Month: October 2008

FOLLOWING on from Frank Lo- han’s decision to retire from inter- county hurling, tributes were paid to the Wolfe Tones native at last week’s County Board Meeting. Ruan del- egate Ger Lyons, Wolfe Tones’ Joe Kelly and current senior manager Mike McNamara all spoke at length on Lohan’s contribution to Clare hurling and football throughout his distinguished career.

Wolfe Tones delegate Joe Kelly re- flected on Lohan’s career from his early days winning Féile titles with Wolfe Tones to his county senior

career which spanned 14 years from 1995 to 2008. Kelly also promoted Lohan as the perfect example for young players to follow and outlined that his biggest attribute was his ea- gerness to keep improving.

Clare manager Mike McNamara was then asked by County Chairman Michael O’Neill to say a few words about Lohan and along with echoing Kelly’s glowing tribute, the Scariff publican spoke of his admiration for a player who made huge sacrifices to play for his county and had won eve- rything in the game.

McNamara also agreed that Lohan had everything required to be a top

player. “Frank had steel, determina- tion, pride and desire, four great at- tributes that made him great and he is one player you would always want in your corner.”

SWilowrberVepuseler-Uelmevan sso pale Ireland winning side, Lohan won two All-Ireland titles and three Mun- ster medals in his county career and even had the distinction of playing in a Munster football final in 1997, becoming the first Clare player since Tull Considine in 1927 to play in a Munster senior football and hurling final in the same year.

SCR NINO Bch (oer Ti aU GIO E-D mr RUE DKe! in 1999.

TULLA had a big day out in Galway on Friday as the card included the semi-finals of the local Community School’s Al 525. Carhugar Bobsie, own by the Clare Connection Syn- dicate got home in the first heat in Oe

History was also made on the night when the first race to be run over the maxi marathon trip of 1010 yards was held. The event was the Tarmon National School Buster Stake and it saw the Conor Flanagan of En- nistymon owned Flandy (T1) run out a most authoritive winner by nine ited debe eelo Roe

Proceedings commenced with an N3 graded 525 yard contest in which trap one was vacant but it was the outside drawn runners that occupied the first three places as the Francis Browne of Quin-owned Mine Cash (Velvet Cash-Jumeirah Jess) came home three lengths clear.

Race number three was an S5 graded sprint over the extended trip

of 350 yards and the Mrs Mary and Michael Liddane of Kilrush-owned Gowerhass Hill took the spoils by three-parts of a length in 19.49.

Race eight at the Galway venue on Saturday night was an A3 525 yard contest and once again the Bridget Hehir owned and Michael Malone trained Friskey Whiskey(Crash- Knockdine Lady) from Miltown Malbay led his rivals a merry dance home in 29.05.

Race number three was an A5 grad- ed contest won by the Mary Callinan owned Blue Loof in 29.70.

The sixth contest at the College Road venue on Thursday night was an A6 affair in which the James & Frank Casey of Newmarket-on-Fer- gus owned Stonehall Mist held off the late challenge of Rathorpe Jim (T1) up the straight to win by a neck in 29.98.

Race seven was an A5 graded con- test went to Master Jack – the Luke Browne of Ballyea owned runner stayed on well for a two and a quarter length win from Whatwasilike (T4)

hel OR OSE

The opening contest on an extreme- ly cold evening was an A& graded 525 in which the Paddy Madigan of Killimer owned Clune Honcho (T1) broke her maiden tag at the eighth attempt in winning by four lengths from Moving Up (T3) in 29.88.

In the A7 graded fourth contest over 525 yards the Anne Carey of Cooraclare owned Buffalo Bash gained ample compensation for an unlucky debut effort when he came home eight lengths clear of Fast Fit Bertie (T6) in 29.59.

CLARE handball had a mixed week- end — defeat was the county’s lot at adult level, but there was glory for the underage brigade at under 12/13 and under 14/15 level.

Declan Frawley (Clarecastle) was defeated in the All-Ireland Junior Singles semi-final by the experienced Ollie Conway of Galway. After tak- ing the first game 21-19, Frawley, Clare’s last hope of big alley silver- ware this year, went down 6-21 and 9-21.

However, there was success on the double for Clare’s juvenile hand- ballers on Saturday at Tuamgraney as they claimed both the under 12/13 and under 14/15 ‘team-of-six’ Mun- ster titles against Tipperary opposi- nova

The under 12/13 squad consisted of Patrick Fitzgerald (Tuamgraney) Niall Bolton Colin Corbett (Tulla), Cian Crimmins (Newmarket), Fergal Coughlan (Clooney), Colin Crehan

and Padraig McNamara (both Kil- kishen). Despite a strong fight from Tipp, who won the first two games, the Clare lads powered back to take eto AUER

The under 14/15 team had a slightly more straight forward route to vic- tory and seemed to always be in control of the overall match with a team including Killian McNamara, Christopher Philpott (both Kilkish- en), Ciaran Malone (Tuamgraney), Evan Corbett (Tulla), Barry McMa- hon (O’Callaghan’s Mills) and Peter Duggan (Clooney). Both sets of Mun- ster Champions now face All-Ireland semi-finals this weekend at venues that have yet to be confirmed.

The Clare under 16/17’s will aim to make it a hat-trick of Munster team titles when they play their Munster final against Waterford this week.

Also this weekend, Clooney pair Paula Loughnane and Shaunagh O’Brien play their All-Ireland Girls Under 15 Doubles Final against Kilkenny’s Marie Walsh and Demi

Donovan. The final is fixed for this Saturday in Crinkle, Offaly.

The Girls Under 13-17 Inter-pro- vincial Championships were held in Roscommon on Saturday. Played on a ‘team-of-ten’ aggregate basis, Munster were eventually defeated by the Connacht team in the final. Representing Clare on the Munster team were Lisa Loughnane, Paula Loughnane, Shaunagh O’Brien and Alana O’Brien (all Clooney).

NOTE: The AGM of Clare County Handball Board takes place Monday October 13, at John Minogue’s, Tul- la, at 8.30pm sharp.

A WOMAN had her kneecap broken when she was struck with a four foot piece of timber by a man who was under the impression that he was be- IN OVSMM EWU

A BIRTHDAY celebration led to a group of people being in a Lahinch hotel long after closing time, a court has heard.

Arising out of the incident, Alan Logue pleaded guilty to five sum- monses, under the Intoxicating Liq- uor Act, relating to the Atlantic Ho- oe

Superintendent Gabriel O’Gara told Ennistymon District Court that 25 people were on the premises at the hotel in Lahinch, after 3am on Sunday, March 2 last.

He said that at the time, no explana- tion was given as to why they were on the premises. He said that clos- ing time was 12.30am and said Mr Logue was not on the premises at the mneeten

Defending solicitor William Cahir said that a staff member celebrated

a birthday that night and a number of family members and friends were there for that occasion. He said his client had not given permission for people to be on the premises at that hour and had since apologised to eNO Ne

‘There have been no further breach- es. He runs a very good house. He is not somebody who would have come before the court 1n relation to public order matters on his premises,’ said the solicitor.

The court heard that there were four previous convictions under the Intoxicating Liquor Act, between June 2005 and September 2007. Su- perintendent O’Gara told the court however, “Things have improved since my meeting with him.”

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed fines of €500 in respect of three of the summonses and the other two were struck out.

A FATHER has allowed his teenage son go into voluntary residential care because he felt he could not cope, a court has heard.

The revelation emerged in the Ennis Children’s Court last Friday where a 17-year-old boy was charged with olen gcd bb ayoar- Im OURS loxtcB U0 wy IDONTS

The boy pleaded guilty to the of- fence at Altered Images hair salon on

the Turnpike Road in Ennis on July 7 last. Inspector John Galvin told the court that €150 was taken from cash register in the premises while money was also taken from a charity box. Insp Galvin said CCTV foot- age shows the accused entering the premises and that when questioned by the gardai, the accused had ad- mitted to the burglary and had been “very CO-operative’”’.

The court was told that the boy 1s

currently under the care of the Health Service Executive.

Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey told the court that her client’s mother had died last year and that this had had a “huge impact on his life’.

Ms Godfrey said that attempts were ongoing to secure her client a place in St Michael’s House, a residential care facility in Dublin.

“My client’s circumstances are very difficult, but there might be light at

the end of the tunnel,’ she said.

Ms Godfrey added that her client was not in receipt of any income or social welfare payment. “He doesn’t get anything,” she said, “And I think that is perhaps at the root of this burglary. His father voluntarily al- lowed him to go into care because he couldn’t cope,” said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the case for preparation of a proba- Woe Ke) oO) um

THE families of two mothers who died from breast cancer having be- ing misdiagnoised at Ennis General Hospital, have welcomed the terms of reference of HIQA investigation into the quality and safety of patient care at the hospital.

The health service watchdog was ordered to carry out the investiga- tion after Ann Moriarty (53) and Edel Kelly (26) died earlier this year having been incorrectly given the all clear from breast cancer.

Ms Moriaty’s husband Karl Henry said he initally had a few concerns relating to the terms of reference of the investiagtion but following a tel- ephone conversation with the Direc- tor of Health Services with HIQA he was Satisfied.

He wanted to know “what was go- ing on at Ennis A and E” and why vital blood tests from his late wife

remained in a file unread.

Mr Henry, however, is not satis- fied that a crucial missing x-ray at St James’s Hospital, Dublin, is not be-

ing investigated.

“T am sure that HIQA will under- take a thorough and robust investi- gation and we will be provided with

recommendations that will lead to a better quality of care and improved patient safety at Ennis hospital. I ex- pect that many of the lessons learnt will also be applicable to other hospi- tals across the country,” he said. “The terms of reference don’t make specific mention of my wife, Ann Moriarty. However, I know I will have the opportunity to input into the investigation and I expect that the final report will provide me with the answers to the many questions I have relating to her care, and how my complaints were dealt with within the HSE at local and corporate level. “The issues surrounding St James’ Hospital are excluded from this 1in- vestigation and, in my view, remain outstanding and unresolved. I am considering how best to pursue these very serious matters,” he added. Speaking through Kilrush solicitor Eugene O’Kelly, the late Edel Kel- ly’s family said they were generally

pleased with the review.

‘They are pleased that the terms of reference take into account the expe- rience Edel had. They are not con- cerned that it does not specifically refer to them,’ said Mr O’ Kelly.

Chief Executive of the Health In- formation and Quality Authority, Dr Tracey Cooper, said, “the investiga- tion team will review the arrange- ments for providing safe, quality clinical care which will include how the hospital focuses on the needs of patients, the management and leader- ship at the hospital. The investigation team will also review the systems and processes that support safety and quality and the communication be- tween staff and patients, particularly when patient safety incidents occur and when complaints are made.”

THE national surgical oncology ad- visor has criticised the media for its coverage of the breast cancer misdi- agnosis in Ennis General Hospital. Professor Arnold Hill, consultant surgeon at Beaumont Hospital, told the annual meeting of the Irish Hos- pital Consultants’ Association — that an excessive media focus on a small number of cases made for “a very difficult environment in which to

practice cancer care.”

The cancer specialist revealed that the best cancer centres had a misdi- agnosis rate of 1.6 per cent. Although the mammogram unit at Ennis Hos- pital is now closed it examined 450 women as recently as 2006.

Other women, like the late Ann Mo- riarty, would have undergone x-rays and women like the late Edel Kelly would have undergone biopsies.

According to Professor Hill, even with a perfect cancer diagnosis sys-

tem approximately 25 women with breast cancer would be misdiagnosed every year in Ireland.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised that the HSE will use the findings from the HIQA investiga- tion at Ennis, as ammunition to close the hospital.

“My fear is that the HSE may use this report to downgrade the hospi- tal and implement Hanley,” said Fine Gael TD Pat Breen.

Ennis Hospital Development Com-

mittee chairman Ciaran O’Dea was concerned that the report’s terms of reference made presumptions about the hospital.

“It has not been framed to reassure the people of Clare that the recom- mendations issuing from the review will not further erode the services provided by the Mid Western Hospi- tal in Ennis.

‘In the terms of reference there is an apparent assumption that the level of resourcing 1s adequate.

“We would like them to comment on the level of funding and resoursc- ing in the hospital over the past two decades,” he said.

“We also hope the review team would not be narrow in their focus and take into account historical cir- cumstances and the role of manage- ment and government in creation of the current hospital structures.

“We call on them to use the ability to expand the investigation and where required they will investigate.”

THE speed demons of Ennis will re- unite in the town later this month to feN oo) ecko deColb ume lerbetommmlbeelO) OF

Members of the Wheels Within Wheels project will gather in Ennis on Saturday, October 18, to receive an award for their exploits in Mon- dello Park earlier this year.

Wheels Within Wheels has devel- oped over the years as a collabora- tive effort between local motorbike enthusiasts and organisations pro- moting adult education and lifelong learning.

Previous projects included restor- ing vintage motorbikes from scrap to highlight the work done by the Sim- ply Said, an annual publication of

writings by adult learners attending classes with Clare Adult Basic Edu- cation Service.

Other charities to have benefited from events organised by Wheels Within Wheels include St Luke’s Hospital, Dublin, Cahercalla Hospi- tal, Steps Youth club and the RNLI lifeboat service.

The group’s latest endeavor took them to the home of Irish motor rac- ing, Mondello Park on August 9, to take part in a fastest lap challenge against a contingent from the Rebel County, the Cork Tornadoes.

The Wheels Within Wheels team comprised of Jimmy Meere, Cathal Meere, Keith Meere, Jacko McMa- hon, Dr Sean Conlon, Adult Educa- tion Officer and representatives from

Clare VEC.

The bike used was a 1980s Java moped, restored to prefect working order by Jimmy, Dermot Kelleher and Michael Considine, and nick- named the Speed Demon.

It was ridden by Cathal Meere, ad- vised on the day by his brother Keith, the 2007 Southern Centre champion, and, at just 21 already regarded as one of the most talented performers on the circuit.

Heavy rainfall played havoc with preparations, but despite the less than ideal racing conditions, Cathal Meere raced around the track in a Mondello record book time of three minutes 18 seconds.

To mark the achievement, the team will be presented with a trophy, de-

signed by Jacko McMahon and local welder Gerry Hanrahan, at the Mon- dello Challenge Presentation night on October 18 at Mickey Kerin’s bar, Lifford Ennis.

The presentation will be made by Jim McMahon and Chris Withy- combe, two men who have been part of the Wheels Within Wheels project and who earlier this year climbed the ten peaks of the McGillycuddy Reeks, in the process raising €7,/00 for the Friend’s of St Luke’s Hospital, Dublin.

The action in Mickey’s kicks off at 9pm. There will be plenty of music and all are welcome to attend. For enquiries contact Jimmy Meere 086 0834753 or Jacko McMahon 086 0680759.

BIG crowds and even bigger wheels are expected at the 2008 National Truck show, details of which were announced last week.

The event takes place in the grounds of the Clare Marts Ennis on October 26 and 27. All major trucks, trailer, engines, components and truck parts along with aftermarket products will be on display. Interactive exhibits will also be on site in the extensive auto accessory booth area and there will also be an exhibition by Ireland’s number one stunt riding champion, Mattie Griffin.

Organisers, AMP promoters, are revamping and expanding upon last year’s event. According to a spokes- person for AMP promoters, “The new venue is completely tarmac with plenty of space for each truck to be displayed ensuring all trucks are looking their very best and for the truckers themselves there will be free onsite shower facilities. The National Truck Show 2008 is destined to be- come the greatest truck show Ireland will ever know. Expect things you have never seen before”.

Other activities include top drift- ing exhibition by Prodrift – www. prodriftirl.com, an off road 4×4 chal-

lenge, onsite live musical entertain- ment from The Clare Celts and DJs to keep the truckers and public en- trained.

A charity bungee jump is also planned along with a full range of fun activities for children. Traders or vendors wishing to attend the event are asked to visit Www.am-ennis.ie to download a vendors application form or contact Kevin Mulqueen on 086 O850015 or by email kevin@amp- STOP AN ESS LSe

Last year’s National Truck Show raised money for two organisations involved in providing support to peo- ple whose lives have been affected

ONAL UNOS LOR

A spokesperson added, “AMP Event Promoters would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who gave the National Truck Show 2007 their one hundred present support and also in supporting our chosen charities, the voluntary or- ganisation Aware – Helping to Defeat Depression (www.aware.ie) and Liv- ing Links (www.livinglinks.ie) who provide assertive outreach support to the suicide bereaved”’.

For further information and to keep up to date with the activities and the attractions check out www.amp-en- nis.ie.