News

SINN Féin’s member on Clare County Council has called on the authority to support a campaign to re-inter five men buried at Kilmainham Gaol, after their execution in the late 1800s. Councillor Donna McGettigan asked for support for a bid to have Joe Brady, Daniel Curley, Michael Fagan, Thomas Caffrey and Tim Kelly, known as The Invincibles, exhumed and reinterred in consecrated ground at Glasnevin Cemetery. The motion called on the appropriate government department to carry out the excavation works at the gaol where the men have bene buried since 1883. It noted that the families of the men are represented by The National Graves Association. “Their families wish for them to have a proper burial,” Councillor McGettigan said. “Many Councils have already supported this motion.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Gerry Flynn. 

A man has told the court that two ex-girlfriends he was seeing at the same time each obtained Protection Orders against him in the courts as they were ‘jealous’ and ‘angry’. At the Family Law Court, the man stated that he still loves the woman he was with for eight years but “never loved” the other woman he was with for less than one year. The man said that after he finished with the woman he was in a relationship for less than one year “she was looking to destroy me from every side”. The man said that the woman then made contact with the other woman he was in a relationship with for eight years through Facebook. Asked why they obtained Protection Orders against him, the man said that the two women were “angry” and “jealous”. He said: “They were never friends. At the start between them, it was ‘you whore’, ‘you bitch’ and now they are best friends.” …

Two men in their 80s accused of criminal damage and trespass at Shannon Airport were “the nicest and most courteous protesters” an airport officer had ever met, their trial has heard. Richard Moloney, a former police fire officer at Shannon Airport, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that Ken Mayers (85) and Tarak Kauff (80) told him they were going to check an American aircraft when he apprehended them on a taxiway at the airport in March 2019. “They were very courteous. I had no hassle dealing with them,” Mr Moloney told Tony McGillicuddy BL, prosecuting, this Tuesday. “They said they were peace protesters. I said, ‘Unfortunately I have to hold you here for your own safety’.” Under questioning from defence counsel, Mr Moloney agreed it was immediately obvious to him that the men were protesters and he soon saw that they were elderly. “As the man says, this was not my first rodeo dealing with protesters,” Mr Moloney said. “These …

SCIENCE loving pupils at St Cuan’s National School, Kilbaha, are enjoying the breakfast of champions after success in a national competition, with popular morning foodstuffs playing a key role in their entry. A group of fourth to sixth class students at the school achieved the Sustainability award at the Intel Mini-Scientist Competition, in which 4,000 students from 18 counties competed. The students developed a project which explored “Natural Glue vs Synthetic Glue” with porridge and Weetabix among the ingredients they used as possible glue alternatives. Teacher Sarah Cunningham told The Clare Champion, “We are so delighted to receive one of the top prizes on grand final day, national champions for sustainability. “The grand final took place via Zoom. The students were both shocked and delighted to have their names called out over the live Zoom event. “They received a beautiful glass trophy, Grand Final Medals and a STEM kit to keep and bring home.” The national competition is open to …

People aged 65 years and over are now eligible for their second COVID-19 booster vaccine. Those aged 12 years and older with a weak immune system can also get their second booster when it is due. In the Mid-West, eligible people are now able to book an appointment online to receive their second Booster doses in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres in Scoil Carmel Limerick, Nenagh Hospital and Ennis Hospital. People in those cohorts must have received Dose 1, Dose 2 (and additional dose if applicable for the immunocompromised) and the first Booster dose. A period of 120 days must have passed either since receiving the first Booster dose, or since you tested positive for COVID-19. Booster appointments can be booked online for any of the three Mid-West COVID-19 Vaccination Centres, at the following link The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) have recommended people are given an mRNA vaccine for the second booster dose. This is safe to receive if you …

A JUDGE has issued a jail threat to a farmer after stating that he prioritised spending €5,000 on feed for his animals ahead of providing for his two children. At the Family Law Court, Judge John King said that the farmer spending the €5,000 he received in forestry grant payments this year on animal feed and not on his child maintenance arrears “is a clear contempt of court”. Solicitor, Pamela Clancy for the man’s ex-wife and mother of their two children told Judge King that the last time they were in court in March, the man owed at the time €1,257 “and there have been only sporadic payments since”. Ms Clancy told Judge King that the court ordered weekly maintenance is €75. Judge King told the farmer, “I think you are playing games. I think if I sent you to jail for contempt until such time as when you discharge the arrears, the games would end.” The farmer denied that …

CONCERN has been expressed over the inspection rate for private accommodation rented with the support of the Council. The matter was raised by Councillor Johnny Flynn at the monthly local authority meeting, on foot of the Chief Executive’s Report. The Fine Gael member noted that while 1,000 private rental inspections had been completed, some had not been able to proceed. “It is very disappointing to read that a lot of scheduled inspections are being frustrated, genuinely or otherwise, at the last minute,” he said. “It is important to send a message that this work is being done on behalf of tenants. Unfortunately, they are not cooperating In some cases.” Director of Housing, Anne Haugh acknowledged that progress with inspections could be “frustratingly slow”. “We rely on the cooperation of landlords to access properties,” she said. “All relevant resources are being applied to meet the target. Over 1,000 have been done for 2022.” Ms Haugh said that virtual inspections are also …

SCOTTISH company Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance whose sole client is Ryanair is set to open a Shannon base, where up to 200 people will be employed.  The aircraft maintenance company provides services to the Irish carrier’s aircraft and will take on a hangar that had previously been used by Lufthansa, but has been vacant more recently.  It would be a significant jobs boost for Shannon, and it is understood that Shannon Group and Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance are close to signing a contract.  The company already employs around 500 at Prestwick Airport in Scotland and around 1,300 at other locations around Europe. Clare TD Joe Carey said that getting the company to Shannon is very welcome. “This is very positive news for Shannon and the whole aircraft maintenance sector locally. The Mid West had a blow last year when Lufthanasa Technik Shannon announced they were to cease operations, but thankfully Atlantic Aviation Group came in and acquired a large part of that …