News

My growing fear is starting to affect the efficacy of my daily thought processes. It has been building for some time now but moved up a gear last Thursday when I watched the first televised leaders’ debate in the history of British electoral politics. Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, the kingpins of the three main parties, stood before a live studio audience and 10 million viewers at home to give their two cents on the issues in the forthcoming election. It was every bit as staged and rehearsed as one might imagine it would be but it seems to have brought about interesting results.

THE proposed removal of the intensive care unit from the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis and the possible withdrawal of associated full anaesthetic cover next July has prompted renewed concern about the future of the acute facility.

THE 10 Clare clubs, who are to receive €25,000 each arising from the use of Croke Park for international soccer and rugby games have finally been identified.

GARDAÍ in Ennistymon are appealing for information after a two-car collision in West Clare on Tuesday, which claimed the life of a young man.

THERE may be a plaque honouring Joe Sheridan at Shannon Airport for inventing the Irish coffee but in Ballybofey, it’s being claimed that a Donegal man actually came up with the drink.

The Burren this week moved a step closer to becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site when it was named on Ireland’s new Tentative List being submitted to the organisation for consideration later this year.

One of Harbour Air Ireland’s first seaplane test flights took place last Tuesday morning in Mountshannon Harbour, drawing interested spectators, public representatives and concerned residents to Lough Derg. Local objectors had planned protests for the initial test flight, which was due to take place in early April but had to be cancelled due to bad weather conditions. However, no group protest was mounted by those opposed to the seaplane. When Harbour Air Ireland’s planning application for a pontoon and slipway to service a seaplane on Lough Derg at Dooras, 12 objections were lodged by individuals, as well as clubs and organisations in the area. Arising from local concern, a meeting of anglers and residents was held last month and a committee was formed. Secretary of the Mountshannon Angling Club, Adrian Hickey, explained that the committee is happy to let the planning process take its course at this stage but said the club was “very disappointed” with the short notice given …