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“STRESS, strain and mental anguish” were among the words used by Clare’s Sinn Fein member to describe the situation faced by the owners of homes with pyrite. Deputy Violet Anne Wynne, along with fellow Clare Oireachtas members, expressed solidarity and support for the up to 80 members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group who gathered in Treacy’s West County Hote. “This is not just about buildings,” she said, calling for Clare to be given immediate access to the grant scheme for home remediation. It’s the nightmare of living with constant uncertainty.” Her words were echoed by all of Clare’s Oireachtas members, as well as Deputy Michael McNamara, who could not attend, but who sent a statement of support. Deputy Joe Carey outlined how he had just visited a home in Newmarket-on-Fergus which had tested positive for pyrite. “That house was built in 1989 and cracks only started to appear two years ago,” he told the meeting. That family is just …

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins led the tributes to legendary musician, broadcaster and producer Tony McMahon who has died at the age of 82. The acclaimed accordion player was the son of PJ and Kitty McMahon and grew up in the Turnpike, Ennis. Tony was described as “one of Ireland’s iconic presences among musicians” by President Higgins who noted the “great sadness” of the music community on hearing of his passing. “Tony brought to performance in so many forms, places and venues the talent of a maestro. To hear him play Port Na bPúcai, for example, was to feel transported into another world,” said the president. “His commitment to traditional music and to the friendship of his fellow musicians was full of integrity. “On behalf of Sabina and myself, agus mar Uachtarán na hÉireann on behalf of the people of Ireland, may I send my deepest condolences to Tony’s family and friends, and to the wider music community at home and …

Council says that it has received no correspondence from Department of Housing GOVERNMENT officials have been accused of “playing a little bit of jiggery pokery” over the decision on giving Clare homeowners access to the defective blocks grant. Alarm was expressed at a meeting in Ennis between politicians and the Clare Pyrite Action Group, over differing accounts on the status of the council’s application to access the grant. Two Oireachtas members, who spoke to the Housing Minister ahead of the meeting, said he told them his Department is waiting for a response to queries about the report the council submitted in July. The meeting was also told that the Council had received no such correspondence, as of Friday. As of this Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Council told The Champion that no queries have yet been received. At Friday’s meeting, Deputy Joe Carey outlined how the Minister Darragh O’Brien had told him his department has raised queries with the Council. …

A FORMER national president of Active Retirement Ireland, Shannon’s Kay Murphy was far from happy with Tuesday’s budget. A €5 increase in the State pension and a €3 increase in the living alone allowance were some of the headline items affecting older people, but they didn’t impress Kay. “We were expecting a little bit more dignity in our lives, that we wouldn’t be left on the poverty line. The €5 increase, it doesn’t bear thinking about. As for the €3 living alone allowance, that’s a total insult altogether. “At the moment it’s (the living alone allowance) €19 and it’ll go to €22. But when you’re living alone after being married and you’ve buried your spouse, you lose nearly half a pension. “Your expenses don’t go down, you’re still at the same level. It doesn’t bear thinking about, it doesn’t make up for it at all. “There are so many older people now bordering on poverty that it’s absolutely shocking. The …

RENOWNED East Clare fiddle player Martin Hayes, has published an eagerly-awaited memoir detailing his remarkable musical journey. Described as “profoundly moving,” the book is entitled Shared Notes. It traces Martin’s early days learning music from his legendary father P Joe, through his meteoric rise in traditional music circles, to his modern-day collatorations and the founding of Irish-American trad sensation, The Gloaming
. Now one of Ireland’s most treasured traditional musicians, Martin, who lives in Spain, was born in Maghera. As he grew up, life revolved around the famous Tulla Céilí Band, co-founded by his father in 1946. The household was steeped in musical tradition. In a 1960s kitchen with no refrigerator, where the food came straight from the family farm, a session could start at any moment. Ireland’s greatest traditional musicians regularly turned up unannounced and were welcomed in. At the age of 13, Martin won his first of six All-Ireland Fiddle Championships. In later years, he was named TG4’s Gradam …

Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals Newmarket-on-Fergus v Wolfe Tones @ Cusack Park, Saturday 1.30pm A golden opportunity to return to a semi-final that neither side can afford to pass up in what is a unique derby showdown in Ennis on Saturday. It’s novel because at certain stages of their final group matches, the thoughts of staring the relegation play-offs in the face seemed a distinct reality so this is essentially bonus territory particularly after drawing each other in the last eight. Newmarket-on-Fergus’ late smash-and-grab victory over another neighbour Clooney-Quin will have injected a new lease of life into the Blues while Wolfe Tones, despite coming off the back of back-to-back defeats, equally have nothing to lose on Saturday. That Wolfe Tones’ form has fallen off a cliff will be alarming as the first half of their group campaign up to half-time in the Sixmilebridge match, the Shannon side looked like Canon Hamilton contenders only conceding 1-18. However, since then, they have …

Councillor highlights ‘traffic mayhem’ in Ennis with delivery drivers unable to access parking spots THE “abuse” of loading bays in Ennis’ town centre is the cause of much of the traffic congestion on the streets of the county capital, according to the deputy mayor. Speaking at a meeting of Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Paul Murphy hit out at those who do not use loading bays correctly as well as those parking on double yellow lines saying he experienced “mayhem” in the town while driving during the summer months. The councillor was speaking as calls were made for the provision of additional loading bays to be installed on every retail street and car park in the town. Councillor Johnny Flynn proposed the idea saying delivery drivers are being left “frustrated” when they cannot find a loading bay to bring goods to the town’s businesses. He pointed out the vast majority of businesses on O’Connell Street do not have rear access for …

TENSIONS flared between some of the county’s Oireachtas members at a public meeting with members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group last Friday night. There were some heated exchanges and accusations of “playing politics” as Deputy Violet Anne Wynne criticised members of the government parties over their “political gestures”. “I don’t believe we should even be here tonight,” she told the meeting. “I’m very disappointed in how Clare has been treated… “What each of the speakers has said so far has only been political gestures and nothing more than that.… I don’t think that it takes much for government to call for equality. “For us in Sinn Fein, that’s what this issue is about. In Dublin and in Leinster, they were afforded 100% redress.” The Sinn Fein TD said that rather than hearing from politicians, she would prefer to hear from members of the public. She was also sharply critical of Deputy Cathal Crowe, accusing him of a lack of …