Regional

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declined an offer from Shannon Town Council to send a representative to a meeting. Shannon Town Council previously wrote to the agency and the EPA’s response was presented at the February meeting.“The agency acknowledges the concerns that have been expressed by the elected members of Shannon Town Council in relation to the odour issues, which affected the Smithstown area of Shannon in September and October of last year. The agency notes that you refer to our previous letter of October 28, 2011 in which we set out the position in respect of our investigation of these odour issues. In that letter, we confirmed that odour complaints had been received concerning two EPA licensed facilities, that the details of these complaints had been passed to the operators for their investigation and that the odours had been investigated by EPA personnel and by independent specialists on a number of occasions.“As a result of these measures, the …

Landowners and ­residents look like they will be stuck in limbo by the proposed emerging route for a new motorway, following official confirmation that funding of between €100 and €120 million needed for the project has not been ring-fenced.Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has confirmed it is unlikely that Phase Two of the Northern Distributor Road linking Meelick with Annacotty will progress any further than route selection at this time due to current financial difficulties.In response to a Dáil question tabled by Limerick East Deputy Willie O’Dea, Minister Varadkar explained priority has to being given to providing funding for projects that are already committed to.“However, I understand this project is part of a long-term plan for the economic development for Limerick City and its environs within County Clare. Completing the route selection stage will enable the preservation of the route corridor for the project in the relevant local authority plans. This will enable the council to progress this project in the …

THE attendance of just one Clare Government deputy at the demonstration opposing Phase Two of the Northern Distributor Road on Saturday last left some of the organisers feeling disappointed. Clare Labour Deputy Michael McNamara was the only Oireachtas member from the Banner County who participated in the march in Parteen. He was joined by Clare County Councillors, Pascal Fitzgerald, Cathal Crowe and Joe Cooney.The absence of Deputies Pat Breen, Joe Carey and Timmy Dooley was noted by locals. Fine Gael Deputy Kieran O’Donnell and Fianna Fáil’s Willie O’Dea were the only Limerick East Deputies who attended the demonstration, as Finance Minister, Michael Noonan and Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan weren’t present on the day.Speaking to The Clare Champion, one of the organisers, Ed English, stated there was an open invitation for the march, which was well publicised.“We would appreciate support from the Clare TDs as well. It may be in the Limerick Electoral Area but Parteen is still in Clare and …

Despite Fáilte Ireland beginning work on the restoration of WB Yeats’ former home at Thoor Ballylee on Monday, the well-known historical building will not be open to the public in the near future. “I cannot commit to a date for the reopening of Thoor Ballylee but all I can say is that it is a priority for me. The restoration works which are taking place in the tower at the moment will take up to three months and perhaps a bit more if everything doesn’t go as planned,” said Labour senator Lorraine Higgins. “This work is absolutely essential for the revival of tourism in South Galway. The connection with Yeats has not been fully tapped into. Given that Thoor Ballylee has been in a dilapidated state since the flooding in 2009, this has acted as a deterrent to tourism in the area but now Failte Ireland has provided funds for restoration work on the building and this is a step …

Local legends are set to reach for the stars in aid of the development of the long-awaited public playground in Gort. Following years of campaigning, a new playground is finally on its way to the South Galway town with work to begin before the summer on the site located on the Ennis Road, across from the Lady Gregory Hotel. While some public funding is expected, further finance will have to be raised locally to pay for the work. “The playground company is confident that the grant awarded over two years ago will soon be drawn down to begin the development. It is expected that the total spend on the playground will be around €100,000, which includes local funding from the community. The playground company is delighted with the offer from the organisers of Reach for the Stars to run this highly-entertaining night for our local children, who need somewhere to play and have fun,” said Martin Aherne. “Reach for the …

FUNDING has to be secured to provide a footpath and public lighting in Doolin to safeguard its status as an international tourist attraction, local county councillors have warned. Councillors predicted at a recent Ennistymon Electoral Area meeting that Doolin’s tourism appeal would be hindered unless a footpath and public lighting is provided in one of its tourist hot spots.Councillor Richard Nagle urged Clare County Council to provide a footpath and public lighting between Roadford and Fisher Street adding that the current situation is causing “severe difficulties and severe safety hazards for pedestrians”.In response, Clare County Council is to investigate the possibility of land purchase and to look at where the council has sufficient space to provide a footpath that does not require the purchase of land between Roadford and Fisher Street.Councillor Nagle recalled locals were previously assured that these facilities would be provided once a new sewerage scheme is put in place. However, since the small sewerage schemes for rural …

CLARE County Council is to inspect two “extremely important” North Clare monuments, after a local councillor warned they could disintegrate if they are not repaired.Councillor Richard Nagle recently requested the local authority to arrange an inspection of the O’Brien Vault and Monument at St Bridget’s Well cemetery, Liscannor and subsequently called on it and the Office of Public Works to address the issue as a matter of extreme urgency.“The O’Brien vault is a landmark of historical significance. The O’Briens were the local landlords. They built O’Brien’s Tower as a viewing platform for their visitors. The present visitor centre at the Cliffs of Moher was the site of the old stables built to house the horses when visitors went to the tower to admire the view overlooking the Atlantic.“The family vault is a focal point in St Bridget’s Well cemetery and over the years, it has been allowed to fall into disrepair. It, like the monument across the road from it, …

Burglars beware, Flagmount/Killanena Community Alert Scheme is working together through a text initiative to ensure that no crime goes undetected. Although in existence since 2002, Flagmount/Killanena community alert has taken on new life after it began a networked text alert scheme that reaches out to more than 100 people in the locality. The group is the first in the East Clare area to adopt the scheme, which warns the community about suspicious callers, unusual activity and when community events are going on. The alert’s effectiveness is two-fold, not only do the community text their coordinator if they spot suspicious cars or callers but the gardaí also let the community know if they are tracking a suspect car or individual that may be in the area. The texts are coordinated by one person and feeding into the coordinator are a further 15 sub-coordinators, each based in a different townland in the Flagmount/Killanena area. A neighbour might text or tell their local …