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  In this weeks Champion Report we discuss the sad passing of HPV vaccine campaigner Laura Brennan, the stepping down of Shannon Group CEO Matthew Thomas, an unusual confession practice which had been operating in Cratloe, and our special guest this week is Shannon resident but Derry native, Charlie Morrison who discusses Bloody Sunday.

CLARE County Council has opened a Book of Condolence in memory of Laura Brennan, RIP, in the public foyer of Áras Contae an Chláir, Ennis. The Mayor of Clare, Councillor Michael Begley, has invited members of the public to sign the book and join people from all over Ireland and beyond in marking Laura’s legacy as “an inspiring and courageous advocate and ambassador for the HPV Vaccination Programme.” “Many knew Laura for her advocacy work in favour of the HPV Vaccine after receiving a diagnosis of terminal cervical cancer.  To those who knew Laura personally however, it was her courage and her amazing positivity that defined her,” said Mayor Begley. He continued, “When Laura first approached the HSE in 2017, she made it clear that every parent in Ireland who was about to make the decision whether their daughter was to be vaccinated against HPV, would hear her story first.  Laura’s story was most certainly heard when she appeared on …

HPV vaccine campaigner Laura Brennan has lost her battle with terminal cancer on Wednesday. The Ennis woman who had become one of Ireland’s leading patient advocates and campaigners for the HPV vaccine passed away on Wednesday at University Hospital Limerick. In a statement the Brennan family said, “Laura was a light in the life of everyone who knew her; a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. We are lost without her. “We are all incredibly proud of the work she did in the last 18 months to help protect other young women like herself from the cancer that has taken her life today. Laura used her voice, her generosity and her energy to help parents to make informed choices and protect their daughters from cervical cancer. She wanted to make a difference, and use the time that she had to right what she felt was a great wrong.” The family have appealed for privacy. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised. …

Sixth class children from St Senan’s National School in Kilrush may not have been granted an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis but they received the next best thing, the Pontiff’s blessing. Last week there was great excitement in the school when a letter, addressed to pupil Jenita Varghese, arrived on her desk from The Vatican. It was a very personal reply written on behalf of Pope Francis from his chief assessor in The Vatican, Monsignor Paolo Borgia. The Pontiff’s letter was in response to one penned by Jenita on behalf of all the pupils in her class. Jenita has posted the letter prior to Christmas wishing him a happy birthday, a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. She also implored Pope Francis, if he had “some time to pray for us as we are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation”. Monsignor Paolo Borgia outlined that His Holiness Pope Francis has asked that he reply in his name …

With well over half of the holiday homes in Kilkee unoccupied for the most part of the year, it has now emerged that there are actually more mobile homes in the resort that residents. And at a public meeting in the community centre, called because of the concerns about the proliferation of mobile homes in the town, the resident population issued a clear and unequivocal message that “enough is enough”. Local businessman John Williams said that while the mobile homes are a valuable accommodation bases for a large number of tourists, the fact of the mater is that there are now more mobile homes in Kilkee than people. “The message from the meeting was cut and dried; residents don’t want any more mobile homes and that was it,” he told The Clare Champion. The attendees at the public meeting included elected members of Clare County Council as well as candidates in the next local elections. “They will have been left …

Check out the latest episode of our podcast, featuring interviews with Liam Alford and Michael Vaughan.

GARDAI have confirmed there were no injuries as a result of an accident on the N18 Limerick to Shannon Road which led to traffic disruption this (Tuesday) morning. Units of Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service and Shannon Fire Service were called to the scene after a truck overturned on the northbound lane near Bunratty at around 7am. The route was closed to traffic and diversions were put in place, leading to increased traffic through Cratloe and Sixmilebridge. The road was re-opened shortly afterwards with Shannon Gardai confirming that there were no injuries. Meanwhile, a fuel spill has taken place the slip from the M18 to the N85 at Junction 12 Ennis. And elswhere on the motorway, there is a breakdown northbound at Junction 15 Crusheen which is blocking the left lane.

SCARIFF singer Sarah McTernan will represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. Sarah will sing ’22’ in the Israeli capital in May. She will be 25 on Monday and first came to national prominence when performing in the Voice of Ireland. Sarah will sing the song publicly this Sunday on Dancing With The Stars.