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GARDAI have warned people to be vigilant around text message and email communication after a woman in Clare was scammed out of a significant amount of money. Clare crime prevention officer Sergeant Triona Brooks said, “During the week a lady was at home when she received a text message via WhatsApp from a person purporting to be her daughter. “The text said that she had broken her phone and needed a replacement. This person then requested money to be transferred online and attached a link. “The victim, a trusting individual did not question this at the time and clicked on the link and provided her banking details.” A sum of €550 was taken from the account of the victim in four instalments, €150 x 3 and €100 x 1 before another attempt to take €100 was declined by the lady’s bank. “This lady only realised the extent of this fraud the following day on speaking with her daughter by telephone …

GARDAI are investigating a break-in to a shop and dwelling in an east Clare village in which the owner was assaulted. At 2am on Friday last, November 4, four males broke into a shop in Whitegate by forcing windows to the rear of the shop and gaining entry to the dwelling area. The male owner was assaulted during this break-in and received injuries. The intruders made their getaway in the owner’s car which was later recovered in Whitegate. This was a very traumatic incident for the owners of the shop. Gardaí in Killaloe are appealing to anyone who may have any information in relation to this incident to contact them at Killaloe Garda Station on 061 620540 or on the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland should be brought “kicking and screaming” before Ennis councillors to answer to ongoing traffic issues including the “serious accident waiting to happen” at the Shanaway Road and N85 junction and safety concerns at the Clareabbey Roundabout. That’s according to Ennis’ Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mary Howard who at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District suggested a so-called ‘courtesy junction’ could help alleviate traffic at the Shanaway Road junction until a permanent solution is found. She explained this would involve signage being placed ahead of the junction urging motorists to be courteous of those attempting to join the Lahinch Road from Shanaway. “It is very hard on people living and working there, on those going to play golf or staying at the hotel. They find it very hard to access the Lahinch Road and this is a new idea that could be a good solution in the interim until there is a permanent solution.” John Gannon, senior …

THE fire service in Clare had to respond to four bonfires on Halloween night, one in Shannon and the other three in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis. A spokesperson for Clare County Council said there was some trouble in dealing with the Cloughleigh bonfires. “Yes, there was opposition to the fire service when we arrived in Cloughleigh, however procedures were in place to deal with such incidents and the Fire Service worked with An Garda Síochána to respond to the calls.” Councillor Mary Howard said that many people had fun on Halloween night and children enjoyed trick or treating, but the type of anti social behaviour seen at Cloughleigh cannot be tolerated. “That kind of behaviour cannot continue. It is wrong and it has to be stamped out,” she said. “It’s a night that everyone should be able to enjoy and to be in a safe environment. Parents or whoever is in charge of those young people need to be …

THERE were several Clare hurlers involved in the Underdogs programme which concluded last week, when the side played against Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford. Shannon’s Cian O’Rourke was one of the Underdogs best players on the day, contributing 1-6 to their tally, all but the goal coming from frees. Speaking this week, Cian said that he had been surprised what involvement in the show meant. “When we started I think it was a selfish thing, just wanting to showcase your own talents and show that you are up to the level. But when you go to the camps and there are lads there sharing experiences it was a complete shock to me, that that was the show I was on. “I thought it was going to be all hurling but it was more people opening up, who were in my own age group. That was a big shock. Stemming from that there was a really strong bond come match day.” He said …

CHANGES to an award-winning scheme that has supported farmers to deliver million of euros worth of conservation measures in the Burren have been branded “an unholy mess”. The Burren Programme incentivises those farming one of the most sensitive landscapes in the country, with payments to promote sustainable agricultural management. Since its inception, the pioneering programme has supported more than 400 local farmers who have delivered at least €33 million worth of landscape and biodiversity improvements. Despite its internationally-recognised achievements, the programme will change radically as of January 1, 2023. From the start of next year, farmers will have to transfer to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, ACRES Burren Aran, which covers a territory from the Aran Islands to Loughrea in East Galway. It is feared the move will lead to a drop in payments to farmers and decrease incentives for conservation measures.  Burren IFA member, Michael Davoren has sought an urgent meeting with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. “This is an unholy …

The Shannon cluster of aviation businesses has just gotten bigger as Dublin based AerAdvise announced plans at the Shannon International Leasing Conference (SILC), to establish a new office at Shannon employing seven people. Welcoming the announcement, Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, who officially opened the SILC conference said, “With over 90 aviation companies employing over 3,000 people having now made Shannon their home base, the Shannon aviation cluster is growing from strength to strength. “As an island nation, we rely on aviation to maintain our connections with families, friends, and business, wherever they may be. Aviation is at the forefront in providing access to our island and plays a pivotal role in maintaining and growing our economic, political, and cultural connections with the rest of the world. “Aviation also plays a central role in supporting our tourism industry, which is fundamental in providing employment on a regionally distributed basis, such as here in the Mid-West …

AN EAST Clare man reached speeds of 100kmph on his quad bike in a high speed chase with Gardai across four townlands near the village of Tulla over two years ago. At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Judge Alec Gabbett banned Jake James (27) of Uggoon Upper, Tulla in east Clare from driving for two years and told him that “you are very lucky you are not going to Limerick prison”. Judge Gabbett said that quad bikes are “very dangerous” and noted that Mr James – who works in tree surgery and tree care – and his pillion passenger were not wearing helmets on the day. Garda Darren McLoughlin said that the chase continued for 6.8km and he terminated the chase due to safety considerations for Mr James and his pillion passenger. Garda McLoughlin said that Mr James’s unregistered green yamaha reached speeds of 100kmph during the chase through the townlands that included Rine, Drumullan and Milltown. Judge Gabbett …