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GARDAI are appealing for the public’s assistance following a stabbing in Kilrush over the weekend. On Saturday night, May 28, a man in his mid-30s presented at Kilrush Garda Station with a stab wound to his lower back. He outlined that at 10.50 p.m. at Crawford Street, Kilrush, he was stabbed from the rear by an unknown male. He was removed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. If anyone was in the area of Crawford Street around this time and witnessed this incident or anyone that may have dash cam footage gardai are asking them to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 9080550.

TAOISEACH Micheál Martin has confirmed to Clare’s Fine Gael TD that the new defective blocks grant scheme will be introduced by way of primary legislation. He warned, however, that a consultative process as part of the legislative drafting could further delay the new scheme.  In response to concerns from pyrite and mica action groups, including that in Clare, Deputy Joe Carey raised the matter directly with the Taoiseach. He asked for clarity on what kind of consultation will take place on the new scheme. Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG), and others, have raised concerns over numerous aspects of the enhanced grant, including the updated damage threshold for affected homes. Last week the CPAG wrote to all Oireachtas members to tell them that a process without pre-legislative scrutiny must be opposed. “Householders in County Clare are anxiously awaiting admission to the enhanced defective concrete block scheme,” Deputy Carey reminded the Taoiseach. “Further laboratory analysis of affected homes in County Clare has …

OVERWORKED medical scientists operating in Mid-West acute public hospitals are very close to burnout due to chronic staff shortages, poor pay and working conditions, according to one individual involved in a national dispute. Medical Scientists suspended their second day of industrial action planned for last Wednesday after accepting an invitation to attend the Labour Court for exploratory talks on the dispute. There are 150 medical scientists working in the UL Hospitals Group including nine in Ennis Hospital, one is on maternity leave and two are part-time. The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) has instructed its members to suspend further industrial action and resume work on Wednesday after participating in two days of strike action on Wednesday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19. However, the Labour Court will have to resolve a lot of long-standing issues quickly to prevent medical scientists returning to the picket line. Medical scientists complete a wide range of work processing and analysing blood and urine samples, …

CONCERNS that a scenic part of Tuamgraney could be turned into a “concrete jungle” have been raised in a submission on a major housing development proposed for the village. Last month, developer Michael Pearl applied for permission to demolish an existing pumping station and built 52 houses, in a mix of bungalows and two-storey units, on a site of just under four hectares on the Dock Road. To-date, one detailed submission has been made by a resident of Reddan’s Quay who has listed 15 concerns about the proposal. The objection raised concerns about “considerable increases in the level of flooding at Reddan’s Quay”. It said that additional housing would reduce the capacity of the land to absorb flood waters. The document has also raised concern about the adequacy of screening reports on the potential environmental and flooding impact of the development. The submission outlined that residents of the area have already experienced difficulty securing house insurance due to their proximity …

AN Bord Pleanála has upheld a previous decision by Clare County Council to grant planning permission for 48 houses at Smithstown. It also reduced the amount the developer is required to pay in advance by €45,000. An order from its board said that subject to compliance with a number of conditions, “the proposed development would constitute an acceptable quantum of development, housing mix and appropriate density for the area”. The planning board ruled that it would not adversely impact on the residential amenities of adjoining properties or the amenities and operation of the hotel to the south of the site and would not constitute project splitting nor generate a traffic hazard. “The proposed development would, therefore be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” the report stated. It upheld a view that the developer should pay €137,000 for 250 metres of 5.5 metres road, and €50,000 for a junction upgrade. However, it ruled that a …

CLARE County Council’s policy of leaving grass to grow long on public land during May, might be a boost to biodiversity, but not everyone is wild about it. The council has signed up to ‘No Mow May’, leaving lands in its charge largely untouched, to allow pollinating plants and weeds to flourish and offer a helping hand to bees. The policy has not gone down well in one Kilrush estate however, which has seen its children’s play area become overgrown and unusable. James Coughlan, who lives in Island View estate, said he did not have a problem with pro-biodiversity policies, as such, but a more nuanced approach was necessary. “I’d understand if we were in Manhattan or some other concrete jungle and we had to preserve some areas for the bees, but we’re in west Clare, there are thousands of acres of fields all around us, we have a big park close by as well. “Children’s play areas need to …

BOOKS that belonged to a Tulla teenager who was a tireless advocate for others with cancer, have been donated to charity as part of her legacy.  Labhaoise Fitzgerald passed away in January of 2021, after a seven-year battle with a rare form of brain cancer. Even in the later stages of her illness, she had been an active member of Barretstown Youth Leaders’ Council, advocating for others affected by cancer.  Since her untimely passing, Labhaoise’s friends have also been involved in fundraising in her honour. In recent times, Labhaoise’s family donated around 100 of her books to the Let’s Fund It organisation, which supports the Irish charity sector. These books will be given to children receiving support from the charity Hand in Hand, and will be included in the hospital care bags donated by Let’s Fund It. It was Labhaoise’s wish that other children would get to read them and share in the joy and happiness that the books brought …

CLARE students have proven themselves to be up to scratch after getting top awards in the finals of a national competition. The National Scratch Coding Competition was held at the University of Limerick, bringing together the top scoring teams from all over the country. School students aged six and up across five age categories were invited to demonstrate their Scratch projects to the judges. Students from Feakle National School and Ennis Coder Dojo took home some of the top prizes at this year’s Scratch Finals. Jack Hogan from Feakle National School received the award for Junior infants to 1st Class Category for his project ‘March JH’. Adiel Mickus, Ennis Coder Dojo received the 2nd Class to 4th Class Category award for his project ‘Two Player Maze Game’. This year saw over 160 entries nationwide to the competition. According to Clare McInerney, Lero’s EPE Programme Manager, “The standard for this year’s competition has been incredibly high, it was a very difficult …