News

A WELL-known personality, who has presented high-profile sports events all over the world for RTÉ will be honoured by Muintir an Chláir, the Clare Association in Dublin, early in the new year. Marty Morrissey, who has just returned from the Ireland versus Australia International Rules clash in Perth, Australia, has accepted the association’s nomination to be their Clare Person of the Year for 2015. He will be presented with his award at the association’s annual dinner dance in the Clyde Court Hotel, (the former Berkeley Court) in Ballsbridge on Saturday, January 31. A big attendance is expected. Also honoured on the same night will be Seamus Mac Mathuna, originally from Gower, Cooraclare, who will receive the association’s Hall of Fame award for 2015. For years he has been an influential figure in promoting Irish music and song and the Irish language. Born in Mallow and brought up in New York, Marty returned to Ireland with his parents to live in …

Ennis-based Magico, a leading Irish eCommerce technology company, is to hire 12 staff in software development, sales and support. The company is pursuing further growth, as part of a €500,000 research and development project around a technologically advanced big data analytics system it has developed. The Magico DARE initiative is supported with R&D funding from Enterprise Ireland. As well as strong success to date in Ireland, Magico is now actively targeting the UK market. Established in 2000, the company already has major Irish retailers and brands among its clients. It currently employs 12 staff in software development and analytics. Using cloud computing technologies, Magico has developed a powerful new analytics software tool called Magico DARE which helps businesses to maximise the commercial potential of their online presence. With Magico DARE, businesses trading online can continually adapt their e-commerce approach by managing, measuring and reacting to all website activities. Magico’s technology is compatible with all e-commerce systems and integrates with other …

THE appointment of the new Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan has been greeted warmly by her relations in Clare and by the local chief superintendent who said she will “drive change” in the force. Garda Commissioner O’Sullivan’s late mother, Betty (nee Coote), was a native of the New Road area of Ennis. Among her many relatives is former mayor of Ennis Mary Coote Ryan, a first cousin of Noirín’s late mother. Commissioner O’Sullivan’s grandfather, Johnny ‘Joker’ Coote was a well-known hurler and was a member of the Clare junior team that won the All-Ireland Hurling Championship final in 1914. Speaking about the commissioner’s appointment, Mrs Coote Ryan said, “My deceased brother, Paddy, would have been very friendly with her and would have been at her wedding and spent a lot of time going up and down visiting her and I know he thought the world of her. All the family are very proud of her and she deserves it. She worked …

The Road Safety Authority today (Wednesday) is renewing its appeal for road users to be aware of the dangers posed by dense fog, following an updated Orange Weather Warning from Met Éireann. The warning’s in place for Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Westmeath, Meath, Leitrim and Roscommon today until tomorrow morning but other areas might also be affected. Moyagh Murdock, CEO, Road Safety Authority said, “Heavy fog seriously reduces your visibility and makes driving very dangerous. Our advice is to switch on dipped headlights and fog lamps, reduce your speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the fog closes in, reduce your speed further and take your time getting to your destination. Open your window a little so you can listen out for other road users, particularly at junctions. Vulnerable road users should avoid, cycling or walking in fog unless it is a necessity.” All road users are advised to listen to weather …

Clare primary schools are set to receive a funding boost to carry out small-scale repairs, with the announcement of the 2014 Minor Works Grant by Education Minister, Jan O’Sullivan. “Every primary school in Clare with permanent recognition will receive a small amount of funding to carry out small capital or improvement works to the school, with payments issuing to schools next week,” Deputy Michael McNamara in welcominig the announcements. “This funding will help schools make improvements to their school buildings and grounds, and invest in their furniture, and IT and sport equipment. Each school will receive a payment of €5,500 per school, and a further €18.50 per mainstream pupil, or €74 per pupil with special needs. The grant is worth €6,425 for a 50 pupil school and more than €11,000 for a 300 pupil school. “I know from speaking to parents and principals from across Clare of the efforts made to fundraise to cover minor repairs in recent years and …

The HSE has introduced new steps to enhance the operation of the medical card scheme and make it more sensitive to people’s needs, especially arrangements relating to the issuing of medical cards on a discretionary basis. The HSE is taking 10 actions to improve the operation of the medical card system, particularly for people with significant medical needs: · An enhanced assessment process which takes into account the burden of an illness or a condition; · The greater exchange of information between the medical card central assessment office and the local health offices; · People with a serious illness who hold a discretionary card can also be reassured that they will retain their card pending implementation of the actions to improve the operation of the scheme; · The power of GPs to extend medical cards in difficult circumstances will be strengthened; · A clinical advisory group is being established by the HSE to develop guidance on assessing applications involving significant …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is warning road users today (Tuesday) of the dangers posed by dense fog following an Orange Weather Warning from Met Éireann, forecasting widespread fog across the country this evening. Dense fog will develop in many places tonight and will lead to greatly reduced visibilities and poor driving conditions. The fog is likely to clear only slowly during Wednesday. Advising road users Moyagh Murdock, CEO, Road Safety Authority, said,“Heavy fog seriously reduces your visibility and makes driving very dangerous. Our advice is to switch on dipped headlights and fog lamps, reduce your speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the fog closes in, reduce your speed further and take your time getting to your destination. Open your window a little so you can listen out for other road users, particularly at junctions. Vulnerable road users should avoid, cycling or walking in fog unless it is a necessity.” All road users are …

THERE was major Garda activity in West and North Clare earlier today (Tuesday) with gardaí carrying out drugs searches in Carrigaholt, Kilkee, Kilrush, Kilmihil, Cree, Miltown Malbay and Ennistymon. Three people were arrested in an search operation targeting the supply of heroin and cannabis in the region. Two of the arrests were in Kilrush and one in Ennistymon. Those detained are being questioned under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Searches started at 6am on Tuesday morning and have continued throughout the day.