A PEDESTRIAN crossing on the Gort Road has been described as “a death trap at times” as calls were made for improved safety measures to be put in place to protect vulnerable road users. A recent meeting of the Ennis Municipal District heard a local primary school has highlighted concerns about the crossing. According to Councillor Mary Howard there have been a number of “near misses” of vulnerable road users at the pedestrian crossing at Hogan’s Shop on the Gort Road in front of Glenina and Pine Grove estates. She asked the council, “Is it possible to upgrade this crossing to make it more visible to traffic to ensure the safety of users?” Responding to the motion Paddy Tiernan, acting senior executive engineer, stated that the Ennis Municipal District “commits to reviewing this pedestrian crossing and will investigate measures to improve the visibility of the crossing. “Branches of trees which impact the visibility of the crossing will be trimmed back. …
Read More »Councillors urge delisting of key Ennis site to help development
THE former Our Lady’s Hospital in Ennis is set come under new ownership, with confirmation the development site is sale agreed. Ennis councillors are now urging that the historic site be re-zoned, and parts of the property de-listed as a protected structure, in a bid to realise its full development potential. Selling agent DNG O’Sullivan Hurley have confirmed the property is sale agreed and is currently going through the legal process, though they would not reveal the name of the prospective buyer. Calling for its rezoning and delisting, Councillor Pat Daly told the monthly meeting of the Ennis Municipal District that the former hospital has been a “hindrance” to any kind of development at the key site on the Gort Road. He recalled previous plans, including a hotel and private hospital, did not come to fruition at what he described as “a prime site in the town of Ennis”. He urged the municipal district, with the support of his fellow …
Read More »‘Huge’ repair costs following Ennis burglary
THE owners of an Ennis industrial unit have been left with a “huge” repair bill following a burglary at the weekend with gardaí issuing an appeal to the public for information. Gardaí in Ennis are investigating after entry was gained to an industrial unit under construction in the Ballymaley Business Park on the Gort Road. The incident occurred sometime between 6.30pm on Friday, July 3 and 8.20am on Saturday, July 4. Recently installed cables were cut and four batteries from cherry pickers were moved onto the floor and connecting wires cut resulting in internal damage. Crime Prevention Officer with Clare Gardaí Sergeant Triona Brooks outlined, “The monetary value of the cable stolen is very little but the cost of repair is huge. We are asking anyone who may have been working in the estate or anyone entering or leaving the estate if they saw anything suspicious between these times or may have dash cam footage to contact Ennis Garda Station …
Read More »‘road to nowhere’ leads straight to ‘future jobs’
The so-called ‘road to nowhere’ in Ennis has been completed, Clare County Council has confirmed. Phase one of the Ennis Northern Inner Relief Road link opened on Thursday. The 520m road development in the townland of Dulick links the R-458 Gort Road with the Ennis Information Age Park Building and the Clare Technology Park. The opening marks the completion of the first phase of an overall plan to provide a link road between the Gort Road and the Tulla Road (R-352). Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Tom McNamara and Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Paul Murphy have both welcomed the development, describing it as “strategic infrastructure that will open up the Clare Technology Park to new investment”. Pat Dowling, chief executive of Clare County Council, commented, “Clare County Council considers the provision of this roadway to be of strategic importance to the development of the town of Ennis. “The purpose of this road is two-fold, in that it will improve traffic …
Read More »New link road to Technology Park
Clare County Council has confirmed that Phase 1 of the Ennis Northern Inner Relief Road link will open Thursday morning .The 520m road development in the townland of Dulick links the R-458 Gort Road with the Ennis Information Age Park Building and the Clare Technology Park. The opening marks the completion of the first phase of an overall plan to provide a link road between the Gort Road and the Tulla road (R-352). Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tom McNamara, and Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Paul Murphy, have both welcomed the development describing it as “strategic infrastructure that will open up the Clare Technology Park to new investment.” Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, commented, “Clare County Council considers the provision of this roadway to be of strategic importance to the development of the town of Ennis. The purpose of this road is twofold in that it will improve traffic flows in the northern area of Ennis town and …
Read More »Ennis home lights up for charity
A FESTIVE house in Ennis has been lighting up the faces of both the young, and the young at heart. For the second year in a row, Gerry Keane has transformed his Ashfield Park house with a dazzling display of Christmas lights in every colour and style imaginable, all in the name of charity. Gerry said people are welcome to come along and see the house and take photographs and he is encouraging those who visit to make a donation to Milford Hospice. He explained that he first began decorating the house about four years ago, for his grandson, Sean, and he was encouraged last year to use the interest in his home to raise money for charity. “I started, about four years ago, to make a big deal of Christmas for my grandson and I decided to keep going from there. Then, last year, Mary Howard said to me, why don’t I help get money for charity. I’d never …
Read More »Rats seen near Ennis house
RATS have been spotted near a house in Ennis that has been used as a dumping ground, it has been claimed, as calls were made to address illegal littering described as a “plague” on the county. Rubbish has been dumped behind the house on the Gort Road for the past two years, according to Councillor Tom McNamara. At this week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, the councillor said, “When the Environment Section of Clare County Council have fully investigated the illegal dumping of waste and cannot find anyone responsible, they contact the area office to remove it to landfill. What process has the area engineer in place to insure that this waste is removed to landfill?” He gave an example of the house on the Gort Road, saying, “There has been sightings of rats in the vicinity. I request this waste to be removed to landfill immediately.” Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer, responded, “The municipal district office is tasked …
Read More »Power outage in Ennis
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.
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