The Clare People Archive

MAYOR of Clare, Madeleine Tay- lor-Quinn (FG) was not invited to last Friday’s announcement of US pre-clearance facilities at Shannon Airport, it was revealed yesterday.

In what was described as a “severe slight”, the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey met with a number of Fianna Fail councillors during his visit to the airport but no opposi- tion councillors, including the Mayor Taylor-Quinn, were invited.

Indeed Cllr Taylor-Quinn only heard of the Shannon event during an informal conversation with the minister at the sod turning ceremony for the N18 Gort Crusheen Bypass on Duce hmrnleurnpace

“IT would see this as a severe slight to both the Mayor of Clare and the Mayor of Shannon town,” said Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind), who led the campaign to save the Shannon Hea- throw connection.

“T welcome Councillor McMahon’s meeting with the minister but I have never heard of such a select group of people getting together for a meet- ing. I certainly was not invited to the announcement and I know that the mayor were not invited to the meet- bee lieoe

“If this slight was of the ministers doing or if it was brought about by the management of Shannon Airport then shame on them – we have all supported them whole heatedly dur- ing what as been a very difficult time for the airport.

Commenting on that motion, Cllr Hanrahan (FF) said that no special treatment was shown to Fianna Fail councillors.

‘Invitations were not issued to any- body. Local councillors were invited to meet the minister but no indica- tions were given that there was a ma- jor announcement on the horizon,” he said.

Shannon mayor Cllr Gerry Flynn

(FG) told the council that he was given 45 minutes notice about the announcement and was unable to at- tend because he was “doing real work for his constituents in the offices of Clare County Council in Ennis”.

“T’m delighted that Minister Demp- sey showed that he still knows where Shannon Airport is at all and that the airport was still up and running by the time that he got there,” he said.

“As mayor of Shannon I did get an invitation to the announcement on Friday, I got about 45 minutes notice in fact.”

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) call for a pro- tocol to be put in place to govern the visits of Government ministers.

€1,035,786 was paid in_ salaries and travelling expenses to the nine person management team of Clare County Council in 2007, according to figures released yesterday.

The news of the payments came as members of the executive came un- der pressure not to accept any per- formance related bonuses on top of their annual salaries this year.

The management team is made up of the county manager, the five direc- tors of services, the county secretary, the head of the human resources de-

partment and the head of the finance eljortasenoele

Figures for 2005 show that the total paid out to the management amount- ed to €843,139. The payments rose to €1,001,297 in 2006.

The figures were revealed at yes- terday’s meeting of Clare County Council, following a motion tabled by north Clare councillor Martin Lafferty (Ind).

Cllr Lafferty welcomed publication by the council of the figures. He said it was disappointing that there was such a high turnover of council staff nationwide.

“What we have seen over the past few years is that guys come into jobs and stay there for seven years and then move. Why wouldn’t they stay for another seven years?” asked Cllr Peouas

Pressed by Cllr Christy Curtain (Ind) to explain the 25 per cent jump in payments between 2005 and 2007, County Manager Alec Fleming said the rise was probably attributable to the fact that some positions on the executive had been unfulfilled for a period of time.

Earlier at the meeting, Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) tabled a motion stat-

ing that council officials should not, in light of the current economic downturn, accept any bonus pay- ments for 2008.

“Are ye going to accept perform- ance related bonuses in light of eve- rything that has happened this year?” questioned Cllr Mulcahy.

County Manager Alec Flemming said that any payments due to offi- cials were being paid in accordance with employment conditions set out by the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment.

In response to questioning from

Cllr Mulcahy, Mr Fleming did not say whether or not bonuses would be paid to the management team this year. “I’m not going to discuss this. It’s part of pay and conditions. It’s not going to be discussed,” said Mr i (renbbaree

Cllr Martin Conway (FG) support- ed Cllr Mulcahy’s motion. He said he was confident that council officials would not be seeking performance related bonuses.

Cllr Conway also called for the council to examine what measures could be taken to curtail the cost of overtime payments.

CONSTRUCTION on the next phase of the Atlantic Corridor from Gort to Oranmore will commence in 2010, according to ‘Transport Miu£nister Noel Dempsey.

The scheme was one of six projects deferred due to budget cutbacks but at a sod turning ceremony on the construction site of the Gort/Crush-

een bypass on Friday, Minister Dem- pey said it would be the only road project to start in 2009.

“That wasn’t an accident. This sec- tion of the Atlantic Corridor was deliberately chosen to give a very clear signal from Government that the commitment that we have made to balanced regional development, to the west of Ireland despite the eco- nomic downturn, remains very, very

strong.”

Minister Dempsey said that the scheme marks “a very, very signifi- cant next step in the provision of the Atlantic Corridor”’.

“Inevitably, you can’t do everything at the one time. It is hoped that in 2010 will see all of the inter urban motorways will be completed and at that stage, there will be more money available and it 1s anticipated that the

Six Or seven projects which have been postponed and are not going ahead in 2009 will all start in 2010.”

He said that the Gort/Crusheen sec- tion of the the corridor would elimi- nate one of the worst bottlenecks _NCOyercam ON eloma UN E-NNLBCemere UNTO CO)E

“This project emphasises the im- portance of investing in the road infrastructure so that business and regional economic hubs such as Lim-

erick, Shannon and Galway can com- pete in this ever demanding national and global environment.

“The key benefits will be three fold, a safer road, direct regional eco- nomic investment and easier access for visitors. For the people of Gort and Crusheen it will give them back their towns by dramatically reducing through traffic,” Minister Dempsey concluded.

CLARE’S former mayor, Cllr Patri- cia McCarthy (Ind) last night hit out at what she called a vindictive and malicious campaign that sought to discredit her as a public representa- tive. She was commenting after an independent commission ruled that she has no case to answer in rela- tion to the allocation of €50,000 by Shannon Town Council to the local OU Comer NB Ken

The investigation by the Standards in Public Office Commission was in response to a complaint by Wolfe Tones Camogie Club over the alloca- tion of funding to Shannon Leisure Centre for a skateboard park and ten-

nis court.

Cllr McCarthy is a director of the leisure centre and grant allocations from a number of local authorities have been on hold pending the out- come of the investigation.

However, the Standards in Public Office Commission has stated 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”.

Last night Cllr McCarthy said she was delighted the process was com- plete and that there was no case to answer.

“T have maintained my silence for over 10 months in the face of inac- curate statements, accusations and

innuendo circulating freely about me because I knew I had done nothing wrong and to allow the process prove exactly that.

“Knowing I was innocent of all charges levelled against me did not lessen the anxiety and stress that my family and I have been placed under in recent months. For those who did not know me, it must have seemed strange that I should elect to remain silent and unresponsive to each base- less charge levelled publicly against me but I hope that they would now see that justice has been done, and my stand vindicated.

Cllr McCarthy stated that for the past 30 years she had at all times sought to represent the people of

Shannon openly and honestly.

“My involvement in the leisure centre, is part of that commitment, and one from which I do not seek or gain personal benefit, as has been confirmed by the Standards in Pub- lic Office Commission. This it would appear is an alien concept for certain politicians whose only objective ap- pears to be self advancement and have no hesitation in using character assassination as a means of self-pro- motion.”

She said it was an unfortunate con- sequence that this baseless accusa- tion had put in jeopardy the ability of every local authority to deal with applications for financial assistance under various schemes.

AN IRISH rugby player and two En- nis-based gardai are being celebrated as heroes today for their bravery in saving people from drowning.

Mr. Michael Kitt, Minister of State at the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment, will present the “SEIKO Just In Time” Rescue Awards and various Recognition Awards to members of Irish Water Safety and the Public at Dublin Castle.

Rescuers from fourteen dramatic near-death incidents will receive rec- ognition at Irish Water Safety’s Na- tional Awards Ceremony for saving eighteen lives.

On April 4 2008, Garda Niall Doo- dy and Garda Edel Convey were on patrol when they observed a woman in difficulty in the fast flowing and cold waters of the River Fergus.

Garda Doody dashed into the wa- ter to grab her while Garda Convey got a ringbuoy and threw it to her colleague who used it to keep the woman afloat.

The plucky garda stayed in the freezing water with the woman un- til emergency services arrived at the Neo Noe

Both Niall and the woman were transferred to Ennis General Hospi- tal where they were treated for hypo- Weounene-R

Modestly, Niall says he relied on his training at Templemore to deal with the situation. “I can swim and they teach you in training about go- ing into water fully dressed.”

Meanwhile, Rugby hero, Paul O’Connell will have an award con- ferred on his in his absence, as will Garda Convey, who is on leave.

On July 25, Paul was catching some waves surfing at Lahinch when he noticed a fellow surfer in difficulty and immediately went to the 22- year-old’s rescue, battling waves and surf to bring her to safety.

“Tragically 156 drownings oc- curred in Ireland last year’, a spokes- man for the Department said. “This figure would be even higher but for the efforts of individuals who saved others from drowning in 2007.

The Service Awards also being presented recognise 1,545 years of personal service of eighty-four Irish Water Safety volunteers in the teach- ing of swimming, lifesaving, rescue skills and the promotion of water safety awareness.

Included will be the inaugural pres- entation of Irish Water Safety’s Vol- unteer of the Year Award. Six Inter- national Awards are being presented to persons from Inshore Rescue Organisations nationwide and three individuals will also be made “Life Governors” of Irish Water Safety for their efforts to reduce drownings.

PLANS to build a €60 million retail development in Shannon could bring up to 430 jobs with as many as 200 more opening up as spin-offs from the project.

A proposal by Greenband Invest- ments would see 150 jobs created in the building phase, while 250 jobs would be created directly and 200 indirectly from the planned retail warehouse park and centre. The de- velopers are applying to Clare Coun- ty Council to site the park beside the Oakwood Arms Hotel.

The proposal includes the park, which would be an outlet for large household goods, a discount food- store and a neighbourhood centre which would include a convenience shop, hairdressers, chemist and a bookies shop.

If the planning application is suc- cessful, it 1s planned to start build- ing next June. The project will take about 15 months to complete and would open for business in 2010.

It is believed that of the two anchor tenants needed for the warehouse re- tail section, one has secured pending planning permission and discussions have begun with a second.

The development company believes that Shannon is under-serviced in terms of retail for the town’s resident population of 9,000 and the addition-

al 7,000 who work for the companies in the Shannon Free Zone.

The total retail space in Shannon is 3,000 meters squared, in comparison with Ennis, which has twice Shan- non’s population but twelve times it’s retail space. The imbalance makes Shannon a prime location for further development of stores and shops, the developers say.

Already the developers have been in consultation with the county coun- cil to ensure that there is no clash between this proposed development and the existing Shannon Town Mas- ter plan. The park is designed by award-winning architects, Thomp- sons of Limerick.

While the Shannon Town Centre enjoys a variety of supermarkets, large shops and boutique stores, for white goods and other large house- hold items, shoppers have to travel to Ennis, Limerick or further afield.

Statistics also show that more than 23 per cent of all convenience goods bought by Shannon residents are bought outside of the town, while 42 per cent of purchases of goods such as clothing footwear and large items are bought elsewhere.

One of the arguments in favour of the new development., Greenband, says would be to help halt the stream of shoppers who leave the area for large centres in Limerick, Cork and AV IMOrUANe Ne

HUNDREDS of mourners turned out on Saturday for the funeral of Gort mother of six, Kathleen Rock, who tragically lost here life in a road traffic accident on Wednesday evening last.

Mrs Rock (51) died following a single vehicle accident on a minor road at Kiltiernan just off the main N18 road around 8pm on Wednesday abreaal

Originally from Ardrahan, Mrs Rock had been living in Gort for most of her life and had become a central part of the local community. She is survived by her husband Collie and their six children.

Mrs Rock was on the way to col- lect one of her daughters from Yeats College in Galway when the accident took place.

“The mood here in Gort is very sad at the moment. There is a huge outpouring of grief from the whole community to the family and friends of Mrs Rock. There is a lot of sad- ness in the local community, this has come as a great shock and the people are very saddened by it,” said Rever- end Thomas Marrinan from St Cole-

man’s Church in Gort.

Mrs Rock was the only occupant of the car and was brought to Univer- sity Hospital Galway where she died from her injuries.

According to a Garda spokesman the car overturned after crashing and finish up in a ditch.

“There was a massive turnout for the funeral, she was a very very pop- ular woman in the locality,” contin- ued Reverend Marrinan.

“She was a very popular woman and will be very badly missed. She was very well thought of here by her neighbours and all of the local peo- ple.”

Mrs Rock is the third person to die in single vehicle accidents on the roads around Gort in the last 18 months.

In April of this year a 19-year-old woman lost her life in a single vehi- cle accident near Kilchreest Castle on the Loughrea to Gort road.

In June of 2007, 20-year-old Gort man Daniel Kelly lost his life when his motorcycle hit a traffic control barrier at the outskirts of Coole Park. Mr Kelly, who has an address at Crowe Street, was pronounced dead at the scene.

THE well-known peace activist Ed Horgan has appeared in court, charged in relation to an incident at Shannon airport last June.

Mr Horgan (63), of Charnwood, Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick, 1s accused of failing to comply with the requirements of an airport police of- ficer, at Shannon airport, on June 18 last.

Mr Horgan, a retired army com- mander, told Shannon District Court last week there were a number of 1m- portant preliminary issues he wanted the court to address, concerning the summons.

Judge Joseph Mangan said, howev- er, that he would deal with the issues on another occasion.

Mr Horgan replied that there would

be an issue as to whether the sum- mons was valid or bad.

“It was issued to me to appear be- fore court today and that’s why I came. It claims to be issued by the DPP. . . Sergeant O’Hagan applied for the summons on behalf of the DPP; this I believe to be untrue,’ he said.

Judge Mangan said it was clear the matter would take some time and he did not have the time to deal with it on that day.

Mr Horgan replied, “This is the third time I have been brought be- fore the court on spurious charges, at great expense and inconvenience.”

The judge adjourned the case until next January.

A FORMER heroin addict has been warned she will face a stint in jail if she fails to co-operate with the Pro- bation services.

Carmel Duggan (23), of St Munch- in’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick

was one of two people who admit- ted entering homes in Meelick and Cratloe as trespassers, with intent to commit theft, in April 2007.

At Ennis Circuit Court last year, Duggan was handed a suspended jail term. Part of the conditions of the suspension was that she be un-

der the supervision of the Probation os ais one

However, the matter was re-entered by the Probation services last week. The court was told that she had failed to attend meetings with the Proba- tion services on two dates in Febru- ary and did not contact the office to

explain her absence.

Defence barrister Lorcan Connolly told the court his client was “gravely addicted to heroin” at the time of the offences, but has been drug-free for the past 17 months.

However, he said her house in Lim- erick has come under attack and she

was “hounded” out of it. “She was living in fear. She wishes to be given a second chance,” he said.

Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the case until January and said he would activate the sentence on that occa- sion if she fails to co-operate with the Probation services.

A CLONLARA stunt pilot crashed and died when the engine cut out in his plane due to fuel starvation, an investigation has revealed. Father of three, John Keane, died as he fin- ished an aerial acrobatics display in Ardfert Co Kerry last year.

Air accident investigators said that fuel starvation led to the crash. Eye- witnesses said they heard the plane’s engine bang before it stopped.

Mr Keane, an experienced pilot, appeared to try to level off and start the engine again but couldn’t do so because he was flying low.

The report just released by the investigating team said that vital

evidence as to the cause of the crash could have been lost in the destruc- tion of the cockpit as rescue workers cut through the wreckage to get Mr Keane out of the plane.

While the fire services first priority is always to control a fire and to get any casualties away from the area, the accident investigators said that in this instance, there was no urgency in removing the pilot from the scene.

The investigation found that a flex- ible tube intake hose had become uncovered and sucked air into the fuel system when the plane entered a near-vertical climb.

The 57-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Kerry General Hospital.