Ennis

FRESH opposition has been expressed to plans for a proposed retail development on the outskirts of Ennis. A recent submission prepared for Ennis Chamber and submitted to the planning authority insists, “If one wanted to design a retail development which was likely to bring no benefit whatever to the town centre it would be hard to find a better way of doing it than what is being proposed.”The developers behind the proposal have made a number of changes to the original plans following a request for further information from the planning authority Ennis Town Council.This further information was deemed to be significant by the planning authority and the applicant Michael Lynch Ltd was requested to publish a public notice. Submissions in relation to the further information have now been received by Ennis Town Council from a number of parties, including residents groups, business organisations and local businesses. Among the revisions made to the plans for the site on the Limerick …

AN Ennis councillor’s proposal that the Government provide for all local representatives to have mandatory equality and anti-discrimination training has received growing support from a number of organisations. A recent meeting of Ennis Town Council voted against the proposal by Councillor Paul O’Shea. However, as well as receiving support from the Clare Intercultural Network, the proposal has also now been backed by Labour and Travellers’ representatives, Pavee Point.Labour’s Intercultural Group have pledged their support for Councillor O’Shea’s proposal that all public representatives should receive three hours of equality training. “Labour Intercultural Group supports the motion put to Ennis Town Council by Councillor O’Shea to introduce training in equality, anti-discrimination and racism for all public representatives. It is regrettable the council voted down the proposal. It is also regrettable that some councillors voted the proposal down on the grounds that ‘they don’t need training’,” commented Karen McCormack and JM Singh, co-chairs of the Labour Intercultural Group. “Most public representatives have a …

AN Ennis girl’s picture perfect relationship with her grandfather has been chosen as a winner in a nationwide photography competition.

THERE was a record attendance at this year’s Ennis Tidy Towns Local Awards ceremony with more than 250 people gathering in the Civic Room of Ennis Town Council for the event.

DEVELOPERS behind controversial proposals to build a retail centre on the outskirts of Ennis have made a number of changes to the original plans, which they say will make a “positive contribution” to the layout of the proposed scheme.

THE Christmas spirit of the late Jim O’Driscoll will live on this week, as his family carry on his tradition of lighting up their home in Elm Park to raise money for charity.Jim’s home became synonymous with the Christmas season for more than 10 years, with people coming from all over the county to witness his home decorated with more than 10,000 individual lights and a host of other decorations.He would spend months preparing his home to become a winter wonderland, inviting both the young and young at heart to come along and join in the festive fun. Over the years, he has raised money for charities such as Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Cahercalla Hospice and the Clare Sunset Foundation.Although Jim passed away in March of this year from complications of type 2 diabetes, his family are determined that his last wish to light the lights one last time to raise funds for Diabetes Ireland will come true.On Thursday, the lights …

THE Lions Club of Ennis is hoping to light up the lives of others this Christmas as part of their annual fundraising appeal. The last number of years has seen the Lions raise funds for local charities through the sponsorship of lights on the town’s Christmas tree.This year’s appeal will raise funds for the Brothers of Charity services in Clare. According to Tom Carey, project co-ordinator with the Lions Club of Ennis, “The Brothers of Charity do a lot of good work around the county and we are happy to be able to support this work through our annual appeal.”He explained, “This fundraising appeal has been facilitated by Ennis Town Council and we are urging people to sponsor lightbulbs on the town Christmas tree in the market. Sponsorship costs €20 a bulb and a fundraising page has been set up on mycharity.ie. People can donate by going to the website and hitting ‘sponsor a friend’ and typing in Lions Xmas …

LOCAL people have been discriminated against by non-Irish nationals, it has been claimed by one local councillor, who has called for an end to all kinds of discrimination.Councillor Frankie Neylon was speaking at this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, where councillors voted against a proposal calling for the Government to provide mandatory equality and anti-discrimination training for local representatives.Councillor Paul O’Shea had proposed the council extend their sympathies to the family of Moses Ayanwole, the taxi driver who was murdered in Dublin in November. This was unanimously agreed by all councillors. However, a dispute arose between the councillors following Councillor O’Shea’s proposal that the council request that Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, legislate immediately for mandatory training in equality, anti-discrimination and racism for all local elected representatives throughout the State. Councillor O’Shea stated local representatives are “obliged to the people, that we use appropriate and inclusive language”. However, Councillor Tommy Brennan dissented from the proposal saying, “I’ve served …