News

THE death of one of the oldest residents along the banks of Lough Derg evoked a great deal of sympathy in the local community. Dora Benson (102) was one of the centenarians living in the twin communities of Ballina and Killaloe. Mary (Dora) Benson, who would have been 103 in October, died peacefully at her home in Ballina surrounded by her loving family recently. Born in Grange, Ballina in 1917, nee Clarke, she attended what was known at the time as the Iron School in Killlaloe, which was subsequently closed due to small numbers so she transferred to Ballina National School. She and her sister were sent to live with an uncle and aunt in Adare so she could attend a Church of Ireland national school. At the age of 15, she returned to Grange to look after her mother who wasn’t well at the time. She continued to look after her mother and work on the farm until she …

PROVIDING free care to children who tend to be the healthiest in the population in preference to the most vulnerable makes no clinical or economic sense, according to a local doctor. Dr Michael Harty has questioned a recent government decision, which provides GP care without fees to six and seven year-olds and the basis for further phased extension of GP care without fees to all children 12 years in the coming years. The new bill also provides for the implementation of an increase in the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 or older to €550 for individuals and €1,050 for couples. Dr Harty has pointed out there is no evidence that the general health of patients under six years have had substantial health benefit from being provided with free GP care. Public health initiatives regarding health diet, exercise and weight control are best delivered through education, public health measures and media campaigns. The former chairman of …

THE government is being warned that more people will die from delayed and missed cancer diagnoses, than from Covid-19, unless funding for oncology treatment and screening is properly supported over the course of the pandemic. Medical card campaigner John Wall, who himself has Stage IV cancer, was reacting to a briefing from The Department of Health outlining reduced services, as well as major increase in waiting lists. “Obviously, the pandemic is absolutely catastrophic,” he said. “But, the fact is that more people are dying every day of the week from cancer than from Covid-19. Covid cases must be dealt with in conjunction with oncology services. There is no doubt but that those delivering health services are doing their very best, but the reality is that people are already going undiagnosed and cancers are being missed, and that before you factor in the impact of Covid-19. I see, every day, the issues that people are having when they don’t get a …

THE Creamery Bar and Restaurant has closed temporarily after a person working there was diagnosed with Covid-19. Last Thursday afternoon it posted a message on Facebook saying “The Creamery is presently closed as a precaution due to one member of staff testing positive for Covid-19. “As we are a small team many of our staff have been in contact with that one staff member and now are on restricted movements for 14 days. We don’t have a back up staff to man The Creamery so we will voluntarily be closed for that period of time. “We are working with the HSE and a contact trace log has been prepared and all close contacts will be identified and contacted by the HSE with the appropriate information going forward.” “Under the current government guidelines you should monitor for any Covid-19 symptoms and should they develop then you should follow those guidelines, self isolate and contact your doctor.” The statement also thanked all …

A FEAST of music, dance, painting, crafts and film is in store for young people across Clare and Limerick, with an event entitled, Scairt na hÓige, A Creative Youth Festival around the Shannon Estuary, taking place from August 27 to 30. The Clare element will see activities in Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush, organised by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) in association with Creative Ireland, and involving a range of creative partner organisations. “Creative Ireland are really brilliant in terms of encouraging young people to participate in the arts and in asking them what they want in terms of arts activities,” explained actor and former star of Fair City, Maeve McGrath, who is festival organiser. “This programme is a direct response to that. Creative Ireland supports participation in the arts and raises awareness of creative sectors and roles.” Kilrush will be the focal point of activities on Thursday and Friday, as the majestic tall ship, Ilen, docks …

THE development of a new ‘Urgent Care Centre’ at University Hospital Limerick has been recommended in a new draft plan by a Mid-West steering group looking at ways to alleviate overcrowding at the hospital. The news is confirmed in response to a parliamentary question from Clare TD Joe Carey. Deputy Carey directly raised the issue with the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. The local Fine Gael TD asked the minister if he was aware of the proposal to develop the Urgent Care Centre at University Hospital Limerick and if the necessary resources would be provided “to advance the plan and deal with chronic overcrowding at the hospital”. In reply, Minister Donnelly forwarded a response from UL Hospitals Group chief executive Colette Cowan. Ms Cowan confirmed to Deputy Carey, “A Mid-West Integrated Care Steering Group comprising staff from HSE MidWest Community Healthcare, UL Hospitals Group, National Ambulance Service and the Department of Public Health MidWest has developed a draft plan for an …

As the domestic season draws to a conclusion, I think great credit must be given to the clubs, players, officials and the CDSL for getting domestic soccer up and running again and bringing the season to safe and successful completion particularly as other leagues took the decision to bring their competitions to an abrupt end due to the Covid 19 crisis. Before turning our attention to the quarter finals of the Clare Cup this coming weekend, I think it is a good time to reflect on some talking points of the past season in Clare soccer. Probably the biggest success story this season for me has revolved around youths football in Clare and the near misses experienced by both the Clare youths team and in particular Bridge United. This is a club that has always produced players of quality and now has fantastic facilities to match, so to see their youths progress to the semi finals in both the provincial …

AN Outbreak Control Team has been established at University Hospital Limerick after one patient and one member of staff on Ward 3B tested positive for Covid-19 this Tuesday ( August 19). Contact tracing and testing is currently underway and all appropriate infection prevention and control measures are being followed in line with the national HPSC guidance. A number of staff from the ward at the centre of what we believe to be a localised outbreak have been identified as contacts. They have been asked to stay off work and to self-isolate in line with national guidance.  Initial testing of all patient contacts is complete and has not identified further cases. Initial testing of all staff contacts is expected to be complete tomorrow. All patients on the ward in question have been informed of the outbreak. Noreen Spillane, Chief Operations Officer, UL Hospitals Group, said: “Hospitals have been preparing for these situations for many months and we have now established an …