The Clare People Archive

EXCITEMENT is reaching fever point as thousands of Clare farm- ers make their way to the National Ploughing Championships which open in Kilkenny today. Millions of euro 1s expected to be spent in Kil- kenny over the next few days as the largest farming event in Ireland this years takes place.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to converge the champion- ships which will this year play host to 19 All Ireland ploughing finals over the course of the three days.

Besides the competitions on the field, the championships will also

feature hundreds of stalls drawn from every corner of country life.

Indeed, Specsavers in Ennis will join forces with the Road Safety Au- thority for the Specsavers Focus on Driving Campaign which will take place at the championships.

Last year, Specsavers screened more than 1000 people’s vision at the National Ploughing Champion- ships, in one of Ireland’s largest-ever eyecare studies and they hope to do even better this year.

‘‘As autumn looms and the evenings become darker, it is more important than ever to ensure that your eye- sight isn’t putting you or other road users 1n jeopardy,’ said the director

of Specsavers in Ennis, Mayleen van der Merwe.

“By joining forces with the RSA, we aim to educate drivers on the im- portance of eyesight.”

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme has announced a packed programme of activity for this year event. Apart from showcasing all the best the or- ganisation has to offer, with details of upcoming Macra projects, events and travel opportunities for mem- bers, Macra will host a number of key activities which will undoubt- edly prove popular with the crowds attending this year.

These include competitions with the Gleneagle Hotel, programmes

to promote farm safety and an inter- county and company bucking bronco eee

The FBD young farmer of the year will also be on site along with Kil- kenny Macra members who will be present on the stand to recruit new members to local Macra clubs in the area.

Galway Macra will be on hand to provide details of the upcoming Na- tional Conference (Rally) in Salthill in October.

Macra na Feirme’s national presi- dent, Catherine Buckley, will also be on site over the three days to meet and speak with visitors to the Macra display area.

THE recent re-emergence of blue- tongue in the UK poses a serious threat to the livestock and sheep in- dustry in this country according to Macra na Feirme.

Chairman of Macra’s Agricultural Affairs committee, Eddie O’ Donnell, also last week called on all imports of animals for breeding or slaughter from the UK to be suspended on a voluntary basis.

“The Department of Agriculture must also be particular vigilant in terms of implementing the necessary

bio security measures to preserve our Bluetongue free status including extra bio security measures for cargo at ports,” he said.

“Protecting our all-Ireland blue- tongue free status is critical, we must take a very stringent approach when it comes to implementing control measures in relation to Bluetongue, otherwise Irish herds would be prone to sickness, infertility, distress and even animal deaths in some cases from the Bluetongue disease as well as the massive economic loss and implications for Irelands export sta- nthe

O’Donnell said results of a recent survey carried out by Macra indi- cated that young farmers believe there’s a lot to be done in reassuring the Agri sector that the government is doing enough to keep Bluetongue out of Ireland.

“In the unfortunate event of an outbreak, vaccination would be re- quired,” continued O’Donnell. “A farmer administered vaccination scheme would be the most effective means of quickly and effectively protecting Ireland’s sheep and live- stock from the disease.

‘“Farmer’s professionally adminis-

ter vaccines to their animals routinely to prevent illness and Mr. O’ Donnell believes that farmers must be given the choice to administer the vaccine themselves or through their veteri- nary surgeon.

“Many EU countries have a vet- erinary administered vaccination scheme; however, their Governments are co-funding the administration of the vaccine.

“In the absence of Irish Govern- ment funding, farmers who are the professionals in animal husbandry must be in a position to administer the vaccine.”

IT MAY not be the all out lifting of restrictions that farms had sought, but the farming organisations have given a measured welcome to the an- nouncement last week that the age limit for BSE testing was being risen once again.

The decision was welcomed by the ICSA, who had earlier last week branded the 30 month threshold for BSE testing a “scandalous rip-off”.

Following the announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Brendan Smith, that the EU Commission had agreed to raise the minimum age for

BSE testing from 30 months to 48 months, ICSA president Malcolm Thompson pointed out that BSE test- ing was still costing Irish farmers €20 million per annum.

“T welcome the news that the EU Commissioner for Public Health, Androulla Vassiliou has recognised the sense of what ICSA has been say- ing for some time,” he said.

“Over 8 million tests were car- ried out in Europe last year, some $25,000 of which were carried out in Ireland, and the incredibly low number of cases found show that this was a complete and utter waste of farmers’ money. So far in 2008, we

have just 12 cases of BSE, and these cases are easily dealt without having recourse to the compulsory testing of over 800,000 animals.

“Older cows will continue to be checked, and it is our belief that this will become unnecessary over the next few years.”

The decision was welcomed by IFA National Livestock Commit- tee Chairman, Michael Doran, who said that it would remove prime cat- tle from the testing requirement and abolish the unnecessary ۩20 per head costs. The decision was also welcomed by Clare TD and Minister of State at the Department of Agri-

culture, Tony Killeen, who said that an increase of the minimum age for testing to 48 months would deliver significant savings to farmers.

“The current testing requirements are unjustified when one considers the significant progress made in re- ducing the incidence of the disease in Ireland, from a high of 333 cases in 2003 to 25 last year and 12 to date in 2008,” he said.

“Tam confident, based on the reduc- tion in the disease in Ireland and the extensive controls in place, that Ire- land’s application will be approved and that the new testing regime may even be in place from early 2009.”

DR Noel Cawley was last week ap- pointed as the new Chairman of Teagasc by the Minister for Agricul- ture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD. Cawley will take over the reins of the Teagasc from Dr Tom O’Dwyer, who has completed two five year terms as chairman.

Cawley was Chief Executive of the Irish Dairy Board until 2006. He also served as Chairman of the Irish Horse Board, and more recently chaired the Government-established Seafood Strategy Review and Imple-

mentation Group.

A native of Sligo, he also served as chairman of the Farmers’ Charter Monitoring Group set up by the De- partment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and is a Director of One 51 PLC.

“Dr O’Dwyer leaves Teagasc hav- ing set out a clear structure and mis- sion for the organisation for the years ahead most recently with the initia- tion of the Teagasc Research Vision programme and with the launch of the Teagasc Foresight report which identifies the research, innovation and support priorities for the next

quarter century for Ireland’s agri- food sector,” said Minister Smith.

In addition to the appointment of a new chairman, Minister Smith has appointed two other new members to the Teagasc Authority. Padraig Gibbons from Bullaun, Mayneen in County Mayo has been appointed and will be the ICOS nominee on the Teagasc board and Frank O’ Mahony from Ballyorban, Monkstown in County Cork has also been appoint- ed for a five year term to the Teagasc aUULeNOuIAYs

The appointments were welcomed by Clare TD, Tony Killeen. “Dr

Cawley’s wealth of experience will ensure that the excellent work car- ried out by Dr. O’ Dwyer in develop- ing the organisation will be main- tained,’ he said.

“I have every confidence that Dr Cawley will help to drive the devel- Opment of one our most important sectors during the challenging times ahead.’

The Junior Agriculture Munister paid tribute to the outgoing Chair- man saying that he leaves Teagasc having set out a clear structure and mission for the organisation for the years ahead.

said the bench warrant had been is- sued almost five years ago, when his A JUDGE has asked why it has taken client was living in Dublin. the State almost five years to execute “It relates to damage to an apart-

a bench warrant for an Ennis man ac- cused of an offence in Dublin.

The query was made by Judge Joseph Mangan, in the case of Liam Griffin (25), of Lisadell, © Cusack Road, Ennis. He was charged with criminal damage in Dublin a number of years ago.

Garda Stephen Dunne told Ennis District Court on Friday that he ar-

ment in which he was the main ten- ant. He fixed it and he thought _ that was the end of it,’ he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan asked why it has taken so long to execute the bench warrant and Inspector John Galvin said he did not know.

He remanded the accused on. bail, on his own bond of €1, to appear again in court in

rested Griffin that morning, on foot Dublin later this week. of a bench warrant issued at Dublin District Court on January 19, 2004.

Defending solicitor John Casey

AN ENNIS man who was caught drink driving while he was banned from the road has been disqualified from driving for six years.

Eddie Kirby (57) of Glenoir, St Senan’s Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of drink driving.

Ennis District Court heard last Thursday that Kirby was banned from driving in a Galway court on January 23, 2007. He was disquali- fied during one of the offences be- fore last week’s court.

Defending solicitor William Cahir told the court that his client under- stood that the Galway case was un- der appeal at the time.

“He accepts now the case wasn’t under appeal, but his belief (at the time) was the cases were under ap- peal,” said the solicitor.

He said he accepted that people who drove while disqualified had prison sentences imposed on occa- sions, but said the circumstances in this case were “unique”’.

‘He is somebody of a delicate men- tal disposition. He has made consid- erable strides and improvements,’ he Sr nLGe

“Mr Kirby’s traditional habit has always been that he would go to town and have two pints and return home. He had consumed alcohol earlier in the day,” he said.

Judge Joseph Mangan said, “That story about him not being aware about being disqualified is a cock- and-bull story.”

He imposed a three-month jail term and banned him from driving for Six years.

He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

A DRINK driving case against an Ennis man has been dismissed after a solicitor claimed a “material flaw” existed in the State’s case against his etal m

Patrick Barrington (26), of Cloni- na, Cree, Kilrush, was charged with drink driving at Kilrush Road, En- nis, on February 17 last.

Mr Barrington contested the charge at Ennis District court last Thurs- day.

Garda Seamus Gleeson told the court he stopped the accused’s car, a black Lexus, because he noticed a large exhaust on the car.

After he stopped the car, Garda Gleeson said he noticed “strong smell of alcohol” from the accused’s breath. Garda Glesson said he first asked Mr Barrington to produce proof of the vehicle’s insurance.

Garda Gleeson said he also no- ticed that Mr Barrington’s eyes were glazed.

The court was told that analysis of a sample of breath produced by the defendant showed a concentration of 57 mgms of alcohol per 100 mls of lyesrlaee

Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said that contrary to Garda Gleeson’s evidence, his client had insisted that

he had never been asked to pro- duce any documents when he was stopped.

Pointing to his client in the court- room, Mr Hassett said that Mr Bar- rington worked as a welder and as such his eyes often appeared glazed over.

“His red eyes are a result of his pro- fession. He looks like someone who is hungover in here, doesn’t he?” added Mr Hassett.

Mr Hassett said that the fact that Garda Francis Brennan, who was the member in charge at Ennis Garda Station on the night in question was unable to appear in court, amounted to a defect in the State’s case. “I re- serve the right to cross-examine him,” said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan dismissed the charge against Mr Barrington.

She added that the wealth of choice is “something which is highlighted through Ennis Fashion Week. In Ennis, we have plenty of quality boutiques and specialist shops and the choice here is complemented by Limerick, who have the British high street stores. We’re realistic and we work hand-in-hand with Limerick and Shannon to offer people choice. The important thing is that people Support business in the mid-west,” the CEO said.

The Ennis chamber spokeswoman made her remarks in the wake of Limerick Chamber President Sean Lally putting out a strong message to businesses and consumers in the region to play their part.

“We are clearly experiencing a slowdown in the economy and in these more challenging times the tendency can be to focus entirely on your immediate business and lose sight of the greater issue for us all, which is securing the future econom-

ic prosperity of the region. This can be done by supporting local busi- nesses wherever we can and focusing on the positives our region has to of- fer,’ Lally said.

“Our city and region has a huge amount to offer and we hope people will look local first before going else- Where. We have world class busi- nesses located here, excellent leisure facilities and our retail offering has improved immensely in the past few years.”

He added that anyone involved in conference organising need look no further than the mid-west.

“We have all the major hotel brands, and fantastic new facilities that will be on offer at Thomond Park. We have a dedicated conference and sports bureau, Meet Limerick Shan- non, which will facilitate any confer- ences or sporting events that want to come to the region.”

Gerry even put the loo on a raised

platform to try to solve the difficulty, but nothing has worked.

“T contacted the council but I was told that they can put pipes in for me but until they get a new treatment plant, it will be no good to me. And God knows when that plant will hap- pen.”

Gerry maintains he needs the ground-level loo as the other toilets in his home are upstairs “and you don’t want to drag muck through the whole house if you’re working in the garden’.

Senior Executive Council Engineer, Sean Lenihan, said that the problem lies with the fact that the old main drain is shallow near Mr McNama- ra’s home “and the flow is quite slow. When the new pipes are in they will be buried considerably deeper and steeper and the flow away will be faster.”

The engineer said he would inves- tigate prioritising Mr McNamara’s pipe-work, but warned that it might be some time before he can be con- nected.

“We are waiting for approval for the tenders to upgrade the sewerage treatment plant but if we can make his connection live immediately then we will do that as soon as the neces- sary pipe work is done,’ Mr Lenihan said.

THE Department of the Environ- ment has said it is not possible to “ac- curately project” when work on the long awaited Ennis Clarecastle main drainage scheme will be completed.

In a statement issued in response to a number of queries related to the status of the scheme, a spokesperson said the department had approved a preliminary report for the scheme and that construction was expected to commence in 2009.

The spokesperson said, “The En- nis/Clarecastle Sewerage Scheme, which includes the provision of a new wastewater treatment plant, is included in the department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2007 – 2009 as a scheme to start con- struction in 2009.”

“The department has approved

Clare County Council’s preliminary report for the scheme and, subject to some amendments, the council’s brief for the appointment of consult- ants to prepare contract documents for the scheme. It 1s understood that the council is currently preparing a Procurement Assessment Report with a view to finalising the brief and allowing the appointment of consult- ants as soon as possible.”

‘A decision on the council’s budget proposals for the scheme, which were received last April, will shortly be conveyed to the council,” contin- ued the spokesperson.

Concern over the timeline of scheme was raised at a recent meet- ing of councillors representing the Ennis Electoral Area.

At that meeting Town Engineer Tom Tiernan said he did not expect the scheme, which was first proposed

in 1995, to be finished until 2013.

Mr Tiernan also admitted that the limited capacity of Ennis sewage system had forced the council to is- sue refusals to a number of signifi- oF Talis lead ley evento ice

He said the council was consider- ing the development of a temporary treatment facility, estimated to cost €1.5 million. There were calls from a number of councillors for any such facility to be funded by the Depart- ment of the Environment.

However a spokesperson for the department stated, “The department has received no proposals from the council in relation to temporary treatment facilities. Given that there are a number of stages still to be gone through, it is not possible for the department to accurately project at this stage when the scheme will be completed.”