€4m parish pump politician becomes a sparkling success

A 50c twisted metal coat hanger has helped produce a €4 million windfall for the Co Clare village of Lissycasey.

Water diviner and member of Clare County Council PJ Kelly confirmed yesterday that his search for water springs in the an area 6km from Lissycasey with the aid of the metal hanger has discovered "three major top quality water springs".

As a result of Cllr Kelly's find, a local company, Clare Spring Water Ltd, has lodged plans with Clare County Council for a €4 million plant to bottle the water.

Planning documents lodged with the council confirm the plant will employ up to 10 people, while 12 people will be involved in its construction.

The plant is expected to generate €1.2 million-€1.5 million per annum in the local economy.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said: "it is a great boost for the Lissycasey area. It is an environmentally friendly indigenous industry.

"They are going to produce an excellent product and it is excellent that so many jobs will be provided."

Cllr Kelly said his "water divining" involves holding a twisted metal coat hangar in his hand through which he receives an electric current when water is detected.

"People laugh at it, but it is 100 per cent successful at finding subterranean activity. It gives you a lot of satisfaction when finding new water springs."

Cllr Kelly says independent tests on the springs are carried out after he has identified the source of the water.

He said he discovered his talent accidentally 40 years ago when he took a pair of tongs in his hands and he jumped with the shock.

Cllr Kelly's talents extend to being able to locate injuries in animals such as horses and dogs.

Cllr Kelly has other feathers in his cap. He won second prize in the Best Accessory competition at the Dublin Horse Show at the RDS in August.

His JR Ewing-style Stetson hat was a gift sent from New York.

"I lost the feather at the side when I was at a vintage tractor competition last weekend so my wife put a flower in my hat as we were coming up to Dublin," Mr Kelly said after his unexpected success. "Normally I would show a few horses at the show, but this year I have none."

Mr Kelly caught the eye of fashion police scouting for smart accessories. "I thought they were only joking," said Mr Kelly, a retired teacher. Among those he defeated was his wife, Maura, who was shortlisted for a hat she had bought at last year's show.