Month: April 2007

A 15-YEAR-OLD boy who has com- mitted a string of offences in Shan- non got “a sharp shock” when he spent two months in custody, his so- licitor told a court.

The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to damaging a car and a number of of- fences relating to the theft of alcohol.

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 in Shannon in No- vember and stealing a mobile phone from Texaco, Shannon, on Septem- lo mPA NE

Defending solicitor Eileen Whelan said her client was using drugs and alcohol at the time of the offences.

She said that a Probation report on the accused, presented to the court, was very positive and concluded that he should be let back into the com- munity.

Ms Whelan said that teachers, psy-

chiatrists, psychologists and various social workers have come together to recommend the boy be put back into the community, albeit under a very strict regime.

‘He has been caught in time. One would hope he would turn out to be a decent citizen,” added the solicitor.

‘He has been in custody for two months. He doesn’t sleep well. He is frightened of it. He’s got the sharp Shock that he needed,’ she added. She said her client would be willing to move out of Shannon, if he was ordered to do so.

Inspector Tom Kennedy, prosecut- ing, said the State would not wish to stand in the way of progress.

“If these recommendations can be advanced, I wouldn’t oppose that,” |atemncrc (On

Compensation, to cover the dam- age to a car and the cost of the stolen items, was presented to the court.

The boy was remanded on bail, with conditions attached, including that he comply with the conditions of the Probation services, sign on daily at Shannon garda station, abide by acurfew and stay away from two named youths in Shannon.

A POLISH national who imported drugs to Ireland for himself and his friends has been jailed for four naLOyeL Ae tce

Polish native Arthur Wypijew- sky (26), who lives in Ennis, pleaded guilty to possession of amphetamine and herbal cannabis and possession of amphetamine for the purpose of sale or supply, at a house on the Limerick Road, Ennis, on November 6 last.

Sergeant John Brennan told Ennis District Court he became aware on November 3 that a package, destined for a house at The Hawthorns, Ennis, had been intercepted by Customs at Dublin Airport.

He obtained a search warrant and subsequently carried out a search of the house.

He found a package there and in- spected it. It contained illegal drugs. These were amphetamines, valued at €3,500, and herbal cannabis, valued 1 eto

The defendant admitted to gardai that the parcel which had arrived from Poland was his.

Defending solicitor William Cahir told the court the package wasn’t ad- dress to his client.

“The address was correct but the name didn’t exist,” he said.

Mr Cahir said his client made ad- missions which “greatly enhanced the case” against him.

“Without it, it would have been a very difficult investigation,” he said, and the garda accepted that.

The solicitor said, “It wouldn’t have been a high brow commercial Operation, an industrial operation as such.”

Sgt Brennan said, “It wouldn’t have been a hugely well organised plan. . . It was significant enough. The drugs were well concealed. Unfortunately for him, they were detected coming through.”

“This man was sourcing illegal drugs in his home country and bring- ing them in. It is my belief they were

for himself and his friends from Po- land who are living here,’ said the yum

Mr Cahir said by pleading guilty, his client saved the State consider- ably trouble and expense.

Wypiewsky has been living in Ireland, on and off, since 2003 and works in a fast food restaurant. He previously spent a year in the army in Poland.

“He wasn’t working last summer and had returned to Poland. He met up with colleagues of his, which unfortunately presented an opportu- nity for him to make some money. Foolishly he followed this through and imported drugs into Ireland,” he said. “He accepts what he did was stupid and reckless,” he said.

He said that the accused’s girl- friend is due to give birth next month and has been hospitalised, due to complications.

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a four-month jail term and fixed recog- nisances in the event of an appeal.

A MAN who stole a bottle of port and a can of cider from a pub in En- nis has been jailed for 30 days.

Polish national Piotr Baran (31), of Mill Road, Ennis, Baran pleaded guilty to entering Cruise’s bar, Ab- bey Street, Ennis, as a trespasser, with intent to stealing alcohol, last Wednesday, March 28.

Garda Andy Monaghan told the court he arrested the accused at the Queen’s Hotel, Ennis, at 11.20am that morning. When charged, he had

nothing to say.

Defending solicitor Gearoid Wil- liams said his client has a serious drink problem.

He said he went into the hotel and this particular bar was being cleaned. He went behind the bar and took a bottle of port and a can of cider, val- ued at €7.40.

Judge Joseph Mangan said he would remand the accused in custo- dy to appear at Ennis District Court on Friday.

Mr Williams replied, “I am charged with stealing €7 worth of drink.

The €7 wasn’t even lost. The door was open, I went in… it is so minor it would be entirely inappropriate to remand (the accused) in custody.”

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a four month jail sentence. The solici- tor asked for this to be suspended.

“This man has just taken €7 worth. The facts that have been proved against him is he did this… A person with a clean record gets four months bear no ee

The judge later reduced the jail term to 30 days and fixed recognisances in the event of an appeal.

IT WAS a mixed week for the Min- ister for the Environment, Dick Ro- che, as hours after he announced that an agreement has been reached on a management protocol for planting in areas that are important for the hen harrier, it emerged that the Na- tional Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has secured a judicial review against him for the alleged failure of the State to prop- erly transpose EU measures for the conservation of birds.

Under the EU Birds Directive Ire- land must designate areas important for particular types of birds as Spe- cial Protection Areas (SAPS). The

National Parks and Wildlife Serv- ice (NPWS), had been considering a number of areas as possible Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas.

Last weeks agreement sees 6 ar- eas being granted Special Protec- tion Areas status including parts of Clare and Galway around the Slieve Aughty Mountains. There is a rela- tively large population of hen har- riers in the Slieve Aughties, with a smaller population located in parts of West Clare.

‘The agreement reached within the Working Group represents a balance between good and sensible environ- mental practice and legitimate desire for sustainable development in these areas,’ said Minister Roche.

“I fully expect that the EU Com- mission will recognize and value the consultative approach that has taken place here and the commit- ment shown by the Forest sector to the conservation requirements for hen harrier.”

Clare General Election candidate, Tony Kileen (FF), also welcomed the decision. “The Slieve Aughty Moun- tains, a common hunting ground for endangered hen harriers, will shortly become one of six areas across Ire- land to be designated as a SPA.”

“The protection of the species has always been a matter of concern for environmentalists and the National Parks and Wildlife Service due to the high level of forestry activity in

the area. However, the introduction of an annual quota of new planting will ensure greater protection for the native hen harriers while allowing for the sustained development of the region.”

Meanwhile, the National Asso- ciation of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) secured a judicial review against Minister Roche last week for the alleged failure of the State to properly transpose EU measures for the conservation of birds.

They claim the High Court action has been brought to stop the licensed hunting of the red grouse and several other protected wild bird species out- side of the game hunting season and during their reproductive cycles.

IRELAND will host a major Agri- cultural Biotechnology International Conference for the very first time in August of 2008.

The conference, which was an- nounced by Teagasc last week, will provide a forum for internationally renowned speakers to address the challenges facing the global biotech- nology industry.

The contract to securing this event for Ireland was signed over the week- end by Professor Jimmy Burke, Head of Teagasc Crops Research Centre.

“This conference offers a great platform to showcase our grow- ing life sciences industries. Various technology Foresight reports for Ire- land have identified biotechnology as one of the core technologies which our country and Irish industry must now embrace,” said Mr Burke.

‘These reports have also identified the agri-food sector as one that can benefit significantly from the tre- mendous potential offered by mod- ern developments in biotechnology.”

The conference will be the largest agricultural biotech conference in the world in 2008 and provides a unique

opportunity for Irish academia and business sectors to discuss the issues, options and challenges being met by the biotechnology industry.

“The four-day event will offer par- ticipants the opportunity to exchange ideas and hear from a distinguished line-up of internationally-acclaimed speakers,’ continued Mr Burke.

“The conference combines the business of science with the latest discoveries and trends in research and technology development, and gives the research and business com- munity opportunities to meet and ex- change ideas. Sessions on the chal-

lenges and opportunities experienced in Australia, Europe, the US, China and Canada will bring a global per- spective to the discussions.

“Environmental and biofuel ap- plications of biotechnology are also very important. As a world class conference, ABIC 2008 is a must-at- tend event for the industry and those interested in it.”

The venue for next year’s Agricul- tural Biotechnology International Coyote seo enUs) (Oem sllmoom im OLS Campus in Cork City. The confer- ence will run from August 24 to 27, PAU eyes

aA so MOL comtleroMW AIIM (oo. instigate legal action against the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG) for the organisations failure to collect more than 3,000 tonnes of farm plastic Jake eemwe-utey

Kilrush man, Jackie Whelan is to send solicitors letters to Sean Campbell of the IFFPG and Portlaoise based contractor Robert Walker demanding €1,000 per week compensation in return for their failure to remove the plastic.

Whelan was contracted to collect farm plastic from the IFFPG in 2005 and 2006. Despite collecting 600 tonnes in 2005 and close to 3,000 last year, only 300 tonnes has to date been removed to date.

Under his agreement with the IFFPG the plastic mountain was to be com- pletely removed by Robert Walker last September.

‘No one ever came to take this plastic from 2005, every last bit of it 1s still in my farm. In 2006 I was contracted by the IFFPG to collect the plastic again.

Clare County Council were helping by setting up collection points and every farmer in the county was given the chance to get rid of the backlog of plas- tic,’ said Mr Whelan.

“The IFFPG told me that all of the plastic would be taken away by last September and that has not happened. I will be sending solicitors letters to the IFFPG and to Waters telling them that I will be charging them €1,000 each a week to store that plastic from April 1.”

A spokesperson from Clare County Council confirmed yesterday that they

had paid 30 per cent of the overall fee for collecting the plastic to Robert Walker but were holding the remaining omen m tie elmsetem einem st-lemeonB ioe moved from Mr Whelan’s premises and recycled.

‘The council understands that there are issues in the onward processing of the plastic collected given the very sig- nificant volumes that were brought to the various collection points through- out the county. This is a matter for the contractor to address. The financial arrangements on the contract are such that Clare County Council will not be paying the contracted sum until such time as all plastic collected has been re- cycled,’ said a council spokesperson.

Contractor Robert Walker told

FEAKLE is to have its own hotel again after almost 10 years with the KOusNMnyeeh analy

A planning application has been lodged to build a €3 million hotel development as well as a retirement village and holiday homes on the site of the old hotel in the village.

The project will create six full-time and up to 30 part-time jobs in the area aS well as generating revenue for local organic suppliers, who will be providing for the restaurant. The development will be able to offer

conference and function facilities, a leisure centre, a café bar/restaurant facility and a maximum of 48 hotel rooms.

The new hotel is the brainchild of brother and sister team, Rory Smyth and Ann Moloney, together with their design team, Annalise Van Harden and Miles Samson.

‘“We’re very pleased with the design and the various uses of the develop- ment and we’re looking forward to getting going with the project,” said Rory Smyth.

SM alompccnencenonlMM SUI L- Rom oeBlO)ImmO)E the new development will allow over-

55s avail of cleaning and firelighting Services, meals in the hotel or deliv- ered to their door, and the use of a communal facilities and the leisure centre at the hotel.

The development will feature a 225sq m café bar/restaurant as well as a 300sq m function room/confer- ence facility and a number of smaller conference/syndicate rooms from 100sq m to 30sq m. The leisure facil- ity includes a gym with sauna, jacuz- Z1 and a number of treatment rooms.

There will be 10 bedroom suites in the main body of the hotel, and it is proposed to build nine holiday homes

attached to the hotel. Each will have four en-suite bedrooms which can be let as individual rooms, giving the hotel a total of 48 rooms.

Feakle native Fr Harry Bohan said, “The loss of the old hotel resulted in many events and functions not only being moved from the area, but in many instances being cancelled al- together. East Clare is recognised as one of the most scenic and unspoiled destinations in the country but it is also accepted as being seriously under-developed, so I welcome the news of the hotel and holiday village re-development.”

KILRUSH farmer, Jackie Whelan, yesterday challenged claims made by the IFFPG that farm plastic was being imported illegally into Ireland.

The IFFPG secured millions of euro in funding from the Department of the Environment to collect illegally imported plastic last year.

Mr Whelan, who operates a glass

recycling company, is planning to set up a farm plastic recycling company to compete with the IFFPG in Clare this year.

‘The farmer was charged for the col- lection of this plastic and the excuse given by the IFFPG was that there was illegal plastic being imported that was not subject to the usual levy. This sim- ply does not hold water. Who do they think is importing it? Who is selling

it? I can’t see it,’ said Mr Whelan.

“T intend to put in place my own plastic recycling company to deal with this plastic and not have to send it to Scotland. If there were two or three recycling plants around Ireland we could recycle all of our plastic over here and not be paying €50 a tonne to have it recycled in Scotland.

“Or we wouldn’t have to be burning up fuel driving it all over the country

to get it recycled.”

Whelan’s claims were yesterday re- futed by Sean Campbell of the IFF- PG.

‘He was telling me about that two years ago and if he was ever going to do something like that he would have done it already. Jackie Whelan might think that he knows something about it but he hasn’t got a clue,” said Camp- ode

THERE was no birthday cake or can- dles but there was still plenty to cel- ebrate when the BurrenLIFE Project (BLP) turned three last week.

Much progress has been made to- wards environmental and economic sustainability in the Burren over the last two years of the project and hope are high that year three will see the BLP make even more progress on a number of goals.

Since Christmas, much of the fo- cus of the organisation has been on a programme of targeted scrub remov- al. This work is designed to protect

the limestone paving of the Burren by opening up stretches of land that have been overrun by scrub.

This allows cattle and sheep to once again graze on the land and prevent the further encrouchment of scrub.

The project has spent more than €150, OOO on scrub removal with €100, OOO been spent in the last three months alone. They have set up a register for skilled and semi- skilled workers which has lead to over 90 workers registering to help with the work.

‘Much progress has been made in the first 2 and half years of operation and the number of farmers interested

in participating in the BLP has ex- CITA Te Ro. qee eet Maer COM NCTC D BUT O Conchuir, Project’s Finance and Operations Officer.

“In recent months we have been extremely busy working with LIFE farmers to enhance livestock man- agement facilities on project sites.

“Direct site work related to scrub removal has been ongoing and inten- sive since the BLP established a Reg- ister of Workers in December.”

The vast majority of these workers are local farmers who have a deep understanding of the work. This has shown that conservation work can economically support local com-

munities and local communities can work to play a role in the active man- agement of the Burren.

According to Dr Sharon Parr, the Project’s Scientific Co-ordinator, the programme of targeted scrub remov- al has greatly assisted participating farmers to open up access for cattle and restore priority habitats to a bet- ter conservation status.

In excess of 20kms of access track- ways have been opened and in excess of 50 hectares of scrub has been re- moved. For further information on the work of the BLP’s and its ongo- ing programme is available on www. eUME ODER CoNee)NOe

According to a report, which was produced by McIver Consulting for An Bord Bia, the amenity horticulture sector has grown by 50 per cent since 2000 while there was a doubling in the value of output in the protected crop Sector, with both of these combined now worth around €120 million to eTowers.

The mushroom and potato sectors

were the largest individual sectors and were valued at EUR106m and BLUR SRO repacyeeshohlAeleeP

“The horticulture industry contrib- utes handsomely to a dynamic rural economy from both an economic and social perspective – it is an efficient industry, well positioned and operated by professional expert growers,” said Minister for Horticulture and Food at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Brendan Smith.

The Department of Agriculture as awarded capital grants in the region of €40 million across the industry to growers, packers and processors since 2000 under the National Development Plan.

‘These investments have gone a long way in putting the horticulture sector on a firm footing and we are commit- ted to carrying on with this support under the new NDP,” he said.

“A key element of this framework is the provision of grants that are strate- gically targeted which will improve the overall development and competi- tiveness of the sector and the Mclver Report will be very helpful in formu- lating the necessary investment pro- feaen abe (oe

Funding of the region of €49 mil- lion is being provided for horticulture producers and €8 million for potato producers in the new NDP to cover the period 2007-2013.

Minister Smith commented that con- siderable support was also available to fruit and vegetable growers under the EU Producer Organisation Scheme. Since 2000, twenty Producer Organi- sations have benefited from EU fund- ing amounting to €24 million.

“My objective in the negotiations is to strengthen the role of POs where- by growers can use their combined strength in the market place to combat the power of the multiples,” he contin- ued.

Minister Smith said that a scheme was currently being discussed by the Council of Ministers in the context of the reform of the Fruit and Vegetable regime.