Regional

A FOUL smell from the Tradaree Wastewater Treatment plant is noticeable as far away as Bunratty, it was claimed at this week’s Shannon Town Council meeting.

CLARE County Council has paved the way for the development of a state-of-the-art convalescence home on the site of the former Two Mile Inn Hotel in Meelick.

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 …

IT’S panto time in Ennis again and the Pantaloons have chosen Jack and the Beanstalk for their 11th production. According to Maeve Fox of the Pantaloons, this year’s production brings a new twist to the classic tale. “This year’s panto is all about a poor boy called Jack who lives with his Mammy, Lola. One day Lola tells Jack that they have no money so he will have to take Dave the cow to market and sell him. On the way Jack meets Lady and Gaga who give him magic beans in exchange for Dave. Lola is so cross with Jack when he gets home with the beans that she throws them out into the garden; overnight the beans grow into a huge beanstalk. Then we find out what happens when Jack climbs up the beanstalk. Will Evil Lord Flatulant evict Lola and Jack from their house?  Will Isabelle fall in love with Jack? Along the way we meet Force …

THE national budget dominated the headlines on Tuesday but on the same evening, Shannon Town Council’s budget for next year was announced, which will see spending lowered slightly.In 2011, total expenditure came to €149,500, while budget estimates for next year have come to €145,000. Some of the areas of saving include office expenses and advertising (€500), travel and subsistence (€1,000), training (€1,000) and town twinning (€1,500).In the budget document, town manager Bernadette Kinsella stated, “Overall, the budget for 2012 has represented a difficult balance in terms of maintaining services while at the same time acknowledging the financial circumstances which exist, both at public finance level and at individual enterprise level.“I am confident the draft budget achieves the balance required and will ensure that Shannon Town Council can fully contribute to and participate in a wide range of activities in 2012. It is essential that Shannon Town Council would continue to adopt a progressive and visionary approach to the discharging of …

THE people of Shannon don’t know what they’re breathing in, this week’s meeting of Shannon town councillors heard, while there was trenchant criticism of the Environmental Protection Agency. There were also concerns expressed about the rate of cancer in Shannon and the surrounding areas.The EPA wrote to the council, in response to an earlier letter, outlining some of its activities in Shannon.“I refer to your letter dated September 14, 2011, received by the agency on September 16, 2011 in relation to your request that the agency investigate significant odour problems in the Smithstown area in Shannon. The agency has been working with Clare County Council in relation to this issue and the following outlines the agency’s work to date.”The letter went on to state that the EPA received odour complaints relating to EPA-licensed facilities in the Smithstown Industrial Estate on 10 specific dates in August, September and October. It also stated the complaints were passed on to both Chemifloc Ltd …