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EXPERT engineer, Simon Beale, has warned of aspects of the forthcoming defective blocks grant scheme which could penalise homeowners who have struggled to maintain their properties.  Mr Beale is a chartered engineer who has tested more than 250 pyrite-affected homes to-date, and has been working with Clare County Council to make the case for access for Clare to the grant scheme. At a major conference last week, hosted by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), he outlined his concerns about some of the terms of the revised grant scheme. “The new requirement for a building condition report will prove difficult,” he said. “In some cases, homeowners have tried to hide the damage. This is almost a penalty for those who have tried to maintain and upgrade their homes. Another problematic aspect of the new scheme, which is due to come before Cabinet next Tuesday (June 14), is that of partial repairs to properties with defective concrete blocks. “Demolition, to …

U14A League final Fergus Rovers 4-9 Kilrush 3-9 (AET) Extra time was required to separate Fergus Rovers and Kilrush in the U-14A League Final at Kilmihil on Monday last before Fergus Rovers emerged to claim a thrilling contest by a goal. In a first half that produced five goals it was Fergus Rovers that had the brighter start kicking the first three points, two from Sarah Hickey while dominating possession in the opening quarter. Kilrush equalised with a goal from Avamay Broderick while Ali Talty put Fergus Rovers back in front with her first goal. Kilrush goals from Jessica O’Sullivan and Caoimhe Griffin, a good save from Rovers goalie Kate Griffin and a second Ali Talty goal left the half time score Fergus Rovers 2-05 Kilrush 3-01. In the second half Fergus Rovers Maeve Clancy kicked a goal and a point adding to her first half tally of two points while the impressive Kilrush full forward kicked five points and …

A SUGGESTION last week from Sinn Féin’s transport spokesman Darren O’Rourke that Shannon staff be transferred to Dublin Airport to help deal with the crisis saw him heavily criticised in Clare. Responding on Tuesday, he said his suggestion (and in the Dáil the Transport Minister indicated attempts had been made to do exactly what Mr O’Rourke suggested) had been slammed in Clare for political reasons. “I thought it was mischief making and those who were critical were doing so for political reasons. They know very well that they are in the parties that have overseen a totally lopsided aviation policy. “All of the dominance of Dublin Airport is directly as a result of their policies, not because of Sinn Féin’s policy. “They know too that the suggestion was made in the context of a national embarrassment, a national emergency, it was made in the context of a number of suggestions, everything on the table. “That was the position we adopted …

The tragedy of a young life being cut short, hopes and dreams dashed was crystalised this week on TG4 when Stephen Walsh recalled how his sister Ann had just received her first passport ahead of a trip to Spain, but the photograph ended up adorning her headstone instead after she was murdered. On Wednesday, August 24, 2005, three days before flying out to Spain for the first time in her life, the 23-year-old was getting ready for a final night out before this holiday. Stephen recalled it was Ann’s first passport. “Ann never had a passport before. Her passport picture ended up on her headstone.” Stephen’s mother, also named Ann, recalled speaking to her daughter on the phone that day and the last word she told her was “I will see you later Ma”, but she never saw her alive again. When Stephen saw Ann and Raymond outside the door of Crotty’s Kilrush, he entered the premises and found him …

A devastating finish of four final quarter goals saw Clonlara sink Clarecastle in truly dramatic fashion on their way to the U-15B title in Cratloe. The interval switch of centre-back Harry Hodgins would ultimately be decisive as trailing by five nearing the turn of the final quarter, he would dramatically fire two goals in the space of just four minutes to completely flip this decider on its head. Now soaring in confidence, further goals through Dan and Mark Hogan would remarkably complete a late 14 point turnaround which did certainly skew the final scoreline. Along with the impact of Hodgins, the lively Darragh Dillon, who scored the opening goal and set up two more, along with Ciaran Howard were Clonlara’s main protagonists in an unprecedented final win. And yet it was arguably Clarecastle midfielder Harry Doherty’s almost incredulous powers of fielding, especially from puck-outs that will live longest in the memory bank from this seesaw final. Doherty and excellent chief …

ACTION on bullying in schools is to be reviewed and updated to take account of cyberbullying, Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has been told. In response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Cathal Crowe, the Minister for Children outlined a number of responses being undertaken to make the online sphere safer, including a review of school policies that date back to 2013. Responding to Deputy Crowe’s question, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said the Department of Education is soon to update its interventions in relation to bullying. He noted that Minister Norma Foley’s Department has already published a strategy document for schools.  “My colleague the Minister for Education has also brought forward significant policy initiatives in this area this year including the publication of the new Digital Strategy for Schools in April, which focusses on further embedding the use of digital technologies in all teaching, learning and assessment activities and includes building awareness and knowledge around online safety,” Minister O’Gorman said. “The Department …

Clare may never have won a championship match in Croke Park but they do have a perfect record against Roscommon after seeing off the Connacht side in a qualifier in Salthill in 2016. Coincidentally, that victory qualified the Banner for their last Croke Park appearance, an All-Ireland Quarter-Final against Kerry that didn’t quite live up to its heightened all-Munster rematch billing. Indeed, throughout their 28 match qualifier record (12 victories and 16 defeats), the biggest scalp Clare have taken over that 22 year span was against Roscommon in that sole clash that saw them comfortably prevail by 2-12 to 1-9. After all, Roscommon were just off the back of contesting the National League Division 1 Semi-Final against Kerry and had only been edged out of provincial honours after a final replay against Galway. Six years on and Clare only possess seven survivors from that memorable day and pitch invasion (Cian O’Dea, Cathal O’Connor, Jamie Malone, Keelan Sexton, Pearse Lillis, David …

SEVEN decades after the discovery of Doolin Cave one of the original cavers who made this amazing find returned to North Clare at the weekend to help mark the momentous anniversary. Doolin Cave has celebrated its 70th birthday marking its discovery by cavers, Brian Varley and J M (Mike) Dickenson in 1952. Brian, who celebrates his 90th birthday this year, returned to Doolin where a commemorative plaque acknowledging the cavers’ achievement was unveiled. Helen Browne, proprietor of Doolin Cave Visitor Centre with husband John, explained that the plaque has been placed on the way into the cave so everybody who visits will be able to share in Brian and Mike’s story and the hard work which led to their great discovery. “It was very special for us to be able to welcome Brian to Doolin Cave, he is such an amazing character. We were honoured to have him return to the cave to unveil a plaque dedicated to him and …