SENATOR Timmy Dooley has defended his decision to post a video on social media from Shannon Foynes port welcoming the first shipment of grain to Ireland from Ukraine since its invasion last February. This follows stinging criticism and claims from a North Clare tillage farmer that politicians who welcomed the arrival of 30,000 tons of corn for animal feed engaged in electioneering for votes from dairy and beef farmers. The Panama-flagged NAVI STAR left Odessa Port on August 5 carrying 33,000 tonnes of grain to Ireland on behalf of the Cork-based grain and feed company R&H Hall. Senator Dooley posted a short video on Facebook after visiting Shannon Foynes Port on Saturday, August 19, to witness the delivery of 30,000 tons of grain for animal feed. In his post he stated, “This is a really important shipment to secure feed for our dairy and beef cattle over the coming winter – enabling Irish farmers in turn to feed the Irish …

Deputy Cathal Crowe returned €800 out of a €1,000 political donation from a Cratloe party supporter after he was advised by the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC) it exceeded the maximum amount that can be given in cash. Daniel Lehane, Cratloe, sent a cash donation worth €1,000 to Deputy Crowe on January 26, 2021. Deputy Crowe was the only Clare Oireachtas member who declared a political donation above €600 from one source. Deputies Joe Carey, Michael McNamara, Violet-Anne Wynne made no political donations declarations for the period January 1 to December 31, 2021, according to the publication of a new report from SIPOC. Senators Martin Conway, Timmy Dooley and Roisín Garvey also made no political declarations to SIPOC for last year. Under the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, public representatives may not accept donations in any year of more than €200 in cash, and not more than €1,000 in total value from a single source. They must disclose any …

Award-winning artwork by an Ardnacrusha product design student was exhibited during a prestigious Arts Festival in Tokyo. Hot on the heels of scooping a major award, Dan Killackey’s winning entry in the 68th Texaco Children’s Art Competition was selected along with three others by the International Foundation for Arts & Culture (IFAC) for exhibition at the 23rd International Arts Festival in Tokyo’s National Art Center from August 10 to 21. Dan, 18, from Ardnacrusha, was chosen as the overall winner of this year’s competition, taking first prize in the senior 16-18 years age category. Dan told the Clare Champion he was honoured to be apart of such a prestigious exhibition. “I was delighted to win a national award. Since 2019, I have known about this competition. I wish I had known sooner because I could have competed since I was six years old. I think it would be good to promote this art competition more in schools. “When I complete …

TWO Clare teenage DJs are scaling the heights in the dance music industry after working together as a warm up act for a major event in Glór recently. Shayne Mulrooney and Dave Falconer got a fantastic reaction from their fans after working side-by-side in Glór as the opening act on Dec Pierce’s hugely popular Block Rockin Beats tour recently. DJ, music producer and radio presenter, Shayne, who lives in Shannon, was over the moon when he reached No.1 for three days on the House Charts on Soundcloud online music streaming service platform last month. Overall, this track attracted more than 40,000 online streams. “It was about 15 minutes of music remixes I made into one mix, which really took off, Shayne told The Champion. “This was the first time I got to No. 1. I had been in the House Charts before at No. 50 for a few hours but it didn’t really go anywhere and I was gone again. …

CLARE people have been urged to book their Covid-19 booster appointment online at HSE vaccination clinics. The Vaccination Centre in the former Outpatients’ Department at Ennis Hospital has reopened for booster vaccinations. In a statement issued to the Clare Champion, the UL Hospitals’ Group outlined booking a booster appointment online is an easy and convenient way by selecting a time and date that suits the individual person. People seeking a booster vaccine have also been advised to check with participating GPs and pharmacies. People who are more than 16 weeks pregnant are also invited to book their next booster at a HSE vaccination centre or from participating GPs and Pharmacies. The HSE and Children’s Health Ireland will shortly be inviting, through their parents, children aged five to 11 years who are immunocompromised and now due to have their first booster, following completion of their primary Covid-19 vaccine course. People aged 50 – 54 will be offered their second booster vaccine …

THE predicted noise levels for a controversial wind turbine in Parteen are below the maximum recommended day and night time levels set out in the 2006 Wind Energy guidelines, according to new planning documents. An Enforcement Notice issued by Clare County Council on March 8, 2021 requested Limerick Blow Moulding to decommission and remove a wind turbine erected near the factory on or before Thursday, April 8, 2021 following an alleged breach of a planning permission condition. However, this wind turbine, which has attracted numerous planning objections from residents, two Clare deputies Cathal Crowe and Violet-Anne Wynne and Senator Timmy Dooley, is still in situ albeit not operational. The company recently applied for retention permission for a revised site boundary and revised position of a single 800 KW wind turbine, 73 metres high to hub height, as granted under previous planning permissions at Gortatogher, Parteen. Employing 70 people, with more than half living in Parteen, Clonlara and Killaloe, Limerick Blow …

Councillor Mary Howard has called on Clare County Council to crack down on dog fouling by giving more local authority employees the power to issues fines for this offence. Her appeal coincides with the release of a survey conducted by the National Council for the Blind Ireland that revealed the low number of on-the-spot fines issued by local authorities. Clare County Council issued one dog fouling fine in 2021 compared to 31 by Kerry County Council, four by Limerick City and County Council and none by Tipperary County Council. Interestingly, Kerry County Council had dramatically increased fines issued between 2020 and 2021. No fines were issued in 2020, jumping to 31 fines issued in 2021. While Kerry County Council is an outlier with such a large increase, the NCBI outlined the vast majority of Councils have issued very few or no fines in 2021. This may highlight a lack of enforcement but also indicates the threat of receiving a fine …

THE publication of new greenhouse gas emissions targets for agriculture has left Clare farmers feeling angry and let down by the government, according to a local farm leader. Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joe Woulfe, said local farmers fear the 25% cut in emissions by 2030 will led to a dramatic drop in production and income for producers at a time of spiralling input costs. Mr Woulfe said the government needs to outline in detail how it intends to implement these new targets without adversely impacting farmers’ incomes. “How can farmers continue to operate if they are hit with a 25% drop in their production and income. Farmers don’t have options like other sectors – they can’t drive around in electric tractors that don’t exist. “Farmers are very concerned about their future livelihoods. Inputs are increasing all the time uncontrollably. It is like we are heading for Brexit round two. “After Brexit, the price of beef dropped, but at least the …