News

THE total cost of refurbishing the Scariff Health Centre (SHC), which closed recently, is about €300,000, according to the Mid-West HSE. The HSE has confirmed the SHC will close for between six to eight weeks to accommodate a major refurbishment. Services will be relocated to Tulla Health Centre, Broadford Health Centre and Scariff Medical Centre for the duration of these works. Responding to Clare Champion queries, the Mid-West HSE estimated the total cost of the refurbishment to Scariff Health centre is approximately €300,000. The regional health authority also confirmed the main contractor carrying out this work is James Malone Construction Ltd, Ballybeg, Ennis. Services will be offered in a number of facilities by public health nurses or clinicians to their clients in Tulla, Scariff and Broadford. Patients have been made aware of the alternative arrangements. James Malone Construction Ltd was established in 1971 and has continued to be a family run business. It carries out a wide range of building …

Brian Lohan has named his first championship team as Clare manager for Sunday’s Munster SHC clash with Limerick. After recovering from a broken hand, Aidan McCarthy has been passed fit to start at wing back, with centre back Pat O’Connor and Seadna Morey completing the half back line up. David McInerney will partner Tony Kelly at midfield with Eibhear Qulligan makes his championship debut in goal. Clare team v Limerick: Eibhear Quilligan (Feakle); Jack Browne (Ballyea), Conor Cleary (Miltown, St Joseph’s), Stephen O’Halloran (Clarecastle); Seadna Morey (Sixmilebridge), Pat O’Connot (Tubber), Aidan McCarthy (Inagh-Kilnamona); David McInerney (Tulla, c), Tony Kelly (Ballyea); Diarmuid Ryan (Cratloe), David Reidy (Eire Óg), David Fitzgerald (Inagh-Kilnamona); Ryan Taylor (Clooney-Quin), Cathal Malone (Sixmilebridge), Shane O’Donnell (Eire Óg).   Limerick boss John Kiely unveiled his line up on Friday evening.

Ahead of Halloween this year, Clare County Council is advising members of the public not to take part in any activities that are contrary to public health guidelines or measures under Level 5 of the Government’s Covid-19 plan, such as bonfire gatherings. The local authority have also stated that given the current high level of risk associated with Covid-19, children and families should not move between houses to trick-or-treat in the way that traditionally happens at Halloween. Clare County Council and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service are also urging members of the public and businesses not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit. The call comes in advance of the Hallowe’en period, which traditionally has been used by some people to illegally dispose of waste material on bonfires. The uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal and releases toxic pollutants into the air, which are known to be …

KINVARA-based writer and photographer, Irene Graham has released a new children’s book about newborn Irish hares. “I Am A Hare! Hanna and The Hop Family” is described by Irene as a “heartwarming tale of identity, sense of place and belonging”. Confused about their identity, thinking they could be rabbits, three adorable newborn hares discover what it means to be a wild Irish hare. One morning at about 7am a year ago, Irene saw a hare had giving birth to three leverets. Grabbing her camera, Irene photographed the first 50 minutes of their lives. Irene described this stroke of luck as “incredible” because hares usually give birth in long grass but this particular one delivered her leverets in her rose bed just outside her studio. After staying with the leverets for about 50 minutes, the mother hare left them and they crawled underneath geraniums, which were also in Irene’s rose bed. “The leverets are independent when they are born. Their eyes …

SANITIZER dispensers have torn down at Aistear Park, in a spate of weekend vandalism which has been described by the head of Mountshannon Community Council as “just horrendous”. Last Monday morning, members of the Community Employment (CE) scheme arrived at the park to find a significant amount of rubbish, with broken glass and fragments of cans strewn in the grass close to a children’s play area. A popular community book-swapping facility, which is located in the park, was also vandalised, forcing the community council to consider removing it altogether. “The CE scheme members have worked so hard during, the earlier lockdown, to keep the park up to a standard where everyone in the locality can get in and enjoy it,” said Joanne Dunphy-Allen. “We were delighted to get support from Clare County Council who gave us the sanitizer dispensers and signage, so that we could really help people to feel safe in the park and to remind them of their …

THE devastating impact of migraine has prompted a West Clare woman to appeal to the public and the medical community to educate themselves about the condition, and to highlight the situation of those on public waiting lists who can face waiting up to two years to access diagnostic tests. Michelle is 36 years of age and has suffered debilitating migraines since her late teens. Her condition is so severe that she can have migraines for up to 25 days a month. She also experiences what are known as hemiplegic migraines. These cause symptoms similar to stroke and can involve inability to speak, loss of vision and partial paralysis. She has urged fellow sufferers to seek support from the likes of the Migraine Association of Ireland (MAI) and to advocate for treatment in cases where their GP or other medical professionals write off their symptoms as ‘just a headache’. Over the years, Michelle has been prescribed multiple kinds of treatments, none …

Gardaí have arrested two men in relation to approximately 10 incidents of burglary and theft in counties Tipperary, Clare, Cork and Limerick. The burglaries took place at petrol stations, post offices and shops, over the last number of months with cash, cigarettes and safes taken. As part of the investigation gardaí arrested two men, aged in their 20s and 30s, on Wednesday, October 21. They are currently detained at Tipperary Town and Nenagh Garda Stations under the provisions of Section 50 Criminal Justice Act, 2007. A car, believed to have been used during the course of the burglaries was also seized and is currently being examined. The arrests took place as result of Intelligence led operation coordinated across the Southern Region over the last number of weeks. The operation focused on an organized crime group believed to have been involved in these offences.

OVER 400 employees at Beckman Coulter in Tulla, can look forward to adding an extra spring in their step – the company just opened a beautiful 5k nature trail and walkway at its farmland site. The biomedical device maker is situated on an 85 hectare farm that includes a number of lakes and the ruins of an old castle can be viewed– as well as a walled garden and hardwood forest. The site is also home to bees, bats and a wormery that helps to recycle water. The walkway was completed in time for World Mental Health Day, last Saturday, and Mental Health Week. Commenting, Site Director Orlaith Lawler said, “Our engineering and facilities team worked with our Environmental Health and Safety officers to put this in place. It offers all our employees a stunning new amenity where they can enjoy some relaxation, exercise and mindfulness.” The trail is part of a range of innovative new measures designed to help …