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A MAN who “elaborately” concealed four bars of cannabis resin under the seat of his car has been jailed for 18 months.

Fintan Shanagher (39), of Kilna- soolagh Park, Newmarket-on-Fer- gus, was “merely delivering” the drugs, valued at almost €7,000, when he was caught by Clare gardai last year.

He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin for sale or supply.

Detective Garda Seamus McMa- hon told Ennis Circuit Court yes- terday that the accused was stopped and searched at the Carrigoran inter- change on May 5 2006.

He said a kilo of cannabis resin was found in the car and was “extremely well concealed,’ underneath the rear seat of the car.

Shanagher told gardai he had hand-

ed over €2,000 cash in Limerick for Some MUESaCE

The money was not his own, it was belonging to three people who had pooled together and Shanagher didn’t have any financial stake in it.

‘He was merely delivering the bars. They were to be handed over in Quin village the following day because it was ‘out of the way’,” said the garda.

Defending barrister Michael Fitz- gibbon said “at all stages he was car-

rying these drugs for third parties.”

‘He very foolishly got involved in the wrong sort of people.

He is not part of a drug ring or a eroup of people involved in moving era bneacmr-uOlUb ALOE

“He got involved on this one occa- sion rather foolishly and got caught,” he said.

Judge Carroll Moran said the mat- ter was “most serious.”

“The drugs were very elaborately

concealed in the car. It shows a level of premeditation.

Couriers of drugs, while they are at a much lower level than those deal- ing the drugs, are an essential cog in the business,’ he said.

He took into account the fact that Shanagher had pleaded guilty and imposed a two-year jail term.

He reduced this to 18 months, be- cause of the accused’s previous good record.

NEWLY elected Mayor of Shan- non, Councillor Sean McLoughlin (FG), anticipates a busy year for his first outing as town ambassador but is looking forward to the challenges ahead.

His first priority, after his election at the council AGM last Tuesday evening, is to begin work on getting an ambulance for use in Shannon.

“The big issue that I’ll be pushing for, as chairman of the ambulance committee, is the possibility of one of these for the town. We have none and we are looking for one of those new Emergency Response Units with trained medics in the next 12 months.”

Along with emergency services,

other plans include a tourism forum, a town boundary extension and gain- ing support for Public Service Obli- gation (PSO) for selected Shannon Airport routes.

“As we all know, there are a lot of people passing through Shannon dur- ing the tourist season but not enough staying overnight. Later on in the year, I am hoping to have some sort of tourism forum with B&B, hotel- iers and other people with a lifelong interest in tourism so we can discuss ways of encouraging visitors to stay for longer,” said Cllr McLoughlin.

It is hoped that the Government will apply to the European Commis- sion for PSOs on behalf of the air- port, which would compensate pro- viders if they provided essential but unprofitable routes such as a daily

commuter flight to Dublin.

“The airport is very important in terms of infrastucture and jobs so along with pushing for a PSO motion we are going to do everything we can to keep US flights coming into Shan- non,’ he said.

He added that a proposal to extend the Shannon boundary has been sent away for Government approval and he is optimistic that the town will soon be bigger and better.

A new green paper on local govern- ment later this year is due to suggest upgrading the status of town councils to full rateable authorities and Cllr McLoughlin said that he is “look- ing forward” to this development for Shannon.

He paid tribute to outgoing mayor, ClUlr Tony McMahon (Lab) and also

congratulated Deputy Mayor, Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind), on his election.

Cllr McLoughlin was elected for the first time in 2004 having been heavily involved with Fine Gael for some years.

He celebrated his new appointment with wife Catherine, son Michael, daughter Marie and grandson Mat- thew among others.

He said that with the support of col- leagues and staff, he was confident facing the challenges ahead and that he would do his best for the people of Shannon.

And so it’s finally about to come to pass. Clare versus Galway. And the real thing too, not a league game forgotten about once it’s over, but a championship encounter with much at stake.

Bragging rights for one, between the two neighbouring counties. That’s always there anytime Clare and Galway meet, but this time it’s a little bit different. It’s all to do with Ger Loughnane, and Tony Considine

too.

Whether they like it or not, eyes will be fixed on Ger Loughnane and Tony Considine. As much as it’s Clare v Galway, it’s Ger v Tony. Two golfing buddies who once stood shoulder to shoulder in the salad days of Clare hurling.

Now, they could go shoulder to shoulder as they occupy different worlds. Loughnane trying to build a team to deliver an All-Ireland to Gal- way. And as Loughnane said him- self, “If within two years we haven’t

it done, we will be a failure here. Our eroup will be a failure. It will be time to get somebody else.

“But I don’t aim to be a failure — I don’t even contemplate that word failure. I never contemplated in my life in any area. I have a total belief that despite the huge task that’s out there, the huge competition, that our eroup — the players, county board, management and supporters can be successful in that two years.”

Considine wasn’t talking All-Ire- lands on his first day, but talking suc-

cess at the same time: “I think Clare are up there with the best of them but there’s no point being up there with the best of them. You have to be the best,” he said when assuming office.

It means something has to give — for the victors the likelihood is that they’ll have the easier of the All-Ire- land quarter-final. That means safer passage to the All-Ireland semi-final, where the All-Ireland is only a game AeA

That’s what Loughnane and Con- sidine are aiming for, for Galway

and Clare respectively, but for them- To AVone

All because, it’s all about them, even if Considine was quick to re- mark after the victory over Antrim “it’s not about Tony Considine or Ger Loughnane, none of us are going to hit a ball. It’s going to be done by the two teams. It will be down to them.”

Tony Considine and Ger Loughnane will puck every ball with their teams though. They wouldn’t have it any other way, as their two tribes go to eve

A MAN who indecently assaulted three of his granddaughters in Clare- castle when they were aged between six and 12, has been jailed for five years.

Kenneth Barnes (73), a widower, of 42 Church Drive, Clarecastle, plead- ed guilty to 46 counts on indecent assault, at his home, between 1988 and 1993.

Barnes, a native of the UK, has lived in Clarecastle for several years

Judge Carroll Moran said the case was “bad” and said Barnes’ three victims had their “innocence and childhood robbed” by a man in a po- sition of trust – a grandfather.

Barnes’ victims – Rebecca Barnes (25), Jennifer Ward (25) and Caro- line Ward (23) – yesterday waived their right to anonymity, at Ennis Circuit Court.

Although the young women did not give evidence, their Victim Impact Statements were read out in court. They pointed out that they were left

with feelings of “shame and guilt,” due to his behaviour.

Jennifer Ward recalled her grand- father telling her he had a secret he wanted to tell her. He would get close and then indecently touch her. She was abused on a weekly basis for four years, starting when she was 1D.

The abuse on Caroline Ward also started when she was six and con- tinued until she was 12. She recalled him indecently touching her inside and outside her clothes.

Rebecca Barnes suffered abuse at the hands of her grandfather, between the ages of 7 and 11, mainly in the sitting room of his house. The court was told that one of the victim’s par- ents did not make a formal complaint about the abuse initially, in the hope that “time would heal all.”

Barnes’ barrister Michael Fitzgib- bon said his client had “been ostra- cised by the community in Clare- castle”, adding that Barnes is now in “chronic” ill health.

Judge Carroll Moran said, “It re-

ally is appalling to take away the in- nocence of a child at such a young one

“The abuse was so persistent and so dreadful in its details, I’ve no al- ternative but to impose a prison sen- tence,’ he said.

He jailed him for five years and suspended the final two years, be- cause he had pleaded guilty. He said Barnes was to have no contact with children under the age of 15, unless supervised and no contact with his victims, unless they agree.

A CRITICAL need for afford- able housing in Shannon town has prompted Clare County Council to compile a proposal for the construc- tion of a 60-house development.

Currently, 165 people are on the waiting list for affordable housing in S)ar-vepeeyen

With this statistic in mind, Clare County Council has proposed to build 60 houses – comprising 45 three-bed dwellings and 15 two-bed houses – at Cluain Airne. The site in question is 5.29 acres in size, which means there would be 11 houses on approximately one acre of land. It has been zoned residential and a fea-

sibility study has been carried out, outlining its suitability for housing.

A design team has been appointed for the project and residents in Shan- non have been invited to a meeting, to discuss the plans, at the Oakwood Arms Hotel, on Monday, July 9 next.

Architect Colm Yelland, who is on the design team, said he was optimis- tic the development would enhance the existing scheme at Cluain Airne, where there are 178 houses.

‘We have looked at the regeneration of the overall area, carefully looking at the integration of the scheme into existing street patterns,” he said.

He said that the creation of play- ground spaces has been considered,

While the possibility of building three-bed and four-bed units reflect- ed the needs for such housing.

He said that access to the estate would be mainly independent to the access to the existing estate.

Councilor Gerry Flynn said he be- lieved that 60 houses was excessive.

“I feel the quantity of 60 is too much. The number of 40, I’d be open to negotiation. I’ll dig my heels in. There’s already 178 in Cluain Airne and 167 in Tradaree Court. That’s a lot of houses in a particularly tight area,’ he said.

Dick Pyne, of Clare County Coun- cil, who attended a meeting with Shannon Town councillors on the proposed development, last week

said,

“Economically, it has to be justi- fied for the department and the peo- ple who are going to buy them. Eco- nomically we need 60 houses. It’s won’t fly at 40. There is no point in trying it.”

The meeting was told that a bill of €1.3 million for roads and water Services would have to be met, while the project was being constructed.

Cllr Greg Duff (Labour) said it was important to tackle the affordable housing waiting lists, but the people living in Cluain Airne shouldn’t be forced to suffer as a result.

Cllr Geraldine Lambert (FF) said the main problem with the proposal was access.

THREE men who were intercepted by gardai on their way to commit a armed robbery on a bookie’s in East Clare have each been jailed for three years.

Cathal O’Neill (40), of Upper Lim- erick Street, Limerick, John Mur- phy (47), of Ballina, Killaloe, and

Michael Gerard Heelan (47), of Bo- herbue, Mallow, Cork, admitted pos- Session of an imitation firearm, with intent to commit robbery, at Drum- line, Newmarket-on-Fergus, on June 24, 2005.

Murphy also pleaded guilty to pos- session of a sawn-off shotgun, five shotgun cartridges and a _ pepper spray canister.

Ennis Circuit Court was told that gardai received intelligence that an armed crime was about to be car- ried out in East Clare. Armed gardai from the ERU, who were on duty in the area, stopped a hiace van. The three men, who were travelling in the van, were arrested and charged.

Heelan was driving the vehicle while the other two defendants were

in the back.

A bag in the van contained a sawn- off shotgun and pistol, the latter which was incapable of firing. Also found were 100 cable ties, black ba- laclavas, wire cutters and acon saw.

At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Carroll Moran said by plead- ing guilty, all three accused acknowl- edged they had done wrong. “These

men were in possession of a gun and ammunition. They were intending to commit a serious crime and in the course of it were going to use cables, balaclavas and other matters and tie up innocent persons in the shop.”

He said if they had pleaded not guilty but been convicted by a jury, he would have imposed sentences of SIX years.

AN ENNIS based teacher who spe- cializes in fostering a love of music in young and newborn children has been recognized by a high profile in- ternational award.

Finola Ryan has been named a ‘Maestro’ by Kindermusik Interna- tional, one of the world’s leading mu- sic and movement programmes.

Finola teaches Kindermusik in Glor and Maoin Cheol an Chlair, from newborn children up to seven years old.

The Maestro award recognizes ex- cellence in teachers who continue to pursue child development education.

“The Kindermusik Maestro has a

mission: helping children become better learners and helping parents understand how to help them reach their highest potential,’ said Michael Dougherty, CEO at Kindermusik In- ternational.

Finola is one of 5,000 licensed edu- cators in the world who use Kinder- musik’s music and movement cur- ju Cete eee

She began providing Kindermusik at Maoin Cheoil in 2006. Today Fi- nola teaches the learning program to over 60 families and also works for the Mid Western Health Board

In the last year, Finola has extended her program in Glor to cater for “Kin- dermusik Village” classes, which are for newborns to 18 months and

“Kindermusik Our Time” which is for children aged 18 months to three years, as well as Saturday morning “Kindermusik Imagine That’ for three to fives and “Young Child” classes from five to seven. Finola’s “Young Child” recently performed at Glor.

A graduate of the University Col- lege Cork, Finola said she was very surprised to learn she had won the award.

She said, “I’m both surprised and thrilled to receive the Maestro Award” Finola explained the merits of the programme to young children.

‘Kindermusik is a unique learning experience.

The many songs and activities in

Kindermusik class enhance a child’s total development by strengthening physical, emotional, social and cog- nitive skills at a very early age,” Fi- jae) e-Mr-Lelelere!

“Kindermusik believes a_ child’s most important teacher is his or her parent. That’s why we are one of the very few programs that include parents in activities with their chil- oes

Finola’s program continues at Glor next week, July 9 to 13 with “Adven- tures” summer camps for ages three to five and five to seven.

Contact Glor box office on 065 6843103 or see www.kindermusik- withfinola.com for more information about Kindermusik.

FAMILIAR faces will occupy the top spots in Ennis Town Council for the next 12 months following last Thursday’s AGM.

As expected veteran Independ- ent councillor Tommy Brennan was elected Mayor of Ennis.

Alongside him, filling the role, as Deputy Mayor is another experi- enced campaigner, Fianna Fail coun- cilor Peter Considine.

Proposed by fellow Independ- ent councillor Frankie Neylon, Cllr Brennan saw off a rival mayoral bid

from another Independent, Taiwoo Matthew.

The Nigerian born councillor was nominated by Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn.

However when it came to the crunch, Cllr Matthew found himself outflanked. A vote of the nine mem- ber council resulted in a 6-2 victory in favor of Cllr Brennan.

Green Party Councillor Donal O’Bearra abstained from the voting process. Cllr Peter Considine (FF); Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind); Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG); Cllr Frankie Neylon (ind) Cllr Tom Glynn (FF)

and Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) voted for Cllr Brennan.

Cllr Coote Ryan’s party colleague Johnny Flynn and Cllr Matthew vot- ed for CUr Matthew.

Accepting the chain of office, Cllr Brennan commiserated with Cllr Matthew, saying his time would fey nates

He said, “I’d like to thank the peo- ple of Ennis who have elected me to the council 28 years ago and all those who supported me. Cllr Mat- thew, there will be other days. I was elected 22 years before I became Mayor of Clare”.

Cllr Matthew’s hopes of a consola- tion prize in the form of the Deputy Mayor position were then dashed when that position was conferred on Cllr Considine. Cllr O’Bearra nomi- nated Cllr Matthew while departing Mayor Cllr Joe Reidy proposed Cllr Considine. Three votes – Cllr Mat- thew, Cllr O’Bearra and Cllr Flynn – were cast in favor of Cllr Matthew with the remaining six going towards Cllr Considine.

Cllr Considne said, “It is unfortu- nate there are clashes like this in the council but in the fullness of time everyone will achieve the position of

Mayor. I was in the council 16 years before I got there”.

Earlier, Cllr Matthew had called for a change of mindset in the Council. He stated newer members should be given the chance to take up office.

He said, “Experience doesn’t come to everybody without them first get- ting a shot. Everyone in this chamber is competent enough to be a Mayor or Deputy Mayor, everyone elected has the ability. In the spirit of fair- ness we have to have a second look at how we do things”’.

A NUMBER of sites have been iden- tified by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as potentially suitable for Ennis Educate ‘Together National School, according to Clare TD Tony Ona

The recently appointed Junior En- vironment and Energy Minister also expressed confidence that a perma- nent school site would shortly be sourced.

According to Mi£nister Killeen, “The Department of Education and Science recently requested the Of- fice of Public Works to source a site for Ennis Educate Together National School. On foot of advertising, a

number of proposals were received and the OPW is presently awaiting a technical assessment report on the suitability of proposed sites.

“Minister for Education and Sci- ence, Mary Hanafin has informed me that every effort is being made to locate a suitable site for the school,” he added.

In a letter to Minister Killeen, the Minister for Education and Science wrote, “When a suitable site is se- cured the project will be considered in the context of the multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme.

“I am acutely aware of the long- standing efforts by the school board and parents of children attending the

facility to secure a permanent school site. I would now urge the OPW to present a list of suitable sites as quickly as possible,” concluded Min- ister Killeen.

Ennis Educate Together National School, which is based on the Gort Road, 1s co-educational and children are taught from junior infants up to sixth class.

The school has been engaged in a long running dispute with Clare County Council over a permanent site for the school.

Meanwhile, Minister Killeen has received confirmation from the De- partment of Education and Science that building and maintenance works at 26 primary and _ post-primary

schools across Clare will commence over the coming weeks. The funding allocated to Clare schools, under the Summer Works Scheme, is approxi- mately €2.1m.

Minister Killeen said, “Under this year’s Summer Works Scheme 19 lo- cal National Schools and seven Post- Primary Schools will benefit from projects to upgrade buildings and ELON n alee

‘The developments that have been sanctioned relate to electrical, main- tenance and conversion works.

“These projects will be of great benefit to the schools concerned and I commend the Department of Edu- cation and Science for its work in this area.”

that it was estab- lishing “a review of practices and procedures at Cappahard Long Stay Residence,’ on the Tulla Road, En- ah

The inquiry into care at the resi- dence, which cares for patients who are mentally ill, follows complaints made by members of Gerald Finn’s family from Kilrush.

The 69-year-old was admitted to Cappahard Lodge in December 2005 suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and angina. It is believed that some of his family members raised more than 70 complaints relating to care of the pensioner during his stay at the home. Mr Finn died at the home on June 6, 2007.

Following his death, his funeral notice broadcast on local radio asked for donations in lieu of flowers to go towards the nursing home and the

Alzheimer’s Society.

In a brief statement last night the HSE West confirmed that the inves- tigation would be undertaken. It is expected to take place over the next few weeks.

‘The terms of reference are current- ly being drafted and it is hoped that it will commence shortly,” the HSE statement said. It also confirmed that the review of practices was being chaired by Dr. Donald Lyons, from the Mental Welfare Commission in Scotland.

Dr Lyons has been director of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland since October 2003. Until then he was a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry and a Medical Manager in Glasgow. He is a member of the National Implementation Steering Group for the Adults with Incapac- ity (Scotland) Act 2000 and 1s also a spokesperson for the Royal College of Psychiatrists on this Act.

Cappahard Lodge was formerly a privately run nursing home, but a number of years ago was purchased by the then Mid Western Health Board to enhance elderly care serv- ices in the county.