Ocean power on the great west of Ireland seaboard ‘A resource of energy that cannot be ignored’
When wave happy surfers catch 50 foot (15.25 metre) wave off the Irish coast, as Devonian Andrew Cotton did in Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, recently, ocean energy researchers do their sums.
This Atlantic seaboard has some of the most energy intensive swells in Europe, attracting enthusiasts from Brazil, South Africa, Australia and even Hawaii to these shores.
Much has been made of recent hydrocarbon finds in these waters, but the ocean energy sector points to the fact that we already have a remarkable “gift of nature”. It points out that Ireland has one-third of all of north-west Europe’s renewable energy resources, from wave to some of the highest wind speeds.
The technology for harnessing wave and tide action is still being developed but the Marine Renewable Industry Association says that a basic supply chain has already emerged to support the “most mature” of the renewable technologies. With the right environment, Ireland could become an energy-exporting state, replacing almost €6 billion in annual energy imports with up to €10 billion in exports, it says. The consequent supply chain could create many jobs in research and development, finance, legal services design, manufacture and device assembly.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland made much the same case two years ago, forecasting that an island of Ireland ocean energy industry could produce a net present value of around €9 billion and create “many thousands” of jobs. These benefits would only be achievable if Ireland secured “early mover advantage”.
Already both Scotland and Northern Ireland are forging ahead, with Scottish first minister Alex Salmond making ocean energy a “key economic priority”. Scotland has attracted substantial investment from major players, including ABB, Rolls Royce and the Swedish Vattenfall. The latter company had moved to invest in Ireland’s offshore renewables sector, but judged Ireland to be “closed for business” after two years.
This State needs to show that it is “back open”, the industry says. There is no shortage of expertise. Six universities have 200 researchers in the field, with University College Cork enjoying one of the largest concentration of ocean energy researchers in the world. Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte is due to publish an Ocean Renewable Energy Development Plan this year. It should be more than aspirational. A clear plan of action is needed if this State is to catch up on the march stolen by our neighbours.
Relative of 71 year old Mayo man shot Sunday questioned on killing in Glencorrib Co Mayo
Gardaí in Claremorris are investigating the circumstances of the shooting at Wallpark, Glencorrib, Co Mayo at about 2.15pm today
A man wass arrested for questioning yesterday in connection with the fatal shooting earlier of a 71-year old farmer in south Mayo was still in custody last night at Claremorris Garda station.
The suspect was being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act following a shooting incident at a farmhouse in the townland of Wallpark, Glencorrib, on the shores of Lough Corrib.
The victim was a well-respected farmer whose violent death has shocked the local community.
Cllr Damian Ryan, a member of Mayo County Council, said last night he knew the man who had been killed.
The councillor said that his tragic passing would leave a huge void.
“It’s an enormous tragedy for all concerned. My deepest sympathy is extended to the family and the entire community.”
Gardaí were called to the two-storey farmhouse, at the end of a lengthy lane, at around 2.15pm yesterday, where they found the victim in a critical condition with what they described as “serious injuries”.
The man was taken by ambulance to University College Hospital in Galway city where he died a short time later.
A pathologist is expected to carry out a postmortem later today.
It is understood the man arrested is a relation of the victim.
Gardaí are asking for anybody who might be able to provide information about the incident to contact them at 094-9371222.
S-hell have to return some-time? as family looks for their 100-year-old Tortoise in Dublin
The owners of a 100-year-old tortoise were left shell-shocked at the weekend after the pet which has been part of their family for 40 years ran away from home in Dublin.
Florentine the Tortoise fled the leafy Rathgar back garden that has been his stomping ground since the early 1970s on Saturday evening, after he spotted an opportunity to make a bolt for freedom when a member of the family inadvertently left a side gate open.
Once his owners, the Eogan family, realised he was missing they quickly launched an extensive social media campaign. Within hours, the plight of the tortoise had become a top trending topic on Twitter.
By yesterday afternoon the hashtag #rathgartortoise had gone viral, with users of the social networking site both appealing for his safe return and using Florentine for some unfortunate puns and jokes.
Gardaí in Terenure were contacted almost as soon as the family realised their pet had done a runner. In addition to tweeting furiously, the family spent much of yesterday putting posters up around the locality seeking his safe and speedy return.
“We are pretty sure he’s not dead because if he had been run over on the road in front of the house there would be evidence everywhere,” owner Cliona Eogan told The Irish Times yesterday. She expressed the hope that Florentine had made it as far as a neighbour’s garden and was lurking in the bushes waiting to be found. “He managed to escape very quickly,” Ms Eogan said yesterday afternoon.
Quickly? Surely not. “Oh no. He is quite fast when he wants to be,” she insisted. “You would be really surprised. He can go at a very good clip when it’s warm and the sun is shining. And it was very warm on Saturday. We always describe him as solar-powered.”
Apparently Florentine is quite a good walker, unsurprisingly as he has spent four decades prowling the perimeter of his garden. Ms Eogan suggested he could have made it a considerable distance from the family home on Brighton Road over the course of the weekend.
While the family remain anxious and are hoping for his safe return, they are optimistic and believe time is on their side as he can go for fairly long spells without food. He is partial to lettuce leaves.
Typically tortoises live to ripe old ages – the oldest one on record made it as far as 177.
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