Car Tourismo Banner
Home » Breaking News (page 720)

Breaking News

Post office deal sees bank ‘piggybacking’ on State – Talty

A POSTMASTER and local councillor has accused Bank of Ireland of “piggybacking on the State,” in its deal which the bank says is designed to cushion the blow of branches closures in Miltown Malbay, Kilkee, Tulla and elsewhere. Last Monday, in tandem with announcing the shutting of over 100 branches, Bank of Ireland outlined a new deal to allow its customers to do their financial business in post offices. Councillor Shane Talty, who is postmaster in Ennistymon and Lahinch, described the planned closures as “regressive”. “There’s a report from consultants Grant Thornton recommending an annual €17 million Public Service Obligation (PSO) commitment to the post office network,” he said. “The bank is piggybacking on the State and the fact that it will ultimately have responsibility to support services. The bank is abandoning the community and the State will be left holding the post office network in its lap. The transaction fee to postmasters will not sustain the network.” Deputy Michael …

Read More »

Clare prisoner support project threatened by lack of funds

A FUNDING shortfall is threatening the work of Bedford Row Clare, a project designed to help prisoners to avoid reoffending. The most recently available figures, dating to 2019, show there were 124 people in prison with Clare addresses, with many more people affected by the imprisonment of family members. While the need remains consistently high, the Bedford Row project, which has an office at Centrepoint Business Park in Ennis, has seen its staffing and funds reduced since the onset of the pandemic. “We had a full-time worker supported by part-time volunteers, as well as resources from our founders, the Bedford Row Family Project in Limerick,” outlined Frank Gunter, a retired Garda Superintendent. “We now have one part-time staff member only, working to respond to the needs of people in prison and their families. The pandemic has made their situation more complex and it’s a very challenging time for them.” Mr Gunter, who is the chairperson of Bedford Row Clare and …

Read More »

Gardai break up outdoor drinking party in Clare town

Gardaí were called to disperse a group of young people who had were allegedly drinking and gathering together contrary to public health guidelines in a Clare town on Saturday night. Once gardaí arrived on the scene in Killaloe, young people fled before they could be cautioned, leaving a picnic table full of empty bottles of alcohol. A spokesman for Killaloe Gardaí confirmed there were about 20 youths when gardaí arrived in the Ballina Quay area around 7.30pm in response to complaints from members of the public. He said the young teenagers ran off in different directions and gardaí carried out further mobile patrols, which ensured there was no further incidents of this kind. While no on-the-spot fines were issued to youths following this incident, he confirmed gardaí have issued fines to people who refused to comply with public health guidelines in other parts of the county. He said gardaí normally issued fines when people refused to comply with their instructions …

Read More »

Doolin dancer Tess is ‘Immersed in Blue’

AN INSPIRING video essay has been released by a Doolin dancer, urging people to use creativity and the natural world to support them in these challenging times. In the piece, filmed by Clem McInerney, Tess McGovern, an Irish dancer and teacher, relates how her world came to a stop last March and how she found solace in her native Doolin. The script, which Tess spent several months perfecting, describes the onset of the pandemic and how “waves of worry rose and the darkness set in, like a wild Atlantic storm the challenges grew, under siege by the westerly winds”. “Last March, I was working with the Milwaukee Irish Dance Company who, like all Irish dancers in America would be really busy around St Patrick’s Day,” Tess told The Champion. “It’s a time I would normally be teaching, gigging and lecturing. Then stuff started getting cancelled. The States were slower to go into lockdown but I got back on March 19 …

Read More »

Clare Covid-19 figures revealed by health authorities

NINETEEN new cases of Covid-19 have been reported for county Clare this Wednesday, with the 14-day incidence figure reading 149.8 per 100,000 of population. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre reported 566 confirmed new cases of the virus this Tuesday,  bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 221,189. The HSPC also notified of 25 additional deaths related to Covid-19. Five deaths occurred in March, 13 occurred in February and six in occurred January or earlier. There has been a total of 4,357 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. Of the cases notified this Wednesday 280 are men, 284 are female, 68% are under 45 years of age. The median age is 34 years old. Some 233 in Dublin, 37 in Kildare, 30 in Meath, 25 in Donegal, 24 in Westmeath and the remaining 217 cases are spread across all other counties . As of Wednesday morning 489 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 114 are in ICU. There were 29 …

Read More »

Investor services company to create 45 jobs in Clare

THERE was good news this morning for Clare with the announcement that a financial services company was to create 45 jobs in the county. IQ-EQ, a leading global investor services group, has today announced plans to expand its Irish operations with the launch of a dedicated Funds business in Ireland creating 45 roles in Shannon over the next five years. IQ-EQ provides a comprehensive range of compliance, administration, asset and advisory services to alternative funds, global companies, and private and institutional investors globally. This includes a 135-strong team in Northern Ireland, specialised in fund administration and depositary services, plus third-party alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) platforms in London as well as Luxembourg. IQ-EQ has been active in Ireland for over 30 years, providing a full range of corporate administration and structured finance solutions from its offices in Dublin and Shannon. This move signifies the importance of Ireland as a funds domicile, particularly in light of recent changes to the Irish …

Read More »

Six new cases of Covid-19 in Clare as 687 new cases confirmed nationally

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of six additional Covid-19 cases in Clare and one additional death related to Covid-19. This death occurred in January. There has been a total of 4,319* Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Sunday, February 28, the HPSC has been notified of 687 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There is now a total of 220,273** confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 352 are men / 334 are female 71% are under 45 years of age The median age is 30 years old 240 in Dublin, 49 in Limerick, 44 in Offaly, 40 in Galway, 36 in Louth and the remaining 278 cases are spread across 19 other counties***. As of 8am today, 540 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 120 are in ICU. 14 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of February 26, 426,070 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland: 285,780 …

Read More »

Aer Lingus staff at Clare airport laid off until summer

AER Lingus has confirmed it is to lay off all 129 Inflight Service and Ground Operations staff in Shannon Airport from next Monday, March 8, until June 7. The workers will not receive a wage for the duration of this layoff and Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Aviation Cathal Crowe has labelled the move a real blow for the region. “Aer Lingus’s announcement is majorly disappointing and a real blow for its Shannon workers, who have faced almost a year of stress and anxiety about their jobs,” said Deputy Crowe. A statement from the airline referencing the announcement on Friday of its full year results said it showed Aer Lingus recorded an operating of loss of €361m in 2020. “This represents the largest ever loss in the airline’s history and demonstrates the profound impact of Covid-19.  Increased travel restrictions in Ireland and across our network and the subsequent negative impact on demand for travel required us to review our network schedule and …

Read More »