Month: November 2008

MEMBERS are this month celebrat- ing the 10th anniversary of the Can- tare Chamber Choir.

Formed by a group of friends who shared a love of singing, the Ennis based choral group have been regu- lar performers at numerous charity and community based events in the last decade.

The choir took its name from the Italian expression ‘Cantare’ which means ‘a love to sing’.

“That’s exactly what we are all about,’ explained choir director Geraldine Bradley, “Everyone in the group had a real love of singing. We’ve really enjoyed performing over the past ten years.”

That love of singing is reflected in the wide range of songs that can be heard at the group’s weekly rehears-

als in the St Peter and Paul Cathe- dral, Ennis.

“We sing anything really, from ren- aissance music right up to modern stuff,’ said Geraldine.

If you’ve attended a fundraiser in Ennis anytime in the last decade, then chances are that you’ve seen a performance by Cantare.

From supporting organisations like the Samaritans and Clare Haven to opening the Ennis Book Club Festi- val, the choir has always been keen to Support community themed events.

“We are very much a community based choir. We only enter the odd competition. Our main focus has al- ways been on supporting community based events,’ said Geraldine.

She added, “Last year we _ per- formed at the Christmas concert for the Samaritans. We’ve done the Mental Health Association concert,

which was in October. We were part of the 50th anniversary celebrations for the Poor Clares and we performed in the Cathedral when Cardinal Sean Brady was in Ennis”.

The big date on the calendar this year for the 14 members of Cantare is December 14, when, along with the Ennis Cathedral Choir and the Colaiste Muire Choir, the group will perform in the Cathedral at a special mass for Clare Haven.

Cantare also enjoy close links with the other groups and musicians in Ennis’s musical community.

“There are a lot of choirs in Ennis and I think that shows how much of an interest there is in music. We’ve performed with a lot of instrumen- talists and young talented musicians. Albert Hogan played with us. Fiona Walsh from the Ennis Gospel Choir has helped us out. Michael Hennessy

and his piano group have played with us. It’s a community effort,’ said Geraldine.

Cantare have performed at events outside Clare, in Enniscorthy and Limerick and Geraldine is hopeful that the group will get the opportu- nity to do so again.

After Christmas, the next big con- cert for Cantare takes place in March. “We normally break for the summer, with people going away and all that,” explained Geraldine.

And, as Geradine was keen to stress, new members are always wel- fey salen

MENINGITIS B remains the most common strain of the virus in Clare, despite the almost complete eradica- tion of Meningitis C thanks to vac- CHT IBCeyEF

While welcoming the news that there has been no cases of Meningi- tis C in the county since 2002, the Meningitis Trust said people must remain vigilant when it comes to the other bacterial form of the disease – Meningococcal B more commonly called meningitis B.

As many as 19 cases of the strain were reported in the mid west in 2006, with almost 150 cases notified from 1999 to 2006. There have been no deaths from this strain of menin- gitis in the mid west since 2003 when three patients died.

According to Geraldine Mills from the Meningitis Trust there have been more than 200 cases of Meningococ- cal disease notified since 1999 in the mid west region, including Clare Die e-rC Me blyoe-lae

Of those who survive meningitis, it is estimated that 15 to 20 per cent

can be left with mild to severe after- effects, including deafness, epilepsy, and behavioural problems amongst others. Where septicaemia has oc- curred, scarring and amputation can also be an after-effect.

Meningitis can strike in an in- Stant, but the effects can last a life- time according to the Trust. People are asked to be on the look out for early symptoms which can easily be mistaken for those of flu and include fever, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion and in some, but not all cases, a rash. Symptoms can appear in any order and some may not appear at all.

Carole Nealon, General Manager of the Trust, said “With Winter upon us, it is all the more important to err on the side of caution, be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningi- tis, and seek medical attention as a matter of urgency if you suspect the Chere ional

The Meningitis Trust has a special 24 Hour nurse-led helpline that peo- ple can ring with any concerns. The number is 1800 523 196.

POLES and other non-nationals who came to Clare with great hopes of the Celtic Tiger are heading home.

While many are leaving because they find it difficult to get jobs, re- ports are emerging of non-nationals being let go out of turn while Irish employees are being kept.

Orla Ni Eili of the Immigrant Sup- port Centre in Ennis says that she has heard reports of foreign nationals be-

ing let go in this way.

“These are not formal complaints, but we have heard about it. A number of foreign nationals working in the country have said they were let go despite the fact that there were Irish people employed after them.”

Ms Ni Eili said she has been trying to get people to tell her which em- ployers are using this practice “but I haven’t been able to find out. I im- agine it’s because people feel quite powerless in these situations”.

The claims come as Mayor of Clare, Madeleine Taylor Quinn stresses that “people must be treated equally, re- gardless of their nationality”’.

She was addressing last week’s Polish Independence Day celebra- tions in Kilrush. The recession, she said, “is areal test of our society; how genuine we are in difficult times”.

At the height of the building boom, there were 2,000 Polish people living in Kilrush and surrounding areas, the Mayor said, but she added that figure

has since dwindled. Ms Ni Eli has anoticed a big rise in the number of foreign nationals eager to repatriate.

“A lot have gone and others are planning to go after Christmas. I think it’s the case that immigra- tion to Ireland was a chain process, where people who came here and found work was plentiful told their friends and family at home. Now that scenario 1s working in the opposite way, she said.

Lithuanian state agencies targeted

fellow citizens working in Ireland with jobs fairs in Dublin and Mona- ghan at the weekend.

The events were being hosted by the by the Lithuanian Ministry of Social Security and Labour under the title ‘Saddle Up Your Horses’.

“With the Irish jobs market shrink- ing, many Lithuanians are consider- ing the option of returning home. Three thousand job vacancies were on offer,” a spokesman for the event said.

MEETINGS are taking place this week between SIPTU officials and union members in Aer Lingus after a proposed agreement was hammered out between the sides at the Labour Relations Commission.

An alternative proposal to outsourc- ing has been developed between SIP- TU and Aer Lingus management in talks held under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. SIP- TU will be consulting with members in advance of any ballot on the new proposals.

The aim is to complete the process before December 4.

There will be no industrial action

or strike action commenced during the process, but if SIPTU members reject the proposal the union man- date remains live and can be acti- vated if the company proceeds with eo) EL Rolen ner baton

Both sides are remaining cautious about revealing any details of the alternative to the management out- sourcing proposal outside union and company circles, but it’s understood that the LRC recommendations af- ter extensive talks will depend on expectations that many staff will choose to accept voluntary severance packages.

The agreement also presumes that a number will leave the company and return under new pay and cond1-

tions.

Staff who stay on current terms of employment will keep their current pay scales, entitlements, overtime rates, annual holidays and shift al- eee

Based on a review of the operation in Shannon, payroll savings will in- clude an overall 35 per cent reduction in staff with staff being employed on new terms and conditions.

A Shannon Handling Unit will be set up to allocate duties in the cargo and ground handling operation and staff will be required to work flex- ibly.

A pay pause will also be in place until July 2010.

The alternative plan will have to be

given approval by the members be- fore the full threat of a strike action, Jobe] OMOrO LEN (CM ODLMNU elem vel UR inett-MOE-RVoll period, can be ruled out.

Meanwhile, there have been sug- gestions that the company may be looking at returning the Heathrow service to Shannon.

Company chairman, Colm Bar- rington, said in a letter to Clare County Council that if the airline can get its cost base right at Shannon and generate sufficient passenger num- bers “we will be prepared to consider PNOMVanepes toa

Recent figures from Belfast show that passenger numbers on the route are falling behind what they had at Shannon by 27 per cent.

Ennis parking woes

Break-in at bookies

FRUSTRATION has once again been expressed at the ongoing delays in the provision of a sewerage system in Doolin.

Responding to a motion put for- ward by Cllr Richard Nagle (FF) at yesterday’s meeting of the Ennisty- mon electoral area, it has emerged that there are a number of hurdles yet to be overcome before a system could be put out to tender.

According to the official reply by Walter Walshe of water services at Clare County Council, work on ob- taining Part Eight certificate for the site has yet to begin.

“The Part Eight process will com- mence as soon as the assimilative ca- pacity report is available,” it said.

“If the site proves suitable through the Part Eight and other statutory process, it will be necessary to seek approval from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to this amended scheme proposal before proceeding to tender SET Xon

The delay in the Doolin Sewage Scheme has resulted in much frustra- tion in the area and prompted locals to set up an action group.

“The people from Doolin are very disappointed with this situation. I mean, is there any progress at all on

this issue?” asked Cllr Martin Laf- ferty (Ind).

“The people of Doolin are highly despondent with this whole situation. We would fully support any effort that is made to provide any sewage scheme in Doolin.”

There was some good news, how- ever, with the confirmation of the progress made on the Ballyvaughan Sewage Scheme.

“A draft foreshore license has been issued for the Ballyvaughan Sewage Scheme. The council has commented on this draft and the final licence is now awaited,’ said the reply from the water services at Clare County Council.

“As soon as this licence is received, the council will examine any statuto- ry or contractual implications of the licence and make necessary amend- ments to the contract documents be- fore submitting them to the depart- ment for approval.”

Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said that Doolin and Ballyvaughan generate more for the county that most other areas and that it was not right that they should be left in this situation.

Meanwhile, Cllr Martin Conway (FG) has called for all barriers erect- ed in areas where there are water sports being undertaken to be report- ed to the emergency services and the Doolin Coast Guard.

A MAN who was caught taking ma- terial from a plant in Shannon im- mediately put it back, a court has heard.

Seamus McAllister (41), of East Singland Road, Garryowen, Limer- ick, admitted a charge of burglary at Boart Longyear, Shannon Industrial Estate, on January 13 last.

Shannon District Court heard that a generator, drill, halogen lamp, seven rolls of copper and a vice were taken

from the premises.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that the accused was seen putting the items into a vehicle, but then returned them. The incident oc- curred on a Sunday afternoon.

“Nothing was in fact taken. It would appear the defendant was in the process of taking the material,’ he said.

Defending solicitor Ted McCarthy said the generator was small and the items could be purchased quite cheaply.

“He accepts what he did was wrong,’ he said. “He has not been before the courts in 15 years. Dur- ing that time, he has turned himself around,” he added.

He said his client thought the build- ing was derelict.

Inspector Kennedy accepted that the accused had fully co-operated. Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a fine of €400.

A THREE-MONTH jail term has been confirmed after a 23-year-old man was found unsuitable for com- munity service.

Previously in court, John McDon- agh, of Halting Site, Ballymurtagh Cross, Shannon, was convicted of handling two boxes of stolen tiles, valued at €68, in Shannon, on No- vember 13, 2007.

A three-month jail term had been handed down, but he would not serve this if he was found suitable for com- munity service.

Shannon District Court heard last Thursday that the accused was not suitable for community service, af- ter he failed to meet an appointment with a probation officer.

His solicitor Tara Godfrey said her

client did not receive correspondence on one occasion.

McDonagh told the court that he did not receive a letter from the Pro- bation service regarding a meeting.

“T live in a halting site. About 10 of us use the letter box. About 10 fami- les use the one letter box,” he said.

“There are a lot of kids there. There could be 30 letters. They could have opened them and realised they were not theirs and dumped them. It has been happening,” he said.

He said that he made a complained to the local postman but did not take Wem ONE IAKoMRUDMN OOM

Ms Godfrey then said her client did not get a letter reminding him of an appointment with the Probation service.

Judge Joseph Mangan confirmed the three-month jail term.

A MAN’S eye socket was cracked and put out of place during an early morning altercation in Meelick, it has been claimed in court.

Arising out of the alleged incident, David (23) and Gary (22) Moloney, of Elton Court, Meelick, are accused of assaulting Mark Walsh, causing him harm, at Killavoher, Meelick, on June 28 last.

Inspector Tom Kennedy told Shan- non District Court that Mr Walsh

received serious injuries to his face during a row at 3am.

“From a medical report his eye socket was cracked and put out of place,” he said. He said Mr Walsh’s face was swollen as a result of the incident.

He said he was punched into the face and kicked to the body, whilst on the ground.

Judge Joseph Mangan declined jurisdiction and adjourned the case for preparation of the Book of Evi- dence.