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A SOUTH-EAST Clare resident has been forced to replace five showers in her home due to frequent water breaks and changes in pressure, writes Dan Danaher and Owen Ryan. June Kirwan, who lives near the entrance to Corbally United FC, revealed decreasing and increasing water pressure when there is a water break on the busy regional road breaks her shower, particularly if it is being used at the time. “I had plumbers out to check everything in the house and our problems with water pressure. After spending so much money, they realised the problems are caused by changes in the water pressure,” Ms Kirwan told The Clare Champion. “When there is a water break on the road, they reduce the water pressure and then increase it again when it is fixed. If anyone is in the shower, I am in trouble. It is going to break the shower with the pressure coming off and on.” Residents are becoming increasingly frustrated …

EFFORTS to conserve and enhance amenities in Scariff are stepping up a gear as we enter 2022.  Intensive work on the ground is paying major dividends as the community also celebrates the recent allocation of funding for regeneration of the heart of the town.  Added to this boost is news of the completion of a project funded by the National Heritage Council and focusing on the Workhouse Water Tower, which dates to the mid-1800s. Last May, Scariff Community Council was awarded funding to prepare a Conservation/Condition Report on the historic structure. The report has now been created by P Coleman & Associates and the Community Council are preparing to share the findings on their website and social channels. This conservation report now forms a vital record and assessment of the building and will be an essential tool in planning and carrying out any future works proposed to the structure and site. The report will also inform future funding applications to help conserve …

THERE has been a 20% hike in the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 being treated in University Hospital Limerick (UHL), which is now the highest in the country, writes Dan Danaher. As of January 19, there were 84 confirmed cases of the virus being treated in UHL, which was the highest in the country. This compared to 74 in Galway University Hospital, 56 in the Mater, 50 in St Vincent’s Hospital and 46 in Connolly. A week earlier there had been 70 confirmed cases of Covid-19 being treated in UHL, which was the second highest in the country after Galway University Hospital on 78. Nine of the confirmed cases in UHL were being treated in ICU and there was no spare intensive care bed on this day. UHL was also treating 27 suspected cases of the virus last week. UHL is also treating 20 suspected cases of the virus, which is the second highest in the country. St James …

PERMISSION sought for works at a site off the N68 that already featured unauthorised development has been refused, writes Owen Ryan. Cos Wholesale Ltd has been denied planning permission to partially demolish, renovate and extend an existing commercial building at Darragh North. The Clare County Council planner’s report into the application noted that the subject site measuring 0.572 hectares is located in the rural townland of Darragh North. It is situated to the north of the N68 national secondary road at a point where the 100kmph speed limit applies. The planner’s report stated, “The site accommodates a petrol filling station (and associated retail outlet), a car sales garage and forecourt and a vacant commercial unit. “The area to the immediate east of the vacant unit comprises a rough graveled area with concrete hard stand areas on the other areas within the site. There is a right hand turning lane into the site on the national road. There is a single …

IRISH Water is to commence works in late January replacing just over 1km of problematic watermains in the Parteen and Westbury areas. The works are expected to continue until mid-April and will require occasional water supply outages and an overnight traffic management system between the hours of 7pm and 7am. The section of works will take place between Athlunkard Bridge and the Corbally/Clonard crossroads (R463). The project team has pledged to ensure that customers are given a minimum of 48 hours notice before any planned water outages. It is anticipated that outages will be at night and generally no more than four hours in duration. The upgrades involves the replacement of problematic watermains with new modern pipes and will help provide a more reliable water supply to the local communities. Gerry O’Donnell, Irish Water said, “We understand that this type of work can be inconvenient, and our work crews will make every effort to minimise any disruption these necessary works …

EFFORTS being made by a group of volunteers to maintain the Ballymaley roundabout are in the weeds, with the local authority been urged to step in and help. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Ann Norton urged at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that the council look after the maintenance and grass cutting at the roundabout following representations from a number of people. Tommy Scott, Senior Executive Technician, responded, “The top of the roundabout is maintained as a Biodiversity meadow. The crop will now be cut and removed. Grass cutting has finished for the season and will recommence in April. “The grass cutting on the Ballymaley roundabout is carried out in a similar manner to the roundabouts on the N85 where the grass is permitted to grow and become a wild flower meadow in line with good biodiversity practices. This is part of the Tidy Town’s biodiversity programme.” Councillor Norton thanked Mr Scott for the response, stating that she appreciates …

TICKETS for the Munster Hurling Cup final between Clare and Limerick at 2pm in Cusack Park Ennis are set to be released at 10am this Wednesday. Ticket Prices are General Admission €10, Under 16s €5 and they can be bought at https://www.universe.com/users/munster-gaa-TR8ZGN Currently government guidelines permit a maximum of 5,000 patrons to attend outdoor sporting events. Whether the government’s planned announcement on Friday has any effect on the numbers allowed to attend Sunday’s game remains to be seen. The result will be settled on the day, with penalties if required after normal time.

RESIDENTS living in an Ennis housing estate fear “vermin” are nesting in a river bank which has been left as a habitat for biodiversity. Calls for vegetation, trees and bushes along the riverbank at Lenabeg to be cut back were made on behalf of the residents by Councillor Mary Howard at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. “It is currently badly overgrown and the residents fear vermin are nesting there plus this area is being used to dump rubbish,” she said. Responding to the motion, Tommy Scott, Senior Executive Technician, stated, “The riverbank is left to look after itself and provide a natural boundary to the river edge. It provides a habitat for all sorts of biodiversity and wildlife and is fenced off from the development. “A river walk was built along this area as part of the development. It forms a fitting natural finish along the interface between the development and the River Fergus.” He continued, “This area …