The Clare People Archive

RATES in Shannon town are to in- crease by two per cent next year, while the overall budget is along the lines as that for the past year.

The proposals are included in the budget for 2009, which was up for discussion at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last Tuesday.

However, the budget, which was due to be adopted by councillors, was deferred after Councillor Patri- cia McCarthy (Independent) walked out of the meeting.

This was after she said she was not comfortable, unless the ethics frame- work was defined and said she would not participate until this was done.

Her comments came in the wake

of a complaint by the Wolfe Tones camogie club, over funding for the development of a skateboard park at the leisure centre. Cllr McCarthy is a member of the board of the leisure centre. However, the Standards in Public Office Commission ruled that there was no basis on which to initi- ate an investigation under the Ethics Act as none of the alleged contraven- tions was “a specified act”.

A number of councillors expressed the view that some members of the town council were also members of various organisations or groups that would be applying for funding from the council.

It was then decided that the county solicitor John Shaw would address councillors at a meeting this (Tues-

day) evening, when any fears could be raised. The budget is expected to be adopted at this meeting.

Under the budget proposal, rates would increase by two percent and would require a town charge of SO Oe

Additional funds have been set aside to cover the cost of the local elections, which will take place next June. They cost almost €15,000 to run in 2004.

The community grants scheme will have €5,300 at its disposal, which is the same as the figure for last year. However, the contribution towards community initiatives, which is a fund to build up a community initia- tives fund, will have a reduced sum of money at its disposal next year;

down €1,000 to €8,000.

It is envisaged that improvements will be made to the Shannon Town Council website, www.shannon- towncouncil.ie next year.

Discussions have been held with Shannon Chamber of Commerce regarding overall development of the website and how it might best be utilised as a wider resource in the promotion of all aspects of activity bom) er-beneCeyee

Town manager Ger Dollard, in putting together the draft budget for the forthcoming year, said it was pre- pared in “a most difficult economic climate and against a background where funding available from Clare County Council is likely to be less than that available in 2008.”

THE work of a Clare art graduate has been on display at the ‘Best in Show’ exhibition in The Digital Hub in Dublin last week.

Ivan Twohig from Inagh is a gradu- ate of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and, earlier this year, he was chosen by The Digital Hub to participate in its annual “Best in Show’ exhibition.

‘Best in Show’ is an art exhibition with a difference. Rather than paint- ings and sculptures, it features dig- ital media work produced by gradu- ates of colleges throughout Ireland and the UK.

The exhibits use sounds and im- ages, gaming technologies, music, animation and advertising tools to depict topics ranging from the need for privacy to the golden age of silent cinema.

Ivan graduated with a BA in Fine Art in 2004 and, in 2008, completed his MA in Art in the Digital World at the NCAD. In addition to his in- volvement in “Best in Show’, he has exhibited both nationally and in- ternationally. In 2007, he received the first Tulca Residency award and was awarded artist in residence at the new IMOCA (Irish Museum of Contemporary Art) studio in Dublin beer

For the ‘Best in Show’ exhibition,

The Digital Hub chose a piece by Ivan called “The Fall’, which is made up of life-sized paper figures, sus- pended and falling from the ceiling of the gallery. As they fall, fluores- cent lights illuminate the figures. The piece is influenced by his interest in architecture and the way in which digital technologies are impacting on the conception and creation of built environments. It was previously on display at the Glor Arts Centre in Ennis.

According to Elaine Parsons of The Digital Hub, who curates the ‘Best in Show’ exhibition, the idea for the show came about because of the difficulties faced by art graduates in establishing themselves as serious AMIS Ice

“One of the biggest challenges faced by graduates like Ivan is taking that leap from being a student to be- ing taken seriously as an artist,’ she said. “The feedback we were getting was that it was difficult for gradu- ates to find opportunities to exhibit in a professional gallery environ- ment. Because of this, The Digital Hub established ‘Best in Show’ to give graduates the chance to exhibit at professional level and help them meet key figures in the art industry”.

A LONG-STANDING promise to a school principal in Quin was ful- filled last week when Tomas O Sio- chain, former principal of Scoil na Mainistreach planted an alder tree in memory of his predecessor, Frank Gordon, who was principal of Scoil na Mainistreach in the 1960s.

Frank Gordon was a member of Muintir na Tire and a prominent member of the Fine Gael party. He passed on his love of nature to gener- ations of local schoolchildren and, in recognition of this, one of his pupils, Frances Conroy promised to plant a tree in his memory.

The Green school committee of Scoil na Mainistreach chose to plant this particular tree as 2008 has been designated the year of the alder. Al- ders are sturdy and fast-growing,

even in acidic and damaged sites. They are common to Ireland and can be used as a producer of simple oy (ols eaten

Tomas O Siochain spoke of the links between Frank Gordon and the present Green School Commit- tee in their love for the environment and the promotion of a greener and cleaner community.

Tomas also presented the school with a newspaper article from

that doctors are over-prescribing antibiotics as patients continue to look for a quick fix for common ill- nesses. “Patients may not be aware that antibiotics are not appropriate as a treatment for the common cold or

a flu virus. They are effective only against bacterial infections. We need to give antibiotics the respect they deserve and take them only when absolutely necessary; otherwise we are putting lives at risk, not only for patients today but also for future gen- erations. If you are prescribed antibi- otics by your doctor, it is important to take them exactly as prescribed,” he said.

Mr Hillery said that many GPs are very busy with large patient attend- ance and they do not necessarily have the time to carry out the in-depth ex-

aminations they would like.

“Doctors prescribe antibiotics as a means to an end,” he said.

“There is a school of thought out there that antibiotics are prescribed to stop a patient getting a secondary infection.”

This does not work he said.

Patients also put pressure on doc- tors to prescribe antibiotics he said.

“I think when patients go to the doctor they put pressure on to get something. People almost expect an antibiotic,’ he added.

The negative consequences of us-

ing antibiotics inappropriately ex- tends beyond the individual patient impacting on society as a whole re- sulting in the spread of “superbugs” such as MRSA. “Superbugs” are a consequence of more and more bac- teria becoming resistant to common- ly used antibiotics. Ireland has the second highest rate of VRE (a group of bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics) in Europe.

“If in doubt patients should visit their local pharmacist who can ad- vise them on whether a visit to the doctor is necessary or if the patient

can manage their symptoms ef- fectively without antibiotics,’ Mr Hillery said.

A survey carried out by pharma- cists at the “Over 50s Show” found that 37 per cent of people would visit a doctor if they had a cold or flu and one in four admitted they have failed to take a full course of antibiotics in the past, therefore risking a recur- rence of the illness.

A third of those polled said they would visit their pharmacist if they were experiencing cold or flu symp- eyeate

THE owner of a timber firm lost his life in an industrial accident in east Clare, when a machine he was work- ing on overturned on him.

Noel Reilly (49) – a native of Cavan but who had lived in Feakle – died at Lough Graney Stakes at Leighurd, Caher, on the morning of August 6 last, an inquest into his death has heard.

Mr Reilly’s first cousin Sean Mc- Donnell told Ennis Coroner’s Court he received a phone call from An- thony Naughton, telling him that Mr Reilly was trapped under a machine. He went to the plant, where he saw Mr Reilly’s body trapped under a machine.

Another witness, Seamus Naugh- ton, said that Mr Reilly had been loading trailers with timber waste for about an hour that morning. At one stage, Mr Naughton glanced over his shoulder and saw the top of the arm of a machine moving in a way that wasn’t right. He then saw the ma-

chine capsizing.

“T went down and touched Noel. His face was purple and I knew he was dead,” he said.

Garda Pat McGrath told the in- quest that gardai attended the scene of the accident that morning. Gardai had been told that the owner of the plant had been thrown from a H1- tachi tracker machine and had died. Three employees were on the site at the time.

Pathologist Dr Elizabeth Mulcahy carried out a post mortem examina- tion on Mr Reilly’s body. She said that death was due to cardio respira- tory arrest, secondary to traumatic WN elove-len(emerMUneMDAY IEDM (oKe

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said the ac- cident was “very tragic and sad” and said the only possible verdict was one of accidental death.

She said it must have been particu- larly traumatic for the workers who saw the accident happening, but were powerless to do anything about it. The jury returned a verdict of ac- cidental death.

AFTER almost twenty years, the Kil- fenora branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann has been reformed.

At a recent meeting the following officers were elected to plan a pro- gramme of activities for the branch – Mrs Phil McMahon (President); John Morgan (Chairman); Julie Nea (Secretary); Noel O’Donohue (Treas- urer); Mathew Griffey (PRO) and Sharon Howley (Youth Officer).

The meeting was attended by of- ficers of the county CCE board who

offered every help in setting up the branch.

It was decided to hold a series of concerts with local musicians, sing- ers and dancers starting on Friday next, December 5 in Kilfenora Hall at 8.00 sharp when three generations of Kilfenora traditional entertainers will perform on this very special oc- casion.

To make it an enjoyable night, the new committee hope it will be well supported and give a platform for young musicians, singers and danc- ers to perform .

LITTLE David Falconer from En- nis and Katy Judge, who is the apple of her Crusheen grandmother’s eye, were among eight children honoured at the weekend for their unbelievable LoL tb ee FeXoR

The inspirational youngsters were given Children of Courage awards by the Share a Dream Foundation.

Three-year-old David suffers from the extremely rare skin condition, Ichthyosis, which causes him to shed excessive amounts of skin.

His entire body has to be creamed every four hours and bathed for an hour every day. Yet those who know David says he “warms the heart of everyone he meets”.

Four-year-old Katy, who is a regu- lar visitor to her gran, Catherine

Brigdale in Crusheen, developed a cancerous tumour on her kidney last year.

Her kidney had to be removed and then she began a six-month course of chemotherapy, which was harrowing, Catherine explained.

“During it she lost all of her hair,

and her appetite and was a very regu- lar patient at Clonmel Hospital. One of the saddest memories I have of her is when she had to have a feed- ing tube inserted through her nose. I had often seen people with them but presumed they were inserted while asleep. Unfortunately not, as the patient needs to swallow during the procedure. She was literally speech- less with shock after it was done. Thankfully the chemo worked and Katy started school this September and is doing very well.”

Now the plucky youngsters are off to Disneyworld Paris with their families for a well-deserved family holiday.

DRIVERS who listen to loud music in the car should be hit with penalty points, according to one Ennis coun- cillor.

Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) has said that stiffer penalties are required in order to stamp out bad driving hab- its.

Speaking at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Neylon said the majority of problems on Irish roads were caused by poorly educated drivers.

“There are rules and regulations that people have to abide by. You get people saying that the evenings are getting dark, but the evenings always got dark…..The problem is that you have people sitting in their cars with the radio on full blast. If you can get two penalty points for being on your mobile then you should get four for listening to the radio too loud,” Cllr Neylon said.

He added, “People aren’t focused, they should be focused. When I got my license, there were thee Cs on the top of it – Care, Courtesy and Con- sideration – I don’t see that on any

license any more’”’.

Cllr Tommy Brennan said drivers needed to exercise “common sense” on the road. Cllr Tom Glynn said, ‘The one thing about common sense is that it isn’t very common.”

Cllr Neylon’s calls came as an ac- cident involving a 79-year-old pedes- trian led to strong calls for improved safety measures on Ennis’ roads.

SU ilommaOyser Tema emB DOT LED KcOMmAU YON ELS walking across a pedestrian crossing at Kelly’s Corner in Ennis.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told yester- day’s meeting that further accidents were inevitable if safety measures weren’t improved.

He called for a report to be pre- pared to address pedestrian and traf- fic hazards at Corrovorrin and the Tulla Road.

Cllr Brennan called for a pedes- trian crossing with traffic lights to be installed at Kelly’s Corner.

He said that pedestrian crossings were also needed near the Ennis Railway station.

“The circuits are already there from before. It wouldn’t be a big job. There needs to be something done before someone is killed,’ he added.

WOLFE Tones camogie club, which made a complaint about the alloca- tion of funding to the Shannon Let- sure Centre for a skateboard park, is to consult with its legal advisors to ascertain what its options are.

The Standards in Public Office Commission ruled that Councillor Patricia McCarthy (Ind), who is a member of the board of the leisure centre, did not have a case to answer, relating to the allocation of €50,000 by the town council to the leisure centre.

The Wolfe Tones camogie club is- sued a statement, saying it was “natu-

rally disappointed” that its complaint had not been successful “at this junc- ture”.

“Now is a time for us, as representa- tives of Wolfe Tones camogie club, to take stock. In the intervening period we will consult with our legal advi- sors to see what further recourse may be available,’ said the statement.

“We have worked tirelessly to con- struct the very first dedicated cam- ogie park in Ireland. While we have received some public funding, for which we are most grateful, most of our costs have been met by local fun- draising efforts,’ it stated.

The statement pointed out that after meeting with the Ombudsman Emily

O’Reilly at an open day in Ennis, the decision was taken to make a formal complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission. “At all times we have acted within our rights as citi- zens and taxpayers,” it stated.

At a meeting of Shannon Town Council last week, several council- lors expressed their opinions on the issue. Councillor Geraldine Lambert (FF) said she was at a loss as to why the matter went as far as the Stand- ards in Public Office Commission.

“Tt certainly didn’t warrant the pub- lic lives of some people and the pub- lic careers of officials of this council to be held up to scrutiny,” she said.

She said the matter had caused

stress for several people and she was dismayed at the turn something fairly straightforward had taken.

Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) asked the mayor of Shannon Cllr Gerry Flynn if he had sought legal advice on the matter prior to becom- ing mayor. Cllr Flynn said he had sought personal legal advice and he could arrange for councillors to see a copy of it.

“IT knew there was a possibility I would be coming in as mayor so | did seek legal opinion. I did nothing wrong. If I had the same opportunity again, I would do it again. I’m glad for Cllr McCarthy that the verdict did come out in her favour,’ he said.

THE mayor of Shannon has been ac- cused of being “malicious, vindictive and politically motivated’, by fail- ing to inform his fellow councillors about a letter from the Standards in Public Office regarding a complaint on a possible breach of ethics.

The accusation was levelled at Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) by Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind). The complaint was made by the Wolfe Tones camogie club, after the Shannon Leisure Cen- tre – of which Cllr McCarthy is a member of the board – was allocated €50,000 in funding from the town ott ene

After it was found that she had no case to answer, she responded to the entire investigation at a meeting of the council last week.

She said that the mayor, Cllr Flynn, received a letter from the Standards in Public Office as Méara Baile, but didn’t bring its contents to the atten- tion of the town council.

“Whatever you did, you did for your own personal motivation and further your own ends,” she said to Owe aha

She said she had remained quiet for 10 months and had faith in the proc- ess, even though it was difficult to do So at times, but others did not abide by the same standards.

“Much of what was said over the past 10 months was inaccurate and went unchallenged by me,” she add- ed.

“IT have never sought or obtained any financial reward from any com- munity,’ she said.

Cllr McCarthy said she did not seek to influence the town manger, town clerk, the then mayor or any mem- ber of the town council in respect of a letter from the chairperson of the leisure centre last February.

She said that neither she nor any member of the leisure centre had any prior discussion with the town man- ager or any official of the council relating to the provision of a skate-

board park in the town, as part of a refurbishment of the leisure centre.

Cllr McCarthy said she did have a casual conversation with the town clerk Tomas MacCormaic about the project as she knew it was an objec- tive of the council to provide the fa- UIA

After her words, Cllr Tony Mulc- ahy (FG) then asked Cllr Flynn why he hadn’t informed the town council about the letter. Cllr Flynn pointed out that he did not initiate the com- plaint.

“I didn’t have communication with the Standards in Public Office previ- ously. I did what I thought was right,” he said.