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FRIDAY marked the 50th anniversary of James Dean’s death — the screen idol was killed in a car crash on that date in 1955.

Although he appeared in just three films Dean re- mains one of the most fa- mous actors in Hollywood history personifying the rebellious nature of young people in the 1950s.

The stretch of motorway on which he died is to be renamed “The James Dean Memorial Junction’ and a plaque will be unveiled at the exact spot where he died.

California State Highway 46 streaks eastward from the city of Paso Robles, near the northern edge of San

Luis Obispo County, and cuts across the gentle roll- ing hills. It’s a desolate and windblown vista.

Almost twenty-five miles from Paso Robles, and less than a mile east of Cholame, the highway cuts through a gap in the Temblor Moun- tains.

Here the highway splits: 46 continues eastward to Bakersfield, and its branch, Highway 41, turns northeast toward Fresno.

James Dean met his gris- ly end at this junction near Cholame.

Dean had just wrapped up shooting on the Warner Bros. film “Giant” and was set to compete in an automo- bile race held at the Salinas Airport.

Racing down the Grape-

vine grade on Route 99 north of Los Angeles, Dean was even stopped by a Cali- fornia Highway patrolman and given a citation.

Approaching the famous intersection from the op- posite direction was a large black-and-white 1950 Ford Custom Tudor coupé.

Dean’s Porsche accelerated to a reported estimate of 85 mph and as the two cars con- verged on the junction, the Ford veered over the centre line. The Ford and Dean’s Porsche hit almost head-on. The impact of the crash was terrific. Dean’s car ended up in a ditch by the roadside and “looking like a crum- pled pack of cigarettes.”

Dean was dead on arrival at Paso Robles War Memo- rial Hospital.

AUDI have unleashed their new Nu- volari Quattro concept study, a vi- sion of tomorrow’s elegant, powerful Gran Turismo, at this year’s Motor Shows.

It combines future Audi design philosophy and the progressive tech- nology and dynamic road potential of a high-powered GT.

With the Nuvolari quattro, Audi’s designers have created a two-door two-seater coupé with classic GT proportions. Its lines are an evolu- tionary interpretation of the current repertoire of outlines typical of Au- di’s styling philosophy.

After the debut of the Pikes Peak quattro crossover study at the De- troit Motor Show, the Nuvolari is the ererO) LO MMOL TMA IHOMM ONC OMPAUECONMECIELO)US off the future of the brand: a future notable for systematic emphasis on sporting character, highly advanced technology, unique design and em- phasis on exclusiveness.

Gran Turismo – the term is syn- onymous with the ultimate high-per- formance, road-going long-distance sports car.

Time and time again, GIs were among the most fascinating and most beautiful cars of their day. Like no other type of vehicle, a classic GT combines the aura of performance and speed with styling that derives its aesthetic appeal from technology

and dynamism rendered visible to the onlooker.

Without a doubt, the Audi Nuvol- ari quattro, which has a Luna Silver paint finish, is such a car – this be- comes clear the very first time you see it. The combination of system- atic lightweight design and a highly rigid body is doubly important in high-powered GT’s such as the Audi Nuvolari quattro – for the car’s per- formance and also for resistance to vibration, which is a vital precondi- tion for dynamic driving.

Inside the dash panel, which 1s cov- ered by a semi-circular hood, com- bines classic GT architecture and advanced ergonomics.

The tiptronic gearshift lever has one shift gate. If the driver prefers to select gears manually, he or she can do so at shift paddles behind the three-spoke sports steering wheel – as in the Le Mans-winning Audi R8.

High power output, maximum torque, refinement and a fascinating sound – these are the basic character- istics of a perfect GT engine, with a fascination that lies both in its potent performance and its everyday us- ability. The 5.0-litre “biturbo’ V10 has these features plus the bite that comes from ample torque in all en- gine speed ranges and a willingness to run up to high speeds that is second to none. This engine is a new design, capable of mobilising an impressive 600 bhp. The Nuvolari is also will-

ing to rev freely and let its vigorous power flow at all engine speeds – it accelerates from O to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and on to a maxi- mum speed of 250 km/h. The maxi- mum torque of 750 Nm is available at an engine speed as low as 2,000 rpm. All this results in powerful, not to say supreme, forward thrust.

The Nuvolari quattro transmits the power from its engine to the road via the quattro permanent four-wheel drive layout, which is still unrivalled and provides excellent traction and lateral stability.

Indeed the entire concept is dedi- cated to Tazio Nuvolari – the legen- dary racing driver. 61 Grand Prix

victories and other international suc- cesses confirmed Tazio Nuvolari as one of the greatest racing drivers in the period before the Second World ee

He raced actively for almost thirty years, and it is to his artistry at the wheel that Auto Union owed many of its Grand Prix triumphs.

A SECOND retail giant has made moves to prevent the developers of Skycourt Shannon from realising the €135 million redevelopment of Shannon Town.

German-owned retail multiple Lidl has lodged an objection against plans by the Shan- non Town Centre Management Company to construct two new retail buildings in Shannon, which would include a garden centre in one and a medical centre in the second.

The move by Lidl — which operates a store at Shannon town — to try to block the plans fol- lows Tesco last May appealing to an An Bord

Pleanala, a decision by Clare County Council giving the go-ahead to radically extend the centre to include a new department store, 18 retail units, an enclosed mall and a four-storey 400 space car park.

The Shannon Town Centre Management Company, in a submission to the Council, has admitted that the phase facing opposition from Tesco “is effectively stalled” and that the plan to develop a six-storey hotel and a multi-screen cinema has been abandoned.

The applicants state that the hotel and multi- screen cinema have been abandoned due to onerous parking requirements imposed on the proposal, which could not be met econom1-

cally.

Lid] state that, “In our opinion, the proposed development would be contrary to the proper planning and development of the area, as the proposal infringes on part of the public right of way. Car parking and safety arrangements have not been thoroughly examined.

“The proposed development’s design is out of scale with the existing town centre buildings. The parking arrangements proposed are totally unacceptable.

“The proposed development lacks cohe- sion and commercial synergy with the Shan- non Town Centre Shopping Centre. It is clear that the development is trying to overdevelop a

small parcel of land. This is poor estate man- agement and is not in the interests of proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

“The proposed development is totally out of character with the adjoining buildings. Having regard to the location of the existing buildings in the development, the proposal is completely out of scale and therefore contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development.

‘An inadequate traffic impact assessment has been provided which does not comprehensively deal with safety and car-parking issues.”

A decision is due on the application later this month.

we love horsepower, naturally. And responsive handling – the more g’s, the more grins at Carmody Street. Sexy sheetmetal? Always gets our attention. We’ve never denied our affinity for luxurious ameni- ties, either.

Above all, though, we are admirers of brilliant design and engineering. Which is to say, design and engineering that advance the state of the automo- tive art without forcing users to relearn what they already know about the au- tomobile.

Prior to 2004, cars like the Prius were unlikely to find their way onto motor- ist’s short lists of favourite vehicles. After all, we’ve experienced hybrid vehicles before, most notably Honda’s agreeable, but capacity-challenged two- seat Insight and Toyota’s own previous- generation Prius which was conspicu- ously short on performance, and style.

When the all-new Prius was unleashed in 2004, however, it represented an al- together more compelling proposition. Not only was it the first hybrid that an enthusiast could truly enjoy, it provided a tantalizing preview of a future where extreme fuel-efficiency, ultra-low emis- sions, and stirring performance could happily exist.

Unlike the previous wallflower edi- tion, the current model is a versatile five-door hatchback wearing striking, almost futuristic bodywork and entirely in keeping with its forward-thinking mission – the Prius even boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.26, making it one of the most aerodynamic production cars ever to hit our roads.

At 106.3 inches, the wheelbase of the Prius is six inches longer than the previ- ous model’s and just an inch shorter than the full-size Toyota Avalon’s. Passenger room has climbed from just under 89

cubic feet in the old Prius to more than 96. Indeed the Prius 1s so spacious, it’s now classified as a mid-size sedan. Five adults can fit comfortably, with more than 16 cubic feet of cargo room left over in back. The 60/40 split rear seats also can be folded flat, creating a cav- ernous cargo hold under the rear hatch.

One glance at the Prius’s dashboard – with its ‘Power’ starter button, LED gauges nestled in a strip under the windshield, and small joystick shifter- -and you know you’re not in Kansas any more. The Prius is so brilliantly approachable, so undemanding and un- complicated to drive, you could easily convince an unsuspecting guest driver that it’s just a conventional car.

But it isn’t. The simple user interface belies the sophistication of the Prius’s computer-operated petrol/electric Hy- brid Synergy Drive. With its heady torque peak of 295 pound-feet available at O rpm, the electric motor delivers in- stant and enthusiastic thrust in around- town driving. Above 40 mph, the petrol engine automatically kicks in. Actually, ‘kicks’ is the wrong word. The transi- tion from electric-only to electric/petrol and back is seamless and all but unde- tectable. A large, moving Energy Moni- tor pictogram on the standard dash- board Multi Display screen reveals the Prius’s constantly changing power flow and the draining/recharging status of the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. No automotive enthusiast could watch this fascinating electronic juggling act without smiling at the serene wizardry Om im-0e

In the next few years we’ll see more hybrids from automakers around the globe. Indeed, Toyota says a large por- tion of its model lineup will offer hybrid power by 2007.

But it’s the Prius that will be remem- bered as the first vehicle to move the hybrid concept from the penalty box to enthusiasts’ garages.

For that – a feat of true engineering brilliance – Toyota deserve many’s the accolade.

THE owners of the ill-fated Holywell restaurant in Bally- vaughan have claimed that a decision to refuse plans to trans- form it into a language centre would have the most serious repercussions for the whole of the Holywell venture.

Wolfgang and Sibylle Diet! shut down their restaurant in a bid to avoid the building containing it from being demolished and lodged plans to change it into a language centre.

In an appeal against Clare County Council’s refusal of permission for the change, the Dielts state, “If the language school is to survive as a stand-alone business, it is crucial for the Dietls to have the necessary facilities to increase their stu- o(STel meee AN .con

“The Dietls have taken out a loan in the region of €1.5 mil- lion on their overall venture, as no government grants were available to them. Holywell has not only acted as a language school and restaurant, but also as a cultural and social facility for the village which is devoid of such amenities.

“The local community hall is not a very warm and welcom-

ing place, as are such halls throughout the country through no fault of the community.

“As Holywell is an inviting and warm venue during the Winter months, it has hosted concerts, lectures, and a film club, along with evening classes in languages, computers, tra- ditional music workshops, yoga and creative writing. These unique and educational events are focused at and for the ben- efit the local population.”

In their appeal, the Dietls also hit out at the Council, rul- ing that it would create an undesirable precedent for further commercial development on this site and in the Burren coun- tryside.

They state, “It is considered that, in the recent past, several precedents of this type of commercial activity have been es- tablished outside the village of Ballyvaughan and that these ventures have both relieved congestion to the narrow streets of the village and brought people to the wider region around WN eLomatAUOEaRXoe

“We therefore contend that this level and type of commer- cial development has several precedents within the wider area

around the village of Ballyvaughan.

“We feel that we have demonstrated that the structure in question does not seriously injure the visual amenities and natural integrity of the area.

“It is considered that any damage — visually or the natural integrity to the area — was essentially done by the originally permitted works and not by the more congruous extension with its vernacular design and natural finishes. It is not con- sidered that the extension has had any further significant over- all impact on the landscape of the region.

‘This area reflects just 17% of the complex in terms of floor area. It is considered that this is not a significant expansion and one that does not materially change the complex or its use, taking into account that it is a well-screened, single-sto- rey structure at the lowest point of the 40-acre holding.

‘There is an existing precedent of commercial ventures in the wider area around Ballyvaughan and that the extension for retention is located on a site that already has a permitted educational use, with all ancillary services in place.”

THE National Roads Authority’s (NRA) of- fensive against Clare County Council’s policy of allowing one-off housing to be built on national routes in certain circumstances, has been endorsed by An Bord Pleanala.

Earlier this year, members of Clare County Council ignored a warning from the NRA against loosening restrictions on one-off homes being built on national routes in the new Clare County Development Plan.

The NRA warned that such a move would jeopardise the roads programme in Clare.

Now, 1n the first test-case of the council’s new policy — which 1s also contained in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan — the NRA has been successful in appealing a deci- sion by the council to grant planning to Paul Brodie to build a house on land facing onto the N18, 3km north of Barefield.

The appeals board ruled that Mr Brodie’s proposal would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard because the site was located alongside the heavily-trafficked road, at a point where a speed limit of 100 km/h.

The appeals board also ruled that the pro- posal would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard and obstruction of road us- Clase

The NRA’s stance was backed by the Clare Association of An Taisce who lodged a sub- mission with the Board, stating that the devel-

opment is “a classic case of ribbon develop- ment on a national road”’.

The decision provoked an angry reaction from Councillor Sonny Scanlan (FG) who said, “I am very disappointed and disgusted with the NRA. They must be accountable for their actions and they must tell the council why it is now adopting this policy.”

To date, this year, the NRA has appealed four separate decisions by the council to grant planning for one-off homes along national routes.

Cllr Scanlan said, “It is very unfair that An Bord Pleanala finds in favour of the NRA everytime regardless of the circumstances of the application. The Council would not have granted planning permission to Mr Brodie if it had jeopardised road safety in any way.”

Leader of the Council’s Fianna Fail group, Clir PJ Kelly said, “It 1s time that the Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche, acted and changed the remit of the NRA and remove their powers of appealing decisions to An Bord Pleanala.”

Green Party councillor Brian Meaney de- scribed the action by the NRA as “heavy- handed”.

Speaking on the issue earlier this year, the NRA’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Michael Egan, confirmed that, “It would be extremely shortsighted to allow a free-for-all in allow- ing one-off homes along national routes. We ignore the issue at our peril.”

has learned.

Raymond Donovan, of New Houses, Cooraclare, had been in custody in Limerick Prison, since August 26. He has been moved

to Cloverhill prison in Dublin, following claims that he was subjected to threats in Limerick Prison.

A spokesman for the Prison Services confirmed the move was made during the past week. “‘It is not uncommon to move prisoners from time to time, for operational reasons. Our number one obliga- tion would be to hold prisoners in safe custody.”

Donovan made his fifth court

appearance, charged with inten- tionally or recklessly causing harm to Ms Walsh, last Friday week. It is alleged he was as- saulted in the courtroom, on that occasion.

The Prison Services spokes- man said the allegation of assault in the courtroom “would also be taken into account,” in his move to Cloverhill

Donovan is due in court again later this month.

A LORRY driver who claimed he had not worked since being dis- missed from his job was caught on camera driving a digger on the En- nis by-pass site.

Thomas Lynch claimed before a hearing of the Employment Ap- peals Tribunal in Ennis that he had been dismissed by his boss, haulier Francis Greene, for not delivering a load of cement, which Lynch said

had been cancelled.

Lynch said that he was paid €500 for working up to 80 hours a week and received no overtime.

Greene denied unfairly dismiss- ing Lynch who he said had “left to go and work with his brother.” He denied Lynch had worked up to 80 hours a week. He had agreed a flat rate when Greene was hired, at Greene’s request, the employer Sr nLO

The truck driver claimed that he had not worked since the alleged dismissal.

But after having been shown photographs taken by a private detective of him in the cab of a digging machine on September 15 last, Lynch said he had “worked a few hours” to see what the machine was like. He said he got no pay for the work.

The Tribunal will give its deci- sion on the case in a few weeks.

THE NUMBERS working at the Cliffs of Moher are set to double when the new €31 million visitor centre opens in 2007.

The newly appointed manager of the visitor centre, Katherine Webster said this week that 87 will be em- ployed there, made up of 39 permanent and 45 sea- sonal staff. Currently, 40 people work at the Cliffs.

“It is very important that the Cliffs are at the centre of the visitor experience. They are what people are coming to see and the facilities will be there to com- pliment that. There is an incredible, splendid vista at the cliffs and we need facilities that live up to that.”

Last year, the Cliffs attracted 780,000 visitors, making it one of the most popular visitor attractions NOMA eeMerOlUNNIB AE

Ms Webster said that this year the numbers would be closer to 700,000, due in part to a drop in the number of US visitors in Clare last Summer.

But, in the visitor centre’s first full year of opera- tion, the numbers would break the 800,000 mark, she Sr nLee

It is expected that 40 per cent of these will come during the months of July and August.

“We will try to build off-peak business and, on the busy days, we will try to distribute flow of visitors as evenly as possible.”

The new visitor centre — complete with interpreta- tive facilities, including a hi-tech audio-visual display — will lengthen the visitor stay at the cliffs.

Currently, the average stay at the Cliffs is one hour and 20 minutes, but people may soon be spending over two hours in the interpretation area alone.

‘The audio-visual room 1s very impressive and very interesting and will be focusing a lot on the wildlife that people don’t get to see too much to see on the cliff edge,” she said.

Ms Webster said the visitor centre will provide an all-weather experience, when outside visibility is poor.

She said that work on the centre was ahead of schedule. It includes installing viewing platforms and extending the path to Hags Head at the end of Cliffs.

Ms Webster said that the introduction of a Park ‘n’ Ride scheme for the Cliffs centre would take place in Phase Two of the development.

She said, “The tourism spend has been going down in Clare … so we want the tourism community in Clare to capitalise on the Cliffs centre.”

CLARE County Council is to take a number of companies to court for their failure to comply with enforcement notices aimed at removing large advertising signs along the main Limer- ick-Ennis road.

The initiative by the council’s Planning De- partment follows an anti-litter offensive during the summer by the local authority’s Environ- ment Section to rid the county of unauthorised signs put up by auctioneers and other busi- nesses.

In the move by the planning section, Acting

Director of Service, Liam Conneally has in- structed County Solicitor, Michael Houlihan to institute legal proceedings against five separate companies: Supermacs Ltd, Abbar Ltd, the Raddisson Hotel, Sign It and Print It Co Ltd and the Clarion Hotel.

The Clarion Hotel was given until May 26 to remove unauthorised signs in the townland of Cratloe and refund to the Council the expenses incurred by the Planning Authority in the in- vestigation, detection and issue of Enforcement Proceedings.

The Radisson was given until August 10 to remove a sign from the townland of Meelick

and restore the site to its original condition and also refund the costs of the investigation by the Council. A Limerick company, Abbar Ltd was given until April 6 to remove a sign at Meel- ick, restore the site to its original condition and again refund all costs to the council. Su- permacs was given a deadline of the April 8 to remove the sign, but failed to do so, resulting in the council’s instituting the legal proceedings.

The Sign It, Print & Sign Co Ltd of Ballysi- mon Rd, Limerick was also given a deadline of complying with an enforcement notice by July 25 to remove a sign at Meelick, but failed to elonrer

A spokesman for the Council this week con- firmed that a court date had not yet been set and said that the signs had not been taken down when the sites were recently inspected for the purpose of legal proceedings.

Any individual or company found guilty of not complying with an Enforcement Notice is liable to a fine of €1,900 on summary convic- tion in the district court. If after such a convic- tion, the individual or company continues the use of the alleged offence, they would be guilty of a further offence and lable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €508 for each day on which the offence is continued.