News

A YELLOW wind warning has been issued for Clare and other west coast counties this Wednesday. Westerly winds associated with Storm Dudley will reach mean speeds of 50 – 65km/h with damaging gusts of 80 – 110km/h, stronger on exposed coasts and on high ground. A combination of high tide and strong winds will lead to some coastal flooding. On Friday, a second named storm, Eunice, will bring more widespread strong winds, along with spells of heavy rain and possibly snow. Road users in affected areas are advised to check local traffic and weather conditions before setting out on a journey. The following advice is being given to road users. Motorists; Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds, especially on exposed routes such as dual carriageways and motorways. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds. Beware of objects being blown onto the road. Expect road conditions to change quickly in high winds …

CRUSHEEN GAA has secured planning permission for a new astroturf facility, along with improvements to the accessibility of its grounds, writes Owen Ryan. The club is currently raffling a Skoda Fabia acquired from Al Hayes Motors to help with the cost of what will be the most significant expansion of its facilities in over 30 years. Michael O’Connor, whose five-year term as chairman of the club has just concluded, said that with Crusheen’s population expanding, it is important that the club keeps progressing. “Crusheen in the last number of years has spiralled in size, there’s nearly 300 houses in the village and more to come. “Also, on every side road you travel, there have been more and more one-off houses built over the last 10 or 12 years. It’s great for the community and so many people are joining the club every year, it’s nearly difficult to keep track.  “Two years ago we had to decide would we stay as …

A family-run service station located about three kilometres from Killaloe bridge has sold a EuroMillions ticket worth an astonishing €30,928,078. The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold on Sunday, February 6 at Larkin’s Gala Service Station, Garryurtneal, Ballina, Killaloe. The Mid-West player has officially become the 17th EuroMillions jackpot winner ever seen in Ireland following the draw on Friday night. Siobhan Larkin, who owns the business with her husband Michael on the Ballina to Birdhill road, spoke of the complete shock and joy she felt on receiving the news over the weekend. “When our visitors from the National Lottery arrived here on Sunday evening, I was totally overwhelmed and in quite a state of shock. “I couldn’t believe that it was our store that sold the winning ticket worth €30.9 million. We are coming up to 21 years in business here this March so what a way this is to mark the occasion. “The vast majority of our customers are …

THERE has been a welcome in East Clare for a period of additional consultation on a multimillion Euro windfarm proposed for the slopes of Slieve Bearnagh, writes Fiona McGarry. Controversy surrounded the initiation public consultation phase for the Carrownagowan Windfarm, which was submitted as Strategic Infrastructure in November 2020, because public health restrictions prohibited gatherings and meetings during the window for submissions. Over the course of last year, An Bord Pleanála sought Further Information on the 19-turbine proposal from developers, Coillte. The board has now judged the material received to be ‘significant’, meaning that it must go on public display, with an opportunity for members of the public to make submissions on it until 5.30pm on March 14. “The information received by An Bord Pleanála was deemed to be significant so it’s now very important that people review this material and make themselves aware of what is involved,” said Councillor Pat Hayes. “The period for submissions on the new information …

AFTER teasing the location of the shop that sold Friday’s €30.9m EuroMillions jackpot winning ticket on Sunday, the National Lottery has now revealed the name of the shop. Friday’s winning ticket was sold at Larkin’s Gala Service Station, Garryurtneal, Ballina, Tipperary. The National Lottery has also stated that it is still waiting to hear from the winner of the mega EuroMillions jackpot prize worth over €30.9 million, and it continues to encourage players in the Mid-West region to check their tickets. The winning numbers in Friday’s EuroMillions draw were: 13, 18, 38, 42, 45 and lucky stars 07, 11.

THE government has been urged to reverse the planned end of coal-powered electricity generation in Moneypoint Power Generating Station by 2025 in the absence of alternative energy sources being available to fill the gap, writes Dan Danaher. The call was made by Independent Deputy Michael McNamara, who has criticised the Government’s policy of closing power stations during an energy crisis in the hope that they will eventually be replaced with green energy sources at an unspecified time in the future. In the absence of assurances that Ireland will have alternative energy sources in place by 2025, Deputy McNamara believes the government should reverse its decision concerning the proposed end for coal-powered electricity at West Clare power generating station. Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday night during a debate on a Bill introducing the €100 electricity credit scheme for householders, Deputy McNamara said growing concerns over Ireland’s energy security are being exacerbated by the closure of the country’s power stations and …

THE National Lottery has dropped a tantalising teaser as to where Friday night’s winning EuroMillions ticket worth €30.9m was sold. The organisation confirmed this morning that it plans to unveil the name of the winning store which sold Friday night’s winning ticket on Monday morning. The winning store which has become the home of Ireland’s 17th EuroMillions jackpot win since the game was started in 2004 is based in the Mid-West region in the bordering areas of Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. The National Lottery has also stated that it is still waiting to hear from the winner of the mega EuroMillions jackpot prize worth over €30.9 million, and it continues to encourage players in the Mid-West region to check their tickets.

VIEWS are being sought on measures to improve water quality in Clare, with two public meetings taking place online this week. On Tuesday, February 15, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) meeting will focus on the Shannon, Killaloe and Ennis Municipal Districts. The meeting will cover the following catchments Lower Shannon, Lough Derg & Fergus Catchments. A meeting on Thursday evening will focus on the West Clare Municipal District and will cover the following catchments the Inagh River, Shannon Estuary and the Malbay catchment. The meetings will also look at the draft River Basin Management Plan (2022-2027). This blueprint sets out the environmental objectives to protect and restore rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters together with the actions and measures required to ensure those objectives are achieved. The online public consultation meetings offer an opportunity for local people to input into the draft plan, to make a submission and to get involved in helping to protect and restore local water …