Tag Archives: Ennis Municipal District

A MAN has been struck twice by passing cars on a stretch of local road which sees motorists engage in “games of cat and mouse” prompting calls by Ennis councillors for the introduction of a temporary reduced speed limit. Increasing volumes of traffic on the narrow local road at Kilbricken that runs from Ballaghboy cross/Quin road to the N85 Dual Carriageway has resulted in “a nightmare” for those living in the area, a meeting of local councillors has heard. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, deputy mayor Councillor Paul Murphy outlined that growing numbers of traffic “has resulted in increased traffic jams/snarls, incidences of verbal altercations between motorists and games of cat and mouse as to which driver can beat the oncoming car to the next passing point.” He continued, “Residents living on the road have to endure this on a daily basis and have made me aware that a local man has been struck by a …

CONCERN that recent incidences of anti-social behaviour in Ennis, including a house being targeted with a petrol bomb, could lead to the county capital receiving a bad reputation nationally have been expressed. At this monthly meeting of Ennis Municipal District Councillor Pat Daly urged the public to contact the Garda Confidential line if they see anything suspicious in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour. Councillor Pat Daly insisted “it is important that this type of behaviour is eliminated”. The councillor commented that Ennis has been getting a “bad name” in recent times due to anti-social behaviour including the petrol bombing and incidences where drugs offences are committed. “The drugs situation is very serious,” he said. He outlined that from speaking with gardaí he has been told that those who witness illegal activity are often afraid to report it. “The only way to alleviate this is to ring the garda confidential line,” he said. The meeting was told that the …

CHANGING the proposed zoning designation of Spancilhill from a ‘cluster’ to a ‘small village’ in the Clare County Development Plan would help reduce speed limits and address “dangerous levels” of traffic speeding which has split the community in two, a meeting of councillors has been told. The “ongoing safety concerns” of residents due to speeding in Spancilhill was raised at the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District by Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy. She added that locals are of the view that recent road improvements and markings are “insufficient” while asking if VMS signs could be considered. While Councillor Johnny Flynn confirmed he has made a submission to the Draft Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029 seeking to change the proposed zoning designation. Responding to Councillor Colleran Molloy’s motion, Eamon O’Dea, Senior Executive Engineer stated, “The line marking contractor carrying out the sign and lining work at Spancilhill Low Cost Safety Scheme were unable to complete the line marking work due …

INSTALLING the controversial Púca statue at a busy Ennis junction would draw motorists’ attention to new road safety measures put in place a local councillor has quipped. An upgrade of the Corrovorrin junction, including a new mini-roundabout, has been widely welcomed locally, however a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District has been told there needs to be more driver awareness of the changes to the road. This prompted Councillor Mary Howard to joke, “People are still not aware of the roundabout, they would know if the Púca was in the middle of it to draw attention to it.” More seriously she added, “Traffic is flying through and I’m afraid of what might happen.” The issue at Corrovorrin junction was raised by Councillor Johnny Flynn who urged the council to consider further improvements to the “excellent upgrade” of the area. He called for improved road signage immediately adjacent to the junction to increase driver awareness; road marking of the track drive …

A GROUP of residents who have come together to promote Doora village and make the area a better place to live, work and visit are calling for a change in the locality’s status in the draft County Development Plan 2023-2029. The Doora Community Development Group are seeking, under a submission to the County Development Plan review, a change of the status of Noughaval from a ‘Cluster’ to ‘Small Village’ status and that the village be referred to as Doora. Among the issues highlighted by the group in their submission has been motorists speeding through the village, which they say is “now a serious issue for public safety”. A recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard councillors voice their support, pointing out that a change in the zoning could support efforts to reduce speed limits in the locality. Former mayor Councillor Johnny Flynn has made his own submission outlining his support for the residents and stating that Doora village is …

LEAKAGE issues are set to be water under the bridge in central Ennis according to Irish Water as the town gets ready for a makeover. With Clare County Council due to progress with the town’s public realm enhancement project, Irish Water is set to commence vital infrastructure upgrades ahead of these improvements. Before all that works gets underway, Irish Water will replace aged watermains at High Street, Bank Place, O’Connell Square and O’Connell Street, with the aim of providing a more reliable water supply, reducing high levels of leakage and improving water quality. The works, being carried out as part of Irish Water’s National Leakage Reduction Programme, involve the replacement of over 680m of aged cast iron watermains with new modern pipes and is a continuation of the works completed on Parnell Street in 2019. The programme to replace the watermains is due to commence in mid-May. The section of works will take place from High Street through O’Connell Square/Bank …

WORK is set to begin on completing an unfinished footpath near the old quarry at Ballybeg later this year, the local authority have confirmed. This is one of a number of improvement works set to take place in the Ballybeg area a recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard. Deputy Mayor of Ennis Councillor Paul Murphy told the meeting that finishing the footpath needs to be “prioritised” along with raising other matters relating to Ballybeg. The councillor requested that the path be included in this year’s works programme “and that that any drainage issues impacting on residential dwellings are dealt with. Barry Conway, A/Senior Executive Engineer, informed him that funding has been provided for this section of footpath in the 2022 Active Travel allocation. Work is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2022 he said. The Clarecastle-based councillor also asked that lighting is provided “as soon as possible as the ducting is already in place along most …

MEMBERS of Ennis Community College’s Board of Management have assured works on a new €10.2 million extension are not yet finished amid criticism of the building as “industrial” looking. BOM chair Councillor Ann Norton has pointed out that the building is not complete with a lot of planned greenery around the extension yet to be put in place. She was speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District where Councillor Johnny Flynn called for the building’s architect to be called in to explain the rationale behind the design. According to Councillor Flynn members of the public have been “shocked” by the look of the extension in the historic part of the town and he questioned whether the students can look out of the building. He said it would be “helpful” if the architect could explain the look of the building saying, “some people have said it looks a bit industrial. I understand that the inside is beautiful but could …