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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 …

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board was charged by the Department of Education and Skills with the responsibility of identifying an area in which to conduct a survey seeking the views of pre-school parents on the choice of school patronage available to them.  Ennis is the town selected for the survey. This is part of the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity Process, which was announced by the minister in January 2017. The minister has set a target of having 400 multi-denominational or non-denominational primary schools in Ireland by 2030. He hopes that many of these schools will come about through this process, whereby schools currently under the patronage of a religious group will reconfigure to become a multidenominational or a non-denominational school. George O’Callaghan, chief executive, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, said, “After careful consideration, training board has identified Ennis as the initial area in which to roll out this survey. The purpose of the survey is to …

During this spell of fine weather, ESB is reminding the general public of the dangers and potential serious consequences of swimming in any ESB reservoir. This is due to the risk of uneven ground, deep waters, changing water levels and fast-flowing waters. These waters include the reservoirs at the Ardnacrusha headrace and tailrace canal, in South East Clare, Poulaphoca and Golden Falls in Wicklow, Leixlip in Kildare, Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid in Cork and Dunlewey Lough, Assaroe and Lough Nacung in County Donegal.

Latoon Creek Bridge, located on the R458 between Clarecastle and exit 11 of the M18, has reopened in line with the six-month construction period and road closure, as works have been substantially completed. Some works will remain to be completed and L&M Keating has indicated that they may carry out these works within a temporary traffic management plan at the bridge over the coming weeks. The previous bridge was not able to carry full bridge loading (18 tonne limit was in place) but there is a state of the art bridge with a structure capable of carrying maximum allowable vehicle weights.

Clare has so far recorded an average turnout of 28% in today’s eighth amendment referendum but that figure is expected to increase significantly after 6pm when people finish work. The highest turnout to date has been recorded in St Conaire’s in Shannon where 31% of the electorate there have already cast their vote. This is followed by Ennis and Doonbeg on 30%. In West Clare they are turning out well also with 28% of votes cast in Kilrush, 29% in Caherea (Lissycasey), 24% in Kilkee and Kilmurry McMahon. Meanwhile in East Clare Tulla hs recorded a turn out of 26%.  

MOST polling stations surveyed by the Clare Champion had seen voter turnout in the region of 20-25% by the early afternoon. Doonbeg led the way with 25% turnout, while in Kilmurry McMahon it was 19% and 22% in Caherea. In Ennis the overall turnout was around 22%, while at St Conaire’s in Shannon it was at 24%. Twenty per cent of the register had voted in Newmarket on Fergus, while the figure was 23% in O’Callaghan’s Mills. The usual post-work increase in voting patterns is expected, as the 151 polling stations throughout the constituency will remain open until 10pm. A total of 83,225 people are eligible to vote in Clare.

  Clare County Council, on the advice of the HSE, has today (Friday lifted restrictions relating to public bathing at Whitestrand Doonbeg. Notices indicating that swimming is prohibited at the beach were originally put in place on Wednesday due to the detection of elevated levels of bacteria (e-coli) in the bathing water. On the advice of the HSE and following analysis of water samples taken on Wednesday and Thursday,the council announced the lifting of all restrictions relating to bathing at Whitestrand Doonbeg. The suspected source of the e-coli is run-off from surrounding land during heavy rainfall on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Clare County Council says bathing water testing protocols will continue throughout the bathing season. Meanwhile, lifeguard cover at Clare’s Blue Flag beaches, including Whitestrand Doonbeg, commences during the June Bank Holiday Weekend. Cover will continue on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of June. There will be full-time time cover at these locations, as well as at Bishops …

Gardaí in Clare detected a motorist driving 52km/h above the speed limit along the N17. The car was found travelling at 152km/h in a 100km/h zone. Details of the speeding detection were released by An Garda Síochána, ahead of a national speed enforcement operation this weekend. The operation, known as Slow Down Day, is supported by the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, and will take place for a 24-hour period, from 7am on Friday to 7am on Saturday. The objective of the operation is to reduce the number of speed-related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The aim of Slow Down Day is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed. In terms of road safety, 2017 was the lowest on record, with 157 road deaths. Excessive and inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor in road traffic collisions. …