East Clare

A 30 year old man has appeared before a sitting of Ennis District Court this Thursday in connection with an alleged hit and run incident at Knockadoon, Tulla on October 28 last. James O’Donoghue with an address at Bay 8, Lynch’s Lane, Clondalkin, Dublin 2, appeared before Judge Aeneas McCarthy on Thursday charged with a single charge of dangerous driving at Knockadoon on October 28. Inspector Tom Kennedy, prosecuting, outlined that the State would allege that the accused was involved “in a hit and run incident in which the defendant crashed his car into another vehicle, he then left the scene and later turned up at hospital”. Garda Darren McLoughlin of Scariff garda station gave evidence of arresting the defendant, charging him and administering the relevant caution. In reply to the charge after this caution, Mr O’Donoghue said, “No comment”. The defendant was admitted to bail on certain conditions, that he reside at the above address, that he observe a …

THE people of Quin have decided to set up a Community Alert for the village and its surrounds, following a public meeting held this week. Organised by Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy, the information meeting discussed crime in the area, crime prevention and issues around anti-social behaviour. A large gathering attended Quin Community Centre on Monday night, where presentations were given by Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Joe Downey, Peter Butler of Task Community Care, deputising for Bernard Kearney of Muintir na Tíre and Quin liaison garda, Caitríona Mangan. Mr Butler spoke about the benefits of personal alarms for older people in the community, while Sergeant Downey gave a presentation on crime prevention measures that homeowners can take to secure their properties. Questions were taken from the floor and the primary issue raised was the desire to re-open Quin garda station. If this is not possible, the community want an increased garda presence. The gathering was anxious to have a garda stationed …

WILLIAMSTOWN Harbour in Whitegate has been sold for a figure believed to be just shy of €1 million and the new owners have plans to develop the location, to return it to its former glory. Lough Derg boating firm, Shannon Sailing Marina, whose general manager is Kilkishen man, Denis Dillon, has acquired Williamstown Harbour, which had been in receivership. Shannon Sailing Marina is a company set up 28 years ago in Dromineer, County Tipperary, directly across from Williamstown on Lough Derg. It is expected that the expansion to County Clare will see jobs created locally at the new site, as well as spin-off jobs during a planned construction phase. The sailing company’s base at Dromineer consists of a fully serviced workshop where the company carries out complete overhauls on boats. It includes a chandlery shop, where it sells boating equipment, and it also operates an ISA training school, where they teach people how to drive motor cruisers, drive power boats, …

Connaught Road in Scariff has been named Best Kept Local Authority Estate and Ballynacally Tidy Towns the overall winner of the Clare In Bloom competition, in 2014 Clare County Council’s Community Awards. The Mayor’s Environmental Award went to Mountshannon Community Council, Clare’s four Pride of Place participants were also honoured for their involvement in the all-island competition. Clarecastle Community Development Ltd., Clarisford Ltd., Lisdoonvarna Fáilte Ltd., and Tuamgraney Community Woodland will be hoping to emulate the success of other local community groups in previous years at the Pride of Place ceremony in Ennis on November 15. Speaking at Áras Contae an Chláir, cathaoirleach, John Crowe acknowledged the work being undertaken within Clare communities to enhance the living environment. “There is a great level of volunteerism and community spirit in this county as is evidenced by the interest in these awards. I also want to thank the adjudicators and the two sponsors of the Clare in Bloom Competition; ESB Moneypoint and …

Plans for  a permanent Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station in Dromineer will be unveiled at a public meeting in the village on Wednesday. Members of the public will be able to meet architects and engineers who drafted the plans, at a consultation meeting in the Lough Derg Yacht Club from 7pm to 9pm. The current station began operations from the premises of Lough Derg Yacht Club at Dromineer, halfway down the east shore of the lake in North Tipperary. Now that plans for a new permanent station in the village are well underway, it is important that people become engaged with the consultation process. On May 25 last, the Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Station celebrated its 10th birthday. Over the past 10 years, the lifeboat was launched 240 times, 60 of those at night. Volunteer crews have rescued 340 people and saved the lives of three. Following a rescue on August 13 of this year, the skipper of the vessel wrote …

Bodyke-based milliner, Ailish McElroy has recently launched her own line of handmade, bespoke hats and headpieces. Ailish is originally from Rathfarnham in Dublin and worked abroad for a few years, before returning to Ireland to settle in Bodyke with her family. Her designs are classic and edgy, with maximum elegance, creating that finishing touch to complement any outfit. Specialising in unique and imaginative headpieces, she was the official milliner for the Clare Rose at this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival. Millinery is a craft form that has been rapidly expanding of late and Ailish explains how she got involved in it. “I have always been a very creative person and I have been a graphic designer for many years. I always had an intense interest in all types of design; fashion, interiors, architecture. After attending Ladies Day at the Galway Races last year, I developed an interest in millinery. I was soul-searching for an area I could devote myself …

A SIXMILEBRIDGE county councillor has spoken out, after his business was targeted by criminals this week, leaving him €2,000 out of pocket due to damage caused to 12 of his tractors. Councillor PJ Ryan’s tractor and grass care business in Sixmilebridge was entered by thieves on Tuesday night and heavy-duty batteries were stolen from 12 tractors he had in the yard of the premises. In addition, a new lawnmower and metal object were also stolen. He said the items stolen would cost in the region of €2,000 to replace. This is the third time in a year and a half that the business has been targeted and Councillor Ryan said not only were the batteries stolen but significant damage was also caused while removing them. “This is the third time we have been targeted in about a year and a half. We had a safe taken before and we’ve been targeted for the same type of material before – about …

An Ogonnelloe-based entrepreneur has forged a new connection with a public authority in a bid to secure European Union funding to make the delivery of broadband services through satellites more affordable. Patrick Sullivan of Slí Nua Development, an economic development company, is supporting the proposed Satellite Broadband Voucher Scheme. Slí Nua and the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly Mid-West Office, formerly Mid West Regional Office, are partners of an EU-cofunded Satellite Broadband for European Regions project, (SABER). This project delivered a new website, broadbandforall.eu, which allows people living anywhere in Europe to click on their own country and find information about the delivery of satellite broadband. Mr Sullivan said businesses located in remote and rural areas of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary are disadvantaged because they are not able to access affordable broadband services; particularly at the higher broadband speeds that are necessary for them to exploit the increasing number of ICT applications and services that are now available on the …