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A new year, a new you. Do you resolve to be fitter, slimmer, less stressed? Or is your only resolution to have no resolutions? Regardless, the start of a new year is a good opportunity to stand back and consider if we are doing what is important in our lives. And one of those important things, whether we like it or not, is our reaction to the climate crisis. A recent EPA survey showed that 85% of respondents are worried about climate change and almost the same amount – 80% – thought they personally should be doing more. For many of us, we simply don’t have the time, energy or headspace at the moment to deal with it. We are doing our best just to get by. Whatever we do or don’t do, it is our responsibility to the children of today to take informed and conscious action – and doing nothing is an action. Depending on our current state …

The Department of Public Health Mid-West is urging people to immediately self-isolate if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, reporting unprecedented levels of infection in the community across Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary. The current high volume of cases may result in delays in reporting, meaning that data may not be complete and up-to-date, it has warned. The body claims, however, that preliminary analysis shows between 1,100 and 1,500 daily COVID-19 cases across the region. This would surpass previous records seen in January 2021 (902 cases on January 2, 2021). “We expect this high level of infection to continue circulating in the community for a number of weeks, which is why we are appealing to the public to significantly reduce social activity,” said a spokesperson. Public Health Mid-West is managing and monitoring a significant number of COVID-19 situations across a range of settings, including nursing homes, long-term care facilities, residential care facilities, special education needs facilities, and vulnerable populations. Dr …

THE New Year was welcomed in style with the bang of drums and the clash of cymbals as the people of Gort staged a noisy fun walk against the proposed construction of one of the country’s largest Biogas plants in their town. People of all ages gathered and braved the elements to show their opposition to what the group has labelled an “ill-thought-out development”, with a short walk from the town to the gates of the proposed site. A spokesperson for the Gort Biogas Concern group said, “The kids loved it, making all that noise, and we want to show our continued support against this development.” For well over three years the people of south Galway have been engaged in an ongoing battle against the development of a Biogas plant in the town of Gort. Galway County Council refused planning permission and this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála. Another participant on the walk stated, “Gort has made some …

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 …