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Tag Archives: clare

FG and FF still on top, but not as dominant-analysis

FIANNA Fáil and Fine Gael are the Old Firm of Clare politics, but their dominance has definitely waned, and it may dip a little further this weekend. For decades the differences between the two parties have been regarded as very minor in ideological terms, and between them they won the vast majority of Clare votes in election after election. They are still likely to win a combined three seats in Saturday’s election, but the first preference percentage will be way below what once could have been expected. By the standards of 2020 it would be remarkable, but back in 1992 more people voted for Fianna Fáil candidates than all of the other entrants combined. In that year’s general election Clare had a total valid poll of 44,608 voters. Fianna Fáil took a massive 23,088 votes of those, almost 52% of the total. Fine Gael took another 11,440 number ones, giving them just shy of 26%, and the two centrist parties …

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Body discovered in Ennis town centre

The body of a woman discovered in Ennis town centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post mortem is due to be carried out. Gardai in Ennis have launched an investigation after the woman in her 40s was found at the Riverwalk area of the town at around 6am. According to Superintendent Brendan McDonagh of Ennis Garda Station there is no indication of foul play at this moment, however they are awaiting the results of the post mortem. CCTV cameras are being examined as part of the investigation. Gardai are appealing to anybody who saw the lady walking the Parnell Street, Woodquay or Riverwalk area of the town between 10pm and 6am Monday night / Tuesday morning to contact them on 065 6848100. .

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People power as Ballinruan polling station stays open

LATE last week, there was surprise and then anger in Ballinruan as it emerged that there were no plans to use the local community centre as a polling station in the General Election. The community centre is where Ballinruan people have voted for decades and some works have been carried out on it even since last year’s local elections, with a view to keeping the facility up-to-date and as user-friendly as possible. Frustration was even more acute, as there was no notice given of the decision to close. “It’s very disappointing for people in Ballinruan, who always voted there and something else they have removed from a rural community without even telling us,” was part of the content of one post put on the Ballinruan Development Association Facebook page. However, local people were not about to take the decision lying down and quickly began to mobilise to ensure that the centre, which would have been used by generations of local …

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SF choose Clare General Election candidate

ON Saturday afternoon Sinn Féin selected Violet Anne Wynne as its candidate in Clare for next month’s general election. Originally the party had chosen Mike McKee and Noeleen Moran to run. However Councillor McKee became ill and died earlier this year. In addition, so long had elapsed following its original selection convention, that Ms Moran’s nomination was no longer valid, and another convention was required. On Friday Ms Moran issued a statement ruling herself out of the race, making it clear she was not happy with the process that had been followed. “I will not be putting my name forward at the Sinn Féin selection convention for the forthcoming General Election. Sinn Féin has had since last August to select a candidate in Clare, yet they chose to leave it until this very late stage to do so. “I do not think that is an appropriate or fair way to treat someone who was willing to put their name forward …

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“They don’t have any empathy with rural Ireland”-Harty on FG leadership

ON Monday, Dr Michael Harty announced that he is not looking to be re-elected to the Dáil and in an interview with The Clare Champion, he said the outgoing Government has failed rural Ireland, while the administration didn’t accept obvious solutions to major problems facing the country. Dr Harty also revealed that he had turned down invitations to stand for established parties in the General Election. “Obviously, the economy has recovered and that brings benefits to everybody. But I think there is still a huge dissatisfaction within rural Ireland that they are being left behind, that services are still being withdrawn to rural Ireland,” he commented. As it stands now, he feels that the likes of Leo Varadkar, Simon Harris and Eoghan Murphy do not understand the needs of a county like Clare. “I think that the Government is urban-orientated. We have the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Health, the Minister for Housing, who are all urban-based …

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Dr Harty announces he will not run in general election

DR Michael Harty has announced he will not seek to retain his seat in the upcoming general election. In a statement on Monday afternoon the West Clare based TD said, “I am announcing today, 13th January 2020, that I am not putting my name forward as a candidate in the upcoming general election for personal and professional reasons. “At the outset, as a leader of the No Doctor No Village campaign, I committed to maintain general practice services in Kilmihil by putting in place a locum GP, while taking my seat as an Independent TD to fulfil all the responsibilities and duties associated with that position both nationally and locally. Finding a full-time locum GP has proved increasingly difficult over the years. It is now not possible to fulfil both commitments. I have had to make a choice between seeking re-election or keeping my promise to my local community. I have chosen the latter.” “It has been an honour and …

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Clare coastal communities warned to take care during Storm Brendan

Met Eireann has issued an orange warning which is in place until midnight tonight. Clare County Council is warning coastal communities that high spring tides accompanied by a storm surge will coincide with the arrival of Storm Brendan and may lead to coastal flooding. The public are also advised to exercise caution when driving especially in coastal areas and allow additional time for their journey. “Clare County Council are advising the public to take care in coastal areas this evening/tonight especially. Strong winds coupled with the spring tides  will generate a significant  tidal surge and may lead to localised flooding in some areas,” the local authority said in a statement today. “The public are advised to be aware that the weather is expected to be extremely windy with stormy condition, heavy rain and a risk of lighting and thunder. The public are advised to stay back , stay high and stay dry,” the statement added.

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McGettigan likely to take SF Council seat

SHANNON’S Donna McGettigan is likely to replace the late Mike McKee on Clare County Council. This week Ms McGettigan confirmed she is interested in taking up the role and it is understood that the local party are also set to support her. Ms McGettigan actually ran in the Ennis Municipal District for last year’s local elections, despite the fact that she was living in Shannon. In the coming days, invitations will be sent out to Sinn Féin members in the area who would be eligible to take on the role. Following this, there is likely to be a selection convention towards the end of the month. Speaking this week, Ms McGettigan confirmed she would be looking to fill the seat. “Mike himself would have asked me before he passed if I would put myself forward. Gary Fitzgibbon was interviewed about it and a lot of people afterwards would have suggested myself. As I walk through the Town Centre I’m always …

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