Category: News

A CLARE doctor has discovered a new form of gene therapy which could more than double the survival rate and life expectancy of people who suffer heart attacks.

Ennis man John O’Sullivan has completed a successful clinical trails on pigs and has just been granted a € 1 million budget to roll out clinical trials on humans over the next four years. Pigs were chosen as their hearts bear a close medical resemblance to humans.

Should the human prove as successful as the trials on pigs – his research will be used to manufacture a commercial drug which could save hundreds of thousands of lives every year.

The therapy works by using a substance secreted from adult bone marrow known as IGF1 to help strengthen the inner lining of arteries while also helping to prevent damaged heart cells from dying.

“We delivered a very exact, very low, level of IGF1 to the animal after the heart attack and we looked at how this effected cell death in the heart and heart structure. We found that even at very low doses this substance caused a significant change in the signals being sent off by dying hearts cells half an hour after the heart attack had taken place,” he told The Clare People .

“After 24 hours we noticed a significant reduction in the level of cell death in the heart. We looked again after two months and found a significantly improved heart function and structure.

“This is very encouraging and we have secured a grant to take this forward to human trials which will be starting in a months time.”

John is pioneered his groundbreaking work at the Centre for Research in Vascular Biology in Cork alongside Professor Noel Caplice. They have secured € 1 million to roll out human trial in Cork over the next four years.

“If this is successful this will change everything – it will be taken up everywhere and who knows what will happen,” continued John.

“In our trials, we created heart at- tacks which damaged on average 40 per cent of the heart and the use of the IGF1 reduced the death of cells in the affected areas by a half. On a longer term basis we were able to return heart function pretty much back to normal.”

John, who is from Castlewood Park in Ennis, earlier this year became the first Irish-based researcher to American College of Cardiology Young Investigator Award, while he also won this year’s Outstanding Young Person award by Junior Chamber International Ireland.

OVER 5,000 this people are set to descend on Miltown Malbay and district from this weekend for the annual Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy music festival that’s worth an estimated € 5m to the local economy.

The 39th festival, which commemorates the famous Miltown Malbay musician who died in 1973, will be officially opened this Saturday night by Sean Keane of The Chieftans, while a host of marquee names in traditional music will attend over the course of the event that runs from July 2 to 10.

“The key to the success of the Scoil Samhradh,” says festival Co-Director, Harry Hughes, “ is that we have always tried to maintain an excellence in the tuition that we offer ever year.

“This year we have the likes of Martin Hayes who comes to the festival every year, Edel Fox, Paddy Glackin, Mick Mulkerrins, Kieran Hanrahan and Rip Epping, while photographer Tony Kearns, who has been documenting the school over a long number of years will deliver the Breandán Breathnach Memorial Lecture, An Eye for the Music, which discusses the relationship between photography and Irish traditional music,” adds Hughes, who founded the festival back in 1973 with Muiris Ó Rocháin and Martin Talty.

For the past number of years, the Tuesday of summer school week has been devoted to celebrating the life and work of a musician who has made a significant contribution to the Irish musical heritage.

This year the honour goes to Clare’s own Peadar O’Loughlin, the Kilmaley flute and pipe player, who is regarded as one of the masters of the musical tradition.

The Peadar O’Loughlin tribute takes place on Tuesday next and will feature contributions from his friends and fellow musicians, will be coordinated by piper and RT presenter and producer, Peter Browne.

REMEDIAL works on 17 local authority houses in Scariff have been completed, at a cost of € 850,000.

The Mayor of Clare, Councillor Christy Curtin (Independent), was handed the keys of the 17 units at Connaught Road, Scariff, on Friday, following the completion of the project.

The project contract, which was awarded to Galway construction company Atlantic Developments Limited in October, involved upgrade works to the 17 tenanted properties in the estate. This included insulation, roofing, windows and doors replacement.

The houses are part of a batch of 31 homes which were constructed in the 1970s. The remaining 14 houses have since been purchased.

New heating systems, including high efficiency oil boilers supplemented with solid fuel stoves, have been upgraded to achieve a C1 Building Energy Rating (BER). Solar panels also have been provided on the roofs of four bungalows to achieve a high energy rating.

Other works include general environmental drainage and a new watermain, boundary treatment to all 31 houses, and improvement works to roads, public lighting and footpaths in the estate.

“The improvement to the energy efficiency of these houses in Scariff will make a great difference to the comfort factor for the occupants. I would like to acknowledge the excellent work carried out by the contractor and design team who successfully completed the project on time and within budget,” said Mr Curtin.

The Chairperson of the Council’s Housing Strategic Policy Committee, Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Independent), thanked residents for their “forbearance and co-operation while their homes were being upgraded”.

“Many residents voluntarily relocated for the duration of the works while those who remained in residence co-operated fully with the contractor and tolerated a level of inconvenience. They can now look forward to enjoying an improved quality of life in their upgraded homes,” she said.

The project funding of € 850,000 was provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

THERE was a large turnout in St Joseph’s Church in Whitegate on Friday as family and many friends gathered for Mass to remember a local priest and sportsman who died recently.

Canon Jim Mulvihill, a native of Capanthrane, Whitgate, passed away earlier this month aged 90. He is sadly missed by family members in Whitegate and Scariff and fondly remembered by those who shared his huge sporting enthusiasm.

He was the son of the late Johanna and Partick Mulvilhill and was one of five children – Anna, Maggie May, Tommie and Mikey.

He went to school at Lakyle National School and later attended St Flannan’s in Ennis.

Noted for his talent on the hurling field, Canon Mulvihill won several tophies when he played with the Ennis hurling nursery and he was part of the team which won the Canon O’Kennedy Shield against holders, St Finbarr’s of Farranferris. He also played for his native Whitegate.

When he wasn’t on the hurling field, Canon Jim was often to be found induging his other great sporting passion, fishing on Lough Derg.

He studied for the priesthood in St Patrick’s in Carlow and was ordained on June 3, 1945.

He was sent first to serve in the diocese of Tuscan in Arizona and then returned to Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.

He was incardinated into the archdiocese of Cardiff in 1963 and was appointed as parish priest to Bromyard in Herefordshire in 1967. In 1997 he was appointed parish priest of St Basil and St Gwladys. He retired from that appointment in 2002 but continued to say daily Mass in the parish.

In 2005 he celebrated sixty years in the priesthood.

Canon Mulvihill was in constant contact with his native Clare and regularly welcomed visitors from the county.

He passed away in the care of the sisters and staff of Nazareth House, where he had lived since 2007.

Archbishop Georg Stack of Cardiff was the chief celebrant at Canon Mulvihill’s funeral Mass.

He is survived by his nephews and nieces: the Mulvihills in Whitegate, Marie, Pat, Jim Tom and Den; and im Scariff, the McMahon’s Paddy, Seanie, Noel, Michael and Mary; as well as many friends, both lay and clergy.

APPLICATIONS from people in Clare to have broadband provided under the Rural Broadband Scheme are fewer than from other counties across the country, it has been revealed.

In response to a query from The Clare People , a spokesperson for the Rural Broadband Scheme said that just 32 applications applications from areas in County Clare have been received to date, despite the fact that almost every area in the county is eligible to apply.

Only Ennis and a few other pockets in the county are ruled out of the scheme, but few Banner residents have opted to take advantage of it.

“Applications from Clare are definitely less than the national average but there is still some short time left for people to apply,” the spokesperson said.

Pointing out that access to broadband is vital for rural businesses and increasingly becoming a basic tool in homes and schools, the spokesperson said that it’s important that Clare people, who may qualify, get their applications in before the July 29 deadline.

The Rural Broadband Scheme was established to enable a basic broadband service to be provided to individual rural premises, which are not capable of obtaining a broadband service from existing internet service providers. The Scheme was set up in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture as a measure under the Rural Development Plan using funding from the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development.

This first phase involves inviting and processing applications. In the second phase of the scheme, the department will check with existing internet service providers to see if they are willing to provide a service to the premises concerned. If none of the companies concerned are prepared to offer a service, then the application will progress to the next phase in the scheme in which the department will engage an internet service provider who will offer a basic internet service to applicants. While the department will be paying part of the cost of the infrastructure necessary to provide a service, the applicant will be responsible for paying the costs of the service itself.

It’s expected that the scheme should be completed by the end of 2012 at the latest.

Anyone interested can apply online by visiting the department’s website www.dcenr.ie and following the links for the Rural Broadband Scheme, by downloading an application from the website and sending it in the post or alternatively by calling 01 6782020 or call save the RBS on 1850 678100. The link includes a map of Clare showing the eligible areas.

A LANDSCAPED green area that has been developed on the site of the former Tradaree Court Flats in Shannon has been officially opened.

The mayors of Shannon and Clare marked the occasion by joining members of the project team and officials from Clare County Council to participate in a tree planting ceremony on Tuesday morning.

The apartments, which were originally built in the 1970s to house single parent families, comprised 30 one-bed apartments. They formed part of the property portfolio taken over by Clare County Council from Shannon Development in 2004. The flats, which were in a deteriorating condition, were finally vacated with the re-homing of the last occupants in August 2009. The two apartment blocks were demolished in December, allowing for the reinstatement of the ground for the provision of a green area. Speaking at the official opening, the Mayor of Clare, Councillor Christy Curtin, said: “The completion of this project is a positive development for Shannon and represents a significant, positive contribution to the town by Clare County Council.

“Prior to their demolition in late 2010, the apartment blocks had fallen into disrepair. Incidents of anti-social behaviour and littering in the vicinity of the unoccupied buildings had caused some concern within the local community. In response to these concerns, the Council identified the demolition project as a high priority, given the economic and social costs resulting from the current condition of the two vacant blocks,” he said.

According to Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager, “The aim of the demolition project, which has been completed on time and within budget, was to eliminate risk and ongoing costs to the Council and to provide additional open space for the benefit of the residents of Tradaree Court.”

“The new green area is a great addition to the town and a wonderful amenity for people in the area. I have no doubt it will be well used by the people of Shannon and surrounding communities for many years to come,” he added. Sean Hegarty, on behalf of Hegarty Demolition, stated he was pleased to have had the opportunity to undertake a project in his native county.

The project, which was included in the Council’s Social Housing Investment Programme in 2009, was funded by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

FEARS that a child will be seriously injured or killed in the Cappa Lodge area of Sixmilebridge have been expressed, amid concerns over levels of traffic.

Independent councillor Gerry Flynn called for traffic calming measures to be put in place on the section of road going through Cappa Lodge which serves the Chapel Court development.

He said the section of road goes through a busy residential area and presents traffic hazards for children living in the area.

“It is now a traffic hazard. The issues are too serious,” he said, at a meeting of Shannon area councillors last week.

“I don’t want to be waiting for a child to be badly injured or killed. It’s absolutely disgraceful if we are going to leave this on the long finger. It is urgent,” he said.

In response, he was told that an assessment will be undertaken in line with the council’s traffic calming policy for residential areas, to determine if traffic calming measures are warranted on the road.

In another roads-related motion at the meeting, Cllr Flynn called for a complete overlay of road surface on the road serving Illaunamanagh cemetery.

He said that the current policy of repairing pot holes was not sufficient to deal with the volumes of traffic using the road.

He was told, in a written response, that the access road was not included in the council’s road schedule as a public road. Therefore, improvement works would not be eligible for grant funding from the Department of Transport and would have to be provided for from the council’s own resources. It will be considered for inclusion in the 2012 programme of road works.

“There are a lot of elderly people going in there. A tar and chip overlay, which would not be very costly, could at least be done,” the councillor said.

Sixmilebridge-based councillor PJ Ryan (Independent) asked for an update on “the junction in Sixmilebridge, especially in the Clonlara direction. People don’t seem to be stopping there”.

“Local people are afraid there will be a fatality there sooner or later if there isn’t an improvement. Definitely something has to be done,” he added.

VINCENT Coleman of Fine Gael has been co-opted to Shannon Town Council, replacing Tony Mulcahy, whose election as a Senator created the vacancy.

At a meeting of the town council last week, Clrr Seán McLoughlin (FG) proposed that the 33-year-old be co-opted to the council. This was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Mary Brennan. Shannon Town Clerk Liam O’Connor told the meeting that the Fine Gael party has nominated Mr Coleman, who works with Servisair in Shannon. The town’s newest council lor was welcomed by all colleagues on the nine-member council.

Cllr McLoughlin said to Mr Coleman, “You have knocked on the doors in Shannon. You have stuffed envelopes. You are well used to the politics of politics as such.”

Cllr Patricia McCarthy said to Mr Coleman, “I’m sure that you will do the job and represent the people of Shannon exceptionally well. It is a great honour to represent the people of Shannon.”

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) said it was a very proud moment for the Coleman family and for Vincent’s parents who were in the public gallery for the memorable occasion. “It’s a shame the public gallery isn’t a bit bigger. I’d like to see a couple of hundred people here to see what happens,” he said.

Mr Coleman has been the branch chairman for Fine Gael in Shannon for the past year.

FINE Gael town councillor Mary Brennan has been elected Mayor of Shannon. The election came about after the sitting mayor, Councillor Tony Mulcahy, was elected to the Seanad.

Cllr Brennan – who was first elected to the council two years ago – was elected mayor after she was proposed by Independent councillor Patricia McCarthy and seconded by Fine Gael councillor Seán McLoughlin, at a meeting of Shannon Town Council last Tuesday.

She will hold the position for just a fortnight as a new mayor is to be elected on June 28. However, Ms Brennan is widely expected to hold onto the post for the next 12 months.

In accepting the chain of office, Cllr Brennan described it as a “unique honour”.

She took the opportunity to pay tribute to the town’s retired town clerk Tomás MacCormaic, who passed away a fortnight ago. She said that a golf classic organised as a fundraiser for the senior citizens club in the town should be in memory of Tomás, who had a great love of golf. The golf classic will take place at Shannon Golf Club on June 27. “It would be a nice honour if we made it in memory of him,” she said.

Independent councillor Gerry Flynn wished Ms Brennan well as mayor, while Labour councillor Greg Duff said he hoped that all councillors would work in “partnership”.

Cllr Seán McLoughlin (FG) said that Ms Brennan was an excellent deputy mayor when he was mayor last year and wished her well in her new role.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind) congratulated Cllr Brennan and said, “Hopefully you will stay longer than two weeks. I’m satisfied you will be an extremely impartial chairperson.”

Cllr Brennan was the chairperson of the MPC on Tourism for the past two years and has been succeeded in this role by Sinn Féin councillor Cathy McCafferty.

THE Ennis Youth and Community Resource Building in Cloughleigh, Ennis, was officially opened on Friday by Frances Fitzgerald, TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and Councillor Tommy Brennan, Mayor of Ennis.

The Junction, which was constructed on land owned by Ennis Town Council, features a youth café/drop in centre and will be used as a base from which youth services and programmes to targeted groups will be delivered.

The project costs amounted to € 645,000, of which € 357,000 was allocated to the Council under the Social and Community Facilities Capital Scheme 2006. The balance of the capital expenditure was provided from the Council’s own resources. The Council was the contracting authority for the construction of the building and has leased the completed building to Clare Youth Service.

Mayor of Ennis Cllr Tommy Brennan described the new youth and community facility as a major addition to the town’s community and recreational infrastructure.

He added: “The Council has worked closely with the Clare Youth Service to bring this project to fruition. A range of youth programmes will be delivered from this building and in addition the facilities here will also be available to the wider community.”

“I would like to compliment and congratulate the contractor Liam O’Doherty of Gildoc Ltd and the design team, which was led by Richard Rice of Healy and Partners, on completion of an attractive, modern energy efficient building.

Michael Byrne, Chairperson of Clare Youth Service, commented: “This new initiative will see the development of youth-led community facilities for the benefit of all. It will bring all sections together building the relationships which are the foundation of strong communities.”

He said the youth service was aware of the “myriad” of social problems affecting young people such as addiction, unemployment and youth emigration.

Mr Byrne added that communities around Ennis had recently been marred by “violent death and suicide”. He said, “There are still enormous needs as a community we need to respond to.”

Speaking at the official opening Ger Dollard, Ennis Town Manager, stated that extensive negotiations had taken place since the project was first mooted almost 10 years ago. He highlighted the roles played by Youth Service CEO, Margaret Slattery, and local young people in the development of the centre.

He added, “We have established an advisory board comprising of representatives of the Youth Service, local community, Town Council and Gardaí to oversee the development of the facility. Ennis Town Council looks forward to continuing to play its role in what we expect will be a very successful community facility.”

Clare Youth Service has been at the forefront of the development of many initiatives in its 42 years of working with young people and their communities throughout the county. Set up in 1969, Clare Youth Service today provides direct services to over 3,000 young people aged 12 to 25 years around the county.