News

A JUDGE has described a father who abandoned his two school-going children to travel to Singapore to a woman he met online as ‘callous’ and ‘cowardly’. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford said that Cho ‘Simon’ Cheung (51) abandoning his children in October 2016 was “a calculated, criminal act”. Mr Cheung abandoned his daughter, Ciara then aged 11 and his 15-year-old son nine years after the children’s mother had left the family home in Shannon to go back to Hong Kong. Judge Comerford said Mr Cheung’s offence “is an egregious example of callousness and cowardice on behalf of the accused”. Judge Comerford said that Mr Cheung was cowardly for lying, saying that he was going to Dublin instead of Singapore and callous because he knew that the children’s mother hadn’t been in their lives since daughter, Ciara was two. Judge Comerford said, “Mr Cheung knows his children are about to lose the presence of granny who has been there …

THE Feed Clare foodbank at the Kincora building in Shannon Town Centre, is now only operating every second Friday. Karen Cassidy has been involved in its operation for years, and she said the last few months have seen a huge jump in demand. “Oh gosh, yeah. In the last two months I’d say we’ve had an increase of about one third. Last month I think we had 22 new applicants, which is a lot for a small town like Shannon.” On an average week it provides support to around 50 families. “I suppose we have about 120 on our list altogether. Not all of them would come every week, some would come once a month or something like that. But that’s the situation now.” All levels of society are grappling with the worst level of inflation seen in decades, but it’s harder for some than others. “I had a single mother come in recently, she would have five or six …

HUNDREDS of homes and businesses in Clare left without water on Wednesday following a burst water main will have to wait until at least 7pm and possibly longer for the problem to be fixed. Repair crews from Irish Water were on site in the early morning with disruptions to supplies in Quin, Doora, Ballybeg, Moyriesk, Clarecastle and surrounding areas. A spokesperson for Irish Water had stated, “Repairs to a burst water main are being carried out and are expected to be completed by around 3pm (Wednesday). That estimate has now been pushed out to 7pm however. The spokesperson said, “The burst may cause supply disruptions to customers in Quin, Doora, Ballybeg, Moyriesk, Clarecastle and surrounding areas in County Clare. We recommend that you allow 2-3 hours after the estimated restoration time for your supply to fully return.”

DEVELOPERS aiming to build 41 new homes in the village of Quin have moved to allay concerns over several aspects of the proposed estate.  Datcha Construction, who lodged a planning application last January for a site at Quingardens, have responded to a request for Further Information. The company has provided the Council with additional design and layout details, as well as several reports on the likely environmental and archaeological impacts.  Additional information has been provided on house design, road layout and other matters. Among the documents provided by the developer are a Natura Impact Statement, a Screening Report for Appropriate Assessment and a full Bat Survey Report. In addition, a report on the outdoor lighting has been submitted, as well as Flood Risk Assessment, which includes a review of the likely effects of climate change. An archaeological report has also been submitted. Revised designs have been submitted to respond to concerns raised by the planners and in response to submissions …

PROGRESS with the Scariff Rural Regeneration Project has stepped up a gear, now that the planning process has begun.  A Part 8 planning application for a series of town centre works has gone to public consultation, with submissions being accepted up to December 12. Under the application, it is proposed to change the former Supermacs building into a digital hub and to convert the Merriman Tavern into a community centre and community space. The construction of a car park on a green-field site close to the Market Square is also outlined, as well as pedestrian access from the R352 and the rear boundary wall of the Merriman. The application notes that works would materially affect the Scariff Architectural Conservation Area. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening determination has concluded that “there is no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment arising from the proposed development” and that an EIA is not required.  Killaloe Cathaoirleach, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan described the …

VANDALS who caused damage to a war memorial in Ennis last month have been described as “cowards” by a local councillor as it is confirmed this week that action is being taken to deal with litter in the area. Last month the Clare Champion reported that one of four stone benches installed at Clare’s World War 1 memorial in the Clare Peace Park near glór had a piece broken off while rubbish had also been left strewn about. The importance of respecting the memorial as a place to remember the people of Clare who lost their lives in the war was emphasised by Councillor Mary Howard at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District. The councillor called on the local authority to provide bins for rubbish and to cut back overgrown weeping willow trees at the site. She added that “once it is allowed I will be looking for CCTV cameras to be installed.” The Ennis Municipal District have …

THE Green Party has selected Bridget Ginnity to be its local area representative for the Ennis electoral area.  Bridget thanked the Clare Greens for the selection, stating, “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to represent the Green Party for Ennis. Senator Róisín Garvey and Councillor Liam Grant have been doing great work in Clare to make climate, communities and equality a priority and I hope to further their work in Ennis. “Given the current fossil fuel crisis I have a particular interest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. “The Green Party was instrumental in introducing a new Home Energy Upgrade Scheme with grants for everything from timers and attic insulation to full upgrades. Well insulated homes means warmer homes, lower heating bills and reduced carbon emissions. “Locally I will be working hard to improve walking and cycling infrastructure in Ennis as well as public transport routes. We got a taste of the calm that comes from reduced car use …

CLARE students have been warned about the dangers of becoming a ‘Money Mule’ by the county’s crime prevention officer. Sergeant Triona Brooks outlined, “If you act as a money mule you are helping international organised crime. You are helping them fund other crimes and funding their lifestyle.” She explained that a Money Mule is a person who allows their bank account to be used for the transfer of illegally-gotten money on behalf of others. They may also receive money into their bank account in order to withdraw it and wire it overseas. “Even if Money Mules are not involved in generating the money, they are acting illegally by laundering the proceeds of crime and helping criminal syndicates move their money around the world. It doesn’t matter where the money is stolen, it is a crime to launder the proceeds of crime in Ireland regardless of where the original crime occurred.” Money Mules are often recruited through social media or instant …