News

CONSTRUCTION of the Springfield Flood Relief Scheme is to begin next month, with a formal launch to take place this Friday, July 30 in Clonlara. The scheme will provide protection for 18 properties in the area, and involves the construction of a flood protection embankment, land raising, penstock/sluice, pump station and associated works at the townlands of Springfield, Cappavilla North, Cottage and Illaunyregan, Clonlara. Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey described the news as “a relief for local residents” following decades of disruption caused by severe winter flooding. “Residents have been affected by regular instances of flooding in Clonlara on several occasions, stretching back to 1995 and more recently in 2009, 2016 and 2020,” he said. “Having been through multiple flooding events, which has had a devastating impact on their lives and on their homes, it is a relief for local residents that construction is due to begin.” The Office of Public Works (OPW), Clare County Council and Byrne Looby …

A CLARE cyclist takes her place in a strong Irish team competing in a prestigious French road race over the next two days. Imogen Cotter from Ruan will be making her debut for Ireland at the Kreiz Breizh Elites Dames in Brittany. The Irish team comprises Cotter, Alice Sharpe, Mia Griffin, Megan Armitage, Lucy O’Donnell and Caoimhe O’Brien. Cotter had been picked to represent Ireland at the race last year, but was ruled out by injury. It was one of the downs alongside some ups in a rollercoaster year for the 28-year-old. There was a positive test for Covid-19, an unwelcome bit of news Cotter received on New Year’s Day. “I came back in the middle of December (2020), followed all the guidelines, all the guidance, did everything I was supposed to do. But it still got into the house. I wouldn’t say it was eventful. It was probably the most extremely uneventful Christmas I ever had. It was just …

A DOOLIN man woke up €5,000 richer today after scooping the top prize on a Bank Holiday Bonus promotion on a regional radio station. Roy Thomas, a father of two and construction supervisor was at the cinema with his son, Michael when the call came through to reveal he had won the cash. Roy who entered the text competition on SPIN South West correctly answered ‘U2’ to the question “The Edge is a member of which famous Irish rock band? Roy was watching ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ in the cinema on Tuesday afternoon, which he critiqued as “an awful film” and almost missed the winning call due to his phone being on silent mode. A vandal has defaced a "Space Jam" LeBron James mural in Akron 😐 The vandal painted a red nose on the face of LeBron and wrote "LA FLOP" across the mural. (h/t Akron Beacon Journal) pic.twitter.com/tR0WRSN0Gh — NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 27, 2021 Of his windfall, …

RISING demand for staycations could lead to an increased risk of the theft of caravans, with those planning on buying a caravan also being warned to be on alert. “Going on holiday at home and the use of caravans has become very popular and with the demand for caravans increasing so will the possibility in an increase in thefts caravans,” says Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. She urges those with a caravan to get an alarm fitted and to keep doors and windows locked at all times, even if out for a short period of time. “GPS tracking devices can be relatively inexpensive. Consider uniquely marking your caravan on various parts of it and take a photograph showing any marks, scratches or dents,” she adds. Wheels clamps are a visual deterrent, she advises saying, “ use a good standard clamp which will take time, effort and noise to remove. Ensure that you have a hitch lock in place.” …

A PLANNING application for a €25 million community hospital in Ennis to replace long stay and short stay beds at St Joseph’s is set to be lodged by the end of this year, it has been confirmed. If given the green light, the 100-bed community nursing unit will be situated on grounds adjacent to St Flannan’s College. A design team has been put in place and have began an outline design phase of the project. The unit will include 88 single and four twin rooms, and four palliative care facilities. The project has already been included for funding in the HSE Capital Programme 2021. Details of the proposal were confirmed in response to a Dáil question put by Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey to Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. In early 2016, a Capital Programme for Older Persons Residential Centres was developed and agreed with the Department of Health in response to the introduction of HIQA’s, National Residential Care …

A MOTORIST who drove down the M18 in a vehicle that had bare rims on the front has been arrested. The car was crashed and abandoned but the driver was located nearby and arrested. They tested positive for cocaine and cannabis consumption. Clare Roads Policing Unit received reports of vehicle driving on its rims on the M18. The car was located, crashed & abandoned. The driver was found nearby & tested positive for cocaine & cannabis. They were arrested. Proceedings to follow. #SaferRoads #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/AbxuklYRSI — An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) July 28, 2021 Clare Roads Policing Unit had received reports from the public and affected the arrest Court proceedings will follow.

Ballycasey Property Developments Ltd has lodged a planning application for 14 two-storey dwellings at Dun Aras Avenue, in the Hurlers Cross area of Shannon. Three of the houses would be two-beds, while ten would be three-bed and there would be one four-bedroom house. Thirty five car parking spaces would be provided with the houses. At the moment the site is waste ground, according to the application. A description of the proposed development identifies the 0.82 hectare site and states the scheme would comprise 14 two-storey dwellings facing onto Dun Aras Avenue, but with vehicular access to the rear. “There are five house types, ranging from two bed to four bedroom in size. The scheme will be connected to the town water supply and sewerage systems.” On the site of the development, it says it is “a triangle of land bounded to the north by a slip road for the N18, to the south by an existing housing development, and to …

THE 49th annual Liscannor Bay Swim will take place this Sunday, August 1 at 1:30pm, in aid of the Burren Chernobyl Project, writes Conor Clohessy. Event organiser, Pat Conway, raised over €10,000 for the cause in 2020 and hopes that he can continue to oversee the swim until next year, when he can pass the tradition on to his family members. Liscannor Bay Swim originally took place in aid of a local boy who required special therapy in Budapest for a rare medical condition, and has supported various charities over the years; for the majority of those, funds have been sent to the Burren Chernobyl Project. The Burren Chernobyl Project was established by Brother Liam O’Meara in 1993 to aid the child victims of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion, helping families through the social, medical and economic ramifications of the disaster. “I have great admiration for Brother Liam and for what he does out there. The swim is only a …