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TURNPIKE Rovers soccer club are expected to appeal a 12-month sus- pension given to a player following a game in Ennis earlier this month.

Rovers player Danny Russell was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, the second of which was for dissent, during a tie against Avenue United B on September 11.

The club were informed last week that the player was being suspended under rule 79 of the FAI rulebook, which governs misconduct against match officials.

The Ennis club were also fined €200 for what league officials say was a failure to control their player.

However, Rovers Chairman Frank Gormley said the club are stunned by the severity of the sentence.

“We have no problem with the sending off. Danny was going to ac- cept it and we were. You can’t abuse the referee and that’s something we support absolutely but 12 months is very serious’, said Mr Gormley yes- Ker he

He added that the club intend to appeal the suspension and the €200 fine to the Munster Football Asso- ciation.

“From our understanding rule 79 only deals physically assaulting the referee. That’s not what happened. If the FAI brought in a rule for sus- pending players for 12 months we would support that. But at the mo- ment what he’s being suspended for doesn’t match up with what actually happened”.

Speaking last night, Chairman of the Clare District Soccer League, Jim Madden said the punishment had been handed down for “serious verbal abuse of the referee”’.

“Verbal abuse is as it serious as it gets’, he said.

THE Shannon Family Resource Cen- tre has announced a packed schedule of community events which will take place over the next few months. The autumn programme, which was an- nounced last week, included a host of regular events ranging from arts and craft, to health and childcare.

SU slome-DeeUU AW ApucN(OlUNKComeroNlnEomERyZ ON (C81 is located in the Respond Commu- nity Centre in Rineanna View, has been providing a number of essential services for the people of Shannon for the last number of years.

Along with the ongoing weekly events, the centre will also host a number of special day-long events

over the next couple of weeks.

On October 15, the centre will host a Breast Health Day featuring two guest speakers from Breast Cen- tre Limerick Regional and Cervi- cal Check. Fiona Treacy, Screening Promotion Officer from the Cervical Check in Limerick and Mags Sulli- van from the Breast Centre in Lim- erick Regional Hospital will be there to speak to people and answer any questions which people may have.

The day, which will begin at 10am, is open to all and will include some dancing and also some tea, coffee and scones.

The centre will also host a mental health information day to mark Men- tal Health Week 2009. On October 7,

the centre will host a day of events all based on the theme of friendship and community.

The day will open with tea and freshly made pancakes, followed by a willow weaving workshop and drama for children.

At 7.30pm the Mayor of Shannon, Sean McLoughlin, will open the evening events which include a talk from Brother Gabriel from Moyross followed by an open discussion and a live singing performance.

Other regular events on the autumn programme include an arts circle on Monday mornings between 10am to 12 noon and an evening art class on Monday evening between 7pm to wae 008

In addition to this the Homework Club will operate for two afternoons a week (Tuesday and Wednesday), a Sit and Knit Women’s Group on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 10pm and a free confidential coun- selling service on Wednesday morn- Thea

Other events include Toddler’s Inc, Le Cheile International Club, Breast Feeding support group, comput- ers for the over 55s, computers for Traveller men, Cook It and a Travel- ler women’s physical education pro- eramme.

For more information about any of these events contact Barbara at the Shannon Family Resource Centre on 061 707600.

THE future of Quin Abbey is, at last, looking considerably brighter.

With the local development com- mittee expressing annoyance and frustration over the lack of progress in improving visitor facilities at the abbey, a meeting with a representa- tive of the Office of Public works last Thursday was described as a significant breakthrough in the dis- pute.

The three major issues at the cen- tre of local unrest were addressed. It FRM rea Rol oLO MOLLOY AIO ODDOMN Slow Ilor.CmsCOlUNS weeks, signs will be provided in three different locations displaying relevant information such as open- ing times and contact numbers.

Caretaking facilities will also be improved significantly. A new care- taker will be employed for the re- mainder of the month of September and for the month of November for the feast of All Souls.

The car park was also discussed in great detail. Further informa- tion and documents have been given to Clare County Council to secure proper planning which will allow the reopening of the car park.

The committee is confident that this will be achieved with the on- going help of local councillors Pat Daly and Sonny Scanlon who have been actively involved in support- ing the committee’s work in recent neteyelsete

The OPW representative also ex- pressed satisfaction with the meet- ing. They were delighted with the huge interest shown in one of their 755 tourist sights and saw this as a great promotion for places like Quin Abbey.

Describing the talks as “con- structive’, development committee

member Helen Lowe, said the com- mittee’s main concerns were all ex- amined and tackled.

“The development of the abbey as a prime tourist site can now only move on and get stronger,” she said.

She also expressed the commit-

tee’s thanks to a number of people who supported their efforts.

“This could not have happened without the help of a number of in- dividuals and groups. All the poli- ticians who helped out, the school, the pubs, all the local businesses

and, of course, all the locals and the other members of the development committee,” she said.

WEIRD and wonderful recipes that would have made Willie Wonka a happy man were submitted in droves to Scariff Library for their ‘Invent A Chocolate Bar’ competition.

Youngsters who came up with com- binations both tasty and startling were in to win a feast of chocolate for their efforts.

The competition ran to celebrate Roald Dahl Day on September 13, , and Tuamgraney-based Wilde Irish Chocolates stepped up to sponsor the prize.

Children were asked to imagine they were inventing a chocolate bar for Willy Wonka.

“We had some amazing suggestions and some really inventive ones,” said librarian, Carol….

“One suggestion was for a family bar, with different flavours and bits so that everyone could have their favourite. Another was for a Credit Crunch bar — that was a very popular one and then there were ones involv- ing slugs and bits of grass. They re- ally got going with it.”

But having read all the suggestions, the library staff had to pick a winner and it was Sean O’Rourke, Mount- Shannon, with the Celtic Credit Crunch Bar.

The suggestions were so creative that they couldn’t be left at that and there was a second prize for Liam O’Sullivan, Lisdoonvarna, with his Wildely Wicked bar. Third went to Rhian Quigley, Newport, with Runa- way Rasins.

There were consolation prizes for: Wackiest Bar – Rowan Powell, Miltown Malbay for Willy Wonka’s Seaweed Surprise

Most Thoughful Bar – Turlough O’Cinneide, Scariff for Our Family Brn

Best Artwork – Hazel Sturton, Tuamgraney for What Kids Want (WKW)

Cutest Bar – Andrew Cahir Whelan, Ennis for Ba-ba Bar

Funniest Bar – Anne Marie Flanagan, Ennis for Giggle Goo Most Do-able at Home Bar – Shane Walsh, Ogonelloe for Wonky Bar

Wilde Irish Chocolate will now create a limited edition chocolate bar inspired by the winning entry.

Wilde Irish Chocolates have been producing top quality artisan choco- late from their base in Tuamgraney

for 11 years now. Patricia Farrell and her husband Con are passionate about chocolate and the love shows.

“This is not something produced by pushing buttons on a machine and pouring stuff into a mould — this is a product that people get involved with. It’s all made by hand, we’re constantly working on the flavours and combinations and the human touch shows in the tatse,”’ said Patri- Ore

The chocolate sounds as good as it tastes, the most popular being dark chocolate with vanilla and cherry. They have branched out into gift

boxes and fudge, also handmade products.

With four people employed, the ac- colade of Good Food Ireland mem- bership, ten awards behind them and a gold medal for their Fairtrade Or- ganic chocolate, Wilde has a bright future. They have also just opened a shop in Doolin and they are about to launch a new website.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen met the next generation of west Clare voters yesterday (Monday) evening when he formally opened the new créche in Kilrush.

The purpose-build state of the art unit has already been accepted into the new free preschool scheme – Ear- ly Childhood Care and Education Scheme – introduced by Mr Cowen’s Crouse

The childcare facility, Cuan Samh, not only serves the Adult and Com- munity Learning Centre, on the Co- oraclare road, but it 1s also open to the public.

Seven people, including a cook are employed by the service, a number that will grow as more families avail of the service.

The creche opened on September 7 and replaces earlier childcare facili- ties housed in a prefabricated build- ing at the centre.

Moving from seasonal to full day care, the facility was funded through the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-10 capital fund administered by POBAL on behalf of the office of the minister for chil- dren.

Manager Bernie Kelly explained that Cuan Samh can also provide af- ter school services.

The full day care centre caters for children from three months to five years with age-specific rooms for babies, wobblers, toddlers and pre- school children.

“We believe in providing highly nutritious, good quality meals on site in the purpose built kitchen run by a qualified cook,” she said.

A varied menu using fresh, local produce is provided for all of the children using the service.

Cuan Samh also boasts an outdoor

play area.

Aobhan Haverty, Head of the County Adult and Community Edu- cation Service, run by Clare Voca- tional Education Committee, who oversaw the project throughout, on the committee’s behalf, said that the enclosed outdoor play area has a va- riety of surfaces and age-appropriate

equipment where children are given the opportunity for adventurous out- door and indoor play daily.

She added that Cuan Samh, like its sister Ennis créche, Cuan Aire, 1s a member of the National Children’s Nurseries and the curriculum a com- bination of high scope and free play.

Both facilities are notified to the

HSE and inspected annually under the 2006 pre-school regulations, while inspection in respect of food hygiene regulations 1s completed by an environmental health officer.

A NEW< satellite District Veterinary Office could be established in Ennis at a fraction of the cost of providing centralised services in Limerick. According to Clare IFA, serious questions have also to be answered concerning the Department of Ag- riculture’s handling of the situation - with the department-owned Ennis offices to be closed in favour of the office at the Raheen Business Park in Limerick which costs the taxpayer almost €33,000 in rent and charges rele spaslevelaee Followings revelations last week that it would cost between €6.5m and €1l0m for the department to get out of their arrangement in rela- tion to the Limerick offices, it has emerged this week that they have paid €1,556,703 in rent and a further €147,319 in service charges since the lease on commenced in May of PAU Oey It has also emerged that the depart- ment had first intended to close the Limerick offices but changed their mind when the prohibitive rental ar- rangement became clear. “This will be a huge inconvenience to Clare farmers and will be a mas- sive drain, both in time and money. This raises serious questions over the procedure for procuring proper- ties being used by the Government. It seems obvious that the Government was weak in their management of this and it raises some serious ques- tions,’ said Michael Lynch, Clare President of the IFA. “There will have to be some sort of facility in Ennis. In the current cli- mate a limited number of services to be maintained in Ennis would be very cost effective. If we could retains some facilities, especially in relation to questions about the differ- ent government schemes and disease irradiation it would make a huge dif- ference.” In all, 42 offices are to be closed by the department and services cen- tralised to 16 upgraded facilities in a restructuring move which will see a saving €30m but the loss of 400 jobs. According to Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith, this is on the basis of several criteria including ownership of buildings. “If this was one of the criteria used and it was applied to the Ennis of- fice, it would be remaining open,” said Clare TD, Pat Breen (FG). ‘The Ennis office is not costing the department anything in terms of rent or leases. Also, the argument that centralising the service will provide better value for money does not wash either. Where are the cost savings in this proposal?”

THE Government has turned a blind eye to An Garda Siochana’s policy of increased urbanization.

That’s the view of Clare Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen who has called on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern to review the strategy and to put gardai back into the rural areas.

“The only 24-hour Garda stations in Clare are in Ennis, Shannon, Kil- rush, Killaloe and Ennistymon. The

other Garda stations open for just a few hours each day,” Deputy Breen Sr nLe

‘In recent months, I have received a number of calls from people who live in isolated parts of the county and are worried about the increased inci- dence of burglaries in their areas.

“They are concerned that the short opening hours of their local Garda stations are resulting in gardai having to travel long distances to respond to incidents.”

Deputy Breen’s concerns were ech- oed by party colleague, Joe Carey.

He said, “There is something not quite right when almost the only in- teraction of people with the Garda is on meeting the traffic corps. There has been a conscious decision to develop elements such as the traf- fic corps, leaving rural stations and community policing to wither and die.

“Over the past number of weeks there has been a marked increase in

burglaries throughout the county.

“If you take a line from Coose in Galway through to Whitegate, Scar- riff, Broadford and Quin, roughly the R352 regional road, I can recount four individual incidents.

“Many homeowners in the east Clare to south-east Galway artery find themselves having to put more elaborate security systems in place. Sheds and storage areas resemble an Irish version of Fort Knox.

‘East Clare is a massive geographi-

cal area which has been further in- creased with the redrawing of the operational areas. This is an area served by the part-time Garda station in Scariff with just one patrol car and a maximum of five gardai.

“T am convinced that one can link what is happening to the economy with the increase in crime towards property and belongings of the per- son. No doubt this phenomenon will increase steadily if we do not do something,” he said.

PREVENTING crimes such as bur- glary and theft across the county will be one of the priorities for Garda Community Safety Week, which takes place throughout this week.

The theme of the week’s nation- wide campaign is ‘Older Adults in the Community’. The purpose of the theme is to focus on the positive con- tributions of older adults in the com- munity, particularly through their involvement in various community partnerships and crime prevention initiatives, operated in partnership ede mee:NuOreNB

“It is recognised that older people can be targeted. However, the impact can be reduced if crime prevention advice is actioned,’ said the crime prevention officer in Clare, Sergeant Joe Downey.

“Every effort should be made by all to take all necessary precautions to secure their property and protect themselves from any form of attack. The main focus of this week is on burglary, theft from cars and theft from shops,” said Sgt Downey.

He pointed to advice in helping to prevent burglaries, thefts from cars and thefts from shops. These in- clude fitting quality security locks, installing intruder alarms and mark- ing valuable property so that it can be positively identified if stolen and later located.

“Form Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert or Business Watch

eroups for your area. Be a good neighbour and report any suspicious behaviour to the gardai,’ advised Sgt Dre atlas

A number of specific points should be remembered in an effort to prevent thefts from cars, he said. These in- clude locking all doors and windows, fitting an immobiliser or alarm and avoiding parking in isolated places.

Thefts from shops can also be pre- vented, by taking various measures. “Making it difficult for customers or professional thieves to take goods can greatly reduce the incidents of theft,” said Sgt Downey.

“Installing CCTV systems will

help to deter thieves. The cameras should be highly visible, with warn- ing signs on display. A camera should be placed to record all who enter the shop. Access to the recorder should be strictly controlled.

‘“High-value goods should be in di- rect sight of the counter staff, while staff should always be encouraged to be observant.”

Garda Community Safety Week runs through until next Sunday, Sep- tember 27.

CRICKET is a game that doesn’t hold up much comparison to the game of hurling. In fact, it’s not even a distant relation of the national game at full tilt but there was some- thing very cricketlike about the man- ner in which Smith O’Brien’s – after taking the game to the group leaders in the opening quarter to lead by I- 5 to 0-3 – seemed happy to declare and let Kilmaley do the batting for the remainder.

That was the most bizarre turna- round in a match that had only mi- nor relevance to the overall champi- onship as Kilmaley looked to keep their unbeaten run ticking along and possibly even top the group while a positive result of any kind for the Killaloe side would ensure their sen- ior status for another year.

However, after a fire and brimstone Opening quarter that seemed to rattle Kilmaley, Smith O’Brien’s held a five point lead but somehow were not to

score for a further 34 minutes and by the time they took up their innings once more, Kilmaley were practi- cally out of sight.

Kilmaley could even afford to pre- vail without the vast influence of Colin Lynch and it was one of those changes Conor Clancy that provided the perfect target up front. Producing the type of performance that earned him two All-Ireland titles, Clancy’s paw was seemingly a ball magnet, repeatedly set up scores for others and slow to start, Kilmaley will be thankful to Clancy who was a con- stant thorn in Smith O’Brien’s side. Still, the Killaloe side were up for this game and after pushing into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead by the 12th minute, two from Liam Walsh, a stroke of fortune earned them a crucial goal only two minutes later. It came after goalkeeper Seamus Hurley fumbled a handpass whilst burstting out from goal and Shane O’Brien stole pos- session to hit to an empty net via the stick of John Clohessy.

Ken Kennedy and Pat Aherne Swapped points soon afterwards to give Smith O’Brien’s a 1-5 to O-3 advantage but that was a good as it would get for Smith O’Briens who began to fade and it allowed Kilma- ley to gain a foothold in the game. Alan Markham upped his game at centre-back, midfielders Conor Mc- Mahon and Stephen McNamara be- gan to dominate their sector while up front Conor Clancy, Diarmuid McMahon and Kenneth Kennedy got some much needed supply and they slowly turned the screw through Kennedy, McNamara and Conor McMahon to trail by only two at the break at 1-5 to 0-6.

The second half only reaffirmed their control as four successive points put them in front by 0-10 to 1-O5 by the 4lst minute. However, what sealed the victory was Kenneth Kennedy’s 43rd minute goal, inevi- tably broke by Clancy to Diarmuid McMahon who pulled through for the full-forward to turn and kick

past the onrushing Mark McInerney. Kilmaley were now rampant and de- spite further points from Diarmuid McMahon and Alan Markham, the damage could have been far greater only for a pelthora of wides.

Smith O’Brien’s finally broke their scoring duck in the 5lst minute through a Liam Walsh ’65 but Kil- maley were not about to let their ad- vantage slip at this stage and tacked on late points through Kennedy, Clancy and John Clohessy to lead by 1-16 to 1-07 by the 58th minute.

Shane O’Brien finished strongly with a brace for Killaloe and Pat Vaughan earned a late penalty after being stopped by substitute Sean Hehir but before the effort could be taken, Liam Walsh saw red for a needless stroke on John Clohessy. O’Brien’s penalty was saved, Kilma- ley prevailed and now approach the quarter-finals in bouyant mood as group winners as well as being the only side outside of Newmarket to remain unbeaten in the championship

so far. Even their frustrating cricket- score of wides had been halved.

CCTV in Ennis is set to be expanded after members of Ennis Town Coun- cil recommended that a new bank of cameras be installed in several areas of the town.

The cameras will be installed at Drumbiggle Road green area, Clancy Park, Cornmarket car park, Hermit- age, Pearse Avenue/ Childers Road, Shallee Drive, John Paul Avenue, Considine Road and Island car park.

A report on CCTV was presented to members at the September meet- ing of Ennis Town Council.

The aim of the report was to deter- mine whether or not the “proposed development was consistent with the proper planning and sustainable de- velopment of the area having regard to the provisions of the development plan and giving the reason and con- siderations for the evaluation”’.

The council’s report found that “most of the locations of proposed cameras are zoned other settlement land where the objective is to con- serve and enhance the quality and character of the area, to protect resi- dential amenity and to allow for de- velopment appropriate to the sustain-

able growth of the settlement”.

No submissions were received by the council on the matter.

“Tt 1s not considered that the pro- posal contravenes the zoning objec- tive for the area. There is no objec- tion in principle to the proposed development. I recommend that the development proceed,” concluded Ellen Carey, Executive Planner with Ennis Town Council. CCTV cam- eras are already in place in 13 other locations around Ennis.

Meanwhile, the next meeting of the Ennis town Joint Policing Commit- tee (JPC) will take place at Water-

park House on October 5.

Cllr Paul O’Shea (Lab) told Sep- tember’s meeting of Ennis Town Council that he had concerns about the timing of the meeting.

Cllr O’Shea called for the meeting to be held in September saying it was of “paramount importance” that it take place as soon as possible. Cllr O’Shea added that serious issues re- lating to crime had arisen in the town over the last number of months.

Town Clerk Eddie Power stated that several meetings had taken place be- tween councillors, council officials and the Gardai, as issues had arisen.