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FINE GAEL TD Pat Breen and In- dependent ITD James Breen have joined forces this week to highlight what they describe as a “major crisis that will hit the capital town of Ennis in relation to water and waste water esata oh iee

The two TDs plan to raise Ennis’ water problems at an adjournment debate in the Dail today. They are calling on the Government to sub-

sidise bottled water for children and people with weakened immune sys- caehe

Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) said that she was “very pleased” that the two deputies “have responded to the water campaign which I launched over the weekend”.

She distributed thousands of free bottles of water to people affected by the Ennis water system. Her high- profile move included a “contract” providing that if she was elected and

Fine Gael were in Government, the town’s new permanent water scheme would be delivered immediately.

She described it as an “unusual co- incidence” that the two TDs should bring the matter up at Dail level now. She added that she “would hope that Ennis will reap the benefits and I am calling now on Minister Tony Kil- leen and Minister de Valera to join with the deputies and raise the matter in the Dail with the Minister”’.

The two deputies say they were told

at a briefing of Ennis Town Council that the preliminary report on the main drainage scheme lodged with the Department of the Environment in 2002 was out of date. Consultants were needed to prepare revised fig- ures.

Deputy Pat Breen said that this would further delay the process and the “present water crisis will not have a permanent solution until at least the end of 2008.

“The new scheme will cost €1 mil- lion a year to run and will only cater for the existing population of Ennis of approximately 20,000 people, de- spite the fact that figures show that the population of Ennis could double by 2020 as Ennis is the fastest grow- ing town in the country,” he said.

“If there isn’t a quick response by the Department of the Environment, then further planning and develop- ment in Ennis could be sterilised,’ he said.

Deputy James Breen said that the last report cost €1 million in taxpay- ers money to complete.

‘Now we have to have another one because the minister has done noth- ing about it – what is that going to cost the taxpayer? The initial cost of a solution to the problem in 2002 was €50 million and what is that go- ing to cost now? It will at least have doubled.”

has learned.

This follows last week’s announce- ment of the sale of the family-owned business to the North South Pig Company, with the loss of between 40 and 60 jobs. A delegation from the IFA met with the Duffy family last week and confirmed that in ex- cess of €400,000 was still owed to farmers.

The factory has refused to issue any form of payment to farmers, even though they are currently still trad- bate

“Many of these pig producers are family-farm operators, who are reli- ant on this money to remain in busi- ness,’ said IFA pig committee chair- man, Michael Maguire, who called on the AIB to mediate with the Duffys on behalf of the farmers.

“The most alarming aspect for these farmers is that bank cheques have not been issued for three to four weeks, despite reassurances that they would.

“Considering the asset value of the plant and surrounding land is valued 71 He eos ONO B(O)e mmr Te(G Mm Hs (omme-Celmm Oer-lmmre| high percentage of these pig produc- ers are AIB customers, the onus is on AJB to bring about a satisfactory solution to this issue.”

Meanwhile, it is now believed that North South Pig Company will con- tinue to use the facility as a slaugh- terhouse but will discontinue all de- boning and other processing work.

This would mostly likely mean job losses in the region of 60 people, as opposed to the 80 jobs reported in the national media last week.

Dutffy’s was the first company in the Gort area to start employing Brazilian workers who immigrated from the town of Anapolis. It is also likely that the majority of job losses will come from the Brazilian com- munity.

Plant owner Sean Duffy began Gort’s connection with Brazil after a trip to South America some 10 years ago, when he brought back three skilled workers.

In recent years, the population of Gort has climbed to more than 2,400 people, including some 600 Brazil- TE DaWDOObSOUESS eeDOT ASE

LISDOONVARNA Failte is facing a race against time to secure €1.27 million in Government grant-aid funding towards the provision of a new theatre for the north Clare Ke e0k

Currently, Clare County Council is deciding on the group’s plans to restore the existing Park Pavilion building, which will accommodate a theatre and community uses.

“Grant funding of €1.27 million has been set aside for the realisation of this project. However, we are re-

quired to satisfy the Department of Tourism of the project’s feasibility by June 30,” said architect for the project, John O’Reilly, in a letter to the council.

“To achieve this, we would greatly appreciate the council’s efforts in progressing this application within the two-month decision date dead- line.” The work proposed involves the carrying out of works to a pro- tected structure or a proposed pro- Kee Kore MID MUCOLAU TKO

Mr O’Reilly said that the project was for theatre and community use for such events as the Lisdoonvarna

Matchmaking Festival and it would encourage tourism in an area zoned for tourism development in the Clare County Development Plan 2005.

The Department of Tourism states that Lisdoonvarna will have to pro- vide evidence of matching funding to enable completion of the project and to comply with all conditions set down by the council and the Office of Public Works (OPW).

The letter also states that the pro- moters will have to provide any addi- tional funding required to complete the project. The letter states, “If the above conditions are not met by June

30, the grant will be withdrawn.”

Independent councillor Martin Lafferty said last night that “the res- toration of the theatre will provide a valuable asset for Lisdoonvarna and itis being driven by chairman of Lis- doonvarna Failte, Joe Garrihy.

“The building itself has a rich his- tory. It has a huge hall and massive floorspace and should be of great use to the people in the local area.”

The original grant was made by former Heritage Minister, Sile de Valera. Lisdoonvarna Failte success- fully applied for an extension to the erant approval.

Wel Sree lia acwreuon oes (CoeKEo.¢olou ce enced its busiest week in many years with each of Clare’s seven fire sta- tions responding to a series of gorse, bog and forest fires over a wide area.

To the week ending April 20, fire crews responded to more than 30 gorse and forest fires across Clare spending. They spent almost 60 hours tackling the blazes over hun- dreds of acres.

The weekend rain brought a wel- come respite, helping to bring many

fires under control and extinguishing others. Fire crews hope continuing rain will prevent fires from restarting although it is feared that the worst of the gorse fire season 1s yet to come.

Units of the brigade from different stations were called to some of the fires.

The most severe took up to seven hours to bring under control. Less threatening fires were allowed burn out. The fires were at Kilmaley, Whitegate, Mountshannon, Kilfeno- ra, Broadford, Doonbeg and Mo- yasta.

Clare County Fire Service was un- able to confirm the actual causes of the fires in Clare.

It is thought that in some cases lo- cal farmers began to burn off gorse on their lands and these fires got out of control. However, the hot weath- er probably caused the majority of NB Kee

The fire authority has warned that burning of gorse on lands is prohib- ited between March | and August 31 each year. According to Clare Coun- ty Fire Service Chief Officer Adrian Kelly, “Landowners have a special

responsibility to preserve the coun- tryside, its landscape and its wildlife. They should take reasonable precau- tions to ensure that uncontrolled fires do not occur on their property be- tween March and September.”

Clare County Council’s fire author- ity has laid down very strict guide- lines. “Where farmers are burning scrub/vegetation, they must in all cases inform the fire service at least one day before burning, giving the location, time and duration of burn- ing,’ Chief Kelly said.

Speaking about the public involve-

ment in assisting to fight fires on lands, Adrian Kelly said, “While Coillte personnel and ourselves gen- erally work in groups, both to be more effective and also for safety es- pecially during dusk hours, members of the public that assist may not do deh

“They must also be co-ordinated. If members of the public/landown- ers are assisting Coillte/Fire Service, they should accompany these per- sonnel at all times to ensure proper co-ordination of resources to deal with these incidents.”

THE Department of the Environ- ment has raised concerns about fur- ther development on a floodplain on the outskirts of Ennis. Department officials were reacting to a planning application to Clare County Council by Gareth Kelly.

Mr Kelly has applied for plan- ning permission for a water supply scheme to facilitate the develop- ment of lands at Bunnow, Doora, Skehanagh and Clareabbey.

Officials say that major develop- ment in this low-lying coastal flood- plain area is likely to require up- graded flood defences in the future.

According to the department, this will raise the likelihood of addition- al negative impacts on the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and on sensitive species and wetland sys- tems in the area.

Mr Kelly has applied to have a total of 150 acres of land rezoned from low density housing to resi-

dential, commercial and to remove the flood risk designation.

In response, the council has stated that there is no identified need for additional zoning for development to meet the needs of the plan.

The Department of the Environ- ment has called for a detailed ex- amination of the Kelly application, through the drawing up an Environ- mental Impact Statement (EIS).

“The proposed development is located in and near Lower River Shannon Special Area of Conser- vation (SAC) and on its own and in combination with other plans and projects in the area is likely to have significant negative impacts on the SAC and its conservation objec- tives, including a range of species protected under Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive.

“Significant impacts on the SAC and on Annex II species, including otter, salmon, Lesser Horseshoe Bat and Marsh Fritillary are likely as a result of habitat loss, fragmentation

and degradation, including as a re- sult of changes 1n hydrology and wa- ter quality and a result of increased noise, light and disturbance.

“The proposed development be- cause of its nature, size and location and its association with other major developments in this area — pro- posed, permitted and under con- struction — is likely to have a signifi- cant impact on the environment.”

It goes on, “The site and associat- ed proposed development lands are low-lying and are known to flood extensively.

“A hydrological assessment and flood risk assessment will be re- quired to assess the likely cumula- tive impacts on the hydrology of the area and the need to redevelop or upgrade the flood defence work and the tidal barrage at Clarecastle in the future.”

Officials warn that “the flood risk assessment should be based on ex- treme flood events taking climate and sea level changes into account.”

AN application has been lodged with Clare County Council to rezone al- most 100 acres at Barefield for hous- ing, commercial and community use.

The application for rezoning has been made by Benster Ltd and is one of the 168 submissions made to Clare County Council in relation to the review of the Ennis and Environs Development Plan.

However, 1n response to the propos-

al, the Council’s Planning Depart- ment has stated, “There is no iden- tified need to zone additional land residential to meet the future needs of the plan period”.

Separately, an application has been made by Crystal Partners to zone land at Gaurus outside Ennis for a local centre and rezone land from limited residential land or ‘other set- tlement land’ to residential.

The planner’s report states, ““The proposal for a local centre is within a larger site zoned residential, located

south of the Knockanean Road, in the eastern Residential Development Area.

“There are two local centres zoned in this area, one at Roslevan one kilometre to the north west, which is partly developed and one south of the Tulla Road approximately 400 metres to the north, which is not de- veloped.

“In reviewing the plan, account will be taken of the ability of the area to absorb a third local centre, the dis- tance between the local centres and

future population growth.”

As part of its plan for the area, Crystal Partners are in negotiation with Doora Barefield parish and in an update to parishioners state, “Crystal Partners developed land and own Roslevan shopping centre and also have development land at Gaurus.

“On these lands, they have offered to provide a site for a 16-teacher school, a pre-school facility and a hurling pitch as part of their develop- ment proposals for the area — this is subject to planning permission being

granted.”

The update continues that the de- velopers “will continue negotiations with our development group in re- lation to the provision of a church, community hall, children’s play- ground and all weather pitches on the Fahy Hall lands in exchange for part of our lands in this area.”

Discussion on the submissions is to take place between members of En- nis Town Council and Clare County Council in the first two weeks of May.

THE fourth Annual Matt O’Connor memorial open sports were held at Crusheen GAA grounds and there was a huge turnout of juvenile ath- letes from all Clare clubs.

The girls U7 50metres saw Sarah O’Donoghue, Kilnaboy, take vic- tory while Conor Malone, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, won the boys ONE

The first double of the evening went to Clodagh Leonard, Marian, in the

girls U8 where she romped home over 100m and 200m.

Wayne Linnane, St Mary’s, pro- duced two outstanding races in the boys U10 when taking double gold in the 100m and 200m.

Niamh Markham, St Mary’s, re- corded a great double in the girls U13 100m and 600m with Catriona Hennessy, Marian, a very impressive winner of the girls UI5 when taking a treble in the 100m, 800m and jun- ior ladies title.

Conor Neylon, Marian, was in fine

form where he took the junior and senior 100 metre titles, with Hilda O’Connor, Ennis Track Club, taking gold in the masters ladies 100m, and Dermot Moran, St Mary’s, took the masters men O50 title.

The senior ladies 1500metres and the Matt O’Connor Memorial Tro- phy went to Sue Garrahy, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North Clare, where she led from start to finish to take the title ahead of Marian Burke, St Mary’s, and a surprise third was Caroline Darcy, Kilmurry Ibrickane/North

Clare, who also got engaged on the day.

The senior mens 1500metres team event saw a very big race from Brian Murphy, Marian, taking the field out at a very good pace over the first two laps. With two laps remaining he had opened up a good lead to take the title from Martin Glynn and Pat Hogan, both Ennis Track Club.

Marian AC retained their team title with Brian Murphy, Fergal Smith- wick, Tom Geraghty for a total of eo ie

ENNIS native Selina Moylan is studying Sports and Business Man- agement in University of New Haven Connecticut. Moylan led Munster under 18’s in the 2003 Gaynor Cup, the same year she picked up the Irish Under 19 player of the year award and was named Irish Under 19 cap- tain. Two years later she started her first season on a soccer scholarship with New Haven.

It can be gruelling combining stud- ies and soccer, but Moylan is loving 1

“A week during the season is pret- ty long. Last year on Monday and Tuesday alone we would have done

three hours training by three o’clock on Tuesday. On Monday I’d go to my classes from 8am to lpm, get an hour break then we have training at 2.30 for 90 mins. On Tuesday I go to class from 8.30am to lpm and then we have training again at 2.30pm. We get one day off a week and that is usually Sunday and we have a mini- mum of two games per week.

“Last season at one point we had seven games over a two week span. Those two weeks were pretty hard because we had to go to class and then travel, then come back and do homework.

“It didn’t take me too long to adjust to playing with American players, but I will say that there are very few

of them that know the game.

“The facilities vary at every school as well. You could go to one school that had state of the art facilities and then you could to another one that barely have a field.

“My coach is Brendan Faherty. He is only in his 20’s so he 1s still pretty young and he is still learning, he is a very good coach though. He went over to England to college so he knows the game really well. Soccer is his life, that’s all that needs to be said about him.

“T don’t really keep that much of an eye on the game back home when I’m away. Brendan will tell me about it because he keeps an eye on it. But other than that not really.

“IT would like to see Noel King (Irish ladies manager) give some of the younger players a chance to make it and not just call them in just to make up numbers.

‘I do know that he has given a few of the girls a chance, but there are a lot of us that know we are good enough to play in the team. That is SOMO MUNI OeLBUNToaae

Moylan has certainly made her mark in the US. She has been named on the NSCAA adidas Women’s soc- cer All-America team, which basi- cally means the league picked her in their top 11 players last season. An- other honour for the girl from Ennis who is sure to pick up more as her career progresses.

RIGHT after the game, they were dancing like they’d just won the lot- tery. Inagh/Kilnamona upset the odds and Paddy McGuane was lost in a sea of celebrations. Just after the cup was lifted, he threw his mind back over a rip-roaring game.

“The goal scored by Brendan Long straight after Newmarket’s goal was vital as we were giving a message that we would not lie down against them. Our defence was tremendous to a man with our fast forwards com- ing into the game in the second half. A huge factor in our win was the training of the two squads together all year displaying the unity between the clubs.”He said the plans on how to tackle the final were made well in advance and the unity in the squad was a Springboard to Sunday’s suc- cess.

“On Wednesday night the two panels were training and Donal Ca- hir and I asked the Kilnamona lads to stay on for a few minutes to dis- cuss the Under 21C final on Friday evening and every Inagh man stayed to listen and offer support. The fact that Fergal Keane congratulated the Inagh mentors Noel Hehir and Tom Hogan after we won the C title on Friday showed the respect that now exists between the two clubs and the fantastic work that is being carried out by all mentors in the two clubs”.

Even though they had their eyes firmly set on capturing the title last week, they were taking it just one game at a time all season. It was an approach that worked.

“We took every game in the two erades as the next game to win. No talk ever took place about winning titles. The smaller clubs have players of the highest standards and when

they can join together, they can dis- play this quality. Just because a club is low on numbers does not mean they do not have players as good as those from the strongly populated clubs.”

He also paid tribute to the team they had just beaten.

‘Newmarket played their part in what I hope and feel was a great game to view and we applaud them for their brilliance as champions over the last three years. We modeled our- selves on their high standards and applied our own requirements to achieve the ultimate success. We still won’t get carried away bit I have to say well done to a fantastic bunch of men from the parish”.

IT WAS a big strike for the small man. Inagh and Kilnamona joined forces once more on Sunday and took the catapult to Newmarket-on- Fergus.

David and Goliath stuff. Hard work and belief won through in the end and when the game was done with, the amalgamation had their first ever Under-21 A title.

Newmarket were striving to be- come only the second club ever to secure four titles on the trot — Feakle

did it back in the *80s — but in the end their firepower ran out.

The second half of this game had everything. The champions surging ahead, the underdogs fighting back. Another surge by Newmarket before Inagh/Kilnamona finally got their teeth around the game and rattled off six points in the last ten minutes. Newmarket had only a point to show for the closing stages of the final, before Bernard Gaffney whipped in a bullet from 21-yards. It was saved by Inagh/Kilnamona captain Patrick Kelly in the goal, but David Barrett

flicked the return into the net.

It was a one point game and injury time had just begun. In truth, Inagh/ Kilnamona never looked like leaving it behind them once they flourished in the final quarter but it was breath- less stuff all around.

As a crowd was gathering on the field to see Kelly collect the trophy, County Board chairman Michael McDonagh gushed, “this must be the best game of hurling we’ve seen all season.”

He was right. Out on the field, with the crowd spilling all around him,

Paddy McGuane — who had a major hand in Kilnamona winning the C ti- tle earlier in the weekend — said the day should be seen as a shot in the arm for the smaller clubs of Clare.

“They [smaller clubs] have play- ers of the highest standard and when they can join together, they can put in displays of this quality. Just because a club is low on numbers doesn’t mean they don’t have players as good as those from the strongly populated clubs.”

It should point the way forward for the senior championship to come.

Nothing was taken for granted by the amalgamation as they marched through the season. Step by step until the annexed the big gun on Sunday.

Crusheen were the other big win- ners of the weekend. After a strong start, Broadford died away in the Under 21B final and Crusheen took it easily in the end.