Celtic Tenors return to Nobber to help fill coffers of NEAI

North East Against Incineration (NEAI) said it was very happy with the success of its fundraising concert last Saturday night in Nobber, which was headlined by The Celtic Tenors. As the audience arrived, they were treated to a drumming performance by local pharmacist Vernon Skoronski of Nobber Pharmacy. Indeed, the support acts at Carty's Auction Rooms in the village showed there's a huge amount of musical talent in the area. The first act was a traditional Irish group from the north Meath area, including Fiachra and Tony McEntee from Nobber and Mary, Sharon, Michael and Brendan Argue from Tierworker. At the end of their set they presented MC Michael Finucane, an NEAI member, with a cheque for €1,000 which they raised for NEAI on the wren on St Stephen's Day. Up next was Mandy Dowd from Gibbstown who recently released a CD, the proceeds of which go to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. She was accompanied by Seamie McGarry. Andrew and Niamh Gavin, from Simonstown, Navan, also appeared on the bill. The Celtic Tenors performance included songs by Jimmy McCarthy, including 'The Contender', Bob Dylan's 'Wanted Man', Eric Clapton's 'Lay Down Sall'y, 'Nessun Dorma' and 'Hard Times', the title of their last record, among many others. The group includes Matthew Gilsenan from Moynalty, James Nelson from Sligo and Daryl Simpson from Omagh, Co Tyrone. They said they were delighted to be back, having played at another NEAI fundraiser in October 2008. Christy O'Reilly, chairman of North-East Against Incineration, said: "Feedback from people in the audience on the night was that the performances of all the acts were world-class and one particular attendee said that the performances was more enjoyable than concerts they'd attended in the National Concert Hall or the O2." NEAI is expecting the Bord Pleanala decision to be made very soon on whether the application by College Proteins for a meat and bonemeal incinerator will be approved or not. The organisation said it is confident it made a very strong case against the proposal at the oral hearing last October. NEAI is continuing to conduct research into its campaign against the controversial proposal. Christy O'Reilly added that "only last week, Panda Waste turned a sod on a new waste management facility in Beauparc, Slane, incorporating the process of anaerobic digestion". He added: "Minister for the Environment John Gormley stated that this type of development is the way forward."