Regional

A BRAWL that took place in broad daylight on the streets of Ennis was widely condemned at a meeting, this week, of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC). Several members voiced fears over activities in the centre of the county town since the onset of the pandemic, which has seen the introduction of pedestrianisation on O’Connell Street and reduced footfall as people work from home. Clare’s Garda chief also conceded that the pressure to staff roadside checkpoints had reduced the presence of the force in the town. However, he pledged to boost the visibility of gardaí on the streets as restrictions ease. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard referred to footage circulating on social media that appears to show two young men brawling on Darcy’s Corner, a busy junction in the heart of the town. Despite the presence of onlookers, the men can be seen to leave the footpath and exchange blows in the middle of the road, before leaving …

A RARE insight into the people who live and work in the Burren will be revealed in a series of 60 short films being launched by the Burren Ecotourism Network. The series entitled ‘The People of the Burren’ will give potential visitors a chance to experience the diverse history, geology, archaeology, food and music of the area through the unique perspective of the people who live there. As well as interviews, the films also showcase the stunning landscapes of the Burren. Over the next few months, the films will be released on a regular basis and will be available to view on the network’s social media channels and on Burren.ie. The video stories are part of an ongoing marketing campaign to encourage visitors to the area, once restrictions are lifted. “This campaign will be directed towards the domestic and Northern Irish Markets, both of whom we hope will be able to travel to Clare this summer,” said Jarlath O’Dwyer, CEO …

THE “huge frustration” felt by residents awaiting works to be carried out at the junction of the Shanaway Road and the N85 Lahinch Road has been highlighted, as the route to the coast is expected to become even busier with the resumption of travel within the county this week. A meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard this week that revised design options are being prepared by the Council’s Road Design Office following a request from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Councillor Mary Howard raised the issue in a notice of motion asking for an update on “proposed traffic controls” at the junction which sees traffic “backed up every day”, describing the current situation as “crazy”. The councillor questioned if there had been any recent engagement with TII; what funding has been allocated for the project; has there been engagement with local property owners and is there a proposed timeline to start and complete the necessary works? John Gannon, senior executive …

A MAN wearing a hazmat suit stole the contents of the till at a shop in a Clare town in the early hours of Monday morning. At 1.05am the man entered the Centra on the Gort Road wearing the white hazmat suit with a hood, blue face mask and orange gloves. He was also carrying an implement. The man threatened the member of staff and left with the contents of the till. Thankfully nobody was injured but this was a very traumatic incident for the staff member. This male left on foot in the direction of the Gort Road / Watery Road. We are asking if anyone saw this male or anything suspicious or anyone who may have dash cam footage to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100,” said Sergeant Triona Brooks, Crime Prevention Officer.

TRIBUTES have been paid to the late Maureen Cronin who passed away at her home in Ennis in her 105th year this week. The pioneering educator, talented musician and avid writer was not only well-known in her adopted home-town of Ennis, but she also rose to national prominence. She appeared on radio and television including RTÉ’s Nationwide in 2014, as well as 2015’s The Local Eye where she was seen on one of her regular visits to The Clare Champion offices. She was born Maureen O’Carroll on Christmas night 1916 in Toureenfineen, Rockchapel, County Cork and grew up in a house surrounded by music. After school she trained as a teacher, and on marrying her beloved husband Seán she blazed a trail by defying the marriage ban on women teachers. In 2014, she was honoured at the 2014 Hidden Hearing Heroes Awards for the part she played in getting the ban lifted, becoming a test case for the INTO Teachers’ …

KILKISHEN Community Playground will shortly have its full range of facilities restored, after a successful campaign to raise funds for vital repairs. A risk assessment recently revealed problems with some of equipment in the popular amenity and meant that the swings had to be removed. When the repair bill ran to €2,500, it presented a challenge for Kilkishen Development Association, who look after the playground. “The risk assessment identified items we needed to repair as soon as possible,” said Treasurer, Olivia King. “The swings had to be taken out. The bill looked massive when we got it first, because all of our traditional ways of fundraising were closed off to us. We couldn’t hold the usual fundraisers like cake sales because we couldn’t bring people together during lockdown.” The solution came by way of a Go Fund Me campaign which received a hugely positive response from the local community. “It worked out really well and, in the end, the target …

CLARE’S top Garda has responded to concerns over the use of tourist facilities in Ennis to provide homeless accommodation. In recent weeks, the situation has been blamed for a spike in anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, in residential areas close to the town centre. The issue was raised at this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Deputy Joe Carey, who said the location and nature of the Ashford Court Hotel make it unsuitable as a homeless service. “There is fall-out on the streets of residential areas nearby,” he said. “This has been raised by a number of people. I don’t believe that the tourist accommodation being used is adequate. The proper supports are not there, especially to support complex cases. There is spill-out on to the streets and residents have been contacting us as public representatives, to voice their concerns. “We need a multi-agency approach to nip this in the bud and root out unsavoury behaviour.” Cathaoirleach …

THE State has been granted extra time to serve a book of evidence on a man accused of murdering a woman in Ennis. Patrick Ballard (34), with a former address at Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis, is charged with the murder of Sharon Bennett at Garraunakilla, the Market, Ennis on January 28, 2021, contrary to Common Law. Ms Bennett (29), a native of Wexford who lived in Clare, died 13 days later at University Hospital Limerick. Ballard appeared before Ennis District Court yesterday via video link from Limerick Prison where he has been on remand since January. Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court that the charge of murder was put to the accused on March 24 and the State has 42 days, up to May 5, to serve the book of evidence. Sergeant Lonergan said the book was not yet available and he was seeking to have the case further adjourned to May 12. He said the State was also seeking …