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ALMOST exactly a year after the first protests against it, the Government has announced that will not proceed with development of accommodation for International Protection Applicants at Unit 153 in the Shannon Business Park. The decision was confirmed to Clare TD McNamara this afternoon by Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State for Integration today. With numerous protests against the accommodation of refugees in various parts of the country, there is likely to be significant relief in Shannon that a potentially serious flashpoint has been avoided. In January of last year a public meeting about the use in the Town Park was attended by about 200 people, amid significant tension between those of opposing viewpoints. While there were some in favour of the development, a majority were not with claims that Shannon’s resources were already strained, particularly with the arrival of a large number of refugees to the town in 2022. There were also claims that housing people in an industrial …

Hundreds of household across North and East Clare are still without water following separate incidents this week. Clare’s water infrastructure has taken a battering in recent days with a number of issues reported across the county in the wake of Storms Isha and Jocelyn. Uisce Éireann have reported disruption to customers supplied by O’Briensbridge Water Treatment Plant in East Clare and the Ballymacraven Water Treatment Plant in North Clare, both as a result of burst water mains. Meanwhile, the service in the Miltown and Quilty area of West Clare should be back to normal today following an issue at Old Doolough Water Treatment Plant. Uisce Éireann says that dedicated water service crews are carrying out repairs to restore normal water supply as quickly as possible to customers in O’Briensbridge, Montpellier, Bridgetown and surrounding areas as well as to customers in Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna, Fanore, Doolin and Ballyvaughan. Homes in these areas may experience low water pressure or full water outages until …

ON Tuesday as a result of risk profiling, Revenue officers based at Shannon Airport seized 1 kg of herbal cannabis. The illicit drugs, with an estimated value of €20,000, were discovered in parcels originating from the USA and were destined for an address in Co. Cork.   Separately, on Sunday (21/04/2024), as a result of an intelligence-led operation, Revenue officers based at Shannon Airport seized 26,000 cigarettes during a search of a ship at Foynes Port, Co. Limerick. The cigarettes, branded ‘L & M’, have a retail value of €20,000 and represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €16,000. Investigations into the seizures are ongoing.These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.  

ENNIS 2040 developments are predicted to create over 200 long term jobs and result in €3.5 million of new economic activity in the Clare economy annually. The Ennis 2040 DAC, in collaboration with Clare County Council, has released details of an Economic Impact Assessment examining the transformative potential of a proposed €48 million investment in four strategic town centre sites – Abbey Street Car Park, Harvey’s Quay, Post Office Field, and a brownfield site on Francis Street. The economic impact analysis was undertaken by AECOM and according to Kevin Corrigan, COO, Ennis 2040 DAC the study, “showcases the tremendous potential and wide-ranging benefits” of the proposed developments with “far reaching positive effects” for the town and county. The construction phase is projected to create 526 short term jobs, “providing a substantial and immediate boost” to the local job market.  Beyond construction, the completed projects are expected to generate over 200 long term jobs, contributing an additional €3.5 million annually to the Clare economy.  The proposed …

A spokesperson for The Shannon Airport Group said that 15 commercial flight diversions were facilitated at Shannon Airport yesterday and early this morning due to Storm Isha. “Shannon Airport was fully operational yesterday and last night, operating our normal schedule and available to accept aircraft diversions throughout Storm Isha. “Our airport staff worked tirelessly yesterday and throughout the night to facilitate flights impacted by Storm Isha, managing 15 flight diversions yesterday and overnight. We expect to operate a normal flight schedule today, and we remain available to facilitate further diversions if required,” said the spokesperson. Flights from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Luxembourg, Poland, and the UK diverted to Shannon Airport during the course of the Storm. In total, ten flights due to land at Dublin Airport and four flights originally due to land at Cork airport diverted to Shannon. In addition, an Edinburgh bound flight which took off from Stansted diverted to Shannon at 02:37 this morning. All 15 …

THERE is “amazing interest” in next week’s arrival to Ennis of a portrait inspired by the courage of Vicky Phelan, according to local organisers of the event. The Vicky Phelan portrait tour featuring a painting of the Kilkenny woman on Clare’s Doonbeg beach, a location she described as her favourite place on earth, will visit Danlann An Chláir on Friday January 26 at 7pm. The event is hosted by Councillor Mary Howard in partnership with Clare Haven Services and Relay For Life Clare. As well as the display of the painting guest speakers on the night will include Vicky’s childhood friend David Brennan who bought the painting along with Clare healthcare campaigners John Wall and Caoimhe O’Neill- Forde. “Since we announced this very different event a couple of weeks ago there has been amazing interest in it. Vicky’s strength and frankness really struck a chord with so many people who admired her from afar, and this is an opportunity to …

January is a month for minding money, one common practice is over paying on financial products. Today we will look at some financial protection products. Many mortgage holders are paying over the odds for mortgage protection — often because they just took whatever policy was offered by their lender. Let us start with the basics – what is mortgage protection? Mortgage protection is a type of life insurance that pays off your mortgage if you die or become ill. It is usually required by lenders when you take out a mortgage, except in some cases, such as if you are over 50 or already have enough life cover. In Ireland, there are different types of mortgage protection policies available, such as single, joint or dual. • A dual policy pays twice the amount of the mortgage if both partners die, • While a single or joint policy only pays once. You can compare the rates and benefits of different providers …

A man will go on trial later this week accused of murdering a pensioner in Clare two years ago, writes Alison O’Riordan. Thomas Lorigan (34), of no fixed abode was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this afternoon. Mr Lorigan is charged with murdering John O’Neill (79) at St Brendan’s Road, Lisdoonvarna, on a date unknown between January 6 and 7, 2022. When the registrar read the indictment to the accused man and asked him how he was pleading, he replied: “Not guilty”. The prosecution case is being led by senior counsel Eilis Brennan, while Michael Bowman SC is heading up the defence team. Addressing the jury panel, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said Mr Lorigan was a native of Lucan in Dublin until his late teens and that he had resided at the time of the alleged offence in or about the Lisdoonvarna area. The judge said the deceased Mr O’Neill resided at St Brendan’s Road in Lisdoonvarna, where he …