News

HOMEWORK clubs started for Ukrainian children in West and North Clare in recent weeks are already proving themselves to be a success, with hopes of expanding the idea to other parts of the county and maybe further afield. The Homework Club Project, established by Clare Local Development company started for Ukrainian children on October 10 in Kilkee, and on October 17 in Ballyvaughan. Lisdoonvarna’s Homework Club is now up and running successfully for the last three weeks and that one is also open to local children in Direct Provision. Project Leader for the three clubs, Ailbhe Crowley of Clare Local Development Company Ailbhe explains how they work. “These are Ukrainian afterschool homework clubs. We already have homework clubs running around Clare in the Deis schools and these were hugely successful, so after the Ukrainian new arrivals had got involved in the summer camps we decided to expand the homework club system.” “The idea has been a great success so far, we began to …

THERE has been a significant seizure of drugs that were for sale or supply in the Ennis area, according to a local Garda Chief. Superintendent John Galvin told members of a Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday that a person has been arrested in relation to this haul, which is regarded as a major blow to the local drugs trade. The figures showed the seizure of drugs for sale or supply fell from 68 from January to October 2021 to 32 from January to October 2022, a drop of 53%. Detection of so-called simple possession fell from 143 to 110, which translated into a drop of 23%. Serious injury as a result of road accidents in the Clare Division fell 50% from 22 to 11, speeding offences dropped by 7% from 3,749 to 3,478. However, motorists caught driving without car insurance increased 24% from 110 to 136, while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs went up 39% from …

The Department of Public Health Mid-West has moved to make the public aware of an increasing incidence of influenza in the Mid-West region in recent weeks. Flu season starts in October and ends in April according to the Deprtment, and the Mid-West trend is similar to what is taking place around the country. Latest data suggests that the flu is now circulating in the community, and rates may rise more quickly in the coming weeks due to socialising in the Christmas season. A spokesperson said the Department is advising people to avail of the flu vaccine in order to reduce the risk of severe illness. “We are currently experiencing an earlier flu season, and we are concerned about the combined impact of COVID-19, influenza, RSV and other respiratory viruses. “This will add increased pressure on hospitals and General Practice with increased attendances from patients who are ill. We are concerned about the negative and disruptive impact on healthcare settings e.g. …

CLARE County Council being named Local Authority of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards was an honour and a humbling experience, said the Council CEO. The Council was also named overall winner in the ‘Festival of the Year’ (for Ennis Mela Festival) and ‘Sustaining the Arts’ award (for House! Open Air Aerial Dance Spectacle with Fidget Feet). At the Council’s budget meeting, its Chief Executive Pat Dowling said, “It was an honour and a humbling experience last night to be chosen amongst our peers. “Morevoer I think it’s important that these awards are endorsed by the business community, as overseen by various chambers of commerce across the country.” He added, “The two other authorities that we competed with for the overall award were Limerick City & County and South Dublin, two very large urban-based authorities. I take particular pleasure that we did come out on top.” Mr Dowling said the Council staff and the councillors …

A CLOSE-KNIT group of Ennis students are once again helping to bring some festive cheer to the town while showcasing their impressive stitching skills. Ennis National School’s knitting and crafting club ‘The Crafty Crew’  have taken over the window of Insomnia Cafe in the Ennis Shopping Centre on Francis Street with a dazzling display of knitted and crocheted items. And if you look closely, you might just see some familiar characters in this year’s display which has been created with the theme of ‘ElfFest’ a rock concert for elves. The club, made up of children from third to sixth class, as well as their parents and grandparents have been working hard to complete the display which was unveiled in recent days and will remain in place until New Year’s Day. Over the past three years, Ennis National School has taken over the cafe’s window with a Christmas display and according to teacher Ciara Harding the children always look forward to seeing …

LIDL Ireland has been told by Clare County Council’s planning department that “concerns remain” over its planned €20 million development in Ennis. The supermarket giant has been asked to submit additional information to the Council, which has agreed to extend the ‘further response’ period up to and including December 15, 2022. Lidl is seeking planning permission for the development of a new store and mixed-use development at the junction of the Clare Road (R458) and Toberteascain Road. If given the go-ahead, the development will include 20 residential apartments, a café and two commercial units. According to Lidl, the development will create 30 local jobs along with 100 more during construction if granted planning permission. In September Lidl responded to an initial further information request by the Council seeking clarification on a number of items including issues with the design and massing of buildings, in particular the northern elevation onto the Toberteascain Road. A report compiled by MKO Planning and Environmental Consultants …

COMMUNITY workers in O’Briensbridge have held an official reopening of a popular National Looped Walk to showcase the hard work that has transformed the walkway. A few months ago, the two kilometre walkway from the playground in O’Briensbridge had become so overgrown the gap between both sides had reduced down to about 12 inches in some places. Scrub, briars and branches of trees were making it extremely difficult for two people to walk side by side, particularly any adult with a child buggy. However, now the gap on this walkway is about five foot wide, which provides pedestrians with great comfort as they enjoy the splendid view of the River Shannon. On Friday, the tape was cut by Pat Murtagh, a brother of the late community activist and former Community Group chairman, Mick Murtagh, who spearheaded the initial development work on the walkway. Speaking to the Clare Champion, Pat said he is delighted to see this walkway has been made …

IN the heart of Ennis, volunteers spend Saturday nights working to bring some comfort to the struggling and suicidal. At 8pm this and every Saturday evening, the Ennis Haven Hub opens, welcoming visitors and its volunteers will be answering calls and texts until 2am the next morning. The Haven Hub has only been open in the town since spring of this year, and it is the third one in the country, according to its Welfare Officer Edelle Costelloe. “There are three branches of the Haven Hub, there’s Limerick which is the headquarters, and there’s Ennis and Mitchelstown. “The founder was Leona O’Callaghan. She assists in essential policy making, she also delivers training to communities, to our volunteers, to schools and organisations on mental health, first aid and wellness,” says Edelle. The Ennis branch is in a very central area, at 51 O’Connell Street, across the road from Hillbilly’s and next to Pat McCarthy shoes. Edelle says that most Saturday nights …