Shannon

A PROPOSAL that all the trees at Tullyglass Hill be taken out in one fell swoop didn’t get much of a welcome at this week’s Shannon Municipal District meeting. The two members from the town, Sinn Féin’s Mike McKee and independent Gerry Flynn, were particularly against it, claiming that the job at Tullyvarraga Hill some years ago has meant that local people will oppose it. The meeting also heard a proposal for increasing the amount of open space at the town park by creating room by removing older trees, many of them behind the existing town hall. This was largely welcomed by the members. Speaking about this dimension, consultant Nicholas De Jong said the idea of the park works is to meet the recreational needs of the town going into the future and that the existing park area is restructured. He said many of the trees had been damaged last year, others have reached maturity and work is required. He …

MANY of the buildings in Shannon Free Zone were built decades ago and are in poor shape but with €21 million to be invested in the next 24 months and more to follow, Shannon Group says it will soon be far more suited to the needs of 21st Century industry. Demolition work on some of the old stock begun this week and Shannon Group says the project will significantly strengthen the hand of development agencies in attracting major investment. The agency says the €21m first phase of the redevelopment will take place over the next two years and will support more than 250 construction-related jobs, including the redevelopment of a 12 acre site. As part of the initial phase, two projects have been planned at a combined cost of in excess of €10 million. These include a 40,000ft² Grade A office block and a 30,000ft² advance technology manufacturing unit. Work on the 12 acre site commenced with the demolition of …

Shannon Chamber is pulling out all the stops to ensure its members and their business colleagues face into the autumn with health and fitness firmly ensconced in their minds. As part of Chamber Week 2015, which takes place from September 14 – 18, the Chamber has invited fitness expert, radio and TV broadcaster, author and columnist, Karl Henry, to make a presentation at Shannon Airport on Thursday, September 17. The event, which is sponsored by Shannon Airport and GECAS, commences at 6pm in the Transit Lounge at the airport. Encouraging the business community to attend this event, Shannon Chamber’schief executive Helen Downes said, “A lot of people dread the onset of autumn and its association with long, dark nights, and a fear of becoming a couch potato through lack of exercise. Karl Henry is one Ireland’s most recognised and leading personal trainers.  We felt he would be the ideal person to speak to our members and a general business audience …

THERE is a doubt about the future of Shannon Knights, according to accounts filed during the summer, which show accumulated losses of almost €1.75 million. Established in 1972, Shannon Knights has always been family run and has been one of the most prominent social centres in Shannon for decades. A little over five years ago, there was a multi-million euro revamp and in advance of its reopening in 2010, management spoke of expanding their clientele to Limerick and Ennis but economic conditions since then have proven difficult. The accounts, which were prepared by Curtin O’Friel & Co Chartered Certified Accountants and deal with the year up to the end of August of last year, state that the company had accumulated losses of €1,745,549. They state, “These conditions, along with the other matters explained in note 1 to the financial statements, indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a …

SHANNON’S Fergal Barry has been appointed president of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. On Tuesday, he said, “I’m delighted with the appointment. It’s very rare that opportunities like this come up to influence the development of an organisation at the heart of so many people’s lives, futures and dreams. It’s an organisation that has an excellent educational history, really passionate staff and it’s playing a central role in the reform of our higher education system, which is part of the reform of our public services as a whole.” Fergal is the son of Tess Barry of Fearnóg and the late Pat Barry. He attended St Senan’s National School and St Patrick’s Comprehensive School and currently lives with his wife, Deirdre in Limerick City. Tess is extremely well known in Shannon, being involved in various local organisations. “The stones on the road would know my Mum,” Fergal jokes. “The apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree and I bring with me …

THE appearance of the roundabout at Shannon Town Centre, which is currently beset by weeds, was the target of criticism at this week’s municipal district meeting. Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that the council “remove all the shrubbery off the main roundabout at Shannon Town Centre. This roundabout is an eyesore due to the amount of weeds and unsuitable planting being done at this location over the years, and that a more suitable plan be put in place to enhance this central location in Shannon.” A written reply from senior executive engineer Eugene O’Shea acknowledged the issues raised by the independent councillor. “The appearance of this roundabout is unsatisfactory at present, mainly due to the heavy weed growth that has been exacerbated by recent wet weather conditions. Arrangements will be made with the council’s gardening section to tackle this weed issue at the earliest opportunity. Consultation will also be made with the council’s architects with a view …

PEPPER Ireland has announced it is creating 50 new job in Shannon and Dublin with an even split between the two sites. The company is looking for experienced workers and graduates with a particular focus on commercial mortgages and real estate. This is the second jobs announcement by Pepper Ireland in the last 18 months and will bring total employment numbers between both plants to approximately 350 by the start of 2016. Commenting on the new roles, CEO of Pepper Ireland Paul Doddrell said, “Pepper has pursued very rapid growth since entering the Irish market and on the back of a number of significant new business wins we’ve been steadily increasing the number of employees in both Shannon and Dublin. “Pepper currently has over €12 billion of assets under management and we have exciting and ambitious plans for business over the next 12 months. We have attracted great talent in Ireland to date. We are delighted to be in a …

AS anti-war groups prepare to stage a protest at Saturday’s Shannon Air Display, the head of Clare’s garda division this week admitted that dealing with ongoing security matters at the airport is “an inordinate draw” on resources. Speaking at this week’s Joint Policing Committee, Chief Superintendent John Kerin said he would like more resources to be put in place for gardaí in Shannon, particularly in light of the ongoing work involved in dealing with protests and ensuring the security of Shannon Airport. “There is an inordinate draw on our resources that could be used more favourably on crime detection and prevention,” he said. However, the Chief Superintendent added utilising garda resources at the airport is “necessary” and that “they have an impact”. He told the meeting that gardaí are “constantly monitoring” the situation at Shannon Airport to assess any threats, adding that they work very closely with stakeholders to ensure security. Up to 40,000 spectators are expected in Shannon for …