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A MOTORIST overtook cars despite the fact that oncoming traffic was approaching, a court has heard.

Gavin Farrell (21), of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, was charged with dangerous driving, at Carnacalla North, Kilrush and drink evunanetee

Garda Stephen Moyles told Kilrush District that the defendant overtook cars while oncoming traffic was ap- proaching. He said the accused drove at a speed of up to 140 kph.

Defence solicitor Geardid Wil- liams said his client has had very serious difficulties in his life and had turned to serious drinking. “He had too much to drink and got involved in this incident,” he said. He said the defendant has now turned his life around and is currently attending college. A two-year driving ban was imposed, along with a fine of €300.

A NEW medical device developed under an InterlradeIreland business network will help sufferers of some of Ireland’s most prevalent chronic lung ailments.

The Vitalograph COPD-6 is a small, affordable and easy-to-use device, which will not only make life easier for sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but save time and resources at hospitals PNNeme pte Nee

The device, which was developed under InterlradeIreland’s REMINAC project, allows sufferers to monitor their condition remotely, rather than having to travel to their GP surgery or hospital.

The developers, a tripartite collabo- rative network of companies in Lim- erick, Ennis and Lisburn, County Antrim, are already adapting the de- vice so it can also be used to monitor other ailments like asthma and cystic fibrosis.

Outsource R&D company, Martu- rion Ltd of Lisburn, was responsible for the design of the device, includ- ing the electronics and embedded software. Marturion partnered with Limerick company Eirwave, who designed the Bluetooth technology which enables the device to transmit data remotely to a monitoring centre, and Ennis-based Vitalograph, who developed the software to receive and monitor that data.

General Manager of Vitalograph Ireland, Frank Keane said: “COPD, Asthma and cystic fibrosis are amongst the most common life- threatening lung conditions here in Ireland but can be more effectively treated if monitored regularly so we saw the need for a device which could provide simple and effective pre-spirometry remote screening to those at risk of these diseases.”

Dr John Nelson, managing direc- tor of Eirwave, said that there were numerous benefits of working as

part of a tripartite network: “The REMINAC network brought us the advantage of being able to utilise the complimentary skills and expertise of the three companies to develop leading edge solutions in wireless connectivity for medical devices,’ he explained, “and this would not have been possible without InterIra- delIreland. Its involvement was key to initiate, develop and strengthen the cross-border link between the three companies.

‘An essential aspect of doing busi- ness on a cross-border basis is to have the necessary market awareness and confidence in suppliers and partners. InterTradeIreland were superb in ad- dressing both.”

Dr Andy Barr, managing direc- tor of Marturion commented: “The economic benefits of this device for the health service, in particular, are numerous. Sufferers of lung diseases are among those patients who have the lengthiest stays in hospital and this device could cut down their time in hospital, saving money as well as greatly reducing the risk of cross in- fection by sitting in GP clinics and hospital waiting rooms.”

Chief Executive of Interlradelre- land Liam Nellis said: “InterTra- deIreland brings together networks of companies to help them to become more profitable and competitive through joint marketing, skill-shar- ing, product or process development,

meeting supply needs or co-produc- tion opportunities.

“The REMINAC network is an ex- cellent example of the real practical and mutual benefits of cross-border co-operation. Sharing knowledge generates innovation which is key to success in business particularly in the current economic climate and has helped to accelerate the development of a new product which will make a difference to thousands of people all over the world.”

A CLARE shop owner, whose busi- ness was closed down because of a decision of An Bord Pleandala, had to make all his staff redundant including a woman on maternity EA or

Cheryl Kilmartin, from Kilna- soolagh Park, Newmarket-On- Fergus, took an appeal under the Redundancy Payments Act to the Employment Appeals Tribunal af- ter being let go by David Crimmins, of Newmarket-On-Fergus.

Ms Kilmartin gave evidence to the Tribunal that she started working in Mr Crimmins shop in September 2005. She took maternity leave on September 5, 2007. She completed the relevant form for this leave and stated her date of return to work as

March 5, 2008. In the interim the shop closed down on the October me

The owner had informed the em- ployees some time previously that the shop would close but he did not know on what date.

Mr Crimmins told the Tribunal that An Bord Pleanala overturned a planning decision granted to him by the county council. As a result he was instructed to close down his business until he succeeded in se- curing planning permission.

When the business closed all of the employees were made redun- dant. Due to financial difficulties Mr Crimmins was not able to pay redundancy.

The Tribunal awarded the shop worker redundancy lump sum pay- ment under the Act.

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MORE than three hundred people took part in a street protest in En- nis in opposition to a proposal by An Bord Snip Nua to end the Rural Transport Programme.

Members and supporters of Clare Accessible Transport (CAT), who were participating in a nation-wide day of action against the proposal, claim that any funding cuts would have a detrimental impact on rural communities throughout Clare.

Addressing a crowd in Ennis town centre on Friday, Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy under- lined the valuable contribution made by CAT to communities across the County.

He said: “The McCarthy report advocates the total abolition of the rural transport programme. This rec- ommendation has been made with- out due consideration being given to the considerable effect that such a cut would have on the lives of many thousands of people. CAT has a net- work of routes that facilitate people in remote areas who wish to avail of local services.

These communities will be denied access to such vital services if CAT is denied funding.”

Mayor Mulcahy noted that helping disabled persons and the elderly re- tain their independence was only one aspect of rural transport.

“It is very much a part of the fab- ric of the community, enabling com- munity groups, after school projects,

family resource centres, and the Health Service Executive to provide access to their programmes. I would appeal to Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon O Cuiv to carefully consider this fact before making any decision regard- ing the Rural Transport Programme,’ he concluded.

The Feakle-based CAT service makes 3,000 passenger trips a month all across Clare, employs 21 people and now caters for a broader range of

people than ever.

30 per cent of our passengers are under 25 years of age and we cater for tourists as well,’ a spokeswoman for the service said.

“We get emails from Japan and Italy, lots of places, booking trips. We want to support tourism through sustainable transport.”

On the road for seven years, CAT provides flexible transport for any- one who wishes to join. The service is free to travel pass holders and is

reduced for under 16s.

For many living in isolated parts of the county with no car, the service is their only way of getting to and from doctors appointments, doing their shopping, attending to business and having some social contact in their day.

COSTELLOE Estate Agents has an attractive family home on its books, located at Abbeyville off the Limer- ick Road (opposite the West County Hotel), which has just been further reduced in price to €215,000.

No. 50 Abbeyville is a four bedroom semi-detached property offering 1,292 sq. ft. of internal accommoda- tion. This appealing house comprises an entrance hall, living room, kitch- en/dining room, utility and en suite bedroom all on the ground floor. Up-

Stairs, there are three bedrooms, in- cluding the en-suite master bedroom, together with the family bathroom.

Finishes include a mix of timber, tiled and carpeted floors, a qual- ity fitted kitchen with integrated electrics, fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms, quality tiling in the bath- rooms, painted doors, skirting and architraves and quality coving in the reception and living rooms.

Externally the property features a walled lawn and parking area to the front, with an enclosed south facing rear garden with garden shed.

The house was recently redecorat- ed and is on the market in ‘walk-in’ condition. It will appeal to a family as it offers plenty of space and is very close to all key amenities, including schools, in Ennis town centre. It is also just a few hundred metres from the by-pass interchange on the Lim- erick Road.

For full details, contact Costelloe Estate Agents on 065 6821299.