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Dan Danaher hears the stories of Springfield residents hoping the new flood protection works will protect them A SPRINGFIELD resident was forced to pay €3,500 for her car insurance premium after her car was extensively damaged by flood waters last year. Liz Hogan recalled the flood water had dropped that day and her neighbour had got back into her house when the incident took place . However, when Liz returned with her car the water had risen again very quickly within two hours and ruined her vehicle, which resulted in her car insurance premium sky rocketing. Her family of six have been forced to split up and live in different homes during repeated flooding in Springfield. Michael and Liz Hogan live near the top of a cul-de-sac road, which gets flooded, cutting off access to their private dwelling for weeks. “When we see the water coming, it is a case of pack up and find somewhere to go. We have …

RESIDENTS in South-East Clare have no flood insurance for their home for the last five years after it was cancelled by an insurance company. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Geraldine Quinlivan recalled in March 2016 their insurance company sent them their renewal notice with a highlighted pen, confirming they were no longer covering them for flood risk for their dwelling in Springfield, Clonlara. She also confirmed the company didn’t telephone them to discuss this issue before their flood insurance was cancelled. The company still provides general house insurance. “It is an added strain because you no longer have a safety net of thinking if the house gets damaged I will be able to repair it when you see flood water approaching your house.” She pointed out flood-hit residents in other areas had requested insurance companies to reinstate flood cover following the provision of protection works. “Flooding has a devastating impact on all of the community. People are affected …

REMOTE working for those living in the county town has taken a major step forward with the opening of the Ennis Digital Hub. The state-of-the-art facility at the Quin Road Business Park was officially opened by Minister Heather Humphries at the end of last month and brings to ten the number of hubs operating under Clare County Council’s Digiclare initiative. Among those welcoming the centre was Councillor Johnny Flynn who said the hub was a long-time goal for the county town. “Six years ago, I tabled a notice of motion requesting a feasibility study be carried out on the development of a hub for Ennis,” he outlined. “I believe the facility will be critical in enabling people living in the area to enable employment. The Ennis hub is the tenth in the county, so the people of the county town have been waiting patiently as the rural centres were developed first. The potential of the hub is huge in enabling …

AUTISM-friendly facilities are in full swing in part of the upgraded Clarecastle Playground, which cost in the region of €16,000. This completion of this upgraded facility illustrates what can be achieved when community groups work in collaboration with each other to maximise benefits for the locality. In 2015, the heart of Clarecastle village was transformed by the development of this playground adjacent to Powers’ Car Park, but in the last six years wear and tear was beginning to take its toll. Councillor Paul Murphy recalled last year he was approached by the Clarecastle Playground Committee who sought funding for additional works to the playground. The Deputy Mayor of Ennis was delighted to assist them through finance provided by the General Municipal Allocation from Clare County Council, which was unanimously supported by his colleagues in the Ennis Municipal District. “When it was developed initially the equipment included a wheelchair swing. The playground committee had a vision to make the playground more …

DESIGNER Laura Vaughan is the latest talented craftsperson to join the high profile ‘Made Local’ campaign. This is the second year of the prestigious initiative from the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and Laura, who has a degree in interior architecture, was selected for her creative curation of the work of other Irish designers and makers, as well as her own range of products Laura’s Design Studio and Gift Shop is a working studio located on Upper O’Connell Street in Ennis. As well as showcasing the work of other designers, Laura offers her own range of digitally printed lampshade, matching cushions, napkins, tea towels and aprons. Combining her background in interiors and textiles, Laura launched her own distinctive homeware range at Showcase 2016, and her patterns and products are constantly evolving and growing. Laura’s collection is designed and made and printed in Ireland and as well ask making her own shades, Laura offers a lampshade restoration and making service …

THE number of people receiving the pandemic payment in Clare dipped to 3,537 by Tuesday, down by 115 on the previous week. Meanwhile figures from the Central Statistics Office show that there were another 4,228 people on the live register in the county in July, an increase of 23 on the June figure. Of the 4,228, the majority, 2,240 were attached to the Ennis Social Welfare Office. There were 706 attached to Kilrush, 652 to Ennistymon and 630 to Tulla. The top three rates of the PUP will reduce each week from September 14, with the maximum weekly rate of €350 going to €300, the current €300 rate going to €250 and the €250 rate going to €203 per week. People on the €203 PUP rate will transition to standard jobseekers terms. Two further phases of rate changes are scheduled to take place from November 16 and February 8, 2022.

THE recent Autism Activity GAA Camp held at Cusack Park, Ennis has been hailed a success by the organisers and participants, writes Dan Danaher. Fifty-five children ranging in age from six to 13 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) enjoyed a wide variety of activities including parachute games, ball games, obstacle courses, foam javelin, tug-of-war, hurling and a variation of tag rugby thanks to the assistance of more than 40 coaches, volunteers and helpers during the three days. They were also given the opportunity to play hurling, if they wished during the second hour of the camp. Every morning children were given sensory activities to regulate their sensory needs before the start of the two-hour session. Clare GAA provided about 17 coaches, which included camogie players and ladies’ footballers. Clare Ladies’ footballer, Ellie O’Gorman helped out as a volunteer for the three days. She was joined by Aidan McCarthy, Aine O’Loughlin and Clare footballer Darragh Bohannon, who also visited the camp. …

THE founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group has described as “farcical” a response from the Department of Housing on the timeframe for a decision on the possible extension of the existing redress scheme to this county. Dr Martin Cleary questioned why there has been no indication to-date of when Minister Darragh O’Brien will issue a response to a report, submitted by the local authority on July 27, containing detailed evidence of the presence of pyrite here and making the case for extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks scheme to Clare. Dr Cleary’s comments follow a statement to The Champion which outlines that the report, commissioned by the Department, “will be examined thoroughly by the Department and a submission will be made to the Minister as soon as possible thereafter”. “It’s quite amazing that back in 2012 Darragh O’Brien was in the Dáil calling for urgent support for his own constituents who were affected by pyrite,” she said. “Now, here …