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Clann Nua project had successful trial in Limerick AN innovative project aimed at tackling an accommodation shortage for single homeless people has been introduced to Clare. Mid-West Simon Community over the past few weeks has worked with Clare County Council to introduce the Tenancy Sustainment project throughout Ennis. Clann Nua meaning New Family was developed by Mid-West Simon Community in response to the shortage of single unit property which is resulting in single people having to remain in emergency accommodation for longer than necessary. Jackie Bonfield, CEO of Mid-West Simon Community said, “Clann Nua provides the opportunity for two or more previously homeless people to share one permanent rental housing unit. “These are acquired through CAS/RAS funding or through the Clare County Council long-term social lease with a private landlord.” Mid-West Simon started the initiative in the summer of 2020 with the backing of Limerick City and County Council and showing great success the programme is now being rolled out …

ENNIS is to become home to the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest it has been confirmed, with the name of the country’s newest TU unveiled this week. This comes following the announcement last month that Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology Ireland had been designated as a TU, with LIT’s Ennis campus on Bindon Street falling under the remit of the new institution. The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD confirmed the new name this week. TÚS, in Irish, denotes a beginning or start for the new university while Midlands Midwest represents the principal regions, whose geography and provenance are linked by the River Shannon. Inspired by Ireland’s longest river, TUS: Midlands Midwest represents the flow of knowledge and ideas. The name of Ireland’s newest TU emerged from extensive independent research carried out with almost 3,500 students, staff, and regional stakeholders over several months. Welcoming the announcement, the …

THE deferral of major dental surgery in Ennis Hospital will ultimately lead to greater costs and longer waiting times for public patients, a local Dáil deputy has warned. Deputy Michael McNamara issued this warning after the HSE informed him no general anaesthetic sessions are taking place in Ennis Hospital due to a shortage of appropriately qualified theatre nurses. The Independent Deputy is very disappointed with the lack of progress in relation to this issue, which he also highlighted last December. Like all medical intervention, the Scariff-based Deputy stressed that early intervention is key for all major dental work that requires a general anaesthetic. Deputy McNamara expressed concern some people requiring dental work may be in considerable pain and there is also an adverse impact on their mental wellbeing, if they have any visual dental impairment, which is particularly acute in the case of young people. He urged the HSE to fast track the recruitment process to hire the required number …

GARDAÍ have arrested six people in County Clare as part of an ongoing operation targeting suspected organised crime. As part of the operation uniform and detective Gardaí from the Clare Division arrested six people in Ennis and the West Clare area Tuesday morning, June 1. The six people, five men and one woman, are currently being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush Garda Stations. This organised crime group are believed to be involved in the theft of catalytic converters and the sale of the precious metals contained within. The theft of catalytic converters has been an ongoing scourge in the county over the past year, as reported at the most recent Clare Joint Policing Committee meeting in April. Outlining the crime figures for the first three months of 2021, at the JPC Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran noted that thefts from MPVs had more than doubled on the same period last year. …

THE structural repair and refurbishment works to the O’Connell Monument which were put on hold due to Covid-19 will now commence on June 9,with scaffolding to be erected in the first week. This project is being part funded under the Historic Structure Fund 2020 from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and will take up to 12 weeks to complete (without interruption). The contractors appointed to undertake the specialist repair work are INSP Stone Ltd. T/A Irish Natural Stone, Bouleevin, Boston, Tubber. The loading bay immediately adjacent to the O’Connell Monument will be temporarily blocked off while scaffolding is being erected and decommissioned. A pedestrian management plan will also be put in place.

THE SAFETY of domestic abuse survivors is prioritised at all times by Clare Gardaí, according to Sergeant Caitríona Houlihan. Commenting on issues raised by South Galway mother-of-three, Sourney Linnane, who experienced harrowing coercive control, Sergeant Houlihan stressed local gardaí constantly risk assess when dealing with survivors of domestic abuse. An informal interview suite in Crusheen Garda Station is available to any Clare garda investigating domestic violence or a sexual crime. Sergeant Houlihan said a big focus for the gardai is to ensure victims are not traumatised again, which can unwittingly happen if they are interviewed in a garda station. “The interview suite is very calm and peaceful, accessible but very private. People suffering from domestic abuse are sometimes followed watched or tracked particularly if they go near a garda station. “The most dangerous time is when a woman or a man decides to leave an abusive relationship. We are conscious at all times of the need to minimise the risk …

CLARE gardai are appealing for assistance in solving some unusual petty crime in the county this week. Children’s playthings, animal traps and even seats from boats were the targets of thieves in the Banner county in the past seven days. The latter incident also saw the fuel line being cut on the boat that had been moored in Scariff Harbour. The vandalism occurred between 5pm on May 26 and 2pm the following day. In Ballina meanwhile, a very brief window was identified for the theft of a 12-foot red plastic wavy slide. The children’s plaything was stolen from a garden Lakeview Heights between 11.45am and 12.15pm on Friday, May 28. In the north of the county meanwhile, five traps that were laid on lands at Lackamore, Lahinch as part of a disease eradication program being carried out by the Department of Agriculture were stolen. The traps went missing some time between May 18 and 23. Finally, and somewhat more conventionally, …

DAVID Tubridy is no stranger to Man of the Match awards, but his 1-8 haul against Cork on Sunday was certainly distinctive for crowning the Doonbeg and Clare star as the National Football League’s all-time top scorer, reports Eoin Brennan. Trailing Sligo’s first All-Star Mickey Kearins (1971) by just two points heading into Sunday’s tie, Tubridy is now in a league of his own with a remarkable total of 22-412 or 478 points in just 13 seasons. Complements of Padraig Ferguson of ‘GAA lore’ who trawled through the archives of ‘The Irish Independent’ from 1925 onwards, the top ten also includes Mattie Forde (Wexford) with 386, Steven McDonnell (Armagh, 381), Meath’s Brian Stafford (373) and Tubridy’s former manager Mick O’Dwyer (Kerry, 370). “It is [a fair achievement],” admitted Tubridy upon hearing the news at the final whistle in Cusack Park on Sunday. “I didn’t know that now. I don’t keep track, but it’s great that I have that I suppose. …