Tag Archives: clare

EVERY day people go into the Samaritans centre on the Kilrush Road in Ennis and take calls from people in different levels of distress, some of them at risk of suicide. When Covid-19 struck, it placed at least some stress on everyone, while it was particularly difficult for some people to cope, and problems of loneliness and isolation were made more acute than before. It made the service the Samaritans are offering even more valuable than it had been but it posed some new challenges for the organisation, which director Gerhard Terpelle feels have been quite well handled. “I think we are doing fairly well. Of course we are affected by the virus a little bit, like everybody else. Some volunteers had to stay at home when the first phase started; they were over 70 and things like that. “The other volunteers were very generous with their time. Some did two or three and even four duties a week. That …

A FUNDRAISING cycle in aid of Samaritans Ennis and Clare last weekend has raised over €1,700 with donations still coming in. Last Friday Ennis man Peadar White took on a 12 hour cycling challenge from his home. He told us he has been “delighted” with the response to the fundraising effort. “It was a great day. I had hoped to reach €1,500 but we’ve already gone over that and more is coming in. It’s great to see so many people supporting the work of Samaritans here in Clare.” Donations can be still be made online at www.idonate.ie/PeadarWhite12HourCycle or send a cheque to Ennis Samaritans, Sunville, Kilrush Road,Ennis County Clare. 

AN excellent response by the public has meant far fewer people have gotten sick and died over the last few months but it is not time to let down the guard. That’s the view of Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer of HSE Mid West Community Healthcare. “The big message now is please, please hold firm. I will be working with my colleagues in the local authority and the gardaí in relation to this message. The long weekend is coming and people often head away or to the beach but we are asking people to hold firm and stick with the guidance. “Everyone needs to look out for each other and continue the measures. These sacrifices that people are making, while I absolutely know they are difficult, is what has got us to this point. We want to get this country restarted but it can only be done in a slow, managed and safe way.” She agreed that the predictions being made …

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed that a total of 17 people with COVID-19 have died. There have now been a total 1,631 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight Tuesday 26 May the HPSC has been notified of 73 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There have been no new cases in Clare. The figure stands at 322. There is now a total of 24,803 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Today’s data from the HPSC  reveals: 57% are female and 43% are male the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years 3,251 cases (13%) have been hospitalised Of those hospitalised, 399 cases have been admitted to ICU 7,891 cases are associated with healthcare workers Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,961 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,451 …

Jessica Quinn A REFUND of accommodation fees for University of Limerick students has been recommended by the university’s governing authority. This is welcome news for students, many from Clare, who had been forced to give up their campus accommodation after the Covid-19 crisis broke. A spokesperson for the University of Limerick has confirmed, “The University of Limerick Governing Authority has today (Tuesday) given a recommendation that UL subsidiary Plassey Campus Centre Ltd (PCC), which manages the student residences on campus, return rental income to the students who left their accommodation on foot of the government’s decision to close the university campus in March.” UL’s Governing Authority held a Special Meeting on Tuesday during which the refund of student rents was discussed. Plassey Campus Centre Ltd (PCC) is the licensor and a separate legal entity to the University, with the issue a matter for decision by PCC and not the Governing Authority. “Nonetheless, as PCC sought the views of Governing Authority …

There have been no new deaths reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre today. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland is 1,606. As of today the HPSC has been notified of 59 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There is now a total of 24,698 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday 23 May (24,593 cases), reveals: · 57% are female and 43% are male · the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years · 3,225 cases (13%) have been hospitalised · Of those hospitalised, 394 cases have been admitted to ICU · 7,842 cases are associated with healthcare workers · Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,876 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,438 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,390 …

CLARE Gardaí have warned that farms can be a dangerous, and even lethal, place for children, urging people never to leave their child alone in a farmyard. Crime Prevention Officer Triona Brooks says, “Now that schools are over and the weather is good kids are out and about on farms but farms are a workplace and unfortunately children are killed every year on farms.” She adds, “Never allow a child onto a farmyard unless they are closely supervised by an adult. It’s not possible to safely look after your child and work on the farm at the same time. Dangers on farms include falls, drowning, farm machinery, chemical and poison and farm animals.” Those who live on a farm are being advised to keep children out of work areas and have a fenced off safe play area in view of your home. “Have easy to read danger signs and tell children what they mean. Lock unattended vehicles and leave vehicles …

EMBRACING creative urban design, community engagement and best practice will help ensure that Ennis emerges from the Covid-19 crisis as an even better town in which to live. That’s according to a new local community group, Better Ennis, which is advocating for “healthy and happy streets”. The group’s first campaign centres on the allocation of space for people walking and cycling in Ennis. They say the pandemic has highlighted the impact of the public realm on public health and they are aiming to help reimagine Ennis’ public space to ensure that people stay healthy and keep connected. . Inspired by a number of national and international initiatives during the pandemic, the Better Ennis is looking to Clare County Council to ensure people have safe streets to enjoy while still maintaining physical distancing when moving about the town. This week saw the council implement the first stage of a Mobility Plan for the town, diverting traffic from a number of streets …