News

IN the Dáil this week, Clare TD Michael McNamara called for progress on the transfer of Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council, claiming that the matter is being “bounced around Government Buildings.” Addressing the Taoiseach on Tuesday, Deputy McNamara said, “The day Deputy Micheál Martin was elected as Taoiseach, I raised the issue of Shannon Heritage sites with him and the need to take them out of Shannon Group, which does not want them, and give them a new lease of life. “I have raised it several times since. The last time, the Taoiseach said Clare County Council just needs to get on with it. I understand the council very much wants to get on with it but the proposal is being bounced around Government Buildings.  “At the moment, it is between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Transport and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Can the Taoiseach, as Head of Government, tell …

THE partner of former Sinn Fein TD, Violet-Anne Wynne, John Mountaine was a ‘no-show’ in court this week as he is currently homeless and living in Co Longford. At Kilrush District Court, solicitor for Mr Mountaine, Patrick Moylan told Judge Mary Larkin his client’s whereabouts when explaining why he wasn’t in court to face seven alleged offences under the Road Traffic Act including allegedly driving with no insurance and driving without a licence last October. Mr Moylan said, “Mr Mountaine contacted me yesterday to say that he is in Longford and is homeless and doesn’t want to plead guilty.” Seeking a date for a hearing into the case, Mr Moylan told Judge Mary Larkin that Mr Mountaine’s defence “is based on the same argument we had before”. When the case first came before Judge Larkin in May, she had asked Mr Moylan, “If he was stopped on October 21st last why hasn’t he produced his documents?” Mr Mountaine (40) formerly …

IRISH Water is sending water by tanker to Carran to replenish the reservoir following record temperatures earlier this week. The North Clare locality is one of 15 areas throughout the country which is being closely monitored by Irish Water. According to Irish Water the tankering operation has been put in place to ensure no water restrictions are needed in the area. “Irish Water is currently tankering water to Carran to replenish the reservoir. This is an issue that has been recurring during prolonged dry spells and Irish Water are working to find an additional supply and this is ongoing. “There is also ongoing leak detection crews deployed in these areas to assist operations. “Tankering is expected for the remainder of this week and will be reviewed later on this week.  Rainfall is promised at the weekend which will assist.” The spokesperson added, “Reservoir levels throughout Clare are being monitored daily and further resources can be deployed if required.”

ADVANCED paramedics should be permitted to use their clinical judgement to treat patients for non-life threatening injuries in their own homes when they deem this is safe and appropriate. That’s according to Councillor Cillian Murphy, who has claimed patients are being brought to the ED in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for relatively minor injuries or illnesses, which could be treated elsewhere. However, the HSE West Forum member stressed because of the current HSE system ambulance personnel haven’t the authority to treat people in their own homes and must bring them to a public hospital. “If you have a patient that is transported in an ambulance for something that could be treated in a Local Minor Injury Clinic, and the ambulance is now gone from West Clare for three and a half or four hours, this could be very serious for someone with a life-threatening condition. “This also has an impact on overcrowding in ED after recent figures I obtained show …

ST TOLA’S National School has been praised in the Dáil for providing an example of how students with disabilities should be catered for. During the course of a debate on the provision of education for children with special needs, Clare TD Cathal Crowe said, “I will commend St. Tola’s National School in Shannon on being one of two schools in the country that has a multi-disability class. “The body politic always talks about ASD units, and that is so important, but it is only one disability across a spectrum of disabilities. The model in St. Tola’s is one we need to replicate throughout the country.” St Tola’s opened its class for pupils with multiple disabilities in May, with over €250,000 having been spent on providing a prefab and facilities for the children. At the time of the opening, school principal Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald said, “The children have multiple disabilities so they have challenges in relation to communication and movement and …

HIBERNIAN Cellular Networks Ltd has been refused planning permission to retain land reclamation works, infilling and the placing of a fence and hardcore gravel at Woodcock Hill. It has also been refused permission to install a 30 metre telecommunications mast. Submissions had been made claiming that the development was unnecessary, with other structures in the area which meant another one was quite unnecessary.  The order of Chief Executive Pat Dowling stated that the development would have a negative impact on the environment. “The proposed development if permitted will result in a net loss of the habitats Upland Blanket Bog and Wet Heath within the NHA site Woodcock Hill Bog,  both habitats which are qualifying interests for the designated site. “Therefore, the proposed development would be contrary to the Clare County Development Plan and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.” It also stated that the Council was of the view that the applicant hadn’t …

THE PROFESSIONALISM, kindness and compassion displayed by members of An Garda Siochána since its foundation was lauded by Killaloe parish priest, Fr James Grace. A Mass celebrating the centenary of the establishment of An Garda Siochána in Ireland took place in St Flannan’s Church, Killaloe recently. Speaking at this special Mass, Fr Grace said he had witnessed gardai working beyond the call of duty displaying professionalism, kindness and compassion, in particular during tragic deaths such as suicides. Fr Grace also welcomed and praised the contribution made by Killaloe Coastguard, Killaloe Firemen, Civil Defence and all volunteers who contribute to the safety of the twin communities. At the start of the Mass, retired Detective Garda Albert Kelly brought a cap from the original Garda uniform to the altar, representing the establishment of An Garda Siochána and all members past and present who represent the force. Garda Annette Ryan brought up the official Garda crest as a symbol of the work the …

GARDAI have warned of a scam text message in circulation purporting to be from the HSE. The text message is being sent to people saying that they have been in contact with someone who has Covid 19 variant. It then asks the person to follow instructions on a link in the text to order a testing kit. When you click on this link it brings you to a page where they require a fee to deliver through Fast Tracking Delivery and to book now. Anyone who receives this text should not click on the link and if you do, don’t enter any details. One reader who was in contact with the Clare Champion stated that at no time does the text say what the cost of the kit is, so one is open to any amount being taken from the account. The reader reported that the prefix of the phone number on the text was 089, but the text could …