South Clare

FOLLOWING a series of false dawns, it looks like works are finally on track to replace a 40-year-old sewerage treatment plant in South-East Clare that is causing foul odours for local residents. Householders in Ballycannon Heights, Meelick, have campaigned for years to get Clare County Council, and in more recent years Irish Water, to replace a waste water treatment plant that is no longer fit for purpose. Responding to Clare Champion queries, Irish Water confirmed land acquisition for this project is underway and it is expected that a CPO will be submitted in the coming weeks. “The construction start date will be subject to the completion of this process and planning approval,” said an Irish Water spokesman. Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is insisting that works to put in place a proper wastewater treatment plant for Ballycannon Heights should be separated from the ongoing Limerick Northern Distributor Road project. Temporary infrastructure was put in place back in the …

Pulses are racing ahead of the Sunday’s Munster final, particularly in the high pressure zone along the borderline where families are divided, yet united, between Clare and Limerick as hurling ties run very deep, writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh. IF you were a hurling man and wanted away from the banter on the borderline separating Clare and Limerick, you’d think that Tipperary would be a good place to go — a refuge where they’d be loath to talk hurling because the blue and gold’s travails this year. Scion of Clonlara Jim Gully, who in 2008 brought the first senior title to the club in 89 years, goes to Newport, where he owns a shop in the village square. But, there’s no getting away from the ties that bind Clare and Limerick, whenever big championship clashes come around. Not that Gully really wants to escape the hoopla — he’s too much in hurling’s thrall for that and automatically defaults to a nugget …

A HUB for all kinds of community activities is on the cards for Montpelier-O’Briensbridge, with major efforts afoot to raise funds to redevelop the old school building. The building has been at the centre of the community since 1898. It served as a primary school until the 1960s and later as an extension to the parish oratory. However, in recent years, it has fallen into some disrepair. A new committee has recently formed to redevelop the building into a modern facility centre for the Montpelier-O’Briensbridge community.“We hope that the old school will become a centre of community life once more,” said Committee Chairperson, Paul Slattery. “We want to honour the great work that has been done before us and use this space to bring people together again.” It is envisaged that the centre will support social activities for the young and old. Dance and music classes, Men’s Shed, 45-drives, coffee mornings and other activities have already been suggested.  This coming …

THE notorious Brennan’s Cross in Meelick is an “accident waiting to happen”, a local Dáil Deputy has claimed. Deputy Joe Carey has called on Clare County Council to realign Brennan’s Cross in the interest of road safety as well as providing public lighting, footpaths and infrastructure from the Knockalisheen Centre back into Meelick. The Fine Gael Deputy has made representations to the council for road improvement works in Meelick following a recent visit to the area with Councillor John Crowe. Several residents had been in touch with Deputy Carey in relation to the dangers posed to pedestrians, cyclist and motorist using both Brennan’s Cross and the Knockalisheen Road. Deputy Carey warned these issues will be exacerbated when the new road linking Coonagh to the Knockalisheen Road, which is currently under construction as part of Phase One of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road, is open to traffic. “It’s my understanding that a section of the Knockalisheen Road is planned to close …

GARDAÍ in Shannon are seeking information on a car which was used to flee the scene of an attempted burglary in Sixmilebridge last week. Two men, armed with a metal bar and a baseball bat, fled from the house in Gort an Null in a black BMW 5 series after they were seen by an occupant of the house. The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 6. According to a spokesperson for Clare Gardaí, “Gardaí are investigating a burglary which took place at Gort an Null, Sixmilebridge. The injured party observed two males at the door. One was in possession of a metal bar and the other with a baseball bat. The injured party shouted at the two males who then ran and got into a black BMW 5 series, possibly a 2004/2007 model 5 series, which was parked beside the building. They drove off with the boot open. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Shannon Garda Station at …

RECORD livestock prices are set to continue at Sixmilebridge Mart, due to the increase in ringside buyers and online activity, according to the new manager of the facility. Quin native Joe Clune has taken the reins from New Inn’s Seán Ryan, who retired this week after a decade managing the mart. “One of the biggest aims now is driving the mart forward both online and around the ring and providing a good service for the local community,” said Mr Clune. “We had an exceptionally big sale last Saturday and cattle prices are very strong. People have great confidence and with online options, we’re getting buyers logging on from as far away as Northern Ireland, so it’s now time for local farmers to avail of this opportunity to get top prices for their cattle.” Ringside access has been allowed at marts across the country since May and the Saturday sales in Sixmilebridge have been very busy. “Numbers are limited at the …

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is in the spotlight for the month of June as people are asked to host virtual fundraisers for vital services. Here, Andy Minogue from Ardnacrusha shares his experience of the disease. IS OUR fate or destiny decided when we are born or does it evolve over the years? I had my palm read by a lady when I was in my late teens. I didn’t pay for it and I can’t remember where it was, except I think it was in a fair or something like that. She told me that there was a definite break in my lifeline that indicated a very dramatic or life-changing event. I didn’t think too much about it but it didn’t sound good to me. After that, if anyone ever told me that they were going to a fortune teller, I would advise against it, as a bad forecast would have you worrying and if something bad is going to …

KILRUSH and Derg Credit Unions have teamed up to help a key suicide prevention charity which is rolling out a community-based system to ensure support is available for anyone in mental health distress. Cycle Against Suicide’s Community Buddy Programme trains and equips people in communities with the practical, hands-on skills and knowledge they need to deliver support locally. Through this programme, Buddies are trained to provide a listening ear, show empathy, discern the level of mental health distress an individual is going through, and make recommendations for appropriate professional help and resources that can help the individual cope positively and build resilience. “This is a really fantastic idea because people are really struggling right now,” said Claire Neylon, Business Development Officer with Kilrush Credit Union. “We’re delighted to be working with Derg Credit Union on this, because we have a great relationship with them and with Ennistymon Credit Union, whereby we often undertake joint marketing initiatives.” Cycle Against Suicide is …