Month: September 2008

SUSUS) eam sce liernemmOvmReol(cleye-I(ermen St. Michael’s Community College, Kilmihil last Friday as staff and stu- dents marked the 7Oth anniversary of the establishment of second level education in Kilmihil in 1938. Among the attendance was local man Francie O’ Leary who was one

of the many workers who gave of their labour voluntarily in 1938 to help build the school.

As School Principal Helena Keane recalled in her speech, the building of the original Vocational School in 1938 was a unique partnership be- tween Clare VEC and the local com- munity, with the VEC paying for the materials, and all of the labour be-

ing provided voluntarily by the local community.

She praised the people of that ear- lier generation for the tremendous gift they passed on to the thousands of students who have come and gone since then. A presentation was made to Mr. O’Leary by his grand- daughter and current St. Michael’s student, Emma Duggan as a sign of

the school’s gratitude to the people of 1938.

Ms Keane also payed tribute to the principals, staff and students who had ensured the school’s great repu- tation. Particular acknowledgement was given to student Roisin Nolan, who was one of only eleven students in the country to receive 11 A’s in her recent Junior Certificate results.

A number of leaving Certificate students, Eimear Pilkington, Louise O’Grady and Eileen Kelly also read essays recounting their many expe- riences of school life and the tre- mendous impact of education at St. Michael’s had on their lives.

Ms. Keane thanked the organising committe of Martin Moloney, Claire Edwards and Rita Murphy for their work in arranging the event.

Clare VEC chief executive George O’ Callaghan praised the pupils and staff for their tremendous work in making St. Michael’s “one of the finest schools in the county and the country”, and reiterrated Clare VEC’s commitment to continuing to strive for the further development of the school’s facilities. He also congratu- lated those involved in the design of the school’s new website, School PRO Martin Moloney and Sarah Ca- hill, which was offically launched on the day. The website may be found at www.kilmihilcc.com

Following lively music from the School Ceili Band and its brush dancers, 150 green and gold balloons were released to mark the anniversa- ry. Mr. O’Callaghan then unvielled a plaque to commemorate 70 years of second level education in the area.

THOUSANDS of Clare household- ers will be unable to adequately heat WeCoHb Mm SCO)OOCCAMAOUISIAY SUSI Koo MEAD OCOMRY OOO MELUN fer health problems as a result.

The Renewable Energy Skills Skillnet CRESS) has also predicted that Clare will struggle to achieve building efficiency ratings of 60 per cent within ten years, as envisaged by the EU and it will cost an esti- mated €1.308 billion for the county to achieve this target by 2018.

The industry-led group claims that the combination of shrinking pur-

chasing power, energy inefficient homes and forecasts of a cold win- ter will leave many Clare families unable to afford the recent and im- minent hikes in energy costs. A tank of home heating oil will cost house- holders an average of ©800 this win- ter, compared to €600 in 2007.

RESS has called on the Govern- ment and Clare Local Authorities to examine ways of alleviating the pressures on the elderly and low-in- come households to heat their homes during the coming months.

“The Government should ensure that vulnerable sections of the com-

munity are provided with as much assistance as possible. In particu- lar, it should look at increasing the winter fuel allowance, which oper- ates from September to April’, said Johnny Flynn, RESS Chairperson. Mr. Flynn, who is an environ- mentalist, engineer and Ennis town councillor said the Government and Sustainable Energy Ireland should expand the Greener Homes Scheme to include local authority rented ac- commodation units. Long-term ten- ants should be entitled to individual- ly apply for grants to improve energy efficiency and to incorporate renew-

able technologies in their homes.

“RESS urges all Clare local au- thorities to prepare contingency plans to help tenants meet high en- ergy costs particularly in the case of poorly heated social housing units’, he said.

RESS Project Leader, Dick Whelan said the introduction of environmen- tally sound construction methods and materials in the building of new homes was being undermined by the fact that approximately two thirds of Clare homes built before 1997 were poorly insulated and energy ineffi- cient and nowhere near meeting na-

tional energy efficiency targets.

RESS was set up in 2004 to provide training and support to plumbing and heating contractors and related trades and professionals involved in the design, specification, installation and maintenance of Renewable En- ergy Heating Systems.

The group will host the fourth Na- tional Renewable Energy Heating Conference in Bunratty, on Friday October 17 when speakers will in- clude Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federa- tion and Junior Environment Minis- ter Michael Kitt .

GOVERNMENT regulations which require shopkeepers to place all to- bacco products under the counter and completely out of sight of their cus- tomers will deal the final death blow to local convenience shops according to a prominent Ennis retailer.

Jim O’Dowd who is a member of the Convenience Stores and Newsa- gents Association (CSNA) and own- er of O’Dowds Convenience Store at

the Turnpike in Ennis claims that if civil servants have their way, small newsagents will face higher costs and fewer customers because of the way new rules restricting the sale of tobacco are enforced.

“No-one will have a clue whether we even Sell tobacco or not,’ he HOR

Under the new rules, customers who want to buy tobacco have to ask for a special menu and shopkeepers fear their turnover will be dramati-

cally reduced as frustrated custom- ers queue to view a menu and then wait while the shopkeeper retrieves the tobacco.

“Our shops are all about speed and convenience for the customer. If you take that away you are destroying our business model and taking the last advantage we have left”, the En- nis shopkeeper said.

Shopkeepers say there is al- ready a simple solution to the problem. The Bill passed by the Dail

that restricts tobacco advertising does not insist that all products are put out of sight; it allows for a sample pack of each product to be displayed behind the counter to provide cus- tomer information.

“Our members will have to foot the bill to train staff how to use the new system – couple this with the fact that it will now take us twice as long to stocktake and you have a huge im- position on local shop owners,” said Vincent Jennings, Chief Executive of

the CSNA.

‘Furthermore, there is no way that all the shops in Ireland can possibly be re-fitted in time for the supposed deadline of next summer. This will leave shops exposed to prosecution that could devastate their business at a time when they are already under severe economic pressure.”

Minister Mary Wallace is due to decide whether to impose the single pack or the stricter menu option in October.

THE cocaine-related deaths of two west Clare men has prompted gardai to issue a stern warning on the avail- ability of toxic forms of the drug.

A 22-year-old man died from a suspected cocaine overdose in Au- gust, while details have just emerged about another cocaine-related death – also in the greater Miltown Malbay

area – afew months earlier.

In that incident, a 29-year-old man was found dead in his apartment by his girlfriend. He had cocaine in the pocket of his jeans, while cocaine and alcohol was detected in his sys- 008

At an inquest last week, a doctor said that his death was due to acute cardiac respiratory failure, second- ary to the presence of opiates, co-

caine and alcohol. This has prompted gardai to warn about the devastating effects of the drug. “We are still seiz- ing significant quantities of cocaine, which is a worry. Our advice for anyone thinking of experimenting with cocaine is not to,’ said a garda spokesman.

“Cocaine is generally cut with oth- er substances. People who prepare cocaine are unscrupulous as to what

substances they use to bulk it,’ he said. He said that buyers do not know what they are getting and cocaine can be toxic. The speed at which people get into trouble with cocaine is frightening. We are amazed at this. People are more likely to get into fi- nancial bother, followed by addiction problems,” added the source.

In Clare, cocaine is sold at around €100 per bag, or €50 per gram.

THE Clare ladies football panel won’t be resting on their laurels for two long if they win Sunday’s AIll- Ireland intermediate final against Tipperary in Croke Park.

Instead, they be looking to the fol- lowing weekend as a number of them have pledged to take part in the Run to Africa, which a “Playing for Life’ abu NCebe-DKSDONoMNDODIOT-IN Ros

Playing for Life was founded by well-known sportswoman and broadcaster Tracy Piggott following a visit to Ethiopia in 2004. Tracy

was determined to do set up a project that would use sport as a tool to help young people in some of the worlds’ poorest places, since sport has al- ways played such a huge part in her own life.

In order to continue providing sup- port to some of the world’s poorest countries and communities, Play- ing for Life is undertaking a major fundraising initiative throughout the island of Ireland with the support of Tesco Ireland, the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Sport News Ireland and well-known sports per- sonalities like Sonia O’Sullivan and

Eamon Coghlan.

The Run to Africa will take place over the first weekend in October. Volunteers, who will be asked to raise €100/£100 per kilometer, will be able to see the collective progress of the 9500 km run from Dublin to Addis Ababa on a video screen (similar to the flight path display on a plane).

The Clare contribution to the project is being spearheaded by the ladies intermediate team, with Emma O’Driscoll coordinating their efforts. ‘There are six of us on the team who form the committee Louise Henchy

our captain, Majela Griffin, Niamh Keane, Aine Kelly, Marie Considine and myself. Many of the other girls on the team are also helping out,” O’Driscoll reavealed.

“To raise money we have asked schools around the county to hold a colours day where by they wear the jersey of their favourite team into school and bring in two euros so far 18 generous schools have agreed from the 24 pupil school of Rineen outside Lahinch to the Holy Family here in Ennis.

‘Teachers from these schools then can either run the kilometres them-

selves on the treadmills or nominate one of the clare ladies or one of the other sportspeople who will be run- ning. Many of us are past pupils of these schools so they have kindly nominated us! The colours day will take place the week of the 29th to the 3rd.

“Diarmuid McMahon, Niall Gil- ligan, The Clare Camogie team, and Seamus Power are some of the well known sports people who will run. Clubs all over the county will be asked to run as we have to cover 300km,’ she added.

The Citizens Information Service will host an information seminar on wills, inheritance and tax at the Temple Gate Hotel Ennis on Monday September 29 at 8pm.

The event which is open to every- one and free of charge will explain the steps to drawing up a will and will also discuss the legal situation where a person dies intestate. There will be a detailed consideration of the tax implications on gifts and in- heritances and the various reliefs and exemptions that are available.

The information evening will also address the rights of spouses and children to the estate of a deceased person and the issue of legal compe- tence in making a will.

Research undertaken by Amarach Research for the Irish Banking Fed- eration (IBF) indicates that only 45% of all adults have made a will; and among those who have not, only 21% intend to do so in the next 12 months. and only one in five intend to make a will in the next 12 months

Paul Woulfe Manager of the Citi- zens Information Service believes that for Irish consumers property- based wealth has made the issue of drawing up wills more urgent than ever because legacies can be conten- tious and having a will simplifies matters for those you leave behind. The costs should not be excessive and can be invaluable when offset by the benefit of exercising personal

planned choice and control in your affairs while also likely reducing tax liabilities.”

‘Everyone who has both property and loved ones should have a will. The reality of the human condition cannot be denied. Do you want your property ultimately to be distributed in accordance with your wishes or a forty-year-old statute? Arrange to see a solicitor today. Make a will. It won’t kill you!” added Paul Wolfe

Catriona O Connor BCL LLM Dip Property Tax with Kerin, Hickman & O Donnell Solicitors will discus the legal formalities to be satisfied when drafting a valid will. She will also consider the limitations on a person’s freedom to dispose of their property as they wish in a will and what happens to a person’s property where they die without having made a will. Also discussed will be the various steps involved in adminis- tering an estate and explain what the role of an executor 1s 1n this process. She will explain the tax implications for beneficiaries of inheriting prop- erty and detail the various reliefs and exemptions that could be availed of in order to minimise any potential tax liability.

For further information on your rights and entitlements you can contact your local Citizens Infor- mation Centre who offer a free and confidential service by phone and to personal callers at any of their of- fices throughout the county Tel : 065 6841221

HARVEST traditions from over 100 years ago will be brought to life by farm workers at Bunratty Folk Park which hosts a 19th century Harvest Day next Sunday afternoon, Septem- er aPzLe

According to Shannon Heritage chief executive John Ruddle, the event will recreate a cameo from the past and give visitors, especially younger visitors, a chance to enjoy Tere KO aA

In olden days, harvest time cre- ated a sense of urgency, especially before the arrival of the harvesting machinery. At other times of the year, everyone had their own work, the men in the fields, the women in the house and the children at school. Only at harvest time were they all to- gether engaged in the same work.

Visitors to the Folk Park on Sunday next will be given a flavour of rural Irish life over 100 years ago. Vin- tage threshing machines will be used to demonstrate the art of threshing. The Bean a Ti’s will demonstrate bread baking and butter making. The village school master will be greet-

ing children who will hand over the customary sod of turf for the tiny school room fire. Visitors will also be able to experience live horse shoe demonstrations at the forge and a sheaf throwing competition.

Younger visitors to the Folk Park will be encouraged to leave their par- ents in school while they enjoy the atmosphere created by the musicians and strawboys who will be perform- ing around the Folk Park during the afternoon.

All are welcome to enjoy tradition- al storytelling by the resident Sean- achai, and the village policeman in his 19th century uniform will be on site to create an ‘arresting experi- ence’ if the harvest celebrations get out of hand.

A special family ticket will be available for © 34.25 covering ad- mission for two adults and up to four children. Adult admission 1s €15 and the rate for children is €9. Admis- sion for senior citizens is ©9 and the student rate is £10.

SHARON Shannon is only one of the many musicians who credit retired Toonagh schoolteacher Frank Custy for inspiring her passion for music.

“It’s thanks to Frank Custy that we got a great love of music. We used to be just mad for music” she comments in the first of a six part TG4 series featuring some of Ireland’s finest tra- Cia CeyereUmeNlUKT(ervIhe

The September 28 ‘Sé mo Laoch programme celebrates Frank Custy’s many musical achievements, and his invaluable contribution to the future of Clare’s traditional music.

Featuring contributions from musi- cians Sharon Shannon, Ian O Cathain, Siobhan Peoples, members of the Di- seart Ceili Band, as well as Frank’s son, Tola Custy and his daughter,

Mary Custy, the programme looks at the huge influence banjo player and teacher Frank has had on genera- tions of young Clare musicians and how, through his work as a teacher, he generated and passed on a love of music to hundreds of young players.

Fiddle player Siobhan Peoples re- calls: “He taught us how to be con- fident individuals, to be able to go places, and take our music or singing or sport with us and to have no fear of being good at something.”

Next week’s programme features Dubliner Mick O’Connor. Other mu- sicians featured in the new series of ‘Se mo Laoch include Connemara box-player Johnny Connolly, Brian ETCMe OS LUCT IC UUW meme ceeemmauaentcrsate Cork singer Sean O Sé, and Tommy Peoples, who spent much of his life in Clare before moving to Donegal.

AN ENNIS worker who, it was claimed, tried to under cut the com- pany which employed him has been awarded a total of €4,600 for unfair dismissal by the Employment Ap- peals Tribunal.

Thomas Moroney, of 75 Inis Ealga, Shannon took a case against I-Homes Limited, Quin Road, Business Park, Ennis after they fired him, claiming he was dong nixers for their custom- ers, undercutting them to get the business in the process

Moroney denied the claims and

said that he had never been given a chance to properly defend himself against the allegations before being dismissed on October 9 2007.

The tribunal heard evidence from the company, which carries out in- Stallation of home automation, that they had trained Moroney.

The company became aware that Moroney was carrying out private work in what they said was direct competition.

He was given two verbal warnings and in October 2007 as a result of a tracking system which was installed on all company vehicles, Moroney’s

jeep was tracked to a number of lo- cations which placed him in areas where he should not have been dur- ing the course of his work. He was dismissed for gross misconduct on October 9, 2007.

Moroney said in evidence that he had never been made aware of the seriousness of the accusations and had variously been told he should not have the company vehicle in sight if he was doing work outside his com- pany business and that is was not ac- ceptable to use the jeep while work- ing on Sundays.

He denied ever working in competi-

tion with his employers and said that he was not informed of his right to have representation at the final meet- ing at which he was dismissed.

The tribunal found that Moroney had not been made aware of the grav- ity of the accusations and given a fair chance to explain himself and that a witness who claimed he had heard him underprice jobs had never raised this with the company until two days before the hearing.

The tribunal made an award of €3,000 for unfair dismissal and €1,600, two weeks wages under minimum notice regulations.

EXCITEMENT is reaching fever point as thousands of Clare farm- ers make their way to the National Ploughing Championships which open in Kilkenny today. Millions of euro 1s expected to be spent in Kil- kenny over the next few days as the largest farming event in Ireland this years takes place.

An estimated 200,000 people are expected to converge the champion- ships which will this year play host to 19 All Ireland ploughing finals over the course of the three days.

Besides the competitions on the field, the championships will also

feature hundreds of stalls drawn from every corner of country life.

Indeed, Specsavers in Ennis will join forces with the Road Safety Au- thority for the Specsavers Focus on Driving Campaign which will take place at the championships.

Last year, Specsavers screened more than 1000 people’s vision at the National Ploughing Champion- ships, in one of Ireland’s largest-ever eyecare studies and they hope to do even better this year.

‘‘As autumn looms and the evenings become darker, it is more important than ever to ensure that your eye- sight isn’t putting you or other road users 1n jeopardy,’ said the director

of Specsavers in Ennis, Mayleen van der Merwe.

“By joining forces with the RSA, we aim to educate drivers on the im- portance of eyesight.”

Meanwhile, Macra na Feirme has announced a packed programme of activity for this year event. Apart from showcasing all the best the or- ganisation has to offer, with details of upcoming Macra projects, events and travel opportunities for mem- bers, Macra will host a number of key activities which will undoubt- edly prove popular with the crowds attending this year.

These include competitions with the Gleneagle Hotel, programmes

to promote farm safety and an inter- county and company bucking bronco eee

The FBD young farmer of the year will also be on site along with Kil- kenny Macra members who will be present on the stand to recruit new members to local Macra clubs in the area.

Galway Macra will be on hand to provide details of the upcoming Na- tional Conference (Rally) in Salthill in October.

Macra na Feirme’s national presi- dent, Catherine Buckley, will also be on site over the three days to meet and speak with visitors to the Macra display area.