A County Clare man has claimed the UL Hospitals Group hasn’t prepared for the cold weather after his “frozen” 86-year-old father, who has dementia, was forced to wear his coat in an old ward at University Hospital Limerick (UHL). After spending almost three days on a trolley, the elderly man was transferred to a Ward 4 C in the old part of UHL on Saturday of December 3 at 11pm. “My father, who has dementia had to wear his coat in a hospital bed during the cold weather. Because my father is elderly, he feels the cold more than other people. He doesn’t have blankets, he only has a sheet and a blue cover. You need about ten blue covers to equal one blanket.” The man, who has opted to remain anonymous for family reasons, recalled when he visited his father the next day, he found he was “frozen”. After discovering the two radiators close to his father’s bed were …

A NEW pet crematorium has opened its doors for the first time this week having gotten the green light from An Bord Pleanála. “Peaceful Paws”, which has been supported by local vets, opened on the Gort Road in Ennis on Monday. Planning permission was initially granted by Clare County Council before being appealed by a resident of County Meath, “Don Weldon”. It was established by Aimee and Danny Keller in response to the lack of this service within the county and surrounding areas. The nearest similar facility is in Kerry, with the developers stating that the associated delay following the loss of a pet “can be very distressing” for owners. Mr Keller outlined when a person loses a pet, they can be collected from their house, from a veterinary surgeon or the person can bring the deceased animal to Peaceful Paws. Once the pet is cremated, it can then be returned in an urn, tribute box, a specially designed scatter …

A FASCINATING historical collection including what is believed to be Michael Collins’ ‘Missing Money Case’ has been unveiled for the first time. The Clare Champion has been shown very rare historical artefacts by a local farmer in an East Clare location that would be regarded as a collector’s dream. The family, who are steeped in IRA connections, provided safe houses for IRA volunteers during the War of Independence, which were used by Michael Collins on at least one occasion to collect money from East Clare IRA Brigade officer in charge, Michael Brennan. During the War of Independence, Collins was Director of Intelligence of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and a government minister of the self-declared Irish Republic. He was then Chairman of the Provisional Government of the Irish Free State from January 1922 and commander-in-chief of the National Army from July until he was shot and killed in an ambush at Béal na Bláth by anti-Treaty forces on August 22, …

A FORMER Doolin Coast Guard volunteer has revealed he was very hurt when he heard last year how he and his colleagues were regarded as a danger to themselves and others in the unit. Tom Doherty was a former deputy officer in charge of the Doolin Unit and has worked as a ranger in the Cliffs of Moher for the last 16 years, which has helped him to build up a wealth of knowledge about the landscape and where bodies are sometimes found in the sea. As a ranger, he is often the first point of contact when someone dies. This dovetailed very well into his role as a Coast Guard volunteer, which proved invaluable during numerous rescue and recovery missions. Coast Guard director, Eugene Clonan told a Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on Thursday, November 18, 2021, “The Doolin Unit has been having problems for years. Six members resigned and there are 12 members left. Based on what …

WOODEN replicas of Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer will provide a financial boost to two charities this Christmas, thanks to the efforts of an O’Briensbridge duo. Former O’Briensbridge community group chairman, Jack Byrnes has been busy making wooden Christmas reindeer for charity from his workshop at the rear of his home with the help of young Mark Ryan. They are planning to make 50 wooden reindeer, which are ready to be distributed to people who ordered them. Up to €1,000 will be raised for Focus Ireland and the Clare Ground Search and Rescue team. Focus Ireland is a housing and homelessness charity working to prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness through the provision of quality services, supported housing, research and advocacy. Jack makes the reindeer, while his ten-year-old helper from Ardnataggle, O’Briensbridge does the polishing, painting and nails the eyes in place. Jack explained that Mark does all the work he can do safely but the plan is he …

AN INDEPENDENT Senator has written to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) requesting a full investigation into claims that a life jacket used by a Doolin Coast Guard volunteer may have been faulty before she tragically lost her life six years ago. Mother-of-two Caitríona Lucas (41) had offered to help out the neighbouring Coast Guard unit from Kilkee in the search for a missing man, but she died after its rigid inflatable boat (RIB) capsized in a shallow surf zone on September 12, 2016. Two other crew members on board the RIB, who were also thrown into the sea, survived. Speaking to the Clare Champion, Senator Gerard Craughwell confirmed he has written a letter to the HSA to advise them life jackets provided to Coast Guard volunteers in late 2014 and early 2015 were tested in a number of stations around the country, which allegedly failed in all tests. He has also asked the Comptroller and Auditor General to examine …

THERE has been a significant seizure of drugs that were for sale or supply in the Ennis area, according to a local Garda Chief. Superintendent John Galvin told members of a Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday that a person has been arrested in relation to this haul, which is regarded as a major blow to the local drugs trade. The figures showed the seizure of drugs for sale or supply fell from 68 from January to October 2021 to 32 from January to October 2022, a drop of 53%. Detection of so-called simple possession fell from 143 to 110, which translated into a drop of 23%. Serious injury as a result of road accidents in the Clare Division fell 50% from 22 to 11, speeding offences dropped by 7% from 3,749 to 3,478. However, motorists caught driving without car insurance increased 24% from 110 to 136, while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs went up 39% from …

COMMUNITY workers in O’Briensbridge have held an official reopening of a popular National Looped Walk to showcase the hard work that has transformed the walkway. A few months ago, the two kilometre walkway from the playground in O’Briensbridge had become so overgrown the gap between both sides had reduced down to about 12 inches in some places. Scrub, briars and branches of trees were making it extremely difficult for two people to walk side by side, particularly any adult with a child buggy. However, now the gap on this walkway is about five foot wide, which provides pedestrians with great comfort as they enjoy the splendid view of the River Shannon. On Friday, the tape was cut by Pat Murtagh, a brother of the late community activist and former Community Group chairman, Mick Murtagh, who spearheaded the initial development work on the walkway. Speaking to the Clare Champion, Pat said he is delighted to see this walkway has been made …