Tag Archives: clare champion

THERE is “amazing interest” in next week’s arrival to Ennis of a portrait inspired by the courage of Vicky Phelan, according to local organisers of the event. The Vicky Phelan portrait tour featuring a painting of the Kilkenny woman on Clare’s Doonbeg beach, a location she described as her favourite place on earth, will visit Danlann An Chláir on Friday January 26 at 7pm. The event is hosted by Councillor Mary Howard in partnership with Clare Haven Services and Relay For Life Clare. As well as the display of the painting guest speakers on the night will include Vicky’s childhood friend David Brennan who bought the painting along with Clare healthcare campaigners John Wall and Caoimhe O’Neill- Forde. “Since we announced this very different event a couple of weeks ago there has been amazing interest in it. Vicky’s strength and frankness really struck a chord with so many people who admired her from afar, and this is an opportunity to …

TWO men have been arrested by gardaí as investigations continue into a shooting incident and criminal damage in North Clare at the weekend. Gardaí have confirmed the arrests were made on Monday and the men detained at Ennis Garda Station under Section 30 Offences against the State Act. Gardaí at Ennistymon Garda Station are investigating a number of incidents including a discharge of a firearm and criminal damage that occurred in Ennistymon on Sunday. A man in his 50s was taken to hospital for treatment after a firearm was discharged in the Deepark area of the North Clare village. Sergeant Triona Brooks outlined, “Shortly after 6pm, a number of persons were in the Deerpark area of Ennistymon in possession of a number of weapons including at least one firearm. Extensive damage was caused to a number of domestic residences and vehicles. “A firearm was also discharged and a man in his 50s was later taken to University Hospital Galway with …

GARDAÍ are seeking the public’s help in tracing the whereabouts of a Clare teenager who has been reported missing from his home. 17-year-old Ivan Ryan is missing from his home in Tulla since Saturday, August 26. Ivan is described as being 6 foot tall with a slim build. He has black hair and brown eyes. It is not known what Ivan was wearing at the time he went missing. Gardaí and Ivan’s family are concerned for his welfare. Anyone with information on Ivan’s whereabouts is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

A MAN was taken to hospital with injuries following a number of incidents in North Clare at the weekend including the discharge of a firearm. An appeal for witnesses has been launched by investigating gardaí who are urging anyone with information to come forward. Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating a number of incidents including a discharge of a firearm and criminal damage that occurred in Ennistymon on Sunday, August 27. Shortly after 6pm, it’s reported a number of persons were in the Deerpark area, Ennistymon in possession of a number of weapons including at least one firearm. During the course of a number of reported incidents in the area, extensive damage was caused to a number of domestic residences and vehicles. A firearm was also discharged and a man in his 50s was later taken to University Hospital Galway with non-life threatening injuries. A number of scenes have been preserved for technical examination. Investigations are continuing at Ennistymon Garda …

THE annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Lahinch and Doolin both deemed ‘littered’, with Mountshannon also slipping, to ‘moderately littered’. According to the An Taisce report for Lahinch while the main beach area was “generally fine” it was the prom, rock armour and carparks which brought down the overall litter grade. “Heavy levels” of litter including drinks cans, fast food wrappers, cigarette butts and dog fouling were reported. Marine litter such as fishing crates, nets, ropes etc along with food items was found trapped in the rock armour near the promenade. An Taisce adjudicators found a filled black sack discarded by a ‘Big Bell’ bin with other items accumulated on top. While older bins looked “tired” with a risk of their contents being taken out by birds highlighted. The report also noted the “freshly presented” dog fouling facility was in “very good order”.  Meanwhile the An Taisce report for Doolin pier …

A CLARE mental health counsellor has been moved to deliver a suicide prevention talk in Ennis after receiving news that a childhood neighbour had died by suicide. Sheila McMahon, who is based in the UK and originally from Newmarket-on-Fergus, said, “I was told it was the second suicide in the village within a week” adding that on the same day she was aware of two others who died by suicide in the county. “This is horrendous really when you sit back and think about it.” The registered mental health counsellor works to help arm people with the skills and tools to help anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide, or suicide intent, as part of her continuing mission to “create positive change” and stop the stigma in the Midlands and wider UK. Sheila even faced a fear recently and challenged herself to learn to ride a motorbike, in an emotional effort to encourage more people to learn to help those at potential …

AN Ennis doctor who helped save the life of a hurling fan after he collapsed in a busy Dublin train station has modestly told us, “I think there was a lot of luck involved and I was in the right place at the right time.” Dr Carly Lewis, who is originally from the Tulla Road in Ennis, sprang into action and performed CPR on the man who is in his 70s after discovering he had no pulse. Fortunately he is now doing well, and following the experience Dr Lewis is appealing to the public to get Basic Life Support training saying, “The more people who are trained, the better the outcomes all round”. Dr Lewis was in the Drumcondra train station with her sister having come from watching Clare play Kilkenny in the All Ireland semi-finals in Croke Park when the emergency situation unfolded. She recalls they were about to get on the train when she noticed a commotion on …

AN appeal for witnesses has been made after a man in his 20s was assaulted and had his mobile phone taken by four other men in Ennis last week. The victim received minor injuries during the incident which occurred last Thursday at Dalcassian Drive. Urging witnesses to the assault to come forward, Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks outlined, “On Thursday evening last, May 25 at approximately 8.30pm four males assaulted a male in his mid-20s at Dalcassian Drive and took his mobile phone. He received minor injuries as a result of the assault. We are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw this incident or anyone that may have dashcam footage to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.”