News

RECENT foul discharge from the Doolough Treatment Plant was raised at this week’s West Clare Municipal District meeting, with Fianna Fáil’s PJ Kelly putting forward a number of questions. He sought information on the cause of the discharge, the number of times it happened in the last two years, the impact on river water and the fish population, the impact on animals using the water. He also asked that Irish Water accept responsiblity for damage to humans, animals and fish, what steps they will take to ensure there is no repeat, and information on how they will address the damages. The Lissycasey man said that he believes there has been several instances. “Locals tell me it has happened very frequently. It has severe implications for animals, fish and humans. It’s unbelievable that the colour from it came as far south as the bridge at Cree. It’s not acceptable in this day and age, if it happened a private individual they …

TRADERS in Ennis who have been “split” due to opposing views on pedestrianisation could be drawn together through the reintroduction of a town wide paint scheme for businesses, it has been suggested. Councillor Pat Daly made the proposal at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where he was informed that talks are underway between the Council and the Local Enterprise Office to determine whether or not it is possible. Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Daly stated, “Everyone knows a lot of the traders were split, but I think if we could revive the paint scheme for businesses in the town it might reunite them. It was done before and there was great excitement in the town and it looked great.” Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Paul Murphy, commented that he also received representations from businesses urging that a paint scheme be introduced. He told the meeting that he has spoken with the council executive and has been told contact …

GARDAÍ have seized almost €19,000 worth of suspected cannabis herb following the search of a house overnight. Gardaí attached to the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit carried out a search under warrant of a house in the Kiltartan area of Gort, shortly after 10.30pm on Monday May 17. During the course of the search, a quantity of suspected cannabis herb valued at approximately €16,500, and suspected cannabis plants valued at approximately €2,400 were discovered. These items were seized and are being sent for forensic analysis. No arrests have been made. An investigation is ongoing.

REPRESENTING Ireland as one of only two Europeans on a new Global Green Youth Forum has been described as “awesome” by an O’Briensbridge environmental activist. Saoirse Exton, (15) has been chosen as one of 14 youth leaders on a C40 Global Youth and Mayors Forum, which will work together over the next year to shape how the vision of a Global Green New Deal can be made a reality in cities across the world. The Global Youth and Mayors forum is part of C40’s Global Youth Initiative, announced by Mayor of Los Angeles and Chair of C40, Eric Garcetti, at the 2019 C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen. Youth members were selected from each continent, with additional representation from continents with more than one billion people in order to ensure that the forum is representative of global youth and perspectives from across the world. Having applied to C40 Team, she was selected to become a youth climate change leader. “It …

THE overall compliance rate with national standards in the Ennis Psychiatric Unit fell by 10% over a 12 months period, a new report has revealed. A report published by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) rated the overall compliance rate of the unit at 64% last year compared to 74% in 2019, 66% in 2018, 76% in 2017 and 57% in 2016. The approved centre is located on the ground of Ennis General Hospital and provides in-patient mental health care to residents of North Tipperary and Clare. It had a total of 39 beds. Five beds were designated to psychiatry of later life (POLL). Nine teams admitted residents into the approved centre including the POLL, and rehabilitation teams. Responding to the report, the HSE stated Mid-West Mental Health Services are committed to the delivery of quality and safe mental health services. HSE Mental Health Services welcomed the report of the MHC and has been working since the visit in November on …

LAWS against coercive control need to be expanded to cover all circumstances where the abuse occurs, according to a South Galway mother-of-three who was subjected to a harrowing ordeal by a Kilrush man. That’s the view of Sourney Linnane, who is delighted with the findings of a national survey of 1,000 Irish adults commissioned by Safeguarding Ireland and carried out by RED C. Martin Mulqueen (53), Ballynote, Kilrush, but with an address in Bawn Street, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, was the third person to be jailed for coercive control in Ireland recently. Mulqueen pleaded guilty during this trial to three sample charges, including coercive control, assault, and assault causing harm on dates between March and October 2019. Last March, he received a combined sentence of 54 months, with the final 20 months suspended for four years. The sentence was backdated to the time he went into custody. Coercive Control is a pattern of behaviour which is designed to exert control over …

THE National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is inviting people in Clare with memories of boats and boat building in their community to submit their stories to an online archive of Irish heritage.  The NMI memory project is looking at the vibrant maritime heritage along Ireland’s western coast. The project is part of Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival – celebrating creativity as we age throughout the month of May. It is envisioned the memories, stories and family photographs collected will help inform the development of a new exhibition gallery about vernacular Irish boats at the NMI – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, County Mayo. The NMI has a collection of over 30 traditional Irish boats including some of the oldest currachs in the world. Curator with the National Museum of Ireland, Noel Campbell, wants to hear from people in Clare who can help the Museum tell this story. “Did you grow up in a fishing community? Was your family …

UL Hospitals Group has this afternoon announced widespread cancellations as they continue to be adversely impacted by the ransomware attack on HSE IT systems. Among the cancellations from tomorrow are outpatient clinics and elective inpatient and day case procedures. The statement reads, “We regret that from Tuesday, May 18, widespread cancellations in scheduled care will across our six sites. From Tuesday the following service disruptions are expected across the following hospitals University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. “All outpatient clinics are cancelled. All elective inpatient and day case procedures are cancelled. This is with the exception of time-critical cases and these patients will be called directly in advance. All diagnostics including x-ray, CT scans, MRI appointments and cardiac investigations are cancelled. Endoscopy services are cancelled.” Services that will go ahead include Maternity services including ante-natal clinic, dialysis treatment, Cancer day ward (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), Acute Fracture Unit (UHL) …