A round-up of today's other regional stories in brief...
Horse trainer opposes plant near stables
Racehorse trainer Aidan O'Brien yesterday denounced the planned construction of a bio-energy plant near his stables in south Tipperary, at a Bord Pleanála hearing into the development.
Speaking at the hearing for the first time, Mr O'Brien said: "If this proposal gets the go-ahead, it would make our business impossible."
He said a previous rendering plant on the site of the proposed new development had been a source of nuisance before it ceased operations in 2003. Staff turnover had been up to 40 per cent higher than now, and "absenteeism" due to illness was 25 per cent higher. He had seen "grown men get physically sick from the smell". The hearing continues.
New development plan for Shannon
A master plan for Shannon that promises to generate €400 million in investment and create 1,000 jobs is to be launched next week. Steered by Clare County Council, the plan seeks to facilitate the development of 90 acres in the centre of Shannon town.
Shannon was designed in the late 1960s and has no recognised streets. Among the proposals are a new main street, pedestrianised shopping precinct, town square, civic arts centre, hotel, civic park, primary school, medical care facility and school of enterprise.
Council rejects wind farm plan
Clare County Council yesterday refused planning permission for a €10 million wind farm in east Clare, due in part to the presence in the area of the protected bird, the hen harrier.
Last year plans for the 410ft, eight-turbine wind farm, seven kilometres from the east Clare villages of Tulla and Feakle, were lodged by Ventus Energy.
The proposal provoked widespread opposition.
Last November Minister for the Environment John Gormley announced the designation of six sites as special protection areas (SPA) to protect the bird. The proposed wind farm is located in the largest proposed SPA in the State, the Slieve Aughty area comprising 69,000 hectares.
An Taisce opposes golf club heliport
An Taisce has raised concerns over plans by one of the State's best-known golf clubs to build a heliport to cater for its growing corporate membership.
Lahinch Golf Club in Co Clare lodged the plans last year. But heritage group said the location was unsuitable, and called on the planning authorities not to allow "a heliport within this vulnerable landscape and along a protected coastline".