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Breaking News

25,000 Clare people treating toilets as a bin, claims survey

A SURVEY has revealed that up to 25,000 people in Clare continue to dispose of unflushable items down their toilet causing numerous sewer blockages and creating nasty byproducts that end up on our beaches and shoreline. The survey, conducted by Irish Water and Clean Coasts, urges the public to ‘Think Before You Flush’ wipes and other sanitary items down the toilet. It revealed that those aged under 35 are twice as likely to dispose of ‘flushable’ wipes down the toilet, compared to those aged over 35. The most common items being flushed down the toilet are hair, wipes (any), paper towels, toilet wipes, dental floss, cleaning wipes, any other type of wipe, tampons, baby wipes, facial wipes, cotton buds, cigarette butts. The utility has produced a video to push the message, which offers a brief glimpse of some of the mess that can be created by these habits. According to Irish Water, no wipes whether marked ‘flushable’ or not should …

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Concern over whether Clare set to benefit from offshore power

ACCORDING TO Clare County Council, the structures are in place to make sure Clare benefits from the development of renewable energy off its coast. That was the message at the September meeting of the County Council from Director of Service Liam Conneally who said development contributions are still likely to be required, even if the development is off the coast. He was responding to a motion from Kilkee-based Cillian Murphy inquiring what mechanisms were in place for Clare to benefit given “the extremely significant future investments that will be made in off-shore renewables in Clare, and in the absence of rates income for these off shore developments”. Councillor Murphy wished to clarify how, under planning legislation, these developments could deliver added income through levies for the provision of housing, amenity, waste, roads and other infrastructure necessary to ensure ourcommunities can capitalise on the increased economic activity. A written reply provided by Mr Conneally said, “The Maritime Area Planning (MAP) Act …

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Building to begin this year on east Clare social housing estate

CONSTRUCTION on a new social housing development in an east Clare town is due to start before the end of the year, a Senior Engineer has confirmed.  Plans for 18 homes on a site at the Feakle Road in Ballyminoge, Scariff, were lodged by Clare County Council in November 2021. Last July, the authority was granted just over €6.09 million for the development, which is to be named ‘Droichead Nua’.  Last week’s meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District heard an update on the scheme, following a question from Councillor Joe Cooney. The Fine Gael member welcomed a progress report from Senior Executive Engineer in Housing, Niamh Madden. He noted that there are 140 people on the housing waiting list in the area, and expressed the hope some might be looked after with the new development.  Ms Madden’s response outlined that funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) had been granted “with an all-in budget of €6,093,289 …

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GALLERY: Forest workshops beat back-to-school blues

BACK to school blues were eased for the pupils of Flagmount National School with recent Forest School workshops in the leafy Lough Graney Valley. The event, called ‘Wild Plants Can Sing’ was part of the Forest School pilot project, funded by the Heritage in Schools Scheme.< Workshops were facilitated by Marina Levitina and Áine Ní Flatharta. Children got an opportunity to spend time outdoors in nature, as part of an inspirational process that offers opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences among the trees. Principal of Flagmount NS, Louise O’Kelly said the workshops were thoroughly enjoyed and very beneficial. “We are very fortunate to have Forest School in our parish,” she said. “Forest School integrates wonderfully with all our subjects particularly Geography and Science. Unquestionably, Forest School brings Geography and Science to life outside the classroom, fostering a deeper connection with nature. “This year, we also welcomed children from Ukraine to our school, nature is …

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Clare volunteers sought to support ‘amazing’ Mary’s Meals

VOLUNTEERS are being sought for a Clare branch of an international organisation that provides free school meals to more than two million children in 20 countries, across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean. Mary’s Meals was set up 20 years ago in Scotland and now has branches in several Irish towns, including Tuam and Tullamore. A drive has just gotten underway to recruit volunteers to run a fundraising unit in Clare.  “We are a true ‘no frills’ organisation”, explained Angela Moore, Supporter Engagement Officer with Mary’s Meals. “A sum of just €18.30 will feed a child every school day for the full school year. Most of the work in our programme countries, all over the world, is done by volunteers. This is a really amazing movement. We have volunteers in 20 countries, who get up every morning to support this and they even gather firewood to light the fire to cook school meals. We believe that by …

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Electric Vehicle proposal like regulating for ‘pigs driving cars’

THE creation of a new government office tasked with getting one million electric vehicles on Irish road by 2030 has been described by a local Dáil deputy as akin to providing for “pigs driving cars”. Deputy Michael McNamara opposed an amendment to the 2021 Road Traffic and Roads Bill concerning electric vehicles on the basis it is not grounded in reality. In fact, the Independent Deputy claimed this amendment is as useful as an amendment “providing for pigs driving cars or pigs flying and the absolute necessity to regulate that”. While Deputy McNamara admired the hopes and ambitions of Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and isn’t opposed to electric vehicles, he stressed at some stage policy has to be grounded in reality. “I do have a problem with forcing cars off the road. There are very few charging points in rural Ireland even now. A bigger problem, however, is that most people in the Dáil would drive perhaps 50,000 km annually. …

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Council urged to ‘kick on’ with Killaloe clean-up efforts

EFFORTS to coordinate all of the agencies responsible for cleaning up Killaloe are ongoing, local councillors have been assured.  The matter was raised, for the second time in three months, by Councillor Tony O’Brien when the Killaloe Municipal District meeting took place last week. Previously, the Fianna Fáil member had called for a clean-up and facelift for Killaloe, particularly along the bridge into Ballina and on the pedestrian bridge over the canal.  Last Wednesday, the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council asked for an update on engagement with statutory bodies responsible for the enhancement of lower end of Killaloe.  In response, Senior Executive Officer (SEO), Morgan Lahiffe said progress is being made. “There have been a number of conversations with our engineer, and emails to Waterways Ireland asking for meeting. I suggested last Monday morning, but didn’t work out. Our intention is that, before end of week, we would set date for that meeting. “We will move on separately to a …

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Mná-some place of welcome for everyone

SHE stared intently at the mobile phone clutched in her hand before the Zoom call burst onto her screen. Answering the call, she was met with a face not seen in 50 years, and as they caught up on decades lost, the tears flowed. This emotional reunion of friends was made possible through the voluntary efforts of those involved with the Mná Ag Gaire Women’s Shed in Ennis, a place to meet, share skills and combat loneliness for all women. Helping women develop digital skills is just one of the many activities which have been ongoing at the women’s shed in the Tracklands Business Park. Recalling the moment two best friends were brought back together, founder member Hilary Tonge says, “We’ve had a lot of women want to learn digital skills, particularly during Covid, they realised they were isolated because they couldn’t get on their phones. “A lady came into to us and all she wanted to do was to …

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