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Protesting beef farmers have officially halted their 24-hour “illegal blockade” outside a local meat factory to allow fellow beef producers sell livestock to address cash flow and specification issues. Clare beef farmers suspended their picket from the Kepak plant in Drumquin from midnight on Friday night. However, the Independent Farmers’ Group has warned protests will resume if progress is not made in relation to price and engagement with the producer organisations. In a statement issued earlier this week, Kepak the company claimed its Clare plant has been the most severely affected of sites by the “Beef Plan Movement’s illegal blockades”, with all processing suspended there effectively since August 2. “Kepak have now laid off 1,400 people including all staff at Kepak Clare. Kepak is endeavouring to provide our colleagues with every support and assistance during this difficult time. “It is now evident that self-appointed protesters are creating chaos in the Irish beef industry with little regard for its long-term future,” …

IN a statement issued to The Clare Champion on Tuesday evening, (September 17) Kepak Group confirmed that it has indefinitely postponed a €6.5m investment at its site in Drumquin as a direct result of the “ongoing illegal blockades” and that it has laid off all of it’s 48 employees in Clare and 1,400 nation-wide. “Kepak Clare has to date been the most severely affected of Kepak’s sites by the Beef Plan Movement’s illegal blockades, with all processing suspended there effectively since August 2,” the statement claimed. “Kepak is immensely grateful for the support of its loyal staff, customers and farmer suppliers who have been harshly impacted by the protesters many of whom are not known as suppliers to Kepak Clare. Kepak have now laid off 1,400 people including all staff at Kepak Clare. Kepak is endeavouring to provide our colleagues with every support and assistance during this difficult time,” the statement added. Thursday’s print edition of The Clare Champion will …

TEN-year-old Shannon boy Alex O’Shaughnessy is currently in Essen, Germany, receiving Proton Beam Therapy. It’s a cutting edge treatment for rare disease Embroyonal Rhabdomyosarcoma, which Alex was diagnosed with earlier this year. The family arrived in Germany on August 13 and on Wednesday, Alex’s mother, Agnes, said he had received 20 sessions of the Proton Beam Therapy, with 11 more left. He has also had a cycle of chemotherapy while in Germany and will have another before he returns to Ireland. “It’s only about half an hour a day for the treatment. There is one day-a-week where he sees the doctors and there are a couple of dressing changes. It’s just one day-a-week when we’re there for most of the day,” said Agnes. Alex has coped quite well with the treatment. “He’s good. There have been some minor side-effects. He’s having it near his throat, so there are some little issues but they are well on top of things here …

Gardaí have confirmed that they have arrested a second man in connection with the investigation into the murder of Aidan Kelly of Moyross, at Blackwater, Ardnacrusha, County Clare in 2006. A garda spokesman said they arrested a male in his 60s on Wednesday and following a period of detention at Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick he was released without charge, and a file is being prepared for the Director of Prosecutions. Meanwhile a man in his 30s who had been arrested earlier this week continues to be detained this Thursday at Henry Street Garda Station in connection with the same investigation. Aidan Kelly was killed on May 10, 2006 at Blackwater and up until Tuesday September 10, no arrests had been made into his murder. The Limerick man had been shot a number of times on the night of May 10 and a firearm was recovered at the scene. On Tuesday of this week a man in his 30s …

Gardaí investigating the murder of Aidan Kelly on May 10, 2006 at Blackwater, Ardnacrusha,  have arrested a man in his late 30s. He was arrested this morning (Tuesday) and is currently detained at Henry Street Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. Gardaí investigating this incident are appealing to anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant they may think it is, to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.

United States of America Vice President Mike Pence recalled his fond memories of cutting turf and pulling pints in Doonbeg when he returned for a private meal on Tuesday night. A small crowd of well wishers were delighted when vice-president Pence came over to the security barrier and spoke about his younger days in the Long Village for a few minutes. The Republican politician whizzed into the Long Village in a cavalcade of jeeps and a garda escort at 7.53pm. After embarking from his car, he and his close family members were welcomed by the owner of Morrisey’s restaurant, Hugh McNally, who gave him a warm embrace. Much to the delight of small group of waiting onlookers, the vice-president who was accompanied by Second Lady, Karen Pence, his mother, Mrs Nancy Pence-Fritsch and sister, Anne Poynter walked over to the security barrier that was placed by gardai on the Main Street. Vice-President Pence introduced his wife, Karen and his mother …

  THE strong economic and historical ties between Ireland and the United States of America have been emphasised by US Vice-President, Mike Pence at an event in Shannon Airport. Speaking at a press conference in the Presidential Suite at Shannon Airport, Vice- President Pence said it was a “privilege” and honor to visit the Republic of Ireland. The vice-president was welcomed on the runway at Shannon Airport by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, Clare County Council chairman, Cathal Crowe, Irish American Ambassador, Dan Mulhall, Shannon Group chairperson, Rose Hynes and Chief of Protocol, Emma Madigan after he came off US Air Force Two at 4.19pm on Monday afternoon. The press conference was Vice-President Pence’s first official engagement at the start of this state visit to Ireland, which includes visiting Doonbeg to meet some of his relatives. Vice-President Pence said he spoke to President Trump on the way who he wanted to extend his greetings to the Irish government and …

“IT’S very poignant that this photo is here, given that our family is living on both sides of the Atlantic, between America and Ireland, and we come through here often, and to think that Dad will be here to welcome us and send us off is very, very special and it means an awful lot.” These were the words of Brendan Grace’s daughter Amanda on Tuesday, as a photograph of the late and much-loved comedian was unveiled and put on the Wall of Fame at Shannon Airport, in the presence of many members of his family. Brendan was a long-time friend and supporter of Shannon Airport and he met with management earlier this year to organise adding his photograph to the gallery but illness prevented it being progressed at the time. However, at the wishes of his family following his sad loss in July, a 4ft x 4ft picture is now in place. “He was close to 50 years coming …