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TWO Ennis newsagents were fined by a judge for serving cigarettes to an underage boy.

Patrick Meehan of Meehan’s shop and Gerard Connellan of The Abbey Newsagency – both in Abbey Street – were prosecuted in separate cases by the Health Service Authority af- ter they each sold a pack of twenty Benson and Hedges to a fifteen-year

old boy.

The Ennis District court heard that the boy – the son of a HSE inspec- tor – was sent into both shops to buy the cigarettes on October 26, 2007 as part of a HSE compliance check.

Judge Joseph Mangan heard evi- dence from a HSE inspector that she stood to one side in both shops and witnessed the boy being served with- out being asked for any proof of age.

Both newsagents admitted the of-

fences. Defence solicitor for Patrick Meehan said in his client’s defence that at the time, the shop was packed with school children and he was alone, trying to serve while keeping an eye on what was going on in the ENO ee

Stephen Nicholas for Meehan said the boy who was sent to buy the ciga- rettes could easily have been older.

‘The boy who came to the counter and asked for cigarettes 1s two inches

P-NOCCoMmO SEDO MOON ae BCosb1m

“He looked old enough. My client made a judgement call that he was old enough. He refuses at least ten people a week because they are too young in his shop.”

Judge Mangan fined Meehan €100 but refused to award the costs of the HSE prosecution against him.

Defence for Gerard Connellan told the court that he was away from the premises for a very short period and

it was a young assistant who served the under-age boy with cigarettes.

“Despite the fact that he clearly instructs his staff about this, and al- though he works long hours, he hap- pened to be away at the bank at the time.

“The assistant ended her employ- ment with him immediately”.

Judge Mangan also fined Connellan €100 and did not award costs against him.

ENNIS Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fail has called for a speedy resolu- tion to the ongoing doubt over the proposed upgrading of facilities at Ennis General Hospital.

Chairman Tom Malone informed a meeting on Thursday night last, that officers of the comhairle ceantair had made contact with Fianna Fail leadership urging them to approve the €39 million package designated for Ennis General Hospital in the

HSE Capital Programme 2006-2011. Similar representations to party leadership have been made on behalf of Ennis No 1 Cumann, Fianna Fail, by its secretary, Garrett Greene.

The meeting heard that Clare Fi- anna Fail TDs past and present had lobbied for the proposed hospital funding to receive the greenlight. Delegates welcomed the work of elected representatives in this regard. As a member of the HSE West Fo- rum, Cllr Pat Daly declared himself ‘hopeful’ that tenders to carry out the

upgrade would be invited very soon.

Deputy Timmy Dooley also con- veyed his support for Ennis Com- hairle Ceantair’s efforts.

Minister Tony Killeen who at- tended the meeting applauded the delegates and all party members for their hard work on behalf of the party and thanked them for their ongoing support in relation to Ennis General Hospital and other issues.

Minister Killeen assured the meet- ing that every effort was being made to ensure that the Ennis General

Hospital project proceeds to tender at the earliest possible date.

Delegates pledged to campaign strongly for a “Yes” vote in the up- coming Lisbon Treaty Referendum and welcomed a recent public in- formation evening held in Ennis and addressed by Minister Willie O’Dea, Minister Tony Killeen, Deputy Doo- ley, former deputy Brendan Daly and local MEP Sean O’Neachtain.

A minute’s silence was observed at the meeting in memory of late Presi- dent Dr Patrick Hillery.

AN independent advocacy service for people with intellectual disabili- ties has been launched in Clare.

The Citizens Information Centre in Clare has appointed Greg Duff to the post, which is geared towards reach- ing out to those with intellectual dis- ALOU LW Coe

Mr Duff previously held the post as advocacy resource officer with the Citizens Information Service in Limerick and Tipperary and will slot into this new post.

“This post is geared towards peo- ple with intellectual disabilities who have issues. Like every person in society, they should be allowed to ac hieve their full potential. People want independent living,” he said.

“Previously I was building the ca- pacity of advocacy into companies by supporting the staff and volun- teers. Now I will be doing the advo-

cacy myself,” he added.

In his new post, Mr Duff – who lives in Shannon and is a member of the local town council – will be working one-on-one with those with intellectual disabilities.

“People with intellectual disabili- ties just want the same opportunities as everybody else,’ he added.

“We need to identify if there are gaps where we can compliment what is there,’ said Mr Duff.

He will be based in Ennis, but will build up contacts throughout the county.

The Manger of the Citizens Infor- mation Centre in the county, Paul Woulfe said the new post will ensure everybody has a voice.

“This is a specialist service, mak- ing sure their interests are put first and foremost,’ said Mr Woulfe.

“Initially he will work with clients from the Brothers of Charity,’ added Mr Woulfe.

ROAD WORKERS with Clare Coun- ty Council and other local authorities are entitled to our respect but instead _Nuom EDU amcecD eet oms Koyus w len (C00 (on

That’s the view of Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) who expressed disappointment that the Advertising Standards Au- thority reyected a complaint by Clare County Council over an Irish Pride TV advertisement depicting a lazy road worker.

The council lodged its complaint on foot of a motion tabled by Cllr Ar- kins on the basis that it “stereotyped and derided a council worker”.

Reacting to the ASA decision, Cllr Arkins said that if the ad featured a coloured person, a non-national or it was directed at women, he was sure the complaint would have been up- held.

He said the advert shows a man fill- ing a hole in the road and it was quite obvious that the person could only be a council worker as no one else does that kind of work.

“It 1s quite pointed. It is a very dangerous occupation being a road worker with cars going past you at 60mph.

“Tt is a difficult job and if there is flooding or any other emergency, it is

the council worker who gets out of his bed at 2am or 3am in the morning to deal with it.

“Tt is obvious that the council work- ers don’t have the respect of the Ad- vertising Standards Authority and I’m disappointed that the complaint didn’t end up with a rap on the knuck- les for Irish Pride.”

He said he was glad the matter was investigated by the ASA and that it did not appear to be running any- more.

In the ASA case report, the adver- tiser responds by stating that they wanted to illustrate the concept of Irish Pride in a humorous and light

hearted way and took individuals from all walks of life, at work or at home and showed what happened when people did not take pride in something they have done.

They said that it was never their intention to make any social or po- litical comment and that the adver- tisement was a light hearted way to dramatise individual demonstrations of lack of pride.

The Complaints Committee did not uphold the complaint, noting that the advert specifically referred to a guy and not to a local authority worker.

The ASA report concluded: “No further action required”.

CLARECASTLE man JJ McCabe, who scooped €18 million in a mas- sive land deal three years ago, has settled a court action with a farmer over a disputed piece of land.

In proceedings brought before En- nis Circuit Court, Stephen Moloney of Skehanagh, Clarecastle was seek- ing to have a 2001 deal between Mr McCabe and Lord Inchiquin Conor O’Brien concerning around nine acres of land adjacent declared void.

Mr Moloney also named Lord In- chiquin as a co-defendant in the pro- ceedings and in his claim to court, Mr Moloney said that Lord Inchiquin conveyed the previously unregistered lands to Mr McCabe in January 22, AUOF

The land is naturally divided by a deep trench filled with water and on one side is land reclaimed by Mr Mc- Cabe and farmed by his family for many years.

The other side consists of bogland and according to Mr Moloney has been occupied for over 50 years by Mr Moloney and his late father.

The claim goes on: “At no time dur- ing the period of occupation and use of land by Mr Moloney and his late father, has any other person, includ-

ing Mr McCabe or Lord Inchiquin occupied or used the land for any purpose. Mr Moloney and his late father have regularly grazed cattle on the land and have burned off scrub- type growth which appears annually on the surface on the bog.”

The claim contended that aris-

ing from the occupation and use of the land, Mr Moloney’s late father acquired title to the lands and this passed onto Mr Moloney.

Mr Moloney claimed that Lord In- chiquin was the owner of the disput- ed piece of land on January 22, 2001 that allowed him to sell the lands to

Mr McCabe.

Mr Moloney, JJ McCabe and Lord Inchiquin were present in court last Wednesday and the case was ex- pected to last the day. However, the legal teams thrashed out a deal by lunchtime.

In the settlement, it stated that the

court make a declaration that Mr Moloney is entitled to be registered as the full owner of a 4.655 acre site and Mr McCabe is entitled absolute- ly to the other 4.655 acre site which is currently registered in his name.

The settlement added that Mr Mc- Cabe “is entitled to the €35,000 IFA goodwill payment to the sum of €150,000 held on joint deposit, together with pro-rata interest. The balance monies and interest be spilt 50-50 between the parties”.

The settlement also stated that Mr Moloney shall within 28 days re- move the double gates erected on the public right of way specified on an accompanying map and shall at his own expense erect a 90 metre perma- nent fence.

The settlement added: “Mr Molo- ney and Mr McCabe undertake not to interfere with each other in their use and enjoyment of their respective lands.”

The settlement also stated that Mr McCabe shall deal with Lord Inchi- quin’s costs and expenses and the proceedings against Lord Inchiquin be struck out, while Mr Moloney and Mr McCabe will pay their own oO Ee

THIS year’s Fleadh Nua breaks new ground while at the same time ac- knowledges the architects of the fes- tival’s rich tradition.

History will be made with the first ever performance at the fleadh, by a band from the Ulster Scots tradition of music when Hounds of Ulster take the stage in Glor, on Saturday, May pz

They will be joined by uileann pip- er, Mickey Dunne and his daughter, Brid on the fiddle – proud standard bearers of the Dunne family who have made an enormous contribution to traditional music for years.

Also appearing on the night and making a first appearance at Fleadh Nua are Sliabh Notes. Matt Cran-

itch, Donal Murphy and Tommy O’Sullivan will no doubt fill the air with the slides and polkas beloved of the Sliabh Luachra tradition. Séamus Mac Mathuna will also be on hand to sing a song or two.

The festival launches in Cois na hAbhna on May 18 with a tribute to the legendary music teacher, Frank Custy.

Widely acknowledged for the key role he has played in shaping the modern history of Clare traditional music, Custy’s pupils include Sha- ron Shannon, Noel Hill, Tony Lin- nane, Siobhan Peoples and the Healy Brothers.

Custy was also a driving force be- hind the construction and devlop- ment of Cois na hAbhna in the late seventies and early eighties.

The Fleadh Nua runs until May 26, and, as always, a bumper programme is expected to draw huge crowds to sively

The passing of tradition from one generation to the next is celebrated on May 23 at the Aos Og Brog agus Bodhran concert in Glor.

Appearing on the night are Clare singer Eimear Arkins and All-Ire- land Fiddle Champion, Sorchadha Costelloe, who will be accompanied on stage by her brother, Padraig. Dancers featured include mem- bers of Scoil Rince Ui Ruairc, the Michael Ryan Dancing School and sets from the Helen Hehir School in Lissycasey.

Night owls will love the music at midnight session in the Auburn Lodge Hotel on May 24.

The event is hosted by rising band Cruinniu, recently described by broadcaster and ex-Stockton’s Wing member Kieran Hanrahan as a “great gathering of some of our finest young musicians and singers from various parts of the country who have a com- mon understanding of the tradition”.

The Fleadh Nua culminates on Sunday May 25 with a parade and céili mor in the heart of Ennis.

The programme is littered with cd launches, recitals, workshops and plenty of sessions, ensuring there will be something for everybody at Fleadh Nua 2008.

See full event details at www.flea- dhnua.com.

Fleadh Nua is organised by Com- haltas Ceolt6iri Eireann on a volun- tary not for profit basis.

SPORTING ACTIVITY for those with a physical disability has all the advantages of sport for the able body. There are the numerous health benefits, the improvement in physi- cal well being, the joy of achieving difficult goals, the camaraderie of team sports with people of similar disabilities and the ultimate possibil- ity of representing your country at a Paralympic Games.

The ideal of the Paralympic Games is that of a “Parallel Games’ for those with primarily physical disability. It provides a forum for competition amongst the elite disabled athletes

of the world. Athletes must achieve a qualifying standard before being able to take part in a Paralympic Games. Some team sports have pre- qualifying competitions i.e. football. The summer games have a wide range of sports from football to ar- chery, and include athletics, swim- ming, Boccia (like indoor bowls) ta- ble tennis, equestrian dressage, judo, wheelchair rugby, basketball, ten- nis, volleyball amongst many other sports. The winter Games includes alpine discipline like downhill and super G, The athletes have varying degrees of physical disability (as distinct from those with a primarily intellectual disability) including par-

aplegic, quadriplegic, cerebral palsy visual impairment, upper and lower limb amputees and a variety of other physical disabilities. Within each disability group or sport athletes are ‘classified’ according to the level of their disability and then compete against others of similar classification 1.e. those who can walk compared to those who need to use a wheelchair in athletics for athletes with cerebral palsy. The rules of competition are only modified from those that ap- ply to able bodied athletes where this is necessary, such as in athletics for wheelchair users throwing dis- cus, javelin or shot putt where they throw from special adapted chairs or in Swimming where blind swimmers are ‘tapped’ to inform them that they have arrived at the end wall of the pool. All athletes are subject to dop- ing control by WADA rules in the same way as are able bodied athletes and are tested frequently in and out of competition.

The mid west, and County Clare, has a proud record of involvement in Paralympic Sports. At the last Paral- ympics in Athens in 2004 there were 2 Clare men in the Irish Paralympic team, one of whom, Derek Malone, won a medal, and the other, James Murrihy, who plays with the Cer- ebral Palsy Football team. Both are hoping to make the team again for the upcoming Bejing Games later in the summer. Already the search is on for the Paralympian of the future with the launch of the Paralions Pro- eramme for young disabled sports- people which hopes to identify those young people actively interested in sports who have potential for the fu- ture. All physically disabled young people are invited to take part.

The Clare People 10K is the type of opportunity for disabled people to come and try out as you can race if you want or simply take part for the enjoyment of the preparing for and completing the challenge.

Paralympic Athletes have to do a mixture of general conditioning training (strength, flexibility, core stability) and sport specific technique training. The principles of training for strength and endurance train- ing are the same as for able bodied

people. Only small adaptations are required, in strength training in the gym for instance resistance bands or using handles/straps instead of bars for gripping the weight. Most ath- letes train once a day, some twice a day. Disabled athletes benefit greatly from increased physical activity with improvements in strength, co-ordina- tion, general flexibility, better muscle tone control, improved health & self confidence etc. Paralympic athletes have full sports science (medical, physiotherapy, psychology, strength & conditioning and _ physiology) backup.

For further information visit www. pcireland.ie or contact the Paralym- pic Council of Ireland on 01 6251175, Irish Blindsport 01 2020118, Irish Wheelchair Association (Sport) 01 8186400 or Cerebral Palsy Sport 086 yee

Fintan O’Donnell MISCP, MCSP is physio to Irish Paralympic Team 2008 and can be reached in the Ennis Physiotherapy Clinic 065 6840757.

CLARE County Manager Alec Fleming has caved into pressure from councillors and signalled he is ready to contravene the council’s own de- velopment plan to grant planning for a contentious one-off home.

Before yesterday’s council meeting CUlr Tommy Brennan (Ind) and 28 other councillors signed a motion di- recting Mr Fleming to grant planning permission to a Gerard Danagher for a one-off house near Corofin.

The special powers in the planning arena had not been invoked since ieF

Cllr Brennan initiated the Section 140 process when it appeared that the council was set to refuse Mr Dan-

agher permission.

However, ahead of yesterday’s crunch meeting, the council pub- lished a notice stating it would disre- gard its own non-local rule and give Mr Danagher the go-ahead to build his home.

The notice states that the council intends to consider granting plan- ning permission to Mr Danagher. The move materially contravenes the county development plan and defus- es a potential row between the execu- tive and councillors.

Cllr Brennan secured support from all sides of the council chamber. Those who signed the motion includ- ed Cllr Patricia McCarthy (Ind), Cllr PJ Kelly (FF), Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG) and Cllr Christy Curtin

(Ind).

As part of the material contraven- tion process, interested parties have four weeks in which to make submis- SIONS.

The Department of the Environ- ment, An Taisce and a local residents are set to make submissions having already made submissions on the ap- plication before the council.

In her objection, local resident, Mary Hanrahan said there was a “‘se- rious question of fairness and justice in the pursuit of this planning appli- cation. Seeking out public represent- atives to overturn what is right and just is open to much debate.

“The devastation of floods are evi- dent around this area. We can see how vulnerable our environment

really is. But this does not seem to deter developers who are intent on getting their own way irrespective of the consequences to others. We all know the dangers of inappropri- ate dwelling sites in the vicinity of a water supply and special areas of conservation.”

Stating that development should only be allowed for local and urgent need, the submission from An Taisce claims the applicant does not comply because he is a resident of Ennis and also works there.

The Department of the Environ- ment stated that the close proximity of the site to Ballycullinan Lough and its associated fen habitat raised obvious concerns regarding the wa- ter quality.

THE four-day count down to the first ever all-singing, all-dancing West Clare’s Got Talent show has begun.

A total of 20 acts have been select- ed for the night’s final from an audi- tion earlier this month.

Acts include everything from sing- ing to dancing, comedy to drama sketches, gymnastics, hip-hop danc- ing, magic tricks and juggling.

The night’s entertainment will be- gin at 7pm sharp, on May 17, at the Kilrush Community Centre.

The mystery fifth judge on the night has also been announced as Ger Rush from the Kilrush Commu- nity College.

Mr Rush will join TG4 Coun- try and Western star Sonia Carrig, primary school teacher and singer Linda Clohessy-O’Gorman, Hell for Leather’s John Fennell and hip-hop instructor Nelly Gilligan.

Another award has also been add- ed to the line-up, the Adjudicators’ Award sponsored by Cooraclare’s Bernie Tubridy.

The winner on the night will walk

away with the perpetual shield spon- sored by Hartman’s Jewellers in Kil- rush. The jewellers will also sponsor a €50 voucher as a prize.

There will also be medals for sec- ond and third prizes on the night as well as vouchers provided by Holly- wood Hits and Tranquility.

By taking part in this competition Kilrush children and teenagers are being encouraged to help other chil- dren while displaying their talents, as all proceeds for the night will go towards the ISPCA.

The brainchild of Kilrush woman

Teresa Carrig, the talent show will see children from 10 to 18 years of age take to the stage to showcase their talents.

The event is being supported by the whole community with local busi- nesses all providing spot prizes for the night.

It is hoped that Saturday’s show is the first of many that will be repeated every year.

“It is very much community driven and it is great to see all the commu- nity involved in something like this,” said Ms Carrig.

ORGANISERS are confident this year’s Fleadh Nua will exceed the standards set by previous events.

There is a strong international di- mension to the programme as well a renewed emphasis on education.

Some 54 events are scheduled to take place over eight days includ- ing performances from a Congolese drum band and the Ulster Scots band, the Hounds of Ulster.

Focus in recent times has also switched to incorporating a more ed- ucational aspect to the festival. This is reflected in the growing popularity

of Scoil Fleadh Nua, which this year takes place in St Flannan’s College on May 24.

Rory Casey is a long time member of Fleadh Nua who is credited with pioneering Scoil Fleadh Nua. He is also the man responsible for publish- ing Nasc, the Fleadh Nua electronic newsletter.

According to Casey, the workshops are an integral part of the Fleadh Nua experience. He said, “Each year we are saying this year will be the biggest and the best, but this year it’s shaping up definitely, to be one of the biggest ever.

We have added to the programme

and there is something happening every night in the town.

“There is a lot of street entertain- ment, sessions, storytelling, Irish nights.

“We have the workshops for young- er musicians and they have become a really important and very popular element of the Fleadh Nua.”

A series of workshops in some of the more popular traditional music instruments forms the backbone of Scoil Fleadh Nua.

Teachers for this year’s event in- clude All-Ireland winning accor- dion player Damien O’Reilly, Caitlin Nic Gabhann (concertina), Siobhan

O’ Donnell (bodhran/singing), Anne- Marie Grogan (flute), Jack Talty (concertina), Aine Bird (fiddle) and Michael ‘Blackie’ O’Connell (uil- eann pipes).

It’s fitting then, Casey believes, that this year’s Fleadh Nua, recognises the career of one of Clare’s most respected music teachers, Frank Custy.

He said, “I suppose the main thing and perhaps one of the biggest high- lights is the tribute night to Frank Custy. Frank is recognised as a leg- endary teacher in Clare and around Ireland, so that should be a great night in Cois na hAbhna”.