Category: Uncategorized

Forget the flu, get back to school

PLANNING permission to Hutch- inson 3G to construct a 120 ft high mast on Woodcock Hill near Cratloe has been refused due to fears that it would endanger or interfere with the safety of aircraft and pose a risk of a major accident taking place.

In making the decision, Clare County Council took into account an objection lodged against the develop- ment by the Irish Aviation Authority (CFV.

Earlier this year, Hutchinson 3G lodged plans for the development. The site is to provide broadband cov- erage in the residential areas, com- mercial premises and traffic routes around Sixmilebridge.

The six radio dishes on the mast were also required to connect with National Broadband Scheme sites in the west of Ireland.

In its decision, the council stated that it is considered that the proposed development would endanger or in- terfere with the safety of aircraft or the safe and efficient navigation and would pose a risk of a major accident occurring.

The proposed development is there-

fore contrary to the proper planning and development of the area

In its submission, Tom Cooney of the IAA Corporate Affairs stated that the proposed structure — which is 710 metres from Woodcock Hill Radar – will adversely affect the pro- pogation of signals trasmitted and received by Woodcock Hill radar.

He said: “The existing mast struc- tures on Woodcock Hill already in- troduce significant azimuth errors. Locating this mast at the proposed site will exacerbate an already sub- standard situation.

He added: “It 1s the opinion of the [AA that this structure will adversely impact on the operation of our Wood- cock Hill radar. Accordingly, we recommend that the council refuse planning permission for the mast.”

Hutchinson 3G told the council that the site will be the main transmission link for national broadband sites in the western region with six radio link dishes proposed.

Hutchinson stated that the appli- cation clearly demonstrates that the proposed development is required as part of the rollout of the broadband network under the National Broad- band Scheme.

A COMBINATION of factors is playing a role in extra pressure being exerted on Clare Haven.

The organisation provides support to female victims of physical and emotional abuse at its facility in En- nis and also at its outreach centres across the county.

As the organisation’s figures show that the numbers of women requir- ing help has increased significantly, Services Manager Denise Dunne says that an increased level of aware- ness has played a role.

Ms Dunne said that the statistics have increased, right across the board.

‘There is a combination of things. We have been doing a lot of aware- ness raising. We have been call- ing to doctors’ surgeries and health centres with our leaflets and posters. We have increased awareness of our service. The downturn in the econo- my has also played a role. We have a lot of women coming to us who are not well off,’ said Ms Dunne.

“I don’t think domestic violence has increased. I’m hoping people’s awareness has increased and people are less tolerant of it,’ she said.

Women visit the centre due to a number of reasons, such as emo- tional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse or social abuse.

“It covers not just physical abuse. It would be mostly physical abuse for those who come into the refuge. Peo- ple only come to the refuge as a last resort,’ said Ms Dunne.

Clare Haven engages in a number of initiatives, one of which 1s a pilot pro- gramme in schools and youthreach centres. The sessions are educational and the feedback from teachers and students alike has been positive.

“The more we can educate people around violence in general, the bet- ter,’ said Ms Dunne.

Many women seeking help from Clare Haven turn up at the refuge with their children. “If it’s danger-

ous to be at home, they will take the children with them. Lately we see a lot of older women coming in. Finan- cially, they wouldn’t have the means to alternative accommodation. A lot of the time, women are coming to the refuge waiting for a barring or- der, protection order or safety order (taken out in court),” she said.

While the majority of women visit- ing Clare Haven have been abused by their partners, others are abused by

their grown-up children.

She said that alcohol and drugs may play a role in abuse, but is not the only factor. “Certainly if alcohol and drugs are involved, it might exacer- bate the violence. It doesn’t cause it. We have plenty of clients coming in where the partner doesn’t abuse alco- hol or drugs,’ she added.

Plenty of events to dig during Heritage Week

CLARECASTLE and _ Kilmaley joined Sixmilebridge and Newmar- ket in the Minor A semi-finals at the weekend when they accounted for Eire Og and Inagh/Kilnamona respectively in their quarter-final clashes. Clarecastle had five points to spare in their local derby with the Ennis side, with Clare minor Aaron Considine grabbing 1-10 in the 1-17 to 2-09 victory.

Leading from the outset, Clarecas- tle got an early boost when Consid- ine soloed through for a goal in the Sth minute to lead by I-2 to 0-1. He followed up with a free but Eire Og grabbed a lifeline in the 12th minute when goalkeeper Philly Walsh’s long free ended up in the Clarecastle net.

The Magpies reocvered well from that setback to pull four points clear once more but Eire Og refused to lie down and in the 27th minute, claimed a second major when a goamouth scramble was finished to the net.

Again Clarecastle responded im- mediately though with late points from Niall Quinn and Considine to lead by 1-10 to 2-04 at the break.

The second period was a seesaw af- fair with both sides going point for point for the majority as Clarecastle held a five point lead approaching the finish.

They still had to endure a nervy final few minutes before finally se- curing victory and had goalkeeper Jamie Coughlan to thank for an ex- cellent point blank save in the 56th minute.

Meanwhile, in Monday evening’s quarter-final, a Daire Keane goal in the 28th minute proved the dif- ference as Kilmaley knocked out defending champions Inagh/Kilna- mona on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-14. That goal turned the game on it’s head as Kilmaley took a 1-5 to 0-6 lead into the interval and they held that slender advantage until the final minutes when a brace of points en- sured victory.

Kilmaley will now meet Newmar- ket-on-Fergus in the last four while last year’s finalists Sixmilebridge renew acquaintances with Clarecas- tle in the other semi-final in what is a repeat of last year’s minor league nue

HISTORY will be made in north Clare this September as all three secondary level schools in Ennisty- mon will begin the school year with female principals for the first time Vole

This follows the appointment last week of Ann Tuohy as principal of the Christian Brothers’ Secondary School in the town – the first female principal appointed in the schools ROI (erase) ae

Ms Tuohy will replace current prin- cipal Michael Concannon who will retire this September after 40 years of service to the school.

Indeed, Mr Concannon was only the second lay teacher to be appointed to the school following the appointment of its first non Christian Brother prin- cipal, Michael Mulqueeny, in 1995.

This news follows the confirmation last May of Mary Joyce’s appointed as the official successor to former principal Enda Byrt at the Ennisty- mon Vocational. Ms Joyce, who has filled the role of acting principal for the previous 12 months, was the first full-time female principal appointed at the Ennistymon Vocational School in its 52 years history.

Mr Byrt, who is a former Irish international basketball coach, fin- ished his many years of service to the school last year and has returned to America where he coached basket- ball for a time in the 1990s.

Ms Tuohy and Ms Joyce are joined

by Ennistymon Scoil Mhuire princi- pal, Seosaimhin Ui Dhomhnallain, completing a full sweep of the main jobs in local secondary school edu- cation by women.

Scoil Mhuire has a long standing tradition of appointing a female prin- cipal to the all girls school.

As a Moy native, Ms Tuohy is no stranger to the area and 1s a past pu- pil of Scoil Mhuire in Ennistymon. She brings a wealth of experience to the role having thought for years at St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon

A spokesman for the school wel- comed Mrs Tuohy back home to north Clare.

“Both the staff and pupils of En- nistymon CBS welcome her to the

Monastery and wish her well in her new post,’ said the spokesman.

‘The school has often been referred to as a ‘small school’ but it was re- cently listed as 17th for students at- tending university in the national league of graduates attending uni- versity.

“Despite its size, the school offers a wide selection of subjects and the number of business people, academ- ics, farmers and sports people is greatly beyond proportion to the size of the school. For this the teaching staff and past principals must take a large share of the credit.”

THERE are two ways of looking at this minor final that saw Kilkenny complete a unique four-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles.

Either you can take the positive approach and promote the fact that Clare underage camogie are bridg- ing the gap at national level in reach- ing their second successive minor fi- nal and closing the margin from last year’s decider or alternatively you can despair at the fact that realistical- ly Clare never looked like capturing a historic first title after Kilkenny’s superior movement and ruthlessness up front produced five first half goals to lead by 13 points at the break.

Either way it’s difficult to grumble with the result that re-enforces Kil- kenny’s hold at underage level. They thoroughly deserved their victory and ultimately revelled in the wide open space of Semple Stadium.

Clare, for their part, never dropped their heads at any stage and should be commended for taking the game to their opponents in the second pe- riod, outscoring Kilkenny by 2-4 to O-5. However, the nightmare of the first half left them with far too much to do after Kilkenny had hit them for five goals.

Clare will point to a luckless first period when Shonagh Enright twice hit the woodwork with goal efforts and they also had two half chances in the second half, both of which were denied by the Kilkenny full-back line. In addition, the refereeing was erratic at times but in truth, Clare got the rub of those decisions as much as Kilkenny over the hour.

Clare started with seven of last year’s side while the defending champions had six survivors but in order to break their Kilkenny hoo- doo, Clare craved a good start.

Instead, however, it was Kilkenny who took the initiative from the out- set with full-forward Denise Gaule converting a 50 metre free after only 40 seconds before adding a goal in the third minute. The decision for the goal was harsh in the extreme as Anne Marie McMahon was pulled up for over-carrying when the ma- jority of the crowd assumed she had earned the free herself.

It came after Karen Duggan passed to Gaule close to goal and when her shot was batted clear by goalkeeper Ailish Considine, McMahon caught the ball but was adjudged to have over-carried and Gaule crashed the resultant 20 metre free to the net.

Clare’s response was swift and just as effective as Shonagh Enright dis- possessed full-back Alison Walsh and offloaded to the unmarked Rot- sin O’Brien who found the net but crucially Kilkenny cancelled it out in the next passage of play through Michelle Farrell to lead by 2-1 to 1-0 by the seventh minute.

Three Shonagh Enright frees were equally matched by Gaule (2) and Michelle Farrell by the 22nd minute before Kilkenny upped the ante again with well-worked goals from Gaule and Claire Phelan.

By now, Kilkenny’s full-forward line had totted up the entire 4-5 total between them and it forced Clare to

alter their last line by moving Chloe Morey to her more natural position of centre-back in a switch with sub- stitute Carol Kaiser.

With Morey now influencing great- ly, Clare began to open up and play and it was one of those clearances that sent Shonagh Enright through on goal, only to see her shot some- how kept out by a combination of goalkeeper Emma Staunton and the post in the 28th minute.

That miss was magnified only sec- onds later when Gaule handpassed to Aisling Phelan for her second goal of the game but it didn’t derail a resur-

gent Clare who created another goal chance soon afterwards but this time, Enright was denied by the crossbar as a luckless Clare went in trailing by 5-5 to 1-4 at the interval.

Three further points had Kilkenny 16 points clear by the 36th minute but credit Clare for their response as they stopped the supply to the Kilkenny full-forward line and proceeded to outscore Kilkenny by 2-4 to O-2 for the remainder.

Shonagh Enright finally got her just reward in the 38th minute when she received a pass from Katie Cahill to flick past goalkeeper Staunton and

after two more points, Roisin McMa- hon cut the deficit to nine when she gathered a break to rifle a ball to the net via the stick of the goalkeeper by the 54th minute.

Despite the brave fightback how- ever, time was ultimately against them as Kilkenny emptied the bench to hang on for the remaining minutes to claim their fourth All-Ireland title in a row and condemn Clare to their second successive final defeat.

Whether you took the positive or negative viewpoint of this final, mor- al victories are of scant consolation to this group of players.

TOURISM ambassadors will be tak- ing the message that Clare is the place to come to the biggest Irish festival in the world.

More than 150,000 visitors will be getting information about Clare’s at- tractions, culture and heritage in a full-on drive to bring them here.

The Clare Tourist Council will, again this year, lead a delegation to the Milwaukee Irish Festival.

The Clare delegation that includes representatives of the Clare Tour- ist Council, Clare Tourism Forum, Shannon Development and the Cliffs of Moher will operate two stands at the destinations area, which receives a significant amount of visitors inter- ested in coming to Ireland.

According to Flan Garvey of the Clare Tourist Council, it’s especially vital this year that County Clare has representation at the festival.

‘Our experience shows that there are many Irish-Americans who are huge- ly interested in coming to Ireland but gravitate towards Dublin, if there are not other counties to draw them west of the Shannon. We have seen a sig- nificant return from our efforts over the last number of years, and we’re confident that we can have a positive impact on tourism to Clare through our presence again this year.”

Cuimhneamh an Chlair, the Clare Oral History and Folklore Group will also feature prominently at this year’s festival. The fledging group has been invited to speak about their initiative at the renowned hedgeschool lecture

series. According to Tomas Mac Con- mara, who will provide the lecture, there is a huge appetite for Irish cul- tural heritage in Milwaukee and the US. “When Irish/American visitors come to Ireland, they’re not interested in the type of Disneyland tourism that has been created by tourism agencies specifically for their consumption.”

Commenting on future tourism de- velopment in Ireland, he said that, “There is no need for us as Clare people to ape what is being done in France, England or America. Visitors come to Ireland for an Irish experi- ence. We should be proud of our own traditions, customs and identity; fos- ter and preserve those first of all for local people and the knock on effect would be an increase in people want- ing to experience this as it 1s.”

THEY certainly made hard work of it but Cratloe’s second win of the championship on Sunday puts them within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals. Leading for the majority, a nervy last quarter saw them ship four unanswered points to only lead by the minimum approach- ing the finish before a 54th minute Cathal McInerney goal sealed the win for the south east Clare side.

Cratloe, who had a sizeable repre- sentation from both their minor win- ning side of last year along with their current Under 21 side who are due to meet Ennistymon in the A decider in their side, were full of energy and running but found it difficult to keep the experience of Kilmurry Ibrick- ane at bay.

That was mainly due to their waste- ful shooting that saw them kick 13 wides over the hour in contrast to Kilmurry Ibrickane’s one miss but at the same time, the fact that they had so many opprortunities demon- strates the amount of possession they enjoyed.

A bright start saw Cratloe surge two points clear by the sixth minute through Cathal McInerney and Pad- raigh Chaplin as Kilmurry Ibrickane took time to adjust to Cratloe’s tactic of using Paudge Collins as an extra midfielder.

Aidan Moloney opened Kilmurry Ibrickane’s account a minute later before the game had to be stopped for five minutes after a nasty clash of heads between Wesley Deloughery and Martin O’Connor that saw both players replaced.

That stoppage seemed to disrupt Cratloe’s flow and Kilmurry Ibrick- ane took full advantage when they produced a goal at the turn of the Opening quarter. It came after Sea- mus Lynch played an inch perfect crossfield pass into the path of Paul O’ Dwyer who found the net and they

could have grabbed a second only seconds later when Barry Lynch weaved his way along the left endline but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Jamie Joyce.

A relieved Cratloe did recover though and after Joseph O’Connor’s free had reduced the deficit to the minimum in the 21st minute, Cratloe manufactured a goal of their own ina

superb counter-attack move. Break- ing down a Kilmurry I[brickane at- tack, the ball was moved upfield where Padriagh Chaplin did well to keep the ball in play by the right touchline and it was his pass to the overlapping Martin ‘Oige’ Murphy that attracted the defence before the wing-back passed across the square for the waiting Cathal McInerney to

finish. By the break, Cratloe enjoyed a two point advantage at 1-4 to 1-2 and they built on that on the restart to push five clear with further points from minors Paudge Collins (2) and Conor Ryan by the 38th minute.

It should have cemented the win but perhaps it was their lack of experi- ence that saw them take their foot off the gas and Kilmurry Ibrickane, led

by Aidan Moloney almost grabbed something out of the game. With Cratloe misfiring, Kilmurry Ibrick- ane kicked four unanswered points, three from Moloney to slash the ad- vatage to only a point by the 52nd minute.

Cratloe’s nerves were finally eased when Conor Ryan found Cathal McInerney for his second goal in the 54th minute, a score that finally killed off Kilmurry Ibrickane’s chal- lenge.

While Cratloe have one foot in the semi-finals, Kilmurry Ibrickane’s campaign isn’t over yet either. How- ever, if they are to force a play-off, they will need to beat O’Callaghan’s Mills and hope that Cratloe maintain their perfect start against St Breck- an’s.

CLARE County Council is pursuing the liquidator of a collapsed County Clare building contractor to com- plete an unfinished pot-holed estate in the Burren village of Corofin.

Last year, Cronan Nagle Construc- tion folded with debts of almost €40 million after falling victim to the collapse in the property market.

George Maloney of a Dublin-based accountancy firm was appointed as liquidator where Cronan Nagle had assets valued at €17.1 million, leav- ing a deficit of about €20 million.

The bulk of the firm’s assets consist of unsold housing stock.

However, the council has issued two separate warning letters to Mr Maloney in connection with the un- finished estate constructed by Cro- nan Nagle, relating to ten homes at Laghtagoona, Corofin.

The council acted after complaints over unfinished footpaths and pot- holes in the Corofin estate.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said yes- terday, “House owners have paid through the nose for overpriced homes and developers should not be

able to walk away from their respon- sibilities.

“It is adding further insult to injury to these homeowners and I am glad that the council is pursuing the liq- uidator to have the estate completed. The uncompleted works should be done now.”

The council has stated that the de- velopment has not been carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions of the planning permis- sion.

In respect of an application for four luxury homes at Laghtagoona, the council stated that it “has serious concerns regarding the standard of work in this development”.

The council stated that the roads and footpaths are not constructed to the satisfaction of the council; sec- tions of the estate road have deterio- rated, with the result that the potholes are noted on the access roads within the development site.

The council states that the condi- tions of the planning permission be complied with in full, without fur- ther delay.

It has also come to the council’s at- tention that some of the public lights

within the development are not in working order, while no ‘stop’ or ‘yield’ signs have been provided by the developer.

The council stated that in the event the unauthorized development is continued i.e. that the conditions of the planning permission are not complied with, the council may issue an Enforcement Notice.

Any person found guilty of carry- ing out an unauthorized development is liable to fines of up to €1,950 in the district court and €12.6m in the circuit court.

In relation to the firm’s collapse, AIB is owed €22.4 million, while a number of other lenders and the Rev- enue Commissioners are also owed sizeable sums.

The firm was established in 1999 by Clare engineer Cronan Nagle, and built more than 400 sustainable houses in the west of Ireland. It also had significant property interests in Nigeria.