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THE Board of Clare FM have today said they are “delighted” to announce the appointment of Ronan McManamy as their new CEO. Ronan has extensive experience in the media and radio industries in Ireland. Most recently Ronan was Managing Director of the Irish Examiner, and previously was Chief Executive Officer of Wireless Radio Ireland (formerly UTV Radio). Ronan was also Chief Executive Officer of Cork’s 96fm and C103 for more than a decade having previously been Commercial Director at the two stations. In addition to his role at Clare FM, Ronan as also been appointed as CEO at Tipp FM, with whom Clare FM have operated a successful operating alliance for over a decade and in which Clare FM also holds a significant shareholding. Commenting on the appointment the Chair of the Clare FM Board, John Evans, commented, “This is a critical appointment for both Clare FM and our sister station in Tipperary. The Boards of both companies invested significant …

THE HSE has announced the opening of the Mid-West Covid-19 Vaccination Centre in Ennis from Monday, April 26, marking a significant scaling up of the Covid-19 vaccination programme across the region. The centre in the West County Hotel, will open on a phased basis, scaling up in line with availability of vaccines. Along with the centre at the Radisson Blu Limerick, and the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh, the facilities form a tripartite vaccination network to accelerate the delivery of Covid-19 vaccine in the Mid-West. With work ongoing at the Radisson Blu Limerick to vaccinate the Group 4 cohort of patients at very high risk of serious illness from Covid-19, the opening of the Ennis centre coincides with the move to Group 5 (people aged 65 to 69 at high risk) and Group 6 (other people aged 65 to 69) in the Government’s list of Provisional Vaccine Allocation Groups. UL Hospitals Group management gave the go-ahead for the phased opening …

CLARE’S top Garda has responded to concerns over the use of tourist facilities in Ennis to provide homeless accommodation. In recent weeks, the situation has been blamed for a spike in anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, in residential areas close to the town centre. The issue was raised at this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Deputy Joe Carey, who said the location and nature of the Ashford Court Hotel make it unsuitable as a homeless service. “There is fall-out on the streets of residential areas nearby,” he said. “This has been raised by a number of people. I don’t believe that the tourist accommodation being used is adequate. The proper supports are not there, especially to support complex cases. There is spill-out on to the streets and residents have been contacting us as public representatives, to voice their concerns. “We need a multi-agency approach to nip this in the bud and root out unsavoury behaviour.” Cathaoirleach …

THE State has been granted extra time to serve a book of evidence on a man accused of murdering a woman in Ennis. Patrick Ballard (34), with a former address at Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis, is charged with the murder of Sharon Bennett at Garraunakilla, the Market, Ennis on January 28, 2021, contrary to Common Law. Ms Bennett (29), a native of Wexford who lived in Clare, died 13 days later at University Hospital Limerick. Ballard appeared before Ennis District Court yesterday via video link from Limerick Prison where he has been on remand since January. Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court that the charge of murder was put to the accused on March 24 and the State has 42 days, up to May 5, to serve the book of evidence. Sergeant Lonergan said the book was not yet available and he was seeking to have the case further adjourned to May 12. He said the State was also seeking …

THE HSE has today (Wednesday) confirmed details of the next group of people to be offered Covid-19 vaccines and introduced the Covid-19 online registration system. Over the coming weeks, about 180,000 people aged 65 to 69 will be asked to register for their Covid-19 vaccine on the HSE website. People in this group will be vaccinated at one of the HSE vaccination centres around the country using the AstraZeneca vaccine. Online registration will commence at 10am tomorrow, Thursday, April 15, beginning with people aged 69. The statement from the HSE outlines, “the vaccine being offered to people aged 65 to 69 is called Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca has been approved for use by both the EMA (European Medicines Agency) and NIAC (National Immunisation Advisory Committee), in keeping with the strictest standards of safety and quality. It is recommended for use in people aged over 60 and licensed by regulators.” “Our vaccination programme is now moving into an important new phase. …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of fewer than five additional cases of Covid-19 in Clare and 12 additional deaths related to Covid-19 nationally. Of the deaths reported today, four occurred in April, two occurred in March and six occurred in January. The median age of those who died was 76 years and the age range was 42-91 years. There has been a total of 4,812* Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Tuesday, April 13, the HPSC has been notified of 431 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There has now been a total of 242,105** confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 204 are men / 226 are women 70% are under 45 years of age The median age is 33 years old 160 in Dublin, 50 in Kildare, 34 in Donegal, 21 in Meath, 20 in Limerick and the remaining 146 cases are spread across 20 other counties*** As of 8am …

THE number of Covid-19 cases in the Mid-West is greater this year than all of last year, new figures have revealed. Dr Mai Mannix, Director of Public Health Mid-West told a Clare County Council meeting on Monday there were 17,938 confirmed cases of Covid-19 notified to the Department of Public Health Mid-West between March 4, 2020 and March 17, 2021. This included 8,122 cases in 2020 and 9,816 cases to date in 2021. All data presented during the briefing are provisional and subject to change. The presentation was made in a week when the 14-day incidence of the virus fell to 37% in Clare, compared to 76% in Tipperary and 67% in Limerick. There were 44 confirmed cases in Clare, 122 in Tipperary and 132 in Limerick from March 30 until April 12. Dr Mannix confirmed there has been a reduction in the number of cases per week and the age profile of cases is getting younger. The public health …

THE UL Hospitals Group have tonight confirmed that following the updated National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) guidance issued on Monday evening, April 12, the Covid-19 vaccination clinic scheduled for the Radisson Blu Hotel on Wednesday, April 14, has now been cancelled. The group have apologised for any inconvenience and said the approximately 600 people affected are being contacted directly. In a statement received this evening, the group said, “Patients will be offered an alternative appointment as soon as possible. Approximately 1,200 people from Group 4 have had their appointments cancelled this Tuesday and Wednesday and, of these, we have identified just over 400 who are in the 60 to 69 age bracket. “This group of patients are now being offered a vaccination appointment this Thursday, April 15, at the Radisson Blu Hotel. This is in line with the updated guidance from NIAC. We encourage this group of patients to respond to the text notification and to attend for their appointment …