Breaking News

IRISH aviation has become more and more unbalanced over the last decade with Dublin increasingly dominant, leading to many calls for new national policy. Speaking this week, Clare TD Cathal Crowe explained that there are options available, which have been successful in distributing traffic in other countries. “I think we need to leverage support for Shannon and the other airports, we are battling for Shannon but this for all airports. We either leverage funding off them, so the flights in Dublin are levied with a fund that goes to other airports. Another option, and I believe they have done this in a number of other countries, is that if an airline wants a landing slot in the capital, they can get it, but on condition that once or twice a week they also fly out of one of the other airports in the country. I think we could do that.” He said that such a policy would help to spread …

THE 2019 accounts for Roche Ireland have been filed, which show it recorded a loss of over €8.8 million for the year, as it proceeds towards its closure. The Director’s Report states that, “Ninety seven per cent of Roche Ireland employees were made redundant by May 2020 and the company has transitioned from a manufacturer to a construction site commencing the decontamination and demolition works in 2020, which will continue until 2023.” It said the pandemic has not made much difference to its plans. “The Covid-19 pandemic did not have a significant impact on the project progress. While the Clarecastle site was in a six-week lockdown, the project sub-teams responsible for developing both the regulatory applications and tender package were working remotely to ensure the scheduled timelines were met. No additional costs are expected as a result of the lockdown.” The parent company is providing finance for the closure. “The company continues to receive funding on an ongoing basis from …

A BAN on the use of inflatable toys at Clare beaches and waterways is in the offing, as part of a review of bye-laws designed to improve safety. Mayor of Clare, Councillor Mary Howard, proposed updating the regulations to ban the toys. She described them as being “meant for the pool in Ibiza, not Ballyalla, Killaloe or Lahinch”. The motion, which received a warm welcome at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council, comes on foot of a number of near misses over the summer months when children got into difficulties. Over the summer, lifeguards around Clare and other coastal counties, reported a sharp rise in the use of air mattresses, inflatable rings and other toys. Councillor Howard said that despite the known dangers, many people were still buying the items because they were inexpensive and widely available. “It was just €5 in one shop last week for what was either an inflatable unicorn or a flamingo,” she remarked. The …

CONTROVERSIAL legislation which seeks to give those with a terminal illness the right to authorise voluntary, assisted dying, is being backed by a prominent Clare health campaigner. John Wall, who has a terminal cancer diagnosis, said that the Dying with Dignity Bill, which has been introduced to the Dáil by Deputy Gino Kenny, is about offering a choice so that people can die peacefully. Mr Wall has now added his voice to those including cervical screening campaigner Vicky Phelan, who are calling for a mature debate on the issue of assisted dying. “There are many people with terminal illnesses who die peacefully,” the Quin resident said. “There are others, sadly, who don’t. Some cancers ravage the body and the mind and, for a fraction of people, no amount of medication will allow them to pass with dignity. You have to ask if there is a need for someone to die in pain, or drugged to the point where they don’t …

HUGE hurt is being caused to families in Tulla because of an ongoing spate of thefts from the graves of their loved ones, according to Councillor Pat Hayes. Seven incidents have been reported to Gardaí in recent months, with the latest taking place between 10am on Thursday, September 16 and 5pm last Friday, September 18. It is understood, locally, that up to 20 thefts or disturbances may have taken place, many of which people have considered to minor to report. “This is a disturbing and sensitive issue,” said Councillor Hayes. “In some cases, the families affected have suffered very sad losses and the last thing you would want is for the graves of their loved ones to be disturbed.” The Fianna Fáil member, who is chairperson of the county council’s Rural Development Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) which has responsibility for burial grounds, said every possible means of preventing a reoccurrence was being examined. “Burial grounds should be kept safe and …

WORK on laying the tartan track for the new Derg AC €500,000 multi-generational community facility started earlier this week. Set in idyllic surroundings in Clarisford Park, Killaloe, this impressive new development will provide athletics and leisure facilities for everyone including people with disabilities. Derg Athletic Club chairperson, Deirdre Coleman outlined that the committee and numerous volunteers are working on this project almost on a full time basis over the last four years. “This is a community training facility for everyone. It is not a competition facility. People of all ages can use it for walking or jogging. “The project started the day that lockdown ended. That was a huge decision to start a project in the middle of such uncertainty. “It is a facility that people will use even more because of Covid-19. It has taken us four years to bring this project to fruition. We are delighted to see that four years of hard work by everyone is paying …

ADDICTION support meetings should be allowed to continue in person, as and when Covid-19 restrictions move to Level Three and beyond, according to Clare-based senator Martin Conway. Fine Gael’s Seanad spokesperson on health, has described support group meetings as “life saving” and called for them to be designated as essential services, even in the event of restrictions moving to the highest, Level Five, status. Since Dublin moved to Level Three restrictions last Friday, face-to-face meeting have been suspended there. Senator Conway said the issue wasn’t just of concern to the capital but to the whole country, given the likelihood that restrictions would have to be tightened in different areas as we move through the pandemic. “I understand that AA together with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) have had to take this decision in order to comply with the public health guidelines as set out in the roadmap,” the Ennistymon native said. “These organisations are a lifeline to thousands …

FURTHER questions have been asked about the transfer of patients from acute hospitals into nursing homes during the first wave of Covid-19 in this country, with Clare TD Michael McNamara repeatedly pressing experts about accountability for decision-making in the early months of the pandemic. An expert report finalised last month, shows that Clare had the highest incidence in Munster of Covid-19 cases in nursing homes during the first wave of the pandemic. Clare had 176 cluster-related cases in nursing homes, while Limerick had 78, during the same time-frame. Another interim report on the situation was published by the Dáil Special Committee on Covid-19 and, its chairperson, Deputy McNamara said last week’s hearings will inform the recommendations of its final report, which could include a call for a public inquiry into the issue. With close to 1,000 Covid-related deaths in Irish nursing homes in the first wave of the pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that Ireland, as a …