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At just 22 years of age, the career of Maurice Nugent has already ticked plenty boxes with the latest one seeing him embark on his first year as a full time professional player with Galway United. The Ennis native is entering his fifth season with the Tribesmen’s senior team where his reputation as a solid and versatile defender has seen him earn plenty plaudits around Eamon Deacy Park and beyond. It is no major surprise to see the former Avenue United man take that next step, having come through the academy system with Galway United including a spell as captain of the U-19 side. The NUIG graduate has also had the honour of captaining his country with two international caps to his name having played at World University Games in Taiwan in 2017 with the captains armband coming last year when the squad travelled to Italy. His first full senior season in Galway came in 2017, when former Clare Oscar …

AN Ennis man charged with the murder of mother of two, Sharon Bennett was today further remanded in custody. At Gort District Court, Patrick Ballard (34) appeared after being charged with the murder of Wexford native, Ms Bennett before the sitting of Ennis District Court on Wednesday. Mr Ballard of Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis, has been on remand in prison after being initially charged with the assault causing harm of Ms Bennett (29) in the Market area of Ennis on Thursday, January 28, last. Ms Bennett died 13 days later at University Hospital Limerick. At Gort District Court today, Sgt Daithi Cronin stated that Mr Ballard could be further remanded to appear at Ennis District Court via video link from Limerick prison on April 14. Sgt Cronin stated that Mr Ballard was being further remanded to that date for the serving of the Book of Evidence. The initial charge of assault causing harm against Mr Ballard has been withdrawn now …

GARDAI are investigating reports of a suspicious approach to a child outside Clooney National School on Wednesday afternoon. It is understood a male in a van approached a child and said that the child’s mother had asked him to pick the child up. However the child declined to go with the man, and he drove away. The incident occurred outside the school at around 3.05pm. Gardai have asked that anyone who saw anything suspicious or who has dashcam footage would get in touch with them. They have urged parents to warn their children not to accept any unsolicited lifts. In a subsequent email to parents, principal Shane Greene wrote, “This is an extremely serious and upsetting incident. I would ask that we all remain vigilant. parents should remind children not to leave the school grounds until their car is visible after school.” Owen Ryan

MORE than 17,000 first doses of vaccines against Covid-19 have been delivered by vaccinators in the Mid-West, according to official figures. The UL Hospitals’ Group vaccination programme resumed administering the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Mid-West Vaccination Centre in the Radisson Blu on Sunday, March 21. Up to close of business on Sunday March 21st, ovaccinators had delivered a total of 17,167 first doses, and 5,248 second doses of Covid-19 vaccine. The group’s Vaccination Programme has been rolled out to healthcare workers across the Mid-West, including staff from the group, HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service, and staff and residents of some nursing home facilities. It has also included patients at very high risk of illness associated with Covid-19, of whom some 699 received their Dose 1 vaccinations on Sunday. Colette Cowan, Chief Executive Officer, UL Hospitals’ Group, said staff are privileged to be part of this mass vaccination programme and noted it is a great boost to …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of six additional cases of Covid-19 in Clare and 18 additional deaths related to Covid-19 nationally. Of the deaths reported today, six occurred in March, seven in February and five in January. There has been a total of 4,628 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Tuesday, March 23, the HPSC has been notified of 683 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There is now a total of 232,164 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.* Of the cases notified today: 324 are men / 359 are women 75% are under 45 years of age The median age is 32 years old 308 in Dublin, 68 in Donegal, 49 in Kildare, 35 in Meath, 30 in Offaly and the remaining 193 cases are spread across 21 other counties**. As of 8am today, 329 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 76 are in ICU. 18 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of …

A 34-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a woman in Ennis. Patrick Ballard, with an address at Ashford Court, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court today (March 24). He is charged with the murder of mother of two, Sharon Bennett (29). Ballard was previously charged with assault causing harm to Ms Bennett in the Market area of Ennis on January 28. That charge was today withdrawn and struck out. The accused was remanded in custody to appear at Gort district court tomorrow. The issue of bail was not raised in court as the district court does not have jurisdiction to deal with a bail application on a murder charge. Sharon Bennett, a native of Wexford, died at University Hospital Limerick on February 10, thirteen days after she was admitted. In court today, detective Garda Noelle Bergin of Ennis Garda Station said she arrested Ballard for the purpose of charge at Ennis Courthouse at 10.29am At 10.30am, the court …

GARDAI have seized €9,000 of suspected drugs on March 23, 2021 as part of two separate investigations. Shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday Gardaí from Clare Divisional Drugs Unit executed a search warrant at a house in Miltown Malbay. During the course of the search Gardaí seized €1,000 of suspected cocaine. No arrests have been made but Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry. At around 6.30pm Gardaí from Clare Divisional Drugs Unit executed a search warrant at a house in Ennis. During the course of the search Gardaí seized €8,000 of suspected cannabis herb that was split into small bags. A man, aged in his thirties, was arrested at the scene and brought to Ennis Garda Station. He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and has since been released. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. All of the suspected drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for …

A YOUNG woman missing from Ennis has been located safe and well by Gardaí, along with her baby daughter. 16-year-old Larisa Rostas and her ten-month-old daughter Narcisa had been missing for a number of weeks. Gardaí confirmed this evening that both have been found, safe and well. The force has thanked Gardaí and the media for their help.