News

THE development of a rail link to Shannon International Airport would help to transform the international airport, according to the county’s first citizen. A renewed call for the provision of this rail link was made by Councillor PJ Ryan at a council meeting on Monday. Councillor Ryan urged Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to provide this rail link, which would provide a huge boost the airport, and would also provide some certainty for land owners, as two possible routes are currently identified in the County Development Plan. Down through the years, the councillor recalled he and other members such as Pat McMahon and John Crowe have called for a rail link to Shannon Airport. In view of Minister Ryan’s preference for rail transport, Councillor Ryan believes they should be pushing an open door in terms of securing his support for this venture. He urged Minister Ryan to secure a slice of significant EU Greenway funding to cover the cost of this …

CONCERNS about the risk of flooding on the Tulla Road, close to the site of a proposed €1.2 billion Ennis data centre, have prompted calls for screens to be put in place at bridges to prevent blockages, writes Jessica Quinn. However, while council executive engineer Barry Conway has confirmed the local authority will carry out maintenance and clearance works, he cautioned about the use of screens. The engineer said that screens “can often times create bigger issues than they resolve”, citing recent “devastating consequences” when screens were installed in Dublin and Donegal. Flooding at Aughavadda on the Tulla Road and Gaurus Bridge was highlighted by Councillors Johnny Flynn and Mary Howard at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. Councillor Flynn pointed to “historic” flooding of R352 Tulla Road and previous river flow blockages/restrictions at Aughavadda bridge and concern about the river flow capacity at the downstream Gaurus bridge. He urged the Ennis Municipal District to “immediately” provide screens …

The impact of the devastation caused in the USA on September 11 2001 rippled across the Atlantic. And Air Traffic Control Officer, Aidan McEnroe and his colleagues in the IAA Control Centre at Shannon quickly felt the fallout OUR team at the IAA Control Centre is responsible for managing the safe passage of over 1,000 aircraft that fly to and from the USA into Irish airspace as they head for their destinations in Ireland, UK, Europe and Asia. These flights usually arrive in Irish Airspace from 3am and their return flights start from 11 am. Aidan recalls that fateful day as an Air Traffic Control Officer on duty on 11th September 2001. We always came back early from lunch to try and fit a quick game of snooker or to use the Internet. Lunch normally meant most of the team heading down to Shannon airport to dine in the airport terminal restaurant. The previous few hours at work were forgettable, …

GARDAÍ are continuing to seek the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of a 61-year-old man who is known to frequent West Clare. John ‘Jack’ Keane is missing from his home in Athea, County Limerick since Wednesday, September 15. John is described as approximately 5ft 7” in height, of slim build, bald with some grey hair and blue eyes. When last seen he was wearing a red and black rain jacket, black trousers and brown boots. He usually wears a baseball cap and carries a stick. He is known to frequent the West Limerick, North Kerry and West Clare areas. John’s family and Gardaí are concerned for his welfare. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

CLARE Arts Office is inviting primary and secondary schools in Clare to submit their applications for the Artists in Schools Residencies Scheme 2021-2022. This year Clare Arts Office is awarding residencies to the value of €1,200.  The Artists in Schools Scheme was established to enable primary and secondary schools in Clare to develop projects with professional artists for the benefit of the participating students. Since then, over 300 residencies have taken place throughout the county with children participating in visual arts, music, dance, mime, drama, film and creative writing. Applications can now be made online at the link below, where full details on the Artists in Schools Residencies Scheme are available, including the aims and criteria of the scheme, the terms and conditions of the award and a list of the artists on the Clare Arts Office Artists in Schools Panel: https://yoursay.clarecoco.ie/artistsinschoolsresidencyaward2021 The deadline for applications is Friday, October 15, at 5pm. For all inquiries, please contact Ceara Conway, Clare Arts …

GARDAI are seeking help from members of the public in their investigations into a spate of thefts from parked cars across the county. Last Friday afternoon around 1.20pm, two cars that were parked at Bunratty Folk Park were broken into. The window of one car was smashed and a blue Michael Kors handbag containing a black Apple iPhone and passports was stolen and a wallet was stolen from the second car. A red Renault Clio hatchback car was seen leaving the area after the break-ins. Following an intelligence lead operation, Gardaí arrested two males in connection with this incident. Some property has been recovered and a male in his 30s was brought before a sitting of the Ennis District Court charged with offences linked to this incident. An Garda Síochána are asking for the public’s assistance in relation to any observations or dash cam footage they may have that might assist Gardaí in this investigation and would ask them to …

Our environmental column with Bridget Ginnity explores ways you can heat your home more sustainably THE nights are drawing in, and it won’t be long before we are switching on the heating and sitting by a blazing fire. As Ireland is a temperate climate, you’d imagine that we would have lower carbon emissions from heating than most of Europe. In fact, it’s about 60% above the EU average. It’s because we use more energy than average and use mainly fossil fuels – oil, gas, coal and turf. Any step we can take to eliminate or reduce the use of fossil fuels in home heating is a step in the right direction to reduce the damage we are doing to the earth. And it gives a warmer home and lower bills so it’s win-win-win, warmer-cheaper-greener. If your house was built prior to 2010, it probably has a Building Energy Rating (BER) of C or worse. Definitely a “could do better” grade. …

AN URGENT meeting between the Tånaiste and Deputy Joe Carey is expected to take place, to discuss supports for homeowners affected by pyrite and mica.  The Clarecastle-based TD is one of three Fine Gael deputies to seek the meeting, after a briefing on Tuesday night from members of a Working Group set up to review the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme.  The group, who are seeking an increase in the grant from 90 to 100% of remediation costs, voiced alarm at comments from the Fine Gael leader this week on controlling the impact on public finances. Following the online briefing, Deputies Carey, Alan Dillon (Mayo) and Joe McHugh (Donegal) contacted Leo Varadkar to ask for a meeting. “In Clare, we are still trying to get access to the scheme,” Deputy Carey said. “I would expect that we will, but the scheme must be fit for purpose and provide the necessary finance. At the moment, the scheme doesn’t do that. As …