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ENNIS teenager Shay Moloney will be remembered by his family as “forever young, forever our warrior, forever our hero”, his funeral mass was told. The 15 year old was laid to rest on Monday after tragically losing his life in a swimming accident along with is friend Jack Kenneally, who he had desperately tried to save. Ennis Cathedral was packed to capacity as mourners, including friends from St Flannan’s College and Ennis Rugby Club, gathered to say their final goodbyes at the emotional ceremony. His uncle Louis Moloney, speaking on behalf of the family, told those gathered, “What can you say about a young man who only had 15 years of his life. The answer is a lot, too much to mention here. Shay crammed more into his 15 years than most do in a lifetime.” He described his nephew as “a character in every sense of the word, with a bubbly personality and a cheeky grin for everybody. There …

“I wish it was a bad dream”, the devastated father of Jack Kenneally told mourners at Ennis Cathedral as the teenager was laid to rest on Sunday. Hundreds of mourners packed the church to say their last goodbyes and to pay tribute to the talented rugby player who along with his friend Shay Moloney tragically lost their lives in a swimming accident at Knockanean on Thursday. Jack’s father Sean, surrounded by his daughters for support, emotionally spoke about the “sense of shock and disbelief” that the family have felt while trying to come to terms with the tragedy. “I wish it was a bad dream, clearly it is not,” he said. He acknowledged the “overwhelming outpouring” of support and sympathy that the family have He described his son as “our rugby star, our little fella” who “achieved so much”. “I was really proud to call myself Jack’s dad.” He paid tribute to Jack’s friend Shay who heroically tried to save …

Mayor of Clare Tom McNamara, today (Friday) presented Clare County Fire and Rescue Service with 166 sets of next generation fire kits for firefighters. The Fire Action Matrix X-treme kits were acquired from Hunter Apparel Solutions Limited at a cost of €243,000 and represent the latest in a number of positive developments for the local fire service. Earlier this year, construction works began on upgrading and extending Kilkee Fire Station as part of a €661,000 investment in modernising the facilities for the local fire brigade. The fire service recently took delivery of high pressure lifting bags at a cost of €66,000 to enhance the response to road based incidents. The fire service is also awaiting final approval to order a new Class B Fire Appliance costing €340,000 for expected delivery in 2019. Mayor McNamara said, “The new protective clothing will continue to provide crews with the best protection they have ever had at incidents. The high quality specification underlines Clare …

THE two boys who drowned while swimming at a disused quarry near Knockanean yesterday have been named as Jack Kenneally and Shay Moloney. The 15 year olds got into difficulty while swimming yesterday afternoon and they were pronounced dead after being brought to University Hospital Limerick. Ennis Rugby Club posted pictues of the young men on its Twitter account this morning and it paid tribute to the two. The club’s tweet said, “Our brothers and arms Our warriors when the going got tough. Our leaders when the pressure came on. Our pride when they took the field. Our joy when they lit it up off the field. Our devilment when it all got too serious. Our gentlemen always. Our terrible loss.”

Two boys, both aged 15, who were swimming at a quarry in Ennis have died at University Hospital Limerick. It is understood that the two teenagers got into difficulty at a disused quarry near Knockanean in the town today [Thursday]. Both boys were recovered by the Coastguard helicopter shortly after 3.30pm, after gardai were notified that people were in difficulty in the water, at Knockanean quarry lake and assistance was required. They were airlifted to University Hospital Limerick but this evening news has emerged that both have been pronounced deceased. Both are believed to be from Ennis. Their names will not be released until family members have been notified. It is understood that the teenagers were due to sit their junior certificate examinations on Wednesday.

Gardaí have confirmed that the Coastguard helicopter has recovered two teenagers who got into difficulty swimming in the quarry at Roslevan. The condition of the two boys is not yet known but they have both been taken to University Hospital Limerick. The incident occurred at approximately 4pm today. The Coastguard helicopter was deployed to deal with the situation and the two teenagers were retrieved from the water.  

MORE out-of-hours support for end-of-life patients requiring specialised pain management are needed, according to a local carer, who has outlined the “nightmare” experience in looking after her late mother. While the Irish Cancer Society does provide a night nurse for an average of 10 nights, up to a maximum of 14, the carer stated this is inadequate for anyone looking after a patient at home for a number of months. Apart from this service, the carer claimed Milford Hospice, which is the main palliative care provider in the Mid-West, is not in a position to send out a night nurse to deliver pain relief for a patient in the middle of the night. Nursing her mother, who was in her eighties, at home for four months, the carer stated phone support is only available from Milford after 6pm. “No doctor ever came out to my home. I had to take my mother once to a doctor at 10.30pm, some four …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to motorcycle riders to ‘Bike Safe’ as the risk to riders’ safety is set to increase over the summer months. An examination of forensic collision investigation files published in 2016 by the RSA found that almost a third of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol and that bikers speeding was a factor is almost half of all motorcyclist deaths. While the majority of motorcycle riders are absolutely aware of their vulnerability when biking, some may not be so safety conscious. Younger riders on powerful machines need to appreciate the risk they face and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The RSA study also found that half of the 80 motorcyclists deemed culpable for the collision were aged between 25 and 34 years old. The message from the RSA and gardaí to these bikers is to never drink drive. You simply cannot …