Tag Archives: Care

Early indications suggest Clare voters have voted No in the two Referendums on Friday. In total, 98 out of the 177 boxes have been opened in the count centre at Woodstock Hotel, Ennis. The preliminary turnout is expected 45%, which is subject to change once all the votes are counted. Counting staff are currently reconciling the number of votes in every box with the number recorded by the presiding officer to make sure they tally. Staff will start counting all the votes when the reconciling process is completed. It is expected that a final result will be announced after 3pm this afternoon.       Dan Danaher

CLARE Gardaí are appealing to all motorists to exercise extra caution as more people return to work after lockdown, while many cyclists and pedestrians are also taking to the roads. The issue, which has been raised by a number of councillors across the county, has received increased attention since Phase Three of the roadmap to re-opening the economy and the lifting of restrictions on travel. Sergeant Tríona Brooks of Ennis Garda Station outlined a number of concerns being seen since large volumes of traffic returned to the roads.  “Travel restrictions within the country have been lifted and we can all see extra volumes of traffic on our roads,” she said. “We are urging drivers to slow down and drive at an appropriate speed, ensure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing their safety belt, make sure that all children are in a suitable safety seat and never ever drive after consuming alcohol or drugs.” “Drivers should pay attention to the …

Element Six staff are set to get on their bikes to raise funds for a charity that has provided valuable support to a child of a worker at the Shannon based multi-national’s plant. Members of staff will take on a 50km cycle in south east Clare as a ‘thank you’ to Cliona’s Foundation for its support for two year old Fionna Barry, who has spent most of his young life in hospital being treated for Infantile Spasms – a debilitating and life limiting illness that requires 24hour care. Fionn’s father Trevor Barry works at Element 6 and staff have chosen Cliona’s Foundation as its designated charity for the year to give something back to the Limerick based organisation for its support for the two year old. Fionn was diagnosed with the illness when he was just six months old and is unable to walk, stand or even sit unaided. He has also speech challenges and is visually impaired. The cycle …

AN ENNIS woman with an incurable case of ‘puppy love’ is at the centre of an incredible tale of devotion and care for sick and abandoned dogs. Martina Flaherty, from Westbourne, loves all breeds of puppies and dogs and has saved more than 130 lives since she set up Babydog Rescue with her friend, Mags Mooney from Lisdoonvarna, earlier this year. Dog warden, Frankie Coote can’t praise Martina enough. “Martina’s work is essential because she has about 130 dogs taken from the pound since she started Babydog Rescue earlier this year. It’s a huge amount of dogs. She has a wonderful way of dealing with people and other rescue groups. “Martina and Mags Mooney fundraise and I think they have over 60 pups inoculated with the seven-in-one injections that have gone out to homes in Clare as well,” Frankie said. “There’s a lot of work goes into it and a lot of expenses before the dog goes out. They’ve fundraised …

THE Health Service Executive is to lodge a planning application in the coming weeks for the construction of an extension to Raheen Community Hospital to include six single rooms, one double room with en-suites and a new patient sitting area. The HSE publicised its intention to seek planning permission on Thursday and, commenting on the proposed development, Labour TD, Michael McNamara has said it is “a crucial first step in bringing the community hospital up to HIQA standards”. He said the extension, if granted, will ensure greater comfort and care for the patients in this highly-regarded facility. “The planning application has been expected for a long time but I believe that recent modifications to the plans, based on work carried out at Ennistymon and Kilrush community hospitals, will make for a better outcome at Raheen. “It is proposed to construct a new single-storey extension to include six single and one double bedrooms, all with en-suite facilities. The proposal to include …

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has revealed that Regina House in Kilrush  is currently down staff, due to long-term sick leave, but they can still accommodate two palliative care patients in the building. The HSE did, however, confirm the West Clare Mini Marathon-funded palliative care rooms are currently empty. Last week, mini marathon chairman, Willie McGrath said that one of two palliative care units in Regina House was not in current use. The rooms were opened in February 2004 and have benefited from in excess of €180,000 in funding from mini marathon proceeds since the first run was held in 1998. “We have to be absolutely definitive and clear on such a sensitive issue. The following are the facts and we are anxious to assure the public. Regina House has capacity to support two people in palliative care at any one time,” HSE area manager for the Mid-West, Bernard Gloster said. “Today, there are two people in the centre receiving …