un- derstand that fire units stopped putting on their sirens going into the area, but the rock throwing continued,’ he said.

A €5,200 TRIP by Ennis Town Council mem- bers and officials to a famous wine-growing region in the south of France last Summer has run into controversy.

Two councillors say the three day trip by five councillors and three officials to St. Paul de Fenouillet, at the invitation of the local mayor last July, was bad value.

During their time there, the Ennis delega- tion would have been able to visit St Paul de Fenouillet’s famous vineyards. In common with previous trips by the Town Council overseas, this one was accompanied by little or no publicity.

Fine Gael councillor, Johnny Flynn who didn’t go on the trip said this week: ‘I was elected to put in place policies for the town council and monitor the work of the execu- tive.

“The trip would not have assisted me in my duties as a councillor. I don’t think it is rel- evant.

‘The general public has become very cyni- cal over the work of central and local gov- ernment and a trip such as this would make the public even more cynical, where money needs to be spent on local services.”

Cllr Donal O’Bearra (GP) said, “From my experience of overseas trips for the Council, nothing is implemented by the Council that has been viewed abroad.”

Councillor O’Bearra travelled abroad with the council on a number of overseas trips in- cluding Bruges and St. Paul de Fenouillet, but opted not to go on this year’s trip.

“The people of St Paul de Fenouillet have been very, very good to the council and I went there with an open mind before as to the value of the trip. But all the evidence suggests that it 1s just a junket.”

Town Mayor, Frankie Neylon (Ind) said that the twinning arrangement with St Paul de Fenouillet “has provided an amount of benefits for Ennis”.

Ennis Town Clerk, Eddie Power said, “The cost of the trip was €5,200. The Council has a budget of €24,000 for town-twinning and associated expenses.

“The Twinning arrangement continues to be an opportunity to promote Ennis as a place to visit. This is particuarly relevant in the context of additional low cost airlines fly- ing the Shannon to Girona route, as the St. Paul de Fenouillet region is easily accessible through Girona.”