A round-up of other regional news in brief
Opposition to cave centre plans
An Taisce and others have voiced their opposition to contentious plans to construct a visitor centre for the Pól an Ionáin cave in Doolin, Co Clare.
Three years ago John and Helen Browne opened Pól an Ionáin Cave after a 16-year struggle to realise their dream of showing the 7m (23ft) long stalactite to the world.
The plans did not include a visitor centre as originally envisaged by the Brownes and they have relied since on a park and ride scheme to transport tourists to the cave with no on-site facilities.
In lodging their plans for a visitor centre, consultants for the Brownes told Clare County Council the attraction was not viable without one on site and said that numbers dropped from 7,943 in 2007 to 7,763 last year. A letter said the park and ride over three seasons did not generate enough revenue to be viable into the future.
The plan is facing opposition from An Taisce, the Pól an Ionáin Action Group, the Speleological Union of Ireland and the nearby Ailwee Caves.
An Taisce said the proposal contravened the entire basis on which An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the opening of Pól an Ionáin as a show cave.
The Pól an Ionáin Group said the granting of permission in 2005 was a tragedy and claimed the current submission of the applicants was flawed, saying that this unspoilt part of the Burren be left as it is.
A decision is due from the council later this month.
Permission granted for 150m development on Waterford coast
Planning permission has been granted by Waterford County Council for a €150 million development that will create about 500 jobs on a 220-acre coastal site between Garrarus and Kilfarrasy.
The Islandikane resort, near Tramore, features a Jack Nicklaus golf course, a spa and a range of family entertainment, sport and leisure facilities.
A period-style hotel, with 142 suites, will act as the centrepiece of the environmentally friendly development which will include 40 associated golf lodges and 28 houses.
Construction of the resort, it has been confirmed, will provide employment for more than 350 people, with a further 150 full-time jobs when the resort opens.
The developer says there will also be considerable potential for additional part-time employment, particularly during the summer months.
The resort has been designed to generate more year-round tourism business rather than just seasonal business in Tramore.
William Bolster of the Tramore-based Bolster Group said he was delighted to have received planning permission from Waterford County Council. He said he saw it as a massive vote of confidence for the area and showed great vision from the council and all involved.
Judge calls on department to tighten social-welfare screening
A District Court judge in Galway has called on the Department of Social and Family Affairs to tighten its screening procedures as some people have no difficulty in defrauding the system to obtain social welfare.
Judge Mary Fahy said others who had lost their jobs had to wait for months for payments.
Judge Fahy made her comments at Galway District Court yesterday after hearing how a Russian man, living in Ireland illegally since 2003, defrauded the department of €10,527.60 over two years by making four separate claims for social welfare, using a false Lithuanian driving licence and false Irish provisional driving licence, while also working full-time as a security guard.
Judge Fahy said Alexandrs Loukianenko (40), Castlelawn Heights, Headford Road, Galway, was "laughing all the way to the bank" and it was time now for the department to stop relying on gardaí to catch these people and overhaul its own screening systems.
Loukianenko worked for the security company under his own name and stole food from Dawn Dairies every weekend. Sentences totalling 20 months were imposed and Loukianenko was disqualified from driving for two years
Hundreds attend Corcoran funeral
Hundreds of mourners filled the small village church of Kilbrittain, west Cork, for the funeral of Anne Corcoran yesterday.
Chief celebrant Fr Tom O’Riordan spoke of a sense of fear in the community, compounded by a deep sorrow and unanswered questions.
“We sympathise with one another, we are saddened and grieving. We come with bewilderment, with questions that will never be answered and with anger, that is natural and normal, and we should ask God for his help.
“We come with fear, there is lots of fear around in the community and we need God for that,” Fr O’Riordan added.
Ms Corcoran’s body was found in Kilmore Wood, west Cork, last week, after a two-week search.
The family of the man who appeared in court in relation to her disappearance was included in the prayers at St Patrick’s Church.
Ms Corcoran’s wedding album and a photograph of her taken by the sea rested on her coffin during the funeral Mass.
Those who took part in the search formed a guard of honour as her coffin was carried to the nearby Kilbrittain cemetery, where she was buried next to her husband, Jerry.