News

WEST Coast Motorcycle Club will be teaming with Happy Feet Happy Minds this weekend to raise funds for mental health services in West Clare via a motorcycle run on October 24. The charity’s main prerogative is to support mental health services within West Clare, particularly sending counsellors to the local schools and to people in need outside of that sphere. Check in for the event will be at Centra on the Lahinch Road in Ennis at midday, where some donations will be taken before the bikes take off on their first leg of the journey. This will take them to Spanish Point, on to Kilkee and further to Dunlickey before returning to Kilrush and finishing with hot food, teas and coffees at the marina. John Murphy, an organiser of the event and long-term member of the motorcycle club, said: “We will also be giving out fuel vouchers worth €100, as well as four €50 all-for-one vouchers, and many more. It …

The perfect advertisement for 2021’s new underage structure as St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Ballyea served up a thrilling inaugural Under 13A decider that was only edged by the former with a spectacular late three goal blitz in Clarecastle on Saturday afternoon. Considering the transformation of playing non-competitive Under 12 ties in a reduced field twelve months previously to being thrown in at the deep end of an Under 13 competition installed as the first major championship title, the standard of play and quality of personnel was admirable in a final that pitted the best two sides in the county against one another for the ultimate showdown. After all, a combined tally of twenty previous championship matches only yielded one defeat, ironically an opening reverse for the Parish against Ballyea. However, while Ballyea had remained unbeaten up to Saturday’s final, St Joseph’s only seemed to grow in confidence and understanding as the championship developed. The rivalry was enhanced by the fact …

GARDA Commissioner Drew Harris has apologised after confirming that a total of 22 emergency calls in Clare did not receive an appropriate response in the period of 2019-2020. The vast majority of these calls related to domestic disturbances. At the meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) this week, the Commissioner reiterated an apology he made nationally after the Policing Authority found that 600 emergency calls nationally were cancelled and not correctly dealt with by the force. The JPC heard that a follow-up procedure was put in place to address the matter and that a new call classification system is being developed. However, Deputy Violet Anne Wynne, who raised a question with the commissioner about the matter, was critical of the missed opportunity to respond appropriately to the brave decision made by those experiencing domestic abuse to seek help. In response to a question from the Sinn Fein TD, which was submitted formally before the meeting, Commissioner Harris outlined that …

FURTHER delays in giving Clare homeowners access to the grant scheme for defective blocks have been strongly condemned by the founder of The Clare Pyrite Action Group. There were conflicting reports, at a recent public meeting, on whether and when the Department of Housing had raised queries with the council, over its application to access to the scheme. The Department has now clarified to Deputy Joe Carey and to The Champion that it is to contact the council “shortly” about the report it submitted in June. Given the Minister gave an assurance, on his Clare visit in August, that a decision would be made in a matter of weeks, the delay has provoked anger. “This is disgraceful carry on,” Dr Martina Cleary said. “Bureaucracy is being used to drag out people’s suffering. This obfuscation is unacceptable, and the council’s application is being pushed from pillar to post. It’s an utter joke and they think people are stupid enough to believe …

PLANS by Clare hurling manager Brian Lohan for a new Aldi store in Ennis are being challenged by a number of objectors who have lodged appeals to An Bord Pleanala. Among those opposing the proposal are the representative body for independent grocery store owners The Retail Grocery Dairy & Allied Trades Association (RGDATA). The group stated, “If left unchecked the cumulative effect of significant new convenience retail developments at multiple neighbourhood locations poses a real threat to the future vitality and viability of the town centre. “This has the potential to compromise the delivery of town centre expansion.” Appeals have also been lodged by Paul and Kay Ryan of Ryan’s Centra and Harnett Homes and Estate Developers. Moam Property Ltd & Lohan Property Ltd are behind the plans for a change of use from a retail warehouse to a discount foodstore at the Westpoint Retail Park on the Kilrush Road. Last month Clare County Council gave the proposal the green-light …

THE brakes were pulled on the annual When In Doubt, Pedal It Out mental health awareness cycle last year due to Covid-19, but fortunately it is all systems go for this year’s event. Cyclists will take to the roads of Clare this coming Sunday, October 24. The event is being based out of the Clarecastle GAA facility and will depart at 10am sharp and take in parts of Clarecastle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Shannon, Quin and Doora – Barefield parishes. One of the organising committee, Paul Murphy, is thrilled at the prospect of the event hitting the road again following last year’s enforced hiatus. “It’s fantastic that we are in a position to run the event this year and all of the committee are really looking forward to Sunday. Once again we in Clare Cycle Safety are being assisted by sponsorship  from Ennis Municipal District and we would like to thank them for their continued support. “Marshalling is being provided by volunteers and …

COMMUNITIES in South-East Clare were united in mourning last weekend when news filtered through of the sudden death of young Ogonnelloe man, writes Dan Danaher. A serving soldier, Private Gerard McMahon (24), had just returned home from a six-month tour of duty with the 63rd Infantry Group in Syria. The death of Mr McMahon following a tragic accident while on holidays in Spain has left his heartbroken family and Ogonnelloe residents devastated. A postmortem is expected to take place at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Malaga. Gerard was a skilled marksman, winning brigade and all army competitions during his military career. Described as a keen sportsman, he participated in a number of sports notably hurling, football and rugby. At the time of writing, no definitive date was known for the arrival of the deceased’s body back to his residence in Ballyloughnane, Ogonnelloe, which is located a short distance from St Mary’s Church where it is expected a military funeral …

CAMPAIGNERS supporting imprisoned Wikileaks founder Julian Assange will hold a ‘solidarity stall’ in O’Connell Square, Ennis this Saturday from 11.30am. This is part of an Irish Day of Solidarity with Assange, which will see a whole series of activities from Derry to Kerry in support of the imprisoned Australian journalist and publisher. It is organised by Free Assange Ireland in co-operation with other campaign groups and organisations for peace and justice. IRISH DAY of SOLIDARITY WITH JULIAN ASSANGE.SATURDAY, 23 OCTOBER: Check out our FB pagehttps://t.co/MfKUplGyCs#JulianAssange #JulianAssangeOurHero — Free Assange Ireland #1 (@assange_1) October 16, 2021 More than 20 events are being held ahead of Assange’s extradition proceedings which are set to continue in London’s High Court from October 27/28. Assange is currently in isolation at Belmarsh High Security Prison in London.