News

AN Ennis gym is shaping up to help ensure those in need have a merry Christmas, and is urging people to get involved and show its support, writes Jessica Quinn. Ozone Health and Fitness has once again teamed up with a group of local volunteers led by Kathleen Austin to launch a food drive to support “genuine families in need” in Ennis and the county. This endeavour will not just help these families at Christmas but also into the months ahead. A donation box has been installed at the gym reception in the Quin Road Business Park and people are being encouraged to drop in non-perishable food or other household items for distribution to those in need. Last year the appeal saw €3,000 worth of food and other essential supplies donated, and according to owner Ken O’Malley they hope to help even more this year. He told The Champion, “Last year we teamed up with an extraordinary group of local …

Dan Danaher asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin about some key Clare political and social issues DD: Clare home owners affected by pyrite have been excluded from the latest mica scheme. There is a lot of frustration in the county over this. What do you say to these people? MM: I think there is further information to come, is my understanding, and there is further engagement with the minister and the department. On the receipt of that information, I understand the minister will be positive in his response to that. Our view is to work with groups locally with a view to inclusion, that is the general approach. My understanding is there has been interaction and engagement, which will continue. DD: It is taking a long time to approve a scheme, can you understand the frustration if your house is crumbling? MM: The manifestation of this in terms of the presentation to the minister was a lot longer in Donegal. We are …

WITH storms battering the coast this week, the weather has been a far cry from last month. Shannon recorded the highest temperature in Ireland in the month just past, that day was also the warmest November day there for 43 years. A temperature of 17.7 degrees celsius was recorded in Shannon on November 14, the warmest temperature in the town in the month of November since 1978. There was also 25% more sunshine in Shannon over the course of the month than in an average November. Met Éireann statistics show that the amount of rainfall in Shannon during the month was 43% below what would be expected in an average November. In its summary of the month Met Éireann said the first two thirds of the month were mild with the high pressure mostly centred to the south of Ireland. The final third of the month saw high pressure shift to the west of Ireland, allowing cooler air masses from …

CHRISTMAS, a time for getting together with family and friends, exchanging gifts, eating and drinking, talking and laughing. At religious ceremonies around this time, the Christian churches encourage their congregation to consider the meaning of Christmas. Christian churches and other religions have also become more vocal in encouraging action regarding climate change. Pope Francis in his encyclical letter in 2015 stated, “We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.” Christmas is a time to put our worries aside if we can, including those about this environmental challenge. Instead of worrying, doing something to reduce our climate impact can increase our enjoyment – and be easier on the wallet. A time for giving It’s interesting to think back on previous Christmases and consider the highlights. Gifts are certainly an important part, both giving and receiving. Do you remember what you gave and received last year? A …

A MAJOR operation by the Clare Roads policing Unit took place in Ennis recently targeting defective and dangerously modified vehicles. Almost 20 vehicles were stopped and examined, one of which was found to be dangerously defective having failed its NCT recently. Three others were stopped due to major defects and over 40 other defects were detected on other vehicles in the course of the operation. Two motorists were arrested on suspicion of drink driving and two others are set to face prosecution for dangerous driving. Drivers found to have minor defects were advised and cautioned to fix the defects.

FEARS have been expressed about the impact of the “never-ending” overcrowding problem in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) after 83 patients were left waiting for beds on Tuesday. HSE West Forum member, Cillian Murphy has called for an examination of ways to reduce the number of patients being admitted to the ED in UHL, and to speed up the discharge of treated patients in a safe manner. “From conversations with ambulance crews it seems the ED is the default response for emergencies,” the FF member noted. “This may only have a marginal impact on trolleys but we have to look at other ways to treat people such as care in the community. “At some point someone is going to have to say this isn’t good enough any more. Despite all the extra resources that are being fired into the health system, we still doesn’t seem to be able to cope with what is landing on the doorstep in UHL,” said Councillor …

WITH Christmas just around the corner, the local conference of St Vincent de Paul held its annual collection at the Town Centre last Friday. It’s an important fundraiser for the charity and spokesperson Bridget Kirby said there had been a great response, telling The Champion, “People were very, very generous.” Bridget has been involved with St Vincent de Paul for over 20 years, but says this Christmas is shaping up to be the most hectic so far. “We’ve been so busy this year, I’ve never seen anything like it before. People don’t have a lot. Some of them have young children, they have big ESB bills, there’s heating, we do a lot of helping with coal and with oil. It’s a tough time.” More strain has been put on the charity because it can’t accept donations of food these days. “The schools used to get children to bring in tins of peas and beans and boxes of cornflakes and things …

DOG fouling continues to be a “huge issue” in Killaloe, despite extensive efforts to encourage responsible ownership, the municipal district committee has been told. At last month’s meeting, Councillor Tony O’Brien called for the installation of special bins in the town to allow those walking their dogs to dispose of excrement. While the senior executive engineer (SEE) said that bins may not be necessary, as the existing ones can take dog litter, she gave an undertaking to look at the possibility of providing dispensers for litter bags. In a written response to Councillor O’Brien’s motion, SEE Niamh Madden noted that the majority of people walking dogs in public spaces are conscientious about picking up dog litter. “Unfortunately, still some dog owners … do not take proper responsibility in relation to dog fouling,” she said. “Providing dispensers and dog litter bags has benefits and encourages dog owners to be aware of their responsibilities.” Ms Madden noted that despite the best efforts …