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A LORRY driver who claimed he had not worked since being dis- missed from his job was caught on camera driving a digger on the En- nis by-pass site.

Thomas Lynch claimed before a hearing of the Employment Ap- peals Tribunal in Ennis that he had been dismissed by his boss, haulier Francis Greene, for not delivering a load of cement, which Lynch said

had been cancelled.

Lynch said that he was paid €500 for working up to 80 hours a week and received no overtime.

Greene denied unfairly dismiss- ing Lynch who he said had “left to go and work with his brother.” He denied Lynch had worked up to 80 hours a week. He had agreed a flat rate when Greene was hired, at Greene’s request, the employer Sr nLO

The truck driver claimed that he had not worked since the alleged dismissal.

But after having been shown photographs taken by a private detective of him in the cab of a digging machine on September 15 last, Lynch said he had “worked a few hours” to see what the machine was like. He said he got no pay for the work.

The Tribunal will give its deci- sion on the case in a few weeks.

MEMBERS of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee received the royal treatment last night when they were guests of hon- our at a celebratory banquet at Knap- pogue Castle.

The event was organised by Shannon Development to acknowledge the tre- mendous achievement of the Ennis Com- mittee in winning this year’s National Sroyenelesislere

“This celebratory event is our way of giving due recognition to all who worked so hard on behalf of Ennis Town. It al- lows us to pay tribute and thank the En- nis Tidy Towns committee members,

communities and individuals for their great support and contribution to the en- hancement and protection of the environ- ment in Ennis,’ said John King, Heritage and Tourism Director, Shannon Develop- ment.

Among those who joined the voluntary committee at the Knappogue Castle cel- ebrations were the Mayors of Ennis and Clare, Management and Staff of Ennis Town Council and Clare County Coun- cil, Ennis Chamber of Commerce, and Ennis Civic Trust.

Entertainment for the evening was pro- vided by the Shannon Castle Entertain- ers who devised a special programme to give the prestigious group a flavour of the

entertainment provided by Shannon Her- itage at Knappogue, Bunratty and Dun- guaire Castles, and the Traditional Irish Evening at Bunratty Folk Park.

“A well protected and well presented environment is a major promotional as- set, and down through the years Tidy Towns Committees have made countless environmental improvements in_ their communities,’ said King.

‘Tourism remains one of our most im- portant indigenous industries. It is Ire- land’s third largest industry and is worth over €5.1 billion to the economy annual- ly. In 2004 a total of 6.4 million overseas visitors came to Ireland, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous year.”

, Mr Ryan said, “A great many business people in West Clare will also be shocked at this outcome.

“Mr Marrinan is a very well respected member of the

community and he provides an essential service in rural West Clare where a lot of eld- erly people living in isolated homes depend on his business to provide them with oil.

“Mr Marrinan has also of- fered to Clare County Coun- cil to relocate his business to alternative locations, but these were turned down by the council.”

Mr Ryan added that Mr Marrinan had spent in excess of €20,000 in trying to meet the requirements of Clare County Council.

However, solicitor for the Council, Mairead Doyle, told Kilrush District Court, “Mr Marrinan has been playing the system”.

At Kilrush District Court in October 2003, Mr Marrinan was fined €1,500 and given a suspended sentence of three months after failing to com- ply with a Council Enforce- ment Notice to remove the unauthorized structure and cease carrying out business at his oil depot, built without

planning permission.

Mr Marrinan appealed the decision to Ennis Cir- cuit Court in February 2004 Where Mr Marrinan was given three months to remove the structure, or face prison.

However, Mr Marrinan failed to remove the unau- thorized structure and Clare County Council initiated a fresh prosecution as the oil depot was still in place, al- though Mr Ryan told last Wednesday’s court that Mr Marrinan had removed the tankers from the depot, ren- dering the facility inoper- able.

Mr Ryan also said that Mr Marrinan had lodged a plan- ning retention application with the council. This was re- fused and an appeal had been lodged by Mr Marrinan with An Bord Pleanala.

After hearing submissions from Mr Ryan and Ms Doyle, Judge Mangan imposed the three-month jail term and made no order for costs.

AFTER decades of talk, graft and no little work the three secondary schools of Ennistymon are finally to unite and form the Ennistymon Community School.

In a historic development for edu- cation in North Clare, plans for the school along with 22 other schools nationwide, were announced by the Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin last Thursday.

The school will be located on a site obtained from the Sisters of Mercy and will have the most up-to-date facilities for science, languages, art, woodwork and construction studies, home economics, IT and engineer- ing. It is envisioned that the school

will cater for some 650 students and will boast a full-sized sports hall.

The final stumbling block in the way of the proposal was overcome last week as a final price for the site was decided upon by the Depart- ment of Education and the Sisters of Mercy. An independent valuator was brought in following a disagreement over the price of the site which is be- ing handed over to the department as part of the Redress Board settle- ments. The announcement has been widely welcomed by the principals of each school who have expressed their hope that the high level of co- operation between the schools will continue until the new Community School is in place.

Hopes are high that the school will

be among the first bundle of schools approved for funding, which could see tenders for contractors being made as early as mid-2006. Alter- natively, it could be as late as 2009 before progress can be made.

While the announcement heralds the beginning of a new and exciting time for education in North Clare it also marks the end of three rich and proud traditions.

“The Christian Brothers have made an enormous contribution to the youth of North Clare through the values expressed by Edmund Rice and these values will live on in the new school,” said Michael Concan- non, Principal of the CBS.

“The young people of the area de- serve first class facilities.”

The site of the Vocational School has been earmarked for the creation of an Adult and Community Centre for North Clare.

It is expected that much of the staff currently employed in the school could be absorbed into this facility.

“Often with things like this peo- ple walk out the door and the place is locked up. Then three years later, when all the windows are broken, someone gets the idea to do it up,” said Enda Byrt, Principal of the Vo- cational School. “When we walk out of here we want someone to be walking back in that same day.”

Of curse with any amalgamation like this the co-operation of all con- oer e mE

“A steering committee of repre- sentatives of management, staff, par- ents and students of all three schools will oversee the change to the new community school and insure that a smooth transaction will take place,” said Seosaimhin Ui Dhomhnallain, Principal of Scoil Mhuire.

In total €555 million was allocat- ed for projects by the Minister for Education and Science last week.

Aside from the 23 post-primary schools, four new primary schools have been announced as-well-as a number of third level projects.

Ennistymon County Councillor and former CBS student Martin Conway (FG) has welcome what he described as a ‘long overdue development’. “The people of En- nistymon and the surrounding area deserve the very best of facilities,” said Cllr Conway. “The three school have done great work over the year with an archaic infrastructure and I appeal to the Department and the Minister to deliver in 2006 rather than in the later bundles.”

AN POST in Clare has been asked to explain reports that hospital leaflets it was con- tracted to distribute in the county never arrived.

The leaflets from the En- nis General Hospital Devel- opment Committee outlined concerns about the future of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis.

The committee contracted

An Post to deliver 44,000 leaflets, at what group mem- bers described as “consider- able cost.”

But reports have come in to the group of deliveries not happening in a large number of areas.

Their spokesman said, ““we were aware that there are parts of the county that are not covered in the contract, because of different adminis- trative areas in An Post. But

these areas did not include Ennis and West Clare and we are concerned with people re- porting no knowledge of the leaflet.”

The committee have set up a phone number in response to the reports.

They’re asking people to call, or text, to let them know if they have not received a eb ilem

The phone number to text or call is 086 8813232.

THE people of Bally- vaughan are in for a mu- sical treat this October as the renowned German BASF choir will perform in the St. John the Baptist Church on Tuesday the 25th. The Ballyvaughan concert 1s one of only two dates that the choir will perform at during their short Irish Tour.

The BASF choir was founded in Ludwigshafen in 1892 and recruits its members not only from the BASF factory but from all over the area as a whole. The lay choir boasts some of the regions most gifted voices and is also one of the countries most professional as it employs a full-time pro- fessional conductor.

On the programme will

be songs from musicals and films as well as a number of classical piec- es. During their short stay in Ireland, the 84 strong choir, will also perform in Dublin.

This is the choir’s first visit to Ireland, but in the recent past they have toured in Italy, Hungary, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. They have ap- peared in many television and radio programmes in their native Germany and around Europe.

All proceeds raised from the concert will go to for Ballyvaughan Nation- al School and the Bally- vaughan Christmas Task SLO) KeKomay idee r-Tnemr-LAKesee] OND OTS to stage Ireland’s first out- door Christmas market later this year. Tickets are on sale locally. Admission €12, call: 065 7077377.

THE Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has denied recent claims that the UN Commission on Human Rights is set to in- vestigate whether the Irish Government has allowed US intelligence agencies to transport suspected al Qaeda prisoners through Shan- non Airport.

Speaking in the Dail last week the Min- ister said: “I am aware of a media reports that Martin Scheinin, the UN Commission on Human Rights’ special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Counter- ing Terrorism, has been contacted by Irish

citizens regarding allegations about the use of Irish airports by the US to transit prisoners who are suspected of terrorist activity.

“Last week my department was contacted by Professor Scheinin’s office to confirm that neither he, nor any other special rapporteur, is currently investigating, or inquiring into this matter. I understand that the British and US Governments have received similar com- munications from Professor Scheinin’s of- fice,’ the Minister added.

Media reports earlier this month suggested that the UN had launched a major investiga- tion into the use of Shannon and other air- ports in the UK, as stop off points for prison- ers being transported to Guantanamo Bay in

Cuba for interrogation.

Last October, a group of mid-west based ac- tivists made a formal complaint to gardai fol- lowing claims that a CIA plane, a corporate- style Gulfstream aircraft with the registration N379P and nicknamed the “Guantanamo Bay Express,” had been used by the US to “effec- tively kidnap so-called high-value targets and transport them around the world.” The plane has been sighted at Shannon on several occa- sions in recent years.

Minister Ahern said that the US Govern- ment had assured him that they had not trans- ported prisoners through Shannon Airport.

“The US authorities have confirmed that they have not done so and that they would not

do so without seeking the permission of the Irish authorities. No request for such authori- sation has been received from the US authori- ties,’ the Minister said.

“This Government has on several occasions made clear to the US authorities that it would be illegal to transit prisoners for rendition purposes through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, acting in accordance with Irish and interna- tional law.”

Last August,

THE BOIL notice in place on the Ennis wa- ter supply should be lifted this week.

According to Tom Tiernan, Town Engi- neer, the notice will probably be lifted by Wednesday, because the Council is expect- ing that results of further analysis carried out on the water supply over the weekend will be clear. The news comes following a meeting between Mr. Tiernan and the Health Services Executive (HSE).

He said that the quality of the water at the source of the supply had improved and that no new traces of e-coli had been found. The announcement was made at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. The boil notice, which has been in place since Sep-

tember 14 has imposed an extra financial burden on 30,000 homes in Ennis and the Surrounding areas. Mr. Tiernan said that he had been assured by the HSE that there had been no evidence linking recent illnesses in the area to the quality of the water supply. Cllr Taiwo Matthew (Ind) challenged Mr. Tiernan’s assertion by claiming that he knew of at least two children from the Ennis area that had been admitted to a Limerick hospi- tal with water borne infections.

Cllr Matthew also claimed that neither child had been asked to fill out forms stating where they lived. This prompted Mr. Tiernan to say that there had been a small number of incidents recorded, but that there were rea- sons to suggest that the illnesses might have been associated with other factors. Ennis

Town Mayor, Frankie Neylon, also claimed he knew of incidents where people had been ill as aresult of drinking the water. Concerns were also raised about the level of effort that had gone into notifying the public that the water was unsafe for consumption, with Cllr Neylon stating that it wasn’t sufficient to just advertise on the local radio station.

Councillors welcomed the news that Min- ister for the Environment, Dick Roche, had approved tender documents for the new En- nis Water Scheme. With the scheme not due for completion until 2007, questions were raised about what measures would be taken to safeguard the quality of water in the inter- im. Mr. Tiernan stated that he had instructed consultants advising the Council to explore all options.

The high quality of childcare services in Clare laid the foundation for a new approach on the issue in the Mid-West, a confer- ence was told yesterday.

The National Care Plan- ning Project Conference (NCCP), hosted by the HSC was held in Limer-

ick yesterday to analyse the research undertaken by the NCCP. Following a pilot survey of Children in care in the Clare area the National Care Planning Project (NCCP) was estab- lished.

In 1999 the Mid-West- ern Health Board com- missioned the Children’s Research Centre in Trin-

ity College to under take a comprehensive review of the quality and range of services available to chil- dren care and their fami- Wy

Agnes Feely, who carried out the research praised the dedicated, innovative and committed work with chil- dren in Clare. Since then the good work carried out

in Clare has been extended to the entire Mid Western region as a pilot project which was supported by the Department of Health. The project highlighted the importance of evidence based decision making and ongoing evaluation in en- suring the delivery of child care services. It also developed assess-

ment and planning tools for social workers to en- sure that children’s needs are identified at an earlier stage.

Key note speakers at the event were Professor Robby Gilligan from Trin- ity College Dublin, Dr Tim Riley, CEO of two primary Care Trusts in the UK and Dr Valerie O’Brien, UCD.

THE Fianna Fail A4 stake first round heats at the Galway track on Thursday and Friday night created much interest for Banner owners. There 1s €1,/50 on offer to the winner and with four dogs qualifying from first round heats, most of the Clare entries are still standing.

Glengal Lad, owned by Joe Longe of Ballyea, was the only Clare dog to win a heat. This was in race eight on Friday night. Running from trap four he had a winning time of 29.56 seconds. It was another good night for the Longe family with White Tip Dream, owned by Joe’s brother Gerry, winning the bumper race after coming in as a reserve.

Other Clare winners on Friday night were Drinking Solid for Sean Allen of Shannon, Cricket Player for Janet Downes of Killaloe and Knappogue Risk for Martin McDermott of Kilrush.

Race nine on Thursday night’s card was heat two of the Buster A5 stake worth €1,900 to the winner. Baby Leyton, owned by Bertie and Mary O’Doherty of Clarecastle booked his place in the next round winning here in a time of 29.09 seconds.

Tiermana Hill, owned by Noel Mo- roney and Pat O’Connor of Ennis, took second spot. Inagh Hero, owned by Michael McGuane of Inagh was also a winner in this stake recording a time of 29.02 seconds. Race four on Thursday

night was won by Tullagower Dream owned by Sean Crowley of kilrush. Carhue Kewell, woned by Ann Carey of Kilrush got Clare owners off the mark on Saturday night winning race one in a time of 29.92 seconds. Ennisman Frankie Sheehan continued his good run with Joint Cottage winning race ten in a time of 29.35 seconds.

Loclar Johnny, owned by Pat O’Connor of Miltown Malbay, went to traps for the final of the Irish Cam- bridgeshire Open 700 yards at Limerick on Saturday having recorded the fastest winning time in the semi-finals.

On Monday night hopes high that the West clare dog could win here, however he was out of luck on this occassion.