Shannon

AER RIANTA International saw its profits plummet in 2010, accounts filed with the Companies Office show. The company recorded a profit for the financial year of €2,336,000 last year, compared to €22,932,000 in 2009.In the business review section of the director’s report, it stated that last year had been relatively successful. “The trading performance of the company in 2010 has been good in light of the challenging current economic climate with turnover exceeding €60 million (2009, €62m). This has been offset by impairments of financial assets and provisions for inter company and related balances of €19.6m (2009 €5.2m). The increase in turnover in 2010 reflects an increase in the value of goods supplied to external customers and certain group undertakings, partially offset by a decrease in the value of services provided. Income from financial assets and investments was €17.7m (2009, €24.2m) and represents dividends received from subsidiary and associate companies.”According to the profit and loss account for the year, payroll …

FOLLOWING the success of the Beat the Streets soccer tournament, which took place for the last two years for fourth, fifth and sixth-year pupils of St Caimin’s and St Patrick’s Comprehensive, the tournament will take place this November.Beat the Streets is a soccer tournament where teams represent their housing estate or area in five-a-side matches (squads of eight). Last year was the second year of the event and it proved to be a huge success among the community. The league is an initiative of Community Garda Diarmuid O’Brien and FAI County Development Officer for Clare, Denis Hynes. Up to 70 teenagers from Shannon and the surrounding areas took part in the league over four weeks last year, seeking to claim the title. The league got the backing of the FAI and last year’s winners, Tradaree FC from Newmarket, won eight tickets to see the Republic of Ireland playing against Macedonia at the Aviva Stadium.This year’s tournament will take place at …

THE number of drink-related offences occurring in Shannon has declined significantly as the economy has contracted, the annual public meeting of the local Joint Policing Committee heard on Monday.Also this year, the number of sexual offences reported has increased dramatically. At the meeting, Superintendent Peter Duff said in recent times, there has been more reporting of offences that took place many years ago, particularly in families and institutions.The amount of public order offences recorded in the first nine months was 88, compared to 133 last year. The number of drink-driving offences went from 21 in the first nine months of last year to 12 in the equivalent period of 2011.With regard to sexual offences, 11 were reported in the first nine months of this year, compared to two in the equivalent period in 2010. Speaking about the increase, Superintendent Duff said, “All other offences would be reported within 24 hours at the most and we find that with sexual offences, …

CLARE Supported Employment has accomplished a lot since it was launched 10 years ago. The service, which supports people with an illness, injury or disability to secure employment, has firmly established its credentials, having successfully worked with both job seekers and Clare businesses.Teresa Crosse was one of organisation’s first customers. Teresa, who lives in Ennis, has been working as a kitchen assistant for Corporate Catering Services Ltd at Shannon Aerospace for four years. Clare Supported Employment helped her to find the job. Teresa does the washing up and brings the clean items back to the staff restaurant. The restaurant at Shannon Aerospace caters for 620 employees daily but Teresa says she is well able for the work and much prefers this to being bored at home.“Staff are very friendly and helpful,” commented Teresa but, she added, “there is no time for talking when work is busy”.Her manager, Jim O’Brien, said Teresa is very reliable and has an excellent attendance record. …

EFG Inflight Ltd have been given the licence to operate a café at the newly renovated Limerick City Gallery of Art (LCGA) and it is also creating up to 50 jobs in Bunratty through the development of a new retail centre on the old Avoca site.EFG Inflight Ltd is a privately owned independent company and has been in operation for four years at Knockbeg Point, Shannon Airport. Zest! is the retail arm of the company and it provides inflight food services for airlines at the airport. It will be behind the new jobs in Bunratty and the café in Limerick.Regarding the development at Bunratty, financial director Fiona Barry said, “This is an indication of our long-term commitment to the area and our desire to create much-needed employment in the locality”.Managing director, Ean Malone said the company is pleased with its new venture in Limerick. “Our retail brand Zest! has enjoyed tremendous success since opening in Ennis last year and we …

A MILESTONE moment in the history of Shannon Airport has been celebrated with the planting of an oak tree to mark the 75th anniversary of the beginning of construction work at the airport site at Rineanna.Airport executive and staff members, as well as Shannon Airport Authority chairman, Brian O’Connell were on hand for the symbolic planting of the tree to mark the 75th anniversary of the original sod-turning at Shannon on October 8, 1936.The oak sapling was planted near the final roundabout approaching the airport, not far from the spot where 75 years ago this week just over a dozen workers gathered for the first time to begin work at Shannon Airport.Acting Shannon Airport director, Niall MacCarthy said given Shannon’s rich aviation history it was appropriate to mark the beginning of the airport’s construction by honouring the work of the men who planned and built the airport.“Little did the men who broke ground for the first time at what were …

OBTAINING information from Shannon Town Council about the controversial Cluain Airne housing development is akin to “pulling hen’s teeth”, a local county councillor has claimed.Councillor Gerry Flynn made the claim at a town council meeting last week, where he also alleged what has happening in relation to the residential development is “disgraceful”. He was speaking during a discussion about the Glaisse na Rinne/Cluain Airne affordable housing development.“I said at the last meeting, what is a priority for the council, is it a day, a week or a number of years? I make no apology for demanding answers. Residents living from 21 to 26 were given the impression improved parking would be provided but now this is not happening. What has happened is unbelievable and I hope this will never be visited upon us again,” he said.At a meeting in June, councillors requested an inquiry into the development, which had prompted issues in 2007 before a brick was even laid. Over …

FAMILY and friends are rallying around Shannon man Keith Gibbons by raising funds so the 34-year-old can undergo expensive critical medical treatment in the United States.