South Clare

FORMER Progressive Democrats general election candidate, Mary Mannion, is supporting calls for the Government to postpone plans for the controversial €120 million motorway going through large tracts of South-East Clare.

CLARE County Council has organised another public information meeting to address queries about Phase Two of the Northern Distributor Road motorway, costing an estimated €120 million.

MILLIONS of internet users will view an award-winning design by a talented Clonlara student when it appears on the Google Ireland homepage this Friday.A desire to turn back time and see how people lived in the past helped Patrick Horan scoop the top prize in the prestigious Doodle 4 Google competition.The sixth-year pupil was the toast of St Munchin’s College on Monday after becoming the second pupil from the school to win this prize within the last four years, emerging victorious out of 2,300 entrants.Interestingly, the €10,000 prize secured by Evan O’Sullivan-Glynn, who won the inaugural competition in 2009, played a major role in guiding Patrick Horan to the school’s latest extraordinary success.The 2009 prize money paid for a new art room in the school, which provided the ideal facility for Patrick to hone his art skills after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2011 competition.Pupils from Parteen, Clonlara, Meelick, Westbury and Shannon Banks benefited from the upgrading of facilities in …

MEMBERS of Killaloe Search and Recovery Unit have vowed to continue providing a service to the local community, despite the “shocking” theft of two 90-horsepower Honda twin engines worth about €15,000 apiece new.Killaloe/Ballina Search and Recovery Unit chairman, Tony O’Brien, confirmed members were in a “defiant” mood to ensure its volunteer service continues when the theft was discussed at a recent meeting.While members of the group were shocked and very disappointed that someone would stoop so low to steal valuable property from a voluntary organisation, Mr O’Brien said the divers are very resilient.In fact, he pointed out measures have already been put in place such as securing the loan of a craft and engines from an existing member to ensure the vital emergency service continues.“Members of KBSR are heartened by messages of support from people in the boating fraternity and from other people offering all kinds of assistance to ensure we keep going.“Although we have got a loan of a …

FORMER Mayor of Limerick, Councillor John Gilligan, has clashed with two local councillors over a proposed new traffic plan, which would result in an increase in the number of vehicles travelling through Parteen village.

BUSINESSES in the twin communities of Ballina and Killaloe have been given one last opportunity to be included in a new brochure promoting the first Discover Day in Lough Derg next month.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Phil Hogan has come under fire for declining to meet representatives of a new lobby group to hear their concerns about the development of the €120 million motorway in South-East Clare.

INDISCRIMINATE parking of cars along a narrow country road in a residential area has led to the temporary closure of the state-of-the-art €187,000 Cratloe playground during weekends and bank holidays.Residents in Gallows Hill are up in arms over the difficulties they encounter when entering and exiting their homes, as motorists visiting Cratloe Woods and the nearby playground are parking across their driveways. They are also worried that anti-social behaviour could return to haunt them, with claims that some outsiders are sleeping overnight in a Coillte car park after the removal of a barrier.However, concern has been expressed that families and children will suffer from the loss of the valuable recreational amenity if the closure calls are heeded.Residents’ concerns have prompted the closure of the playground on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays for the foreseeable future. According to a statement issued by Cratloe Community Playground Co-op, this decision has regretfully had to be taken for health and safety reasons.“Visitors are coming …