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A SHANNON business which man- ufactures and distributes sports and health nutritional powders has re- ceived a top national award.

ABC Nutrition, at Knockbeg Point, Shannon, has been awarded by Bord Bia at the food and drink industry awards. ABC was one of seven com- panies nationally that scooped acco- lades.

The company was set up in Febru- ary 2007 and is fully Irish owned. It initially had just one customer and has since gone from strength to strength and currently distributes all over the world.

It is owned by four people — Sean McNamara (Tuamgraney), Wil- lie Wixted and Lorraine Gunning (Broadford) and Atis Vitolins (Lim- erick) — and eight people are em- je Key (orem

Mr McNamara explained the back- ground to the company being set up, on foot of demand globally. “It start- ed off in the States 25 years ago with body building. Now rugby players, GAA players and people who train use the products. It has grown at a massive rate. The products are based on protein and powders are the main part of it,” he said.

“Our main business is_ blending the products. We buy in the ingredi- ents and source them from all over the world. We design products for groups of people with different re- quirements. There are different for- mulations for people trying to lose weight and those trying to put on weight,” he said.

The company manufactures its own brand of supplements, which are available in health food shops

and chemists.

“Our biggest market is in the UK. We also distribute to Spain, Portu- gal, Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, Hungary, Slovenia and Greece,” said Mr McNamara.

The award from Bord Bia was enti- tled “The Thinking Big’ award, dedi- cated to small businesses demon- strating exceptional entrepreneurial spirit, matched by strong sales and

marketing.

Among the other winners were Bul- mers Pear, Glanbia and Kerry Foods. “The real satisfying thing was that all the others were household names. It was nice to be on the same podium as those type of people,’ said Mr McNamara.

Although business has been slower in recent times, he is optimistic about the company’s future. “It 1s very, very

positive on the international front,” he said. He was involved in setting up the company, having felt there was a need in the market. He studied animal nutrition for many years and acquired a PhD in this area a number of years ago.

, at an event hosted by Clare County Council. The book is the twenty-second to be published in the National Invento- ry of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) series.

NIAH surveys record a sample of built heritage, ranging from struc- tures of grand design to simple con- struction, spanning the period 1700 to the present day. The surveys inform recommendations from the minister to planning authorities for inclusion of structures in their Record of Pro- Kore CoOL OME LCLAUD Khe

The minister referenced the diverse historic built stock of County Clare when noting that “the built heritage of County Clare is a major contribu- tor to its unique identity and sense of place’. He pointed to the signifi- cance of “the restored tollhouses at D’Esterre’s Bridge, the Spectacle Bridge at Lisdoonvarna and the great

hydro-electrical complex at Ard- nacrusha’’.

Minister Gormley congratulated Ennis Town Council, Clare County Council and their officials for their interest and enthusiasm in ensur- ing that the County Clare Record of Protected Structures is robust and comprehensive. This approach helps to support existing pride of place at community level — the most power- ful tool in ensuring conservation of Ireland’s national and local built her- itage.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy (FG) urged the minister to restore full funding for conservation projects to help preserve the “rich ar-

chitectural heritage of Clare”.

Deputy Mayor of Ennis, Council- lor Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) thanked Minister Gormley, saying that gov- ernment funding was critical to the future development of Ennis.

The NIAH survey is accessible on www.buildingsofireland.ie and work on a further nine surveys is under- EN

The publication

Gormley: ‘Not much in the kitty’

THE talents of an extraordinary young dancer, whose life was tragi- cally cut short, will be remembered at a competition in her honour in SUED Om io.e

Kitty Leyden and friends are or- ganising the third annual dance competition to honour step and sean

nos dancer, Margaret Brohan who died aged just 19.

Dancers will compete for a cup – which is being put up by Margaret’s family – and afterwards there will be a céili for everyone who wants to take part.

“Tt will be a great night – there’ll be music, sandwiches – it will be a real party and any money we have over

will go to two special causes,” said Gia

Remembering Margaret’s fabulous talent, Kitty – herself a noted dancer – said that she was “so lovely and so very talented. She was a step-dancer and a self-taught sean nos dancer. She had a style all of her own, no-one could beat her. She was just lovely, a lovely dancer and a lovely person. She had a smile for everyone.”

The competition takes place in Murray’s in Tulla and Andrew Mac and friends will provide the music, while adjudicators are Mairéad Ca- sey and Susan Lee. Entry on the night is just €5 and any money made will be divided between the Clare’s School Club – which has competitors in the special Olympics, including one girl from Tulla – and the Debra WeOETiemestvelae

The entire community of east Clare and dancers all over the country were shocked and saddened to hear of the death in November 2003 of Margaret

in a car accident in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Margaret was just 19 and her exceptional talent was becoming widely noticed. She spent the summer as a resident dancer in Glor in Ennis where she was spotted by

GENEROUS Clare people haven’t said ‘Bah Humbug’ to charities despite the recession. Operation Christmas Child – also know as the Shoebox Appeal – saw 5,600 boxes sent to children in need for people in Clare up to Monday of this week. And the appeal closing date has been extended until tomorrow so there is still time to get shoeboxes into the main warehouse in Elevation Park in Ennis, Curves or Shoe Zone. Clare co-ordinator for the appeal, Louis Duffy, said that while there are fewer boxes this year than last year, the average donation in each box is up. Louis reiterated the position of the Irish Operation Christmas Child on the controversy about handing out religious information with the boxes. “We are instructed not only that no religious item or information is to go in but that we are to take anything we find in a box out. People are wel- come to come here to the warehouse and see for themselves what goes in,’ said Louis. Meanwhile, Niall Mellon, founder of the Niall Mellon Township Trust led the Clare volunteers onto site in Wal- lacedene in South Africa last week as part of the Niall Mellon Township Trust’s eighth Building Blitz. Over 950 volunteers paraded into site, all kitted out in their coloured team t-

shirts, hard hats and tools. The vol- unteers were greeted with open arms by hundreds of delighted residents. The ‘Walk In’ marks the first day of this year’s week-long build, where the Clare volunteers, together with others from around the country, will construct over 200 houses for fami- lies in Wallacedene. Despite the car- nival atmosphere, all the team mem- bers were building within minutes. In the face of global recession, al- most 3,500 people have volunteered this year with the Niall Mellon Township Trust. This record-break- ing figure comprises of 1,500 Irish and 2,000 South African volunteers and brings the total number of peo- ple who have volunteered with the charity to 8,500, since Niall Mellon first launched his house building in1-

ULB RYoas dA P-e

And Concern Worldwide has launched its 40th annual Christmas Fast, which takes place this year on Thursday, December 3 and aims to raise more than €1 million for the poorest people in the developing world. Throughout 2008, the gener- ous people of Clare raised a total of €765,419 and Concern is hoping for continued participation in the fast this year.

‘The Christmas fast has always en- joyed immense support from Clare and we hope to see this enthusiasm continue in its 40th year,’ said Phi- lomena Daly McDarby from Corofin, who works with Concern in Ireland.

LESS THAN six months after she took up the post as head of policing in Clare, Chief Superintendent Mary Fitzgerald has announced that she 1s Kom Kein Ker

Chief Supt Fitzgerald arrived in Clare in June, having previously been the head of the Garda Reserves. Her retirement will take effect on Der ilelo mes

It means that further changes are due in Garda management in the Clare Garda Division — which in- cludes the districts of Ennis, Shan- non, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennisty- mon. Ms Fitzgerald was the third person to fill the role as chief super- intendent since Liam Quinn retired in December 2006.

He was replaced by Gerry Mahon, who, in turn moved to Limerick and was replaced by Kevin Donohoe. Chief Supt Donohoe was head of the Clare Division between December 2008 and June of this year. Chief Su- perintendent Mahon will also retire in the coming weeks.

The latest batch of retirements have emerged in the wake of several gardai opting out of the force this year for various reasons. Nationally, 708 gardai have retired or declared their intention to retire this year, in- cluding up to a dozen in Clare — in- cluding two garda sergeants.

The retirements include three as- sistant commissioners, 12 chief su- perintends, 26 superintendents, 31 inspectors, 166 sergeants and 466

ee NKOrNE

The numbers are the highest in 13 years and are far higher than levels recorded in recent years. There were 259 retirements last year and 184 in 2007. There were just 200 recruits to the force this year — there is currently a moratorium on job creation in the public service. Residents in rural parts of the county have expressed Losier u MDA MB Keo OLMmN DELO) INOKMmOercI Mmm ele retirees will not be replaced, due to cutbacks across the board and fear that community policing will suffer as a result.

Meanwhile, Detective Garda Ter- ese Flannery has been appointed the juvenile liaison officer (JLO), based at Ennis Garda Station. She succeeds Garda John O’ Neill, who recently re- tired from the post.

The role of the JLO is to deal with young offenders, under the age of 18.

TEACHERS, students and _ local businesses have all contributed to the total revamp of the Ennistymon Vocational School playground which was officially reopened last week. Students from the nearby Mol an Oige National School were invited by the vocational school to join in the opening of the facility. The de- velopment was made possible, not only through Department of Educa- tion funding but also the efforts of local people.

Indeed, much of the work for the playground took place over the sum- mer months – with staff and students pitching in to lend a hand.

One of the centre points for the new facility is a large handball alley, com- pletely re-plastered by Barry Chap- man with the assistance of teachers and students. The alley was then dec- orated with a mural completed by art teachers Bairbre Geraghty and Edel Hogan with the help of a number of students.

A number of local businesses helped out in the fundraising effort with Daly’s Pub raising €700 on Arthur Guinness’ Day, a golf classic – sup- ported by numerous local businesses – at the Lahinch Castle Course, while the students also raised much needed finances with a sponsored walks, a run and a church gate collection.

Meanwhile, the students also used

the day to mark their participation in SEV ONE ESM oro.e

Maddie Paine from the Samaritans spoke about the Christmas shoe box appeal, while Glen Guilfoyle from Clare Youth Service spoke to the students on developing the mental health initiative and policy in the school.

Indeed the school has been making strides in this area in recent times with a welfare care team hosting weekly meetings and different coun- selling services being made available for students.

In recent weeks, a young men’s eroup has been established which allows students to talk and get help from their peers.

“We take Mental Health Week very seriously. It 1s an opportunity to fo- cus On us aS acommunity of not just teachers and students but as a group of people coming together as a unit of care and understanding,” said a school spokesperson.

“As one student remarked during last year’s Mental Health Week in the school: we are like one big fam- raed

The school also used the day to present a cheque for €200 to Patrick Bogue of Clare Crusaders. The mon- ey will go to the Clare Crusaders’ Barefield-based clinic where spe- Cialists treatment is provided to more than 120 children.

ENNIS Leisure Complex has been honoured by the leisure industry for a decade of high standards.

The centre retained its White Flag status at the annual Institute of Le1- sure and Amenity Management (ILAM) White Flag Awards in Dub- lin last month.

It marks the 10th year in a row that the centre has been awarded white flag status, a national hygiene and operational standard for leisure fa- TELA Cone

In order to receive the award, En- nis Leisure Complex was judged on facilities for disabled users, staff training and qualifications, facilities on site, services provided, swimming water quality and record keeping, re-

cycling initiatives and in-house pro- Tel Kene

Inspection visits and audits are car- ried out throughout the year to the leisure centre, by an auditor under the auspices of ILAM. Inspections on management codes of practice, policies, facilities interior and exte- rior are also carried out.

Centre manager, Jackie Coote ex- plained that management, staff and customers worked hard to achieve high marks in each category as the standards increase year after year.

She added, “Ennis Leisure Com- plex caters for all sectors of the com- munity from the younger child to the older adult. Our competitive prices reflect good value catering for stu- dents, aqua tots, teenagers, adults and golden years. We provide both

membership rates or pay as you go admission prices to the gym and the pools.”

Ennis Leisure Complex is run by Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council.

Daily usages now exceed 600 visits with clients availing of two swim- ming pools, two sauna and steam rooms, aerobics hall and large gym area.

This year’s White Flag Awards, which are supported by Ireland’s largest insurer Hibernian Aviva, were presented by Minister for State Aine Brady TD at a gala dinner hosted by RTE’s Michael Lyster in the Burling- ton Hotel, Dublin on October 23.

A record number of facilities ap- plied for the 2010 White Flag Award, with 87 leisure facilities achieving

the standard and being presented with a 2010 White Flag. Leisure fa- cilities in 23 counties were presented with the prestigious award.

Kilian Fisher, CEO of ILAM said, ‘There are over 650 leisure facilities in Ireland and the White Flag Award TEM DO Monicos 110C-D mb oer-De GRO JMmeLUr-UbIR ama er:TI any gym, swimming pool, spa or lei- sure facility must strive to achieve. It is a clear sign that the leisure facility has high standards and employs staff who operate to the industry code of practice.”

MEMBERS of Ennis Town Council have overwhelmingly rejected a mo- tion calling for Ennis to withdraw from the RAPID scheme.

After a heated debate at last week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, councillors voted by a margin of sev- en to two against the motion submit- ted by Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind).

Cllr Guilfoyle had called for the Council to withdraw from RAPID — a government initiative that provides funding for projects in 51 urban ar- eas around Ireland — because the De- partment of Gaeltacht, Community and Social Affairs refers to them as “disadvantaged” areas.

Cllr Guilfoyle told the meeting that there was a stigma attached to the term and said it was unfair that areas of Ennis should be referred to as dis- advantaged.

Opposing the motion, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said RAPID funding had enabled the council to install and carry out numerous works projects including white lighting, all-weather pitches, panic buttons in the homes of elderly people and playgrounds.

“There 1s no such thing as disadvan- taged areas. These are all figments of Mickey’s imagination. I have no intention of denying the people of Ennis of money coming down from Dublin,” said Cllr Brennan.

Town Clerk, Eddie Power said “‘dis- advantaged” was not mentioned in the description of the RAPID pro- gramme. He said the programme had resulted in “huge investment” to benefit communities in Ennis.

Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said he could not support a motion he de- scribed as “unfortunate”, “ill thought out and ill informed”.

‘“T do not want to be associated with

this motion” he said.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said resi- dential areas should not be referred to as disadvantaged. However he added that Ennis should continue in RAPID because it served as “mecha- nism to draw down funding”.

Cllr Guilfoyle’s motion was backed by Mayor of Ennis Frankie Neylon (Ind) who raised concerns over the structure of RAPID in Ennis.

In response, Cllr Flynn told the meeting that Ennis had been high- lighted as one of the most successful RAPID areas in the country. “As a process it is very transparent and it has been externally audited.”

Town Manager, Ger Dollard told the meeting that RAPID had been very successful in Ennis.

Clir Guilfoyle then challenged councillors to vote, angrily claiming that councillors were voting to keep people “down and living in disadvan-

taged areas’. His comments drew a stern response from Cllr Brennan, who reminded him that the motion to be voted on concerned the proposed withdrawal of Ennis from the RAP- ID programme.

The debate concluded on a stormy note with Cllr Guilfoyle referring to Cllr Meaney as “a clown”. Cllr Meaney requested that Cllr Guil- foyle provide “some background” to his comment. Cllr Guilfoyle claimed Cllr Meaney had been called a clown on local radio.

A vote was taken with seven coun- cillors — Cllr Tommy Brennan, Cllr Peter Considine, Cllr Johnny Flynn, Cllr Mary Coote Ryan, Cllr Mary Howard, Cllr Brian Meaney and Cllr Paul O’Shea — voting against. Two councillors, Cllr Michael Guillfoyle and Cllr Frankie Neylon, voted in favor of Ennis withdrawing from RAPID.

A MAN has been convicted of pub- lic order in what a court heard was a volatile and hot-tempered atmos- phere during the Matchmaking Fes- tival in Lisdoonvarna.

Fergal Neylon, of Laghtagoona, Corofin, was convicted of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on September 27, 2008.

Evidence in the case was heard last month and Judge Joseph Mangan ad- journed ruling. In court last week, he convicted the accused and imposed a two-month jail term. This was sus- pended on condition that he enter a bond to keep the peace.

The court heard that several people

were involved in a row in the early hours of the morning.

Gardai gave evidence of the ac- cused being highly intoxicated, high- ly agitated and acting in a threaten- ing manner to others. However, the defence disputed this.

Detective Superintendent Gabriel O’Gara told the court the situation was “very tense. It was very vola- tile. A large number of males present were all very intoxicated.”

He said from his observations, Mr Neylon’s intention “appeared to be to breach the peace and also to entice others to get involved. . .He remind- ed me of a person you would see out on a Saturday night, highly intox1- cated, shirt off, chest out, blood all

over him. This was the man who was going to solve everyone’s problems.”

The accused told the court that he had not consumed a lot of alcohol that night. He said that after he left the Hydro hotel, he had been struck and knocked to the ground, where he had been kicked and beaten.

“I was obviously agitated and prob- ably concussed from being kicked. I had no top on because it had been pulled off me while I was on the ground being beaten,’ he said.

“I was agitated with the guards for being arrested, because I was the victim of an assault, but I was not ag- gressive, he added. He denied that he was highly intoxicated.