Regional

CLARE County Council has been accused of ignoring a submission from a local group following the controversial installation of an “ugly” crash barrier on the approach ramp to a 15th century stone bridge.The Clare Champion has obtained a copy of a letter sent by the O’Briensbridge Community Group, which it insists verifies its contention other alternatives were sent to the council for consideration almost two years before the “offensive two-tier” crash barrier was erected.The group objected to the provision of metal safety barriers in the letter and requested the council implement an environmentally sensitive solution.In fact, group chairman Mick Murtagh went a step further by claiming former senior executive engineer for the Killaloe Electoral Area, Seán Lenihan, was supportive in general concerning the group’s proposals, which he apparently felt were quite reasonable and didn’t indicate they were not feasible.In a letter dated June 22, 2010 to Mr Lenihan, Mr Murtagh stressed the group wanted to find a solution that would …

“No stone will be left unturned” in the Government’s attempt to find funding for the Gort to Tuam motorway, according to Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Alan Kelly. He added that tolling is not envisaged on the proposed road and stated “the economic logic behind such a proposal would not stand up to scrutiny”. The junior minister was responding to questions in the Dáil from a local Fianna Fáil TD, who called for answers from the Minister for Transport about the future of key infrastructure projects in the constituency. Galway East Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt raised a special Dáil debate on the issue last week and in particular questioned the Government about the planned Gort to Tuam motorway and the Tuam bypass.Questioning the minister in the Dáil, Deputy Kitt said, “When the Ennis to Gort motorway, including the bypass of Crusheen, was completed some years ago, people in east Galway and across the West were looking …

The natural and built heritage of Doolin will be highlighted next month as part of an initiative by local residents and business people to conserve and restore the area’s key sites.The inaugural Doolin Heritage Weekend will take place in the North Clare village in June. Ten speakers, highly respected in the field of archaeology and conservation will form the main body of the two-day programme of seminars.The Doolin Heritage Weekend is the brainchild of Joseph McCooey, a long-term resident of Doolin, who has worked as a commercial archaeologist with TVAS Ireland Limited and is a member of the newly formed Doolin Heritage Committee. “A two day seminar will be held on June 16 and 17 in the Russell Cultural Centre, Doolin. The main objective of the weekend is to raise awareness both locally and nationally of the need to conserve and restore heritage buildings in the Doolin area, commencing with work to Killilagh Church window and with an archaeological survey …

A HIGH court challenge to new casual trading market bylaws for Ennis has cost the local authority €70,000, it has emerged.The case, which has not yet had a full hearing, is seen as a test of national legislation. At this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, town manager Ger Dollard confirmed the cost of the high court action.He said that the local authority had “no choice” in contesting the case. “We are still awaiting a hearing. This case is a test of national legislation rather than local. “This is the third local authority that has faced a similar challenge, the national legislation needs to be clarified on how market bylaws sit with historic market rights.”He was responding to queries from Councillor Brian Meaney in relation to legal costs for the council being greater than originally budgeted.Councillor Paul O’Shea described the figure of €70,000 as “alarming” and asked if mediation was considered. He also asked if legal funding could be got …

SHANNON Chamber has urged all local businesses to throw their weight behind securing a ‘yes’ vote in the European Fiscal Treaty Referendum, with President Damian Gleeson saying nowhere in the country needs a ‘yes’ vote more.Mr Gleeson claimed passing the treaty would pave the way to more fiscal and economic stability for both Ireland and Europe.He made the call when announcing that Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, will address a special Shannon chamber breakfast briefing on the Treaty at the Radisson Hotel on Monday, May 21 at 8am.The Chamber president claimed a ‘yes’ vote will lead to greater business confidence and investment and a strengthening of Ireland’s position in Europe.“We must make it clear that we are very much open for business and are fully committed to stable economic and fiscal management of our economy in the year ahead. There is nowhere in Ireland that urgently needs this positive message more than Shannon at the present time.“Continued inward investment and …

PLANS are underway to develop a night-time taxi rank at Abbey Street Car Park, close to the Queens. Ennis Taxi Federation has made a submission to Ennis Town Council outlining a proposal for a new rank operating from 8pm to 7am. The federation recently convened a meeting with the gardaí and the town council, with national president of the Irish Taxi Federation in attendance. The federation has suggested the proposed rank could run along the existing roadway, close to the River Fergus. According to the submission, this would not interfere with any car-parking spaces. The submission goes on to state that the edges of the road could be painted with a blue line, similar to in other towns, with signage erected to advise the public of the night-time rank.At this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, town clerk Leonard Cleary described the proposal as still being in the “very early stages” and that a technical assessment would be needed, as …

  RESIDENTS opposing a proposed distributor road costing an estimated €120 million are considering hiring a hydrologist to prepare a case to An Bord Pleanála.Members of the Concerned Northern Distributor Road Group are already fundraising to prepare for a planning “battle” when the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor is being considered by the appeals’ board. Group chairman Ed English has admitted it is unlikely the council would make a major change to the Emerging Preferred Route Corridor, which has been selected.While the group is fully engaging in the public consultation process and had lodged a detailed submission, Mr English expected they would be in a better position to make changes when the appeals’ board is considering the road.Details of the group’s extensive campaign to date was outlined at a public meeting attended by about 50 people in Parteen on Tuesday night. It was attended by Limerick East Fine Gael Deputy Kieran O’Donnell and Councillor Cathal Crowe. Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald was unable …

A MEMORIAL service to mark the 25th anniversary of the deaths of Ian Benson and JJ Harrington, as well as remembering the two other deceased members of the Kilkee Marine Rescue Service, was held on Tuesday night.Prayers were also said for all those who have been lost off the coast of County Clare.The service has been in operation for 31 years and Manuel DiLuica is a founder member currently holding the positions of PRO and chairman. He said the service was to honour the memory of Ian Benson and JJ Harrington, as well as Michael O’Gorman and Seamus Byrne, who lost his life while trying to save another.“On April 14, 2002 a diver got into difficulties at the base of the cliffs at the West End in Kilkee. They had got separated from their group and tried to get ashore and they got into difficulties, in front of Seamus’ house. He went to assist but there were up to two …