Tag Archives: Jack Byrnes

WOODEN replicas of Rudolf the red-nosed reindeer will provide a financial boost to two charities this Christmas, thanks to the efforts of an O’Briensbridge duo. Former O’Briensbridge community group chairman, Jack Byrnes has been busy making wooden Christmas reindeer for charity from his workshop at the rear of his home with the help of young Mark Ryan. They are planning to make 50 wooden reindeer, which are ready to be distributed to people who ordered them. Up to €1,000 will be raised for Focus Ireland and the Clare Ground Search and Rescue team. Focus Ireland is a housing and homelessness charity working to prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness through the provision of quality services, supported housing, research and advocacy. Jack makes the reindeer, while his ten-year-old helper from Ardnataggle, O’Briensbridge does the polishing, painting and nails the eyes in place. Jack explained that Mark does all the work he can do safely but the plan is he …

A COMMUNITY activist has appealed to jet ski operators to stop using O’Briensbridge for recreational purposes after a swan was seriously injured following a recent alleged incident. Former O’Briensbridge Community Group chairman, Jack Byrnes has also expressed concern that up to 30 extreme swimmers who swim in the area throughout the year may not be seen and could be hit by a speeding jet ski. Mr Byrnes has been watching a male and female swan in the locality for about 20 years. Last year, the female swan had to be rescued after she was caught up in a fishing tackle on the river. Because of this trauma, he believes that she mated late and subsequently her eggs didn’t hatch out. However, this year he was delighted when she had six signets. He believes the male swan got attacked by a mink, and had recovered before he was hit by a jet ski recently. With the assistance of Michelle Hastings and …

TESTS undertaken by Clare County Council laboratory technicians have revealed that an unusual white scum on large tracts of the banks of the River Shannon is “non-toxic”. Former O’Briensbridge Community Group chairman, Jack Byrnes requested Clare County Council, Waterways Ireland and EPA to investigate the origin of a massive spider’s web of white scum, which is left on vast tracts of land from the Pattern Weir all the way to Castleconnell after the last flooding. Mr Byrnes said the worst example of this scum was underneath his house, which was deposited all over the river bank about five feet above the normal water level. “It is like someone got a paint brush and painted all the river bank down along from Parteen Weir to Castleconnell for more than four kilometres. It is like a whitewash but you can’t get it off the stones. “I have contacted farmers who have animals as I am concerned it could be toxic. It could …