Tag Archives: clare

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is still a huge dissatisfaction within rural Ireland that they are being left behind, that services are still being withdrawn to rural Ireland,” he commented.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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

SHANNONDOC, the out of hours GP service for Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, has asked the public for understanding over the Christmas period due to anticipated and unprecedented volumes of patients presenting to the service. Last weekend alone, a record 1,900 patients presented to Shannondoc and while additional resources have been put in place, Shannondoc has said that it expects patient numbers to increase considerably again over the Christmas period.  This will, it said, put pressure on the out-of-hours service and it warned the public of potential lengthy delays at peak times. It also asked the public to remember that it is an urgent care only service, that routine matters should be presented GPs during normal day time hours and that any patients who have concerns about potential life-threatening illnesses should present immediately to emergency services. Shannondoc Chairman Dr Pat Morrissey said:  “Christmas is the busiest time of the year for the Shannondoc service but we are already in the midst …

SHANNON parish priest Arnold Rosney paid tribute to Councillor McKee at Monday’s funeral mass. Ss John & Paul Church was packed for the ceremony, while large numbers had also attended the McKee house on Saturday as the remains were reposed. “I and many more of you knew Mike McKee as a man of courage, of kindness, honesty and fairness. I and many more, while not always agreeing with Mike, held him in the highest esteem and respect as a family man, and as someone who had a mandate to represent our community. Mike represented this community, this town, without fear or favour for over 30 years.” Addressing Councillor McKee’s wife, he said, “Eileen, I know there are many people thinking of you and your family this afternoon and many who are very grateful for what Mike and your family have done, and while today is your personal loss, it’s also a huge loss to our community. “I saw Mike’s best …

THE tragic loss of a number of people in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis this year has been the inspiration for the holding of a special concert of remembrance next month. Acclaimed singer / songwriter Kieran Goss will be the headline act for the concert in Cloughleigh Community Centre on December 6 which will also feature his wife Annie Kinsella, Damien Gormley, Siobhan Peoples and band The Citizens. The event, billed as a Concert of Remembrance and Hope has been organised by Fr Ger Fitzgerald along with a group of locals who knew many of those who have passed away. Proceeds from the event will be used to create a memorial to be erected outside Cloughleigh church. Fr Ger explained, “We have experienced in the last year or so a lot of people, young people in particular, that have passed away for one reason or another. We wanted to come up with something to honour their memory, to honour the …

CLARE GAA county board have asked an Garda Síochána to launch an investigation into the online abuse directed at various county board officials, and in particular Clare GAA secretary Pat Fitzgerald. According to reports in The Irish Independent, Joe Cooney, Clare county board chairman confirmed the complaint had been lodged with the Gardaí. Cooney, in speaking to the Irish Independent said, “A complaint has been lodged with Clare GAA by an employee (Pat Fitzgerald). It arises from social media and what has been put up on it, not alone over the last couple of months but the last number of years. “Other officers of Clare GAA have also been badly maligned on social media. It’s not good enough for people working as volunteers for the GAA whether at club or county level to be subjected to that. In fact, it’s a disgrace. “It has been going with Pat for a while back, but other officers have been getting it very …