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CLARE’S Fianna Fáil TD has hit out at the “optics” surrounding social media commentary on the botched plan to make Katharine Zappone a special envoy to the United Nations (UN). Deputy Cathal Crowe told The Champion he “wouldn’t know where to find the Merrion Hotel” where a controversial gathering was held by the former minister days before her planned appointment was revealed. Deputy Crowe was sharply critical, however, of some Opposition party’s calls on social media for the resignation of the Tánaiste, who apologised for “letting his guard down” by going to the outdoor event. Since the event, which generated a political storm and caused pandemic guidelines to be clarified by the Attorney General, efforts have been intensifying on social media to identify the attendees at the Merrion Hotel event. “I wasn’t invited,” Deputy Crowe said. “I wouldn’t have attended and I don’t mix in those circles. When I’m in Dublin, I work damn hard and then I get back …

VISITING restrictions imposed at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) earlier this month are being lifted and scheduled visits to inpatient wards can recommence, by arrangement, from tomorrow (Thursday, August 19). The temporary visiting ban announced on August 6 was one of a number of infection control measures adopted in response to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the facility. Hospital management, working closely with infection prevention and control and microbiology colleagues, have now decided it is safe and appropriate to reintroduce hospital visiting in line with the relevant national guidance. Scheduled individual inpatient visits are being coordinated by the clinical nurse managers and ward clerks, in consultation with patients and their families and loved ones. From Wednesday, hospital staff have been making contact with these families and loved ones to arrange/schedule visits. The hospital has warned that members of the public who have not arranged their visit in advance cannot be accommodated. It should be noted that these visits are for inpatients …

CLARE Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe said he has secured funding to ensure that the Garda Station in Shannon is re-painted, following a number of representations from locals. After having the issue raised with him, Deputy Crowe spoke to the Minister with responsibility for the OPW to see if funding could be ringfenced to rectify the issue. “Representatives of Shannon Tidy Towns came to meet with me at one of my recent clinics in the town and outlined all the work they’re undertaking, which I think all of us can agree is fantastic,” said Deputy Crowe. “But they felt the Garda Station in the middle of the town was looking shabby and in need of a new coat of paint. “I went up to see it for myself and following this, I contacted Minister Patrick O’Donovan who has written back to confirm he has approved this and the OPW has approved funding to fully paint the station in the early …

SOURCES say it looks increasingly likely that Lufthansa Technik will be sold, rather than restructured or closed down.  The company are understood to still be in discussions with an interested party, as talks aimed at agreeing a sale continue.  While at one time the company had expected to make a decision on the Shannon plant’s future by mid July, there is still some uncertainty nearly a month later, but there is optimism that the discussions will ultimately bear fruit. Lufthansa Technik Shannon,  employs around 500 people, but has seen its operations hit very hard by the pandemic. It  specialises in the overhaul of short- and medium-range aircraft. The services offered include basic overhauls and annual checks on the Boeing 737 Classic und Next Generation, 757, 767 and MD-80 types and the Airbus A320 family of aircraft. The aircraft overhauls are carried out in a 12,300 square meters hangar offering five parking positions. In a further, approx. 4,600 square meters hangar, …

SEVERAL people have been hospitalised after an incident involving three cars and a wandering animal on the N18 in Co Clare late last night. The collision occurred shortly before mid-night at Cratloekeel in the southbound lanes of the N18 just beyond junction 5 at Cratloe. It’s understood that two cars collided with a cow and that a third vehicle then struck one of the cars. Units of the fire brigade from Shannon Town and Limerick City responded to the incident along with several ambulances and Gardaí. The road was closed from the junction 5 flyover and traffic diverted away from the area while emergency service dealt with the incident. Fire crews had to use cutting equipment to help free three casualties from one vehicle. It’s believed four people in all were taken to University Hospital Limerick for treatment following the collision. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. A considerable amount of debris and fluids from the vehicles was …

THERE are concerns about the railings at the Pier used by surfers and swimmers at Doolin Pier, writes Owen Ryan. Speaking to The Clare Champion this week Sarah McTiernan, chair of Doolin Community Council said that while the railings have been replaced in previous years, it hasn’t happened in 2021. “They have been replaced every year. Doolin gets bad storms and a lot of damage gets done to the car park, sometimes the Ticket Offices and the slipway at the pier. Every year, as far back as I remember, when those railings have been damaged they’ve been replaced.” She added, “There was a bad storm around the end of March or the start of April and that’s when the railings started to go. Piece by piece they started to get pulled into the sea and right now there’s no protection at the steps. “There would always have been a railing at the top of the pier, and there’s a partial …

WORKS which are due to begin in Clooney in the coming weeks “will put the village on the map on the main road from Ennis to Portumna”, in the words of the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District. Councillor Joe Cooney said that, thanks to an allocation under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the village, which has a very active development association, would soon see a major boost to its infrastructure. A contractor has just been appointed and work on a new footpath/cycleway as well as public realm infrastructure and a pedestrian crossing are set to get underway in the coming days. “ML & S Boldand Civil Engineering Ltd will be working to complete the works within three months,” the Fine Gael member said. “It’s fantastic news for Clooney and the Clooney-Spancilhill Community Development Group deserve a huge amount of credit as do the council staff and councillors who have worked so hard to progress the issue. The work …

PLANNING permission has been sought for retention permission for works at the Diamond Rocks Cafe in Kilkee, along with permission for a new standalone toilet block there. The planning application covers two separate elements according to an accompanying letter from the applicants Kevin and Mary Haugh. “Firstly the applicants wish to apply for retention permission to regularise some alterations made during the construction of the cafe extension which was previously authorised. “The alterations to be retained consists of alterations to window fenestration, the construction of a porch and the construction of a storage shed. “Secondly the applicants wish to apply for planning permission to construct a standalone toilet block to the rear of the existing cafe. “The toilet block will be for public use and its purpose will be to alleviate the issue of a lack of public toilet facilities in the area during the peak summer months. “Presently Clare County Council have placed temporary prefab toilets at this location.”