News

NURSES in the Mid-West could face disciplinary action if they decide to use a safer standard of face mask, a nursing union has claimed. According to the INMO, frontline hospital staff in Limerick, Ennis, Nenagh, and Croom have been told they could face disciplinary action if they upgrade to using a safer standard of face mask. However, this has been disputed by the UL Hospitals’ Group, who stated nothing in the memo restricts staff from wearing FFP2 face masks where appropriate and in line with national infection prevention and control guidelines. It has also emerged the number of health care staff off on Covid-19-related leave increased to 602 on Wednesday last. This figure is subject to change and may increase or decrease later in the week. It includes staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 either through the workplace or community transmission, close contacts of positive cases and staff who are showing symptoms and are staying off work in line …

TWO children have been knocked down in the Inis Orga estate in Sixmilebridge, and this week’s meeting of Shannon Municipal District Councillors heard a call from Councillor John Crowe for more safety measures. In a motion to the meeting he said, “I am requesting this Council provide speed ramps/traffic calming measures at Inis Orga, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare. This is a busy estate and two children have been knocked down here.” However the written reply prepared by Senior Executive Engineer Tom Mellett was not particularly encouraging. “The initial 70m of this road would benefit from some form of traffic calming. The Municipal District does not have a budget to cover this type of work and so a funding application for Low Cost Safety Improvements will need to be submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland in an effort to obtain adequate funds. We will look to see what avenues are available to us to secure funding.” Councillor Crowe said that he has had …

CATALYTIC converters continue to be a target for thieves in the county with a number of thefts reported to gardaí throughout Clare. “Unfortunately again there have been a number thefts of catalytic converters in various parts of the county during the week,” said Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks. Between 6pm last Monday and 11am on Tuesday morning last week two were taken from cars parked on Ballard Road in Miltown Malbay and one parked on the Galway Road, Lisdoonvarna. “One of the car owners on Ballard Road heard an angle grinder and when he looked out he saw two males leaving in a red Saloon car after stealing the convertor,” stated Sergeant Brooks. At 1.15am on Tuesday morning last a red saloon car was seen leaving the Woodview estate on the Killimer Road, Kilrush after taking a convertor from a car. And between Friday, January 15 at 1pm and the following Saturday evening at 6.30pm the convertor was stolen …

“NEAR miss’” accidents on a local road on the outskirts of Ennis have sparked calls for measures to be taken to slow down motorists. The L8172 road in Doora is regularly used as a shortcut between the Quin Road and the Tulla Road a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District has been told. Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy urged, “Further to report of near-miss incidents on the L8172 road in Doora and its use as a shortcut between the Quin road and the Tulla road, that efforts be undertaken to slow down the traffic that is using this narrow and windy road.” The motion was seconded by Councillor Pat Daly who said it was a “very, very busy road”. Eamon O’Dea, senior engineer, replied, “The Ennis Municipal District Office has inspected the road and is consulting with the Road Design Section and other Municipal Districts to confirm the appropriate provision of warning signs at the entry points from the Knockanean and …

THE Department of Housing has defended its decision not to approve Clare County Council’s plans for a multi-million social and affordable housing development in Meelick. Deputy Cathal Crowe wrote to the Housing Minister asking why a loan was denied to Clare County Council to develop a mixed housing development comprising of 70 social and affordable housing in Meelick last year. The Fianna Fáil Deputy had expressed his disappointment this housing development was shelved as there is a huge demand for social housing in South-East Clare. “It is hugely regrettable that this project is not being developed at a time when there is an immense need for housing in this area. I liked this development because it almost had a 50 50 split of affordable and social housing,” he stated. In accordance with the requirements in the Local Government Act 2001, Clare County Council sought sanction to borrow €6 million to purchase 10 sites across the county for housing development in …

“NOT only are we frightened for our exams, but we are frightened for our lives, and the lives of those around us.” Those are the words of Ennis Leaving Certificate student Jake O’Loughlin who is pleading with the Taoiseach Mícheál Martin and the Minister for Education Norma Foley to listen to students’ worries about how Covid-19 will affect this year’s state examinations. The Gaelcholáiste an Chláir student believes that the government have up until now “been extremely hesitant to listen to the pleas of my fellow students” and he is calling for clarity on plans for the Leaving Cert this year. He says there is “intense worry” among students. He expresses appreciation to the Taoiseach and Minister for Education for “finally addressing the physical health of me, my fellow students and our families, by not forcing us to return to school on January 11”. However, he insists that the government needs to address the mental health of students immediately. “The …

THE Irish Defence Forces and the HSE Covid-19 Support Team are providing significant external support to an Ennis community hospital, which has been severely hit by staff defections following a major Covid-19 outbreak. It is the first time that the Irish Defence Forces has provided non-medical logistical assistance to a long-stay residential facility in Clare since the start of the pandemic. There were 20 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Cahercalla Community Hospital and Nursing Home  earlier this week. According to SIPTU, more than half of Cahercalla’s 60 healthcare assistants (HCA) 36, were out as positive cases or close contacts. The union has outlined 12 out of the hospital’s 28 nurses were also off work and one nurse left. One kitchen attendant and one cleaner were also off work. However, the HSE has provided a total of 18 nurses and healthcare assistants and ten agency staff, which varies on a daily basis. SIPTU health official, Mark Quinn has confirmed staff are …

GARDAÍ in Clare are reminding people that help is available to those who need assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic. They are also reminding drivers on their way to or from a Covid test not to roll down their windows if stopped at a checkpoint. “Just show the Garda your appointment on your phone through the closed window of your car,” explained Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. She outlined that the Community Policing Sections of the Clare Garda Division in partnership with Clare County Council and multiple other agencies “are available to assist those who might require assistance during these challenging times of the Covid pandemic. We are asking people to abide by Government guidelines ad regulations in an effort to keep themselves and others safe. “Where assistance is required you make contact with the Clare Community Response group on Freephone 1800 203 600 which is in operation from 8 am to 8pm seven days a week.”