Ennis

ACCEPTING a new joint housing strategy for Clare and Limerick would be like “turkeys voting for Christmas”, a recent meeting of Ennis Town Council was told.Councillor Johnny Flynn was speaking as members voiced their disapproval of plans to include the strategy in the Ennis and Environs Development Plan. Concerns were also raised about the inclusion of the Mid-West Retail Strategy in the plan for 2008-2014.Senior planner Gordon Daly told the meeting the housing strategy outlines future needs for housing in Ennis and the rest of the region. According to the strategy’s projected figures for 2017, a total of 964 additional housing units will be needed in Ennis.Councillor Mary Coote Ryan asked if there was any reason why the strategy had to include Limerick, with Mr Daly outlining it is a departmental requirement and there is a need to examine the wider region.Councillor Tommy Brennan commented, “This is just another quango; they are taking local politics away from local people. It …

ENNIS Town Council has put the brakes on a call for free car parking to be provided in the town in the run up to Christmas.The council has rejected a suggestion by Councillor Johnny Flynn, who urged that shoppers visiting Ennis should be able to avail of free car parking on streets and in council car parks on all Friday and Saturday afternoons between 2pm and 6pm until December 30.At a recent meeting of Ennis Town Council, Councillor Flynn stated, “Limerick city is offering free parking this month, Kilrush are doing the same thing and there are reduced parking rates in Galway. The last six weeks of trading have been very tough, we have had adverse weather and the budget.”He argued that free parking would increase the number of people coming to Ennis to shop. “People will be spending local. We have to try and sustain jobs in the town. According to a study by the Economics Foundation in London, …

STAFF of the Whelan Group, with its headquarters in Ennis, were tight-lipped on Wednesday morning following a meeting with the liquidator in the West County Hotel.

ENNIS Town Council is seeking approval to arrange an overdraft facility of €2m for the coming year.

ENNIS Town Council will have to seriously consider increasing parking rates in the town, as income from parking fees and fines has dropped and new rules regarding VAT on parking have increased their liability.

ONE of the country’s top businessmen, Fergal Quinn, was in Ennis this week to share his business expertise with local shopowner and baker, Carrie Gardner.

THROUGHOUT the town this week, people of all ages could be seen cautiously edging their way forward on walkways, concerned that they might slip.Anticipating that the weather could take a turn for the worst again this winter, one local businessman has put his entrepreneurial thinking cap on and sourced a novel shoe cover to give added grib to walkers on slippery walkways.John O’Connor of Custy’s in Ennis, an avid walker, found that he wanted something to put on his shoes so he could continue to go for walks when the wintery conditions normally stop people from getting out and about. On the internet, he found City Track over-shoe crampons, elasticated rubber shoe covers to fit all types of shoes with spikes underneath to give extra support and grip to people walking on icy, snowy or wet roads and paths.“I’m stocking them in the shop now. I like to walk myself and looked into something I could put on my own …

ENNIS Town Council has proposed revising the scale of charges at the Lees Road sports facility, which would see any club using the cross-country track facing a charge of €40 per hour.In the draft bylaws relating to services at the Lees Road facility published earlier this year, which went on public consultation in September, the town council made a proposal that it intends to charge teams and individuals for use of the cross-country running track at the facility. Charges already apply for teams using AstroTurf facilities, playing pitches, dressing rooms and the recently developed synthetic running track. But the use of the cross-country track had been free for both teams and individuals until now.Under the proposals, clubs would be charged €40 per hour, individuals will be charged €2 per hour, while a daily rate of €200 would apply in the case of large events using the cross-country track.The draft bylaws will be up for consideration by Ennis town councillors at …