West Clare

IN response to an article in last week’s Clare Champion, regarding the possible loss of 15 people from 23 on the FÁS Community Employment Scheme based at Kilrush Youth Centre, the Department of Social Protection has said 14 vacancies have to be filled on the new scheme.

UNTIL early August Jack Downes was a normal, happy 14-year-old teenager who enjoyed life at home, school and being with his friends. He was an excellent swimmer and played soccer for Moneypoint AFC.

KILRUSH town councillor Ian Lynch has warned that Kilrush is destined for village status unless the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) invests in West Clare.

KILKEE town councillors have expressed frustration at the absence of a Fás scheme in the town. The matter was raised at Monday’s November meeting, where councillors supported a motion from Councillor Lily Marrinan Sullivan asking that a Fás scheme be restored to Kilkee and if it wasn’t, elicit the reasons behind that decision.

Disperse: the anatomy of the Canada Cross shootings in Miltown Malbay in April 1920, is the title of the second lecture in the Old Kilfarboy Society’s 2012-2013 series. The talk will be delivered by local historian John Treacy in the Malbay on Tuesday, November 13 at 8pm.

KILRUSH man Martin Fennell, who was one of just four people to turn up to the parish’s Community Games AGM on October 22, has launched a blistering attack on Kilrush parents who he says show no interest in getting involved with the organisation or indeed any community group.

THE cumulative impact of constructing a proposed €100 million windfarm in West Clare has the potential to enhance local flooding and peat slides under extreme rainfall, Galway-based hydrologists have claimed.Hydro-G, Henry Street, Galway made the claim as part of its wide-ranging Peat Hydrology Assessment of the          proposed windfarm at Shragh, prepared on behalf of two local objectors, George and Ann Whelan in response to further information provided by the developers.Clare Coastal Wind Power Limited has submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála to develop a 45-turbine windfarm with a hub height of 85m and a rotor diameter of 82m at Carrowmore South, Einagh, Monmore North, Doonbeg, Shragh, Mountrivers and Drumillihy.The company’s consultants stated the development presents no or a low risk for impact on local hydrology.According to company’s consultant engineers, one of the priorities in the windfarm design has been the mitigation against potential impacts to the environment and to minimise the quantity of peat to be excavated during …

EDUCATION Minister Ruairí Quinn has approved a substantial increase in new state-of-the-art facilities for the proposed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) unit at St Joseph’s Secondary School, Spanish Point.