News

RESIDENTS living in an Ennis housing estate close to the Corrovorrin River are “concerned” that “significant” overgrowth in the river may lead to flooding, a meeting of local councillors has heard. The Ennis Municipal District at their recent meeting were requested by Councillor Johnny Flynn to arrange for the cutting back of growth and a clean up of the “overgrown Corrovorrin River” particularly at the bridge into Corrovorrin estate itself. The councillor described the river as “very important piece of the river network” which helps to deflect flood waters, alongside having value as an amenity. “The residents of Corrovorrin are concerned, the growth is quite significant, and they are concerned that any potential flood water might come on on the estate.” He referred to the “fantastic plans” contained within the Ennis 2040 document to develop a Wetlands and Enterprise Area, “linking the lung of Ennis” to the east of the town, expanding into lands between the town and the M18. …

THREE new airbridges are being installed at Shannon Airport at a cost of a €1.8 million as part of a €10m investment to enhance passenger and staff experience. The installation of three 60 tonne airbridges form phase one of the airbridge investment plan, which will see the airport’s six airbridges replaced over the next three years. Airbridges are used to board passengers directly from the airport terminal building on to aircraft without exposing passengers and crew to the elements. The first of the three airbridges has just been installed at the airport and took over two days, using multiple cranes to fit it to the terminal building. The airbridge is capable of accommodating over 22 types of large aircraft, excluding some smaller regional jets. The newly installed airbridge, manufactured by CIMC-Tianda Airport Support in China, arrived at Shannon Airport after a long journey halfway across the globe from Shenzhen. A further two airbridges will be replaced later this year, and …

AN innovative project aimed at encouraging the use of the Irish language within the community of Ennis has officially begun with the welcoming of a newly appointed Language Planning Officer for the county capital. At a special event recently the Ennis – Irish Language Network Town initiative, in which Ennis town will be part of the ‘Gaelphobal’ (Irish language community) national campaign, announced the appointment of Macdara Ó Conaola to his new position. Foras na Gaeilge has facilitated the investment of more than €4.1 million to date in the language planning process in eight areas, including Ennis, that have recently received official recognition for the developments in their Irish language communities. These communities throughout the country gained this recognition and were given state support and funding to draft and implement language plans to further improve the use of Irish in their areas. Ennis’ designation as a national Irish Language Network Town is the result of continual work over the past …

A MAN in his mid-30s has been arrested for his suspected involvement in a number of thefts and break-ins in Ennis. Between July 21 and 22, a number of thefts and a burglary occurred in Clare’s county town. The owner of a car parked in Ennis General Hospital disturbed a male who had entered her car, while another car parked in Ennis Courthouse was also entered. A car parked on Cusack Road was also entered and cash was stolen from within. A black mountain bike was stolen from the side of a house in Lissaniska and a house in Fergus View was broken into and a laptop and cash stolen. On the morning of July 22, Gardaí were alerted and carried out enquiries and identified the suspect. A male in his mid-30s was arrested on suspicion of theft and detained at Ennis Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984. He was charged with theft and …

A MAN in his 20s was arrested in Ennis last Saturday in connection with a seizure of suspected cocaine. On Saturday, July 23 at 10.30am, the Divisional Drugs Unit conducted a search under warrant at a house in Ennis. During the course of this search approximately €3,000 worth of suspected Cocaine was seized. A male in his mid-20s was arrested at the scene and detained at Ennis Garda Station. This male has since been released from custody and a file is now being prepared for submission to the DPP. The suspected controlled substances have been forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. These seizures form part of Operation Tara which is an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels – international, national, local – involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.

THE provision of a new sewage treatment plant in Broadford will have to be prioritised, according to the outgoing chairman of the Killaloe Municipal District (KMD), Councillor Joe Cooney. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Councillor Cooney outlined a lot of projects have been progressed in the Killaloe MD over the last year. These include the new Shannon River Crossing, Iniscealtra, local authority housing developments in Tulla and Scariff and action taken on derelict buildings. One of the most positive developments is the possibility of securing a pilot scheme to provide a new sewage treatment plant in Broadford village. Unless rural towns and villages can secure new sewage treatment plants, he warned further closures of shops and post offices are inevitable. There are about ten locations in the KMD, which don’t have access to proper waste water treatment facilities, he said. Clare County Council will be putting forward two locations in the county to the Department of Housing for …

WATER Safety Clare (WSC) is working closely with the Irish Coast Guard, the Gardai and other groups to develop an early response support system along the Clare coastline. The initiative was announced by WSC chairman, Patrick O’Grady at the opening of the new €120,000 Lahinch Rescue and Training Centre, which will be used as a base by volunteers to provide support for community response groups. Clare LEADER provided a grant of €50,000, another charitable organisation provided €30,000 and the remainder was raised through fundraising. Procedures are being put in place that adhere to best practice for the safety and training of local volunteers from this new centre. Since the 1940s, WSC has worked to promote swimming and basic rescue techniques as life skills throughout the county. “Initial attempts to develop this Lahinch project were made in 1992. Unfortunately, the necessary support was not there to support these early efforts,” Mr O’Grady outlined. “Fortunately, this changed in recent years, at a …

THE TRANSFER of Shannon Heritage’s Clare sites into the ownership of the local authority cannot proceed without a funding package from government, Council members have been reminded.  At the July meeting of Clare County Council, CEO Pat Dowling said that while intensive work is ongoing on the matter, a decision is still awaited on vital financial support.  A written response to a motion tabled by Councillor Pat McMahon also noted that “the ambiguity surrounding Shannon Heritage ownership is having a negative influence on operations and the morale of the 170 no. employees”. Councillor McMahon’s motion urged the Council to look at opportunities to spread the benefits of Clare’s tourism product, in light of the transfer moves.  “We could explore something like the ‘Ring of Clare’ to bring people right through county,” the Fianna Fáil member said. “We could also hold a competition on branding and invite submissions from schools.” The Shannon area member also noted the lack of hotel beds …