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Clare’s County Registrar has made an order for the repossession of the house of a Clare businessman, after accusing him of “playing a game” with his bank. At the repossession court in Ennis, Clare County Registrar Pat Wallace granted Permanent TSB possession of the house, after stating that the man “has gone 10 years without repaying the loan”. The court heard that the man had run up arrears of €138,640 and the balance, before arrears, owed on the mortgage was €127,960. Mr Wallace said he was granting the order for possession “on the basis that I know that you could have paid and you didn’t pay. You understand that? Thanks very much.” The repayments on the mortgage were €1,100 per month and the man said that he had been making payments of €600 per month since 2014. However, Mr Wallace said, “You took out the loan. You promised to pay it back and you haven’t paid it back in 10 years. That is the essence …

A traveller told his legal team, “I paid you three grand to take this to court and is this the result I get?” after a judge threw out his discrimination case against a North Clare pub and seafood restaurant. At Ennis District Court, father-of-six Patrick Donovan expressed his frustration for everyone in the court to hear, after Judge Fiona Lydon ruled that he was asked to leave Vaughan’s pub and seafood restaurant in Liscannor not on the basis of discrimination or because he was a Traveller. In words heard across the court room, Mr Donovan told his two strong legal team, “I paid you three grand to take this to court and is this the result I get here? What is my kids’ future? What is my family’s future?” Judge Lydon moments earlier retreated from the bench to her chambers after Mr Donovan got to his feet to protest at her ruling in the case. He told Judge Lydon, before she departed, …

The 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open will be played at Lahinch from July 4-7, the European Tour has announced following consultation with next year’s tournament host Paul McGinley, tournament sponsor Dubai Duty Free and local stakeholders. This will be the first time in the competition’s 91-year history that it will be staged in Clare. The event will once again feature a minimum prize fund of $7 million and will attract a world-class field to Lahinch, providing a huge boost to the local and national economy. The tournament enters a new era next year when McGinley leads a rotation of Irish golfing legends – Major champions Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell – in the hosting role, taking over the mantle from Rory McIlroy. The winning 2014 Ryder Cup Captain will host at a venue for which he holds a great affinity, having triumphed at Lahinch as an amateur when he claimed the South of Ireland Championship in 1991. The …

A 41-year-old Clare man has been returned for trial, concerning the alleged illegal possession of 7,606 images and 139 video files of child pornography. At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Durcan made the order for the return for trial of the Clare man to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court. In the case, the man is charged with, on September 4, 2013, knowingly distributing child pornography for the purpose of distribution, publication and exportation, contrary to Section 5 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. The man is also accused of knowingly having in his possession the 7,606 child porn images and 139 video files at a Clare address on the same date, contrary to Section 6 (1) of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998. In the circuit court, the accused, if convicted, faces a prison term up to five years on the possession charge and up to 14 years on the distribution charge. …

From Carrigaholt in the Loop Head pensinsula to Carron in the northern part of the county, the Clare coastline offers unrivalled and breath-taking views. All along the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest defined coastal touring route, the spectacular scenery embellishes the tourism offering from quaint eateries, to pretty seaside villages, sandy bays and cliff top walks. Put simply, the Wild Atlantic Way is inspiring, renewing, relaxing and invigorating and this week The Clare Champion, in collaboration with The Connacht Tribune, has published the first ‘Where West’ magazine, the ultimate guide to planning your holiday break along the west coast of Ireland. Business Development Manager with The Clare Champion, Leo O’Connor said Clare is renowned for its tourism offering and the development of the Wild Atlantic Way has added another important string to its bow. He said Where West is designed to showcase businesses and events throughout counties Clare and Galway encompassing all that is best along the Wild Atlantic …

A second man has appeared in court concerning an organised public fist fight in a field outside Kilrush that was videoed and later uploaded to Facebook and Youtube. At Kilrush District Court this week, Inspector Tom Kennedy said that it will be alleged that Detective Garda Conor Flaherty, while on mobile patrol on August 5 last, observed a bare chested Alan Clohessy, (27), with his hands taped engaged in a fist fight with another bare chested man in a field in Cappagh, just outside the town. The alleged fight between Mr Clohessy of Frances Street, Kilrush and the another man was filmed and later uploaded to social media. Between 20 and 30 males were watching the fiust fight. In the case, Mr Clohessy is accused of breaching Section 16 of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act where he is alleged to have committed an affray with another man in that he used or threatened to use unlawful violence towards each …

The health and safety authority is investigating the death of a man in his early 70s at a farm in Feakle. It is understood the man was found at a work yard on the farm by a relative in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday. Gardaí scenes of crime attended the scene and currently the HSA is carrying out an investigation into the death. A garda PSV inspector is due to carry out an inspection of a tractor which was at the scene.  

Drugs with an estimated street value of €250,000 have been detected and seized after Gardaí from the Clare Divisional Drug Unit stopped a car at Latoon South, Ennis on Friday evening, May 11. The detection was made as part of an ongoing intelligence led operation into drug trafficking in the Clare Division. During the course of the search of the car gardai discovered a quantity of cannabis herb (subject to analysis), the male driver a man in his 40’s was arrested and taken to Ennis Garda station where he is being detained under the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 as amended. A follow up search was carried out at a house at Ballyclough Avenue, Ballinacurra,  Weston, Limerick by Gardaí a large quantity of cannabis herb was discovered. The approximate street value of the total amount of cannabis discovered was €250,000 (subject to analysis). Investigations are ongoing.