Shannon

A SHANNON-based councillor has described himself as “very annoyed” at the lack of adequate funding to upgrade local authority housing stock. Councillor Gerry Flynn told the July meeting of the county council it is imperative that the authority make financial provision for the upgrades required to bring its vacant stock to a standard for rental, in order to assist applicants on the social housing list. The Independent councillor also requested that funding be provided for maintenance for existing tenancies in need of works. Acknowledging the fact that, at the same meeting, he had been one of only two councillors to vote against leaving the Local Property Tax in Clare at 15% above the standard rate, Councillor Flynn insisted his stance was “in no way contradictory”. “I received a brief form the Finance Department which outlines that there should be sufficient funds there,” he said. “However, €2m was siphoned off Housing to go to other funding streams. I’m very annoyed about …

FREE parking at Shannon Airport has been proposed by the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, as part of a bid to revive tourism and increase traffic through the Midwest airport. Councillor PJ Ryan received huge support for this call, at the July meeting of the local authority, for an incentive to use Shannon Airport over the likes of Dublin and other facilities. “It is crucial that central government support Shannon,” he said. “There are measure that we can look at on the ground and free parking could be one of those,” The motion was welcomed by Councillor Ann Norton. “Anything that can get people into Shannon Airport is something we should look at,” the Independent member said. “There was great excitement in our house with Ryanair’s Turin service. That will mean people can go skiing in the winter and any opportunity to get Shannon off the ground again is welcome. It’s great to have an international airport on our doorstep …

ED Slattery is aware the sport of Rugby Sevens is often fighting for attention from the public with the traditional 15-a-side format dominating the airwaves, writes Ivan Smyth. However, the Athletic Performance Coach with Ireland Men’s Rugby Sevens side believes the team’s qualification for Tokyo has captured the public’s attention. “The support has been brilliant. The country is rowing in behind these lads. We have been getting more eyes on the sport. This is about the boys who’ve worked so hard to get here and luckily they’ve been getting a lot of support.” Rugby is a huge part of Ed’s life. His local club St Senan’s RFC named their stadium Jimmy Slattery Park, in honour of his late father. The 33-year-old works with Sevens players to ensure they are at their physical peak while helping to reduce the possibility of injury. Slattery is passionate about his role within the IRFU. “I am lucky to work in the IRFU for six …

INTERNATIONAL travel is resuming and with Shannon facing an uncertain future, local advocacy group Save Our Shannon (SOS) will hold a protest on July 24 at O’Connell Square in Ennis. The rally is to take place from mid-day. They are calling on the Government to change aviation policy and to introduce measures that will encourage airlines and passengers to use Shannon. SOS chairman Denis Vaughan said, “We demand new Government Aviation Policy, which includes Shannon. Save our Shannon rally this Saturday at 12pm in the square in Ennis. Guest speakers.@Fallshotel @CliffsOfMoher_ @eastclare10k @CratloeGAAClub @gaeilnasionna @GreyHeronMedia @VirginMediaNews @rtenews @NewstalkFM @johncookeradio @oconnellbrian pic.twitter.com/2EtysVOrqw — Radio Beams (@HayesEnnis) July 21, 2021 “The post Covid Government need to incentivise airlines and passengers to use Shannon Airport. The government should be looking at doing what it can to force Aer Lingus back to Shannon. After all, Ireland subsidises the airline.” Mr Vaughan continued, “Dublin Airport increased its passenger numbers in 2019 by 13.8 million whilst …

THE blazing sun around Shannon today very much reflected the feelings of joy of passengers and airport staff alike with the resumption of non-essential travel. The airport was busier than it had been for some time following the easing of restrictions as the first day of the European Digital COVID Certificates took effect. The announcement by Ryanair of a new once-weekly service to Gran Canaria (Las Palmas) today, which commences on August 7, also helped to lift spirits. Passengers on inbound flights were joyously greeted and the anticipation was palpable as others prepared for the first flight out of the airport today, the 7:10am flight to Gatwick. Among those boarding were Olwyn Kelly, Spancilhill, and her partner Oliver Rhode. “My best friend’s wedding was on Friday and we got back for that,” said Olwyn. “We were actually supposed to fly back yesterday but the weather was so nice we just changed our flights and stayed for an extra day so …

WITH non-essential international travel resuming this morning, a new route out of Shannon Airport to the Canary Islands has been announced. Ryanair will run a new service to Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), beginning on August 7, that will operate once a week until the end of October. Welcoming the announcement Mary Considine, CEO, Shannon Group said: “As we rebuild from the devastation of the pandemic this is a positive announcement for the region. Ryanair is a valued airline partner of Shannon and this latest announcement, following on from the new Corfu and Turin services, is great news. “We have been working closely with Ryanair as we look to an anticipated recovery in demand on foot of the rollout of the EU Digital Covid Certificates and the acceleration of the vaccination programme across Europe. These new services are part of Ryanair’s commitment to reopen its Shannon base which is very welcome. ✈️ ROUTE NEWS ✈️ Ryanair announce today a new service …

IT is understood a new Shannon Group chairperson could be appointed within days. As recently as last week senior figures in Government were of the view that the appointment could be completed by the time the Dáil was due to rise for the summer on Thursday, July 15. Shannon Group has been without a chairperson since last summer. The position was due to be filled by Aaron Forde in February, but after a series of offensive tweets from him emerged his appointment never went ahead, and the search for a successor to Rose Hynes had to recommence. Some months ago the names of Padraig Ó Céidigh, the former Aer Arann owner and Eamon Foley, who held senior roles in Aer Rianta International for 20 years were being linked with the position. Clare TD Joe Carey said he expects white smoke very soon. “It’s my understanding that the appointment of a chairperson of the board is imminent. It’s important that Government …

THERE has been concern about the level of anti social behaviour at the Tír na nÓg playground in Shannon, close to the Leisure Centre. Lesleyanne Casey’s six year old son was there on Monday with his father and had to leave due to some verbal abuse from teenagers. Her little boy has autism and was very upset by the incident. “He doesn’t understand why they did what they did yesterday,” said Lesleyanne on Tuesday. He was brought to the playground around 2.30pm and his father soon had to talk to some of the teenagers, who are too old for the facility, there. “It started off with a lot of swearing and roaring, what they were going to do to each other’s mothers, this kind of thing. He said to them lads, can ye keep it down, there are kids around. They just started sniggering.” She said they were using the derogatory N-word, which her son, not knowing its connotations, repeated. …