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CLARE County Council was forced to switch off the water supply to areas across north Clare over the weekend, as the impact of the big freeze con- tinued to be felt by local families.

The local authority was forced to temporarily shut off the supply to ar- eas around Lahinch, Liscannor and Ennistymon on Saturday and Sunday last because of low levels of water re- corded at the reservoir.

According to a spokesperson from the Ennistymon Area Office of Clare County Council, they are continuing to closely monitor the situation but levels at the reservoir appear to be returning to normal.

“We have also advertised in the media where people can collect wa- ter from the council yard in Ennisty- mon. A number of individual houses in the north Clare area have frozen stop-cocks and, even though there is water flowing in the mains system, it is not able to get into the house,” said the spokesperson.

“We have had to monitor water Supplies in Ennistymon, Lahinch and Liscannor closely over the last number of days. We have decent water supplies in the reservoir at the moment, but that situation can change quickly.

Meanwhile, the roads connecting Lisdoonvarna with Kilfenora and Ballyvaughan were closed by Clare County Council yesterday at the re- quest of the gardai. According to a council spokesman, the area around the Corkscrew Hill were particularly dangerous.

“We are monitoring the situation as closely as possible and we can say that all the major routes between the major towns are open at the mo- ment,” said the spokesman.

“Once you get onto the smaller, secondary roads then the situation is more difficult. It 1s a constantly changing situation. For example, the road between Lisdoonvarna and Kil- fenora was impassible this morning (Monday) but that situation could change again very quickly.”

2009 presented an exciting new dawn for Clare camogie as they am- bitiously met the double challenge of playing at the top level in both league and championship head on in a bid to establishing the county as a new senior force.

After several attempts during the decade, Clare finally made _ that breakthrough on the back of an un- precedented 2008 in which a Nation- al League Division 2 and All-Ireland AUT eb Ce) MMOL O(c) Rom UITDO A aRcecDuIEsIen

However, the beginning of 2009 also brought great change in Clare camogie. Orla Considine was ush- ered in as county chairperson, Clare subsequently entered two adult teams for league and championship for the first time (one at senior and one at intermediate level) and a new man- agement team of Bertie Sherlock, Catherine O’Loughlin, Kevin Ryan, John Sheedy and Fintan McNamara was introduced to guide both panels into the new unchartered waters.

In hindsight, it was perhaps too demanding to initiate such an ambt- tious two pronged set-up in the first year. The lack of numbers were an constant issue which meant there was a significant doubling up of play- ers and possibly a year at junior level would have served the second team better in their inaugural year.

That said, Clare can feel quite un- fortunate not to have taken more points in both the league and cham- pionship, especially at senior level. Clare entered the league in typical determined fashion but overall, in- experience at the top level was to repeatedly prove their undoing. Des- perately unlucky to be edged out by a point in their opening tie against eventual finalists Tipperary, Clare then led by 0-8 to 0-5 with less than 25 minutes to go against defending champions Kilkenny in Meelick only a week later before conceding nine unanswered points. Unperturbed by such set-backs, Clare finally got their just rewards with a final day 2-7 to

2-6 victory over Dublin in the capital and it was enough to give them re- newed confidence for the champion- ship campaign.

The intermediates on the other hand had a largely fluctuating league debut in Division 2. Going down by seven points in their opening tie against Tipperary in Cashel, the young side actually claimed a major scalp in their next outing by comprehensively beating defending All-Ireland inter- mediate champions Kilkenny by 0-11 to 1-O in Meelick, inspired by Carol Kaiser, Roisin McMahon, Chloe Mo- rey and Danielle Sheedy.

It should have initiated a new level of confidence in the predominantly teenage side but they were soon brought back down to earth by a 3-

14 to 2-04 defeat to Antrim and in fact, were unable to field in their final game against Derry a week later.

The final nail in the second side’s coffin came in their intermediate championship debut against neigh- bours Galway. With a largely experi- mental side, Clare were simply over- ran by a vastly experienced Galway who were ruthless in a 7-13 to 1-03 victory in Athenry. Clare chose to pull out of the competition after that while Galway eventually went on to win the intermediate championship O)binw resale

There was a similar camogie lesson for the senior side that afternoon as Clare supporters were left scratching their heads after totally contrasting halves. Despite being without the

experience of Sharon McMahon, Laura Linnane and Aimee MclIner- ney, Clare more than matched the All-Ireland finalists in the first half, only to undo all that good work with an abject second half display as Gal- way eventually ran out 3-17 to 1-04 victors.

It would have been enough to de- rail most sides but Clare had recog- nised long before the Galway game that their derby tie with Limerick would be the most pivotal game of their championship season. A tense, nail-biting encounter subsequently ensued with both sides craving the points to remain in the race for the semi-finals. In the end, Clare’s resil- ience saw them prevail by the bare minimum after the sides had been

level on three occasions in the final minutes. It was also a significant coming of age performance from Under 16 Chloe Morey who took responsibility for the final, pressu- rised free from 65 metres that sealed victory for the home side. That dis- play would subsequently earn her a national Gala Performance Award and also ensured that Clare’s hopes of advancement hinged on their fi- nal game against league champions Wexford a fortnight later.

Essentially a_ straight play-off in Bodyke, Clare battled hard but were unable to cope with Wexford’s smooth interplay and superior scor- ing ability who eventually ran out 2- 15 to 0-03 winners.

Overall though, Clare will feel sat- isfied that they were extremely com- petitive in their inaugural season at senior level. Wins over Dublin and Limerick, a one point defeat against Tipperary and the fact that they were still in contention for a semi-final place going into the final round of championship games indicates that they were far from daunted by their more experienced opposition. On the flip side however, sizeable champ1- onship defeats against Galway and Wexford mean that Clare still have a bit to learn before they can realis- tically challenge for honours at this Aree

The key to Clare’s future at the top level though could rest with their burgeoning underage system. The county have been consistently knocking at the door of All-Ireland glory at Under 16 and minor level in recent years and much like Kilkenny, that continuous supply to the senior squad, combined with the experi- ence of their more established play- ers means that the future is certainly bright for the county. Consequently it’s simply a matter of when, not if.

A WEST Clare man has become a “soft target for unscrupulous people” and is easily manipulated, his solici- Koym erm Ke) (em meeltiae

The comments, from solicitor Eu- gene O’Kelly, came in the case of Gerard Meade, (20), of Milford, Mil- town Malbay.

He admitted passing as genuine a counterfeit €50 note at Cullinan’s bar, Church Street, Ennistymon, on August 10, 2009. He also admitted entering a barber’s shop in Miltown Malbay as a trespasser and commit- WTercam a etod Am

Ennistymon District Court heard that that the accused went into Cull- inan’s bar and ordered a vodka and blackcurrant. He handed over a €50 note and received change. He drank it and left the premises immediately.

Defending solicitor Eugene O’ Kelly said his client “1s of such disposition that he is easily manipulated.”

“*T believe he was subjected to such manipulation by people unknown to me. I believe he is a soft target for unscrupulous people,” he said. He said the publican was only at the loss of €10.

Meade was also convicted of driv- ing without insurance in Lahinch. Mr O’ Kelly said, “The reality of the situation is it doesn’t appear to sink in with him he was driving while dis- qualified.”

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a one-month detention term and dis- qualified Meade from driving for six years. He fixed a bond in the event of an appeal.

AFTER the 2004 FA Cup final in which Manchester United easily overcame Millwall inspired by 19 year old Portuguese winger Chris- tiano Ronaldo, his tormented marker that day Robbie Ryan famously ad- mitted “I have never played against anybody like that in my life and to be honest I was pleased to be taken off”.

At 66”, with an ease of touch, graceful lithe and pace, not to men- tion a ruthless eye for goal not seen in the county in quite a while, that quote could have easily been attrib- uted to 19 year old Darach Honan in 2009, whose devastating perform- ances against Limerick, Waterford and Galway ensured that Clare were firmly on route to a first ever All-Ire- land Under 21 title.

Of course, while those individual displays deservedly earned the for- ward national recognition, his huge potential has been noted for some time by keen hurling observers. Part of the County minor team that shocked Cork in their own back yard in 2008 and indeed the Under 21 side that were so cruelly denied victory in the Munster final later that summer, Honan did have better luck on the domestic front as Clonlara secured a remarkable treble of a first Under

21A championship as well as a senior league and championship success. It was enough to earn him the Munster Minor player of the year and he car- ried that form into 2009, now a year wiser and therefore infinitely more difficult to stop.

Clonlara’s defence of their Under 21 title fell at the first hurdle but they did retain their Clare Cup crown and just missed out on a historic back-

to-back double when beaten in the county final by Cratloe. However, it was in the county colours that Honan really blossomed. Part of a full-forward line triumvirate along- side county seniors Caimin Morey and Colin Ryan (who had scored 12 points in his full Munster champion- ship debut against Tipperary), Honan and Co. simply tore a ragged Limer- ick apart in Cusack Park in July, ac-

cumulating 4-15 out of Clare’s total of 4-22 to set up a second successive Munster final appearance, this time against Waterford.

After bagging 1-4 in that opening game, Honan was thirsty for more and duly came to Clare’s rescue with a match winning 2-2 to his name. If the first goal was an clever instinctive flick, then the second was a trade- mark Honan major, turning his man

on the wing before arrowing his way towards goal to turn the tie decisively in Clare’s favour.

However, there was a lot more to come from the Clonlara teenager. In what appeared a personal duel with Galway’s Joe Canning in the AIl- Ireland semi-final, the pair traded blows in what proved to be the most absorbing hurling game of the year. Canning may have led the way with 4-7 but Honan’s contribution of 2-4 and his constant threat and supply to others aptly earned him the man-of- the-match award.

Suffering from a hamstring injury and being double if not treble teamed at times in the All-Ireland decider against Kilkenny, he still played his part in a memorable day for Clare hurling and when the dust settled on that championship win, went on to win the Bord Gais Break Through Under 21 Player of the Year along with the Munster GAA Under 21 Player of the Year awards.

It meant that he was a shoe-in for Ger O’Loughlin’s county senior pan- el for 2010 and equally a certainty for The Clare People’s Sports Star of the Year.

A COURT has been told that a man believes monies he received for writing a song for world-renowned band U2 was taken from him by a family in east Clare.

Noel Molloy (40), with an address at Newline, Killaloe, was charged with criminal damage at Killaloe Garda Station on May 26, 2008.

He was also charged with criminal damage at a premises in Killaloe on September 26, 2009.

Inspector John O/’Sullivan told Ennis District Court that a shop window was broken and the accused admitted he had damaged it.

Defending solicitor Ted McCarthy said the accused “has a certain fixa- tion” in relation to the family who own the premises in question.

‘He believes monies he received

from U2 for writing their song was taken from him by the family,” said the solicitor.

He said the accused lives in a mo- bile home in the Killaloe area and there are no windows in it.

‘He benefits from the generosity of the people in the Killaloe area. That’s how he survives,” said the solicitor.

Judge Joseph Mangan remarked, ‘Perhaps in this weather he would be better off with a solid roof over his head.”

The solicitor said the accused has engaged with the mental health serv- ices, which, he said, tended to give up too quickly.

“There is nobody that is unsavable in my view,” he said.

Judge Mangan imposed two one- month jail terms.

A CASE alleging VAT fraud relating to amounts totalling €1.55 million will take three weeks to hear in the circuit court.

Derek Floyd (36), of 21 Lower Main Street, Tulla, is facing 41 charges, on dates between March 2001 and January 2004.

He is facing 14 charges of failing to remit bi-monthly VAT returns; 12 charges of claiming VAT repay-

ments which he was not entitled to; 11 charges of making false tax returns and four charges of mak- ing incorrect VAT returns. At Killa- loe District Court in September, Mr Floyd was returned for trial to the circuit court.

Stephen Coughlan, BL for the State, told Ennis Circuit Court yes- terday (Monday) that the case would take three weeks to hear.

Defence counsel Pat Whyms BL, applied for an adjournment. He said

it was a “very complicated case of alleged VAT fraud.”

He said there were 5,000 docu- ments and 15 volumes in the book of evidence.

Mr Whyms said that a forensic ac- countant has provided reports and the defence was not yet ready for the case to be heard.

He said the case had been in the district court for a year, prior to be- ing sent forward to the circuit court.

Judge Gerald Keyes said the case

should be heard at a special sitting of the court, given that it would take such a length of time.

He adjourned it to the next callo- ver of the circuit court, when a date is expected to be fixed for the trial.

A MAN WHO admitted dealing drugs to his friends has been handed a six-month suspended jail term.

Stephen Keane (19), of Main Street, Corofin, admitted possession of cannabis in Corofin on November 20, 2008.

He was also convicted of posses- sion of drugs for the purpose of sale oy mei bn 8) OAV

When the case was heard in the dis- trict court in November, Mr Keane’s solicitor said, “He will say he would gather money and buy drugs from somebody further up the ladder. He would have it and deal it out to his friends. He never made any money out of it.”

He said his client was an apprentice carpenter, but the business he was working with folded. He then went back to school. “Living in a small village, something like that is going to have an impact on him. This is a very serious conviction for this man

to have against him.”

“It was between him and his friends. He was not out on the street corner selling drugs,” said the solicitor.

The case was adjourned until last week, for preparation of a probation report.

At Ennis District Court on Friday,

Judge Joseph Mangan imposed a six- month jail term. He suspended this on condition that the accused enter a bond to be of good behaviour for two years. He imposed a fine of €300.

THE Road Safety Authority (RSA) has renewed its warning for road us- ers to take extra care for the rest of the week as Met Eireann is advising that driving conditions will remain treacherous.

Severe frost is forecast and there is also the risk of ice on un-treated surfaces, along with the risk of some freezing fog.

Road users are urged to check weath- er and traffic reports before setting off on a journey. In particular,they should heed any garda advice urging them not to make any unnecessary journeys.

The RSA has the following advice for drivers in snow or icy conditions; elt takes longer to stop a vehicle on icy roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. eManoeuvre gently, avoid harsh braking and acceleration. eClear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass. eRemove all snow from your vehicle before starting your journey. eSnow left on the roof will become loose and can drop onto the windscreen during braking, thereby causing sudden and severe restriction to your vision. eft can also fall off during your drive and cause injury to pedestrians or a reflex action by another driver. eUse the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. eSelect a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through lore) OTOKSE *lo brake on ice or snow without

locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, using the clutch smoothly and allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.

eRemember that heavy snowfall

will reduce visibility. Use dipped headlights and decrease speed smoothly.

eWatch out for black ice, especially in sheltered/shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high END Se

eCheck tyres, including spare wheel, to ensure minimum tread depth of

1.6mm and correct tyre pressure. eCheck your owner’s manual

and find out if your vehicle has

any safety assist technology like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and know how they assist your eleaanntee

If your vehicle begins to skid you Should;

eldentify the cause — It is either too much braking, too much steering, too much acceleration or a combina- tion of one or all of these.

eRemove the cause — gently and

yee Corel ev ays

elf your car has ABS, it will not skid under braking. If ABS is activated, keep your foot on the brake and steer around whatever caused you to ley eeN Coe

elf your car does not have ABS and starts to skid on the brakes, pump the brake pedal very fast (Cadence Braking) and steer around whatever caused you to brake.

elf your vehicle skids and slews side- ways – turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the skid and ease

off the accelerator at the same time. eAvoid over-correction with too much steering.

eBe ready for a secondary skid.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcy- clists are advised;

elf a journey cannot be avoided, be extremely careful as frost and ice have made walking on footpaths very dangerous

eVisibility is reduced in snowy condition so wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch and ensure the lights on your bike are working correctly.

eCyclists should ensure their bike has the required solid white light to the front and a red solid light to the rear.

eWear an approved helmet and consider clear eye protection. ¢Motorcyclists/cyclists should

not compromise their safety by their ‘need’ to travel in icy/snow conditions. Cancel your journey or take alternative transport. ¢eMotorcyclists should avoid wearing a dark visor in any bad light

ey ste taCeyetse

¢Remember other road users may not ‘expect’ you and could therefore comprise your safety

For more information the RSA’s publication Severe Weather Advice for Road Users can be downloaded from the RSA’s website www.rsa. ie/Home/upload/File/Homepage/ Severe _Weather_advice_road_us- ers_ET pdf _To check weather updates, visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie.

NACH deas an rud Gaeilge a ch- loisteail 1 rith an lae? Is brea Lom bheith sa siopa no ag an teach ol agus piosa beag Gaeilge a said, fiu amhain ‘go raibh maith agat’ no ‘le do thoil’. Ta sé nios fearr nuair a fhaigheann ta an fhreagra ar ais 1 nGaeilge. Is mor an trua é dar liom nach bhfuil nios mo daoine ag baint usaid as an teanga. B’fhéidir nach bhfuil nios mo na cupla focal agat, ach is deas an rud é 1ad a usaid go laethiuil. Ceithre bliain 6 shin ni raibh moran Gaeilge agam féin ach anois taim ag iarraidh an teanga a usaid chomh minic agus is féidir liom. Is fior go raibh sé ria- chtanach agus tabhachtach dom 6 thaobh na fostaiochta de go mbeadh Gaeilge maith agam, agus mar sin chuir mé isteach na huaireanta ag staidéar agus ag éisteacht le Raidio na Gaeltachta agus ag breathnu ar TG4. Ach ar deireadh bhi mé lan sas- ta liom féin agus anois taim in ann comhra le daoine 1 nGaeilge agus altanna a scriobh!! (Nil mo chuid grammadach ro mhaith ach tagann feabhas air gach 1a!)

Ma thogann daoine an t-am chun an teanga a fhoghlaim agus é a usaid

nios mo 1 rith an tsaoil, gheobhaidh siad nios moO meas don teanga agus nios mo tuiscint ar ar bhféiniulacht chulturtha. Ta baint ag an teanga le cuid mhaith den saol na tire seo. Ta an Gaeilge an tabhachtach 6 thaobh Stair na tire, 6 thaobh na tireolaio- chta agus moran den litriocht (Béarla agus Gaeilge) a thainig On tir seo. Is fior go raibh fadhbanna mora ann sna blianta seo caite leis an modh muinte a bhi sna scoileanna. Chuir an Roinn Oideachais an iomarca béim ar scriobhnoireacht agus ar léitheoireacht; nior thug siad a dothain meas don caint agus sin cuid de na lochtanna is measa a bhi ann. Foghlaimionn daoine an teanga 1 bh- fad nios fearr nuair ata siad ag baint usaid as go laethiuil mar cuid den caint agus comhra. Tagann na focail chugat go nadurtha nuair ata siad a usaid agat 1 gcomhra nadurtha. Sin an sli ina bhfuaireamar Béarla mar phaisti. Ni raibh orainn an litriocht a fhoghlaim ar dtus, bhiomar in ann caint ar dts agus 1 ndairire bhi sé sin nios tabhachtai duinn na an litriocht ag an am. Is é an caint agus an com- hra an modh cumarsaide 1s éifeachtai chun teanga a fhoghlaim agus mar sin ma thogaimid an t-am chun piosa

Gaeilge a usaid go laethitil tiocfaidh meas, forbairt agus fid amhain gra don teanga orainn.

Mar a duirt mé cheana, ta an Gaeilge ar fail duinn 1 ngach ait. Ta sé 4 usaid ag daoine in ainmneacha, 1 dtireolaiocht na tire agus 1 stair agus béaloideas na tire. O thaobh ainmneacha de, ta toir ag an bpo- bal ar ainmneacha Gaeilge sa la ata inniu ann. Céad bliain 6 shin ni raibh an meas céanna ag an bpobal ar ainmneacha mar Shean, Sinéad agus Daithi. De réir na tuairisceain daonairimh 6 1911 ni raibh ach 145 daoine leis an ainm Sean sa tir, bhi nios lu na 65 de Sinéads sa tir agus ni raibh ach 17 daoine da raibh ainm Daithi orthu! I rith an bhfichiu haois thosaigh daoine ag baint usaid as na hainmneacha Gaelacha agus anois ta meas mor ag tuismitheoiri ar an lea- gan Gaeilge de ainmneacha.

Caithimid ar dteanga a choimead beo do na gluinte amach romhainn. Ta sé tabhachtach nach mbeimid caillte mar tir beag 1 ndomhain mor aonchinealach. Chonaic mé piosa grafitti sa tuaisceart le déanai, duirt sé, ‘Is fearr Gaeilge briste na Béarla cliste’, b’fhéidir nach naontaim go hiom1an le sin ach ta rud éigin ann.

LISA Garry, a former pupil of En- nis Community College who is now studying primary teaching at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, was the recipient of one of the 87 scholar- ships for third level education award- ed last week by the Bank of Ireland.

Valued at over €1 million, the scholarships allow students who face economic, social or physical barriers an opportunity to access third level education. A total of 662 scholar- ships, ranging in value from €3,000 to €40,000 per annum, has been awarded by the Bank’s Millennium Scholars Trust. Established in 2000, the Scholars Trust has provided a fund of €12.5 million and was the largest single millennium _initia- tive from either the State or private sources.

Announcing this year’s awards, Bank of Ireland Chief Executive Richie Boucher, said it was an hon- our for them to enable hundreds of men and women change their lives through a decade of educational op- portunity.

“All of these students have exper1- enced significant obstacles such as

social disadvantage, financial hard- ship or serious disability. However, what they all have in common is the belief that education will provide them with the opportunity to move beyond their current circumstances and create opportunities that were previously only a dream. Already, over half of these students have grad- uated becoming positive role models for others in their communities, an impact which will be sustained long beyond the life of the programme.”

The majority of scholarship ap- plications were from those seeking to enter third level education direct from school. However, 100 scholar- ships went to mature students, an- other 100 to existing college students struggling to stay in third level due to funding issues and 70 to people with a disability.

The trust also made an exceptional provision for talented new emerging artists and over the ten years has ena- bled students attend such prestigious colleges as Juilliard School in New York and RADA and Goldsmiths College in London. 16 per cent of the 662 scholarships were allocated to Students of dance, drama/film, music and the visual arts.