News

SIGNIFICANT progress has been made in relation to a spike in thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles across the county, according to Clare’s top Garda. Outlining the crime figures for the first three months of 2021, Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran noted that thefts from MPVs had more than doubled on the same period last year. The figures, presented to members of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) bear out the big jump in reports of thefts at locations all over Clare in recent months. While all other categories of property crime fell in the first quarter, year-on-year, there was a 115% increase in thefts from vehicles. “There were 34 thefts from MPVs between January and March of last year and 73 this year,” outlined the chief superintendent. “Catalytic converters are very much the target. Significant arrests and in-roads have been made in this regard.” Reacting to the figures, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan noted that catalytic converters are stolen for their scrap value. …

A DRAFT of the new masterplan for Shannon was shown to local councillors on Tuesday. While there have been numerous plans for the town over the years, they have so far failed to deliver a proper heart to Shannon, while local anger has been bubbling over the last five years about the town’s lack of facilities, the lack of investment in it and the fact it is possibly the only Irish town without a streetscape. One previous plan proposed a light rail system running through the town, but that proposal, along with virtually everything else in that plan, came to nothing. However, hope springs eternal, and Councillor Donna McGettigan said there are things to be positive about in the draft that was shown to the Councillors this week. She said it could see Bóthar Mór become a focus for new development, potentially giving the town a main street for the first time. “Bóthar Mór would be the main focus of …

IRISH Water is in hot water after the contamination of a West Clare river was linked to an “accidental” discharge from its Doolough Water Treatment Plant last week. Maidhc Garfield has claimed the Annagreeragh River was polluted as a result of the discharge of aluminium sulfate filtrate from the Doolough Water Treatment Plant on Thursday night. This claim has prompted a joint investigation by Clare County Council and Irish Water. “I have noticed the river turns an orange colour with pollution. This usually happens on a Friday or Saturday evening once a month and is a reoccurring theme on the May Bank Holiday and during bank holiday weekends. I can see dead fish floating on the river with a belly full of air poisoned from the river. “In the last five years the river bank is degrading and all the grass and roots of trees are burned. The bank is falling away. It happened again last week and I have …

Farmer Aoife Forde sings the praises of agriculture schemes tailored to their areas, such as the one in The Burren AOIFE Forde feels privileged to be born and raised in the Burren in the middle of a such a unique landscape. The 24-year-old agricultural science graduate and suckler farmer loves working on the family farm, which is is situated about three miles from Carron, just a stone’s throw from Mullaghmore, Sliabh Rua and Knockanes, most of which is owned by the state through the Burren National Park. Aoife describes the Burren as a magical place and really appreciates growing up surrounded by the rocky limestone outcrop. “You can get a sense of people that came before you. You see stone walls that are standing there for hundreds of years. You can see the ring forts and all the old cattle pens. I just feel privileged about where I was born and raised.” She agrees that efforts must continue to protect …

THE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of one additional death related to Covid-19. There has been a total of 4,873 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight, Saturday 24th April, the HPSC has been notified of 429 confirmed cases of Covid-19. There has now been a total of 246,633 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland. Of the cases notified today: 234 are men / 182 are women 78% are under 45 years of age The median age is 29 years old As of 8am today, 174 Covid-19 patients are hospitalised, of which 45 are in ICU. 13 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours. As of April 23, 2021, 1,359,921 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Ireland: 966,611 people have received their first dose 393,310 people have received their second dose

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour at public amenities in Kilrush has prompted a local councillor to call for more proactive policing in the area, as well as greater supports for young people. At the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Councillor Ian Lynch said it was time that the body stepped up its efforts in highlighting anti-social behaviour and in proposing effective solutions. He cited, in particular, the need for an update on strategies proposed to-date by the JPC, including the creation of a multi-agency taskforce to tackle drugs and related crimes. Councillor Lynch outlined how public amenities in Kilrush are now the site of concerning levels of illicit and anti-social activities. “We know very well the benefits of public, outdoor amenities like the Coillte-owned Vandaleur estate and woodland,” he said. “While they are being used regularly by more and more people, there has also been an increase in thefts from vehicles. People are coming along at 3pm in the day, …

TEN years ago Damian Casey set out on a journey of faith, which has led him to being ordained as a priest of the Franscican Order this weekend. His ordination will take place this Saturday at 4pm, and on Friday, April 30, the newly ordained Fr Damian will celebrate the 7.30pm mass in Ennis Cathedral. Brother Damian is currently the Deacon of the Franciscan Order and his ordination, along with his first mass on Sunday at 12 noon, is being broadcast on the internet. Damian was born in Waterford, a past pupil of Mount Sion CBS. After school his life took him on a career in teaching, ending up as Principal of Mother of Fair Love School, Kilkenny. In 2011 Damian began exploring his vocational calling and this led him to the Franciscan family. Two years late Damian came to Ennis as a novice and in September 2014 in the Friary here in Ennis he made his first profession. His …

One of Clare’s most famous faces will be the focus of a RTÉ documentary this Sunday. Keys To My Life, hosted by Brendan Courtney, will speak with Ruan native and traditional Irish music icon Sharon Shannon as they journey to some of the key places that have shaped her life so far. Sharon travels from the home she grew up in to the dream home she built in Galway from the fruits of her enormous success, as Brendan makes some surprising discoveries about the woman behind that shy smile. Along the way Sharon revisits the spartan (and now derelict) cottage in Doolin where she first learned how to ignite an audience, living without a bathroom or toilet – in 1988! She returns to the Spiddal Mansion that marked her musical breakthrough with chart topping 80’s band The Waterboys, and there’s a sad return to the house steeped in memories of her late partner Leo who died suddenly just before Sharon’s …