News

CLIMBERS will take to the 12 O’Clocks Hills this Sunday, April 3, in solidarity with broadcaster Charlie Bird and his fundraising efforts, as he battles Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Two hikes are available from 12 noon in support of MND and also in support of Vicky Phelan and Pieta House. The routes cover 8.5km and 13km and those participating are asked to be on site by 11.45am. All donations made to the Honesty Box at the Belvoir carpark from last Monday, March 28 to Sunday next will be donated to MND and Pieta House.  Monsel Catering will be in attendance between 2 and 3pm on Sunday for those returning from their hikes. On Saturday, April 2, the former RTÉ correspondent will climb Croagh Patrick to raise funds for the two charities in question. He has asked that people who cannot join him in Mayo would climb with him “in spirit” next weekend.  The 12 O’Clock Hills project committee has also …

WHEN Pádraig Ó Céidigh was appointed chairman of Shannon Group last September it was seen as very positive for the airport, but he resigned in frustration last week, after less than six months in situ. The chairman is involved in setting the strategic direction of the airport and the wider Shannon Group and as such is very important to the regional economy. Following his resignation Mr Ó Céidigh declined to be interviewed by the Clare Champion, but sources say that he was very frustrated. The source said he felt it was proving very difficult to pursue the objectives that he wanted, and that he found it difficult to forge positive relationships with certain other people within the Group. Given his experience in aviation and the level of success he enjoyed, the Ó Céidigh appointment last year was seen as a smart one, and the Galway man was clearly enthusiastic about taking on the role at the outset. Following the decision …

THE community in Killanena is to get motoring this Sunday to rally around a young boy in need. On April 3, there will be a tractor/truck/vintage car/motorbike run starting from Canny’s Bar in Killanena at 1pm, with the proceeds going to help baby Leon O’Mahony. The fundraising will help get intensive physio which Leon requires, and also help provide him with a sensory room and some of the required equipment for the challenges he will be facing. Leon is the son of Michelle Lyons and Barry O’Mahony who live in Ennis and he was born very prematurely on May 10 of last year, weighing just 1lb 15oz. At just three days old he suffered a pulmonary haemorrhage in his lungs, followed by a severe grade IV Intraventricular Haemorrhage on the left hand side of his brain and a grade II one on the right hand side of his brain. He also had a PDA removed. Following this, his blood pressure …

QUESTIONS have been raised over plans for a major new housing development proposed for Quin, following a number of objections.  Planners are seeking Further Information (FI) on proposals from Datcha Construction, to build 41 homes on a large site at Quin Gardens in the heart of the historic village.  In January, the company applied for permission for 13 detached, 10 semi-detached and 18 terraced houses on a site of just under two hectares. During the submissions window, five objections were received. These include a joint submission from Quin Garden Residents. The submissions have raised concerns over issues including flooding, road safety, traffic volumes and the protection of wildlife. One document details incidents of flooding in Quin in 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2017. Other submissions highlight the requirement under the County Development Plan for hydrogeological assessment for any plans on the development site. Concerns were also raised by some residents about potential overlooking of existing homes.  In addition, The Development Applications …

Irish Water’s confirmation that the wastewater treatment plant in Kilmihil is to be upgraded will have significant environmental, social and economic benefits for the village, according to Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara. Deputy McNamara said the works would facilitate future growth in the village and would also eliminate discharges from the plant to the Doonbeg River. “I am delighted to have received confirmation that Kilmihil is one 12 schemes across Ireland to be funded by the European Union under Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan,” stated Deputy McNamara. He continued, “The sewerage network in Kilmihil is a combined system and during past storm events the plant has become hydraulically overloaded. The upgrade will prevent treatment plant discharges from reaching the Doonbeg River, which is part of the Doonbeg Freshwater Pearl Mussel sensitive area. “New commercial, retail and housing developments in the village also will be facilitated as the result of the planned upgrade of the existing treatment plant.” Deputy McNamara …

A NORTH Clare family doctor is encouraging people to wear face masks in public places as four electoral divisions have recorded a 14-day incidence rate higher than the national average. Dr Michael Kelleher made the plea this week after official figures revealed there were 469 cases of Covid-19 in the Ennis Local Electoral Area (LEA) from March 1 to March 14. This translates into a 14-day incidence rate of 1,517, which is much higher than the national average of 1,188. The incidence of the virus was also high in the Shannon LEA where 445 cases were recorded during the same period, giving an incidence rate of 1,464 per 100,000. There were 265 case the Kilrush LEA where the incidence rate was 1,262. The Ennistymon LEA recorded 248 cases, which translates into an incidence rate of 1,511. Killaloe was the only LEA to record an incidence rate of 994 below the national average after the detection of 200 cases. Dr Kelleher …

Large crowds are expected in Barefield this Sunday to celebrate the life of an adopted Clare man with the staging of the ‘Pat Bogue 6k’. It is now almost five months since the Kilkenny native and dad of two young boys collapsed at breakfast at his Larchill home outside Ennis and died. The 49-year-old was the ‘Leader’ of the Clare Crusaders’ running group that has raised over €750,000 to fund the operation of the Clare Crusaders Clinic for children’s therapies in Barefield through running the Dublin City Marathon. All proceeds from this Sunday’s fun run and walk – which promises to be a family centred event – will go to the Clare Crusaders Children’s Clinic. Along with the run, there will be raffles on the day with prizes and vouchers up for grabs with all prizes donated by local businesses and friends of Pat. Pat – who moved to Clare in 1993 – was the only Clare Crusader runner to …

GIVEN how long it took to replace Rose Hynes, and how long it took to find an alternative after the appointment of Aaron Forde as chairman of Shannon Group fell through, there was shock this week when it was announced as Conal Henry got the nod to replace Pádraig Ó Céidigh. On those previous occasions it took months for a replacement to be found, but in this case it took a mere six days. Inevitably, given how quickly it happened and how much disappointment there is at the Ó Céidigh resignation, the fact that such a quick decision was made will be seen as an attempt to quell any controversy. On Tuesday, Minister Eamon Ryan announced that Mr Henry would be next to be appointed. “Given the important role of Shannon Group to the economy of the Midwest region and nationally, I am pleased that Conal Henry is willing to accept the position of Chairperson of Shannon Group. “Conal has …