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GARDAÍ are appealing for witnesses after a man was attacked and robbed by a gang of men last weekend in Ballina. In the early hours of Sunday morning, November 7 between 12 midnight and 2am as a couple left a fast food restaurant on the main street of Ballina they were approached from behind by four or five males. The man received a punch to the back of the head and a black eye before falling to the ground. The men stole his Tommy Hilfiger jacket, a black Tommy Hilfiger wallet and a black Apple iPhone 7. “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area of Main Street, Ballina and witnessed this incident or anyone who may have dash cam footage to contact Killaloe Garda Station on 061 620540,” said a garda spokesperson.

A FORMER Mayor of Ennis has paid tribute to those who visit the graves of unidentified people, believed to have died in tragic circumstances, off the Clare coast. Following a renewed Garda appeal for help in identifying three bodies, recovered since 2010, Councillor Mary Howard said there are many people who take time out to tend to their graves in Ennis. In tandem with a recent TV documentary, Kilrush Gardaí have issued a fresh appeal in relation to the identities of two women and one man. Their bodies were found separately, at locations close to The Cliffs of Moher, in incidents dating back more than a decade. All three have been buried in Drumcliffe Cemetery. “The situation is heartbreaking,” Councillor Howard said. “There are at least three people buried in Drumcliffe who haven’t been identified. “I know people who visit the graves regularly and say a prayer because they realise the pain that their loved ones must be feeling, not …

Incoming DAA chair highlights M20 as another ‘threat’ to Shannon DUBLIN Airport does look on Shannon as a competitor, the Oireachtas Transport and Communications committee heard recently from Basil Geoghegan, the chairperson designate of the DAA. Both Dublin and Cork Airport are under the remit of the DAA and while being questioned by Limerick TD Kieran O’Donnell, Mr Geoghegan said it was “clear to me that we are set up to compete with Shannon and if we didn’t we’d have an anti-trust regulator saying to us ‘what are you doing?’ “In fact the biggest competition for Shannon is Cork, maybe it’s a positive that the motorway hasn’t been finished between Shannon and Cork, I’m not sure.” He said that the improvements in infrastructure over the last ten years have actually made things more difficult for airports other than Dublin. “In a way the connectivity by better motorways, has meant that both for Cork and Shannon, Dublin is more of a …

A legend of The Magpies from Doonbeg is celebrated in a new book on the great heroes in gaelic football history A DOONBEG sporting sensation has been honoured in a new book celebrating some of the country’s top names in Gaelic football. Michael Haugh from Killard was born in 1943 and has truly earned his place in Clare’s sporting hall of fame. His football feats span three decades. Between the ‘60s and the ‘80s, he won nine County Senior Football Championships with Doonbeg (1961,’67, ’68,’69, ’72, ’73, ’74, ’82, ’83) and 11 Cusack Cup Titles (1961, ’62, ’65, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’72,’ 74, ’81, ’82). He has a Clare Minor Football (U-18) title (1959) under his belt, as well as a Clare Under-21 Football Titles (1963). Michael also has a New York Junior Football Championship title and a London Senior Football Championship title to his name. These accomplishments, as well as a glittering athletic career, have earned Michael a …

THERE is much excitement and anticipation for the welcome return of drama to Doonbeg. The One-Act Drama Festival will take place on Saturday November 13, Sunday 14 and Monday 15 at Doonbeg Community Hall with a host of drama groups from around the county and the country. Corofin Drama Group; Oakhill Players, Knockerra and Sliabh Aughty, Mountshannon will be joined by groups from Cork, Galway, Leitrim, Offaly and Roscommon in West Clare to entertain audiences with a selection of short plays. Organised by the volunteer committee of the West Clare Drama Festival, the Doonbeg One-Act usually takes place annually in November, however it was cancelled in 2020 and this year marks it’s 34th undertaking. Speaking about the festival, Chairperon John Keane said “Doonbeg has established itself as a very popular festival with groups and audiences alike. After what has been a difficult time for everyone and the absence of quality live entertainment this year, people are very much looking forward to …

A PITCH is being made for the provision of shelters around the playing fields of an Ennis amenity to protect exposed sports fans. Ennis’ Deputy Mayor Councillor Paul Murphy says sports fans are being “drenched” on the sidelines at Active Ennis, John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the councillor urged that funding be sourced to provide a large dugout or small stand to provide shelter on the perimeter of the pitches. “Provision of these would give much needed shelter from the elements to players and management of teams as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled,” he urged. He said signage should be added to indicate that priority be given to vulnerable people to use the shelter. The councillor recalled his own first-hand experience of being on the side-lines recently. “The rain was falling and it really opened my eyes to what it could be like in December or …

THE Ennis 2040 plan shows a pathway forward for the county town, but in Clare’s second largest town there has been a feeling in recent years that it is far from a priority. Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan represents Shannon and she said while a new masterplan is being created for the town, it does seem like Ennis is receiving far more care and attention. “The population in Shannon is stagnant for a long time and there’s nothing to draw people in,” she said. While there have been complaints for years that a conventional streetscape hasn’t been developed, she also has concerns about the local housing situation. “Housing is a huge issue in Shannon. There are loads of companies and where are their staff to live? It could discourage companies from coming in if there aren’t houses there for their workers. That’s a big issue.” She said that what new houses have been built in Shannon have been left without …

Clare TD joins commission to refine party’s direction DEPUTY Cathal Crowe has been given a new role by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to come up with a national strategy to give Fianna Fáil a major shot in the arm. The Meelick Deputy has been appointed on to a new commission, which will examine the aims and objectives of Fianna Fáil. He is clear on what position Fianna Fáil should hold in the political spectrum. “While Fianna Fáil will be measured on how it delivers in government, we have to stand for something greater. I see Fianna Fáil being a little bit left of centre, republican in outlook, supporting the marginalised by tackling rural isolation and poverty. “Fianna Fáil has a broad church of support but needs a bit of refinement and redefining.” A majority of Clare Fianna Fáil councillors expect a new party leader will be elected once Micheál Martin’s term as Taoiseach ends when Leo Varadkar takes over at …