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Pobal is calling on community groups in County Clare to avail of supports for older persons under the Seniors Alert Scheme (SAS). Managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Seniors Alert Scheme, provides funding for personal monitored alarms for vulnerable older people. While the scheme has expanded, with 608 older people in County Clare availing of personal monitored alarms, there is still scope for the provision of further alarms. A survey of those who availed of the scheme between September 2015 and December 2016 found 68% were living alone, 67% were female, while 51% of all participants were over the age of 80. 52% cited an ‘existing health condition’ as one of the reasons for applying to the scheme, while ‘fear of crime’ (13%) and ‘peace of mind’ (27%) were other contributory factors. For those living in rural areas, isolation and crime rated highest in their motivation for applying to the Scheme. Speaking …

WHILE the Fleadh is set to bring a carnival atmosphere to Ennis, sadly and inevitably a certain amount of people will be struggling and the Samaritans Festival Branch are coming to town to offer their support. Around 23 members of the branch from all over Ireland will be in Clare, where it is expected they will offer confidential emotional support to around 200 people next weekend. Sean Higgins, director of the Samaritans Festival Branch, explained volunteers at centres around the country also volunteer to travel to festivals. “There are about 70 volunteers involved in the festival branch and about 23 of them will be in Ennis. They’re from all over the country, from Coleraine, Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Dublin and, obviously, people from Ennis.” They talk to anyone in need of a listening and supportive ear. “We take our base in Ennis and we go out to the streets. We stand around, we have a little badge, we say hello to …

HOW can visitors, or even locals for that matter, best explore the streets of Ennis and its many amenities? A new Adventure Walks Clare app, promoted by Clare Sports Partnership, can send you in the right direction. Users of this new app can choose from four different trails in Lees Road and three in Ennis town.To complete each trail, there are a series of questions to be answered or clues to find as you work your way through the trail. It is suitable for all ages and abilities and, more importantly, it is free. The app was launched last week at Lees Road by Clare County Council cathaoirleach Tom McNamara. Also present at the launch were Tim Forde, general manager, sports and recreation, Clare County Council, and others involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Catherine Ryan of the sports partnership said they decided to launch the app ahead of the All-Ireland Fleadh, as it would beneficial for the thousands of visitors who would …

A COMMUNITY in grief came together at St Senan’s Church in Kilkee to remember the late Karl Haugh, the 25-year-old father-of-one, who died in tragic circumstances at the weekend. “It is a time of great pain, deep anguish, confusion, anger and darkness,” Fr Gerry Kenny said at his funeral mass on Wednesday afternoon, as he recalled the life of this “loveable soul”, whose time was cut so short. In a letter read to the congregation by a relative, Karl’s mother, Bridget, said, “He was our boy, whom we loved so much. For our son to be taken away the way he was taken is the hardest part of all. Our Karl did not deserve this; what child does? When you took our son away from us that terrible night, you took me and his father’s souls with him. “Today was the most horrific day of my and your father’s life, to say our farewell to you, our beloved son Karl. …

A third man has been taken into custody by gardaí investigating the fatal stabbing of 25 year-old Karl Haugh from Kilkee. Mr Haugh, a father of one, sustained fatal stab wounds during an altercation at Marion Estate at approximately 1.15am on Sunday morning. He was removed to University Hospital Limerick where he was pronounced dead. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis has since carried out a post-mortem examination. The man, in is 20s, was arrested in the West Clare area and is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Ennis Garda Station. This brings to three the number of people in custody as part of the investigation. Two others, also in their 20’s, are detained at Kilrush Garda Station. Members of the Clare Divisional Crime Scene Investigation Unit carried out a technical examination of the scene while gardaí have also appointed a Garda Liaison Officer to the Mr Haugh’s family. It has also emerged that Karl Haugh …

UPDATE: Gardai at Kilrush, investigating the fatal stabbing of a man at Marion Estate, Kilkee at approximately 1.15am this morning, Sunday August 6 have arrested a second man this afternoon. A 25 year old male received serious stab wounds and was removed to Limerick University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A 22 year old man was arrested a short time later in connection with this investigation and is currently detained at Kilrush Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 Criminal Justice Act – 1984. A second man, in his 20s was arrested in the Kilkee area and he is also being detained in Kilrush Garda Station this afternoon. The scene is currently preserved for a technical examination. The Garda Technical Bureau is scheduled to attend the scene later today. Gardai wish to appeal to witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the incident or have information  to contact them at Kilrush Garda …

The Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI have issued a joint appeal this Bank Holiday weekend for people to be vigilant and to take care on the water and along the coastline. It comes as both organisations note that August was the busiest month for coastal recreational incidents last year. Irish lifeboat crews last August alone responded 217 times to emergencies at sea. With the summer holidays in full swing, it has been a busy time for the search and rescue agencies and this Bank Holiday weekend, the two organisations are warning people to be vigilant and take heed of some simple safety advice. While summer air temperatures may be warm, Irish waters rarely exceed 15C, making them cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which causes the instinctive reaction to gasp and swim hard, which can quickly lead to drowning. As part of its drowning prevention campaign, Respect the Water, the RNLI is calling on the public to …

THE weather is not dampening spirits in Clare this summer, as communities right across the county gear up for a bumper month of festivals, competitions, music, song and dance, with plenty to do for all the family. It all kicks up a notch this weekend as a host of events get off the ground and pave the way for Ennis to hold its second Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. In East Clare, the Scariff Harbour Festival will play host to Red Hurley and author Michael Harding, with Delorentos and Little Hours entertaining in the Fair Green. There will be fun events, fishing for kids, workshops, the launch of a new cookery school by well-known foodies The Happy Pear and plenty of activities on the waterways. In Feakle, meanwhile, Martin Hayes is tuning up for his annual appearance with Dennis Cahill, as the International Festival of Traditional Irish Music marks its 30th year. This celebration of traditional music will see performances from …