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A Clare family syndicate had a truly life-changing week after walking into Lottery HQ and leaving with a cheque worth an astonishing €30,928,078. The winners scooped the incredible jackpot sum in the Friday February 11 draw after purchasing their winning ticket at Larkin’s service station in Ballina, Co. Tipperary. The family admitted that there was a mix of excitement, shock and delight following the days and weeks after the life-altering draw, although, they did not realise their good luck immediately. “The draw was on the Friday night but we didn’t check our ticket straight away so we were totally oblivious to the big win at the start. It was probably about two days before we found out that we won the jackpot so you can imagine the range of emotions that we went through then.” “When we heard on the radio that the winning ticket was sold in a shop located on the border of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, that …

THE tightly-knit community in Broadford was united in mourning following the death last week of a popular plumber in a tragic road accident. Ger Gunning, (47) Kilbane, Broadford, was killed when he was a passenger in a van that struck a ditch at the junction of Old Cratloe Road and Woodcock hill Road on Thursday. Community activist, PJ Mason said the deceased was one of the nicest people you would meet and was always willing to help out with Broadford GAA. Mr Mason said the Broadford area has been hit hard by tragic deaths in recent years. In a tribute posted by Broadford GAA club, the club said it mourns the tragic passing of its former underage player and current coach. “Ger was part of the well known Gunning family, owners of the renowned Gunnings Bar in Kilbane. “Ger played to minor level for Broadford, winning U14 and U15 championships with the club. He is remembered as a tigerish corner …

THE Clare economy is in a very strong position and is “providing jobs at a ferocious rate”, according to a leading county council executive. The Council’s Director of Economic Development Liam Conneally told this week’s meeting of Shannon Municipal District Councillors that many of the multinationals with bases in the county are doing particularly well. At the meeting Mr Conneally, giving an update to the members, said despite the pandemic, Foreign Direct Investment in the Mid-West had been “very considerable” between 2019 and 2021. “We are close to reaching full employment,” he added. He said that across the board, in terms of foreign direct investment, indigenous businesses and micro businesses supported by the Council, there is very considerable job creation. Mr Conneally said that sometimes the good work done by agencies of the State is overlooked, while he said the Council has been working very positively with the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, while he said that the Clare Local Enterprise …

SCHOOL places for Ukrainian children fleeing the war will be allocated based on capacity and existing enrolment, the Education Minister has told a Clare TD. On foot of three Dáil questions from Deputy Cathal Crowe, Minister Norma Foley outlined a range of supports for children forced to flee Ukraine and come to Ireland. She said the Department of Education already has school capacity data based on annual enrolment returns. However, the location where families are living will also have a bearing, she confirmed, and coordination will take place with other Government departments. In the first instance, Deputy Crowe asked what steps that her Department of Education has taken to mark sure schools “are adequately equipped with teachers, accommodation, furniture, schoolbooks, special needs assistants and so on, to cater for the influx of Ukrainian children that will be entering their schools”. Deputy Crowe also asked that Departmental staff might be appointed as coordinators “to oversee the even distribution of Ukrainian children to …

EMERGENCY services in East Clare have united to spearhead a fundraiser initiated by former RTE broadcaster Charlie Bird. The former news reporter has been hailed as an “inspiration” as despite his personal battle with Motor Neurone disease he will climb Croagh Patrick on Sunday, April 3. His heart-rending Late Late interview has been cited by some of the local blue light emergency representatives who are supporting his courageous fund raising drive by climbing 1,745 feet to Moylussa a few miles from Killaloe, starting at 11am on April 3. Members of An Garda Siochána, the Clare Fire and Rescue Service, Killaloe Coast Guard and the National Ambulance Service are all supporting the “Climb for Charlie”. Suggested donations are €10 per person or €25 per family. All proceeds from the Croagh Patrick Climb and other associated events will be split between the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA) and Pieta House. Kieran Ruane, who is a member of An Garda Siochána, said …

AN application for planning permission for 28 houses at Station Road, Lahinch has been refused by Clare County Council. Victoria Cross Retail Limited had made the application for the development, which was met by a number of objections. Refusing the application, the Chief Executive’s Order made reference to the inadequate sewerage facilities in Lahinch and stated the development would be premature. This constraint is unlikely to be overcome in the immediate future. The order stated, “It is further considered that the proposed development of 28 houses to be serves by means of an on site wastewater treatment would set an undesirable precedent for development of further housing estates served by such ad hoc treatment systems. “Taken in conjunction with the level of existing and approved development in the vicinity (it) would result in a risk of pollution and would be prejudicial to public health.” The report also said the Council was not satisfied that the proposed use of an on-site …

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has confirmed that March 2022 has been the worst March for overcrowding since the union began counting trolleys in 2006. Some 11,001 patients have been without a bed in hospitals throughout the country in the month of March with UHL having the worst record. In the month of March, 1,671 patients were treated on trolleys at the Mid-West’s main hospital. This was 76% higher than the next worst performing hospital, University Hospital Galway. In Q1 of 2022, 29,506 patients have been without a bed. INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha said, “When nurses and midwives use phrases like ‘out of control’ and ‘chaotic’ to describe hospital overcrowding we do not do so lightly. It has been the worst March for overcrowding since our union began counting trolleys in 2006 with 11,001 without beds. “It has been an extremely busy month for those working in our hospitals with over 37% of those who have been …

ASSURANCES have been given on the arrangements for school transport for Ukrainian pupils who have recently arrived in North Clare. Among them are 26 children who have been welcomed into St Augustine’s National School in Kilshanny. They are part of a group of around 500 people to take up residence in Lisdoonvarna in recent weeks. More than 100 children are being provided with educational facilities, based on availability in neighbouring schools. While the new arrivals were provided with private bus transport for a number of days, the Department of Education has not made any formal provision yet and the children have no other way to get to the school, which is around seven kilometres away. Councillor Joe Garrihy said Lisdoonvarna Fáilte are prepared to do all in their power to welcome new arrivals and ease their access to local services. “We have been searching behind every hedge for bus transport and everyone has been really cooperative, however we did have …