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Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen, is to meet with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Transport Shane Ross to discuss the future sustainability of economically strategic connections in and out of Shannon Airport. It comes in the wake of the loss of the United Airlines’ Shannon-Chicago route from next year. “Having worked very closely with the airport in attracting Air Canada to Shannon, I am aware of the time and work that goes into securing such an important business and tourism air link. In the wake of the Chicago flights, I am also painfully aware of how quickly connectivity can be lost,” he said. On the same issue, Deputy Timmy Dooley has said that the independence gained by Shannon Airport from Dublin Airport Authority in December 2012 is not panning out as expected. “Shannon is competing with Dublin Airport and that’s one of the reasons why …

A verdict of accidental death was returned at the inquest into the death of a 15-year-old boy in Killimer at Clare’s Coroner’s Court this week. Described as “every parent’s worst nightmare” by County Coroner Isobel O’Dea, the jury heard how Kevin Donnellan, of Ballycurrane, Knock spent his last few hours with a friend at “his favourite place” – Killimer Ferry. The tragic events that unfolded, after the consumption of a significant amount of alcohol for a boy of his age, has had devastating consequences for his family and for the woman who accidentally caused his death. The court heard that Kevin left his home on Hallowe’en night, 2016 to meet a close friend near Burrane National School. His friend outlined that Kevin had brought a litre bottle of vodka, which was half full and hip flasks also containing vodka. They arrived at the school around 1.40am and decided to walk towards the ferry, which was “Kevin’s favourite place”. His friend …

MEMBERS of a youth choir will set the seed for hope in churches this weekend, to create public awareness of children who are experiencing a difficult time. The young people of Londubh Youth Choir and Celtic Ensemble have chosen lavender, a healing and native plant, to place in churches in Clarecastle, Ballyea, Ennis, Quin, Roslevan and Shannon. They will also present symbols of hope, love, courage, friendship and knowledge, which were made recently for the Youth Helps Youth project at these churches this weekend. They will team the symbols with encouraging quotes put together by the youth, such as ‘A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself’, ‘Don’t lose hope, you’ll never know what tomorrow will bring’ and ‘Once you choose hope, anything is possible’. These will be placed around the lavender plant, along with a healing prayer during the launch. The lavender plant is a symbol of growth, nature and the healing that will take …

DONALD Trump may be a divisive figure but efforts must be made to protect the dunes of Doonbeg, while nearby farmlands remain “under threat” from flooding. William Hanrahan, IFA county chairman, told the monthly meeting of Clare County Council that flood protection is a major issue for the county, with the IFA “intensively” lobbying the OPW and government departments for funding to complete outstanding works. “In some areas, planning permission is required and IFA would urge Clare County Council to wholeheartedly support these projects, whether it is on the banks of the Shannon or the Atlantic coast,” he said. He recalled that after the major storms of 2014, “vast areas of farmland were covered with water”. “If they are covered for some time, the whole area turns black and production is non-existent.” Mr Hanrahan said that the land at the back of the dunes at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg is “vulnerable”. “It’s over sea …

THE brain drain from the county’s fire services could lead to a  situation where “inexperienced” fire personnel are attending fires, it has been claimed. The assertion was made by Councillor Ian Lynch after it emerged that 22 personnel have left the fire brigade in the county over the past three years. Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly described the loss of staff as “a larger than normal turnover in personnel” and something that creates challenges for Clare County Council. The information was disclosed on foot of a motion raised by Councillors Johnny Flynn, Gerry Flynn, Christy Curtin, Michael Begley, PJ Kelly and Ian Lynch at Monday’s local authority meeting. They had looked for a report into the sustainability of the retained mfirefighter model. In his response, Adrian Kelly outlined that of those that had left the service, six retired on medical grounds, four retired having reached retirement age, two took up promotional posts with other fire authorities, four took up other …

THE ‘locals only’ planning policy in the county is the “biggest impediment” to the success of the Clare Rural Development Strategy Plan. That’s according to Councillor PJ Kelly, who has asked that the County Development Plan be reviewed to remove aspects that obstruct rural development. “We are doomed to disaster, unless we intervene,” he told this month’s meeting of Clare County Council. According to the councillor, he is aware of a number of incidences, where people who wanted to set up businesses in the county did not do so, as they were unable to get planning permission for homes. He said that something needs to be done “to allow development, without being asked to produce a passport”. He continued, “Different parts of the county are being severelydisadvantaged, while others are advantaged.” He said that the County Development Plan needs to be gone through “line by line”. “We have got to change a core part of the County Development Plan; what’s …

The Commercial Court has cleared the way for techology giant Apple to develop a data hall in Athenry, County Galway, the first phase of a planned €850 million development. Mr Justice Paul McDermott, in separate judgements on Thursday, rejected two judicial review challenges to the planned data hall at Derrydonnell, Athenry, the first of eight such halls Apple may build over a 15-year period. The judge noted Apple had recognised each hall was a “stand alone development” and the other seven data halls provided for in its “masterplan” may or may not proceed in the future and were subject to “market demand”. The reality is the other planned halls and asosciated grid connection will require planning permission and a further Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), he said. Rejecting arguments the data hall was a development that could only properly be considered as part of the overall masterplan, he held the hall can operate on a standalone basis and can go ahead …

Following news that United Airlines is to cease its seasonal transatlantic service from Shannon to Chicago from next year, Mary Gleeson, general manager of the Old Ground Hotel in Ennis, has urged Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to do all in their power to reinstate the key route. “After five years of promoting the Chicago-Shannon route to all our contacts, we are devastated to hear that United Airlines appear to be walking away from it. “We understand that the summer period was very successful for these flights and every time I met a client who had travelled on it, I was told that the flight was full or close to it. So I find the claim that the route is no longer financially viable hard to believe. “Surely the loss of this valuable route, in terms of regional development, particularly with the success of the Wild Atlantic Way, warrants the intervention of the …