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COVID-19 related absences are causing disruption to Bus Éireann services, the transport company has revealed. It is advising customers to take some time to plan their journeys and to check the Bus Eireann website where a list of service disruptions is available; information is also available via its Twitter feed. A spokesperson said, “Currently Bus Éireann is experiencing minor disruption as a result of Covid-related absences across its 17 depots, with the vast majority of services being delivered as planned at present. “Bus Éireann’s team is working on a daily basis to manage absences and to prioritise delivery of services which minimise customer disruption.” Covid-19 mitigation measures remain in place, including having hand sanitising units available on-board and in stations, having touchpoint cleaning during the day and deep cleaning of buses overnight, as well as reminders to leave windows open. We also remind passengers to wear masks throughout their journey and in bus stations. Customers can contact the Bus Éireann …

GARDAI are appealing for information about the theft of a boat from Killaloe. There is a significant window of time in which the boat and outboard engine could have been taken from The Boathouse, Annacarriga in Killaloe. The theft could have occurred at any time between November 21 and December 26. The boat is described as a 20 foot 5 seat fiberglass vessel, beige in colour with a green top and wooden trim. The electric start outboard engine was also stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact gardai in Killaloe on 061-620540.

A traditional outcome of drunken revelry – stealing traffic cones – occurred in Newmarket-on-Fergus before Christmas. This incident, however, proved no laughing matter for a local business, resulting as it did in criminal damage to their stock. At approximately 2.20 a.m. on Saturday, December 18, a number of traffic cones and hazard bollards were taken from the edge of the forecourt of N18 Autos on Ennis Road, Newmarket-on-Fergus. These cones and bollards were placed on the bonnets and roofs of four cars for sale on the forecourt causing paint and scratch damage to the cars. The forecourt is at the former Great Gas service station past the soccer pitch on the Ennis Road. Gardaí in Newmarket-on-Fergus are appealing for witnesses – anyone that may have driven by or came through the village on the Ennis Road after 2am on Saturday morning, December 18 and witnessed this incident is asked to contact Newmarket-on-Fergus Garda Station on 061 368172.

THE proud record of Ennis in presenting a clean and tidy face to the country was maintained with another high placing in the IBAL rankings. The final survey of 2021 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Ennis retaining third spot in the ranking of 40 towns and cities. According to the study, nationwide litter levels have risen slightly, with cities faring particularly badly. PPE litter was found to be at its highest level since the pandemic began. Naas finished top ahead of Portlaoise and Ennis to record its first win in the annual rankings. There was a slight fall in the number of clean towns nationwide, to 22. The An Taisce report for Ennis stated: “It is only fitting that the 2021 Tidy Town winner should score so well in the IBAL litter league. “It is particularly encouraging that a site which had been seriously littered over the last number of IBAL surveys was now deemed top-ranking …

Sale of land depends on securing planning THE HSE has been urged to lodge a planning application for the development of a new €25 million community hospital in Ennis at the earliest opportunity. The call was made by Deputy Joe Carey after the HSE confirmed it intends to lodge a planning application for this project in the first quarter of 2022. Jim Curran, HSE national director of capital and estates, said the HSE has “sale agreed” lands comprising 5.09 acres of Diocesan property near the Turnpike in Ennis for the provision of a new 100-bed community nursing unit. However, the sale of lands is subject to planning permission for the development of a community nursing unit. This project will see a new state-of-the-art facility, providing a 100-bed HIQA compliant community nursing unit for long stay residents including 88 single, four twin rooms and four palliative care facilities. A full design team was appointed in March 2021 following a tender and …

DISCUSSIONS are underway with a view to installing a filter light for those travelling from the Limerick Road to Old Gaol Road in Ennis, the local authority have confirmed. Councillor Pat Daly highlighted the need for the light at the monthly meeting of the council at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where he urged the council, “to install a filter right arrow on the traffic lights at the Clare Road, adjacent to the tyre centre, to accommodate traffic coming from the Limerick Road side who presently are finding it very difficult to turn right in the Gaol Road.” Ian Chaplin, Executive Engineer, responded, “The Ennis Municipal District recently installed two hatch boxes at this junction to assist access from Clare Road Tyres and the hatch box at the Captain Macs Cross side of the junction should assist the traffic flow as buses will not be obstructed when turning left out of Old Goal Road. The Ennis MD …

THE position of planters and bollards on the segregated cycle way on Clonroadmore are forcing motorists to cross the centre line of traffic it has been claimed. Councillor Johnny Flynn told the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that the planters and bollards from the front of St Flannan’s to the Kilrush Road should be adapted. He insisted this is needed so that drivers exiting estates and private houses “can do so without crossing the centre line onto oncoming traffic”. Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer, in his written reply stated, “The Road Design office have confirmed that all the junctions comply with DMURS. On the tighter junction radius the driver has to approach the junction square to the main road and then rotate to the left. If the driver proceeds to cut the corner they will either mount the kerb (hit the bollard) or have to cross the centre line to turn left. The purpose of the tighter radii …

WORK on the long-awaited River Shannon Crossing is expected to start next March after the Department of Transport approved the awarding of the construction contract to John Sisk and Sons at a tender sum of €43.7 million. The contract for the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Crossing and upgrading of the Ballina to Birdhill R494 regional road will be signed early in the Near Year, with a likely start date in March. It is anticipated the scheme will take three years to be completed. The estimated cost of the overall project totals €69 million, which includes construction, land acquisition, design, supervision, risk, contingency and archaeology. The Killaloe Bypass and Shannon River Crossing project has been mentioned in the public sphere for years, with the completion of the project expected to see a 40% reduction in congestion between the Tipperary and Clare border towns. Former Environment Minister Alan Kelly recalled he put this project into the National Development Plan when he was minister …