Tag Archives: Ennis

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) members dressed as giant pink and blue “condoms” and holding signs that read, “Dogs and Cats Can’t Use Condoms: Spay and Neuter!” descended on Ennis today (Monday). Their message? Five homeless dogs are euthanised every day in Ireland, and the only way to manage the cat and dog overpopulation crisis is to have animal companions spayed or neutered. “Hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats and dogs suffer on the streets of Ireland every day, and most will never finding a loving home”, says PETA director Mimi Bekhechi. “Dogs and cats can’t wear condoms, so PETA is calling on guardians to take responsibility and spay or neuter their animal companions.” PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” – notes that every year in Ireland, thousands of unwanted cats and dogs enter animal shelters, and many of them are euthanised because there simply aren’t …

RESTAURANTS that have tables outside their premises will be hit during the Fleadh, as it has been confirmed that all street furniture in Ennis will have to be removed. Adrian Jackson from Safety Solutions, who is managing his sixth Fleadh, said they had to address a number of concerns from statutory agencies, such as the gardaí, medical personnel and local authority, in adddition to the 20 conditions attached to the event licence. A safety officer will also be provided during the event, while an event control room will be established in Clare County Council’s headquarters in New Road, Ennis, to respond to any emergency. This room will be manned by gardaí, advanced paramedics and stewards, who will be watching with the help of closed circuit television cameras. “Crowd management is the biggest challenge for the Fleadh. Everyone’s safety is the most important thing. If people are not safe, it is not a good event for anyone. “There will be changes …

A PICTURE-perfect look at style through the ages in Clare will form part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of one of Ennis’ best known boutiques. The County Boutique will mark their golden jubilee with a very special exhibition, as part of their Eras of Style celebration later this year. They are hoping that some of their loyal customers who have shopped at the O’Connell Street store over the years will help make it a ‘run-way’ success. The October exhibition will see outfits from different decades, as far back as the 1950s, put on display, along with photographs of the very same ensemble being worn back in the day. Already, the County Boutique have been contacted by a number of customers wishing to include their beloved fashion finds in the exhibition. As an added incentive, there will be a prize for the best outfit from each decade. Gwen Culligan explained, “We wanted to do something to celebrate our 50 years here …

Over 1,500 homes and businesses are currently affected by a power outage in Ennis. The fault occurred shortly before 4pm this afternoon and is affecting supply to home and businesses on the Tulla and Gort Roads, as well as in Francis Street and other nearby areas. ESB  crews are working to resolve the issue and expect to have power restored to all premises later this evening.

TRAFFIC disruption is set to continue in Ennis with the announcement of plans to close more roads in the heart of the town. Clare County Council has given notice of its intention to close Garraunakilla Lane, Market Place and Old Barrack Street for seven weeks in June and July. The road closure is being proposed to facilitate the Ennis Market Rejuvenation Project and will run from June 7 to July 23. Objections and representations in relation to the proposal can be made to Clare County Council until next Tuesday. As part of the plans, there will be no access into or out of Old Barrack Street from Market Place. Access will instead be via O’Connell Street. It is proposed that the primary access to the entire area during the works will be via Summerhill, which has been made a two-way. A short section between O’Connell Street and the area in front of The Clare Champion will also be made a …

A monument to Michael Cusack is to be erected in Ennis at the home of Clare GAA. Planning permission has been granted to the Clare County Board to install a statue over 2m high at the entrance to Cusack Park depicting Michael Cusack. Drawings submitted to the planning authority show that as well as depicting Michael Cusack himself, there are also plans to feature images relating to the GAA, such as a hurley, sliotar, football and GAA symbol on the statue. The total height of the planned monument will be 2.44m, including the plinth. No submissions were received by the planning authority in relation to the application. During the application process, the planning office raised concerns about the possibility of “ad hoc” development and the need for a design concept for the overall entrance area. According to the planner’s report, “There is no objection in principle to the provision of sculpture at various locations in the town. Indeed, such pieces …

An Ennis man against whom AIB obtained a €3.48 million judgment last March had previously transferred €820,000 and a property in the US to his wife with the intention of defrauding creditors, the bank has claimed at the Commercial Court. Property developer Garech McGuinness, of Whispering Pines, and his business partner, Patrick Taylor, Moyreisk, Quin, had judgment entered against them after a judge ruled they had failed to establish an arguable defence to AIB’s claim arising from default on loans. In proceedings entered into the Commercial Court list on Monday, AIB claims that, between July 2013 and July 2014, Mr McGuinness transferred four sums totalling €820,926 to his wife, Justine McGuinness. It is also alleged he transferred to her around July 2014, for “a nominal consideration”, a residential property in Massachusetts, which the bank believes was worth not less than €250,000. In court documents, the bank claims these transfers were effected “with the dominant intention of defrauding creditors”, including the bank …

A bus carrying students from Ennis to Cork burst into flames as it was driven through the town of Buttevant on Monday. The dramatic scenes were captured by eyewitness John Sweeney from Clare who was a passenger in a passing vehicle. He told The Clare Champion, “There was a lot of smoke, there were no flames but there was a smell of burning rubber. It looked like all the kids were off the bus and everyone was ok.” @clarechampion pic.twitter.com/bZvRAu5Gn6 — John Sweeney (@sundaycottage) April 25, 2016 It is understood that the driver of the bus has been taken to hospital for treatment, and all of the students are reported as safe and well. Firefighters from Mallow and Charleville arrived at the scene to fight the blaze and the road was closed for a time.