Tag Archives: clare champion

ANYONE who makes contact unexpectedly and requests personal information such as bank details are not to be trusted, gardaí in Clare have warned in the wake of further reports of people becoming victims of scams. Clare Victim Liaison Officer Garda Siobhán Madden has revealed details of two frauds reported to gardaí recently, while offering advice to the public to be vigilant. The first incident saw a man receive a phone call for a person pretending to be ringing from his bank. “The caller alleged that he was an employee of the bank and stated that he had observed suspicious activity on the injured party’s account. The injured party confirmed that he did not carry out any transactions on this date and whilst on the phone a text message came through to the his phone, he believed it to be from bank, the message was an authentication code, which the injured party called out to the caller, the injured party then …

THE estimated 1,800 people living with heart failure in Clare are being urged to embrace a wide range of supports to help them manage the chronic condition. The Irish Heart Foundation is at the centre of a national drive to provide vital back-up to patients who need help coping with the illness. “People often feel shock, trauma and isolation after a diagnosis of heart failure, but with the right supports, it is manageable,” said Lucinda McNerney, the Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Failure Programme Manager. “We want to let these patients in Clare know that we are with them on that journey, in terms of counselling, online meetings, a Nurse Support Line, exercise classes, newsletters, a podcast series and peer-to-peer support to help them to keep well, both physically and mentally. “We have patients in our network aged 30 and above, whose daily lives have changed – their work status, having to take medication, dealing with lower energy. All this can …

TRADERS in Ennis who have been “split” due to opposing views on pedestrianisation could be drawn together through the reintroduction of a town wide paint scheme for businesses, it has been suggested. Councillor Pat Daly made the proposal at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where he was informed that talks are underway between the Council and the Local Enterprise Office to determine whether or not it is possible. Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Daly stated, “Everyone knows a lot of the traders were split, but I think if we could revive the paint scheme for businesses in the town it might reunite them. It was done before and there was great excitement in the town and it looked great.” Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Paul Murphy, commented that he also received representations from businesses urging that a paint scheme be introduced. He told the meeting that he has spoken with the council executive and has been told contact …

THE National Museum of Ireland – Country Life is inviting people in Clare with memories of boats and boat building in their community to submit their stories to an online archive of Irish heritage.  The NMI memory project is looking at the vibrant maritime heritage along Ireland’s western coast. The project is part of Age & Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival – celebrating creativity as we age throughout the month of May. It is envisioned the memories, stories and family photographs collected will help inform the development of a new exhibition gallery about vernacular Irish boats at the NMI – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, County Mayo. The NMI has a collection of over 30 traditional Irish boats including some of the oldest currachs in the world. Curator with the National Museum of Ireland, Noel Campbell, wants to hear from people in Clare who can help the Museum tell this story. “Did you grow up in a fishing community? Was your family …

OVER 20,000 readers of Bell’Europa magazine in Italy are reading all about the Burren this month. The May edition of the glossy travel magazine, includes a 64-page supplement dedicated entirely to Ireland. Tourism Ireland in Milan teamed up with Bell’Europa to produce the special supplement, which features a stunning image of the Cliffs of Moher and articles about the Burren. Ornella Gamacchio, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Italy, said, “We are delighted with the excellent coverage in this month’s edition of Bell’Europa magazine. This special supplement, dedicated to Ireland, will be read by over 20,000 Italians – so it’s a great way of keeping Ireland and the Burren to the fore in Italy. We look forward to welcoming Italian visitors to the island of Ireland, as soon as the time is right.”

PLANS are underway to transform parts of Ennis town centre to allow evening outdoor dining, with hopes that it will lead to increased footfall and an economic boost to local businesses. An application is being made by the local authority for up to €200,000 in funding from the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme announced by Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin TD and Fáilte Ireland. Ahead of a decision on the grant submission, the Ennis Municipal District has also announced plans to close roads to facilitate outdoor dining during the evening times. The roads set to be closed are Parnell Street, from Carmody Street to Woodquay Junction. Also Frances Street from the junction of Friary car park to Abbey Street, with access to the Friary car park to remain open. It is proposed that the streets will be closed from 6.30pm to 11.30pm, every night for June, July and August. Closures are further planned from 6.30pm to 11.30pm on Friday, Saturday and …

AN Ennis woman was just minutes from death after her home in Oak Park caught on fire on the day of her birthday last week. Ciara Hayes’ life was saved when she was woken in her smoke-filled home by neighbours desperately banging on her front door and trying to get to her. She describes herself as “very, very lucky” as she thanks her neighbours for helping her to escape. It is believed that the fire was started by a candle which had been left lit overnight, and following her frightening experience Ciara is warning others to ensure all candles are extinguished properly. Ciara is now back at work in her hairdressing and beauty business Trifecta after spending two days in hospital receiving treatment. “The fire started on May 4, My cat died two weeks ago and I had lit a candle the night before beside her picture. It was one of those safety candles in the container. Normally I would …

MONEY was stolen from the till of the East Clare Golf Club last week after entry was gained by force. The sum of money was stolen sometime between 7pm on Wednesday, May 5 and 7am the following morning. “If anyone was in the area on the night of Wednesday into Thursday Morning, 7pm to 7am May 5 to 6 and saw anything suspicious or may have information, we are asking them to contact Killaloe Garda Station on 061-620540,” said Clare Victim Liaison Officer Garda Siobhán Madden. Meanwhile in a separate incident in Quin at 3.30am on Sunday morning, May 9 the alarm was activated at the Tailor And Blue Coffee Shop on Main Street. Entry was gained by forcing the front door and the daily float containing cash was stolen. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious which may assist gardaí in their enquiries to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065-6848100.