News

A NEW Barcelona-Girona service from Shannon Airport is to begin next month. It will operate twice weekly, each Tuesday and Saturday, commencing Tuesday, March 29 until the end of October 2022. Welcoming the service Mary Considine, CEO, Shannon, “We know that restoring connectivity is important to our airport customers and that is why we have been working hard with our airline partners to create exciting holiday opportunities. This is incredibly positive news for Shannon Airport. We have been working closely with Ryanair to deliver this service and are looking forward to the commencement of it at the end of March.” Ryanair’s Director of Commercial, Jason McGuinness said, “We are pleased to add this new route to Girona as part of our summer ‘22 schedule from Shannon. This route will operate twice weekly for the summer season, starting from March 29. Girona is the perfect destination for anyone seeking an authentic Spanish city escape, with its winding cobbled streets, medieval architecture …

THE founder of the Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) has said she fears campaigners here could be forced into a ten-year battle for redress.  Dr Martina Cleary voiced concern that Clare homeowners are being driven down the same route as those in Mayo and Donegal, who campaigned for a decade to get access to a State-sponsored grant scheme. It follows a briefing from Clare County Council on Tuesday for members of CPAG and Oireachtas representatives. Officials outlined their ongoing efforts to respond to queries raised by the Department of Housing over a report seeking access to the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme. While a rigorous process of core sampling on five private homes formed part of this report, it has now emerged that the Department’s queries will necessitate further investigations of these properties.  Dr Cleary said the council expressed determination to meet the Department’s request for proof of a causal link between structural damage and the proven presence of pyrite. …

BUSINESSES in Shannon are being approached by Clare Fire Service in a bid to encourage people to join the service with Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly admitting recruitment in the town is “a challenge”. Shannon Fire Brigade has been approved to increase its crew from 12 to 15, however at the moment there are nine at the station. A recruitment video, visits to businesses, a webinar and meetings with Shannon Chamber are just some of the methods the fire service has been using to encourage people to get involved. Chief Fire Officer Kelly presented a review of the objectives of the 2014 Fire and Emergency Operations Plan at a meeting of the Physical Directorate Strategic Policy Committee this week. He outlined that the “objectives have been achieved and exceeded in many instances. Clare County Council have continued to provide resources to its Fire Service in order that the service to the public is maintained to the highest standards, and …

A RECOMMENDATION contained in a Traveller accommodation expert review report repealing trespass legislation would make it almost impossible to move on illegal encampments in Clare. That’s according to Deputy Cathal Crowe, who has described this proposal as “crazy and political correctness gone mad”. The Meelick Deputy has also expressed concern about the colossal legal fees faced by local authorities in defending themselves in court on matters relating to Traveller accommodation. In 2021, Clare County Council spent €1.1 million defending legal actions taken against it by various individuals and bodies. “It is a waste of public money that would be much better spent in providing accommodation, rather than lining the pockets of lawyers,” he said. Speaking in the Dáil recently, Deputy Crowe cited one of the recommendations contained in the report, which was published in July 2019, proposing to “repeal the Trespass legislation, in particular as it applies to publicly owned land, until an appropriate network of transient provision as envisaged …

CLARE County Council won’t be taking over the Shannon Heritage sites in the county until a funding package is put in place to support it. That was the message contained in a report provided to councillors at their meeting on Monday. Councillor Alan O’Callaghan had asked for an update on the expected transfer. He noted that staff have been “in limbo” for some time now, while he said repairs and improvements are required at some of the sites.  Responding CEO Pat Dowling said that the Council has put a lot of emphasis on the transfer, and there have been meetings with the staff on two occasions. He said that it is crucial that the appropriate level of due diligence takes place. “I will not and cannot expose Clare County Council to any unforeseen expenditure.” Further detail to Mr O’Callaghan’s query regarding this due diligence was provided in a response from Director of Rural Development Leonard Cleary. “Clare County Council and …

“RISKY” footpaths around Tulla are to be upgraded, however a funding allocation from the Department of Transport will not cover pavements repairs in one of the area’s oldest housing estates.  The matter is one of ongoing concern in the East Clare town and was back on the agenda at the most recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District. Cathaoirleach Joe Cooney appealed to the authority to replace the main footpath in O’Reilly Park in conjunction with the upgrade works for the centre of the town. The Fine Gael member tabled a motion calling on the Council to take the opportunity to address a long-standing problem for residents.  In a written response, Senior Executive Engineer Niamh Madden said the funding available to the Council only covered the town’s main streets. “ The footpath upgrade works for the town of Tulla are being funded by a grant awarded by the Department of Transport as part of the Active Travel scheme,” her response …

WITH UL and Clare County Council having sought a strategic development zone designation for their ‘new town’ proposal, opposition to the plan within government was criticised by a local councillor. When Transport Minister Eamon Ryan addressed the County Council last week, he spoke about bringing university courses to Ennis, given it has existing infrastructure, which prompted an angry intervention from Councillor Tony O’Brien. “Are you trying to close down East Clare?” he bellowed at the Green Party leader. Referring to the UL project, he said there are 214 acres of land for development in East Clare, but if the Minister got his way the people of the area could “pack up our tents and go away”. Speaking to the Clare Champion subsequently, Councillor O’Brien said that Minister Ryan’s opposition to the development, and to the Northern Distributor Road is contrary to the principle of having effective local Government. “We have a county development plan, which we voted on and which …

THERE IS a status orange wind alert in place for Clare from noon today until midnight. Storm Franklin will cause gale force westerly winds with severe and damaging gusts. These winds combined with very high seas will lead to wave overtopping, which may result in coastal flooding. ⚠️An Orange wind warning is in place for Clare on Sunday from 12:00 until midnight and for Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo from Sunday at 23:00 until Monday 07:00 due to #StormFranklin. Wind warnings also in place for NI. More detail ⬇️https://t.co/Xg3aMJlyuS pic.twitter.com/ZPOi4pzvn5 — Met Éireann (@MetEireann) February 20, 2022 Rain will turn heavy at times for the early part of the day with localised flooding, before clearing southeastwards to showers through the afternoon. Some showers will be heavy with isolated thunderstorms and hail, with sleet possible later. After a mild start, it will turn much colder as the rain clears with afternoon highs of 5 to 7 degrees. It will remain very windy tonight …