Tag Archives: Councillor Shane Talty

CONCERN has been voiced by several West Clare councillors about the lost opportunity to change the charging structure for parking in seaside towns, as a way of resourcing local facilities. Progress with the updating of parking bye-laws, which could see changes to the current charging policy, was outlined at a district meeting last week. Several members voiced frustration that the status quo will remain in place this summer, while the area’s Director of Services said charges will ultimately have to be considered for facilities which have previously been free. The matter was raised by Councillor Shane Talty who tabled a motion asking about extra staff resources for 2022. He also asked for an update on the county-wide review of parking systems. The Ennistymon man welcomed the fact that facilities will be available for the upcoming four-day Bank Holiday weekend. However, he expressed concern that there will be no change to parking bye-laws this year. “There is money escaping that should …

THE hunt is on for a new location for the controversial Púca statue, after it was rejected in a public poll by the people of Ennistymon.  Interest has already been expressed by leading folklorist Eddie Lenihan who has been a long-time champion of the half-man, half-horse sculpture. The Crusheen man said his own village would make the ideal location, given its legendary links to the mercurial character reputed to lure people into all kinds of nocturnal adventures. “We have a place named Cathair an Phúca and there is a roundabout there,” the story-teller said. “What could be more appropriate? It’s an amazing coincidence really and maybe this is where the Púca was meant to be all along.” It remains to be see if Crusheen will fit the bill for the new location for the 2-metre high bronze figure, as Clare County Council announced its intention to find it an alternative home, somewhere in North Clare. Following a survey, which attracted …

THREE North Clare councillors have tabled a motion urging people to inform themselves about the changes proposed in the new Draft County Development Plan. At the December meeting of the local authority, Councillors Joe Killeen, Shane Talty and Joe Garrihy asked for an outline of arrangements for information and consultation sessions. They also sought clarity on proposed taxes on vacant, zoned sites, “to give confidence to relevant landowners”. Proposing the motion, Councillor Joe Killeen said it is vital that members of the public inform themselves. “This plan is going to last until 2029 so it is significant,” he said. Councillor Garrihy noted that “long, hard process of workshops” had gone into producing the draft. “I think all of our strategies – Housing for All, our tourism strategy – everything is impacted upon and needs to converge in a joined up way. The more engagement we get with our communities on this the better.” Councillor Killeen noted that the draft plan …

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 …

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 …

THREE Ennistymon area councillors have raised concerns about the adequacy of resources in the local authority’s Planning Department, citing a backlog with access to pre-planning advice. In a joint, cross-party, motion tabled before the July meeting of the local authority, Councillors Shane Talty, Joe Killeen and Joe Garrihy described the pre-planning function as being “bedevilled by delays”. “Pre-planning should be the cornerstone of building a house,” Councillor Talty told the meeting. “Planning staff now appear to be swamped with full planning applications. Those have to get priority. This is not a criticism of the Planning Department, but there are delays, in getting pre-planning meetings, in some cases of four or five months and that’s not serving anyone. People are getting frustrated with the wait and they’re firing in their applications and then getting into conflict.” The Fianna Fáil member also described a “geographical lottery” for those looking for pre-planning advice. “There are huge build-ups in some areas and a long …

Senator calls on committee to explain its rationale in selecting controversial sculpture THE committee who chose a controversial public sculpture for Ennistymon have been called on to come forward and make a statement on the row that has erupted over the plan. Senator Martin Conway, a native of the town, insisted the proposed Púca of Ennistymon, a mythical half-man, half horse, must be “consigned to history”. The two-metre high sculpture was chosen for a site at the bottom of Church Hill, after an open competition, as part of a significant upgrade to the streetscape of the town. The artist who won the commission, Aidan Harte, told The Champion he believes the piece meets the brief of creating an “out-of-the-ordinary” piece that will entice visitors to stop and spend time in Ennistymon. However, anger at a perceived lack of public consultation and objections to the design, prompted Clare County Council to announce the pausing of the project. Senator Conway has now …

THERE is a pent up demand for the provision of more permanent dwellings for young families in Lahinch, according to a local councillor. Councillor Shane Talty said the big difficulty in the North Clare tourism hot spot is whether any new private housing development will be delivered at an affordable price. Victoria Cross Limited has applied for planning permission to Clare County Council to construct 28 new houses at Station Road, Lahinch. Commenting on this proposed development, Councillor Talty said hopefully these new houses will be priced in a way that ordinary working families can afford them so they can contribute to the local economy throughout the year and provide children for the local schools. “There is a need for new housing but it is a matter for the local planning authority to ensure there is a planning condition that stipulates they will be for sale for permanent occupancy. The most recent development that was granted planning permission in Lahinch …