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AN impatient response given by the Taoiseach when asked about the transfer of Shannon Heritage was criticised at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, with members of Fianna Fáil as critical of the Taoiseach as anyone. Some weeks ago Mr Martin told the Dáil that Clare County Council “should get on with it” regarding taking over the Shannon Heritage tourist attractions, comments that were very unfavourably received in Clare. At the March meeting Councillor PJ Ryan put forward a motion asking that the Council would seek a meeting between the Taoiseach and Council CEO Pat Dowling, to discuss the financial implications of the proposed transfer. Councillor Ryan said the staff of Shannon Heritage are anxious about the situation. He also said that financial support is required for the take over, and that it will be profitable, but that could take some time. In the Dáil, the Taoiseach had compared the proposed take over with Cork County Council taking over Spike …

AT its monthly meeting, Clare County Council condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while it expressed its willingness to do what it can for the refugees now fleeing the country, writes Owen Ryan. Monday’s meeting saw a minute’s silence observed, while Cathaoirleach of the Council PJ Ryan said that Clare stands with Ukraine. “Clare County Council condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is in gross violation of international law and human rights. “This Council stands in full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The thoughts of the elected members and staff of Clare County Council are with the people of Ukraine and with the Ukrainian community in Clare and Ireland. “As a demonstration of solidarity Áras Contae an Chláir is lit up nightly in the Ukrainian colours and the Ukrainian and Clare flags are being flown outside the building.” Councillor Ryan added, “Clare County Council supports Ireland’s efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine in their time …

Lisdoonvarna native Jack Marrinan’s tireless advocacy improved life for gardai and shaped the modern police force, writes Fiona McGarry ONE hundred years of An Garda Síochána will be be celebrated this year and among the key figures in the force’s history, a Clare man looms large. John ‘Jack’ Marrinan was one of a family of nine from Lisdoonvarna and among the second generation of Garda members to take on the role of guarding the peace in the turbulent period through the 1960s and ‘70s. He travelled to the capital to make his life with the force along with several other Banner men who distinguished themselves in their dedication to duty. Jack’s biographer, former Garda-turned-author, Tim Doyle, describes the North Clare man as “a hero” and a natural leader who fought consistently for better conditions and pay for rank and file members. Instrumental in winning a landmark battle for better working and living conditions for Gardaí, Jack was just 28 when …

ACCOMMODATING Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing their war-torn country will be “challenging” for the country, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has admitted. Speaking outside Analog Devices Limerick at a jobs announcement, Deputy Martin acknowledged it wouldn’t be easy to source accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in view of the huge mass movement of Ukrainians from their own country. “There are no easy solutions. We have to reach out and do everything we can to ease the pressure on the citizens of Ukraine. “All of us are very touched by the stress and trauma that is being revisited on families and children arising from this conflict, having to leave their homes in very stressful circumstances. “The mass movement of people from Ukraine is heart-rending. We don’t have ready-made solutions for the scale of the numbers who are going to arrive. But we will do the best we can to step up to the plate.” Asked if he envisaged European countries could put pressure …

THE process around trying to solve interpersonal difficulties between Doolin Coast Guard members was a “token gesture” to appease public representatives, former volunteers have claimed. A number of volunteers have expressed their dissatisfaction the appointment of mediator, Kieran Mulvey did not result in the desired improvement in relations. On Monday, November 22, Mr Mulvey met separately with the Sector Manager of the region, the existing 12 volunteers, and the six resigned volunteers. One volunteer claimed Mr Mulvey sat down and went through the whole issue with members. “He said I will have to compile a report and I will be back down next week with a report of my findings, we will work through it and find a way out. “We never again saw Kieran Mulvey. The whole purpose of mediation is discussion, compromise, give and take. Then suddenly there is a report and we are all sacked. “People asked about one-to-one meetings with him because they were not comfortable …

FORMER Doolin Coast Guard volunteers have claimed the current reconstituted interim unit, which has eight members, is not fully functional in its current form, more than four months after the previous group was officially disbanded, writes Dan Danaher. Last November, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton asked the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) to begin the process of reconstituting the Doolin Coast Guard unit, which was stood down from operations and training activities following the resignation of six volunteers. This decision was made following receipt of a report and recommendation from independent mediator, Kieran Mulvey, who concluded that certain relationships within the Doolin Coast Guard Unit have irretrievably broken down and that the mutual trust, respect and confidence required to effectively operate a Coast Guard Unit does not exist within the Unit. The report concluded that the interpersonal difficulties are not capable of being resolved through the normal mediation process. Deputy Darren O’Rourke recently asked Minister Naughton …

A LOCAL Ennis group has been set up to help Ukrainian refugees driven out of their country following the invasion by Russia. The group, Ireland Poland Ukraine Refugee Relief (IPURR) are fundraising to support their Polish friend Marcin Piotrowski, who lived in Ennis but now lives in Poland, 10km from the Ukraine border. Last week the Clare Champion detailed how Marcin and his wife Marina’s have been helping those fleeing Ukraine by providing vital supplies to those on the border as well as a place of refuge in their home. The members of the new group are Anna Labuda Scanlon, Mayor of Ennis Ann Norton, Kieran O’Loughlin, Frank Gormley, Ray Scanlon and Pat Rutherford Councillor Norton tells us, “Marcin has an excellent reputation in Ireland as a humanitarian. He has done trojan work in Ireland in helping to integrate his community into Irish society. “He started, amongst other things, the Polish Ireland Festival, which took place not only in Ennis …

CLARITY is being sought on the impact of wastewater plants on the county’s Blue Flag beaches, after a councillor claimed bathers are getting sick because of untreated effluent, writes Fiona McGarry. The Green Party’s Liam Grant hit out, at a recent meeting of West Clare councillors, at the suggestion that raised bacteria levels at beaches are caused primarily by heavy rain. A motion tabled by Councillor Grant called on the Council “to examine the daily discharge of wastewater treatment facilities for the last two years in Lahinch, Ennistymon and Kilkee with the intention of comparing this data with closures of nearby blue flag beaches to see if there’s any correlation between the two”. The motion noted water quality issues at several Blue Flag facilities. “I believe this has a lot to do with wastewater treatment facilities not being fit for purpose,” Councillor Grant stated. Addressing the meeting, the Lahinch native was sharply critical of Irish Water: “I’m worried about elevated …