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Dan Danaher surveyed local FF council members and found deep concern over opinion poll ratings and failure to tackle the housing crisis A MAJORITY of Clare Fianna Fáil councillors expect a new party leader will be elected once Micheál Martin’s term as Taoiseach ends when Leo Varadkar takes over at the helm of the government. Most of the councillors, who were interviewed by The Clare Champion, complained there is no strong replacement for Deputy Martin that is head and shoulders above the other contenders. Councillor Alan O’Callaghan said the difficulties experienced by Fianna Fáil were apparent from the last General Election, and noted his views haven’t changed on the party’s disappointing results in opinion polls. The East Clare Councillor said there are huge concerns about the future direction of the party amongst grass roots rank and file members. He said the lack of affordable and social housing is a big problem in Clare and throughout the country, and stressed this …

THE Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District has been sharply critical of a lack of action on illegal dumping on a number of sites around the county, including one on the Tulla Road. Councillor Ann Norton asked a series of detailed questions ahead of the July meeting of the local authority looking for a progress update – in terms of waste removal and remediation – on hotspots across Clare. The Independent member also sought an update on staff resources and the number of enforcement notices served over the last three years. Welcoming an official reply, which said that 97% of complaints made since 2018 had been resolved, Councillor Norton voiced disappointment at the fact that the Tulla Road site has not been tackled. “I was first asked to raise this issue some years ago,” she said. “Now, once again, there are questions over what is being done. The 3% of unresolved dumping sites are always an issue. This includes the …

ED Slattery is aware the sport of Rugby Sevens is often fighting for attention from the public with the traditional 15-a-side format dominating the airwaves, writes Ivan Smyth. However, the Athletic Performance Coach with Ireland Men’s Rugby Sevens side believes the team’s qualification for Tokyo has captured the public’s attention. “The support has been brilliant. The country is rowing in behind these lads. We have been getting more eyes on the sport. This is about the boys who’ve worked so hard to get here and luckily they’ve been getting a lot of support.” Rugby is a huge part of Ed’s life. His local club St Senan’s RFC named their stadium Jimmy Slattery Park, in honour of his late father. The 33-year-old works with Sevens players to ensure they are at their physical peak while helping to reduce the possibility of injury. Slattery is passionate about his role within the IRFU. “I am lucky to work in the IRFU for six …

INTERNATIONAL travel is resuming and with Shannon facing an uncertain future, local advocacy group Save Our Shannon (SOS) will hold a protest on July 24 at O’Connell Square in Ennis. The rally is to take place from mid-day. They are calling on the Government to change aviation policy and to introduce measures that will encourage airlines and passengers to use Shannon. SOS chairman Denis Vaughan said, “We demand new Government Aviation Policy, which includes Shannon. Save our Shannon rally this Saturday at 12pm in the square in Ennis. Guest speakers.@Fallshotel @CliffsOfMoher_ @eastclare10k @CratloeGAAClub @gaeilnasionna @GreyHeronMedia @VirginMediaNews @rtenews @NewstalkFM @johncookeradio @oconnellbrian pic.twitter.com/2EtysVOrqw — Radio Beams (@HayesEnnis) July 21, 2021 “The post Covid Government need to incentivise airlines and passengers to use Shannon Airport. The government should be looking at doing what it can to force Aer Lingus back to Shannon. After all, Ireland subsidises the airline.” Mr Vaughan continued, “Dublin Airport increased its passenger numbers in 2019 by 13.8 million whilst …

PLANS for a new Aldi store in Ennis are “good news” for the county capital insists hurling legend Brian Lohan. The Clare hurling manager alongside Inch businessman Martin O’Malley are behind plans to develop the Westpoint Retail Park on the Kilrush Road. If given the go-ahead, the discount store will be an anchor tenant in the second stage of Westpoint’s development, with a HSE Outpatients Department already on site. Mr Lohan has lodged a planning application to Clare County Council for a change of use from retail warehouse to a discount food store at Westpoint. According to Aldi this new store will create 30 new permanent jobs at the store, and up to 50 construction jobs, if given the green light. It aims to open the 1,000sqm store in late 2023. Mr Lohan told The Clare Champion that they have been working in partnership with Aldi for a number of months ahead of lodging this planning application. He said he …

A JUDGE has told two men involved in a boundary row that “life is too short for neighbours to be having disagreements”, writes Gordon Deegan. Despite head-butting his 71-year-old neighbour, Rory Murphy (46), of Clifden, Corofin, was cleared unanimously by the jury at Ennis Circuit Court of assault causing harm. Mr Murphy was acting in self defence, having been hit on the head with a hammer by John Fisher, also of Clifden, Corofin, on January 15, 2019. Judge Brian O’Callaghan added his hope that “some of the issues between you can be resolved”. At the end of the two-day trial, Judge O’Callaghan told Mr Murphy: “You came to court an innocent man and you leave this court today an innocent man.” In a voluntary interview with Gardai, Mr Murphy did admit head-butting Mr Fisher at the boundary site but stated that this was in self defence after Mr Fisher hit him with a hammer across the head. Mr Murphy of …

Eoin Brennan whips out the calculator and goes over the Clare Cup permutations ahead of this evening’s games Feakle’s first set-back against Inagh-Kilnamona a fortnight ago did prove costly but crucially not detrimental to their hopes of a first Clare Cup in over three decades. It does, however, mean a three-way wrestle for silverware at the top with Sixmilebridge and Cratloe but with the other two clashing, all Feakle can do is look after their own corner and that means not just overcoming holders Kilmaley on away soil but doing so by as handsome a margin as possible. All because a Feakle win of any kind will be sufficient if Sixmilebridge win the Garneyside derby as the head-to-head would be favourable towards PJ Kelleher’s side. However, if Feakle and Cratloe both win, then it comes down to score difference as the sides have not played each other and currently the 2018 and ’19 county finalists are four points better in …

A COUNTY Clare sports club has described funding received through Healthy Ireland as a “lifeline”. Derg Athletics Club received €22,000 of the total €374,100 allocated to county Clare under Healthy Ireland funding. On Friday the club hosted Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy, Frank Feighan in Killaloe to see first-hand the benefits the funding has brought for local and voluntary groups in Clare. The TD was greeted by the Cathaoirleach and elected members of Clare County Council, Clare Oireachtas Members, and local representatives and stakeholders, together with staff from Clare County Council and representatives of the wider community in Killaloe. Established in 2013, Derg Athletics Club offers physical activity programmes for all in Clarisford Park, Killaloe. Healthy Ireland funding is helping to sustain the club’s inclusive athletics programmes and is essential to enabling participation in athletics activities for children with a physical disability or those on the autism spectrum. It is available …