News

THE provision of a state inquiry report into a garda investigation about the death of Sixmilebridge 23-year-old banqueting manager 37 years ago to his family on a confidential basis has been criticised as a “worrying u-turn” by a local Dáil deputy. Former Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald appointed retired District Court judge Patrick Clyne to lead an inquiry under Section 42 into the Garda investigation and disciplinary inquiries that took place following the death of Patrick Nugent (23) Feenagh, Sixmilebridge at the end of a 40th wedding anniversary party in the early hours of February 11, 1984. The death of Mr Nugent, Feenagh, Sixmilebridge, was one of the 320 cases examined by the Independent Review Mechanism set up by Minister Fitzgerald, following a complaint made by the family relating to alleged Garda misconduct in June 2014. Deputy Michael McNamara has expressed his dissatisfaction the Judge Clyne report will be only provided by the Department of Justice to the Nugent family …

CLARE County Library’s History Week is running from October 16-22, with its programme covering the county during the revolutionary period. There will be exhibitions, online lectures, music and talks, with most of the programme accessible at www.clarelibrary.ie. Dr Joe Power will speak on Clare and the Civil War, Áine Hensey will speak on the Rebel Priests ofMullagh – Fr Pat Gaynor and Fr Michael McKenna and Rita McCarthy on the County ClareNursery (Mother and Baby Home). Distinguished historian Mary McAuliffe will talk on Republican Surveillance of Women during the War of Independence with reference to Co Clare and Sinéad McCoole, who specialises in the history of Irish women, talks about Mná100 – Explore a Century of Change. Joe Ó Muircheartaigh will present an audio documentary about the friction between the East and Mid Clare Brigades during the War of Independence called Brigades at War and Brian Spring will launch his Primary School Resource Pack The Brave and the Bold: the …

AN ENERGY masterplan highlighting challenges and opportunities facing the communities of Clooney, Maghera and Spancilhill is to be finalised in December. The ambitious project to boost the production and use of renewable energy, as well as to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, is being pioneered by the Clooney Spancilhill Community Development Association. Funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the project hit some minor hitches due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, but is now back on track with a target completion date of December 21. “An audit of our carbon use will feed into the plan,” explained Tom Larkin, chairperson of the association. “The school was audited and a number of homes are being done at the moment,” said Tom. “Eight different properties were chosen for audit, based on the years that they were built. That will help to create a good picture of where we are in terms of carbon usage and will form an important part …

“LIGHT touch regulation” has been blamed for the crisis caused by defective concrete blocks in several counties including Clare.  At a meeting of the Clare Pyrite Action Group last Friday, Senator Martin Conway said “cost-cutting”, on the part of some in the construction sector, had also contributed to the worsening problem. “It’s nobody’s fault in this room,” he told the 80 people present. “It’s as a result of light touch regulation that governments over the years are responsible for, particularly in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, when there was no proper engineering regulation, examinations, no proper reporting. “This type of situation happened because developers, builders, and suppliers were in a situation where they were cost cutting to make as much money as possible. It’s even going back further than the early ‘90s. “The sad reality is that people in this room have been devastated. Their homes have been devastated. The duty on this generation of politicians, as far as …

SHANNON Heritage made a loss of over €3 million in 2020, according to a newly filed financial statement. The business review section of the document noted that effect of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and its impact on tourism. It stated that the pandemic led to the closure of “significant elements of the company’s business at various times in 2020” and has had a significant and ongoing negative impact on inbound international tourism. The review stated, “In March, following the imposition of Government restrictions, all sites were closed and since then business operations and the opening of the company’s attractions continues to be dictated by the prevailing Government advice. “All banqueting activity ceased in March and has not recommenced since then and the timing of the return of banqueting activities remains uncertain. “Two of our seasonal day visitor sites, Dunguaire and Craggaunowen did not open in 2020.” It noted that since March, the company has had substantial staff numbers on …

THE first in-person meeting of the Clare Pyrite Action Group heard a heart-felt call for members to tell their stories publicly, and to prepare to support each other in the campaign for redress. Dr Martina Cleary, who founded the group over a year ago, addressed up to 80 people gathered at Treacy’s West County Hotel last Friday night (October 8) to ask questions of Clare’s Oireachtas members and other public representatives. She told the meeting that those whose homes have defective concrete blocks must be prepared “to take whatever measures are needed” to secure access to a grant scheme, and she urged those affected to join the campaign. The meeting was attended by Clare’s three senators and four of its five TDs, with apologies being sent by Deputy Michael McNamara. Councillors Joe Cooney, Ann Norton and Shane Talty were also present. At the outset, Dr Cleary told politicians that she was hoping for positive news on when Clare would secure …

KILKEE based traditional singer Bríd O’Riordan will unveil her debut album this week. The album, ‘Scáthán mo Shaol’ will be launched in the Greyhound Kilkee on Tuesday October 19 by legendary fiddler Kevin Burke of The Bothy Band. The album launch follows the success of single ‘Bríd Óg Ní Mháille’ featuring harmony vocals from Paul Brady, which was on the RTÉ Radio One playlist for two weeks running.  Born in Kilnamartyra, in West Cork, Bríd had a typical rural childhood, working on her father’s farm, looking after the animals, and cutting turf. Neighbours and cousins visited each other’s homes regularly, where they danced, sang songs and played music. As a child, her mother schooled her in how to sing the traditional folk songs of the area. Under her watchful eye and her keen ear, she guided Bríd as she sang at the stations in the locality. In 2017 Brid decided to compile a list of songs and record them. This list was teased out with Derek O’Sullivan, on guitar, to …

GARDAI in Clare have seized cocaine with an estimated value of €35,000, two air guns and arrested a man following a search this morning, Saturday, October 16. As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí attached to the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit and Kilrush Garda Station conducted a search in the west Clare region. During the course of the search, Gardai seized cocaine valued at €35,000 (subject to analysis), along with one air rifle and one air gun. A man, aged in his 30s, was arrested by Gardaí in connection with this seizure and is currently detained at Kilrush Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996. The drugs seized will now be sent for further analysis. Investigations ongoing.