News

The designation of Microsemi’s Ennis plant as its new European headquarters has been hailed as a catalyst to attract other investors and additional jobs to the county town.Ennis Chamber chief executive officer, Rita McInerney, said the announcement is a significant boost to efforts by the Chamber, Clare County Council and employment agencies to attract new firms to locate in Ennis.Ms McInerney predicts Microsemi, which is regarded as a leading provider of semiconductor solutions, could be used as a case study of a company that overcame an uncertain future a few years ago to become hugely successful.Describing the announcement as a “major confidence boost for Ennis”, she pointed out it also safeguards the retention of up to 300 jobs, following the creation of 50 new positions last January.“Multinational companies don’t take major decisions like this lightly. The cost of doing business in Ireland is relatively high so the management and quality of the product produced by the Ennis workforce won the …

The amount of money paid to survivors of clerical sex abuse has fallen dramatically in the past year, according to the Killaloe Diocesan Accounts 2011 published this week. The payments dropped by nearly 90% last year to €20,748 from €195,799 in 2010. The diocesan communications officer Fr Brendan Quinlivan put the drop down to a decrease in the number of people requesting money from the fund. The accounts also showed a specific contribution by one donor of €200,000 in 2011 “to alleviate diocesan debt” and an accumulated bequest of over €1 million from one estate. The payments arising from clerical sex abuse are listed as special payments in the diocesan accounts. These are paid for from a fund called the Bishop’s House Donation accumulated from the sale of land beside the bishop’s house in Ennis.  “These payments are down so much because the requests of assistance from this fund have gone down. That is fundamentally the reason behind this decrease. …

A DECISION on controversial plans for the development of a €34 million retail park on the outskirts of Ennis has once again been deferred by An Bord Pleanála. According to An Bord Pleanála the ongoing delay is due to a “reduced number” of board members and a decision on the Limerick Road development is now expected to be made in the coming weeks.Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber that is objecting to the project, described the continuing delay as “frustrating” and said the hold up has left retail development in Ennis “in limbo”. A decision was due to be made by An Bord Pleanála on Wednesday on the appeal by Michael Lynch Ltd to the refusal of planning permission for the development by Ennis Town Council. However the local authority this week received correspondence from the board stating that it will “not now be in a position to determine the appeal before that date.” An inspector’s report has been received …

MANAGEMENT in Shannon Airport has rejected suggestions that senior managers are annoyed by Clare County Councillors’ criticisms of the decline in passenger numbers at the airport.Shannon Electoral Area Councillor PJ Ryan has made a claim that management wants county councillors to concentrate on positive developments at the airport, instead of focusing on some of its ongoing problems.Councillor Ryan made the statement after management sent a letter to councillors seeking their support to “join with them promoting the airport on an individual basis”.However, a spokesman for the airport insists the letter is in no way connected to recent criticisms expressed by local councillors.Lapel pins have been designed and car/business window stickers have been printed to build loyalty. Management at the airport asked public representatives in the letter to wear the lapel pin while attending public or private engagements, if appropriate, and to display the car window sticker.“We hope you will join with us in promoting Shannon Airport to help ensure the …

CLARE’S Chief Superintendent has urged those affected by crime to come forward and confront “bullies” by making a complaint, thereby letting them know this behaviour will not be tolerated. Speaking to The Clare Champion, Chief Superintendent Kerin said he didn’t wish to offend anyone with comments he made last week urging the public to make a complaint or “shut up about it”. “I hope I didn’t insult anyone because perhaps it came across being arrogant but, at times, our job can be very frustrating because we know of incidents that are happening and people won’t make the complaints for various reasons. They have got to understand that unless we receive a complaint or witness it ourselves, we can do absolutely nothing. “I fully understand why people are reluctant to come forward; there is a fear element out there but I keep saying that bullies have to be stood up to and if they do, invariably you find they are cowards …

THE number of motorists arrested for drink-driving on Clare roads over the August Bank Holiday weekend has risen to five from three last year but the increase has been attributed to an increased garda presence and the reduction of the alcohol limit.  According to Inspector John Galvin, head of the road traffic corps in the county. “It was a little disappointing to see an increase but it is a manageable increase”. He said the changes to the drink-driving limits, as well an increased garda presence, may explain the increase. He added that the new side-of-the-road breath-test intoxilysers are more sensitive to alcohol in the system and will detect it more readily.  

As 1,366 Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied students prepare to receive their results in Clare on Wednesday, concern is mounting among the farming community that productive assets, such as farmlands, may be included in the assessment of third-level maintenance grants. The IFA came out in strong opposition this week to any move to include productive assets such as farmland in means tests for the maintenance grant. While no decision has been made on this matter for the coming academic year 2012/2013, it was indicated by the Government as part of budgetary ­measures announced last December that it is proposed to amend the means test for student grants to take account of the value of certain capital assets, as well as income, for new applicants from the 2013/14 academic year. “A capital asset test implementation group has been convened to develop and bring forward detailed proposals on new means-testing arrangements to include the value of assets. “It is anticipated the …

Miltown Malbay community hall will host a planning and landscape architect information evening at 8pm on Tuesday. Following its recent ­selection as one of nine towns and villages in Clare under an initiative by Clare Local Development Company, in association with Clare County Council, Miltown will benefit from expert advice and assistance from a firm of town planning consultants and landscape architects. The project will be funded by LEADER and is intended to encourage local community groups and villages to participate more fully in the national Tidy Towns competition.  Miltown was successful following a submission by the local Tidy Towns committee, which set out a number of key proposals and aims for the town and surrounding areas. These include assisting with beach improvement, welcome signage, improvements to green areas, painting, planting and wall repairs. The local group, led by Eileen Lynch, has ­significantly contributed to the appearance of the town over many years and it is now hoped to advance …