Regional

A request for traffic lights be installed at a busy junction in Shannon will not be granted, writes Owen Ryan. At a meeting of Shannon Municipal District, Councillor Gerry Flynn requested the lights for Bóthar Droim/Bóthar na Rinne and the entrance to the Town Centre. He also asked that the existing pedestrian lights be located at the junction. In a written reply, Senior Executive Engineer Tom Mellett remarked that government and mobility policy seeks to encourage more people to choose to walk or cycle and reduce unnecessary car use. This, he said, aimed to help create a high quality urban environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and creates additional footfall in our town centres. To support this, he noted a range of funding opportunities have emerged including Active Travel, Town Centre First Policy, URDF. “Shannon has been included under Active Travel funding for a mobility plan,” said Mr Mellet. “This will explore modes of transport, desire lines for walking and cycling …

A SHANNON councillor has requested the installation of fencing at a site in the town to combat anti-social behaviour, writes Owen Ryan. Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that the County Council “clean up the area surrounding the pump house in Drumgeely, located adjacent to the river walk and Drumgeely housing”. He also request fencing be put in place around the pump house “to deter further illegal dumping of waste and anti-social activity”. His motion also stated, “The restoration of the local footpath that links on to the river walk would be helpful in the rerouting of pedestrians away from the pump house.” During the debate he acknowledged a lot of the clean-up work has been done, but that a few bits are left and there is still some vegetation. He also said that fencing at the pump house is needed to deal with “illegal activity and anti social behaviour there”. In a written reply, Senior Executive Engineer …

A NEW funding stream for works on former national roads will be exploited by the local authority for an upgrade of the old N18, writes Jessica Quinn. A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard calls by Councillor Pat Daly for an upgrade of the road from Kelly’s Corner out to Cois na hAbhaine on the Gort Road. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, responded, “In 2021 the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport introduced a new funding stream which allows local authorities to apply for funding to resurface the former national road network. “Funding has been sought by this office for the former national roads in the district including the R458 Gort Road (formerly the N18). “Members will be updated in the coming months as soon as the 2022 grants have been awarded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.” Councillor Daly welcomed the response, saying when the funding is available he would like to see some works done …

ON THE Feast of St Brigid (Tuesday, February 1), pilgrims gather at the well dedicated to the saint at Ballysteen in Liscannor.  The work of Michael Houlihan and Tony Kirby in collaboration with Clare County Council has produced a county-wide survey of more than 230 wells and St Brigid’s is among the best known and most popular. The survey, which is to be launched online tonight (Feb 1), outlines the history of the well. “The well lies beside Considine’s Bar on the Moher Road in an area set aside for the well house and the way up to the graveyard above. This could be Clare’s most celebrated holy well. The well house is crowded with remembrance cards, offerings, little statues, rosary beads – all brought in thanksgiving or as part of a request to the well and the saint.” Pilgrims visit regularly, but two feast days are particularly important. “Saint Brigid’s Day, is the feast day observed at the well, …

A RACEHORSE trainer who was last year banned from the sport for animal welfare abuses has avoided jail following conviction over his dogs killing a neighbour’s sheep. Stephen Mahon, 53, was spared a prison sentence after paying out €6,500 compensation to a 67-year-old farmer left ‘brokenhearted’ by sheep kills over the years. At Gort District Court, Judge Mary Larkin made the judgement after the compensation payout to John Moran who has been farming for 52 years. Judge Larkin said: “If Mr Mahon hadn’t paid the compensation, he would definitely be going to jail.” Judge Larkin made her comment after imposing cumulative fines of €1,350 on Mr Mahon of The Ranch, Kilcolgan, concerning a sheep kill on June 3 2018 at Caherpeak, Kilcolgan, involving two dogs, a Rottweiler and a Terrier belonging to him. Judge Larkin imposed six separate fines concerning six separate offences concerning the two dogs. The largest fine of €500 concerned Mr Mahon being an owner of a …

THE organisers of the first Corofin All Stars programme for children with additional needs are thrilled with the success of their innovative pilot project, writes Dan Danaher. In fact, the success of the first dedicated programme for children with special needs in a Clare GAA club exceeded the expectations of Eimer Ni Riain, Crystel Robbins Rynne and Adrian Beakey. On Sunday, some of the Intermediate footballers and coaches dropped into the start of a new programme of training children in GAA skills. Ms Ni Riain, who has 30 years experience as an occupational therapist, doesn’t have any child involved in the sessions. The practice education co-ordinator on the occupational programme in the University of Limerick saw there was a gap for children with special needs who weren’t participating in sporting activities. “The programme helps children with special needs to engage with other children in a fun and safe way that is different to going to therapy and school. “In addition …

A SERIES of questions have been put to the Minister for the Environment, by Clare’s Sinn Fein TD over proposals to prospect for silver and gold ore in East Clare.  Deputy Violet Anne Wynne tabled the Parliamentary Questions (PQs) to Minister Eamon Ryan on foot of controversy over attempts by a Navan-based mining company, Minco, to secure a prospecting licence for a number of towanlands in Tulla and Bunratty Upper. (Read about the public meeting against the move here) The deadline for submissions was extended to Sunday last, after a public outcry, and intervention from Senator Róisín Garvey.  Minister Ryan confirmed the extension to January 23, outlining that an additional 14 days had been given. The Kilrush-based representative asked a range of questions of the Minister on his knowledge of the East Clare proposals and mining and prospecting policy generally.  In response to a question on what kind of environmental impact statements are required when a company applies for a …

A BROTHER and sister threw up to 32 eggs at their aunt during a five minute long ‘egg assault’ on her outside their south Galway home two years ago, a court has heard. At Gort District Court, Mary Fahy said that her face got ‘banged’ and ‘bashed’ with the eggs thrown by her nephew and niece, Cathal Connors (25) and Michelle Connors (20) both of Fannaun, Peterswell in south Galway while she was driving past their home at around 6.30pm on October 17 2019. Mrs Fahy told the court, “It was bang, bang, bang, bang. I thought they were stones and they continued for five minutes or thereabouts and banging eggs off my face.” She told the court that her niece and nephew threw “a dozen and a score of eggs” at her adding that she saw Michelle and Cathal Connors “running out from the front door – they obviously had it set up”. Cathal and Michelle Connors each denied …