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Breaking News

Residents vow to ‘fight to the last’ plans for Ennis development

RESIDENTS of an historic area of Ennis are vowing to “fight to the last” against plans for a new housing development which has been given the green light by Clare County Council. They are now preparing an appeal to An Bord Pleanala following the granting of planning permission to Eko Integrated Services Ltd for the ‘Buttermarket Development’ of residential units and a cafe with digital working hub at the Drumbiggle Road, Buttermarket Street and Simm’s Lane. The site is in an Architectural Conservation Area of Ennis. The initial application had sought to build 46 units, however this has been reduced to 37. The plans include a new apartment building on Drumbiggle Road increasing from two storeys to four storeys over-semi basement with a fifth floor set back on the south west corner. This building will incorporate 26 two-bedroom units, four one-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. The development will also see the construction of a new two-storey terrace of six …

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Council to provide ‘irrefutable’ proof of pyrite impact in Clare

FURTHER data that proves the damaging impact of pyrite in Clare homes is “absolutely irrefutable”, councillors have been told. Proof of a causative link was requested by the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government (DHHLG) on foot of an application last July for access to the defective blocks grant scheme. This week’s local authority meeting was told that this data is to be sent in a matter of days. The director said that a meeting between council executives and members of Clare Pyrite Action Group last Friday had provided an update on the testing that has recently been carried out in response to queries from the DHHLG on its original report last July. The meeting was attended by expert engineer Simon Beale who was working with the Council to reply to queries from the DHHLG. “He outlined in a robust fashion that the presence of pyrite and the causative link to damage is absolutely irrefutable,” said Director of Housing …

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People ‘booted out’ for short term rentals in North Clare

THE lack of houses available to rent around North Clare is causing huge stress for people, who find it extremely difficult to get a place to live, says Councillor Liam Grant. “It’s definitely the number one thing people ask me about. In an act of desperation they come to me to ask if I know of anywhere to live and I have to disappoint people all the time. It gets to me, it’s very sad. I hate that I can’t help them with it,” he said this week. During the summer time the situation is particularly acute, he says, while businesses in the area are facing labour shortages due to the lack of accommodation. “You have a lot of people commuting to North Clare for work now. You’ll find a lot of people have accommodation until May but then they’re booted out for short term letting, so they have to leave. “It’s very difficult for people to get anywhere to …

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Clare rate payers ‘will not tolerate’ heritage site expenses

SHOULD the Clare County Council takeover of Shannon Heritage proceed it can’t come at the expense of services in Clare County Council or the ratepayers of Clare. This was the view expressed by Senator Martin Conway in the Seanad this week, as he raised the transfer with Minister of State Robert Troy.  “Some €15 million over three years is required, but that will only be the start of it. I understand that due diligence is still under way. “This investment is necessary so that ratepayers and the council do not take a financial hit. We cannot compromise critical services that the local authority provides, for example, housing. “If the council is expected to take over the facilities – it is happy to do so – then the Government needs to step up to the plate and provide the necessary financial resources to make this happen, allow it to be successful in the short term and make it sustainable into the …

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Gavin selected as new Shannon Chamber President

SIXMILEBRIDGE haulier Eoin Gavin is the new President of Shannon Chamber. He succeeds outgoing president Stephen Keogh, managing partner of Sellors LLP, who served a two-year term as president. Mr Gavin set up Eoin Gavin Transport in 1998. The company now exports/imports products for a wide range of customers in diverse sectors to markets in Ireland, the UK, Europe and worldwide. A director of Shannon Chamber since 2018, Mr Gavin has contributed greatly to the work of the Chamber. As a member of its Transport Committee, he played a key role in lobbying for new transport links between Ireland and mainland Europe, post Brexit.  He also called for changes in the processing of customs documentation to alleviate the delays experienced by hauliers and freight forwarders in transporting goods from Ireland to the United Kingdom in early 2021 and appeared before the Oireachtas Committee for Transport and Communications to present the case for change.  Mr Gavin was also a member of …

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Things looking up for Shannon, but support still required

WHILE 2021 was more promising than 2020, it was still a very difficult year for Shannon Group, according to its newly published annual report. Writing in the report Shannon Group CEO Mary Considine stated that while there are some grounds for optimism, there are also threats present. “The Covid-19 pandemic continued to impact Shannon Group during 2021, contributing to another challenging year for the Group. “Throughout the year we focused on the recovery and rebuilding of our businesses, with positive developments in the second half of the year providing grounds for future optimism. “However, while air travel demand continues to recover, the Group is mindful of current geopolitical uncertainties and their potential influence on business performance during 2022.” While the Group’s financial performance did improve, she claimed that Shannon Airport will need State support for some time to come. “Shannon Group delivered an improved financial performance for 2021, with an increase of 18% in turnover to €40.5 million (2020: €34.3 …

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Disruptions as Irish Water begins work in Ennis from Monday

THERE will be a period of traffic disruption in Ennis town centre from this Monday, May 16, and throughout the summer as Irish Water begins work on replacing the watermains. With Clare County Council due to progress with the county town’s public realm enhancement project, Irish Water is commencing its infrastructure upgrades ahead of these improvements. The Council has given notice of a road closure on High Street from the Junction of Salt House Lane to the Height. High Street to be closed with diversion via Old Friary Lane (reversed direction). Before the public realm enhancement project gets underway, Irish Water will replace aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street, to provide a more reliable water supply, reduce high levels of leakage and improve water quality. Gerry O’Donnell, Leakage Reduction Programme Regional Lead with Irish Water, said “We are aware that works of this nature can cause some disruption. We would like to assure the …

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Revealed: final destination for controversial Púca sculpture

The new location for the controversial Púca statue that was rejected by the people of Ennistymon has been revealed. Clare County Council confirmed today that the Michael Cusack Centre, situated in the heart of the Burren, has been selected as the new home for Aidan Harte’s work. Two applications from Michael Cusack Centre, Carron and Ballyvaughan Community Development Group were subject to an adjudication process in which representatives of both groups presented their case for hosting the artwork to an independent panel of judges. The judges noted in their citation: “While both applicants put forward compelling arguments for hosting the sculpture, the operators of the Michael Cusack Centre demonstrated how there would be mutual added value to both the installation and the community-run visitor attraction, the location of which was historically named ‘Poll a Phúca’.” “Michael Cusack Centre demonstrated compatibility to bringing the Púca to its natural home, confirming the interpretative element and story that will be told through the …

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