The threatened withdrawal of Government funding for public rural transport, such as the East Clare Accessible Transport (ECAT), has been condemned by a cancer survivor. Mary Dolan from Killanena, who had a successful operation for bowel cancer about two years ago, said she would be “devastated” if she could no longer use the service.

Despite obtaining an automatic car recently, Ms Dolan, who lives about two miles from the main road, is unable to use the brake because of a lack of power in her right leg.
“I thought that ECAT was just for older people but everyone can use it. All my family are working so it is difficult to get a lift when I need it. ECAT comes to my gate and brings me back to my gate.
“The CIE bus comes to Killanena but I would not be able to walk two miles to catch it. ECAT takes me to Gort every second Friday and I can go to the doctor, chemist and do my shopping without being tied to time or have someone waiting for you in a car.
“I also use it to visit my daughter in Ennis, can go to Dunnes Stores and the other shops around the town. I have got so used to it, I would be devastated if the service is ended,” she said.
Clare Accessible Transport has a network of routes throughout County Clare specialising in transporting people in remote areas to avail of local services and provides access to hospital appointments and shopping facilities in Ennis and Limerick.
Councillor James Breen said the case illustrated the lifeline that CAT provided for people with disabilities. He described the proposed cut in funding for rural public transport as an attack on rural Ireland.
He urged Clare people to attend the protest meeting in Ennis in large numbers this Friday.
Meanwhile, Deputy Timmy Dooley has made a strong appeal to the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan and Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey to retain the service and has arranged for a deputation from Clare Accessible Transport to meet with Minister Eamon Ó Cuív, who has responsibility for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs this Thursday.
Deputy Dooley said that CAT provided a vital service for young and old alike and must be retained in Clare, despite the changed economic circumstances.
Commenting on the McCarthy Report proposal, Deputy Dooley said that he was aware of the excellent service it provided and in particular the positive impact this service has on the lives of young people, senior citizens and people with disabilities.
“In a large, rural county like Clare, this service is vital to those who haven’t access to private transport in order to attend hospital appointments, carry out grocery shopping or visit friends and relations.
“The overall cost of running Clare Accessible Transport is very small by comparison to what the State spends on subsidising the Dublin Bus Company.
“People living in rural Ireland are equally entitled to a public transport service and for this reason I will campaign to the best of my ability to protect what has been developed and achieved by Clare Accessible Transport to date,” he said.