News

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a proposed €450 million data centre in Ennis, currently awaiting a decision by An Bord Pleanala, featured on an episode of acclaimed BBC series Panorama this week. On Monday BBC One aired the programme which included filming in several Irish locations relevant to the growth in data centre operations and planning applications in Ireland. The programme questioned the cost of using more data in terms of the increase in emissions and use of water in several countries including the US and Ireland. Ireland already has over 70 data centres in operation which consume more than 13% of national electricity. At least 30 more have been granted planning permission. Filming took place in Dublin as well as Ennis at the 145 acre site where Clare County Council granted permission to Art Data Centres for the development which has faced opposition. The planning decision has been appealed by local groups and residents, and a decision is due from an …

THE State has been granted further time to serve a book of evidence on a man accused of attempted murder in Clare. Tony McInerney (27), with a previous address in Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, and originally from Dublin, is accused of the attempted murder of Daniel Harty in Sixmilebridge on January 18, 2020. McInerney, an unemployed father-of-two, is also charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation; discharge of a firearm and threats to kill or cause serious harm.  The case against McInerney is to proceed in the central criminal court.  At Ennis district court this Wednesday, Sergeant Aiden Lonergan sought to have the case adjourned for two weeks to allow for service of the book of evidence.  Sergeant Lonergan told the court the case involves an allegation of attempted murder and a “significant piece of work” has gone into the preparation of the book of evidence.  Defence solicitor John Casey told the court that he understood the book …

TWO Ennis soccer clubs were on the ball when it came to fundraising for the local branch of the Samaritans recently. A charity match organised by the Soccer Sisters Ennis and Fairgreen Celtic has raised more than €6,000 for the vital work of the organisation. Soccer fans cheered on both teams as they played in Ennis’ Fairgreen during the mixed women’s and men’s match on St Stephen’s Day. The match resulted in an 8 – 8 draw, with plenty of skills on display from all the players. The funds raised were recently handed over to the volunteers of the Samaritans at their Kilrush Road, Ennis branch. A spokesperson for Soccer Sisters Ennis said, “We played a 90 minute mixed men’s and women’s match where between players’ registration money, donations, and selling raffle tickets resulted in a whopping €6,096.94 raised.” The spokesperson said all involved in the match want to say “a massive thank you to all that came out on …

SERIOUS questions continue to been raised over Coillte’s proposed deal with investment fund, Gresham House, with a Clare Independent TD suggesting it represents “greenwashing”.  During a debate on forestry, Deputy Michael McNamara probed the deal that is tipped to see forests acquired and land planted to deliver returns to investors and help meet climate targets. “This deal has made people sit up and take a look at the role of investment funds in protecting or enhancing the environment, and at Coillte’s relationship with investment funds,” the Scariff TD said. “Both are important matters to consider. A number of questions arise. Why did Coillte select Gresham House? What procurement process was put in place? Gresham House came up with a great blurb but it is not unique in that. Many investment funds around the world are into greenwashing these days. Were all the other greenwashing investment funds allowed to bid? If not, why? Why did Gresham House choose Coillte?” Deputy McNamara …

VOLUNTEERS who cleaned up a well known Clare landmark were shocked to discover that just hours later bags of rubbish were dumped again. Clarecastle Tidy Towns volunteers have been striving to keep Clareabbey litter free, however a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard this week that their efforts have been undermined by illegal dumping. Calls are being made by Ennis councillors for the introduction of CCTV in locations where fly-tipping and illegal dumping have become an issue. Councillor Paul Murphy praised the work of the Clarecastle volunteers, saying he believes that CCTV could act as a deterrent against dumping rubbish. The issue of littering was highlighted at the meeting by Councillor Ann Norton who pointed out that illegal dumping “is a crime” which can result in fines or being brought to court. She stressed the importance of ‘no dumping’ signs as a visible reminder and asked for a review of the number of signs on roads, and that the …

A WELL KNOWN colorectal surgeon has called on An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to engage in continuing dialogue to increase acute hospitals services and personnel throughout the Mid-West. Professor Calvin Coffey recalled reconfiguration of acute hospital services was supposed to be followed by the introduction of a co-located hospital, additional funding and extra health infrastructure across the region. This didn’t happen due to the economic crash and have not been implemented in recent years by the present government. This has resulted in doctors, nurses, consultants and health care professionals all providing health care above and beyond what they should be providing. Professor Coffey, who is one of the signatories of an open letter signed by 87 consultants and doctors, agreed that chronic overcrowding increases the risk of an adverse outcome for patients on trolleys due to the sheer volume of number and the lack of adequate staff. Stressing the need for investment in hospitals throughout the …

DEER cull figures for Clare have been released, amid ongoing concerns over a rapid increase in their numbers in rural parts of the county. Data secured by the Irish Deer Commission show that 1,844 deer were officially culled in Clare in a 12-month period to February 2022. The true figure, the Commission believes, is likely to be higher when deer poaching and road kills are included.  “The actual deer cull is likely to be significantly higher as the cull total does not include wild deer killed illegally known as deer poaching, nor does the total include the growing number of deer killed on our roads,” Damien Hannigan a spokesperson for the Irish Deer Commission said. “Over the last five years over 200,000 wild deer were culled in Ireland under licence from the National Parks and Wildlife Service [NPWS] and highlights the important role licensed deer hunters play in managing deer at sustainable levels to minimise negative impacts on farming, forestry, …

EXTRA information is being sought by Council planners on an application for 16 new homes in the village of Quin. Abbey View Quin Property Development Ltd applied last November for the homes on a site of around one hectare which spans Maigh Dara and Ballyhannon North. The application also requests permission to amend an access road and ancillary services granted in 2017. It seeks permission too for a temporary access route from the public road at Ballyhannon North. This is for building purposes only, in order to avoid having machinery accessing the site through the existing Maigh Dara estate.  In a letter sent to the developer on January 19, planners sought Further Information (FI) on nine aspects of the plans. Given the proximity of the site to the Poulnagordon Cave and Old Domestic Buildings Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), the developer has been instructed to carry out a screening assessment to determine the potential impact. This document must include a …