News

A FORMER Clare Person of the Year, who was instrumental in raising funds for Clare GAA, was laid to rest at the end of last month. Seán Hegarty was a native of Carhugar, Lahinch and spent over half a century working in Dublin, heading up Hegarty Demolition, one of the country’s leading civil engineering companies. A past pupil of CBS, Ennistymon, Seán won a scholarship to University College Galway (UCG) and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. In 1971, along with his wife Carmel, he established Hegarty Earthworks, a company specialising in industrial development, site development and road construction. In 1990, he founded Hegarty Demolition, in response to the huge growth in urban renewal, regeneration and conservation. When the redevelopment of Croke Park began in 1993, Hegarty Demolition was the contractor selected for the demolition of the Cusack Stand. Seats salvaged from the project were later donated by Seán to the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron. A passionate supporter …

ANYONE who picked up a EuroMillions ticket at Paper Chase in Ennis is being urged to check their numbers as they could be half a million euro richer. The National Lottery has confirmed the winning location for Tuesday night’s €500,000 EuroMillions Plus top prize win. The winning Quick Pick ticket was sold on December 29 at Paper Chase in Ennis town centre. The all-important winning numbers are: 01, 02, 06, 09 and 19. Paper Chase newsagents first opened its doors in Ennis in 1992 and owner, Sharon Casey started her career as a shop assistant when the store first opened before becoming manager and finally taking over the business in 2008. Celebrating her first big National Lottery win as the store’s owner, Sharon has now called on her customers to check their tickets to see if they have won this life-changing priz. “It’s absolutely incredible, we still cannot believe it! I got the call from the National Lottery late last night and …

GREATER reassurance around privacy of the HSE’s Tracker App is critical, a Ballyvaughan GP has said. Dr Liam Glynn, who is a professor of General Practice at the University of Limerick (UL) made his remarks after a research project, in which he was involved, revealed that 40% of app users are unconvinced of its benefits in the fight against Covid-19.D Dr Glynn, who is a member of the COVIGILANT research partnership between UL and NUI Galway, said the reopening of the economy next year would lead to an increase in risk of contracting the disease and said every tool was necessary in keeping levels of transmission to a minimum. Almost four in ten users of the HSE’s Covid Tracker App reported they are unsure of its benefit in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus, researchers found. The COVIGILANT team has now called for the results of the survey to be considered when planning communications around the value of …

THE Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke has given “a firm commitment” that the government will complete the “funding jigsaw” to develop Ennis’ historic town centre. Last year Ennis received €3.85 million in Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) support as part  of the town centre regeneration programme, which involved extensive works at Parnell Street and the network of lanes and bow-ways in the medieval heart of the town. Earlier this year Clare County Council submitted a proposal for further support under the second call of the URDF. The ambitious proposal sought funding for vital public realm works at Barrack Street, Old Barrack Street, O’Connell Square, High Street and Old Connell Street. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Joe Carey urged Minister Burke and his department “to give this key rejuvenation scheme favourable consideration”. The local Fine Gael TD said, “A number of months ago, Clare County Council lodged a further ambitious urban regeneration and development fund application to …

A SCARIFF-born scientist has taken a prestigious funding award, for the second time, and has described the funding grant as “a dream come true”. Dr Pauline Scanlan has been awarded a prestigious Royal Society-Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) University Research Fellowship, which recognises her outstanding early career achievements, competing alongside the best for her research on microbial activity in the human gut. Dr Scanlan, who went to Scariff National School and then Scarriff Community College, is a role model and ambassador for careers in STEM.  She currently participates in many educational and public engagement activities such as hosting transition year and other students in their labs, primary school visits (which happened virtually in 2020). Her public activities involve her giving career talks, acting as mentors, providing guidance to students for BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSE) projects but also through her day-to-day interactions with students, and other trainee researchers. She is a firm believer in the adage, ‘If you can’t …

THE reopening of Ryanair’s base in Shannon Airport on April 21 has been lauded as a major boost for tourism-related businesses throughout Clare, which have been very badly hit by Covid-19. Speaking to the Clare Champion in Shannon Airport, Shannon Group chief executive officer, Mary Considine said the recommencement of 14 routes from Shannon next April is a “big boost for business in the region”. “Talking to businesses, they need to get their people back out travelling in the market place once it is safe to do so. “We have seen first hand the devastation caused not only by the pandemic but the lack of international visitors into the country and the impact it has had on all these businesses. “There will be a lot of hoteliers, tourism and hospitality providers who will be relieved to see this Ryanair base is back and that we have some services next year. “As we rebuild from the devastation of the pandemic this …

FLAN Hehir, of Ennis Mens’ Shed has been named Clare Shedder of the Year. To celebrate the work carried out within Men’s Sheds in County Clare, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) programme within Clare Local Development Company developed the ‘Clare Shedder of the Year’ award. This was as a recognition to the work carried out in local Sheds within the county. Men’s Sheds were asked to nominate someone they believed fit the criteria of Clare Shedder of the Year. Monica McKenna, Community Development Officer with Clare Local Development Company says, “A large number of nominations were received and after some deliberation Flan Hehir from Ennis Men’s Shed was found to be a worthy recipient. Flan joined Ennis Men’s Shed early 2014 and immediately understood the concept of Men’s Sheds and the benefits to community. He was chosen not only for the help and support he gives to his own shed but also the support he gives throughout …

CLARE people and businesses are being advised by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau to be mindful of a new startup of Revenue Scam calls, which have occurred regularly in the past. A garda spokesperson explains, “The potential victim receives a phone call from a appears to be an ‘051’ number, similar to a Waterford landline number. These are what are known as Voip numbers – computer generated numbers. “The caller will try to acquire the personal information/data or bank details of the potential victim. This attempt can vary but it is usually the following examples; a tax refund is due or immediate payment for a tax bill is required, sometimes to avoid a criminal prosecution The caller will then ask for the potential victims credit/debit card or bank account details. “The Revenue scam in the past has also used both email and text message as a way of contacting potential victims, this will undoubtedly occur again this time.” The …