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CLARE GAA has backed senior hurling manager Brian Lohan over his comments about how two Clare players were deemed close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases. The issue arose after two Wexford hurlers that played against Clare were confirmed as having contracted the virus, and two Clare players were later deemed close contacts. Lohan’s queries over how they were identified prompted an angry response from Wexford. The county board this Tuesday stated, “The HSE designated the Clare players as close contacts which is their function and was never disputed. The issue is how they were identified as close contacts. “The HSE in the Mid-West region were informed by the contact tracing team in relation to the decision that was made. Brian Lohan as manager of the Clare Team contacted the HSE locally when he was informed of the identification of two senior hurlers as close contacts. “The HSE informed Brian Lohan that two players were identified on foot of discussions between …

A DUMPING incident blocked a road in South East Clare and resulted in a county councillor having to get a tractor out to clear the way for children travelling to school, the local authority has heard. At the May meeting, Councillor Pat O’Gorman described Gallows Hill, Cratloe and Meelick as “particular hotspots for dumping”. He made his comments in support of a motion from Councillor PJ Ryan, who asked the authority to reduce the cost of disposing of mattresses and suites of furniture, in the hope that it might discourage fly-tipping. Councillor Ryan said he had to report mattresses dumped on the road and the riverbank in Meelick. “I was struck by the cost,” he said. “It needed a JCB, a truck, a general operative for traffic, a general operative to handle the lifting and an overseer. “Within days, I had to get furniture removed from a nearby hill. It costs €20 to dispose of a mattress and €50 for …

LOW-BUDGET tourism was debated by the council’s Rural Committee this week when members heard that some visitors are going so far as to dispose of the contents of campervan sewage tanks in public toilets. Councillor Cillian Murphy said one particular blog had advice on travelling the Wild Atlantic Way without spending a penny. “This includes a guide on how to dump the contents of a sewage box,” he said. “It talks about walking into a shopping centre with a bag in order to do so. Explain to me the economic value of that.” The Fianna Fáil member made his remarks when asked by Councillor Pat Burke about the experience in West Clare last summer. It followed a presentation to the Rural Committee of The County Clare Tourism Strategy 2030. Councillor Burke welcomed positive tourism developments for East Clare, but raised concerns about the restriction of services due to the pandemic. “We had a number of campers arrive at Dromaan Harbour …

ALL NINE Blue Flag beaches managed by Clare County Council have retained their prestigious status for the 2021 bathing season. Kilrush Marina retains the Blue Flag status awarded last year. The four Clare beaches that received the Green Coast Award have also retained the award for the coming season. At a virtual ceremony on Tuesday (May 25), An Taisce revealed the list of Blue Flag Beaches and Marinas for 2021, which includes Ballycuggeran, Killaloe; Cappagh Pier, Kilrush; Fanore; Kilkee; Lahinch; Mountshannon; Spanish Point; White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown Malbay. On the latest list for the Green Coast Awards are Seafield, Quilty; Bishop’s Quarter, Ballyvaughan; Ballyallia Lake, Ennis; and Carrigaholt Beach. The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. The Blue Flag originated in France in 1985 when French coastal Local Authorities were awarded with the Blue Flag for compliance with sewage treatment and bathing water quality criteria. It was launched as an International programme as …

THROUGHOUT the recession all Clare County Council meetings heard stories about the complete absence of funds, but with the country coming out of Covid, things are very different. At Tuesday’s Shannon Municipal District meeting, Director of Services Liam Conneally said that at the moment “a plethora of grants are being fired at us at the moment”. He said that the “Government are trying to assist businesses, trying to assist community groups, trying to assist local authorities.” One thing he said he was disappointed about was that other Municipal Districts were doing better at accessing supports than the Shannon area, but he said this could be addressed. Mr Conneally said that there are some very good reasons to be positive about the economy at the moment. “A lot of new job creation goes unannounced. Another 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 jobs that would be added to a company, they mightn’t want it announced but it is happening. There is …

AER Lingus called its Shannon base “inefficient” in a letter to Tanaiste Leo Varadkar outlining why it is closing its cabin crew base in the Clare airport. The airline wrote to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment on Tuesday, and the letter also sought to put some of the blame for the situation on aviation policies the Government has pursued. “Aer Lingus has suffered very significant damage as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, particularly as travel restrictions in Ireland have been more stringent than in any country in Europe,” the second paragraph stated. It also said that the airline had lost €361 million last year, and another €103 million in the first three months of this year, and is now carrying a large debt burden. The airline claimed that Shannon had been uncompetitive prior to the pandemic. “The Shannon base has been inefficient and out of line with market for a significant period of time. “In addition, we …

UNLIKE some health services that ceased during the Covid-19 pandemic, the workload for the Clare Community Intervention Team (CIT) increased dramatically for its ten staff members over the past 14 months. Clare Community Intervention Team (CIT) is a specialist nurse-led health professional team, which provides a rapid and integrated response to a patient with an acute episode of illness who requires enhanced services for a defined short period of time. This may be provided in the patient’s home, CIT clinic and in both public and private nursing homes. The aim of the CIT is to support patients in their own homes and promote hospital avoidance. It also facilitate the early and prompt discharge from hospital. It provides a quick response to a medical need and can provide a fast track nursing service from 8 to 8.30pm seven days a week that is not available in the generic community service. Some of the key services it provides are IV antimicrobial therapy …

THERE will be disruption to water supply in a Clare community this week as part of essential improvement work. Irish Water, working in partnership with Clare County Council, is carrying out water main improvement work between Mullagh and Milltown Malbay. In order to progress this essential work, there will be disruption to water supplies in the area on Tuesday and Thursday. On Tuesday, May 25 from 10am to 4pm works will impact water supply primarily to Miltown Malbay village; but will also impact on Spanish Point and surrounding areas. These works will also impact on all group schemes fed from the supply including Rinnen and Glendine schemes. On Thursday, May 27, from 10am to 4pm works will impact water supply to the same areas and schemes. It may take 2-3 hours for normal water supply to return to all customers, but, Irish Water says, it is important to continue to follow the HSE guidance on hand-washing. The work involves the …