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THE Annals of the Poor: Scariff Workhouse Union Counties Clare and Galway 1839-1851 will be launched this Sunday in Scariff by John Minogue, assistant principal of St Flannan’s College. The MC is Colm Madden. Gerard chose to conduct research and write this book because so little was known about the workhouse in Scariff and very little has been documented about it. Although he, together with Michael O’Gorman, published a book on workhouses in 1974, this book is a chronological account and references records that have only since been made available online in the last 15 years and, in particular, the work of Dr Richard Robert Madden. Dr Madden, no relation of Gerard’s, offered up a first-hand account of life in the Scariff Workhouse and his reports shed a lot of light on what was happening there, particularly with regard the diet of the inmates and mortality rates there. “His work was really important. He visited the actual workhouse; he visited …

Alcohol is a contributory factor in 38% of fatal crashes in the lead up to Christmas, a Road Safety Authority (RSA) analysis of Garda investigation files for fatal crashes in the months of November and December has found. The figure was revealed today at the launch of the RSA and An Garda Síochána’s annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign. Another analysis of preliminary Garda data from 2008-2016 reveals that a total of 292 road users were killed in the months of November and December. The average number of fatalities each month for this nine-year period was 16 in November and 16 in December. The new RSA analysis also shows that: • Dublin, Cork and Galway had the highest number of RTC fatalities in November and December and accounted for almost a third (32%) of the total number of fatalities that occurred during this time period. • The most prevalent times of day were between 4pm-8pm (33%) and 12pm-4pm …

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has today announced the appointment of the Tánaiste and two members of Government. Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been appointed as Tánaiste. Heather Humphreys  has been appointed as the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. A first term TD, Josepha Madigan has been appointed as the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. An Taoiseach said, “Appointing the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney as Tánaiste will enhance his role in the Brexit negotiations currently underway and will make it easier for him to coordinate the work of other departments with respect of Brexit. “In appointing Minister Humphreys to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, for the first time in seven years the minister will be from outside the Dublin region, and also from the Border. This is particularly relevant in the context of Brexit and also the Government’s commitment to bring more jobs and good jobs to all …

THE expected return of Dr John Hillery as a possible candidate for the next general election is adding spice to the political manoeuvrings that have stepped up a gear across all parties. Although the resignation of Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald on Tuesday prevented a Christmas snap election, which no politician or voter wanted, all prospective candidates are now firmly in general election mode. The extraordinary political events of the past week suggest that, unless Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin add new safeguards to their confidence and supply agreement, which was severely dented over the Department of Justice emails debacle, a general election could be called early next year. Fine Gael, which leads the beleaguered, minority-led Government, moved quickly to select its two outgoing Clare deputies, Minister of State Pat Breen and Joe Carey, at its selection convention on Monday night. While Senator Martin Conway, who was one of the three nominations, withdrew at the last minute to …

A DNA sample taken from a razor blade belonged to elderly fire victim, was crucial in positively identifying the man’s remains. On April 4 this year, 86-year-old Patrick Behan died after “a very serious inferno” at his home at Tonavoher near Knockerra, Kilrush. An inquest in Ennis heard how high flames and the roof caving in at the home rendered neighbours helpless in any effort to save Mr Behan, who required a walking aid to get around. Neighbour, Tommy Donnellan told the inquest that he was able to see an outline of Mr Behan’s body face down on the floor of the kitchen as the fire raged. His remains were not formally identified until April 12 when DNA analysis came back. Garda Robert Wilson said that gardaí were able to retrieve a razor blade from Mr Behan’s car and in a DNA comparison with tissue from the remains, the authorities positively identified Mr Behan’s remains. A friend of Mr Behan and local farmer, Pat O’Malley gave …

  There were no surprises at the Clare Fine Gael Dáil Selection Convention as the party’s two outgoing deputies – Minister of State, Deputy Pat Breen and Deputy Joe Carey were returned unopposed. There was standing room only as delegates packed the Auburn Lodge Hotel on Monday night to select their General Election team. Three candidates were nominated Deputy Pat Breen, Deputy Joe Carey and Senator Martin Conway. Delegates were told that the national directive was to select just two candidates at the convention with the option that another candidate may be added, if necessary at a later stage. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin were criticised for causing the latest political crisis, which has seen the country on the brink of a General Election. Senator Conway seemed to be unaware of the latest revelations concerning beleaguered Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald when he stated that he was proud in what she has achieved in her department. The need for a contest …

MORE than €7.8 million has been allocated for the construction of 40 new homes in Ennis, it has been confirmed. “Funding of €7,854,000 is being provided by the Local Authority Housing Construction Programme under Rebuilding Ireland, for the construction of 40 new Social Homes at Ashline on the Kilrush Road, Ennis,” according to Minister for Trade, Employment, Business EU Digital Single Market & Data Pat Breen “The housing scheme will be made up of 30 three bedroom homes, four four bedroom homes and six two bedroom homes. The Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government will issue the approval in principle to Clare County Council on Wednesday, November 29. “These 40 new homes will provide much needed housing for people on the housing waiting list in Clare. These will be comfortable homes suitable for families of all sizes,” he added. “The approval of this housing scheme is another move in the right direction towards tackling the housing shortage in our county …

THE 2017 SuperValu TidyTowns awards for the South West and Mid-West region were presented at the Woodstock Hotel, Ennis on Friday. Minister of State, Pat Breen, and Niall O’Callaghan, community and sponsorship manager with Supervalu, pesented the awards. Also joining the Minister on stage was Siobhan King of Fáilte Ireland. Minister Breen, spoke of the recently announced scheme which will allow Supervalu TidyTowns committees to apply for a grant of between €1,000 and €4,000. He said, “I am delighted with the recently announced grant scheme that Supervalu TidyTowns committees can avail of. “Generations of people in communities have volunteered with TidyTowns to make our country a place we can all be proud of. I have nothing but admiration for the volunteers and this grant scheme is recognition from the Government of the huge contribution made by citizens in their own community. 2018 sees the 60th Anniversary of the Supervalu TidyTowns competition and this grant scheme is just part of the …