News

THE heat has been turned up considerably on Clare’s politicians over the level of support for homeowners affected by pyrite. As the Department of Housing continues to liaise with the Council over an application for access to a State grant scheme, emotions are running high for affected homeowners. More than 200 people marched through Ennis on Saturday afternoon in what was described as “the first of many” protests. The assembled politicians, including most of Clare’s Oireachtas members and several councillors, were warned that action is expected if they want to keep their seats. Dr Martina Cleary said Clare Pyrite Action Group (CPAG) is ready to field candidates in the local and general elections if they don’t secure access to an adequate grant scheme. “We didn’t create this, it’s their lack of legislation over decades that has created this,” Dr Cleary told the assembled media. “They better get their priorities right… Sure they’re only politicians, we can get rid of them …

A WOMAN has pleaded guilty to the theft of flowers, ornaments and other items from graveyards in Clare, writes Ronan Judge. Mairead O’Sullivan committed the thefts over a year long period between 2020 and 2021. At Killaloe District Court, Ms O’Sullivan, with an address at Fergus View, Cappahard, Tulla Road Ennis, entered guilty pleas to 18 charges of theft. The offences were carried out between May 2020 and April 2021 at Tulla graveyard and Druncliffe and Templemaley graveyards near Ennis. The total value of the items stolen was €597.50. The majority of the thefts occurred at Tulla graveyard. Among the items stolen by O’Sullivan were flowers, rose bushes, glass lamps and wicker boxes. (Read Fiona McGarry interview with one of the people affected by the thefts here) One of the thefts – that of ornamental barrels and flowers – took place between the hours of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2020 at Tulla graveyard. The court heard that 14 people …

THE acting head of tourism in Clare is supporting the proposed development of an inflatable aqua park at a popular Ogonnelloe amenity area, writes Dan Danaher. West Lake Aqua Park has lodged a planning application with Clare County Council seeking permission for a new aqua park that will operate seasonally from May 1 to September 30 at Twomilegate, Ballycuggeran, which is situated a few miles from Killaloe. The aqua park will consist of an inflatable floating obstacle course, floating access pontoon, 20 foot container for check-in and 40 foot container for changing facilities including all associated works at Twomilegate. In a letter to the planning department, acting head of tourism, Deirdre O’Shea outlined this project will provide a new and dynamic tourism product in East Clare. It will, in turn, provide social and economic benefits to the region and to the local community in line with the Clare Tourism Strategy 2030, the Lough Derg Blueway brand criteria, the Shannon Tourism …

THE number of public patients waiting for an out-patient appointment in the Mid-West increased by 18.5% over a three-year period, new figures have revealed. Like all hospital groups, chief clinical director, Professor Brian Lenehan acknowledged the UL Hospitals’ Group saw an increase in its out-patient waiting list (OPD) from 46,675 in 2019 to 55,350 in 2021 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The UL Hospitals’ Group represents about 9% of all healthcare activity in the country and the current waiting list is reflective of that.” In an online media briefing, he said there was a 19.5% increase in the number of patients awaiting OPD first consultation between 2019 and 2020 of more than 9,000 patients. The biggest effect on waiting lists can be seen for patients waiting 18 months or longer for their first out-patients clinic visit due to the reduction in the number of clinics due to Covid-19 outbreaks and social distancing. He said the focus for …

THE Clare Labour Party has elected Ennistymon native Denis Vaughan as its chairperson, Mr Vaughan, a member of the Labour Party’s International Committee, has vowed to “fight for fairness”. He has argued passionately for Labour’s three main principles ‘Decency, Justice and Equality’ to be reflected in the local agenda saying, “A party that believes in decency, justice, and equality must urgently fight for a home building programme, the abolition of college fees and gender equality.” He went on to explain how critical these issues are for the people of Clare. “Few realise that women in Clare earn 13.9% less than men. Decent work deserves decent pay. How can we accept this? How can we accept a 14% increase in homelessness in the state at a time when the economy is booming? “Just take a walk down O’Connell Street Ennis any evening, you’ll see with your own eyes how urgent the issue is.” He continued, “Let’s put a stop to this …

A request for traffic lights be installed at a busy junction in Shannon will not be granted, writes Owen Ryan. At a meeting of Shannon Municipal District, Councillor Gerry Flynn requested the lights for Bóthar Droim/Bóthar na Rinne and the entrance to the Town Centre. He also asked that the existing pedestrian lights be located at the junction. In a written reply, Senior Executive Engineer Tom Mellett remarked that government and mobility policy seeks to encourage more people to choose to walk or cycle and reduce unnecessary car use. This, he said, aimed to help create a high quality urban environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and creates additional footfall in our town centres. To support this, he noted a range of funding opportunities have emerged including Active Travel, Town Centre First Policy, URDF. “Shannon has been included under Active Travel funding for a mobility plan,” said Mr Mellet. “This will explore modes of transport, desire lines for walking and cycling …

A SHANNON councillor has requested the installation of fencing at a site in the town to combat anti-social behaviour, writes Owen Ryan. Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that the County Council “clean up the area surrounding the pump house in Drumgeely, located adjacent to the river walk and Drumgeely housing”. He also request fencing be put in place around the pump house “to deter further illegal dumping of waste and anti-social activity”. His motion also stated, “The restoration of the local footpath that links on to the river walk would be helpful in the rerouting of pedestrians away from the pump house.” During the debate he acknowledged a lot of the clean-up work has been done, but that a few bits are left and there is still some vegetation. He also said that fencing at the pump house is needed to deal with “illegal activity and anti social behaviour there”. In a written reply, Senior Executive Engineer …

A NEW funding stream for works on former national roads will be exploited by the local authority for an upgrade of the old N18, writes Jessica Quinn. A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard calls by Councillor Pat Daly for an upgrade of the road from Kelly’s Corner out to Cois na hAbhaine on the Gort Road. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, responded, “In 2021 the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport introduced a new funding stream which allows local authorities to apply for funding to resurface the former national road network. “Funding has been sought by this office for the former national roads in the district including the R458 Gort Road (formerly the N18). “Members will be updated in the coming months as soon as the 2022 grants have been awarded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.” Councillor Daly welcomed the response, saying when the funding is available he would like to see some works done …