Month: February 2008

THE Department of the Environ- ment has stated that a €100 million plan to convert a Killaloe health spa into one of the country’s leading re- sorts could have a negative impact on the Lough Derg Special Protection Area (SPA).

Former Killaloe doctor Paschal Carmody and his wife, Dr Freida Carmody sold Tinarana House to Limerick developers, Joe Hanrahan and John Shee in a multi-million euro deal.

Tinanara Ltd plans to convert the building into an integrated tourism, recreational and commercial devel-

opment. The developers state that 200 jobs will be created when the centre becomes operational, while a further 200 jobs will be generated during the construction phase.

The plan includes the refurbish- ment of Tinarana House; an 18-hole championship golf course; a spa and wellness centre; a 32-bedroom aparthotel; multi-purpose banquet- ing, function/conference facilities; 155 two bedroom short term accom- modation units and an equestrian holiday village

An Environmental Impact State- ment (EIS) is being lodged with the application and Tinarana Ltd are estimating that the resort will con-

tribute €30 million to the regional economy every year and €8 to €10 million to the local economy.

As part of the scoping process for the EIS, the developers contacted the Department of the Environment and An Taisce for their views on the project prior to the plans being lodged.

Inresponse, the department claimed that the development had the poten- tial to have “significant negative impacts on Lough Derg SPA and its conservation objectives, particularly at construction stage.”

The department and An _ Taisce have yet to lodge submissions to Clare County Council.

However the developers maintain that the proposal is a realisation of a unique development opportunity afforded by the natural and historic characteristics of the property.

They say the proposal is similar to the concept of Doonbeg golf club, but unlike Doonbeg is not a green- field development, but is similar to Dromoland Castle in that it will be an extension of an existing commer- cial and tourism related product.

Clare developers, Sean Lyne, who iS an investor in

NATIONAL honours will be be- stowed on a rural community in east Clare when seven young ladies take part in a All-Ireland talent competi- tion next week.

Seven members of the Lough- geraney Youth Club in Flagmount will participate in a national variety competition, organised by the Youth Council.

The event, which will see the girls sing a variety of songs, will take place in Maynooth on Saturday.

The girls got through to this stage of the competition, having been suc- cessful at both county and regional levels.

The seven – Cassie Comerford, Vasthi Curran, Ciara McNamara, Lorraine Moloney, Alanna Moro-

ney, Caoimhe Ryan, Sharon Keane – will sing a variety of songs, focus- ing mainly on folk and traditional music.

Fiddle player Colin McNamara also got through to the Munster finals, where he did his club proud.

They entered the competition under the auspices of their local youth club, which was set up last year and are tutored by Veronica Ni Chuilleagain from Bodyke.

Chairperson of the youth club Kathleen McNamara said young people are actively encouraged to get involved in events in the local com- munity.

“Young people have a lot to offer in the community. We have a lot of community projects ongoing. It is important for people to have owner- ship of the community,” she said.

“We had nothing in the area for so long, no community centre, no meet- ing point,’ said Ms McNamara.

“What brought the youth club on was having the childcare centre. It gave us a new lease of life,’ she ANOe(cre

“You have to have something for the youth,” she said.

The youth club is headed up by a variety of leaders – both adults and young people in the area. The club has 30 members, aged between 12 and 17.

SW stereo mca vek moter roe DUE ous activities, including fundraising initiatives along with fun events. They took to the streets of Galway last Christmas, where they engaged in carol singing, raising money for the Share A Dream Foundation in the process.

Next weekend’s event in Maynooth will be followed by an activity week- end for the club, from March 7 to 9, when the club visits Petersburg out- door recreation centre in Mayo.

Along with Ms McMahon, among those involve in the running of the club are Hillary Dully (secretary), Regina McCormack (assistant sec- retary), Tom Fitzpatrick (vice chair- man), Mary Kenny (treasurer) and Margaret Curran (assistant treasur- er). A number of youths in the area are represented on the committee – Eoin and Stephen Kenny, Sinead Reilly and Lorraine Moloney.

CHILDREN attending the gaels- coil in Shannon were given the chance to enjoy a personal tour of their local garda and fire stations last week!

Twenty-one infants from Gaels- coil Donncha Rua, accompanied by their teacher Aisling Harnett and one of their parents Geraldine Hickey, were given guided tours of both venues.

Their school principal Eamonn

Bromell decided to request the visits, amid enthusiasm among the youngsters, who were keen to learn how both services operated.

Their first port of call was the fire Station, where Richie Sunderland gave them a tour of the building and a close-up look at the fire engines.

This tour lived up to the eager childrens’ expectations and they then took in the garda station.

Garda Sean O Murcht – himself a Gaeilgeoir – gave a guided tour, as Gaeilge. One of the highlights of

that visit was their trip to the hold- ing cell at the station – the young- sters compared it to a prison cell and expressed hope that they would never get to experience a real cell in the future!

Mr Bromell said the initiative was an unforgettable experience and benefited the young children im- mensely.

“It was good for them to see dif- ferent people working in the com- munity. School is one service, the fire service 1s another, while the

gardai also provide a Service,” said Mr Bromell.

The trips formed part of an overall project and the youngsters recalled the afternoon’s excitement when they wrote of their experience.

The extra-curricular activities are sure to continue over the next term as Mr Bromell’s next plan is to bring a mobile pet farm to the school.

This 1s poised to create much ex- citement for the children, who will be able to show care for the animals on the farm.

THE wider community in Shannon is, for the first time, being invited to attend an Arts and Heritage Festi- val, which is taking place at a local school next week.

St Patrick’s Comprehensive School will run its fourth annual festival on Monday and Tuesday (March 3 and ae

Viewed as one of the highlights of the school year, the event is antici- pated by staff and students.

It will range a wide variety of events and activities, which young people can engage in. This year’s itinerary includes copperwork, rap dancing, pottery, drumming, creative writing,

kickboxing, computer programming and film making.

The events will not be confined to indoors as there will also be an envi- ronmental walk, rock climbing and dolphin watching, over the two days.

Journalist Nell Mc Cafferty and environmentalist Dick Warner will once again return to the school for the festival and their contributions, in particular, should attract members of the wider community in Shannon.

Deputy principal Anne Lucey said the festival will be, once again, var- ere

‘The emphasis is on arts and her- itage, with guests from all walks of life, be it writers, artists, musicians or computer programmers,” said Ms

Biren

“Students will be able to get a feel for what it is like to be working in creative areas,’ she added.

She said the decision was taken this year, for the first time, to invite members of the community to attend the event.

“We decided this year to invite the adults. If the adults want to come in to a talk, we can facilitate that, if they ring the school in advance and book a place,’ she said.

“The adults would relate quite well to Nell McCafferty,” she added.

Students enjoyed the event over the past few years and this year should be no different, said Ms Lucey.

“We suspend the normal timetable

for the two days. The event is a great experience for everyone. We used to present a musical, but we felt that, with a musical you would have the top 10 stars. What about the other children?” she pointed out.

“We wanted to do something where every single person is involved,’ she added.

Not only do well-known guests at- tend the festival, but former pupils also turn out, to lend tips on their expertise in various areas.

Anyone interested in attending the school’s Arts and Heritage Festival next month should contact the school on 061 361428.

The cost for those who wish to at- tend is €5.

YOUNG people interested in setting up youth clubs will receive support and guidance from the newly-ap- pointed youth club development worker in the Shannon region.

Pat Kerr has recently taken up the post, where he will work alongside youth worker Cathal Dillon, in the Shannon youth office at Rineanna MVETAWA

The

24-year-old’s appointment

came, after youth organisations in the region pointed to the need for ad- ditional support.

Mr Kerr, who hails from Belfast, has no shortage of experience in the area of youth work, having worked for short periods in both America and South Africa.

He will specifically work with the Drumgeely youth club, while he will also offer support to those interested in setting up or developing youth clubs in the Shannon region.

“IT will provide basic training around personal development, com- munication and leadership,’ he said.

“My job will also be to help with those who are looking to establish clubs, like Newmarket-on-Fergus, and to help with the running of other clubs,” said Mr Kerr.

“From what I see the job will fol- low on from the standards set up by Cathal (Dillon),” he said.

Mr Dillon was previously the only full-time worker in the Shannon of-

fice and this new post will see the number of hours available to young people in the area doubled.

“IT am working solely in Shannon, while Pat’s job will have two aspects – to work with new clubs and out and about as club development worker for the region,” said Mr Dillon.

AN ASSESSMENT of needs to identify the extent of the demand for step down housing is to be carried out in Shannon.

This has emerged, in the wake of calls for a suitable site for this type of housing in the town.

Councillor Gerry Flynn (Independ- ent) made the call, saying it was nec- essary, to cater for older people who may wish to downsize their proper- ties to smaller, more manageable USDA

In reply to this motion, at a Shan- non area meeting last week, Senior Executive Officer in housing, Nora Kaye said that a proposal for six step

down houses has been submitted.

It is part of a larger application, of 54 affordable houses, a new access road and ancillary services at Tul- lyglass Lower, south of the Cluain Airne housing estate.

“These six step down houses are bungalows, comprising four semi- detached and two detached and have small back gardens for easy mainte- nance,” said Ms Kaye.

However this development is be- ing opposed by residents of Cluain Airne, who are concerned about the number of houses proposed. A deci- sion on this application is imminent.

Ms Kaye added, “An assessment of needs to identify the extent of the demand for step down housing

would be required and I have spoken with the Department of the Environ- ment, Heritage and Local Govern- ment regarding such approach. The department will provide additional information when the assessment is complete, as there is no national step down housing scheme.”

Councillor Flynn said that his pro- posal affects several people.

“A considerable amount of peo- ple in Shannon live alone in two- storey houses. They want to live in their own community, close to their families and friends but require step down housing,’ said Cllr Flynn.

“The maintenance costs would be very low as the houses are much smaller. It would give people accom-

modation suitable to their needs. It would also free up a lot of houses for the next generation,” he said.

He said that Clare County Council should “specifically put aside a site” for such a scheme.

“Small-type chalet housing would be built and sold to people who would like to buy them. They could, in turn, sell their houses and make second-hand houses available, which are needed,” he added.

Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy supported calls for such a scheme.

“It’s an absolute need. A lot of peo- ple in their 70s and 80s live in hous- es where they can’t go up the stairs, while we have very few bungalows, which we need,” he said.

A LEADING consultant psychiatrist has hit out at the lack of forensic psy- chiatric services available outside of Dublin.

Clare-based psychiatrist Dr John O’Mahony made the comments in court on Friday, as he gave evidence in the case of one of his clients.

He told Ennis District Court that there was a “paucity of places in Ire- land” for those requesting the serv- ices of a consultant psychiatrist.

He spoke out in the wake of the rev-

elation last month that two people in Clare had waited for six months for appointments with a forensic psy- chiatrist.

“The HSE for all its promises of change, this country sadly is deficient in facilities for the condition this man sadly suffers from,” he said.

‘The forensic mental health service is sadly deficient in this country…in- adequately funded. If you live outside the Pale, there is little in terms of an adequate forensic mental service.

“T’ve a very clear idea of what this man needs. I know where it can be

got but the HSE has chosen not to provide this outside Dublin.

“West of the Shannon there’s no fo- rensic mental service,’ he said.

He said that forensic psychiatrist Dr Ananth Pullela had provided a serv- ice in Limerick up until recently, but that was a “one-man and not a mean- ingful service”.

David Mulcaire, of St Senan’s Road, Ennis was re-appearing in court on theft charges. He has been in court on several occasions on the charges and is currently an inpatient at Ennis General Hospital.

Previously the court heard that Mul- caire suffered a serious brain trauma in 1999, when he was hit in the head with a concrete block.

Two psychiatrists gave conflicting evidence on that occasion on whether he was fit to plead. He had pleaded with the court not to send him to the Central Mental Hospital in Dun- drum.

Dr O’Mahony said on Friday that the issue centered on “fitness to plead” and said Mulcaire required “an intense level of care’’.

He said he had discussions with

Nationwide Health Resources prior to the court sitting that morning.

“They are willing to do an assess- ment of Mr Mulcaire next week.”

He pointed out that a specialist was to travel from the UK to carry out an assessment on Mr Mulcaire this Neto) e

Judge Joseph Mangan said that Mulcaire had “departed from the criminal sphere to the psychiatric sphere”.

He adjourned the case until the end of March, remanding Mulcaire on continuing bail.

A KAYAKING accident brought tragedy to a well-known Ennis fam- ily at the weekend when it claimed the life of a 45-year-old man.

The body of Tomas Mannion from Ennis was pulled from the water at Lough Derg on Saturday afternoon, some hours after a search for his body was launched.

Affectionately know as “Moses”, Tomas was a son of prominent Ennis travel agent, Tom Mannion.

He had been missing since Febru- ary 13, but the alarm was not raised until last Saturday when he was re- ported missing by his family.

A search immediately got under-

way. Mr Mannion’s body was taken from the water at Scariff Bay at lunchtime on Saturday, after some of his personal belongings were discov- ered. He had been kayaking and was wearing a lifejacket.

In his younger days, Mr Mannion was a keen sportsman and had won several titles in hurling and football in the underage ranks. |

He played on the Eire Og side in the All-Ireland Feile hurling final in 1975, while he won Harty and Croke Cup medals with St Flannan’s in 1979. He was also a keen athlete.

Tomas’ brother, Gearoid, yesterday paid tribute to all those involved in the search and recovery of the body.

“The gardai, all the branches of

the rescue services, the landowner – they did a great job and we are very thankful for the work that they did,” he said.

Paying tribute to his late brother, Gearoid said, “Tomas was a gentle soul and treated everyone that he met with respect.”

Describing Tomas as someone who liked adventure, Gearodid added, “There was a calmness about him and everyone that knows Tomas would appreciate what I am saying.”

Gardai in east Clare say the inci- dent was being treated as a “tragic accident”.

FINAL preparations are well under- way for Ennis Musical Society’s dou- ble whammy of entertainment.

Instead of performing one show, this year, Ennis Musical Society will present a double bill of shows run- ning over four nights in March.

Musical director Cormac McGuin- ness, chorus mistress Mary Curly and rehearsal pianist Dylan Walsh, are busy adding some last minute sheen to this year’s toe-taping num- bers.

Instead of performing one show, this year, Ennis Musical Society will present a double bill of musi- cal entertainment over four nights in March.

Shows on March 4, 6 and 8 will reunite performers past and present as they bring the audience on a trip down memory lane, singing hits from shows the society has produced over the past 50 years.

On March 5 and 7 there will a be a change of direction for the second half of this double bill, when Ennis Musical Society will pay tribute in

verse and song to the great Irish en- tertainer, Percy French.

Ennis Musical Society PRO Fr Feargus McEveney ofm explained, “Mary Curly, Dylan Walsh, under the direction of our musical director, Cormac McGuinness have everyone going full steam ahead to make sure a certain amount will be ready by the time last year’s producer, Alan Kin- sella, comes down to set some of the solos and choruses of the production due to open in Glor on March 4”.

Among those appearing are award winning singers Maretta O’Hehir

and Edel Heaney, society stalwarts, Anna Monahan, Emer O’Flaherty and Mary Heal.

They will be appearing alongside stars from the past such as Vincent de Placido, Tom Lillis and John Lil- lis, and a host of other great perform- ers backed by the chorus of the musi- cal society.

Songs from shows such as the ‘Mer- ry Widow’; ‘La Belle Heléne’; ‘Show Boat’; ‘Oklahoma and ‘My Fair Lady’ etc, will be enough to ensure a most enjoyable evening of musical jnatesssO)u leh

DR Edward Walsh, founding Presi- dent of the University of Limerick, has been announced as the guest speaker for the Ennis Chamber of Commerce President’s dinner. Outlining details of the Gala Din- ner, President of Ennis Chamber Michael Evans said “We are delight- ed to welcome Dr. Walsh to Ennis on Friday March 7 to the Old Ground Hotel to present the Business Com- munity with his thoughts and ideas for the Mid West Region, particu- larly in these times of change.” CEO

of Ennis Chamber Rita Mc Inerney added “The President’s Dinner 2008 is the business social event of the year in Clare and we have the hon- our of Halifax as our Sponsors. En- nis Chamber wishes Halifax every success with their Ennis Branch in oy Du OCCLUDED ame

Dr Edward M Walsh was founding president of the University of Lim- erick, the first new university estab- lished by the Republic of Ireland: a post from which he stepped down in 1998, after a 28-year term.

Dr Walsh has served as founding chairman of the Irish Council for

Science Technology and Innovation, the National Technological Park, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, Citywest’s Grow- corp and the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland.

He has also served as chairman of the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities and of Shannon De- velopment. Dr Walsh is involved in guiding the development of various initiatives including DCU’s new Re- search Campus at Citywest and the Ryan Entrepreneurship Academy.

Halifax is the retail arm of Bank of Scotland (Ireland), one of Ireland’s

most successful business banks. Halifax has 40 branches throughout the country and offers a very differ- ent banking proposition to the other banks and is the first new high street bank in Ireland for over a century. Commenting on the sponsorship, Ciara Flynn, Branch Manager, En- nis, said: “We are delighted to spon- sor the President’s Dinner and look forward to working with the Cham- ber on this event and in the future. The Mid West Region is one with significant potential and we at Halli- fax are delighted to be part of such a thriving and vibrant town as Ennis.”