Month: January 2008

A DRIVE to raise more _ than €200,000 for the Quin school field fund is to move to a new level, with the launch of a major initiative.

The Scoil na Mainistreach school development committee has _ pur- chased a field, at a cost of £100,000. It will cost another €100,000 to de- velop the pitch and the local commu- nity will have to foot the majority of

the bill.

While half of the total money nec- essary has already been raised, the remaining €100,000 still have to be collected. With this in mind, the committee will hold a *Who wants to be a Thousandaire’ in The Clare Inn hotel on April 18 next.

At a meeting last week, it was de- cided that parents on the committee would seek sponsorship, along with selling tickets for the event, at a cost

of €15 each.

A similar fundraiser raised up to €50,000 last year in Sixmilebridge. Scou na Mainistreach principal Ann Fitzpatrick is optimistic that this event will match that and is appeal- ing to everyone to contribute.

“There has been tremendous sup- port for the development and it will be a great resource for the commu- nity,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.

It is hoped that the field will be

ready for use next September and will be open to the community, along with the school.

“We will be allowing as much ac- cess as possible to the community, controlled access,” she said.

“Tt will be the only field of its type in the village. It is a resource for the community, as well as the school,” said the principal.

The pitch development is part of a three-year plan, launched in 2006.

A HOSPITAL for Shannon, the rail link and the future of the airport are among the main issues on the minds of the people of Shannon.

That’s according to the Shannon Area Network, which is a collective gathering, open to all community and voluntary groups in Shannon, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Sixmilebri- dge, Kilmurry and parts of Cratloe. It is one of five area networks across the county.

As the group prepares for its AGM on Thursday night – at the Bunratty Castle Hotel – Chairman of the Shan- non Area Network, Pat Gaughran, 1s

appealing to local groups to get in- volved with it and voice their opin- eyes

There are up to 500 voluntary and community organisations in_ the county and the Shannon Area Net- work has up to 150 members.

Mr Gaughran said the network or- ganised a very interesting discussion last year, but regrettably, it was not well attended. “It was dealing with the future of Shannon and asking the question ‘Where do we go from here?,” said Mr Gaughran.

The discussion was focused on a number of issues, including tourism, jobs and a rail link for Shannon.

“We were disappointed with the at-

tendance. We would appeal to people to come out to our events this year,” he added.

A schedule of events and discus- sions for the forthcoming year will be put together after the AGM and the committee is hopeful that many people will attend the various fora.

“We are asking people to come out and have their voices heard. We can only bring forward to the County Development Board the issues they raise. We can highlight things that need to be highlighted,” he said.

The network’s members have a number of interests, he said.

“The rail link has been a big one, along with the airport. A hospital

for Shannon was a priority, but it has been put on the back burner. We hope to get that going,” he said.

Dr Paula Russell, of University College Dublin, will attend the AGM and will speak to those in attend- ance, as part of research she is carry- ing out. Her research, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, 1s based on sustainable rural develop- ment. The views of those present at the AGM will be taken into consid- eration by her, in her project.

The key posts on the network com- mittee will be filled at the AGM. Be- sides Mr Gaughran, the main posts are currently filled by Richard Cahill (secretary) and PJ Ryan (PRO).

THE positive response to the pur- chase of a defibrillator for Newmar- ket-on-Fergus has opened up the possibility of a second one being PYOe LUNN KSxOE

The village’s first defibrillator – which provides assistance to those who collapse due to cardiac arrest – was bought last September and a team of 15 people have been avail- able to operate it, on a rota basis.

While it has not yet been called

into use, the organising committee is delighted to have acquired it and are now looking at possibly buying a second one.

In conjunction with the purchase of the defibrillator, a local branch of the Irish Red Cross was set up in the village, through which those on the rota were trained. Chairwoman of the committee Mary Woods said the current system is working well.

“It has been so far so good. The person who is on duty holds it in his/ her home and is ready to go imme-

diately if a call comes in,” said Ms Woods.

“People are very positive about it being there and people realise the value of it. Its success depends on people knowing about it. If they don’t know it’s there, it is not going to be able to access the service.

‘There has been no actual require- ment for it, which is what you want in one way. Hopefully it will be suc- cessful if it’s needed,’ she added.

A churchgate collection will take place in churches in the Newmar-

ket-on-Fergus area this weekend. The proceeds of this will go towards retraining the committee members, along with possibly purchasing a second defibrillator.

While the first defibrillator was purchased by Obair and the training provided by the Red Cross, the cost of a second one would be in the re- gion of €3,000.

“The churchgate collection money will go towards funding the future development of the project,’ said Ms Woods.

THE new Kilrush Chamber of Com- merce president Paul J Coady has one over ridding ambition for the coming year – to make the local chamber big- ger and better.

Like his predecessor – Karen Whe- lan – the Limerick born Munster Group Director wants to increase membership of the busy chamber and get people more involved.

Last year was one of the most suc- cessful to date to encourage people to join the chamber.

Although attendance at the month- ly meetings was low the chamber came out in support of the numerous projects in the town.

The busy chamber has led the way with the St Patrick’s Day Parade,

Santa’s Den, chamber dinner dance, Spirit of Kilrush Christmas lighting project, parking refund initiative, Law and Order Committee and the pre-Christmas shopping promotion.

Mr Coady said he is determined to follow on the good work of his predecessors and build on the strong foundations already in place.

Paul Coady is no stranger to organ- isations in Kilrush.

Although a relatively new face to the chamber in recent years, he was secretary of the Kilrush Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s.

Not one to shy away from com- munity involvement Paul has been involved with organisations and groups in his adopted home of Kiul- rush for years.

He was president of the Kilrush L1-

ons Club, captain of the Kilrush Golf Club and has just finished a two-year stint as president of the golf club.

“IT thought this year I would have a free year but I got nabbed for this,” he said.

Although the year as president is very busy Paul is looking forward to it and is happy to be part of a vibrant chamber.

“I work in the business community. I felt a need to continue the develop- ment of Kilrush as a vibrant business town and continue on with the work of the previous presidents.”

The president realises that 2008 is likely to be one of the busiest ever for the chamber. Added to the busy schedule is further development in the town, including the planned de- velopment of the marina.

‘“Shannonside building supplies is one of the fastest growing businesses in Ireland,” he added.

A feasibility study is also taking place for more advance or warehouse units on the Cooraclare road point- ing to a developing economy for the west Clare capital.

‘There seems to be a lot of interest in Kilrush,” said Mr Coady.

The new president has split most of his working life between Ennis and Kilrush, firstly as a director of Shannonside Insurance and now as a director of the Munster Group.

He lives in Kilrush with his wife and three children.

Mr Construction, but neither of the chart toppers are likely to be as big a hit with the people of Kilrush as the RNLI calendar.

The fundraising object has a spe- cial calendar pin-up in local curate Fr Michael Collins, who is one of just two Irish people to make it on to the RNLI fundraising calendar.

The only other Irish member is a lady from Ballycotton.

Fr Collins has been a crewmember with Kilrush lifeboat station for two years.

His involvement began when the station invited him to look around. It was an inspirational visit that made his mind up to volunteer.

Despite his comparatively short time as a crewmember, he’s had his fair share of drama, particularly the rescue of a family of five whose boat had capsized and was drifting out to sea.

Fr Collins will feature on the cal- endar for the month of July, making him a household name in homes and offices around Ireland and Britain.

The calendar has been on sale since

late last year on the RNLI website or from its catalogue.

As a sea faring town, Kilrush has always been a huge supporter of the RNLI providing funds to maintain the life boat and people for its crew.

The “Rose West’ lifeboat has car- ried out great work for years provid- ing vital assistance to seafarers from Kilbaha to Limerick.

The 30 strong crew are trained and retrained for every eventuality.

The members of the RNLI meet once a week and take part in dilf- ferent exercises with the lifeboat. In case of an emergency a beeper alerts all the crew within a seven-mile ra- dius who make their way to the life- boat station, change and be on the water within eight minutes.

The first three to arrive set out on the boat, one person stays in the sta- tion to assist the crew with any direc- tions. Others open the doors to the lifeboat and see it safely to the sea.

All from 18 to 45 are welcome to ove

THE east Clare economy is to receive a massive boost with a health farm resort, formerly jointly owned by Paschal Carmody, to be transformed into a multi-million euro mixed use integrated tourism, recreational and commercial development.

For a number of years, the former doctor and his wife, Dr Frieda Car- mody, operated a health farm at Ti- narana House on the shores of Lough Derg at Islandcosgry, Ogonnelloe.

However, the couple sold their property in summer 2006 in a multi- million euro deal to a Limerick city investor and businessman for an un-

disclosed sum.

Tinarana House resort and spa is set on almost 300 acres near Killa- loe. Last week, the new owners of the prestigious property, Tinarana Ltd., published a planning notice outlining the scale of the proposal for Tinarana House and the lands.

The biggest single investment in the east Clare economy in a number of years, the planning application involves the extension of the exist- ing commercial operation and refur- bishment of Tinarana House, which is a protected structure to include an apart-hotel comprising of 30 two bedroom accommodation suites.

The refurbishment of ‘Tinarana

House will also include multi-pur- pose banqueting, a function/confer- ence facilities and a spa and wellness oon anes

The development is to also include the provision of 155 two bed short term accommodation units and a 18 hole championship golf course that will include a clubhouse, restaurant and bar facilities within the proposed extension of Tinarana House.

The proposal also includes the de- velopment of an equestrian holiday centre comprising of indoor and out- door equestrian areas that includes 20 horse stables.

The plan coincides with Clare County Council putting in place a

number of economic stimuli to aid the east Clare economy.

Earlier this year, the council stated that the construction of a new €30 million bridge across the River Shannon south of Killaloe would commence in two years.

The provision of the long antici- pated bridge will see the end of the traffic gridlock in the heritage towns of Killaloe and Ballina.

The council is also progressing a €2million amenity scheme for the Ballycuggeran area adjoining Lough Derg. It has revealed that provision has been made in the 2008 budget for the preparation of a Lough Derg Marina Tourism Plan.”

A 29-year-old man charged in con- nection with an alleged arson attack at a house in Ennis last year has been remanded on continuing bail.

Stephen McGuire with an address at Pine Grove, Ennis, faces one count of arson arising out of an incident on October 18 last.

In court last Friday, Inspector Tom Kennedy informed Judge Joseph Mangan that a file on the matter was still with the Director of Public Pros- ecutions and that the State was seek- ing a further adjournment.

Solicitor for the accused Tara God- frey applied to the court to have the matter marked “peremptory against

the State” if the book of evidence was not available at the next hear- ing. This means that the judge could strike out the charge if the State fails to lodge the book of evidence by that CF Ken

Ms Godfrey asked the court to be mindful that her client had already appeared in court seven times in re- FIR (oye com satom eer litem

Inspector Kennedy said gardai were still awaiting forensic reports and results of tests carried out at the scene and said such reports could take time to be completed.

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned it until March and said he would mark the matter peremptory against the SIF Kee

A MAN caught urinating in a door- way in Ennis told gardai his name was ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ follow- ing his arrest, a court has heard.

Aidan O’Connell (24) of Consid- ine Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis was arrested at 12.l5am on January 23 last, after a Garda patrol observed him urinating in a doorway in Ennis town centre.

Garda Ian Kenefick told Ennis Dis- trict Court that the accused was very intoxicated and had to be assisted by gardai. He was taken to Ennis Garda Station where he was asked for his name. Garda Kenefick said after the

third time of asking, the accused re- plied, “Baa Baa Black Sheep”.

Gardai later established the man’s identity after finding a credit union card in his pocket.

Mr O’Connell is charged with be- ing intoxicated in public and with failing or refusing to give his name and address when asked.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client had no memory of the incident and wanted to apologise to gardai. Ms Godfrey said her client was “a young man who has lost his way and was in a “rut.”

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the matter, for preparation of a pro- bation report.

A GALWAY man has appeared in court, charged with dangerous driv- ing causing the death of Ennis busi- nessman Howard Flannery last year.

Michael Dillon (37) from Puirin, Inverin, County Galway, appeared before Ennis District Court on Fri- day in connection with a road acci- dent at Ballysallagh West, Newmar- ket-on-Fergus, on June 3, 2007.

Mr Flannery (39), of Cahercalla Road, Ennis, died after he was struck by a vehicle while he was cycling along the Newmarket-on-Fergus

bypass near Carrigoran on the after- noon of Sunday, June 3, last year.

Mr Flannery, who was in training for a triathlon due to take place later that month, had been cycling with a companion on the hard shoulder When the collision took place. Mr Flannery died at the scene while his friend escaped injury.

Mr Flannery was well known in business and sporting circles and was a former boxing champion. He had run several marathons and in 2005 established The Clare Crusad- ers charity which has raised over €150,000 for cerebral palsy since its

inception.

In court on Friday, solicitor for the accused Vincent Shields applied for free legal aid for his client. He said Mr Dillon was not working at Kole

Judge Joseph Mangan granted the application approving Mr Shields as solicitor as well as a junior and sen- OMe LUN To) B

Judge Mangan sent the accused forward for trial to the next sitting of Ennis Circuit Court. Mr Dillon was released on his own bail of €2,000.

A YOUNG motorist who a garda saw ‘executing sharp turns’ in a Kilkee carpark has been convicted of care- less driving.

Brendan Behan (20), a trainee me- chanic, of Donoughboy, Kilkee, was charged, arising out of an incident on the evening of June 3, 2007.

Garda Gary Laide told Kilkee Dis- trict Court last Tuesday that Behan was “executing sharp turns” in the East End carpark at Dough, Kilkee.

“There was lots of gravel being thrown up and he was braking heav-

ily. There were lots of cars parked in the carpark and children walking. It was dangerous,’ he said.

He accepted there were “no wheel- ies’ but added “there were sharp athe knee

Defending solicitor Joe Chambers said his client would say “there was no risk to anybody. There was grav- el moved but it wasn’t in a reckless manner.”

Judge Joseph Mangan asked how long did the incident last and was told by the garda “no more than 30 seconds.”

He imposed a fine of €1,000.