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TWO Clare teenage DJs are hitting the high notes after securing a record label for a joint production in the highly competitive music industry. Shayne Mulrooney, 16, is a DJ, music producer, radio presenter, who started releasing music at the start of 2020 and has gained support from a host of stations. Among them are Juice 1038, Gorgeous Fm, Global Radio Cork, Midlands 103, Deep Dance Amsterdam, Ibiza Stardust, Broke Fm, Spin South West and Spin 1038, BBC sounds, Beat 102 103, Iradio and many more besides. Dave Falconer, 16, who lives in Clarecastle, became a disc jockey at the age of 14 during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The two DJs who are friends worked together on a music production “Do You Feel It”, which has just been released on Spotify and iTunes by DaCosta Records. Their goal is to secure regular work as DJs in night clubs and pubs. This was Dave’s first record label deal, having …

CENTENARY events for An Garda Síochána must avoid linking the force to the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC), Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has insisted.  In 2020, when he was Mayor of Clare, Deputy Cathal Crowe initiated a boycott of the ill-fated national commemoration plan for the RIC. Last week, at a meeting of the local Joint Policing Committee (JPC), he warned against conflating An Garda with the RIC, which was set up during British rule in Ireland. Deputy Crowe’s remarks followed an outline by Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran of plans to mark the 100th anniversary of formation of the Civic Guards/An Garda Síochána in February 1922.  “I’m glad you’re holding commemorations,” he said. “We’re delighted with everything you do as a force. You should be very proud of your 100-year history, but your history began in 1922. “Please resist the minority effort to link yourselves to the Royal Irish Constabulary, because your lineage doesn’t belong there.” Referring to the first Garda …

Analog Devices is to invest €100 million over the next three years in a new custom built facility in Limerick that will see 250 new jobs created by 2025. ‘ADI Catalyst’, a 100,000 sq ft facility for innovation and collaboration will be located at its campus in the Raheen Business Park. Commenting on ADI’s latest investment, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said, “ADI’s ongoing commitment to Ireland, as witnessed over many decades, is to be celebrated today as we mark yet another significant milestone. In a world where technology continues to permeate every facet of our lives, continued investment in today’s modern digital economy has never been more important. ADI Catalyst further reinforces Limerick and Ireland’s position as both a manufacturing hub for semiconductors and a centre of excellence for innovation in Europe.” Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said “Congratulations to the Analog Devices Inc team on this latest expansion, which will create 250 new …

“SYSTEMATIC and organised” beggars on the streets of Ennis are taking advantage of the generosity of well-meaning local people, with some collecting up to €200 a day, it has been claimed. A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District this week heard calls for an investigation to be carried out by An Garda, Revenue and other State Agencies, with councillors saying organised begging is taking much needed funds away from local charities. The issue was highlighted by Councillor Johnny Flynn who said that people are being dropped off in the town centre to beg before being collected later. He said these are not local homeless people, but instead are “people plying their trade, it’s a business”. He insisted that Ennis is “one of the safest and friendliest towns in the country” adding he is proud of the actions of gardaí when dealing with criminal behaviour. He said that the actions of organised beggars “has to be called out” and an investigation …

THE Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard has been reconstituted on an interim basis and already eight members have been recruited, writes Gordon Deegan. That is according to Minister for State at the Dept of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton (FG) who said that there will be perhaps 12 members to start with for the unit to recommence its work. Minister Naughton said, “Currently, additional cover is being provided from Kilkee and Killaloe. Helicopter and other emergency services are also being provided.” In the Dail on Thursday, Minister Naughton told Deputy Darren O’Rourke (SF) the reconstitution of the unit on an interim basis involves a core group of volunteers who, the Coast Guard believes, can work and operate together. The Coast Guard has moved to reconstitute the unit after a report by mediator Kieran Mulvey in December concluded that no form of mediation would resolve matters of dispute at the unit. The Clare unit – one of the busiest in the country …

A Ukrainian woman has claimed Ryanair increased the price of a flight for refugees fleeing from her war-torn country by almost 200 Polish zloty while she was trying to complete a booking for one adult and two children on Sunday. Mariya Nikishanova was attempting to purchase plane tickets from her Ennis home for a friend, Maryna and her two children who are crossing the Polish border to help them fly from Poland to Warsaw and then onto Dublin on March 3. In an interview with the Clare Champion, she recalled she was buying the tickets for Ryanair from the Polish town. “The price was 543 zloty, she gave me the names and I put the correct spellings in, I started to buy and when I pressed pay on the Ryanair site it said to go back, I went back and the price was 715 zloty.” “In a few minutes because there is a demand they raised the price by 200, …

CLARE had 20 site visits hosted by the IDA in 2021, according to figures presented to Clare TD Michael McNamara. In a Parliamentary Question to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise; Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar, Mr McNamara asked for a breakdown of the number of site visits hosted by the IDA in Clare, Galway and Limerick in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The figures for Clare were 2019 – 28; 2020 – 16 and 2021 – 20. In each year the number for Clare was lower than the two other counties. Clare had 64 visits over the three years while Galway had 98 and Limerick had 120. The figures includ e-Site visits, which were obviously more practical during the various lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. The written response to the Parliamentary Question also stated, “In response to COVID, IDA migrated many of its business development and client engagement activities to digital platforms during 2020. “IDA Ireland has developed a suite …

Scariff are preparing for yet another Munster Final after making an impressive bow against Limerick champions Blackrock by 2-11 to 0-9 in the Killeedy Junior B series. With Scariff-Ogonnelloe securing two of the last three Munster Senior camogie crowns and the hurling club’s flagship team denied a provincial opportunity due to COVID in 2020, Scariff’s second string took up the mantle. The team admirably bridged a near five month gap since their county final victory over Sixmilebridge to take out a Blackrock side that had 15 points to spare in their quarter-final [against Waterford’s Forumilewater seven days previously. A strong wind dictated matters throughout but it was a Cian Foley goal at either end of the tie that effectively shaped the outcome. Quickest to react to a Mikey Duggan save from a Conor Downes shot in only the fourth minute, Foley’s second was a worthy clinching score as he cut in from the left to rifle to the net and …