The Clare People Archive

LISCANNOR open sports day held in Liscannor Community Sports field attracted a huge crowd of ath- letes turned out in big numbers and all races were well contested with many fine doubles recorded.

Shauna Fitzhenry, Kilmurry [brick- ane/North Clare, captured the first double of the day when taking gold in the girls U6 60m and 80m with Gavin Power, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, also took double gold in the boys U6 60m and 80m.

Nicole Doherty, Kilmurry Ibrick- ane/North Clare, was a very impres- sive winner in the girls U8 60m and 200 metres and in the girls U10 Cli- odhna Blake, St John’s, gave a fine display of front running to take dou- ble gold medals in the 100 metres and 300 metres with Brian Leyden, Kil- murry Ibrickane/North Clare, win- ning the Liscannor National School

Confined 100 metres U10 and he also took gold in the 300m.

The boys U12 saw Barry Fitz- patrick, Olympic Harriers, come away with a double gold in the 100m and 300m and in the boys U14 Kieran Roche, Liscannor, taking the 100m and 600m with Niamh Murray, Lis- cannor, winning the girls U18 Kick Fada and 600 metres and in the boys U18 John Kerin, Liscannor, taking gold in the 100m and Puck Fada.

The married ladies 100 metres saw over 15 athletes go to the start and Marian Burke, St Marys, had to hold off a stiff challenge from Marie Mor- gan McDonagh, Kilmurry Ibrickane/ North Clare, and Marian O’ Doherty, Liscannor.

The married mens 100metres had Ray Coughlan, Liscannor, come away with a big sprint over the final 30metres to beat Liscannor Football- er Patrick Nagle and Frank McDon- agh both Liscannor.

The big highlight of the day was the Tom Kennedy Sheaf Tossing com- petition and the ladies were the big winners with a great contest over 10 rounds. Marie Morgan McDonagh, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, won with a massive throw and the big crowd were on edge with second and third place finish having to go to 14 throws and Catherine Fitzhenry, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, having to produce a big throw to fin- ish second after a mighty battle with Kathleen Cullinan, Liscannor.

The mens was also another exciting contest to watch with 12 competi- tors and with six big throws Donal Malone, Liscannor, merged as win- ner after a great contest with Ronan Slattery, Liscannor, and third place going to Frank Vaughan, Ennisty- mon.

SHOPPERS in Kilrush could soon have their parking fees paid for them under a new scheme draw up by the Chamber of Commerce.

The proposal from the chamber is that a new type of parking ticket would be brought in with a detach- able portion which drivers can then bring with them to be given a refund in participating shops.

The meeting of Kilrush Town Council at which the proposal was

presented heard that individual busi- nesses would set their own ceiling on how much customers have to spend to get their parking fee back.

And the chamber has said it will contribute €1,350 – one third of the cost of redesigning and reprint- ing tickets – if the town council will come on board and pay for the rest.

In a letter outlining the proposal, the council said that the move would attract more business into the town and would be supported by cham- ber members, making parking discs

more readily available and increas- ing revenue for the council.

Cllr Stephan O’Gorman described the proposal as “a very positive initi- ative and very community oriented.”

Cllr Liam O’Looney said that there was “a big onus on every business in the town to participate. The real winner here is the customer and it could make the difference between a person shopping in Kilrush or some- where else.”

Councillor Marian McMahon- Jones said that while she welcomed

the initiative, she was saddened to think that businesses which didn’t participate would lose out. “It’s busi- nesses that are paying for the parking now’, she said.

Cllr Deirdre Culligan said that she would “hate to see the cost of this added to any item being bought. I’d hate to think that pensioners or peo- ple who don’t have cars will have to pay 30 or 40 cents more because of this initiative.”

The council members voted in fa- vour of the initiative.

DUMPING of bottles, cardboard and even household rubbish at the recy- cling bins in Kilrush is becoming an eyesore, a health hazard and could nobble the town’s chances in the tidy towns competition.

The matter was highlighted during a discussion at a recent meeting of the town council when councillors Colie Sweeney and Liam O’Looney raised the matter in motions calling for a proper recycling facility for the

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“It’s about time this council got real about recycling. The bottle bank at Place de Plouzane is an utter dis- erace, rats, flies and stray dogs are adding to the public nuisance there.

“Up in Kells and Mullingar they have brand new state of the art re- cycling centres through 75 per cent erants from the Department of the Environment. We have a tip head doubling as a bottle bank.,” Cllr Sweeney said.

Cllr O’Looney said that he had seen

the Kells facility and “it has every- thing. This town is growing and we should apply immediately for grant- aid for this project. We even have suitable land.”

ClUlr Tom Prendeville warned that “if the tidy towns judges go into Place de Plouzane and see the mess in there, we’ll drop by 100 marks”.

Town Clerk Fiona Looney, told the meeting that following a previous discussion about the facility, plans had been made to replace the collec- tion bins with a more modern design

and to reorient them in a block.

A CCTV system is planned to mon- itor the area so that prosecutions can be brought against people who use the recycling facility for dumping.

Councillors told officials that any plan to improve the situation at Place de Plouzane should not be used to side-track plans for a major recycling facility for the town.

It was agreed that an application for funding for such a facility should be drawn up for presentation to the De- partment of the Environment.

CLARE County Council has been accused of acting outside its pow- ers by imposing a condition that a €25 million housing development not be used as holiday homes but be the permanent homes of the owners concerned.

Last month, Clare County Coun- cil granted planning permission to Paddy Madden, Barry Madden, Jerry O’Sullivan and Paul O’Connell for a 60 home development at Dough, Kil- kee.

However, in granting planning for the homes the council states: “The dwellings shall be occupied as princi- pal placed for permanent residences. In this regard, the developer shall en- ter a legal agreement with the council under the provisions of Section 47 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. This shall be included in the sales agreement of each dwelling.”

The developers’ planning appeal states: “It is submitted to the board that the zoning provisions do not re- strict the occupancy of houses on the site nor is it stated in any section of the plan that a restrictive occupancy condition will be attached to residen- tial developments in Kilkee…

“It 1s argued that the council have acted ultra vires in attaching such a condition to the grant of permission and in this regard, it is requested that

the board omits the condition.

The developers propose a require- ment to provide 20 per cent of the overall site for permanent occupa- tion, This would necessitate that 12 homes be restricted in use.

The appeal adds: “It is further con- sidered that such a condition would facilitate the integration of different housing needs within the town of Kilkee and would prevent secularisa- tion of holiday and permanent hous- iba

“It is not clear from the plan wheth- er the occupancy condition is to be afforded to all new development in the town. However, if this is the case, then having regard to the extent of residential zoned land in the town relative to projected demand, there will be an over-supply of houses restricted to permanent occupancy Visteon

“If it is case that the condition 1s to be applied in an ad-hoc manner to fu- ture development, such that adequate provision is made to meet projected demand as detailed in the plan, then the proposed development has been unfairly restricted to accommodate 55 per cent of the overall demand.

The developers argued that it would be unreasonable to hold them respon- sible for the future actions of poten- tial house purchasers.

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

AS ONE political campaign official- ly ended on Thursday, another began in earnest.

The opening of the 30th Dail may have signalled that the General Elec- tion was well and truly over, but for many the campaign had just begun.

Early on Thursday Clare Seanad

hopefuls Cllr Pat Daly (FF) and Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) arrived in Dub- lin canvassing for votes and nomina- tions.

This was like shooting fish in a barrel. Almost all of the Seanad members they would need to can- vass would be only one place that day with many of the country’s vote yielding councillors not far behind.

At llam while the newly elected Dail members assembled for Mass, canvassers from all over also assem- bled. In Buswell’s Hotel, Cllr Mulc- ahy had strategically placed himself inside the door, cup of tea in one hand, list of councillors in the other.

He was hoping for a parliamentary nomination having received the nod from Clare Fine Gael.

Cllr Daly arrived soon after. Hav- ing already received a nomination, he was now looking for votes for the Labour Panel.

The assistant to Tony Killeen had already canvassed most of Munster but the Dail seemed the ideal loca- tion before he started moving north.

Then Clare’s only sitting senator, Brendan Daly (FF), met briefly with

his colleagues in the famous political hotel. Senator Daly was also seeking a Seanad nomination before begin- ning his tour of the country canvass- ing votes.

Cllr John Crowe (FG) 1s to date Clare’s only other candidate seeking election to the upper house, having secured a nomination for the Indus- trial and Commercial panel.

just before his name was read into the 30th Dail as a Clare Fine Gael TD he reflected on how he was his own verb

“Sometimes people look at you as walking in your father’s footsteps. It is hard to come out of that shadow as well and develop your own niche. I’ve done that through my work in Clare County Council and I estab- lished my own vote throughout the Ennis area. I got the biggest vote in the Ennis area in the last general election and that was a testament to my hard work and dedication on be- half of the people in the Ennis area in particular,’ he said.

Once on the plinth of Leinster House he was joined by his fiancée Grace and the flash bulbs dazzled.

Fellow Clare TD, Pat Breen (FG), spoke briefly with his new colleague before moving on.

This was Carey’s day, there would be time enough again for the inevi- table political jostling for the lime- bhedaie

This was a day Carey dreamed

about but until the previous day feared he may not see. He had been dogged with a viral illness and had just been discharged from hospital. While other new TDs. arrived with an entourage of supporters and friends, the rest of his family made up his support group including his father Donal who had travelled with

him the night before.

ad AR LUM OOT- TMU ODKMMDOSToM ERIM (oo eI didn’t know whether I would be able to come or even a few days ago so thanks be to God I’m able to be here today and put my best foot forward and the business starts today.

“Given that I wasn’t in great health I didn’t go about organising a big

razzmatazz entrance to the Dail. Over the coming months I will be organising such a visit for my sup- porters, friends and family to come to Dail Eireann,” he explained.

“T am delighted to be here today. God gave me the strength to be here today and I am very grateful for that.

“T really am looking forward to it. It is a new challenge and I have the energy ability and drive to work at this for the people of County Clare,” he said.

In his early thirties he believes youth is on his side and will be a ereat advantage in working as a TD as will the support and knowledge of VELA slow

“It 1s something we spoke about all right and he will be of great help to me over the coming months and years,” he said.

“I always thought about Dail Eir- eann and representing people. It is a lifetime ambition that I have achieved and it really is a humbling experience,’ he added, explaining that the hours and years he saw his father dedicate to the life did not put him off.

Deputy Carey was visibly subdued, tired and slightly scarred by the ill- ness of the last ten days but was de- termined to be there for the historic opening of the 30th Dail.

Questions or comments that would normally spark the young TD into a familiar, belly laugh and a vigor- ous response were now receiving a knowing smile and a softly spoken, considered, short response.

He was tired but grateful to be there. The celebrations would wait.

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy who has cre- ated fear in the community in Shan- non has been sentenced to two years of detention.

The boy pleaded guilty to several charges including damaging a car, entering various premises as a tres- passer and stealing property.

He admitted entering the Shannon Knights pub as a trespasser and steal- ing alcohol and crisps last October. On another occasion, he entered the Same premises and stole five bottles of vodka and three cans of red bull.

He also admitted stealing €40 in cash from a house 1n Shannon in No- vember and stealing a mobile phone from Texaco, Shannon, on Septem- ber 28 last.

The boy was released on bail in April after a court heard that a team of professionals concluded that he should be put back into the commu- nity under a strict regime.

On that occasion his solicitor Eileen Whelan pointed out that the boy had been “caught on time” and she ex- pressed hope that he would “turn out to be a decent citizen”.

She said he had spent two months

in custody and the experience fright- ened him. ‘“He’s got the sharp shock that he needed,” she told the court in April. She said he was using drugs and al- cohol at the time of the offences. The boy was granted bail with con- ditions attached. However, he was brought before the court again after he came to the notice of gardai. Shannon District Court was told on Thursday that the boy re-offended one week after he was allowed out into the community on bail. Defending solicitor, Eileen Whelan, said her client was pleading guilty to

a number of offences.

‘He has been in custody for the last five weeks. He wants this mat- ter to be dealt with today. He is well aware of what he has done. The time in custody has benefited him,’ said Ms Whelan.

‘He is well aware he has caused a fear in the community as a result of his behaviour. He wants to deal with his actions,’ she said.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a two year detention sentence on the boy and fixed a bond in the event of an appeal. He refused a request to backdate the sentence to May.

EIGHT Clare bed and breakfast busi- nesses feature in a prestigious new cuide to Irish golfing holidays.

Capitalising on the legacy of the Ryder Cup, Tourism Ireland and the Town and Country Homes Associa- tion have joined forces to produce the special all island B&B/Golfing Guide.

The new publication features over 100 B&B’s which were selected by the B&B Association from its large membership, because of the proprie- tors’ strong interest in golf and active involvement with a local golf club.

The guide highlights the wonderful courses which Clare has to offer in- cluding Lahinch Castle Course.

“The stunning west coast is blessed with a diverse range of links and parkland courses, all of which reflect the great traditions of the game’, a spokesman for the producers of the eabaTelemre BCG

“And as the guide suggests the west’s spectacular coastal landscape has provided a perfect canvas for some of the most imaginative golf course architects the game has pro- duced,” he added.

The B&B golf connection means that visitors can tap into a wealth of local knowledge where B&B owners can give them the “inside” knowl- edge of local golf courses, organise

tee-times or discounts or perhaps even join in a game themselves. The brochure is ideal for the less experienced golfing traveller as it includes not only the more difficult,

more prestigious courses, but also the many great value and less well known gems. The new B&B golfing brochure has been distributed to over 55,000 subscribers of Golf World

and Today’s Golfer.

According to Tourism Ireland, golf holidays offer huge untapped busi- ness potential. “Ireland has over 440 golf courses, more per head of popu-

lation than any other golfing destina- tion, added to which the country en- joys more than a third of the world’s true links seaside golf courses.

“There are 60 million golfers in the world, and the sport continues to grow in popularity with many couples, and active newly retired people taking up the game. While this brochure caters for all levels of golfers, it 1s ideal for these beginners and improvers, many of whom may never have played out- side of their own country,’ said John Greene, head of regional marketing, Tourism Ireland.

Speaking at the launch of the guide, Alan Hill, CEO, Town and Country Homes Association said, ““The B&B sector is about to undergo a most 1m- portant transformation. In partner- ship, we will begin to redefine what has made this very Irish accommoda- tion option unique around the world.

‘The impact of this process will be to present today’s busy and demand- ing global traveller with renewed Opportunities to stay in an approved Irish home. This golfing B&B bro- chure and supporting direct mar- keting initiative gives us a glimpse of the next generation of successful B&B operations – customer focused, committed to high standards and spreading high yielding business into principally rural parts of the island”.

A CLARE County Council policy that results in Ennis losing out on 150 jobs and a €50 million investment appears, at first glance, bizarre.

A little known document, the Coun- ty Clare Retail Strategy 2003-11, has concluded that there is only capacity for one retail park on the southern fringes of Ennis.

This has now been endorsed by a consultant’s report commissioned by the council which has led to plan- ning permission being refused to Ennis businessmen Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan for a retail park on

the Quin Road and confers a mas- sive advantage on Galway investor Stephen Harris to develop a 48 acre land bank at Skehanagh adjoining the Ennis bypass.

The stakes are massive. Harris and his backers spent €18.5 million pur- chasing their land from local man JJ McCabe and while it is not known how much Lyne-Connellan spent on the Quin Road proposal, the overall cost would be be substantial.

The two local businessmen lodged their plans before Harris last summer and believed they were ahead in the race to secure planning.

The sparring continued with Har-

ris lodging a submission against the Lyne-Connellan proposal and the Clare developers responding by ex- pressing their own reservations over the Harris plan.

It is not known if either party were aware that the council commissioned consultants to adjudicate on the sus- tainability of either proposal.

Either way the outcome highlights the council’s contradictory policy moves on job creation in Ennis against a background of the town’s industrial base contracting year on year.

Why, for instance, did councillors Zone so much land for commercial

development on the fringes of the town in the Ennis and Environs De- velopment Plan 2003 when a separate council document, the Clare Retail Strategy, concluded there was room for only retail park south of Ennis?

Should the market be allowed de- cide how many retail parks can be accommodated without a document such as the retail strategy there to limit development? Or is the council correct in adhering to a retail strat- egy in order to preserve businesses 1n the core town area?

However, it is not plain sailing for the Harris proposal either. If the same criteria which rejected the

Lyne-Connellan proposal were to apply, the council would also rule that the Harris plan was premature pending the completion of the flood risk study and the absence of an inte- erated sewerage design scheme.

The Galway developer has also to address the issue of the protected Marsh Fritillary butterfly on the site.

Harris must lodge his response to council concerns — including the fate of the Marsh Fritillary — by the middle of next month otherwise new plans will have to be lodged.

It is very much “advantage Har- ris’ but there are bound to be further twists and turns in this scramble yet.

THE developers of the €50 million retail park planned for the Quin Road in Ennis were last night refusing to confirm if they are to appeal Clare County Council’s decision to appeal to An Bord Pleanala.

A spokesman for Sean Lyne and Noel Connellan would only say that the two are “examining the deci- sion’.

Ennis Chamber of Commerce chief executive Rita McInerney said the chamber was keen that any retail park be near the town to offer ben- efits in terms of linkages to the town

centre.

She said she would have to examine the reasons behind the refusal before making a definitive statement on the olor teee

The council decision ensures that the local authority will miss out on a development levy bonanza in excess of <1 million through planning con- Wm le)ULBlOeKe The proposal is the second retail development to have fallen foul of planning hurdles in the past eight rneLeye la etse Last October, a plan by Michael Lynch Ltd to develop a €50 mil- lion retail park at Clonroadmore that would create 250 jobs was turned down in a comprehensive ruling de- livered by An Bord Pleanala. The Lyne-Connellan consortium will need to make a decision quickly in relation to an appeal as it will be contesting the council’s decision on eight separate grounds. They have four weeks within which to lodge their appeal to An Bord Pleanala. The appeal could take up to eight peeve etse The decision is a setback for the two who are currently the prime resi- dential developers in the greater En- nis area through their company CLS Crystal Partners.