Ennis

TRADERS in O’Connell Street will lose up to €10 million in sales annually if the street is pedestrianised, a businessman has claimed.

Councillor Brian Meaney has retained some of his ideals for the protection of the environment, despite his departure from the Green Party.

OVER a thousand people are involved in pastoral councils and thousands more are involved in other parish activities and ministries across the Catholic Diocese of Killaloe. That’s the positive message sounded by Fr Tom Hogan, Ennis parish administrator, at the launch of an event that will attract thousands of people to the town in September.

International discount supermarket chain Aldi is looking at potential sites of 1.5 acres for the development of a second food store in Ennis, it emerged this week.

FORMER Ennis priest Fr John Molloy will be in the presence of Pope Francis this summer. Fr Molloy will be accompanying three youths from his parish in Monte Sinai in Ecuador to World Youth Day in Rio de Janero in July. Speaking from his parish, Fr Molloy said, “We look forward to being with Pope Francisco in person.”

FEARS about the potential effects of fracking on the county were expressed at a recent meeting of Ennis councillors where it was proposed that the town council support Clare County Council’s ban of the controversial process.

CALLS for Ennis Town Council to flush its contract with the operators of the town’s superloos have been poo-poo’d by the local authority. At this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, the €70,000 cost for the facilities was called into question, with one councillor suggesting the local authority construct its own public convenience.

A REVERSAL of bylaws to allow for the restoration of free parking at Cloughleigh has been described as “neither practical, feasible or in the best interests of parking management,” by officials of Ennis Town Council.