The National Juvenile Track and Field Championships U-12 to U-19 were held in Tullamore on Saturday and Sunday.

The big news from the Limerick Greyhound Racing Stadium over the week-end was appointment of a new sales, operations and commercial manager. The new manager is Liz Cribbin who has taken over from East Clare-born and Ennis-based Imelda Cahalan who directed operations at the stadium over the past two-and-a-half years.

Clooney-born, Ennis-based accountant Pat Clune had good reason to celebrate as the horse he part owns, Top Cat Henry (5/1), ran out a good winner of the two and a half-mile Ferrycarrig Maiden Hurdle at Wexford last Friday evening.

Clare I and II travelled to Cork over the weekend to face Harlequins and County respectively. The second team suffered a defeat on Saturday, however, the following day saw Clare I record a fine victory over the home team.

Alternative accommodation had to be sourced for over 400 women and children last year many victims of domestic violence in Clare, in order to avert a crisis because the Ennis-based refuge centre, Clare Haven House, was full to capacity.

Clare County Council has had to fork out almost €7 million in insurance claims taken against the local authority during the past five years. This equates to an average weekly payout of €26,194.

The last remaining criminal charges against former Killaloe doctor, Paschal Carmody, was withdrawn this week putting an end to a case Mr Carmody claims has cost him up to €3 million to defend.