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Ennis

O’Halloran doesn’t rule out council comeback bid

Defeated council candidate, Ger O’Halloran hasn’t ruled out making another bid to secure re-election to Clare County Council after failing by just five votes to Fianna Fáil’s Claire Colleran-Molloy. In fact, the Fine Gael businessman has cited the successful comeback mounted by Tony O’Brien (FF) as something, which could prove to be the inspiration for another bid in five years’ time. “I was talking to my wife earlier when we got a chance to withdraw from a break about Tony O’Brien. We know Tony and his wife, Majella on a personal level. I was expressing my admiration for the man how he could bounce back, having been through what he went through. “It will take time. It takes a huge commitment. It is something I got great support at. Would I change much of it, probably the result. I was starting at zero. Having Sonny Scanlan working with me was always going to be a big plus. “I always love …

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Emotional scenes as Colleran Molloy wins seat

By Owen Ryan PROBABLY the most emotional scenes of the day so far broke out when Clare Colleran Molloy took the final seat in Ennis, just pipping Ger O’Halloran. It was hard to get to talk to the new councillor, as she was under siege from excited well wishers and friends, and she said she was over the moon with winning a seat. “It’s fantastic, as I said earlier it’s wonderful when you put in the effort and you get the reward you’re looking for. It goes to show the importance of knocking on all the doors or at least as many of them as possible.” At the last local election in 09 and at the time of the general election three years ago Fianna Fáil candidates were getting a hot reception on the doorsteps, but she said that didn’t happen this spring. “I didn’t hear that on the doors, people want to move on from the mistakes of the …

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Johnny Flynn elected on 12th count

FINE Gael’s Johnny Flynn has retained his seat on Clare County Council, exceeding the quota after 12 counts. Speaking just before his victory was confirmed the Ennis man said; “I was delighted with my vote and I’m grateful to everyone who supported me and to my family. This election is a clear indication to Government parties that people are feeling the pain of the austerity measures that unfortunately were required. Certainly I’ve learned from the canvass that people believed hard decisions had to be made but it’s how they impact on people’s lives.” He said that the reduction of numbers on the county council and the abolition of town councils will increase the level of responsibility for those elected and that they need to “roll up their sleeves and get stuck in”.  

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Mulqueen philosophical in election defeat

DEFEATED Ennis Fine Gael candidate said that he was taken aback at his ninth count elimination yet he remained philosophical, suggesting that there was more to life than winning or losing elections. “It came as a surprise but that’s life, that’s politics. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed. These things happen in life and you just get on with it. There’s always another day. I’m a very positive person in life. I have my health and I have my family and what more do I need?,” he said in the aftermath of confirmation that his chances of winning a seat were dashed. However he said that this defeat may not be his last election campaign. “I’d rule nothing out. I haven’t fully analysed it yet. In time I will. That’s the result and I accept it. For the last five years I’ve worked at it and what more can I say. I’d like to thank my supporters, the people who voted …

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Fleadh Nua’s ‘winning formula’

They say life begins at 40. The ruby anniversary of Fleadh Nua in Ennis is certainly in full swing, with a host of events taking place throughout the county capital this week, attracting visitors from around the country and further afield. And providing a much welcome boost to the local economy. It is fair to say that in deciding to move the fledgling Fleadh Nua out of Dublin and to bring it west of the Shannon, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí was taking a risk. But, with the benefit of 40 years of hindsight, it was an inspired move, as the festival has thrived in the heartland of traditional music that is County Clare. Writing in Treoir in 1974, Gerard O’Grady observed, “Many had considered that a Fleadh Nua outside Dublin would be a flop. It was the very opposite and it can now take its place in the world of traditional festivals. As a country traditional festival, and with the very high …

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‘Citizen’s arrest’ helps Gardaí catch armed robber

A man in his late 20s has been arrested and is being detained at Ennis Garda Station after members of the public gave pursuit when a shop in Ennis was robbed at knifepoint on Friday morning. O’Connor’s shop in the Market in Ennis was held up at knifepoint on Friday morning at approximately 9.45pm. A female staff member was in the shop at the time and was confronted by a man who was wearing a hoodie and brandishing a knife. She handed over a sum of money to the man, who then fled from the shop in the direction of Parnell Street. Two members of the public observed the man fleeing and gave chase, catching up with him at the Parnell Street Car Park by the river wall. Gardai, who were alerted to the incident, promptly attended the scene and apprehended the suspect at this location. A knife and a sum of money was recovered as part of their investigation. …

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SF candidate quits over anti-Traveller Facebook remarks

Clare Sinn Féin has been rocked by the shock resignation of its Ennis Local Election candidate, Cathal O’Reilly, over anti-Traveller comments he made three years ago. While Mr O’Reilly’s name will appear on the ballot sheet as a Sinn Féin candidate, he confirmed his resignation from the party in a statement to  The Clare Champion on Wednesday evening. Despite this major setback, Sinn Féin is still hopeful of winning a council seat in West Clare or Shannon. The Clare Champion understands his decision to quit the party was made after anti-Traveller comments he made on social media on October 19, 2011, emerged this week. They were regarding “knackers being kicked up and down the dale”. The newspaper also believes he made derogatory comments about AIB, Xtra-vision and the Queen of England in separate posts. According to one well-placed source, Mr O’Reilly was told to quit after senior party figures were given a copy of other comments he made about local …

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Local hairstylist is world class!

65,000 hairdressing professionals descended on Frankfurt for a spectacular event to see the OMC World Cup take place. With over 1,300 world class competitors from 50 countries local hairstylist Bridget Haren from Altamoda Hair in Ennis triumphed with a fourth placement with her ladies fashion look and as part of a four team in the ladies progressive cut and colour took the bronze third place world medal overall in the team event.

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