News

CLARE Local Development Company (CLDC) has announced the maximum rate of grant aid for private enterprises is to increase from 50% to 75% under the current LEADER Rural Development programme. Approvals under the current programme will run until the end of 2013.

THE getaway car used in an armed robbery of a bookies in Ennis at the weekend was stolen in Dublin last March, gardaí investigating the incident have confirmed.On Saturday, shortly after 7.30pm, two armed men entered the branch of Ladbroke’s in The Turnpike, while a third man waited outside in a silver Audi. Two members of staff and two customers, including 75-year-old Jim Cox, were in the bookies at the time of the raid. The robbers, who had Dublin accents, were armed with a gun and a knife and demanded the safe be opened. No one was hurt during the incident and no shots were fired. It is understood a passing taxi driver alerted the gardaí, who arrived at the scene shortly after the gang made their escape with around €450.Gardaí recovered the abandoned car afterwards in Glen Gardens, Ennis. The vehicle was forensically examined and gardaí have established that it had been previously stolen in Dublin. According to a …

INCIDENTS of animal cruelty are on the rise in Clare and the recession is partly to blame for it, the county’s dog warden has claimed.

The completion of the first phase of a major €3.5 million refurbishment programme at Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice, Ennis has been described as a “major milestone” for staff and patients.  Residents and their relatives joined staff at Cahercalla Community Hospital last Tuesday to celebrate the completion of phase one of the project, costing an estimated €1.5m. This phase included the completion of one ward, kitchen, reception and administration areas.Cahercalla manager Paula O’Halloran described the new development as a “major milestone” for the hospital.“The refurbishment provides residents with accommodation of the highest standard.  Prior to this project, the residents were residing in accommodation dating back to the 1960s. While some re-decorating was done over the years, the layout and standard of facilities was very dated.“Residents are now returning to a beautifully refurbished, spacious and yet comfortable and homely ward with tastefully decorated bedrooms, dayrooms and modern bathrooms facilities.“Staff will benefit from the revised layout and new facilities making providing quality …

A SHANNON fire-fighter was struck with what was believed to be an iron bar, after he came under attack, while attending a blaze in Limerick City on the eve of May Day.

THE eagles have landed in Mountshannon and they’re here to stay. However, due to concerns that the birds’ breeding may be disturbed, a proposal has been made to impose a no-fly zone around the white-tailed sea eagle nest on Lough Derg.

Clare’s crime statistics: mobile text alerts and the provision of CCTV cameras on the Clare/Limerick Border were discussed at a meeting of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee meeting this week. Carol Byrne reports  

SHANNON Town Councillors are concerned about the possible sale of a 1.4 acre site in the heart of the town.