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AN initiative from the office of the Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council is looking to celebrate kindness and good deeds done by members of the public around the county during the pandemic to date. Cathaoirleach Mary Howard is inviting Clare people to nominate fellow citizens for recognition as ‘Clare Covid Heroes’ for the help and support they have provided to others during Covid-19. Councillor Howard said the idea is to provide recognition for people who have helped others, with no expectation of any reward. “This initiative is about celebrating the ‘everyday heroes’ all around us who have been quietly helping and supporting others during the past year under the various Covid-19 restrictions. “From providing practical assistance, such as ordering online shopping for older relatives and neighbours, to offering emotional support, perhaps through socially distanced visits or video and phone call check-ins, people in our communities have really been there for each other. Little gestures can mean a lot, and can …

KILKISHEN Community Playground will shortly have its full range of facilities restored, after a successful campaign to raise funds for vital repairs. A risk assessment recently revealed problems with some of equipment in the popular amenity and meant that the swings had to be removed. When the repair bill ran to €2,500, it presented a challenge for Kilkishen Development Association, who look after the playground. “The risk assessment identified items we needed to repair as soon as possible,” said Treasurer, Olivia King. “The swings had to be taken out. The bill looked massive when we got it first, because all of our traditional ways of fundraising were closed off to us. We couldn’t hold the usual fundraisers like cake sales because we couldn’t bring people together during lockdown.” The solution came by way of a Go Fund Me campaign which received a hugely positive response from the local community. “It worked out really well and, in the end, the target …

CLARE’S Garda chief has promised a “proactive” approach to an illegal encampment at the Station Yard in Sixmilebridge. The matter was raised at this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Councillor PJ Ryan. The Independent representative said there was considerable concern because those involved had turned down an offer of Council accommodation, and were refusing to move on until they are provided with housing at an alternative location of their choice. Deputy Cathal Crowe expressed his annoyance at the situation, saying it threatened the integrity of the social housing system. “At this stage, they are absolutely taking the mick,” he said. “They have obviously travelled from somewhere, during Covid, and despite the travel restrictions. They now say they can’t travel back to the UK, because of Covid, and that the Council has to house them as a solution. “It is important to say that Travellers have the right to housing. Everyone respects that. However, there are a …

CLARE County Council and Creative Ireland are encouraging children and young people to get creative at home to celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg, which takes place on June 12. This ‘Gathering of Young People’ encourages artistic expression and creativity for everyone aged 0 to 18 years, and is also supported by RTÉ. The one-day event is designed to empower, to develop creative potential and to foster the expression of creativity. The Creative Ireland Clare Culture Team is inviting children and young people to create a piece of art with the theme ‘My Happy Place’. This can be a painting, poem, anything creative. This will give all young people a chance to showcase their creativity. Art work will then be posted on the Creative Ireland Clare Facebook page and Clare Cruinniú Instagram Page. The office will also feature the art work on the Cruinniú na nÓg’s National Day Programme in June. Those who would like to take part are asked to like …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of four additional deaths related to Covid-19. Of the deaths reported today, all occurred in April. There has been a total of 4,835 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Friday, April 16, the HPSC has been notified of 420 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There has now been a total of 243,238* confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 211 are men / 206 are women 74% are under 45 years of age The median age is 32 years old As of 8am today, 183 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 50 are in ICU. 7 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of April 15, 2021, 1,155,599 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland: 814,470 people have received their first dose 341,129 people have received their second dose

A quantity of suspected cannabis worth an estimated €50,000 has been seized by Gardaí in Clare. The discovery was made on Friday  during the search of a wooded area near Clarecastle. Two males were arrested, one in his mid-forties and one in his late fifties. Both are currently detained at Garda Stations in the Clare Garda Division under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Acting, 1996. They can be held for up to seven days. In follow up searches at a number of locations in the Ennis area, approximately €2000 of suspected cocaine and drug dealing paraphernalia have been seized. The operation is being led by Divisional Drugs Units from Clare and Limerick with assistance of the ASU and other local units. All of the drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis. The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow.

YEARS of uncertainty for Moneypoint employees came to an end last week, with the direction for their plant being unveiled, and assurances that their jobs will be sustained into the future. In addition the construction of new infrastructure and support services are set to see the creation of hundreds of new jobs, providing a massive and overdue economic boost for West Clare. After coal burning ceases in 2025, the plant will continue in back-up mode, until the first phase of the new green energy development comes on stream three years later. The lack of a plan for a future after coal burning ended was a huge concern for west Clare, while significant job losses at the plant in 2019 meant the outlook was rather bleak, but one worker said that staff have been thrilled with last week’s development. “From the feedback I’m getting, everyone is over the moon and everyone is delighted. They’re going to use the site below to …

MAJOR changes to governance and staffing have been introduced recently in Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice to address shortcomings identified in the latest Health Information and Quality Authority inspection. That’s according to Cahercalla Board chairman, Dr Michael Harty, who has admitted the standard of care fell below normal standards during a major Covid-19 outbreak. A risk inspection by HIQA over three days on January 20, January 30 and February 1 found Cahercalla was non-compliant with 12 national regulations. While Cahercalla went 10 months without contracting any Covid-19 case, it had 23 confirmed cases among residents from December 28 to the end of January, of which four passed away, which was a matter of great regret to Cahercalla. Even though Cahercalla did fall short of HIQA standards during the Covid-19 outbreak, Dr Harty reassured families of patients the facility is now on a very strong footing and has addressed all the issues raised by the independent regulatory authority. Given Cahercalla is …