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THE family of a young Kilrush woman who was murdered 16 years ago are “up in a heap” over the release of her convicted killer before Christmas, according to her brother. Ann Walsh from Pella Road, Kilrush, was 23 years and four months old when she was strangled by her former boyfriend, Raymond Donovan from Cooraclare in the grounds of St Senan’s Church, Kilrush, on August 24, 2005. Mr Donovan was convicted of her murder at the Central Criminal Court in Ennis with Mr Justice Paul Carney imposing a mandatory life sentence following a unanimous guilty verdict by a jury. Ann had been going out with Donovan for three years, but had split from him a year previous to the attack. Her brother, Stephen Walsh said the Walsh family are “up in a heap” over the decision to release Raymond Donovan before Christmas. Mr Walsh claimed he was informed by the prison service recently there would be nothing done in …

A TOTAL of 165 sites are being processed by Clare County Council, under the Derelict Sites Act, with 35 of these on the register of derelict properties. The figures were given to Councillor Paul Murphy, who tabled at motion at the December meeting of the local authority. The Fine Gael member sought an outline of the number of sites in each Municipal District, as well as an update on those being pursued under the Derelict Sites Levy, and the monies recouped to-date. In a written response, Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer (SEO), outlined how there has been an increase in activity since the derelict sites function was transferred to the Economic Development directorate in 2020. “Derelict sites that we are dealing with are at various stages from inspection, establishment of owners, discussions with owners, dealing with financial institutions regarding debt, sales being organised or proposals being developed for planning applications,” she stated. “Our priority is to try to work with …

CLARE broadcaster Marty Morrissey has thanked the public for their “wonderful love and support” following his mother’s tragic passing earlier this month. Peggy Morrissey lost her life in a car accident at Annagh, Miltown Malbay in the early hours of Tuesday, December 7. Her only son Marty took to social media on Christmas Eve to pay tribute to all of those who have offered him support during what he described as “the most difficult” time of his life. The RTÉ sports commentator wrote, “The last few weeks has been the most difficult in my life as I lost my beautiful Mom so heartbreakingly. But my grief has been comforted by your wonderful love and support. “It’s a particularly hard time for a lot of people especially this year more than most. Life is precious. On Christmas Eve night, can I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, cards, phonecalls and texts. May I wish you and …

ADDITIONAL infection control measures have been put in place at University Maternity Hospital Limerick following an outbreak of Covid-19. Access for nominated support partners to hospital inpatient wards is being limited to one two-hour slot per day between the hours of 2pm and 8pm. These slots will be co-ordinated at ward level by our staff, who will link directly with service users and nominated support partners. The UL Hospitals’ Group recognise that this represents a considerable reduction in access on their inpatient wards. The hospital will facilitate additional access for inpatients on compassionate grounds on a case-by-case basis where these restrictions are causing considerable distress. It is committed to increasing access for partners on inpatient wards as soon as possible. An online system is available for nominated support partners to complete a Covid-19 questionnaire in advance of attending the hospital. The group also encourage partners to consider taking an antigen test in advance of attending UMHL should they have one …

Rice College Ennis 1-15 Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore 1-09 RICE College, Ennis, captured the Corn Shéamais Uí Dhonnchú in ideal hurling conditions at the LIT grounds, Limerick before Christmas. 1979 was the one and only time that Rice College won the Munster U16½ B Munster PPS, formerly known as Corn an Chuinneánaigh. On their way to this year’s final, Rice College defeated Castletroy College, St Joseph’s Tulla, JTBCS Hospital and Charleville C.B.S. In front of a big crowd, they defeated Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore in glorious December sunshine to finally bridge a 42-year gap and claim the U16½B Munster hurling title. Joint captain, Jack O’Neill, got Rice Colleges scoring underway within the first minute with a fantastic score from the half way line, before Eoin Lahiffe and Tom Curran chipped in with a point apiece either side of a Templemore free leaving the score 3 points to 1 at the first water break. Another point from Templemore was …

The Grade 1 BoyleSports Faugheen Novice Chase was the highlight at Limerick on Sunday with the prestigious St Stephen’s Day feature going to 10/1 shot Master McShee, writes Michael Duggan. One of just two horses his Dungarvan, County Waterford owner/trainer Paddy Corkery has on the go at the moment, Master McShee was ridden by Ian Power. Some of the top novices in the country lined-up for this two-mile, three-furlong contest worth almost €60,000 to the winner. Gordon Elliott’s Farouk D’alene went off 11/10 favourite under Jordan Gainford. The ground was heavy at the Patrickswell venue, with Joseph O’Brien’s Fire Attack taking them along in the early stages. Heading across the track for the final time, the early leader began to wane with the patiently-ridden favourite taking over up front. Master McShee was also creeping into contention, however, and rising to the final fence there was little separating the duo. The pair settled down to scrap it out on the run …

CLARE County Council has thanked everyone who made submissions to the final round of public consultation on the Draft Shannon Town Centre Masterplan. The closing date for submissions was December 20, 2021. Cllr John Crowe, Cathaoirleach, Shannon Municipal District, said: “I welcome the positive engagement on the Draft Shannon Town Centre Masterplan from members of the public, stakeholders, residents and business groups, and I thank all those who participated in the public consultation process. Clare County Council acknowledges the positive input and will take on board all of the submissions received.” Brian McCarthy, Senior Planner, Clare County Council, said: “We are delighted with the quality, informed nature and positive contributions of the submissions received on the draft plan during the consultation process, each and every one of which we will review and analyse over the coming weeks with a view to informing the final plan. “We will also be consulting with the Elected Members of Shannon Municipal District to get …

ENNIS RFC 10 BRUFF 14 ENNIS RFC’s under 16s came up just short in their North Munster League semi-final against a physical Bruff outfit, writes Ivan Smyth. The Clare side enjoyed home advantage but it was they who were forced to absorb some early pressure as the Limerick lads laid siege to their 22. However, Ennis kept their discipline and managed to wrestle momentum before enjoying a dominant period of their own. An Odhran Flynn penalty helped them gain the lead. The game was very physical with both of these sides aware of the prize on offer, a place in the final against Shannon. Neither side were able to trouble the scoreboard again as Ennis led 3-0 at half time. Both of these outfits had shown before this game that they were capable of troubling the opposition tryline. Ennis beat Newcastle West 30-5 in their quarter final while Bruff secured a 31-17 win against Garryowen. The Limerick side crossed the …