Month: March 2007

ENNIS’S creaking infrastructure has resulted in the local council refusing planning permission for a €20 mil- lion residential development on land zoned for development.

Last month, Ennis Town Council refused planning permission to Joe McNamara to construct 52 homes and 28 apartments at the Golf Links Road, Ennis, citing the inadequate local sewage infrastructure to cater for the development.

Now, Mr McNamara has appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala. In the appeal, Mr McNamara said, “The council has specifically zoned these lands for residential uses and do have any in principle objection to the proposed land use, density, mix of uses or site layout.

“We believe, therefore, that it is the antithesis of proper planning and development where the developers are endeavouring to secure the im- plementation of the council’s own development plan objectives, but si- multaneously are being stymied on infrastructural issues.

“In this instance, it is particularly unreasonable as there is an entirely

reasonable resolution to their con- cerns. Furthermore, the council’s reference to the prematurity of the proposed foul water strategy is dis- ingenuous, given that the proposal complements the objectives of the Ennis Main Drainage preliminary report.

In the appeal, Mr McNamara’s con- sultant states, “It is our submission that we have provided a comprehen- sive solution to foul water manage- ment in accordance with recognised standards and in accordance with the Ennis Main Drainage Preliminary report, we believe that therefore that the council’s refusal in unjustified.”

The County and Town Develop- ment Plan state that it is the council’s policy to encourage housing develop- ment in designated towns and villag- es where infrastructural and social services exist or are planned.

“The plans aim to consolidate the form of the settlement and stem the excessive spread of ribbon develop- ment.

‘The subject site represents a natu- ral location for the expansion of the town in a sustainable manner.”

A decision is due on the appeal later this year.

CLARE’S county manager, Alec Fleming, has written to the National Roads Authority (NRA) to recom- mend that it proceed with developing a contentious road through the vil- lage of Kilnamona.

The controversy surrounding the route selection for the upgrading of the N85 Ennis to Inagh road has dogged Clare County Council since last November.

A motion by Deputy Mayor Coun-

cillor Brian Meaney that the council proceed with the so-called ‘Purple Route’ precipitated heated debate at the council over a succession of meetings on council procedure.

A recommendation that the coun- cil adopt the “Purple Route’ was re- jected by councillors in 2005 who instead opted for the ‘Red Route’ which would have less disturbance on farmers’ land along the route.

However, the NRA is only willing to fund the ‘Purple Route’ as it is the only route that meets with standard

criteria for road investment.

The issue remained stalled until Cllr Meaney tabled his motion last November and, as a result of the con- troversy, Mr Fleming has sent off a nine-page memo to Karina Downes, Regional Manager with the NRA out- lining the background to the current situation. In it, Mr Fleming admits that he should never have brought the report for approval before the coun- cillors in 2005.

In the letter — circulated to council- lors — Mr Fleming states, “From my

perspective as County Manager, I now realise that our action in bring- ing the draft route selection report before the council was not a neces- sary part of the process.

“In appointing consultants to carry out a constraints study and a route selection report including public con- sultation, the council was essentially acting on behalf of the NRA.

“It is, therefore, appropriate for me as County Manager to consider the route selection report and provided that I am satisfied with it, to submit

it to the authority along with the completed phase three route selec- tion questionnaire. It then becomes a matter for the authority to consider and approve the report if appropri- aioe

“It would then become a proposal from the NRA. It is at that stage that the local authority, in its capacity as a roads authority, 1s empowered under Section 22 of the Roads Act to make representations to the NRA.

Mr Fleming now asks the NRA to proceed with the ‘Purple Route’.

AMERICAN Airlines has = an- nounced it plans to reinstate direct daily services from Shannon to its Chicago hub throughout the 2007 summer schedule.

The move will mean boosting car- go capacity from Ireland and bring- ing important revenue into the Clare airport.

The new direct services from Shan- non will start on May | using B7/57 aircraft to complement the airline’s existing daily B767 Dublin-Chicago

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The latter will now operate direct once again as they did in summer 2006, dropping their winter 2006 Shannon stop.

A spokeswoman for the Airport Authority said that the decision by AA 1s to be welcomed. “It shows that they believe there is a market here for the direct flight and that they have confidence in us. We are very happy with the announcement.”

Fine Gael TD Pat Breen has wel- comed the news from American Air- lines that it will be increasing cargo

capacity from Shannon. Deputy Breen said the announcement was “a vote of confidence in Shannon by the US-owned airline and demonstrated the potential of the cargo business between the US and Shannon.”

All American Airline flights from Ireland arrive midway through the same day, allowing for fast transfers onto its extensive US network, or ur- gent local deliveries.

American Airlines Cargo is rep- resented in Ireland by IAM, whose MD Ian McCool says, “2007 has got off to a flying start for American

THE Government remains commit- ted to increasing resources for spe- cial education and reducing primary school class sizes, according to Min- ister for Labour Affairs and Clare TD, Tony Killeen. The Mu£nister’s comments follow the announcement by Minister for Education and Sci- ence, Mary Hanafin, TD that over €3.6m has been approved for build- ing projects in 10 schools around Orie

Minister Killeen continued, “To- day’s announcement, which has been made under the devolved accommo- dation programmes, enables Clare’s schools to manage their own projects in delivering on additional accom- modation they themselves have iden- tified as being required. The funding allocation of €3,612,000 will allow

Airlines Cargo in Ireland, with new traffic from new agents.

‘The decision to maintain the Shan- non service during winter 2006 paid off handsomely. Although capacity was reduced, the agents in the west still had a daily service throughout the last quarter peak period, without the need to truck to Dublin.

‘Now that we have additional ca- pacity once again, the loyalty we have built up will certainly help us to win a larger market share.”

Sixty per cent of AA cargo from Ireland now flies on the airline’s di-

for the provision of additional class- rooms and rooms for special edu- cation, therefore contributing to a reduction in class sizes. The various projects, which have been identified by the schools in question, will also lead to a modernisation of school buildings and facilities.”

Minister Killeen said he was de- lighted to learn that St Flannan’s National School in Inagh is to benefit from today’s announcement.

“St Flannan’s National School cur- rently boasts a first-class autism unit which provides an invaluable serv- ice to Inagh and surrounding areas. I] have made numerous representa- tions on behalf of the school in the past and I am delighted to see that it is to benefit under the Government’s permanent accommodation scheme, ’

rect flights, although [AM continues to offer additional capacity using nightly express road feeders to the airline’s London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester gateways, from which AA operates a total of 129 flights per week to the USA.

American Airlines is the world’s largest airline. American, American Eagle and the American Connection airlines serve 250 cities in more than 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 air- evan

Minister Killeen said.

“Under the Small Schools Scheme, there is a good geographical spread of schools. The funding alloca- tion will allow for modernisation works to take place at Rineen Na- tional School, Ruan Central National School, Kilnamona National School, Clooney National School, Clondri- nagh National School, Ballycar Na- tional School, St Augustine’s Nation- al School in Kilshanny, St Cronan’s National School and Cree National School.

‘All the schools approved for fund- ing under these initiatives will be contacted directly by the Building Unit of the Department of Educa- tion and Science,’ Minister Killeen AYO CO(oren

THE generosity of a group of Shan- non workers is set to greatly enhance the lives of several children in the mid-west.

Workers at Genworth Financial in the Industrial Estate in Shannon raised €6,/00, through a variety of events last year. They have donated this money to The Blue Box Crea- tive Learning Centre.

The Blue Box is an innovative charity, which provides support to young people and their families,

through creative therapies.

Genworth selected The Blue Box as its charity partner for 2006. A committee of six people organised various events and everybody was keen to get involved, in some way.

Among the fundraisers organised included a Valentine’s Day cake sale, children’s art competition on St Patrick’s Day, a mini marathon, table quiz and Christmas card com- petition. Groups of staff also took part in a 10k in Limerick walk last SLennapas lore

Committee member Toni McDon-

agh said the 300-strong staff at the company are keen to help various charities.

“We adopt a different charity every year and try to raise funds through- out the year,” she said.

“The art competition involved the children of people who work here. Everybody gets involved,” she said.

The organisers were thrilled to raise so much money. The aim is to collect €5,000 every year, but this was surpassed last year.

“We aim for €5,000. If we get more than that, it is a bonus. We

were very proud to have supported The Blue Box. We aim to reach out in our community, give back to 1m- portant local causes and have lots of fun along the way,” said Ms McDon- agh.

Last year, the Blue Box was chosen after a vote. Staff were all invited to make suggestions on who should benefit from the money raised throughout the year and The Blue Box came up trumps last year.

This year, the staff have voted to make donations to Bluebell ABA, which is a pre-school for autistic

children in the mid-west.

‘Parents have got together and set up the pre-school. It is based in Ra- heen, Limerick. We heard about it, through work and picked it out, to donate our money raised this year,’ added Ms McDonagh.

Bluebell opened its doors in March 2004 and caters for autistic children homey vue Ceber be

Its aim is to help move children into mainstream education and the staff at Genworth are optimistic that their effort will go a long way in helping those children.

THE people of Sixmilebridge and Kilmurry are being encouraged to attend the parish mission which will get underway on Sunday.

The six-day programme will spring into action on Sunday evening and will continue through until Friday. A number of events for young and old people will be part of the programme throughout the week.

According to the organisers, the event is about welcome, renewal and

community in Sixmilebridge and aims to involve everybody. A group of 50 people gathered last week and they were divided into groups, where they travelled to homes in the par- ish and encouraged people to attend some of the events throughout the ete

Organiser David Deighan said there have been huge changes in the parish in recent years and this will be reflected during the mission.

“So many new people have come to live in the parish, while others

have lived in the parish all their lives, or come here over the years. It is all about bonding together, in an annual event. We have a new par- ish priest – Fr Harry Bohan – and the church has been redeveloped in re- cent years. A lot of things have hap- pened,” he said.

The mission will be led by Fr Tony Flannery and teacher Ann O’Toole. Fr Flannery is a Redemptorist priest who is well known for his human- ity and is a man gifted in connect- ing Christian values to real life. Ms

O’Toole is a young person who has taken time away from the classroom to participate in the mission work.

“The Mission guarantees at least a welcome to all to come. Every per- son in the parish is invited to take a little time out and come a along,’ said Mr Deighan.

“Hopefully we will have a full church every night,” he added.

The mission will start on Sunday evening with an opening celebration and welcome. Christ the Healer is the title of Monday’s event, while the

Rite of Reconciliation will take place on Tuesday evening. Young people are being encouraged to attend Youth Night on Wednesday while the par- ish’s deceased will be remembered on Thursday night. There will be a finale and close of mission on Friday night. All of the events will start at 7.30pm, with the final night’s events getting underway at 7pm.

During the Mission Week there will be daily morning Mass in Sixmileb- ridge Church at 7am and 10am and in Kilmurry Church at 8.30am.

A SHANNON teacher has received the major honour of being granted a Fellowship to study for her Masters Degree at a US University.

Sarah Burke (25), from Tullyvarra- ga, Shannon, is a teacher at St Tola’s national school in her home town. She graduated with a BA (English and Geography) and Graduate D1- ploma in Education from Mary Im- maculate College in Limerick two years ago. Her outstanding results in the Graduate Diploma caught the at- tention of Frostburg State University in Maryland, who chose her to study

for her Masters in Education there. She is the only Irish person to have been selected by the University to spend a year there.

The University will also pay all of her fees, during her year-long stud- ies. Her studies will commence in August and she will be given the choice between Special Needs Edu- cation or Children’s Literacy, as her specialist area.

“The course is fully recognised by the Department of Education and I was chosen based on rank, order and merit. It is all to do with where you finish in the class and your work throughout the Graduate Diploma in

Education,” she said.

Sarah is hoping to use this oppor- tunity to do a bit of travelling around the States, but admits she will miss her parents Catherine and Albert. However she is hopeful that they will take some time out to visit her during the 12-month spell.

“I was delighted, but shocked to be chosen. I am a little bit nervous. I haven’t travelled for any extensive time before. A year away is daunt- ing, but itis an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. Everyone is delighted for me. I really want to make the most of this,’ she said.

Sarah is currently in her second

year teaching at St Tola’s, where she has secured permanent employment, and has been delighted that she can take a year out from teaching, to travel overseas.

“I teach 28 junior infants and love Tola’s. The job will still be here after the year,’ she said.

She has received fantastic support from the principal at Tola’s, Kevin Hehir, and all the staff at the school, who have supported her.

‘The staff are so proud. They think this is great and are delighted for me. They have been brilliant. This is such a great opportunity to see so many different places,” said Sarah.

WOLFE Tones GAA Club has launched a major fundraising ini- tiative, to pay the cost of installing floodlights at its main pitch.

A special *300 Club’ has been launched, where 300 people are be- ing asked to pay €240, over a two- year period.

The club’s officers say that the pro- vision of the floodlights 1s seen as an important addition to the excellent range of facilities being offered to existing and future members.

Work will shortly commence on the project, for which planning permis- sion has already been secured, and

the lights are to be in place during the summer.

“The floodlighting involves a sig- nificant financial commitment, and Wolfe Tones is launching a special ‘300 Club’, with all the proceeds going towards this project,” said the club’s Outdoor Facilities Officer Pat O’Connell.

He said that the club’s facilities need to be constantly updated and enhanced, in order to compete with other sports and recreational ameni- lene

“In urban areas, in particular, there is intense competition for the atten- tion of young people and we have to ensure that our playing fields and

other facilities are of the highest Standard,” he said.

He stressed, however, that there is still an urgent need for involvement by parents and other community members in the club.

“Facilities alone will not suffice. With the modern lifestyle and wide choice of leisure outlets, a huge ef- fort is required by Wolfe Tones mem- bers, to ensure the success of the club in the future,” he said.

Gerry McIntyre is co-ordinating the °300 Club’ for Wolfe Tones, while a committee is also involved.

Draws will be held monthly, from May 7, for two years, with prizes each month totalling €1,200. For

those who pay for Year | 1n advance, there will be a special draw on May 7 for two bonus prizes of weekend holiday breaks.

Patrons can pay €240 at the start, to cover the 24 draws, or €120 prior to Draws 1 and 13.

Alternatively, they can opt for monthly direct debits of €10 for 24 rneCOyel etsy

‘300 Club’ forms are available from the Wolfe Tones Goalpost Club- house or via email at wolfe-tones- shannon @clare.gaa.ie.

Members of the Wolfe Tones 300 Club Committee will also be in con- tact with all club members in the coming weeks to explain the details.

PREPARATIONS are well underway in Gort for this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade which looks likely to be the biggest most exciting in years. Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the parade with thou- sands more to watch from the streets and square of the town.

The first thing about our parade is that it actually be on St Patrick’s Day, on the Saturday, where lot of other parades will be held on the Sunday,’ said organiser Padraig Giblin.

‘The parade will start from Church Street after 12 o’clock mass on Sat- urday with the dispersal of the sham- rock by the FCA troop. It will be led this year by the Tulla Pipe band

under the direction of Sean Leamy. They have been taking part in our parade for years and we are always delighted to see them taking part.

“From there the parade will go down the lower side of the square, down Bridge Street, George Street, turn at the old vocational school and return to Church Street via the Upper Square.”

This years parade will see a number groups taking part for the first time while many of the old favorites will also be present.

“Francis Linnane from Gort will lead the vintage cars and tractors at the parade. People love looking at the older pieces of machinery and they always prove very popular,’ contin- ued Padraig.

‘This year we will have a display of trashing which will take place in the square which should be very inter- esting. We are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved and especially people from the Bra- Zilian community. We are hoping to have at least one group of Brazilian musicians involved in the parade.

There will be live stationary enter- tainment at the square both before and after the parade. The Bradley- Scanlan School of Dancing will provide a display of step dancing at the square while a group of local set dancer and mummers will be led by Marian Cahill-Collins.

There will also be a craft market and food fair to keep the revelers sus- tained throughout the celebration.

One person from each group taking part in the parade will also be grant- ed access to the viewing stand where they will be able to view the parade from the best possible vantage point.

For more information or to confirm your participation contact secretary Trish Buckley at 091 632754.

RETURNING by very popular de- mand, the Corofin Drama Society will stage one final production of the Rape of the Belt this Saturday evening before taking the play on the Festival Circuit.

Such was the reaction to the three successful performances of the Benn W Levy comedy last month that the eroup have decided to allow local audiences one last look before they loyun trees iOemBelomKey-lem

“It is based on the ancient Greek story of Hercules and and his 12 la- bours. His ninth task was to steal the belt of the Amazons,’ said director Marianna Shonemann. The Amazons

are always portrayed as being fierce and harsh women but when he meets them he finds them very charming.

‘This makes it much harder for him to fulfill him tasks and lead to a lot of the comedy in the play.”

Following the Corofin date, the group face a busy schedule of the fes- tival circuit with five performances in the month of March.

First up 1s Doonbeg March 12 be- fore performances in Shercock and Cootehill in Cavan on March 20 and 21.

Next up is a return to Clare to take part in the Scariff Festival on March 23 before rounding off the tour in Charleville, County Cork on March oF

“We try to bring a three act play on the circuit each year,’ continued Marianna. “It’s great to get the play out to a wider audience and to al- low more people to come and see it. There is also a lot that we can learn JUuO)ooMoyUba-an steam LMmO em se low Ker-\em-TICMolor ing how other groups do it.

‘There are a number of people who are getting involved in a play for the first time with this production. Peo- ple like PJ Cox, his sister Sandra and Majella Dooley this is their first production and they have been great. We have also paid special attention to the costumes and set and people have been commenting on how good they are.”

Written in the late 1950’s, The Rape

of the Belt is an entertaining comedy based in Ancient Greece. It tells the tale of Hercules’ ninth labour where he has to take the ceremonial royal belt from the Queen of the Ama- ZONS.

The Amazons have a perfect king- dom, full of peacefully creative women, where the men (only a hand- ful) are kept apart as slaves, and used solely for breeding. All the while the Gods Zeus and Hera watch on which interest.

THE dangers of home heaters have been highlighted after a pensioner lost his life in a blaze at an Ennis house over the weekend.

Michael Moloney (67) died from smoke inhalation after an electrical bar heater toppled at his home, in Ashfield Park on the Gort Road in Ennis, on Friday afternoon.

He was a native of Knockanena, Caher, in East Clare, and had lived in Ennis for a number of years.

Mr Moloney, a single man, is un-

derstood to have died as a result of inhaling smoke fumes, after a bar heater toppled and set carpet in his bedroom on fire.

His body was discovered on the floor of his bedroom, near the heater, by another resident of the house, at around 4pm.

The fire is understood to have bro- ken out a short time earlier. Another tenant of the house was in another bedroom at the time, but he did not sustain injuries.

A post-mortem examination of Mr Moloney’s body took place at Limer-

ick Regional Hospital yesterday, the initial results of which indicate he died due to smoke inhalation.

Mr Moloney is survived by his brother and two sisters, who live in East Clare. He is to be laid to rest to- day (Tuesday).

Gardai investigating Mr Moloney’s death are not treating it as suspicious. “We are happy there was no foul play. We are treating this as an accident,” said a garda spokesman.

The county’s fire officers have stressed the importance of assem- bling a plan, in an effort to ensure

fires do not destroy lives. They strongly advocate the use of smoke alarms and to plan an escape drill, in the event of a fire.

Senior Fire Officer in Clare, Denis O’Connell is warning people to be vigilant when using heaters.

He said heaters with a naked flame require high levels of vigilance and clothes should not be placed near Wetoeee

“We recommend people use oil- filled heaters, as there is no naked flame involved. There is a certain level of safety required in any heat-

ing system that has a naked flame,” he said.

He is warning people to be mindful of the potential dangers of heaters.

“People should use smoke detec- tors. Fires should be guarded, elec- tric units should be switched off and chimneys should be swept twice a year,’ he said.

“The people most at risk from fire deaths are elderly people living alone,” he pointed out.

He said when they inspect homes, fire officers in Clare do not recom- mend the use of naked flame heaters.