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THE extent of the dramatic collapse in the Fianna Fáil vote in Clare from 44% to 22% wasn’t fully reflected on the doorsteps, according to local Comhairle Dáil Ceanntair secretary, Gerry Reidy.While local party activists expected a significant swing against the party based on national polls, Mr Reidy said a lot of constituents did not vent their anger or engage with canvassers at the door.However, he also pointed out that Fianna Fáil’s share of the vote was one of the highest in the country, much higher than some Dublin constituencies, where it slumped to as low as 10%.Regardless of which Fianna Fáil candidates were offered to the local electorate, he felt people wanted a change and a new government.Defending the two-candidate strategy, he described Dr John Hillery as a very credible candidate, who managed to secure a sizeable vote, despite being a late entry into the campaign.He highlighted the need for reform within the party. “There needs to be a …

FOR MORE COVERAGE CLICK GENERAL ELECTION 2011 link THE political landscape of County Clare has completely changed following last week’s watershed General Election. The Labour Party stole the show with Michael McNamara comfortably taking the seat vacated by Fianna Fáil’s Tony Killeen, who retired from politics for health reasons.

IT seems that St Patrick is big in Japan, where his replica garb is more easily found than in Ireland.That has been the tale recounted by organisers of a Guinness World Record bid in Kilrush. In recent days, they have secured 200 St Patrick costumes which, if worn on Thursday week, will set a world record for the highest amount of St Patrick’s spotted mingling in the one area. Acquiring the suits though wasn’t straightforward. Ian Lynch, who is part of the organising committee, has been trawling internet sites at all hours in an effort to secure the costumes. Eventually, he found a manufacturer, albeit thousands of miles away.  “They’re being made out in Japan but there’s no one in Ireland that deals with the manufacturer. There is a company in England that deals with them, so they bought the suits from the Japanese company and then we  buy them from them,” Mr Lynch explained. He didn’t deny that obtaining …

THE county fire service attended 460% more forest, bog and gorse fires in the first six months of 2010 compared to 2009.

AS emigration continues to hit GAA clubs across the county, two clubs have been forced to withdraw teams from this season’s hurling competitions.

ENNIS Town Council has queried the developer of a proposed €40 million retail centre for the outskirts of the town about why a second planning application has been lodged with the local authority for a development that is “almost identical” at the same site.

TWO scheduled sittings of the Circuit Court in Clare had to be adjourned this week after just 35 of 250 people summoned for jury duty in the criminal court turned up for service, while a civil sitting scheduled for Kilrush was adjourned as the assigned judge was unavailable.

A WAR of words has broken out between Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary and DAA chairman David Dilger.