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THERE were more people signing on in Ennis last month than signed- on in their entire county just one year ago.

New figures release by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed that 6,279 people claimed unemployment benefit in the county capital last month, compared to 6,023 in the en- tire county in July of 2008.

The total number on the live regis- ter in Clare last month was 10,513, up 344 or 3.5 per cent on the previ- ous month and the highest numbers

on record of County Clare. If the cur- rent trend continues the number sign- ing on in Clare will tip the 13,000 mark by the end of the year.

The increases were spread around the county with Ennis reporting a month-on-month increase in the un- employment level of 207 people. The upward trend was mirrored in En- nistymon, Kilrush and Tulla which reported increases of 39, 53 and 45 respectively.

These new figures were described as “horrendous” by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Associa- tion (ISME), who have called on the

Government to immediately intro- duce a comprehensive employment plan to address the current employ- NAINLMD KONE

“While the Government have at last taken the issue seriously by in- troducing the Employment Subsidy Scheme, the reality is that the initia- tive is a mere drop in the ocean with regard to what needs to be done,” said Mark Fielding, ISME Chief Ex- ecutive.

‘Many sectors of the business com- munity continue to struggle with no assistance. What is urgently required is a coordinated approach to address-

ing the crisis and not piecemeal pro- erammes that may only have limited SUCCESS.”

ISME warned that unless decisive action is taken, the dole queues will continue to lengthen and have sug- gested that the government introduce a National Employment Plan. Ac- cording to the ISME chief executive the plan should address the barriers to business, which are contributing to job losses, including costs, late payments and lack of credit.

In the last 12 months the numbers signing on in Clare have increased by 75 per cent, from 6,023 to 10,513.

Forget the flu, get back to school

AER LINGUS passengers flying to US destinations from Shannon will not be able to use pre-immigration facilities at the airport until late next year.

Yesterday, the chairman of the Shannon branch of the Irish Hotels’ Federation (IHF), Michael Vaughan expressed concern that Shannon would lose market share and passen- gers over the situation.

Over the past 23 years, all trans- atlantic passengers flying to JFK in New York and Boston have been able to avail of the pre-immigration clear- ance at Shannon.

The facility avoided long queues at JFK and Boston at immigration.

However, with the introduction of new €21m Customs and Border Pro- tection (CBP), the immigration and customs clearance is now combined.

Unlike the other three transatlantic carriers, Aer Lingus has opted out of the CBP service until a similar facil- ity is in place at Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport late next year.

The airline has cited operational and logistical reasons and Aer Lin- gus passengers will now not be proc- essed until they reach JFK and Bos- ton, with the closure of the existing immigration pre-clearance post at Shannon as it has got subsumed into the larger CBP facility.

The chairman of the Shannon branch of the IHF, Mr Vaughan yes- terday expressed concern that Aer Lingus passengers not being able to

avail of pre-clearance facilities for the next year. “It is a big thing for passengers to be able to fly and have the immigration pre-clearance out of the way. It is very much valued by the business traveller, who doesn’t want any delays.

‘Aer Lingus not participating in the customs and border protection down- grades the status of Shannon.

“IT would be worried that Shannon would lose market share and passen- gers over this. It is another negative for Shannon,” he said.

Mr Vaughan said that the IHF

hopes to meet with Aer Lingus exec- utives to discuss the situation. “With the New York route under threat this winter, this is something that Shan- non Airport could do without.”

Earlier this month, the new facili- ties opened with Shannon Airport Authority (SAA) chairman, Pat Shanahan describing the opening of the facility as “a milestone for the oy ola mae

“It is a great innovative opportunity for Shannon, and offers us the oppor- tunity to grow our transatlantic traf- fic,’ he said.

The introduction of the facilities comes against the background of traffic on US routes out of Shannon falling by 19 per cent for the first six months and a drop of seven per cent on all routes.

The facilities are in place following a bi-lateral agreement between the US and Ireland, and Mr Rooney said that the new pre-clearance facilities will offer economic and security benefits.

Hillbilly’s open their doors at Ennis outlet

THERE will be a new man at the head of operations at the Irish Avia- tion Authority in Shannon from Oc- Kelloae Ee

Former general manager of the IAA’s traffic management, Donie Mooney has been appointed as di- rector of operations for the Irish Aviation Authority.

Eamonn Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Aviation Author- ity, announced yesterday that Mr Mooney would succeed Pat Ryan who 1s retiring from the position.

Mr Mooney has been general man- ager of the [AA’s air traffic manage- ment operation at Shannon since 2002.

Previously, he served as general manager of the North Atlantic Com- munications Division, as head of training, aS operations manager of Shannon Area Control Centre, and also as a team leader and instructor in the Authority’s Commercial and Training Directorate.

He spent 15 years as an air traffic controller and held tower and all ra- dar ratings during that time.

Donie also has significant experi- ence in international relations and activities having represented, at a high level, Ireland and the Irish Aviation Authority at several Eu- rocontrol, European Commission

and ICAO fora. Currently he is a member of the ICAO European Air Navigation Planning Group, ICAO NAT Systems Planning Group and the ICAO North Atlantic Air Traffic Management Group.

Donie’s appointment as director of operations will take effect from Oc- tober 1, 2009.

A NEW era in renewable energy for J Sava tcmexe) 00 (OMnXelOye MM oLomO)I ML AMA ce NARia lie! the town’s public lighting, and the lo- cal swimming pool, being powered by hydro energy from the River Fer- Pale

Oe erm eames eon day confirmed that around seven ten- ders have been received to carry out a study into the mico hydro electric- ity potential of the the river system in Clare.

“This is very exciting and, if the power of the River Fergus can be utlised in Ennis, it will save Ennis Town Council tens of thousands of euro every year,’ said Cllr Meaney.

“Tt will also off-set Ennis’s carbon footprint and make Ennis a more sustainable town into the future. It is a pity it was not done years ago, but the technology is there now.

“Tt will also allow the council di- vert funding for electricity into much needed areas of captial spending,” he rnLGe

“Tt also has the attraction of mak- ing Ennis a ‘green energy’ town. All councillors are happy to support the intiative.

“The Fergus was used on a much more pro-active basis in the past, and

it is time that its rich resource was used again.”

Cllr Meaney said that the annual energy bill for the swimming pool is quite high, and that the use of the Fergus to heat the pool would put the local council at the forefront of green energy initiatives.

The aims of the study are to iden- tify the useful micro hydro electric potential in County Clare, and to cat- egorise the sites identified into “do- mestic” and “commercial”.

According to the Limerick Clare Energy Agency, “this study will be an important policy and planning document for the development of re- newable energy potential in County Or Tren

“The reports may also form the basis of a further more detailed eco- nomic feasibility study, seeking grant assistance in the development of the site(s) identified.”

The desk top study will carry out a review of existing literature and research on hydro electric power po- tential in County Clare; identify any “domestic” scale sites; identify any “commercial” scale sites; identify the suitable micro hydro electric tur- bines available; identify appropriate turbines to match the flow and head characteristics of the various sites.

“THE WIND never won any game’ was the resigned assessment of one of the Kilmaley supporters leaving Clareabbey on Sunday and it cer- tainly summed up this game in one fell swoop. You see, Sixmilebridge appeared in a perilous situation at half-time in this game, only leading by one point after having the backing of a sizeable gale that blew towards Clarecastle. They had hit seven points in that opening period, four from the stick of Sam O’Sullivan but more significantly had also hit 11 wides, opting in the main to shoot from distance instead of working the ball into their inside line.

Meanwhile, Kilmaley were plug- ging away at the other end, backed by Sean Hehir at centre-back and John Cabey from midfield that allowed them to supply full-forward Brian McDonald for three of their six first half scores.

As a result, Kilmaley would have been much the happier side at the interval and as the second half pro- eressed, began to turn the screw on their opponents. A Cabey free had them level by the 33rd, and over the next five minute pushed ahead on

three occasions, only to be dragged back by O’Sullivan points.

The game turned decisively in the 40th minute though when a good passing move involving Mike O’Halloran and Declan Murphy was moved out to Sam O’Sullivan in the centre who weaved his way past two tackles before dispatching to the net.

Suddenly, it was Kilmaley who were on the backfoot and last year’s intermediate champions grew 1n con- fidence with every passing minute. Cabey and O’Sullivan swapped frees by the 43rd but over the next ten min- utes, Sixmilebridge had three oppor- tunities to finish the game but Kevin Lynch and Paul Corbett’s shots were both saved by goalkeeper Bryan O’Loughlin while Joe O’Halloran’s effort went wide of the right post.

Under such pressure, Kilmaley fi- nally relinquished in the 51st minute when Joe O’Halloran was strong in the pull to guide his shot over the line after Paul Corbett’s initial effort was stopped and now five points clear, the Bridge’s first points of the cam- paign appeared to be only a matter of time.

Kilmaley fought admirably to the end but now desperate for scores, they caught the wayward shooting

bug as they tallied up a plethora of late wides. Declan Clancy finally broke their 20 minute deadlock with a point but the fightback was short- lived as Sixmilebridge substitute Trevor Purcell cancelled it out in injury time. It sets up a last round crunch match with Eire Og to decide their fate while Kilmaley were left to rue the conditions.

MORE than construction jobs have been lost to Clare so far this year as a direct result of decisions made by An Bord Pleanala.

According to an investigation car- ried out by

AS a result of Kilmihil and West Clare Gaels match ending in a draw on Saturday they are joint top of their senior championship group and have to play off this Wendesday night at 6.45pm where extra-time will be played if necessary. The winners will play Fergus Rovers in one semi-final with the losers playing The Banner in the other semi-final. Both semi- finals are scheduled for next Sunday evening while the B semi finals are down for Saturday evening: Coora- clare v Crusheen and Coolmeen v St. Joseph’s, Miltown.

The Intermediate Final, Shannon Gaels v Liscannor is fixed for next Saturday at Miltown at 2p.m., Shan- non Gaels were beaten in last years final by Kilmihil and will be the fa- vourites. Colette Corry is a huge loss to them, she picked up a knee injury with Clare in the Munster Intermed1- ate final v Waterford. Sarah Bohan- non and Doonbeg’s Mairead Madi- gan have been in great goal scoring form all year. Michelle Madigan, Adrieane Nugent, Edel Madigan, Sharon Meaney, Imelda Kennedy, Mary Ruth Neylon, Carmel Bohan- non and Ger Corry are just some members of the panel who have had

a fine season to date. Liscannor have the Considine sisters Carmel and Marie and six years ago contested the senior final where they took Kildoon Gaels (an amalgamation of Kilmihil and Doonbeg) to a replay.

GARDAI in Ennis are continuing to search for a man who attempted to rob a post office in Quin at gunpoint on Saturday afternoon.

The daring would-be raider en- tered the premises in Quin village at around 12.30pm as guests were arriving for a wedding in the local church just 100 yards away.

The man is understood to have pro-

duced what is believed to have been a firearm. However, he left the post office empty-handed.

The man fled from the scene in a car. It is believed that a second per- son drove that vehicle. Nobody was injured in the incident and no cash was taken.

It is thought that the safe in the premises was time-locked.

The post office in Quin opens for a half-day on Saturdays and was due to

close at Ipm.

Dozens of wedding guests had been enjoying drinks outside a local pub as the attempted robbery was taking place.

Most were unaware of the drama. However, one guest did notice some- thing suspicious.

‘I was after parking up close to the Church and was putting on my jacket when a silver car drove past me.

“I didn’t pay much attention but

recognised it as an unmarked Garda car – my buddy 1s in the guards,’ he said.

“T saw it pull up outside the post office and remember walking away none the wiser. At the time I hadn’t a clue what was going on, but later | heard in the pub that someone tried to rob the place.”

Meanwhile, gardai in Ennisty- mon are investigating an incident where four men rammed a car in an

attempt to escape after they were found on a business premises near Fanore in the early hours of Friday morning.

A number of men confronted the trespassers and attempted to block their escape by pulling a car across a gateway.

The gang attacked the car with a crowbar before ramming the vehicle and pushing it out of their way.