East Clare

Labour TD for Clare, Michael McNamara may not face automatic expulsion from the Parliamentary Party after voting against the Government. Deputy McNamara put forward a bill, not supported by the Government, to give effective trade union recognition to the Garda representative associations and remove a ban on them striking. The Clare TD voted against the Government coalition but Labour sources say he will not face the normal automatic rule of expulsion or lose the Government whip because it was his own piece of legislation. Deputy McNamara, however, still believes the issue will have to be tackled. “I’m disappointed that the relevant line ministers didn’t accept the legislation – I’m disappointed, but no more than that,” he said following the vote. “If you cannot introduce a piece of legislation, then what is the point of being here? I introduced a piece of legislation which I believe is necessary – it brought about changes which Ireland will have to introduce, both [in] …

The planned extension of Raheen Community Hospital is to get underway this August, according to Clare TD, Joe Carey. Deputy Carey said he had received the up-date from Bernard Gloster, manager, HSE Mid West Community Healthcare. Deputy Carey said, “ “The extension to Raheen Community Hospital has the benefit of planning permission and detailed design documents are currently being developed. It’s my understanding that the procurement process for a works contractor is to be progressed over the next few weeks and when completed the project will be tendered to the short listed contractors. The HSE inform me that should all go according to plan, work will commence on site during August 2015. “This news will be of great comfort and relief to patients and their families who rely on the wonderful services in Raheen. This important development will enable the hospital to continue to provide appropriate care in the community for years to come. I want to thank the HSE …

A new trail showcasing the rich natural heritage of Lough Derg will be officially unveiled next week. Lough Derg (on the Shannon) Nature Trail is produced by the county councils in Clare, Galway and Tipperary, and co-funded by The Heritage Council and Lakelands & Inland Waterways. The 130-kilometre trail takes visitors from Portumna in Galway down the western shore of the lake, to Killaloe in Clare, and back up on the eastern side to Terryglass in Tipperary. The stops along the route, which can be travelled in any direction, include walking routes, lakeshore access, great bird watching locations, woodland parks for adventuring, and quiet spots to enjoy the beautiful vistas of Ireland’s third largest lake. Among the 24 discovery points featured is the monastic site at Inis Cealtra, known as the “Jewel of the Lough’, as well as the ancient woodlands of Portumna Forest Park, Derrycrag Wood, Raheen Wood and Cominchas Forest, the sheltered bays and harbours at Rosmore, Mountshannon …

25-year-old Kieran Hayes has been found safe and well. The Whitegate resident had not been seen since Monday and his family had grown concerned for his well being. On Saturday morning however gardaí announced that Mr Hayes, who went missing from Douglas in Cork, had been found.

A surfer who dislocated his knee when he lost his footing on a slippery pathway is recovering from his injury at University Hospital Limerick. The incident in Lahinch occurred late Thursday evening when the Doolin Coast Guard team was tasked by MRSC, Valentia. The surfer was returning to shore when he lost his footing on a pathway and dislocated his knee. The team assembled and set up the climbing equipment. The HSE Ambulance Service was also tasked and arrived on scene a short time later. Two climbers descended with a stretcher and the injured surfer was treated for pain and shock and his leg was splinted. He was then hauled to the top and taken to the waiting ambulance. Meanwhile, the Irish Coast Guard Unit at Killaloe were involved in separate emergency incident the previous night when a woman in her 60’s, who had been walking in the Silvermines Hills in Tipperary with her husband, lost her way. The pair …

Voice of Ireland judge Rachel Stevens insists Scariff singer, Sarah McTernan deserves her place in the Voice of Ireland final this Sunday, despite claims from another judge she qualified because she had the support of her employers, Penneys. Kian Egan has no act in the final since his top acts John Bonham and Helena Bradley Bates were knocked out in this week’s semi-final. However, Kian feels that John, in particular, should be in the final whilst Sarah should not. He said that Sarah has Penney’s behind her, which has made a huge difference to her. He recalled in the quarter-finals, she was in the bottom two and now with Penney’s behind her she has reached the final. Dunnes Stores is also backing Patrick Donoghue who works for the store. Kian, who says he is not bitter about the situation, just feels for his acts, also revealed that he will not return for another series of The Voice of Ireland, even …

A young Scariff singer has described securing a place in the last eight of The Voice competition as “surreal” and a “dream come true”. Sarah McTernan from Fossabeg never expected to reach the semi-final when she first entered the competition but is now hoping that huge support from the Banner and elsewhere in the country will help her win a place in the last four. Regardless of how she fares in the remainder of the competition, she believes the huge experience and training she has obtained in recent weeks will prove invaluable in her bid to make a singing career out of her favourite past-time. Only two members of Rachel Stevens’ team were in a position to qualify from the quarter-final on Sunday night. Kieran McKillop was selected from the public vote, leaving Sarah sweating it out with her team mate, Paddy Kennedy for the second spot in the last four. The Scariff singer has been working on her confidence …

ICSA rural development chairman, Billy Gray has called for a complete re-think on how to protect the hen harrier, an endangered bird that is found in the East Clare/South Galway region. Recent extensive gorse fires in the area increased concerns for the long term future of the bird. Mr Gray argues that the Government response to the hen harrier is a denial of reality which will not safeguard the bird but will continue to have a devastating impact on farmers with hen harrier designation. “The GLAS scheme is of some help to farmers with smaller areas of designation, but it is inadequate for many farmers,” said Mr. Gray. “The ban on afforestation needs to be reviewed as there are considerable doubts about whether it is actually warranted or whether a more nuanced approach could yield better results. Most importantly, the Government needs to wake up to the reality that the hen harrier cannot thrive in rural communities if its presence …