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Tag Archives: Councillor Ian Lynch

Thirty-one years to clear Clare housing list at current rate

IT WILL take 31 years to clear the housing waiting list in Clare at the current rate people are being accommodated, writes Conor Clohessy. Councillor Ian Lynch noted that while there are 22 fewer names on the list for council housing in Clare this year than last, there are another 817 still on it. He also noted that the number of vacant properties is 40, the same as it was last year, with Traveller accommodation vacancies included in this figure that had not been accounted previously. Councillor Lynch expressed major concern regarding large families; there are 41 applicants for houses with more than three bedrooms he noted expressing his frustration before the recent West Clare MD meeting. “I appreciate that every case is different and sensitive, but we need to step back from the black-and-white around this. These children need homes,” said the Independent. “I met a family in 2020 whose only wish for Christmas was to have a home …

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Fly-tipping and illegal dumping blight in west Clare

CONSISTENT fly-tipping in Kilrush and how to tackle it was discussed at the recent meeting of West Clare Municipal District, writes Conor Clohessy. Councillor Ian Lynch commented on the frequent fly tipping and dumping that has become commonplace in Kilrush, particularly at the local bottle banks. He also highlighted the difficulties surrounding installing CCTV to prevent such misuse of public facilities. Councillor Lynch explained that the council sends teams to tidy up the bottle banks every Monday morning, where they regularly spend hours on end restoring the area to an acceptable state. These outdoor crews are now subjected to exposure to household rubbish and clothing on a weekly basis. However, the installation of CCTV has been prevented by concerns surrounding General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), which protect a citizen’s personal data from being processed. “The idea of you being a good citizen and going to the bottle bank, only to throw your rubbish on the ground to let someone else …

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Doolin coast guard closure ‘can’t be and won’t be accepted’

WHILE there was widespread shock following the standing down of the Doolin Coastguard Unit on Tuesday, there have been issues around its operation for a number of years, writes Owen Ryan. After six people resigned, the Irish Coastguard moved to shut down the unit this week, even though there were still 12 volunteers remaining, and it had been one of the busiest units in the country. One source that is close to the Doolin Coastguard said that claims of “bullying and harassment” that led to the departure of six volunteers from the unit was not caused by the 12 remaining members. A person close to the Unit said that problems have been festering since well before the death of Caitriona Lucas in 2016. He said that after a falling out between members who had once been quite friendly, other people involved took sides, which he said “shouldn’t have happened”. He also said that some of those who have just resigned …

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Call to ban onshore windfarm developments in Clare

AN APPEAL has been made for a ban on further onshore windfarm development in North and West Clare, writes Fiona McGarry. Councillor Ian Lynch has described the West Clare Municipal District (WCMD) as “saturated with windfarms”. Addressing the July meeting of the district, he warned that the landscape and the viability of rural communities could be destroyed unless such a ban is imposed. The Independent member also said that with the future development of offshore wind energy infrastructure at the Moneypoint site, the need for more onshore facilities no longer exists. “West Clare is saturated with windfarms already and allowing planning permission for more of these developments will irreversibly destroy the natural landscape, the scenic beauty and the viability of rural communities,” Councillor Lynch said. The Kilrush native noted that the currently County Development Plan has designated the area as strategic in terms of wind energy production, but said members are now working to remove that designation. “This is not …

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Council’s pride at flying of rainbow flag in Kilrush

A WEST Clare councillor has described the response to the flying of the Pride flag at Kilrush Town Hall last month as “humbling”. Councillor Ian Lynch told the July local authority meeting of the positive impact of the move, as he called on the council to appoint a diversity and inclusion officer. “June was Pride month and, I put my hand up to this, I was relying on someone else to mark it,” he said. “I got a request to fly the Pride flag and I have to say a huge ‘thank you’ to Steve Lahiffe for making it happen. The response to that was one of the most humbling things I’ve experienced. There were people who woke up and felt better about themselves and about their town because the flag was flown.” The Independent member tabled a motion to have diversity and inclusion promoted. “We will be able to attract more people to the area if we can show …

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Don’t let private interests dictate on estuary – Lynch

WITH major plans for development on the Shannon Estuary, Kilrush based Councillor Ian Lynch has sought to ensure that private interests don’t decide how the assets of Clare are best used. At this week’s meeting of West and North Clare councillors he put forward a motion proposing the establishment of committees that would make sure things move in the right direction, with integrated planning. On protecting the Estuary, he said it doesn’t belong to the ESB or any other body. “Unless we as a local authority step up to protect that asset we will lose it, and I mean lose it in a terrible way. We will lose it environmentally and economically.” He added, “We can’t sit and let businesses there to make money dictate to us how the natural assets of that area will be developed for the people of the county.” Explaining the type of problem that could arise, he said, “One of the concerns from speaking to …

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Concern at anti-social behaviour in Kilrush

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour at public amenities in Kilrush has prompted a local councillor to call for more proactive policing in the area, as well as greater supports for young people. At the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Councillor Ian Lynch said it was time that the body stepped up its efforts in highlighting anti-social behaviour and in proposing effective solutions. He cited, in particular, the need for an update on strategies proposed to-date by the JPC, including the creation of a multi-agency taskforce to tackle drugs and related crimes. Councillor Lynch outlined how public amenities in Kilrush are now the site of concerning levels of illicit and anti-social activities. “We know very well the benefits of public, outdoor amenities like the Coillte-owned Vandaleur estate and woodland,” he said. “While they are being used regularly by more and more people, there has also been an increase in thefts from vehicles. People are coming along at 3pm in the day, …

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More lighting concerns in rural West Clare

FURTHER concerns have been raised in West Clare over the adequacy of street lighting in rural areas. At the March meeting of the Municipal District committee, the matter was brought up by Councillor Gabriel Keating who called for upgrade works in Knockerra Village. “There are a number of houses on the side road close to the church and there is not public lighting there whatsoever,” he said. “I would ask the authority to look at rectifying this situation as soon as possible.” A written reply from Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer (SEE) outlined that works are unlikely unless money becomes available to the authority. “Clare County Council does not have any plans to extend public lighting along the L-6168-0 – the side road up by the Church,” the response said. “If a funding source should become available then public lighting may be installed.” The response prompted Councillor Ian Lynch to ask officials to provide estimates on the cost of street …

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