A HORSE race held in memory of a young Killaloe girl with special needs, who touched the lives of countless people, has shone a much needed spotlight on a life-threatening condition. There was a great buzz of excitement at the second Brianna Lynch Memorial Cup, which was the last race on the North Tipperary Foxhounds Point-to-Point at Lisboney, Nenagh recently. In November 2019, Brianna Lynch (9) died in her sleep from suspected Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), leaving her family devastated. Her mother, Arabella Scanlan has used this memorial race to highlight the risks associated with SUDEP. SUDEP refers to deaths in people with epilepsy that are not caused by injury, drowning, or other known causes. Studies suggest that each year there are about 1.16 cases of SUDEP for every 1,000 people with epilepsy, although estimates vary. It is the leading cause of death in people with uncontrolled seizures. Epilepsy – which affects 40,000 people across the country – …

SIGNIFICANT progress has been made bringing Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice into compliance with national regulations, according to a report produced by an independent watchdog. An inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) of the Ennis long-stay residential facility last September found non-compliance across multiple regulations. A meeting was held with the registered provider and representatives following the previous inspection as an escalation. On this inspection, inspectors followed up on the last inspection findings and found that significant progress had been made to bring the centre into compliance with the requirements of the regulations. The governance and management structures had been strengthened and were now in line with the centre’s statement of purpose and function. In addition, the provider has increased the monitoring and auditing of the service, which lead to improved oversight of the service provided to the residents. However, inspectors found one area relating to the availability of staff in the direct provision of care had …

  A NEW Chronic Disease Management Hub delivering services to patients with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Type II Diabetes is being rolled out in Clare.   The HSE confirmed this major health development to Deputy Michael McNamara in response to his parliamentary questions about lengthy waiting lists for podiatry services in County Clare. There are currently 542 patients waiting to be called for their first appointment and 3,461 patients on the active Clare database. It has emerged there are on only two senior podiatrists and one staff grade podiatrist delivering podiatry services in the county. The Head of Service for HSE Primary Care Services outlined 20 full-time specialist roles are to be assigned to the Chronic Disease Team in Clare. Based at the new Primary Care Centre on the Station Road in Ennis, services will be provided on a “hub and spoke model” across the county. The positions include specialist, senior and staff grade podiatrists; senior and staff grade …

EMPLOYMENT in a Shannon aviation company will more than treble over a six year-period from this Friday when a new takeover of a neighbouring business takes off. Atlantic Aviation Group (AAG) employs 320 in its existing hangar, 120 in its UK base and will take on about 300 new employees from Lufthansa Technik. The new hangar, which is almost three times the size of the AAG building, can accommodate nine narrow body Ryanair sized aircraft or two wide body and four narrow body aircraft. Back in April 2015, when investor Patrick Jordan bought the company it was employing about 217. Revenue have grown from €15 million to a projected figure of €80 million by the end of the year, with AAG chief executive, Shane O’Neill expecting growth to more than €100 million over the coming years. Barring some unexpected major setback, Mr O’Neill believes overall employment could increase up to 1,000 in a few years. AAG services, maintains and repairs …

THE stark differences between the green landscape of the Loop Head Peninsula and the concrete jungle of urban India was graphically illustrated for John Bonfil during an overseas work assignment. In July 1992, the Moneypoint Power Generating Station mechanical fitter was offered an “opportunity of a lifetime” to work for ESB International Engineering on an 11-week secondment for the construction of a coal plant similar to the Killimer plant in India. The ESB’s equivalent in India, National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) needed a mechanical engineer with experience of working in a coal burning station to oversee the commissioning of their new ash handling project. Before his departure from Moneypoint, for what proved to be a “great experience” John received a company letter advising him to bring a number of items for his long trip. These included three notebooks, one clutch pencil with leads, two pairs of gloves, markers, three car magazines, one Irish Times, five bars of chocolate, five …

THE family of Patrick Nugent has expressed its anger and disappointment following another major setback in their bid to secure an independent public inquiry into his death in 1984. Former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald appointed retired District Court judge Patrick Clyne to lead an inquiry into the Garda investigation and disciplinary inquiries that took place following the death of Mr Nugent (23) at the end of a 40th wedding anniversary party in the early hours of February 11 1984. His death was one of the 320 cases examined by the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) set up by Minister Fitzgerald, following a complaint made by the family relating to alleged Garda misconduct in June 2014. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed the Garda Commissioner has instructed that a fresh investigation be undertaken into the matters as part of a so-called cold case review, which Judge Clyne determined required further investigation following consideration of his final report. In a letter to …

A NORTH Clare family doctor is encouraging people to wear face masks in public places as four electoral divisions have recorded a 14-day incidence rate higher than the national average. Dr Michael Kelleher made the plea this week after official figures revealed there were 469 cases of Covid-19 in the Ennis Local Electoral Area (LEA) from March 1 to March 14. This translates into a 14-day incidence rate of 1,517, which is much higher than the national average of 1,188. The incidence of the virus was also high in the Shannon LEA where 445 cases were recorded during the same period, giving an incidence rate of 1,464 per 100,000. There were 265 case the Kilrush LEA where the incidence rate was 1,262. The Ennistymon LEA recorded 248 cases, which translates into an incidence rate of 1,511. Killaloe was the only LEA to record an incidence rate of 994 below the national average after the detection of 200 cases. Dr Kelleher …

THE tightly-knit community in Broadford was united in mourning following the death last week of a popular plumber in a tragic road accident. Ger Gunning, (47) Kilbane, Broadford, was killed when he was a passenger in a van that struck a ditch at the junction of Old Cratloe Road and Woodcock hill Road on Thursday. Community activist, PJ Mason said the deceased was one of the nicest people you would meet and was always willing to help out with Broadford GAA. Mr Mason said the Broadford area has been hit hard by tragic deaths in recent years. In a tribute posted by Broadford GAA club, the club said it mourns the tragic passing of its former underage player and current coach. “Ger was part of the well known Gunning family, owners of the renowned Gunnings Bar in Kilbane. “Ger played to minor level for Broadford, winning U14 and U15 championships with the club. He is remembered as a tigerish corner …