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Clare FM defends CIRO) PROM IR KIM IUNED,

CLARE FM’s listenership figures have fallen by two percent, the latest JNLR figures reveal.

According to the figures from April 2007 to March 2008, Clare FM had a listenership reach of 40 per cent, which was a decline of two per cent.

The market share, which indicates how long listeners tune in for, 1s also reduced. It dropped marginally by 0.7 per cent, to 37 per cent. The weekly reach figures, of 65 per cent, remained the same. The figures re- leased last week were compared with the figures for January to December 2007.

In terms of listenership, the Ennis- based station is ranked 10th out of 16 local stations around the country. It is behind neighbouring stations Lim- erick’s Live 95 FM (59 per cent) and Tipp FM (44 per cent), but is ahead Galway Bay FM (39 per cent).

Clare FM is ranked eight out of the 16 stations, in relation to mar- ket share. According to the sta- tion’s Chief Executive Officer Liam O’Shea, the latest figures are not an accurate reflection of listenership.

“IT am not disappointed. These are very competitive times. These fig- ures come out every three months. If you compare with the same 12 month period last week, it is not a true reflection of the year. If you compare the two 12-month periods,

it is exactly the same as it was this time last year,” said Mr O’Shea.

He insisted he was not disappointed with the reduction in market share.

“Minus 0.7 per cent is a disappoint- ment? Absolutely not. You are deal- ing with a market place that there 1s a lot of competition,” he said. “We are very happy with our market share. Compared to this time last year, we are two per cent up,’ he said.

“We had a change of programme controller last June. We changed our programming in January. Morning Focus has changed time (from 10am start to Yam start), there 1s a new show from llam to lpm and there is a new double breakfast show. We are happy with how they are going.”

“We are not down, compared to an- ybody else. There’s nobody gaining against us,” he added. “Listenership in county Clare, to any radio station, is one of the lowest in the country.”

He said when he took up his post at the helm of Clare FM ten years ago, the listenership figure was the same as it is now. It did top 60 per cent at one stage, but Mr O’Shea said, “that day is gone.”

The latest listenership figures were published, just weeks after the sale of Clare FM to Radio Kerry appeared to have fallen through. Discussions on the proposed multi-million euro sale had been ongoing for months, but sources in the radio industry now believe the sale will not go-ahead.

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Cahill lashes Fahey’s foolhardy comments

THE Lisbon treaty debate looks set to generate a number of political cas- ualties before it 1s settled, with Gal- way TD and former minister, Frank J Sr-V eToys DOM Maem ED UDO TCA DDELoM I STIMWV ole) .@

On Thursday, the President of IC- MSA, Jackie Cahill, lashed back at comments made by Fahey, in which the deputy said that farmers would be “foolhardy” to consider voting against the Lisbon Treaty in light of the monies they had received since EU accession.

“Deputy Fahey would serve us all better if he refrained from this kind of brazen condescension and tried

instead deploying a bit of reason and logic,” he said.

‘The idea that the EU or the EEC simply poured money into farmers’ pockets for the fun of it is both ab- surd and factually incorrect and it displays an ignorance of the real situ- ation that has bedevilled all attempts to get farmers to look at the Lisbon Treaty in its own right.

“We will not be emotionally black- mailed into any course of action that amounts to economic suicide. We will expect someone to set out the case for or against the Treaty based on cool calculation of our sector’s and our nation’s interest.

“The Taoiseach should now seize

the opportunity to clarify the posi- tion and set out the Irish Govern- ment’s approach to current and fu- ture farming policy. This applies to both EU and Irish policies and it most definitely includes the current WTO negotiations.”

The IFA had also words for Deputy Fahey last week when they claimed that he and Minister Eamon O’Cuiv had failed Irish farmers through their comments on the Lisbon Treaty.

“Irish farmers have not received anything more from Europe than other European farmers,’ said IFA Vice President Michael Silke.

“The Government needs to address the grave concerns in rural Ireland

over Mandelson’s sell-out of agricul- ture in the WTO negotiations. The western region would face farm rev- enue losses alone of €400m per year, with 1,500 jobs in food processing on the line and thousands more jobs lost in businesses servicing the agri- food sector.

“The Lisbon Treaty contains the original Treaty of Rome articles 38 — 44 establishing the Common Ag- ricultural Policy including specific commitments to assure the availabil- ity of food supplies, to stabilise mar- kets and to provide a fair standard of living for the agricultural com- munity, but Mandelson has blatantly disregarded these commitments.”

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New department face a tough time

PRESSURE is already mounting on the new team in the Department of Agriculture to hit the ground run- ning with a major decision on the fu- ture of agriculture on the island due to be made in the coming weeks.

The farming organisations have welcomed new Minister, Brendan Smith, along with new Junior Minis- ter, Clare TD Tony Killeen, but have urged them not to drop the ball, es- pecially on the burning issue of the WTO.

Indeed IFA President, Padraig Walshe, last week called for the Gov- ernment to use it’s veto to stop EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandel-

son from damaging Irish farming.

“Beef is thirty times more impor- tant than sugar beet, and supports the livelihoods of 100,000 farmers who would be un-viable as a result of a Mandelson deal, which would reduce cattle prices to €2/kg or 7Op/ Ib,” he said.

MAVCast delome (oy selAeue mnt MN eCoMoree) ete omy, the country could not afford the loss of thousands of jobs in ru- ral towns. 50,000 farmers would be un-viable as a result of handing over a large segment of the food chain to South American ranchers.”

ICSA president, Malcolm Thomp- son, also called on the Government to make a clear and unambiguous statement that it will veto a bad

WTO deal.

“There is no possibility of an ac- ceptable deal based on the current negotiating framework,” he said.

“While the Government has reiter- ated its intention to get a balanced deal, this is pie in the sky. There are no proposals on the table that offer anything to Irish farmers. On the other hand, there are no benefits either for the industrial or services sectors.”

Speaking at the Balmoral show last week, Minister Smith emphasised his commitment to the ongoing close co-operation between the Depart- ments of Agriculture and the Envi- ronment across a range of issues of mutual interest.

He also took the opportunity to re- State the Government’s commitment to seek a balanced outcome to the on- going WTO negotiations. Mr Smith said that the Irish Government’s consistent position was to seek a bal- anced outcome, which does not un- dermine Irish and European agricul- ture and delivers real benefits to the industrial and services sectors.

Minister Smith said that the Gov- ernment had voiced its concerns to the EU Commission at all levels and at every opportunity. This will continue and Minister Smith said he would be taking the matter up at the Agriculture Council.

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Closure a tragedy waiting to happen

THOUSANDS of homes and doz- ens of commercial properties over a wide area east of Ennis have been left without adequate emergency fire and ambulance cover following the closure of the Tulla Road for works being undertaken by the local au- thority and Iarnrod Eireann.

Clare County Council is carrying out work on the sewer infrastructure in the area of the railway bridge at Corrovorrin while Iarnr6d Eireann is undertaking a major upgrade of the railway bridge in advance of the opening of the Western Rail Corri- dor.

Fine Gael Councillor and former Limerick fire chief Johnny Flynn has said while the works are worthy and essential, the planning had not been well thought out. He made a lengthy submission to the council regarding the works and highlighted safety 1s- sues and the need for consideration to be given to emergency fire and am- bulance cover for that part of town.

“Public safety has to be the number one priority here. I had suggested that a fire appliance and ambulance be based on the eastern side of the bridge at Corrovorrin so they could quickly respond to emergencies in that part of town. I put this in my submission and didn’t even receive a

reply,” he said.

On Saturday afternoon, the emer- gency services were sent to a road traffic accident at Ballymacahill. The fire brigade had to take a seven kilometre detour by the Quin Road and Gauras while an ambulance had to take a similarly long detour out the Galway road. These diversions added between seven and 10 minutes to the response times. Fortunately, the accident was not serious and the emergency crews were not required.

“If that had been an incident where a car was on fire with persons trapped, whatever chance we would have had of saving them was gone out the win- dow with the detour we had to take. This is a tragedy waiting to happen and I can understand why people are not happy about it,” an emergency worker said.

According to Cllr Flynn, “There was no need for the road to be closed on Saturday. There was no work going on there and some provision should have been made for the emer- gency services to gain access.”

A council spokesman said _ the Irish Rail work involves replacing the bridge deck and widening it and this could not be carried out while maintaining traffic flow. The time it would take for a fire appliance or ambulance to get through would be longer than the round trip.”

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No new school for Tulla in near future

AN EAST Clare secondary school, which is already coping with twice the number of pupils it was supposed to cater for, may still not get a new school – because they had 59 enrol- ments less than was expected this year.

The plight of St Joseph’s in Tulla was raised at a Dail debate last week. The school is catering for 441 stu- dents in a building which was de- signed to house 270.

And half of all the schools’ accom- modation is temporary, with 11 out of 22 classrooms based in prefabs on a site which is too small to ever ex- pand to comprise playing fields.

Deputy Pat Breen had asked during a Dail adjournment debate that the minister for education give a letter to the school’s board of management stating that their long-term prefer- ence for Tulla is for a new school on AMES Kore ON ELo (OMSL KOR

The school has been in negotia- tion with a local landowner for a site which would allow them to erect a new building on a fully serviced site with planning permission for sport- ing facilities.

Contracts have been drawn up, but to go any further the schools needs the department’s letter.

Replying on behalf of the minister for education, Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney said that St Joseph’s had been awarded a grade 2 on the department’s system, but this was based on an expected enrolment of 500.

The lower enrolment figure means that the grading would have to be reviewed and she said it would “not be prudent for the department to give any such open-ended commitment which would, in effect, limit the de- partment’s scope for manoeuvre in the future, regarding the optimum solution for secondary school serv- ices in east Clare.”

“We are very proud of the loyalty of our parents, who are loyal to the high standard of education provided here at St Joseph’s rather than to the standard of the building,” said school principal, Jim Cooney.

‘The enrolments will be above 500 in the next three year. The primary school population has gone from 194 to 256 in five years – that’s a 32 per cent increase. We will certainly have the numbers.”

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Gifted student died after falling 18 feet

A GIFTED Clare medical student was killed when he jumped over a small wall without realising there was an eighteen-foot drop on the other side.

Ciaran Toomey (18) of Ardnacru- sha had mistakenly thought he was being chased by gardai after a night out with friends in Galway.

An inquest on Thursday in Galway was told that Mr Toomey was return- ing home with two friends in the early hours of November 6 when the tragedy happened.

They were making their way home from the city centre around 2.40am. Mr Toomey had run into a car-park and knocked over a wheelie bin.

Shortly afterwards a Garda car on a routine patrol had come behind the trio. All three mistakenly thought they were in trouble and began to Mtbee

Mr Toomey raced about 20 metres ahead and disappeared into another car park.

One of the friends, UCD student Andrew Flood, said they tried call- ing his mobile phone when they could not find himbut there was no response. They searched for several hours, went to his apartment, and contacted the Garda to see if he had been arrested.

The two friends resumed the search early in the morning. Later they were joined by Mr Toomey’s house-mates and university friends, the group

meeting up close to the car-park.

Shortly afterwards his body was spotted at the bottom of a ravine or canal bed on the other side of the car- park wall.

Gardai who were in the patrol van when Ciaran started running told the inquest that they had no reason to stop any of the students as none of them had done anything untoward.

The victim’s father, Gerard Toomey, told the inquest that his son’s wallet had been found but that his mobile phone had not.

He was anxious to discover, through phone records, if his phone had been used since. The Toomey family was anxious to rule out the slight pos- sibility that he might have been at- tacked and jumped over the wall to get away or even been pushed over the wall.

Sergeant Senan Wall said that en- quiries had been made at Garda Headquarters to see if the records could be acquired, but it was not pos- sible, because of the Data Protection Xa

West Galway Cororner, Dr Ciaran McLoughlin said the only way he knew of to get such records was by way of a court order.

Pathologist Dr Teresa McHale said the cause of death was extensive head and spinal injuries. The in- quest was told that Mr Toomey was a gifted student who had won a place at NUI Galway without having to go through Pre-Med because he was so talented.

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Farewell to a legend

IN January, when Anthony Foley of- ficially anounced his intention to re- tire at the end of the season, it only confirmed the rumours that had cir- cled the Killaloe native for months. At 34, the inexorable decision came after almost 15 years at the top level with a career path that saw him be- come Munster’s most capped player (201), leading try scorer (45) and also represent his country on 62 oc- casions.

Behind the scenes, those who knew him best had already prepared them- selves for the inevitable and wanted to reward the 2006 Heineken Cup winning captain for his immense contribution to the province and in- deed the game in general. Contem- plating Foley’s impending retirement, Chairman Roger Downer and a few others formulated an idea for a tes- timonial that eventually snowballed

into a three day event on May 27-29, consisting of a two day Golf Classic, an Audience with Anthony Foley and a Gala Banquet in the Hilton Hotel, Limerick on the final night.

Considering his stature in the game and the fervent Munster support, Event Coordinator Michelle Payne admits that the testimonial week was an easy Sell to the public.

“IT think everyone knows that An- thony of all people deserves a good send-off. He has given so much to the game and there is so much good will for Anthony. People haven’t hesitated in terms of sponsorship and there is also a lot of support for the two chari- ties he has chosen to donate a portion of the funds raised.”

While the Gala Banquet sold out in under a fortnight, there are still some places available for the Golf Classic and the Audience with Anthony Fo- ley on the Wednesday evening in the UL sports arena and with the timely

matter of the Heineken Cup final on the previous weekend, Payne consid- ers the whole week a fitting tribute to a true legend of the game.

“T think it is a unique way for peo- ple to show their appreciation for An- thony and his family for everything they have done for Munster rugby. All three events are coming together nicely and I think it’s going to be a fantastic occasion for everybody.”

The preparations have been metic- ulously carried out. The only aspect the organisers couldn’t plan is the Heineken Cup final itself. It’s up to the players themselves to secure that end of things.

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World of the common people

HOW to explain away Munster’s enduring appeal!

Does it go back to the All-Blacks game 30 years ago? All to do with the one million plus who claim to have been in Thomond that famous Tuesday afternoon in October °78 and swear they were in direct line of sight across the field as Seamus Den- nison cut Stu Wilson in two.

There’s something in that game al- right, but it’s only part of the story. The real kernal of the phenomenon that has wrapped itself around Euro- pean rugby is the bond that has grown between the current crop of players and supporters. It’s their time.

It’s all to do with what Munster stands for — a province from Mizen Head in the south to Blackhead in north Clare.

The people of that province — tak- ing in everyone and not just the elite that was rugby union’s foundation Kee .@

There’ll be thousands of red Mun- ster jerseys being washed and ironed this week — be they the old Bank of Ireland logoed ones as a throwback to Munster’s earliest crusades that have a vintage quality through to the current Toyota-sponsored geansais.

And, it’s the make-up of these sup- porters that gives Munster that edge and extra dimension.

It’s a constituency that comprises a

broadband coalition that appeals to every class. Munster are like Fianna Fail — a catch-all party.

It’s GAA people that support Mun- ster, soccer people too.

They’re as important as fans who came to support Munster through their rugby clubs or fee paying schools. They don’t go to club rugby games, they go back to their GAA and soccer clubs when Munster par- Wome COR

Peter Clohessy pointed out this week that Munster have made the European Cup over the past decade and put the competition on the world rugby map.

It is true. Real Madrid did the same for the soccer equivalent thanks to

their five-in-a-row run of success from the late fifties through to the early sixties. Munster have done it through their supporters.

And, it’s these supporters that can carry Munster to their greatest tri- Uyeehe) smell

Declan Kidney won’t have to pro- duce some original thought this week as he attempts to inspire his players into giving him a fitting denouement to his Munster coaching career.

Instead, all he’ll have to do 1s trot out one of sport’s oldest call to arms: it takes a good team to win a Euro- pean Cup – it takes a great team to win a second one.

Toulouse have done that and it’s where Munster desperately want to

be.

They’re a great team already, but they need to be crowned kings of Eu- rope once more.

The supporters can get them there — those bands of brothers and sisters from Mizen to Blackhead. The ordi- nary people that make Munster the envy of every team in world rugby.

Leinster must be especially jealous. They just don’t have it. Call it the common touch.

Captain Paul O’Connell holidays in a mobile home in Liscannor – you just couldn’t imagine Brian O’Driscoll going to a trailer park for his ‘hols’.

It’s the common touch, loaded with honesty on the field that has Munster on the threshold of glory once again.

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Enough land for six years development

CLARE County Council claims there is already enough land zoned in the greater Ennis area to cater for new houses over the next six years.

In a downbeat assessment of the number of new homes required un- til 2014, the council has reduced its estimates of projected housing needs which was made last year when the housing market was buoyant.

In a presentation to its special poli- cy committee on economic develop- ment, the council executive stated that only 142 acres will be required

for development over the next six years.

However, there are currently 687 acres that are already zoned for resi- dential development within the Ennis area.

In its initial “high growth scenar- io’’”, the council anticipated that 3,211 units would be built until 2014 and a “low growth scenario” anticipates that 1,979 units will be built.

According to the council’s Ennis housing strategy, the high growth scenario is based on historical in- formation, but due to changing eco- nomic circumstances and major

infrastructural deficits in Ennis, it is anticipated that the low growth model would represent maximum potential.

The council now anticipates that there will be a need for 336 social houses and 235 affordable houses to 2014 and a requirement for 1,013 new private homes.

This compares to the high growth Scenario where 2,077 new homes will be required.

The strategy anticipates that the lo- cal authorities will require 40 acres of land to provide the 570 social and affordable homes during the strategy

period.

However, the the local authori- ties have no land in the greater En- nis area and it is engaged in seeking suitably zoned and serviced land for social and affordable housing.

There are 891 people on the hous- ing list in the greater Ennis area comprising mainly of 543 people who are included for financial rea- sons and 194 on medical or compas- sionate grounds.

The strategy states that it 1s difficult to forecast the numbers of social and affordable homes that will be secured in the current economic climate.

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Cocaine flooding streets of Clare

COCAINE has halved in price in Clare in recent years and has become more readily available, according to gardai.

The revelation comes amid reports that the number of people receiving treatment for drug abuse increased by 33 per cent in the mid-west, be- tween 2001 and 2006.

The report, by the Health Research Board last week, highlighted the worrying trend that the number of people addicted to drugs has risen significantly all over the country, over the five-year period.

Gardai in Clare say this period con-

tributed immensely to the growth in the use of cocaine.

According to sources, at the start the decade, cocaine was available for around €150 per gram, but is now available for just €70 or less.

‘There has been a huge increase in cocaine over that particular period (2001 to 2006),” said a garda source.

“It went from a very low base to a very popular drug in that space of time,” he said.

“At one stage it was an expensive drug and money was scarce. It was perceived as being available to the upper class and then young peo- ple became more affluent,’ said the source.

Gardai also believe that as cocaine has become more readily available, its quality has deteriorated.

They say the demand for the highly addictive drug has increased in Clare over the past few years.

‘The evidence is there is a substan- tial demand for cocaine locally. It is being supplied by the criminal gangs from Limerick. It has become a phe- nomenon throughout the country. So-called decent individuals have displayed extraordinary violence having consumed cocaine,’ added the source.

The Health Research Board report suggested that 18 per cent of people presenting for treatment for problem

drug abuse were under the age of 18. The trend in Clare is in line with Wek

“It seems to take off in their late teens, with youngsters experiment- ing in their mid to late teens. Lack of parental control plays a role,” added the source.

Gardai also say that heroin has steadily spread around the county.

‘There is a core group involved in heroin.

“It has spread throughout the Clare division and has become a serious habit for some, in major centres like Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennis and Shan- non and also even in rural parts of the county,’ added the source.