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GARDAI have said the initial findings of a post-mortem examination following the death of a 43-year-old man whose body was found in Ennis on Friday show that he died of a single stab wound to the chest. The preliminary findings showed no sign of any third party involvement. The man lived quite near to where his body was found, in a green area adjacent to Collins Park. His body was found at around 10am on Friday morning by a passer-by.

IN the week of the first anniversary of his wife’s tragic death, Bernard Lucas has said he definitely senses her presence when he is on a call-out with Doolin Coast Guard. On September 12, 2016, Caitríona Lucas died, while on board a Kilkee Coast Guard rigid inflatable boat, during a search for Lissycasey man David McMahon (RIP). At 4.30pm this Saturday, a plaque, in memory of Caitríona, who lived with her husband and children in Liscannor and was originally from Ballyvaughan, will be unveiled at the Doolin Coast Guard Centre. The public is invited to attend the ceremony. “It would be great if people come along and see what we do,” Bernard Lucas told The Clare Champion this week. “People might not have seen the new rescue centre since it opened and this could be the opportunity to do that. They can see what we do and the gear that we have,” he added. Since Caitríona’s untimely death, Bernard has …

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in his early 40s, whose body was discovered in the Gallows Hill area of Ennis today (Friday) at approximately 10am. It is understood that the body was discovered by a passer-by, and it was close to a tree and a side wall at the edge of a green area, which has a pathway running through it. The man had been living locally. Locals were stunned upon hearing of the death. “It’s a lovely quiet area, we’re very surprised to have something like this here,” said one woman. At present the scene is sealed off, while the body has been removed. The scene has been preserved for a technical examination and the Offices of the State Pathologist has been notified. Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, in particular any persons who were in the vicinity of The Turnpike Road/ Gallows Hill are in Ennis between the hours of 10pm on …

September is synonymous with GAA and Croke Park, and the All-Ireland final weekends. Today Friday), Michael Lyster took a break from commentating on the finals to discuss World Heart Day on Friday, September 29. The RTE Sunday Game presenter wants all of Ireland to unite and Stand Up to Heart Failure. Heart Failure is a debilitating, life-threatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood around the body because the muscle of the heart become too weak or too stiff to work properly2. However, with access to timely diagnosis, appropriate medical management and follow-up services, a patient’s prognosis can be significantly improved. It is estimated that 90,000 people live with the condition in Ireland1. Due to Ireland’s ageing population, heart failure is set to increase dramatically, leading to an increase in hospitalisations from heart failure of more than 50% over the next 25 years3. Campaign ambassador Michael Lyster opened up about his own experience with heart failure at the …

AN emergency housing unit for homeless people is set to be established in Ennis. Clare County Council is searching for a property in the town for the unit, director of service Liam Conneally has confirmed. At a meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), Mr Conneally said a bid was made for a property last year but it proved unsuccessful. A second option was considered but the cost of the fit-out was higher than anticipated. The council has now increased its bid for the first property. SPC member Dermot Hayes said, “Homelessness has more than quadrupled and it’s tragic to see so many houses lying idle.” Mr Conneally acknowledged that the acquisition of a property “has taken a lot longer” than anticipated but he said it would be operating as soon as possible. In terms of location, he said the unit “has to be central”. Trade union representative Tom Guilfoyle urged the council to borrow money to allow more houses …

CLARE MABS is currently assisting more than 100 clients in late-state mortgage arrears, with a further 110 mortgage arrears clients also being helped by the money advice service in the county. Details of the supports MABS is offering throughout Clare was revealed at a presentation to Clare County Council’s Social Development Strategic Policy Committee. In relation to late-stage mortgage arrears, the results have included five cases where restructuring or long-term solutions have been approved; 11 cases in trial test periods, where, if successful, a long-term arrangement will be considered by the lender; 12 cases awaiting decisions and 10 clients referred for personal insolvency arrangements. The meeting heard that MABS runs a court mentor scheme, providing advice and support with an increase in the numbers of clients availing of the service in recent years. The Abhaile court mentor scheme sees MABS representatives attend local circuit court mortgage possession case hearings. An information stand is positioned in the court lobby, giving independent …

A MAJOR international conference at the Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon in November will be the forum for the launch of a world-wide sustainable tourism destination programme. The Burren & Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, which is hosting the ‘GeoparkLIFE: Tourism for Conservation’ conference, has produced a code of practice tool-kit and a heritage sites and trails management model under its five-year GeoparkLIFE conservation programme, which concludes this December. The associated destination manager guides and supporting tool-kits include an online code of practice in sustainable tourism for tourism businesses, a monitoring app for trails and heritage site management and an online data management tool for planners, managers and communities. The project coordinators say the tools, developed in conjunction with local businesses, communities and conservation agencies, enable a balance between tourism development and the conservation needs of the North Clare region.

Ireland’s biggest coffee morning together with Bewley’s takes place tomorrow (Thursday) with a number of campaign ambassadors and celebrities attending events across the country between 10am and 12 noon. All money raised from Ireland’s Biggest Coffee Morning for Hospice will go towards essential services such as homecare nurses, new equipment and development of new hospice care facilities. Among the beneficiaries will be Milford, which provides service for the Mid-West areea. To support this important campaign, you can take part in a local coffee morning, host a coffee morning or simply text COFFEE to 50300 and donate €4 to their local hosp