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An Garda Síochána has issued an appeal to all road users to take extra care when using the roads over the June Bank Holiday period. “There will be an increase in traffic, as many will be travelling to different parts of the country. The school holidays will also be commencing for secondary school children, so we appeal to all motorists / motorcyclists to slow down, always wear their seatbelts, wear the appropriate safety clothing at all times, be well rested and never ever drink and drive,” said a Garda spokesperson. The spokesperson added, “We are anxious to ensure anyone using a vehicle is aware of our Bank Holiday Enforcement Campaign. Garda resources will be deployed with the aim of increasing compliance amongst road users and improving overall road safety. Motorists are advised that inappropriate speed, Drink driving, seatbelts and faulty tyres are the greatest contributory factors to road deaths and serious injuries. “Over the June Bank holiday period, many people will set out to …

IRELAND’S largest and most advanced emergency department has opened today (Monday) at University Hospital Limerick. A €24 million project spans 3,850 square metres of floor space, over three times the size of the old department. In 2016, UHL had the busiest emergency department in the country, with over 64,000 attendances. Almost 100 additional staff have been recruited to work in the emergency department, which has increased capacity for patients and has been designed with the input of senior clinicians to improve patient flow, reduce patient experience times (PET) and improve outcomes for the sickest patients. The new emergency department features the most advanced diagnostic equipment of any such facility in Ireland or the UK, including a c. €1 million, 128-slice CT scanner which is mounted on a track to minimise the movement of the sickest patients in resuscitation. The facility is separated into different pods and zones, allowing for paediatric patients, major cases, minor cases etc to be treated separately, …

Clare 1-13 Limerick 1-12 THE Clare footballers have qualified to play Kerry in the Munster semi-final in Ennis on the weekend of June 10/11 but they almost threw the game away in Cusack Park against Limerick. While they led by five points at half time and six 12 minutes from full time, an injury time Josh Ryan goal pulled Limerick to within a point of their division 2 opponents. While Limerick fought hard throughout, Clare held them at bay for most of the game, until Seán O’Dea intercepted a Joe Hayes kick out, which was aimed at John Hayes. O’Dea found Ryan and the Limerick substitute goaled to give his side renewed hope of forcing a replay. Limerick had a chance to create an equaliser but Seán McSweeney’s shot went high and wide, when he could have held up the play and waited for a support run. In a game which was played in front of an attendance of 2,968, …

THE Health and Safety Authority (HSA) are today beginning an investigation after an incident yesterday in which a bull injured three men at Ennis mart. The incident occurred yesterday morning and the bull has since been put down while two of the men remain in hospital. A HSA spokesman said that their inspector will be at the mart today, to investigate the incident. Clare Marts released a brief statement on Friday morning. “Clare Marts confirms an incident took place in the Ennis Mart on Thursday, May 25 at the point of intake of animals.  Three men were injured and taken to hospital and two men remain in hospital.  All agencies were notified of the incident.”  

The Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman today (Thursday) launched their annual report for 2016. The report highlighted that the Office of the Press Ombudsman received 261 complaints in 2016, down from 278 in the previous year. The complaints related to articles published in national and local newspapers, magazines and online-only news publications. In 2016 the Press Ombudsman made 23 decisions, down from 34 the previous year. Nine complaints were upheld in 2016. Speaking at the launch at the Maldron Hotel in Dublin, the Press Ombudsman, Peter Feeney, said, “Member publications are providing a service to their readers which is largely compliant with the requirements found in the Code of Practice”. Seán Donlon, the chair of the Press Council, welcomed the review of the Defamation Act, which is currently taking place. He said that “reforms suggested by the Press Council and others would result in the possibility of lesser financial court settlements and more frequent …

THE shocking events of Monday night in Manchester stunned the world, including the Mancunian community in Clare. The suicide bombing at the Manchester Arena killed 22 people and injured 59. Manchester native Ollie Mullooly, who is a very well-known DJ in Clare, has been living in the county for 17 years. He first heard about the tragic events, which followed an Ariana Grande concert attended by 19,000 people, on the family viber group from his brother-in-law in Australia. “Shocking. I’m still in shock now,” Ollie told The Clare Champion on Wednesday. “To make it even more shocking to my family, the first guy that was arrested lives half a mile away from my parents’ house. Apparently the bomber lived close to him. I don’t know if he lived in Chorlton-cum-Hardy as well. It’s a lovely place. It’s smaller than Ennis. It’s a south central suburb of Manchester. To think that he lived so close to us…It’s hard to believe,” he …

Clare County Council has opened a Book of Condolence at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis in solidarity with the people of Manchester and the UK in memory of the victims of last night’s terror attack at the Manchester Arena. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Bill Chambers said, “By opening this Book of Condolence, Clare County Council is giving the people of Clare the opportunity to express their solidarity with the people of Manchester and the United Kingdom following this senseless and callous attack.” “On behalf of Clare County Council and the people of Clare, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of those killed and injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and the people of Manchester at this difficult time,” he added. Members of the public are invited to sign the Books at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, during office hours (9am -5pm, Monday-Friday). Once closed, the Book …

Clare TD Michael Harty has condemned “in the strongest possible words the indescribable slaughter of the Innocents in Manchester last night.” The West Clare GP said, “To kill and injure teenagers and children on a happy night out at a concert is beyond comprehension. It goes without saying that no cause, no ideology can excuse this outrageous attack on the young and vulnerable. “As a doctor, I am very well aware of the grief and pain suffered by the loved ones of those who die in horrific circumstances. I am equally aware of the slow, difficult and sometimes incomplete recovery of those who survive. They are all in our thoughts today as they battle for life and hope in the face of this atrocity.” The independent Deputy, Dr Harty spoke of the close links between Ireland and County Clare and the city of Manchester. “Over the decades, many of our sons and daughters emigrated there. They found work and a …