News

TRADE and investment links between the Shannon Region and Canada were highlighted when Shannon Chamber held a briefing for the Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Nancy Smyth on a visit to the town. Local company Tekelek outlined how the Canadian market is a significant growth area for its sensor solutions and components which serve a vast range of industries, including oil, gas, water, waste water and agri-food. Demand has greatly increased, particularly in the Alberta area according to Sean Ganley, Chief Sales Officer. Tekelek has over five million sensors deployed in the field and employs 40 people in Shannon. The Ambassador was also briefed on inward investment into the Shannon Region from Canada. Dermot Whelan and Tammy Jerome of Limerick-based, Canadian company, Bath Fitter, outlined how the family-owned firm decided to locate in Limerick three years ago to develop Irish, UK and European markets for its bath and bathroom remodelling products.  “With over 250 locations in North America, the company saw …

RESIDENTS of a Shannon neighbourhood are crying ‘foul’ at being kept awake at night by ‘talking’ signs urging dog owners to clean up after their pets. A meeting of the Shannon Municipal District heard that there are “sleepless nights in Drumgeely” with residents disturbed by the signs which were installed to help prevent dog litter on the streets. The signs play pre-recorded messages reminding dog walkers to obey the law when it comes to dog litter, however according to Councillor Gerry Flynn the message is being heard late into the night in the homes of residents. He told the meeting that he has been contacted by people living in the area about the issue saying, “This is a very settled community with older people living there, people can’t sleep at night.” He continued, “It’s a disgrace these signs have been put in an inappropriate place next to the pioneers that made Shannon.” Tom Mellett, senior executive engineer stated that the …

Gardai are investigating a theft incident from the parish office at the Ennis Cathedral last week. A quantity of cash was stolen when two males (one adult and one child) entered the office on Tuesday August 2 at approximately 4pm. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area around this time or anyone with any information can contact the Gardai at Ennis on 065-6848100. Meanwhile gardai are renewing their appeal for witnesses to an assault which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning August 1. The assault on a male in his 30s occurred at Parnell Street, Ennis between 2.30am and 4am. Anyone who was in the area or has any mobile phone or dash cam footage or has any nformation relating to this incident are asked to contact Gardai at Ennis Garda Station on 065-6848100.

CLARE County Council has granted planning permission to the controversial €450-million Ennis data centre near the Tulla Road. Art Data Centre Campus in Ennis has become the first to be approved following publication of the Government’s new data centre policy. The data centre has been four years moving through various stages including strategic site assessment, zoning and planning. Developers claim it will create between 400-450 permanent jobs when the data centre campus is fully operational. Up to 1,200 will be employed in construction and 600 jobs in support services. The new Government Policy Statement on the role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy was published on Wednesday July 27 and the Ennis Campus is considered to align well with the policies set out therein. Mr Tom McNamara, CEO of Art Data Centres, the developer of the project, welcomed the announcement. “This is great news for this data centre campus and for Clare as the project will be a key …

A SWIMMER had to be airlifted to hospital yesterday evening after being rescued by a surfer from the sea off County Clare. A second person managed to make it ashore safely. The alarm was raised at around 6pm when it was reported that two people had gotten into difficulty in the sea off Doughmore Beach in Doonbeg close to the Trump International Hotel. Watch officers at the Irish Coast Guard’s marine rescue sub centre on Valentia Island in Kerry mounted a search and rescue operation. The Kilkee unit of the Irish Coast Guard was tasked to the incident. It’s understood that one swimmer, a male, managed to make it ashore safely. The second, a female in her 60s, was rescued and brought ashore by a surfer. It’s believed the woman got caught in a rip current and was found face down in the water. According to one eyewitness: “She was unconscious when she was taken out but then she started …

NEW housing developments should be finished to a standard that will allow estates to be taken in charge by the local authority immediately, according to the Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District. Councillor Michael Begley was speaking at a meeting of the local authority where the long-awaited taking in charge of Deerpark in Sixmilebrige was discussed. “New developments should be finished to the taking in charge point at construction,” he insisted saying this is “the only way to solve” potential issues for housing estates. Following a request for an update on Deerpark by Councillor John Crowe the council confirmed a proposal for the local authority to take the estate in charge is to be brought before a meeting of the Shannon Municipal District for formal resolution before the end of this year. However, the council has said a funding source needs to be identified to carry out works required at the development. Residents of Deerpark, Sixmilebridge, have been waiting a …

FOUR retailers from Clare have been named as Top 100 Stores in Ireland by Retail Excellence, the largest retail industry representative organisation in Ireland.  Shanahan Paints Albany (Ennis), Shanahan Paints Albany (Shannon), The Kilkenny Store and Wild Atlantic Opticians were today honoured by Retail Excellence.  The Top 100 stores are part of the AIB Merchant Services Retail Excellence Awards, which were established in 1997 to promote best practice and encourage high standards in the Irish retail industry and are now the largest and most prestigious of its kind in Ireland. The Awards will take place on November 12 in the Galmont Hotel in Galway.   Duncan Graham, Managing Director of Retail Excellence, said: “I am delighted to announce the Top 100 Stores in Ireland on behalf of Retail Excellence. These awards are particularly important for businesses throughout the country who consistently put an emphasis on excellence in customer service and retailing. “These Top 100 stores are flying the flag for the retail industry and have raised …

GARDAI are investigating an attack on a local man which occurred at the Maxol Station close to the Clareabbey roundabout on Sunday morning. At some point between 11.30 and 11.45am the man arrived at the premises and entered the shop. Three other men in a grey Honda Civic then pulled into the premises. Two of these men, both with their faces covered, then entered the shop and attacked the local man with weapons. He sustained injuries, which, while not life threatening, were serious enough for him to be brought to hospital. A short time later a burning car was discovered at Ballaghboy, Doora. Gardai are investigating whether there was a link between this vehicle and the Clarecastle assault. They also carried out a forensic examination at the Maxol station, while they are reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses. Anyone with any relevant information is asked to call Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.