Motoring

AN Ennis man who recently returned from a humanitarian mission helping Ukrainians flee the war with Russia is this week embarking on a fundraising mission a little closer to home. This Saturday John Casey, founder of the Tesla Owners Group in Ireland and fellow electric vehicle enthusiast ex international rugby player Peter Bracken, will be setting off on a mammoth trip around Clare to raise funds for the Banner GAA. They will visit every GAA club in the county on their journey of more than 550km. John explains that as well as raising money for capital development at the club the trip will also help challenge the perception that electric vehicles cannot travel long ranges. “There are 52 GAA clubs in County Clare and the distance to be covered is approximately 550km starting and finishing at the Banner GAA grounds in Ennis. We will be travelling to the four corners of the county from Naomh Eoin in the West to …

THE 38-year old daughter of a EuroMillions winner is set to receive an automatic driving ban over an incident in Ballina last year. This follows solicitor for Kevanne McNamara, Daragh Hassett telling Ennis District Court on Tuesday that his client is to enter a plea of guilty to a single count of dangerous driving. A conviction for dangerous driving will result in a mandatory driving ban for Ms McNamara of Ard Coillte, Ballina, Co Tipperary as a judge has no discretion in the matter and must impose a ban. Kevanne McNamara’s family connection to Dolores McNamara, who won a then record €115 million EuroMillions jackpot in August 2005, was not referred to in court. In total, Ms McNamara is facing charges concerning four driving-related alleged offences that include two counts of dangerous driving from one day in July last year. The four charges include a charge of Ms McNamara driving her 11-C registered car under the influence of an intoxicant …

DRIVERS are “taking risks every single day” at a notorious road junction in Ennis, with one councillor likening it to “Russian Roulette”. The frustrations of residents on the Shanaway Road who are awaiting road safety improvements were highlighted at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. An update from the roads design team on any progress made regarding the exit from Shanaway road onto Lahinch Road was sought by Councillor Mark Nestor following contact from residents. The meeting was told by council officials that designs for Active Travel Measures are being developed. Michael O’Grady, Executive Engineer, stated, “The Road Design Office have recently completed a topographical survey of the N85 from Claureen roundabout to the start of the speed limit zone, conceptual design options for Active Travel Measures are being developed for this area, the Shanaway Road junction is being incorporated in these designs.” Councillor Nestor acknowledged the response and welcomed the survey however he continued, “that’s all well …

A MAN has been struck twice by passing cars on a stretch of local road which sees motorists engage in “games of cat and mouse” prompting calls by Ennis councillors for the introduction of a temporary reduced speed limit. Increasing volumes of traffic on the narrow local road at Kilbricken that runs from Ballaghboy cross/Quin road to the N85 Dual Carriageway has resulted in “a nightmare” for those living in the area, a meeting of local councillors has heard. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, deputy mayor Councillor Paul Murphy outlined that growing numbers of traffic “has resulted in increased traffic jams/snarls, incidences of verbal altercations between motorists and games of cat and mouse as to which driver can beat the oncoming car to the next passing point.” He continued, “Residents living on the road have to endure this on a daily basis and have made me aware that a local man has been struck by a …

A proposed new NCT that was due open in Shannon will now not be developed. The National Car Testing Service (NCTS) has confirmed that the development has been halted “due to significant contractual difficulties”, and that “alternative locations in the area are being sourced”. Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, who received the news in response to a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Transport, said it would come as a disappointment to the people of the town and the wider south and south-east Clare area. “Construction work on the new centre had already commenced at the Smithstown Industrial Estate as far back as last summer, including the erecting of the centre’s steel structure, and it was expected that the centre would be operational by the end of last year,” said the deputy. “This is very disappointing news as it would have inevitably contributed to reduced waiting times for tests at Clare’s only other operational centre in Ennis.” Deputy McNamara said …

AN ASSURANCE has been issued on the delivery of the Killaloe Bypass and Shannon Bridge Crossing, against the backdrop of rising costs in the construction industry.  The matter was raised at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council on foot of the monthly Management Report. Councillor Pat Burke noted a paragraph referring to the “inflationary cost of building projects” and sought an assurance that the multi-million bridge and bypass are on track. “There is a little bit of concern on the ground,” the Fine Gael member noted.  Senior Engineer at the Project Management Office, Seán Lenihan agreed that there are a number of challenges facing big infrastructural projects. “Everybody knows about the pressures the construction industry is facing,” he said. “Our project is no different. This job was priced last August and we concluded negotiations with SISK. I would like to allay any fears. SISK have not withdrawn. The department has not withdrawn any funding. There are some genuine concerns over …

E-SCOOTERS were described as “a danger” at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, as calls were made for their regulation. Councillor Gerry Flynn called on the Transport Minister “to urgently put regulations in place to protect members of the public from the users of these vehicles on public roads and footpaths”. His motion added that “some serious issues are materialising for vulnerable people and the use of guide dogs by the visually impaired is being compromised by the presence of these vehicles on footpaths”. Among those who spoke in favour of the motion was Councillor Johnny Flynn who shared his own experience of narrowly avoiding being knocked down by an e-scooter. Councillor Gerry Flynn noted that regulation of e-scooters, as mechanically propelled vehicles, is not due to be put in place until next year. “They have been set loose on the public without regulations,” he said. “The Minister for Transport has created huge issues for the public. These things are …

CHANGING the proposed zoning designation of Spancilhill from a ‘cluster’ to a ‘small village’ in the Clare County Development Plan would help reduce speed limits and address “dangerous levels” of traffic speeding which has split the community in two, a meeting of councillors has been told. The “ongoing safety concerns” of residents due to speeding in Spancilhill was raised at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy. She added that locals are of the view that recent road improvements and markings are “insufficient” while asking if VMS signs could be considered. While Councillor Johnny Flynn confirmed he has made a submission to the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 seeking to change the proposed zoning designation. Responding to Councillor Colleran Molloy’s motion, Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer stated, “The line marking contractor carrying out the sign and lining work at Spancilhill Low Cost Safety Scheme were unable to complete the line marking work due …