Tag Archives: Councillor PJ Ryan

THE Bunratty Manor hotel was the venue for the official launch of the 170-page Centenary Book of the ambush at Glenwood which took place on January 20, 1921.  This launch, which had previously been deferred due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, was performed by the Mayor of Clare, Councillor PJ Ryan. The Council chairperson was assisted by Mr Flan McCarthy and Mr Mick Ryan, who are joint presidents of the Glenwood Ambush Memorial Committee.  The publication contains a number of different versions of what actually happened on ambush day in January 1921, and accounts of the later reprisals by the Black and Tans. There are some details too of a number of the participating volunteers, in as much as was possible for researchers to get the information. These include Martin ‘Neighbour’ McNamara, Joe Clancy, Tom McGrath, Mattie McGrath, James Hogan, Paddy McCarthy, Jackie Ryan, Jimmy McInerney, Miko Neville, Dinny Minogue, Mick Moloney, Mick Shaughnessy, Tom McInerney, Michael Cleary, Peter St Ledger, …

DAMAGE caused by forestry extraction to roads in West Clare has been compared to a “moonscape”, by one member of the local authority.  Councillor Cillian Murphy was speaking in support of a motion from the Cathaoirleach at the May meeting of Clare County Council. The chairperson, Councillor PJ Ryan called for the enactment of a bye-law holding timber harvesting benefactors responsible for any damaged to public roads during extraction operations. “Most councillors will have come across this,” he said. “The issue is very prominent in West, East and South East Clare. When the roads are damaged, it’s virtually impossible to get any kind of contribution. “These roads were never designed for these kinds of trucks. Some were only designed for a horse and cart. When the road gets damaged, it’s back to the local authority and it’s a huge drawn on our roads funding schemes. Residents are up in arms. They are asking why those taking out timber ore not …

THE CHAIR of Clare County Council has asked that Shannon Airport be marketed as “the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way”. At the April meeting of the local authority, Councillor PJ Ryan called on the Council to request Shannon Group, Clare Tourism, Fáilte Ireland and other tourism-related bodies to undertake the marketing initiative. A written reply from Deirdre O’Shea, Acting Head of Tourism said that the success of Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way brand “presents a unique opportunity for the marketing of Shannon Airport”. “The Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, as an industry stakeholder-led forum comprises of representatives from Clare Tourism Department, Tourism businesses and State agencies, to include Fáilte Ireland and Shannon Group, meets on a bi-monthly basis,” the response said. “The marketing of Shannon Airport is a recurring agenda item. This facilitates all partners on the forum working collaboratively to ensure that Shannon Airport and air connectivity to the West of Ireland receives continued priority through collaborative marketing nationally …

Occupants want the council to give them a four-bedroomed house to facilitate their family’s requirements, writes Dan Danaher FEARS have been expressed that an illegal encampment at Sixmilebridge Railway Station may not be removed for weeks much to the annoyance of local residents who are campaigning for a resolution to this issue for more than a year. Despite a number of court cases, Clare County Council has not been able to move the occupiers of the encampment to a more appropriate location. An interim order was issued by the High Court following a recent hearing and this case is listed for hearing again on January 28. Last June, Mr Justice Senan Allen granted an interim order restraining Clare County Council, which owns the car park, the Garda Commissioner, the DPP, and the State from taking steps under public order and housing legislation to remove the caravans. However, the following month the High Court lifted this injunction, which was appealed and …

ALL-WEATHER drone facilities are to be sought by the council in 2022 in a bid to boost the search and rescue capabilities of the Civil Defence, writes Fiona McGarry. The news was revealed following a call from Mayor of Clare, Councillor PJ Ryan, for enhanced drone equipment, with infrared and all-weather facilities. The Cathaoirleach told the December meeting of Clare County Council, “This motion came about after I read recently in some of the national and local papers, about two successful searches which took place recently in Clare.” “I also visited the Civil Defence Headquarters on the Quin Road and spoke to some of the members and I went in just to see what the drone was like, and they told me, it was fantastic. But there was a problem with it, that it didn’t operate in wind or in the dark. So I asked to know, was there a possibility that an attachment could be got for it, but …

THE ESB and the government are being urged to seek another investment partner for the proposed €2 billion windfarm off the Clare coast following the “devastating” withdrawal of Norwegian firm Equinor. Equinor has pulled out of the Irish market, having previously reached an agreement with the ESB to develop a major 1.4GW wind farm using floating technology off the West Clare coast. Council chairman, Councillor PJ Ryan called on the government to introduce a streamlined simple planning process and remove any obstacles concerning connection to the national grid to get the vital project back on track. Councillor Ryan said given the emphasis on tackling climate change the government should prioritise the necessary regulations to ensure this project was “shovel ready” to proceed. Clare Dáil TDs Cathal Crowe and Violet-Anne Wynne have expressed different views on the impact of this setback for a major element of Moneypoint’s €5 billion Green Atlantic initiative. Deputy Wynne believes the future of the offshore windfarm …

COUNCILLORS are seeking a review of spending on public toilets after a Clare Champion investigation revealed the local authority spends almost €180,000 renting five automated public conveniences in different locations, writes Dan Danaher. The expenditure on contract automated public conveniences increased slightly from €179,202 in 2020 to €179,714 in 2021, according to documents released under the Freedom of Information Act. This includes an annual cost of €37,834 for a single automated public convenience in Killaloe, Market, Ennis, Abbey Street, Ennis, Kilkee and €28,375 in Kilrush. The cost of running and maintaining permanent facilities in Lahinch Seaworld fell from €49,701 to €37,355, while expenditure on Lissycasey public convenience fell from €7,077 to €2,012. This doesn’t include the estimated cost of €141,500 additional temporary public toilets that were put in place from May 1 to September 1. The authority spent €50,000 providing toilet facilities in Doolin Pier, €40,000 on Fanore Beach, €21,500 in Ballyalla, Ennis, €14,000 in Ballycuggeran, Killaloe and €6,000 in …

THE development of a rail link to Shannon International Airport would help to transform the international airport, according to the county’s first citizen. A renewed call for the provision of this rail link was made by Councillor PJ Ryan at a council meeting on Monday. Councillor Ryan urged Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to provide this rail link, which would provide a huge boost the airport, and would also provide some certainty for land owners, as two possible routes are currently identified in the County Development Plan. Down through the years, the councillor recalled he and other members such as Pat McMahon and John Crowe have called for a rail link to Shannon Airport. In view of Minister Ryan’s preference for rail transport, Councillor Ryan believes they should be pushing an open door in terms of securing his support for this venture. He urged Minister Ryan to secure a slice of significant EU Greenway funding to cover the cost of this …