Regional

RESIDENTS in 244 houses in one of the largest private housing estates in the Mid-West will be asked to contribute €40 apiece to fund grass-cutting, even though it has not been taken in charge by Clare County Council.It was decided at a residents’ meeting in Westbury Church on Tuesday night, following a recent decision by Chieftain Construction Limited not to continue its grass cutting programme on green areas in Clonard and Riverdale.However, a local county councillor has warned he will request Clare County  Council pay for the cost of the grass cutting, by recouping the money from the bond attached to the planning conditions for these estates.Chieftain Construction Limited are continuing to cut grass in green areas in Bruach Lawn and An Grianán estates, which are not fully completed yet.Senior executive engineer, Sean Lenihan, has confirmed that condition 24 of the permission for Clonard sought a bond to be put in place “to secure the provision and satisfactory completion and …

LATE night drinking by young people in Shannon Banks has prompted calls for the establishment of a community garda sub office.Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said he has received complaints from residents claiming youths are congregating in amenity areas on the banks of the River Shannon at weekends and on some week nights.Claiming that Ardnacrusha Garda Station is undermanned, Councillor Fitzgerald expressed disappointment that no garda has been appointed to replace Garda John Kelleher, who retired from the station last year. He said local gardaí are doing their best to police the area but could use the benefit of having a physical presence in Westbury and Shannon Banks. He pointed out the population of the area including Parteen, Meelick, Clonlara, Ardnacrusha, Shannon Banks, Westbury, Carraig Midhe, Athlunkard and Gillogue is now in the region of 10,000.“What was once a rural part of Clare has over the years taken on an urban look particularly in the Westbury, Shannon Banks, Carraig Midhe and Athlunkard …

LATE night drinking by young people in Shannon Banks has prompted calls for the establishment of a community garda sub office.Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald said he has received complaints from residents claiming youths are congregating in amenity areas on the banks of the River Shannon at weekends and on some week nights.Claiming that Ardnacrusha Garda Station is undermanned, Councillor Fitzgerald expressed disappointment that no garda has been appointed to replace Garda John Kelleher, who retired from the station last year. He said local gardaí are doing their best to police the area but could use the benefit of having a physical presence in Westbury and Shannon Banks. He pointed out the population of the area including Parteen, Meelick, Clonlara, Ardnacrusha, Shannon Banks, Westbury, Carraig Midhe, Athlunkard and Gillogue is now in the region of 10,000.“What was once a rural part of Clare has over the years taken on an urban look particularly in the Westbury, Shannon Banks, Carraig Midhe and Athlunkard …

THE flooding impact of a state-of-the-art €8million sports complex on the Clare campus of the University of Limerick has been raised by locals.Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald claimed householders have highlighted anxieties about the construction of new playing facilities, including two soccer, one GAA and one rugby pitch on a 9.8 hectare site, which is situated on a flood plain.A two storey pavilion development incorporates 10 changing rooms, two referee rooms, first aid room, reception/office area, plant/boiler room, two coaching rooms, restaurant with bar facilities, kitchen, toilets and ancillary services.Clare County Council approved the development at the northern end of the UL campus, subject to 19 conditions last October.Councillor Fitzgerald told The Clare Champion he hoped to set up a meeting with officials in the university next week to try and allay the fears of residents.“In view of the major damage caused by flooding in South-East Clare last November, residents are understandably worried about any development, which might increase a risk of …

A NEW research report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the geology of West Clare is unsuitable for long-term carbon storage, a key technology in the fight against climate change.The study, which involved advanced re-analysis of existing geological data and new drilling investigations in the region, found that the complexity and characteristics of the rocks that underlie West Clare are unsuitable for storing carbon dioxide. It found that the porous nature and permeability of the rock would not support such a use, the space available within the rock for carbon dioxide storage is limited and the effort needed to inject carbon dioxide into that space would be prohibitive.The project findings also have implications for earlier assessments of the potential storage capacity around Ireland, as it suggests that this may be less than originally considered. However, further extensive geological studies will be required to confirm this.Carbon dioxide is the most important long-life greenhouse gas implicated in driving climate change. …

THE Loop Head tourism group, which last week won Ireland’s European Destination of Excellence award, feels that the accolade will be a springboard for developing sustainable aquatic tourism in the area.The group is a partnership of local organisations who are committed to providing a quality tourist experience, while safeguarding the lifestyles and biodiversity that makes the peninsula a unique place to live and visit. The group won the European award in the aquatic section.The group consists of Kilkee business people Cillian Murphy (chairman), John Williams, Kilkee Chamber president, Johnny Redmond; and Kilkee-based architect Tom Byrne.“We always knew that we were a hidden gem with something special in terms of a tourism product and this award was just affirmation for one of the best-kept secrets in the West of Ireland,” the group said in a statement to The Clare Champion.“The award points to the fact that elements with varying tourism products can come together with one positive aim in mind and …

FERRY operators in Doolin have taken exception to comments made by Councillor Martin Conway but the Ennistymon man has defiantly stood over them.At a meeting of Clare County Council, he said ferry operators were responsible for development at the pier not going ahead. “What’s gone on has been a shambles and it’s quite right that it be put back on the ferry operators themselves,” he said.Unhappy with his comments, Dick Grant of Aran Islands Fast Ferries said that the operators were not responsible for the situation at the pier. “He has implied that the ferry operators created a shambles but that’s not the case. Clare County Council have had great opportunities to rectify the problems at Doolin Pier. The shambles has been created by Clare County Council. In 1968 a deed of transfer was issued between a landowner and Clare County Council for 18 acres including the harbour area. “That deed of transfer was never processed and it has held …

The third Clare Burren Marathon Challenge took place at the weekend, bringing with it nearly 1,600 competitors, thousands of supporters and more than half a million euro for the local economy.“We had all the ingredients for a perfect occasion. The weather was stunning and it went very well,” said Gerry Reidy, event organiser.The marathon itself attracted a strong entry but it was the half marathon that had the highest number of participants. “The event also went well from a commerce point of view. The whole scene up there was very conducive to people staying in the area for the weekend and I think business people in the area were delighted with the take up. Every place was booked up for accommodation and food“We estimated that between the people participating and their families and friends, you are looking at half a million euro being left in North Clare over the weekend,” Mr Reidy said.Local businesses were not the only beneficiaries, as …