Tag Archives: Covid-19

MINISTER Simon Harris has undertaken to ask the minister for transport to engage with Clare’s Independent TD over the decision of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to terminate the contracts of Clare Bus. It follows an appeal by Deputy Michael McNamara who told fellow Dáil members that the timing of the NTA’s actions had been “loathsome”. “Just as the restrictions were introduced, [Clare Bus] had a contract for Local Link services, which was dropped by the National Transport Authority,” he said. “It’s one thing I think, we would all agree that private companies  shouldn’t use this as a cloak to break bad news and to do very Draconian things to staff members, but when the National Transport Authority does it, I think it’s a particularly loathsome thing to do… And, of course, for the staff who were protesting outside of this house last June, can’t protest. They can’t even protest at home in Clare because effectively, everybody’s locked down… I’ve …

THE Irish Red Cross in Clare have made an appeal to the public to support an online fundraiser as Covid-19 restrictions have put a stop to their usual collections. During the crisis the local organisation’s community support transports have continued to run for essential medical trips only, along with their HSE assists, however funds have dropped significantly. According to James Lafferty, treasurer of Irish Red Cross Clare, “Our volunteers are working harder than ever to make sure you all stay safe during Covid-19”. He is appealing to the public to continue to support them in maintaining the transport service for people in need by donating to their go fundme page. “During these tough times our collections which help keep our fleet on the road have stopped and we are continuing to help the community. Please help us by making a small donation to keep the vehicles running. We need your support so we can continue supporting the people of County …

IN response to COVID-19, Shine has put measures in place to ensure continued vital support is available to people experiencing mental health difficulties and their family members. A national organisation, Shine is dedicated to upholding the rights and addressing the needs of all those affected by mental ill health, through the promotion and provision of high-quality services and working to ensure the continual enhancement of the quality of life of the people it serves. Ann Marie Flanagan, Shine’s Mid-West regional development officer, said, “As our name suggests, we shine a light for people who are in crisis and we know our work is more important than ever at this time. Our service is available to anyone who has mental health difficulties, as well as their families. For the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to comply with Government guidelines about distancing and travel, we have moved our group and individual supports and education to phone, email and social media. …

A local lobby group has issued a public appeal for donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for nursing homes. Mid-West Hospital Campaign spokesperson Hilary Tonge said nursing homes in the county are struggling to obtain sufficient supplies of PPE. Members of the campaign came together to see the could assist in accessing equipment. “We spoke to groups in other areas who are helping us to source materials and designs to start making PPE,” she said. The group plans to compile a comprehensive list and approach companies and organisations who may be able to supply equipment and use their skills to make products. Campaign member, Marie McMahon from Ennistymon said it has become apparent that hand sanitiser and disposable gowns are in very short supply. Flor McCarthy of Athlunkard Nursing Home confirmed that testing of staff and patients has taken place in the Westbury care facility on Monday. Director of nursing in Ennis Road Care Facility Meelick, Arthur Stritch said he …

CLARE’s Independent TD has described his talks on supporting a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition as “constructive”, but said he believes the parties’ preferred option is to have the Greens on-board, reducing the requirement for non-party deputies. Deputy Michael McNamara met a negotiating team for two hours last Monday, alongside fellow Independents Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim) and Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway), and said that while the encounter was worthwhile, it didn’t constitute “meaningful negotiations”. “The talks were constructive, but I wouldn’t say there was any great level of engagement on either said,” he said. “The very clear preference is to get the Greens on board, alongside a few Independents bolted on for added stability.” The three rural Independents presented a joint document and reviewed the framework document drawn up by the parties. Deputy McNamara stressed, however, that that he would be working independently for this constituency. “Everything I do is based on what’s best for Clare, even though we met as a team,” …

AN Ennis man living in London has been using his talents to ensure frontline staff at a hospital and care homes have access to protection against the spread of Covid-19. Eoin O’Sullivan, originally from the Golf Links Road has transformed his attic into a workshop where he has been making protective faceshields on 3D printers. He has been donating the much sought after equipment for free to a number of care homes and London’s St Helier’s hospital. The physics lecturer, a former pupil of Gaelcholaiste an Chláir, has been living in London for nearly four years and currently teaches at the University of Surrey. He explains that the idea came about when a friend of his, Jerry Naiker, told him about the shortage of protective faceshields at a local care home. “Jerry had a 3D printer at home but he knew I had a couple and asked if I’d be interested in producing them.” Since then the word has got …

GENERAL practitioners at a new community assessment hub for confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients are seeing a smaller volume of people than expected. A new assessment service for local confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients whose health is deteriorating in Shannon Health Centre got underway on Wednesday, April 15. This service is for patients who have a presumed or a positive test for Covid-19 whose condition is worsening and requires an urgent face-to-face consultation following a referral by their own GP. All other patients will continue to be managed by their own GP. Twenty local general practitioners have volunteered to work in the new Community Assessment Hub following special induction training. Dr Páraic Meaney of the Burren Medical Centre, Corofin, told the Clare Champion doctors at the hub have seen a smaller number of patients that they envisaged, which is a very positive development. “The new community assessment hub is running very smoothly. We are seeing less patients than expected, which …

AFTER over a month of waiting to get off cruise ship Ruby Princess in Sydney, Corofin musician Killian Shannon was allowed to disembark on Tuesday, and he is expected home in the coming days. Almost 2,700 passengers were allowed leave the ship in March, some of them quite ill, and the ship has been identified as one of the biggest sources of infection in Australia. More than 20 people who had been on board it have now perished due to Covid-19. The ship arrived into Sydney on March 19, and Killian was one of the crew members who tested positive for the disease while on board. He spent weeks in strict quarantine on the ship, and when he finally managed to get back on dry land on Tuesday, he was elated. “Oh my God! Absolutely over the moon! It all happened very, very quickly, we were only told very late on to keep it away from the media. If it …