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Tag Archives: Councillor Alan O’Callaghan

Passenger increase helps makes case for Crusheen station reopening

A MAJOR increase in the number of people using the Western Rail Corridor from Limerick to Galway has proven the case for the re-opening of the train stop at Crusheen, according to a local councillor.  Figures just released show an increase of just over 14% in the numbers using the service in 2022 when compared to 2019, the last full year of figures. “This means that more than 600,000 passengers used the line last year, up from 531,000 in 2019,” Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District said. “The Western Rail Corridor remains the fastest-growing rail link in the country.” The figures were also welcomed by Councillor Pat Hayes who called at the November meeting of the Killaloe district for a business case to be made for the re-opening of the rail stop at Crusheen. “To be honest, the members of the travelling public using the Limerick to Galway rail line have made that case themselves,” he said. …

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Tree removal to begin in the interests of road safety

DANGEROUS trees along roadsides in East Clare are to be removed in the coming months, a meeting of the Killaloe district has been told.  The pledge was given on foot of a motion from Cathaoirleach, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, who raised the issue at the January gathering. The Kilmurry man asked that “in light of yellow warnings for high winds … a survey to be carried out in this MD on roadside trees especially Ash where the die back has set in”. A written reply to the motion from Derek Troy, Acting Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) outlined that following the consultation with members of the public and community groups, the required assessment reports had been completed, and that removal of trees would begin shortly.  “In 2022, Killaloe MD identified a number of trees for Arboricultural Safety Assessment Reports to be undertaken by a Member of the Society of Irish Foresters (MSIF) Certified Arborist,” the response to Councillor O’Callaghan’s motion explained. “These …

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Hopes of saving east Clare community’s lands from dezoning

A BID has been made to have the local authority take over a sewage treatment plan in Kilmurry so that lands in the village might not be dezoned for development. A motion was tabled by the Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan, calling for the local authority to take over the plant for the Ballymulcashel housing estate. “I have talked to a builder,” he told the November district meeting. “Some years ago, a pilot project was undertaken and work done and a whole new system put in. The plant is brand new and fully funded. It is unfortunate that it is still in private ownership. We may need to take it on, or Irish Water won’t entertain it. In my view, it has to come into local authority ownership.” Councillor O’Callaghan explained that under national guidelines informing the forthcoming development plan, lands that will not be serviced in the lifetime of the plan, must be dezoned for …

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Cathaoirleach commends east Clare performance in Tidy Towns

HUGE community efforts across the Killaloe Municipal District have resulted in increased marks for all participants in this year’s Tidy Towns Competition.  Cathaoirleach Alan O’Callaghan said it was wonderful to see local communities putting so much work into their local areas. “On the back of Covid, many groups were down in funds, so it’s great to see them taking on the challenge again and actually upping their game. Without dedicated Tidy Towns committees across the district, the Council would just not be in a position to maintain the same levels of tidiness. It’s particularly good to see newcomers joining committees and brining in fresh ideas and approaches.” Councillor O’Callaghan, who said he had supported Tidy Towns activities through his General Municipal Allocation (GMA), also welcomed the contribution of local groups to biodiversity. “Once upon a time, the big focus was on cutting everything and making it look orderly. Now, there’s a fresh focus on leaving certain areas to grow wild …

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Clare’s hedge cutting heroes hailed…but others must do better

“IF landowners would cut hedges and Council would tar roads, we’d have a great county,” a recent meeting of East Clare councillors was told.  The remarks were made by Councillor Pat Burke, on foot of two motions tabled before the Killaloe Municipal District on the issue of hedge cutting. The topic was brought up by cathaoirleach, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan and Councillor Joe Cooney.  Councillor O’Callaghan said overgrown hedges were a constant concern. “Great work has been done last year by Clare County Council and the farmers who took responsibility and there was a vast improvement last year,” he said. “This year, it looks on the ground as if there’s a lot of regional roads that haven’t been done. Are the contractors there and fulfilling their duty? Are they coming when they’re called or putting it off? A push needs to be done. Some junctions are way behind.” Councillor Cooney seconded the motion and proposed his own. “My concern is that …

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Councillor ‘baffled’ over reluctance to install speed ramps

THE cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District has described himself as “baffled” as to the raft of regulations on the installation of traffic calming ramps.  Councillor Alan O’Callaghan made his remarks as he called for ramps to be put in place as a safety measure for those using the school and playground in Kilkishen. In response to his motion, he was told that the installation of ramps at the location would have to meet the requirements of the Road Traffic Act (1994) and involve a public consultation process.  The Fianna Fáil member thanked Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) Derek Troy the “huge work” already done at school in Kilkishen. “Speeding is still cropping up all the time,” Councillor O’Callaghan insisted. “I’m only here since 2014, but I feel that since then, only one speed ramp has been put in. I think there’s a feeling that we’re going to try everything bar a ramp. There are ramps in Newmarket, Sixmilebridge, Shannon, and …

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Council look at options for cremated remains in Clare

FACILITIES for housing cremated remains are to be developed at cemeteries across Clare, in response to rising demand and changing funeral practices.  The matter was discussed at the monthly meeting of Clare County Council on foot of a motion from Councillor Alan O’Callaghan who called on the authority to look at installing columbarium walls and other options for urns. The Kilmurry man said he had recently met a lady who inquired about a grave to bury an urn. “It struck me that a lot of ground could be wasted and that all this lady wanted was a place to bury the urn,” he said. “There has been a huge jump since 2016 in cremations and 212 people are cremated in Clare every year. That figure will definitely increase and burial ground at a premium. We need to open a discussion and look at having columbarium walls in graveyards. As it stands, some areas don’t meet bye-laws for full burial, but …

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Action on Clare estate road repairs after near 20-year wait

RESIDENTS of an East Clare housing estate who have spent almost two decades with unfinished roads and kerbs are to have their situation addressed before the end of the year.  Councillor Alan O’Callaghan confirmed that Clare County Council has pledged to carry out works at Maigh Dara in Quin, including a final overlay of tar, as well as repairs to kerbs and paths. Close to €200,000 has been sourced by the local authority to tackle the long-standing problem which has affected the 45-home estate since the estate was built around 17 years ago.  “There are fairly extensive works to be done and I’m delighted that the Council has been able to sources the funds needed,” said Councillor O’Callaghan. “The money will come from a number of different pots and will run to more than €190,000. Many residents have been living with this since the estate was built and having man holes protruding and other issues has been a big inconvenience …

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