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FEARS for jobs and services were raised afresh at Aer Lingus in Shan- non this week, with news that the airline are looking at ways to save another €130 million in spending cuts.

Company chairman, Colm Bar- rington revealed the need for more savings at a meeting involving pilots who want to see the Shannon/New York route restored.

He told pilots of the need for more cuts after they offered to work free for a month if the airline would re-

Store the Shannon route, and the Dublin San Francisco route.

Further changes are thought to be on the way with the company’s in- coming chief executive, Christopher Mueller due to join the airline on September 1, a full month ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has today said that the news that Aer Lingus is working ona plan to target costs, including trans- atlantic services, will be a worry to the mid-west region.

Deputy Carey said, “The airline industry is facing a difficult period,

and Aer Lingus is no exception. But what I would ask is that key services and routes are safeguarded from any cost cutting measures. In particu- lar, the transatlantic services from Shannon have served Ireland and the mid- west well for generations. These routes are very important for business and tourism. I believe that once the US economy begins to pull out of recession, Ireland’s connec- tivity will again be a major factor in attracting inward investment to the mid-west region.”

He added, “We cannot allow deci- sions to be made now in a knee-jerk

fashion that will affect the region in the long run. I would hope in their current financial re-assessments that Aer Lingus management has learned from the Shannon-Heathrow affair. Those flights were pulled as a result of short-term thinking and now that the route has been returned, it has proved financially viable. Transat- lantic routes are profitable, if mar- keted and timetabled in the right manner. These routes are vital for business interests in the region.” The Mid West Regional Author- ity has pledged that the airport and tourism development are to remain

at the top of their agenda for the coming year.

Newly elected chairman Cllr Leo Walsh (FG) said that the authority is “determined to get on with its work” despite the threat of being scrapped under the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua.

“We are involved in a big push in promoting tourism whether it 1s bringing visitors in through Shan- non or growing domestic tourism, and we are currently looking at ini- tiatives at Lough Derg, for example, that will be great for people who are interested in boating and fishing.”

Clare Shell protester jailed

that they will not be operating the Government drugs dispensing scheme.

A spokesperson for Tulla Phar- macy said they would not be co- operating with the HSE, while at Keating’s Pharmacy in Corbally said they would also be opting out of the scheme.

“Our name may be on the list of pharmacies operating the scheme

but we advised the HSE directly, and then through our union, that we wouldn’t be participating,” a spokesman for the pharmacy said. ‘These are divide and conquer tac- tics,” he said.

Sean Collins Pharmacy in Killa- loe is listed and will be operating the scheme.

“It’s a difficult situation. How do you tell Mrs Murphy, who comes in every month for her blood pressure tablets, that this month you won’t be dispensing them?” a spokesman Sree

The other east Clare pharmacy on the HSE list, the Green Cross in Killaloe could not be contacted to confirm whether or not they will be participating in the scheme.

Meanwhile Age Action Ireland is urging all older people who are on regular medication to take steps, as a matter of priority, to ensure they are not adversely affected by the pharmacist’s dispute.

“It is important that older people act to ensure that the dispute does not impact on their supply of med1- cation,’ Age Action spokesman,

Eamon Timmins said. “For people in rural areas it may mean organis- ing a lift to the pharmacist and ar- ranging transport to an alternative pharmacist. We would urge fami- lies and neighbours to help those who do not have public transport.”

The group is also advising that people, in parts of the country Where the HSE is _ establishing its own pharmacies to meet local needs, should also make themselves aware of the location of these serv- ices at www.hse.ie or by phoning the HSE information line 1850 24

1850.

‘But it is important that people do not put off this decision until the day they go to fill their prescrip- tion; act today to ensure you can continue normally with your medi- cation,’ Mr Timmins said.

Age Action has also urged the HSE to ensure that its contingency plans prioritise older people who are house-bound and/or live in re- mote rural areas without public transport. He has also urged both sides to recommence talks so that a solution can be found.

CLARE’S championship challenge came to a grinding halt on Satur- day as an experienced Wexford side eased to a comfortable victory in east Clare. Essentially this was a straight semi-final play-off as both sides had started the day on level points in the eroup, the 2007 All-Ireland champi- ons led from start to finish and gave Clare another hurling lesson of the standard required at the top level. Wexford’s smooth interplay and scoring ability up front were the main differences between the sides and Clare, aside from a gritty second quarter, were never allowed to settle into their stride. The margin could have been greater too only for anoth- er superb display from centre-back Deirdre Murphy who never threw in the towel at any stage and in truth, the entire defensive unit coped admi- rably considering that the game was predominantly played in their half. Clare were also tactically naive, especially in the first half with the aid of a stiff breeze that blew to- wards Tuamgraney as they opted to use Claire Commane as a third mid- fielder. While it did work to an extent as the Corofin player gathered a lot of possession, it also took away any threat close to goal as the majority of Clare’s supply went straight down the centre to the spare Wexford player. In a period when Clare were firmly on top and battling to get back into the game, this was hurling suicide and seemed an impulsive tactic to Wexford’s bright start of five un- answered points. Also if Clare had

rehearsed it beforehand, they would have surely been drilled to play eve- rything down the wings and keep the ball away from the spare player at full-back.

Clare did manage to score their only three scores of the game through Sharon O’Loughlin (2) and Fiona Lafferty during this period but with the majority of the forward line below par, essentially they needed a goal to instill some belief but in truth, it never looked like coming due to Wexford’s extra defender.

Instead, Wexford simply soaked up the pressure, weathered the storm and tacked on a brace of points before the breakthrough to lead by O-7 to O-3. With the stong breeze to come, Wex- ford would have been quite content

with their lofty position but it was only when Michelle Hearne weaved through the Clare defence for Wex- ford’s first goal in the 39th minute that Clare’s heads finally began to drop. The home side received sev- eral warning signs on the restart with Josie Dwyer’s pull going just wide of the post, Katrina Parrock’s effort grazing the top of the crossbar while Una Leacy’s shot was saved by Clare goalkeeper Denise Lynch. However she could do nothing about the goal as Parrock attracted several defend- ers before offloading to Hearne who shipped a tackle before rifling to the net from close range.

That goal sucked the life out of Clare’s challenge and for the remain- der, it was damage limitation stuff

for the home side who rarely got out of their own half. Five more points would be added before Wexford’s second goal, a carbon copy of the first as substitute Lenny Holohan played in the unmarked Parrock to goal in the 56th minute. Clare prayed for the final whistle but had to en- dure a brace of Kate Kelly points first before realising that eventuality as Wexford march on to a semi-final meeting with defedning champions Cork.

Hardly the way Clare would have wanted to end their campaign but it was never expected to be anything other than a difficult first season back at the top level.

How they actually take those les- sons on board will be much more

significant for Clare’s long term de- velopment.

THE death has occurred of one of Ireland’s most respected medical professionals, Dr Harry Counihan.

A former chairman of the Rich- mond Hospital, Dr Counihan was the son of Molly and Dr JH Counihan, a former GP in Ennis. His uncle Dick was also a doctor in Kil-

Mets ep

Born in 1918, Dr

Counihan was educat- ed at Clongowes Col- lege and UCD medical school and in 1946, was appointed consult- ant phyisician to the Richmond — Hospital. He was a founder mem- ber of the Consultative Council of Tuberculo- sis at a time when the condition was rampant in Ireland.

In an extensive and distinguished medical career, Dr Counihan was also a former President of the Royal Academy of Medicine and the Irish Tuberculosis Society and Vice Presi- dent of the Medical Council at its in- auguration in 1974.

As well as making an important contribution to the health service in Ireland, Dr Counihan also played a key role in developing health serv- ices in Iraq.

In the early 1980s, he became med- ical director of the Parc-run Ibn Al- Bitar Hospital in Baghdad.

He was a founder member of the Rehab institute and in 1999 was named as one of the People of the ETc lye tlie

Dr Counihan was also actively in- volved with the Irish Medical Or-

ganisation and worked as editor of the Irish Medical Journal.

Dr Counihan died peacefully at St Vin- cent’s LORRY Hospital, Dublin, sur- rounded by his family and in the excellent care of the staff.

He was the beloved husband of the late Eileen and loving fa- ther of Mary, Claire, Joan, Henry, Eileen

and the late Michael, Catherine and Jane; loving grandfather of Matthew, Martha and James (McGann), Neil, Tom, John and Joe (Bailes), Conor, Rachel and Alice (McKinney), Clodagh and Harry (Counihan), Roger, Georgia and Rosie (Kelly).

He will be sadly missed by his sis- ters and brothers; Sr Mary (Loreto), Dr Frank, Roger, Honor and Ruth, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, nieces, sister-in-law, extended family, rela- OAVor er LGM BU (ONO KS

CONFUSION reins over the final Cusack Cup relegation spot after Liscannor failed to show for their play-off with Shannon Gaels on Sat- urday, citing the reason that score difference should be used to decide promotion and relegation issues.

At the March meeting of the Clare County Board, it was agreed that the score difference rule would be implemented for league competi- tions. However, when both Shannon Gaels and Liscannor finished their Clare Cup campaigns on four points, the county board arranged for a rel- egation play-off to be played even though Liscannor had a superior score difference of 26 points.

The fixture was scheduled for last Saturday at Quilty but only Shannon Gaels fielded. Referee John Brew began proceedings and subsequently awarded the Gaels a walkover.

However, speaking to

THREE out of every 10 farmers in the protected Burren region intend to wind up their businesses and stop farming over the next number of years.

This is according to the first ever major survey of farm activity in the area, published this week by the Bur- renBeo Trust. The survey, which was compiled from more 240 individual interviews undertaken over the last year, shows that only 72 per cent of interviewees intended to continue farming in the area into the future.

The survey also showed that only a

small amount of farm families, just under 8 per cent, gained directly from the millions of tourists who visit the area every year. While tourism was an issue which divided the respond- ents, most respondents agreed that a way should be found to share the spoils of Burren tourism amongst all the people of the area.

There were many positive elements to the survey with the farmers large- ly agreeing that farmers needed to be involved in any future planning about the Burren area and that farm- ers were central to the projection of the fragile Burren environment.

“One of the BurrenBeo Trusts core

objectives is to engage farming fami- lies and local communities in the de- cision-making processes affecting the Burren,” said Brendan Dunford, founder of BurrenBeo and head of the BurrenLIFE farming for conver- sation organisation.

“This objective derives from our conviction that any future manage- ment plan for the Burren must be built on real and meaningful local in- put, enabling the people of the Bur- ren to play a greater role in defining, participating in, and benefiting from the sustainable future development of their landscape. It also addresses one of the most common complaints

from Burren farm families — that they rarely have any real say in how their region is being managed.

“The findings of the survey are very positive and a cause for great optimism. Burren farmers are proud to live and work in the Burren, are appreciative of the area’s unique at- tributes and are anxious and enthusi- astic about being involved in shaping the future of this place, their home.”

The survey was coordinated by Kathy Walsh and undertaken in partnership by the Burrenbeo Trust in conjunction with the Burren IFA and with the support of the Heritage Council.

Mr Di Lucia is now an agent for the sale of the house and speaking recently, he said that Harris took special care in deciding how to look after the house.

“Dickie did it up and spent a lot of money doing this. Most of the fur- nishings and fittings were bought in London and shipped over because his wife at the time and sister did all the interior design for the house,” he added.

De Lucia and his wife moved into the house two years after Harris pur- chased it and filled the role of care- takers, subsequently opening a qual- ity restaurant there.

SU Com Re ae er luet sold the house and since then, it has changed ownership on a number of occasions. Ten years ago, the house was sold to its current owner for £350,000. Its age 1s 1n excess of 120 years old and is in a much sought af- ter location in the seaside town.

The house is currently listed for sale at €550,000 for the auction. This will take place on August 21 at the Stella Maris Hotel in Kilkee.

THE diocese of Killaloe is mourning the loss of two long-serving priests who died at the weekend.

Fr Michael McNamara was parish priest in Doora-Barefield and served as priest for the Killaloe Diocese for 40 years. He died on Saturday morn- ing at University College Hospital, Cre NA

Rev Neil Campion SPS, Knock- erra-Killimer, died on Saturday, July 25 at Regina House Nursing Home, Kilrush. He served as a priest in Kil- laloe Diocese for nearly 15 years.

Fr Neil was a native of Tralee, County Kerry where he was born in 1934. He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Kiltegan where he was ordained in April 1960. After ordination he went on Mission to the diocese of Ogoja in Kenya, where he worked until 1991. He then retired from overseas missionary work due to ill health. He served in the Diocese of Elphin for one year and in the US for one year. On return to Ireland, in late 1994, he began his ministry in Killaloe diocese, serving in the parishes of Cooraclare, 1994 – 1996 and Kilmurry Ibrickane 1996 – 1998. From 1998, Fr Neil continued to serve in a variety of west Clare parishes as a resource priest. Since 2002 he acted as administrator, first in Killballyowen parish and, in re- cent years, in Killimer-Knockerra.

Concelebrated funeral Mass for Fr Neil was held yesterday at Knockerra

burial grounds.

Fr McNamara was a native of Kil- maley. He studied for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and was ordained in Kilmaley Church in 1969. After ordination, he was ap- pointed to the staff of St Flannan’s College, Ennis, as Dean of Studies.

In 1971, he was appointed tempo- rary Assistant to Shannon and in 1973 he undertook a course at Swan- sea University, Wales on Youth and

Community Services. In July 1974, he was appointed to the staff of St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon. Since July 2001, he has served in the parish of Doora-Bare- field, first as curate and, since 2005, as parish priest.

Fr Ger Nash, Diocesan secretary, described Fr McNamara as a man hugely committed to his parish.

Fr McNamara was also well known in Clare GAA circles. He served as

both vice-chairman and chairman of the Clare County Board and was actively involved with St Joseph’s Doora Barefield GAA club.

Heyes eeelrcemalnlonVM\V Ew COan ale McNamara takes place at 3pm today in Sts Peter & Paul Cathedral, Ennis followed by burial in the grounds of Barefield Church.

UNDER the terms of the An Bord Snip Nua report, town councils across Clare would be for the chop under a radical restructuring of local government that would see all execu- tive power and authority centralised under the umbrella of Clare County Council.

The mere suggestion of town coun- cils in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and Kilkee being surplus to requirements has already resulted in howls of pro- tests from interested parties in all four authorities, but at least they can say in Kilkee that they’ve never been adverse to wanting cutbacks in local government.

All of 50 years ago, a call for the abolition of Kilkee Town Commis- sioners came from within the local authority itself. It came from long- standing Fianna Fail commissioner, Tom Stapleton, who said the practi- cal and economic thing would be to abolish the Commission and what function and role it had taken over by Clare County Council.

“The Town Commissioners are performing no useful function,” he blasted. ““We meet here monthly and the county manager has to travel from Ennis for our meetings, but what we have to do here is senseless.

‘We are more or less a mutual ad- miration society, but it is a costly one for the ratepayers who are paying an extra 5/ in the pound to have us here. With the limited money at our disposal, we should ask the county

council to take over the town’s public affairs. We could not be much worse that we are now,” he added.

Commissioner Stapleton’s motion didn’t receive the support of the other eight members of the local authority, but one famous motion about cut- backs that received majority support came in 1956 when the Kilkee coun- cil lost its only phone.

Commissioners controversially voted in favour of disconnecting the telephone service at the town clerk’s office in order to save the sum of £20 a year.

The fate of the Town Commission’s link with the wider world was decid- ed by the casting vote of the chair-

man, Commissioner Michael Mar- rinan. Commissioner Michael Nolan led the call for the commission to disconnect the telephone.

“Many of us have to have a tel- ephone, but a lot of us would be pleased if we could get on without one. I propose we discontinue the tel- ephone service as the Commission- ers are able to discharge their duties without it,” he said.

The cost of having a telephone in the town clerk’s office was £10 rent a year and the call charges for the year were estimated at another £10.

“There is a lot we could do with that money and we should apply it to a better purpose. There are people in many towns, including business peo- ple, who have given up the telephone Service,’ added Commissioner No- Ete

“Having no telephone would be like put an iron curtain around Kilkee,” countered Commissioner Stapleton. “All of the time the telephone was installed, we thought it absolutely essential to retain the status of the town. Taking it out now is penny wise, pound foolish.”

Alas, the telephone was discon- nected and was no more – Kilkee Town Council will be no more if the An Bord Snip Nua report is imple- mented.