Tag Archives: ballyvaughan pier

THE lifesaving actions of three heroes in Clare have been recognised at the annual Irish Water Safety Awards this week. John McDonnell, Sergeant John Casey and Sergeant Marie Crowley were presented with the Irish Water Safety Just in Time Award for their part in the rescue of a man from a car that had entered the water at Ballyvaughan Pier last August. Near tragedy was averted when Sergeant Casey, who at the time had just transferred to Ennistymon Garda Station from Ennis, jumped into the water along with local John McDonnell to save the man. They both managed to pull him from the sinking car and carried him safety ashore, while Sergeant Crowley managed gathering onlookers. At the time, Superintendent Martin McGonnell praised the garda members and Mr McDonnell for their quick thinking in dealing with the emergency. The award was presented to the trio by Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney at the annual national awards …

MONEY for piers and harbours in Clare ‘announced’ last week by the Minister Simon Coveney and welcomed by Clare Oireachtas members is not additional funding, it has emerged. Minister Coveney released a statement on Friday outlining a ‘€23 million package for piers and harbours countrywide’, which included more than €230,000 for projects in Clare. Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, Labour TD Michael McNamara and Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, all welcomed the €232,650 allocated to Clare County Council under the Storm Damage Programme. However, it now appears this money forms part of the €16.8 million already allocated by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to Clare County Council at the end of last month. North Clare representatives are now calling for clarity from central government in relation to the breakdown of funding allocated for the county. Councillor Michael Kelly described the announcement as “spin” while Councillor Bill Slattery said it was …