Tag Archives: Councillor Paul Murphy

CHILDREN walking to a local school are being forced out onto the road due to localised flooding, writes Jessica Quinn. Calls are being made on the local authority to carry out works over the school summer holidays to address flooding issues, and a “current road safety hazard” at Doora National School. The Ennis Municipal District is now set to contact the school to identify their concerns. Councillor Johnny Flynn, speaking at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District urged the Council to, “carry out works over the summer school holiday period to reduce the current road safety hazard being experienced by Doora National School going children and vulnerable pedestrian road users”. The councillor said issues of speed and volume of vehicles at that location were problematic, and that the works would also address the winter localised flooding at the location which at times forces children out onto the road carriageway. He said that there are around 100 vulnerable road …

ATTEMPTS to promote biodiversity are resulting in a “huge problem” for residents committees and Tidy Towns groups, according to Ennis’ deputy mayor. Councillor Paul Murphy is calling for funding to be put in place to help gather up the “huge volume” of excess cut grasses in green areas following delays in cutting due to efforts to promote biodiversity. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, the councillor said, “I am requesting that a budget is sought by Ennis Municipal District  to facilitate the engaging of an appropriate contractor to gather and dispose of the huge volume of excess cut grasses that are on our green areas across the Municipal area. This is as a result of later starting dates for grass cutting in order to promote biodiversity. However, while welcoming this initiative, many residents committees and Tidy Towns groups now have a huge problem with the unkept appearance of our public spaces.” Eamon O’Dea, senior executive officer, responded …

CALLS for a public/private partnership to develop campervan facilities in the county capital have been made by Ennis’ deputy mayor. Councillor Paul Murphy believes that Ennis has the potential to become a “very effective destination” for campervan holiday makers looking to stay in an urban setting. At the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District the councillor urged, “That Ennis Municipal District conveys a message that Ennis welcomes campervan users/owners this summer, provided that they can be self-sufficient in terms of sanitation”. He added that consideration should be given to using one of the council carparks at Drumbiggle or Áras an Contae “to facilitate this endeavour and valuable business opportunity.” Carmel Greene, Senior Executive Officer, responded, “The use of council car parks, either at Drumbiggle or New Road as campervan parks would require fully manned facilities specifically for this purpose. At present, the car parks are full on the five-day working week serving staff, councillors and customers. With greater numbers …

THE Mayor of Ennis has described recently announced government funding for Active Travel Teams in local authorities as “crucial” and has urged Clare County Council to become a leader in improving walking and cycling infrastructure. Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan TD and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD has announced funding for up to 248 new jobs in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country. Councillor Paul Murphy at a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District had urged that specific funding be put in place for all local authorities to create the role of active and sustainable travel officers. Reacting to the government announcement, Councillor Murphy said, “As a cycling and walking enthusiast, I am delighted with the government announcement as I believe that this funding is crucial in these times that we are currently living.” “The importance of safe streets and roads has never been as important as it is now during the …

ACCUSATIONS of an ambush on Clare’s first citizen, as she chaired the monthly meeting of Clare County Council, were robustly denied by three members who tabled a motion calling for a ban on the use of the title ‘Mayor of Clare’. Councillors Ann Norton, Mark Nestor and Paul Murphy refused a number of requests from fellow councillors to withdrawn their motion. They noted that, under the Local Government legislation, the only mayoral title is that of ‘Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District,’ owing to the population of the area, and that the title for the county council chair is ‘Cathaoirleach’. Their motion asked “that the executive use the correct titles of Cathaoirleach of County Clare and Mayor of Ennis in all correspondence and media releases”. Responding, Councillor Howard, who is the current council chair, said she found it hard not to take the motion personally. She agreed with the assertion of Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy that it represented an ambush. …

THE growing popularity of Ballybeg Woods during Covid-19 restrictions has seen motorists park on footpaths, blocking access to those using wheelchairs or pushing buggies, a meeting of the local authority has heard. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy urged the council to install signage at the natural amenity and carry out other improvements in a bid to tackle the problem. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, Councillor Murphy stated that during Covid-19 times the general public are maximising all of our public spaces and amenities. The councillor requested that creeping ivy and overgrowth in the public car park be tidied up in the short term “in order to maximise the space available for parking”. In addition to this he said that advisory signage should be installed at the Ballybeg Road entrance, requesting patrons to use the carpark to alleviate the problem of cars being parked on footpaths in this area. Repair of damage to a picnic bench …

COVID-19 may have pulled the brakes on the annual When In Doubt – Pedal It Out charity cycle in Clare, but organisers are continuing to be in the picture when it comes to supporting mental health services. A novel photograph competition has been instigated, with people from throughout County Clare being urged to submit images of what they are doing to exercise during these Level 5 restrictions. Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy, one of the organisers behind the annual cycle explains it is hoped this will motivate people and their families to get out and do exercise, which will support their physical and mental well being. He says that while the annual fundraiser is based around cycling, people can send photographs of any kind of exercise to get involved. “Running, walking, cycling, jogging, swimming, walking the dog, whatever they may be doing outside within the 5kms of their home can be posted to the When In Doubt – Pedal …

PLANS for the installation of a pedestrian / cycle crossing close to one of the county’s largest primary schools will result in the development of “critical piece of infrastructure” which will protect the safety of children, a meeting of Ennis councillors has heard. The development of a pedestrian / cycle crossing at Ashline on the Kilrush Road, close to Ennis National School, has been proposed by Clare County Council. Members of the Ennis Municipal District voiced their support for the plans at a recent meeting of the local authority. A report presented to members at the meeting outlined that the traffic calming measures will “facilitate the safer walking and cycling access to/from Ennis National School and St Flannan’s” and “provide for pedestrians and cyclists in the area outside of school times”. The works involve: removal of existing warden crossing; provision of zebra crossing with refuge island; minor realignment of the existing junction; provision of segregated off road cycleway/footway; set back …