Shannon

GARDAÍ have seized approximately €60,000 of suspected cannabis herb in Shannon. At approximately 9pm on Tuesday, August 31, gardaí attached to Shannon Garda Station conducted a search on lands in the Drumgeely area. During the course of this search two carrier bags were located. These were found to contain suspected cannabis herb, with an estimated value of €60,000. These drugs were seized and will be sent for forensic analysis. No arrests have been made as of yet, and Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the Drumgeely area last night from shortly before 9pm and thereafter who may have seen anything unusual to make contact with them. Anyone with information which may of assistance to this enquiry is asked to contact Shannon Garda Station on 061-365900 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

THE Shannon Group CEO has called for the public to use and support Aer Lingus’ Heathrow service from Clare’s airport as much as possible to ensure the route’s long-term future. Mary Considine was speaking this Wednesday ahead of the return of the Aer Lingus London Heathrow service to Shannon Airport on September 13. “It is great to see the Heathrow service return to Shannon in what has been, and continues to be, an extremely difficult period for the aviation sector,” said Ms Considine. “We will be working closely with Aer Lingus to build the service and to resume long-haul services, however, airlines make decisions on routes based on a number of factors, one of the most important of which is how many passengers will travel on their flight. “The best way to ensure the Heathrow service and indeed other routes, remain for the long term is for people to support them. “We have already seen encouraging up-take for the range …

SOURCES say it looks increasingly likely that Lufthansa Technik will be sold, rather than restructured or closed down.  The company are understood to still be in discussions with an interested party, as talks aimed at agreeing a sale continue.  While at one time the company had expected to make a decision on the Shannon plant’s future by mid July, there is still some uncertainty nearly a month later, but there is optimism that the discussions will ultimately bear fruit. Lufthansa Technik Shannon,  employs around 500 people, but has seen its operations hit very hard by the pandemic. It  specialises in the overhaul of short- and medium-range aircraft. The services offered include basic overhauls and annual checks on the Boeing 737 Classic und Next Generation, 757, 767 and MD-80 types and the Airbus A320 family of aircraft. The aircraft overhauls are carried out in a 12,300 square meters hangar offering five parking positions. In a further, approx. 4,600 square meters hangar, …

IRISH Water has completed its upgrade of the Shannon Wastewater Treatment Plant which it says will protect the local environment and support growth and development in the area for years to come. This project, carried out in partnership with Clare County Council, will ensure that there is adequate treatment of wastewater, for now and into the future, as well as protecting public health and safeguarding the environment. The project also ensures compliance with the European regulatory standards. The works had been sought locally for a number of years, before they began. Irish Water has invested €7.5 million to carry out this project which upgraded several aspects of wastewater treatment and provided new ventilation and odour treatment systems. The upgrades made maximum use of the existing infrastructure on site, minimising the carbon footprint of the works. Infrastructure Delivery Lead, Anthony Kavanagh said: “We are delighted to announce the successful completion of this project which brings many benefits to Shannon from an …

CLARE had some positive economic news lately, when OLED Material Manufacturing Limited and PPG combined to create 100 jobs in Shannon, taking the former Avara site in Shannon. Formerly of Roche in Clarecastle, Gerry Cahill is now the PPG Plant Manager for Shannon, as preparations begin for manufacturing. While there is a long and very successful history of US companies coming to Ireland, he says it was very complex during a pandemic, with the whole thing having to be arranged virtually. “One of the biggest challenges was the purchase of the site without ever physically being on the site. These guys have made quite a leap of faith. They’re currently leasing the site and early next year they’ll buy it. “Until last week, no one from either PPG or UDC had been on the site, it was all done virtually. The second biggest challenge is that the site had been closed down for a year. We’re starting to reactive systems, …

CONTACTS between An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Shannon Aer Lingus workers who are being laid off are understood to be continuing following an initial meeting, writes Owen Ryan. While Aer Lingus have been adamant that there will be no rethink on the closure of the Shannon cabin crew base, there has been a little optimism since the meeting between the Taoiseach and workers took place, with one source saying there is still a “smallish chance” of a rethink. Speaking on Wednesday, Clare TD Cathal Crowe said that the meeting between the Taoiseach and the workers had been satisfactory. “The meeting went well. It lasted for an hour and a half, which was much longer than all in attendance had expected. “The staff said that the Taoiseach had given a very sympathetic and listening ear, he understood where they were coming from, he listened to many of the reasons they gave as to why this permanent closure is unfair and unwarranted. …

LAST week’s meeting of Shannon Municipal District heard criticism of the new draft masterplan for Shannon Town Centre, and a request that the deadline for submissions on it be extended. Very close to the outset of the meeting independent Councillor Gerry Flynn made the call for the time for submissions to be extended. He said that just the previous day the county development plan had been pushed back for seven months, because there hadn’t been adequate consultation due to Covid-19. Putting the deadline back for the Shannon masterplan is necessary, he said, with local people unhappy about the level of consultation. “There is widespread anger in the community because they haven’t had proper engagement.” After Jason Murphy of the Council’s executive said he would run the request by Brian McCarthy of the Council’s planning section, Councillor Flynn said this would not be adequate. “This is something for the Chief Executive to decide on.” Councillor Flynn said he had put forward …

THE Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society has published the latest issue of its journal, The Other Clare, writes Owen Ryan. While the pandemic has posed undoubted problems for the Society, spokesman John O’Brien said that it has actually attracted new members in recent months, having moved its events online. The latest edition of The Other Clare is now available from local outlets, and as ever will be much appreciated by those with an interest in local history. The new edition is the 45th volume of The Other Clare, and the cover carries a fine illustration of the former Sixmilebridge Market House, drawn by artist Hillary Gilmore. The original structure was built to the design of the noted architect John Rothery in 1733, but regrettably only a much reduced remnant of the original building now survives. About 20 authors contributed papers ranging in date from the early Christian period to the early twentieth century. Among the medieval essays, Rosemary Power contributes …