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ON Wednesday healthcare company RocDoc launched an antibody testing service at Shannon Airport. The testing can determine whether or not an individual has developed an immunity to Covid-19 either through a vaccine or through contracting Covid-19 previously. As well as being able to test whether a vaccine has worked, it can also show whether or not an individual has a strong or weak immunity to Covid. Results arrive within 72 hours of the test taking place. Roc Doc Chief Executive David Rock said, “The test itself is different to the other antibody tests that are on the market, there’s a number of point of care ones, they kind of look like a pregnancy test and they can give you results within an hour. The one that we’re releasing here now is one that actually goes to a laboratory, an offsite accredited independent laboratory. It’ll give you a number, a quantitative number. With other tests they tell you the antibodies are …

ENNIS Voices for Autism (EVA) has urged people in the Mid-West to learn more about Autism and how to accept Autistic people – children and adults alike. The group issued an appeal to embrace the Autistic community on World Autism Day (today). Originally World Autism Day was about awareness, but in more recent times the emphasis has moved on to acceptance of Autism and more importantly acceptance of Autistic people. Autism Acceptance Month gives Clare people an opportunity to celebrate the Autistic community, highlight the challenges Autistic people face in the county and educate the wider public to gain a better understanding of Autistic people in their own community. Autism is a complex, invisible condition, which a person is born with. It is a developmental condition, which means that the way a person communicates, interacts and understands other people, and the world, is different to those who do not have the condition. It can be described as a “spectrum”, which …

There are not too many sporting stories that begin in the waiting room of a dentist’s clinic, but that is where Ethan Coughlan’s path to a Munster Heineken Cup squad started. The Ennis man has been enjoying a dream start to 2021, as he travelled to Italy for the provinces PRO14 clash with Treviso at the end of January, and will also be part of the senior squad for their massive last 16 European showdown with Toulouse this weekend. His progression through the ranks at the province has seen him feature regularly with the Munster A side in recent months, with those performances likely to have caught the eye of the Ireland U20 management. Coughlan, who turns 19 this month, also had the honour of captaining his country as he led out the Irish U-18 side in Italy in 2019 in what was his second appearance in an Irish jersey, while he made the move to the All Ireland League …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of fewer than five additional cases of COVID-19 in Clare and 18 additional deaths related to COVID-19 nationally. Of the deaths reported today 11 occurred in March and 7 occurred in February.  The median age of those who died was 81 years and the age range was 59 – 95 years. There has been a total of 4,705 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Wednesday, March 31, the HPSC has been notified of 761 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 236,600* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 383 are men / 373 are women 72% are under 45 years of age The median age is 33 years old 372 in Dublin, 55 in Meath, 43 in Cork, 40 in Kildare, 38 in Offaly and the remaining 213 cases are spread across 19 other counties**. As of 8am today, 274 COVID-19 patients …

Treaty United will be hoping to build on a positive start to life in the SSE Airtricity League First Division when they host Wexford Youths at the Markets Field in Limerick this Friday evening. Former Bridge United player and current Treaty manager Tommy Barrett oversaw his new sides opening game with Bray Wanderers on the opening weekend where the Midwest side left the Carlisle Grounds with a hard fought 0-0 draw. They were forced to contend with playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men after the dismissal of midfielder Sean McSweeney, but a resolute and organised display saw them earn a share of the spoils against a home side who are among the contenders for promotion to the top tier. Sixmilebridge resident Barrett outlined that it was a positive start to their campaign and one he hopes they can build on. “It was a good away draw when you look at the likes of the players Bray have and …

A HEALTHCARE assistant in Shannon is currently living in his car, with apparently little prospect of finding a place to live in the town. James McCarthy now sleeps in his Toyota Yaris, while he feeds himself with fast food. Although he has been estranged from his wife for years and they are divorced, she allows him to take showers at her house. He said that he has tried to get accommodation in homeless hostels, but there isn’t a place available, particularly with Covid prevalent. While he works full time in a role that requires Garda vetting on a regular basis, he feels that his membership of the Travelling community counts against him when it comes to renting accommodation. “They still look at me as a McCarthy knacker from Limerick. I’m not known to the Gardai, I’m a quiet man, I’ve never blackguarded anyone, but people watch things,they see things, and this is what they think.” He left his last house …

ENNIS boutiques had their day in the sun this week when a fashion piece for the Today Show shot in the county town was aired. Celia Holman Lee and models Asta and Anne were in the Old Ground Hotel with an RTE crew last Friday showcasing clothes and footwear from The County Boutique and Nozomi Shoe Boutique. All the style is available from their online boutiques, as shops are still shut during the pandemic. “We were delighted to welcome Celia to Ennis, as we have worked with her over the past 30 years or more,” said Gwen Culligan of the County Boutique. “She is such a positive person and definitely brought her glamour to Ennis for the day.” Of the location Gwen remarked that the Old Ground Hotel would normally be too busy for a fashion shoot and they were glad of the opportunity to showcase the hotel and garden, in the very heart of Ennis. “We are so looking …

DARRAGH McAllister has been elected to the role of President of business advocacy group Ennis Chamber at this week’s AGM. A well-known publican in Ennis, Darragh together with his business partner Dylan Hayes, runs Lucas’ Bar and Considine’s Bar, both located on Parnell Street.Colin Ryan, Branch Manager, Bank of Ireland, Ennis was elected Vice President. Mr McAllister takes over as President of Ennis Chamber from Allen Flynn, Old Ground Hotel, who held the position during the unprecedented, turbulent Covid times experienced over the past 12 months.Speaking after his election, Mr McAllister said, “I am delighted to take on this role, no doubt it will be challenging, especially in this climate, but I’m up for it.”He said the past 12 months have been among the most challenging in living memory, for both business and private life. “The spectre of March 2020 continues to haunt us, in new and varied ways. What many have lost can never be replaced and, without a …