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CT services at the Mid-West Regional Hospital have been suspended in the short term while the Health Service Executive recruits for a temporary consultant radiologist to fill the vacancy.However, acting network manager John Hennessy has emphasised that the suspension of the Ennis service was done in the best interests of patient safety and will only last until suitable replacements are available.“An active recruitment campaign is underway at national and international level against a background of a shortage of qualified specialists for a temporary consultant radiologist, pending the permanent appointment of consultant radiologists in early November.“Meanwhile, patients from County Clare who require CT scans are being accommodated in Limerick with minimal, if any, increase in waiting times,” Mr Hennessy said.He also disclosed that as a further support to radiology in general and CT scanning, the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Ennis has been identified as a pilot site in the roll-out, during the first quarter of 2010, of the PACs IT system. …

JOHN O’Connor’s electric wiring device to deter late night urinators appears to be doing its job with all but one visitor to his door this past weekend. However, his story, which broke first in The Clare Champion, has sent a shockwave around the world.John, who owns Custy’s Traditional Music Shop in Ennis, told The Clare Champion last week of his fury and disgust with men and women, who were not only urinating but defecating at the entrance to his shop on Cooke’s Lane in the town. Since then, his story has featured on national bulletins at home, in the UK, across the continent and it has even reached China.Following the long weekend, it is clear that the message is getting out there. However, John still had one visitor to his door for a bit of relief, who was instead met with quite a shock.John has warned that this particular person faces another nasty sting, as his face has also been …

A BANK holiday weekend stroller was shocked and disgusted to discover a pile of domestic rubbish, as well as a washing machine, in a forested area along the East Clare Way.Seán Allison from Broadford set out for a scenic walk on Bank Holiday Monday and had looked up his route online from the East Clare Way website. He decided to follow the loop walk from Kilbane to Broadford but his outing was spoiled by the obscene rubbish tip.Instead of returning from his walk with images of beautiful scenes and landscapes, Seán returned with photographs of refuse sacks and discarded home appliances.“I took a walk on part of the East Clare Way scenic walking route, which has some absolutely wonderful views visible. The section was from Kilbane to Broadford and you can guess my absolute astonishment when I came across a large amount of domestic rubbish that has been dumped into the forest. I certainly felt disgusted at the sight of …

KILRUSH woman, Irene Hamilton won the Network Ireland National Businesswoman of the Year award at the group’s national conference in Westport recently.Daughter of Brendan and Rita Griffin, Irene is now based in Limerick, as regional managing director for Johnston Press, and is responsible for such long-established titles as The Limerick Leader, The Clonmel Nationalist and The Tipperary Star, as well as South Tipp Today.Commenting on her win, she said she was delighted and honoured to receive the prestigious award. She acknowledged the support she received from Network Ireland national president Úna Murphy and all the members of Network Ireland and praised the group for their invaluable work in providing both an effective business and social networking platform for women in business right across the country.The judging panel for the awards included Suzanne Kelly, barrister-at-law and fellow of the Irish Taxation Institute and Kevin MacCourt, executive head of learning and development, AIB Bank.The conference theme was Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things, …

WITH a chilling warning that Shannon Airport is facing into its two toughest ever years, Clare Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen is pressing for a stronger Shannon say on the parent Dublin Airport Authority board.While new boardroom line-ups for the three State airport boards have been stalled by trade union protests over reduced worker representation, Deputy Breen wants more than the chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority to be named to the Dublin authority board.Predicting that “battles at board level will be vital if Shannon is to get a fair share in terms of finance and for developing and sustaining routes”, Deputy Breen wants Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to include a Mid-West appointment “with the necessary aviation background” among his five ministerial appointees to the Dublin board.While the chairperson of the Shannon authority will have a guaranteed seat on the Dublin board, Deputy Breen explained, “Because of the severe turbulence that is hitting Shannon Airport due to the uncertainty created …

IT now seems certain that the sustainability plan for Element 6 in Shannon will be implemented, with 163 of the 370 jobs that were originally facing the axe, now to be retained.Members of SIPTU, the largest trade union at the company, have voted in favour of the sustainability plan. While the TEEU have yet to finish voting on it, a representative said that it is now a “foregone conclusion” that it will be implemented. The UNITE staff group, which is the second-largest grouping, with around 70 members, are set to vote in the coming days but a representative said he believed almost all members would be voting in favour of it.It had been widely expected that workers would be in favour of the plan after the company agreed to accept a Labour Court recommendation assuring departing workers of a superior redundancy package than that originally offered.Workers are to receive around four weeks pay per year of service plus two weeks …

A KILKEE priest has been honoured for his half-century of service to his 200-strong flock on an Australian island.Eighty-two year-old Monsignor Seán O’Shea arrived in Australia in 1955 as a missionary priest and just four years later took up a post on Rottnest Island, off the west coast of Australia. Today, he is one of the most famous people on the island, which is located just 19km from Freemantle on the mainland. As well as saying masses he also acts as a tour guide. To mark his 50 years of committed service, he was this week presented with the third annual Des Sullivan medal by the Rottnest Island Authority for his outstanding contribution to the local community.Speaking at the event, Monsignor O’Shea, who is chaplain of the Church of the Holy Trinity, described Rottnest as “one of the most special places in the world. I said I would accept the medal because it might help give the island some publicity”. …

In a report on the matter, Gerry O’Donnell of the Water Services section of Clare County Council, said, “The 30-day commissioning test re-commenced on Monday, September 28, at noon. This test period ended at 12pm on October 28. No major operational issues occurred during the test period and the water treatment works performed satisfactorily. “Water was produced in sufficient quantity to maintain the required reservoir levels. Site testing to date would indicate that there are no quality issues with the water produced. Results are awaited from the full suite of quality tests. However, initial results would indicate that there are no quality issues arising. The hydraulic capacity of the water treatment plant was tested on 24, 25 and 26 October. The plant delivered the required output capacity.“Clare County Council are awaiting submission from the DBO contractor of full chemical parameter tests taken last week. Subject to verification from the employers representative that the tests on completion are satisfactory, a taking …