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Tag Archives: Kilrush

‘Kilrush has turned itself around’

A “MASSIVE improvement” in Kilrush is one of the things Clare’s highest ranking garda is most proud of, he revealed recently. “I came to Clare in 2007 and in those years there didn’t seem to be anything but bad publicity about Kilrush and incidents happening there,” Chief Superintendent John Kerin stated. “Certainly, I think if people look at the crime statistics and the occurrences there over the last three years, there has been a massive reduction in incidents of crime and disorder,” he added. “Now don’t get me wrong, there are still nasty enough incidents occurring but the amount of crime as shown in the statistics for 2014 and the first four months of this year would indicate that things have improved massively,” he said. From January to April this year, there were a total of four burglaries, two thefts from vehicles, five incidents of other thefts and 11 reports of criminal damage in Kilrush. The number of burglaries there …

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CAB still on the case in Kilrush

A GARDA operation targeting money-lending in Kilrush involved searches of at least one solicitor’s office, local representatives were told last week. It also emerged that the Criminal Assets Bureau is continuing an investigation in the West Clare town. At the recent meeting of the West Clare Municipal District, Garda Chief Superintendent John Kerin highlighted a number of successful operations carried out by gardaí in the division, despite cuts to staffing levels. In December 2013, 11 people were arrested in connection with illegal money-lending in the town, following a six-month operation involving 130 gardaí. The chief superintendent outlined that the investigation included searches of offices, solicitors’ offices, private homes and computers and that CAB is still investigating suspected proceeds of criminal conduct in the area. “This was the only operation of its kind for the last two years,” he stated. Such was the success of the operation that former superintendent in the West Clare area, Seamus Nolan, has been invited to …

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Money lending cases for circuit court

FIVE people who are facing charges arising from an investigation into money-lending in Kilrush are set to have their cases heard in the circuit court. Diana Casey, 12 Wood Road, Kilrush; Patrick Casey, Beverley Hills View, Kilkee Road, Kilrush; Ann Marie O’Brien, 12 Sycamore Drive, Kilrush; James O’Brien, Chapel Drive, Kilrush and Bernie O’Grady of Wood Road, Kilrush were all before Ennis District Court this week, where Judge Patrick Durcan refused jurisdiction in the matters. Giving evidence at Wednesday’s court sitting, Detective Donal Corkery said a number of people had been identified following what was called Operation Payday and that observation had been carried out over a lengthy period of time. He also said that people using money-lenders had been identified and some complaints had been made. Detective Corkery said he understood loans involved had ranged from €50 to €8,000. Regarding rates of interest, he said in the case of someone who was borrowing €100, €150 would have to be …

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Free parking trial in Ennis and Kilrush

Free parking is to be introduced on a trial basis in Ennis and Kilrush, it has been confirmed. Clare County Council has announced two-hour free parking is being made available in Kilrush, while free parking is also being provided in the council’s car parks in Ennis from 2pm each Saturday. Parking charges will continue to apply to on-street car parking in Ennis. The incentives were proposed at Monday’s council meeting where they received the unanimous backing of elected members. Both schemes will operate on a trial period from June 1 to the end of September. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, John Crowe said, “Providing quality access and convenient parking is instrumental in presenting our main towns as attractive and vibrant shopping locations. I welcome the council’s introduction of these incentives, which should now act as an additional stimulus to activity in both Ennis and Kilrush and encourage greater retail activity in the towns.”

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Motorcyclist fatally injured in Kilrush crash

A Dublin man who was taking part in a motorbike rally which he helped  organize for Down Syndrome Ireland died in a motorcycle crash near Kilrush yesterday. Aidan Lynam, a 44 year-old father of three from Lucan,  had helped collect more than a €1million for the charity. The fatal crash occurred outside Kilkee on the Kilrush Road at approximately 11.45am. Mr Lynam was airlifted to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead. The driver of the car was uninjured. The stretch of road was closed to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Witnesses are asked to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065- 9080550.

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Preparing for 2016 Viking challenge

EXACTLY 1,200 years since Scattery Island off Kilrush was attacked by Viking invaders, the Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland (RWYCI), which is based in the town, will host as many Vikings as they can unearth in July 2016 for the Viking Challenge. In the summer of 816 AD, a Viking raiding party sailed southwards around Loop Head for the first time and proceeded up the Shannon Estuary to attack the entirely unsuspecting monastic settlement on Scattery Island. Having plundered and pillaged, the Vikings sailed off with their spoils in terms of slaves, treasure and food, not to return again until 835 AD. The RWYCI is to host a sailing regatta from July 27 to 30, 2016 to mark the anniversary. Among the family surnames believed to be of Viking descent are Halpins, Doyles, McLoughlins and O’Loughlins. “It’s based on fact. It’s something that hasn’t been done in Ireland before or at least anywhere that I’m aware of. I’m not …

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Concerns raised over Kilrush warfarin clinic

THE University of Limerick Hospitals Group chief executive officer has pledged to take into account concerns expressed about the impact of the phased closure of the Warfarin clinic in Kilrush. Professor Colette Cowan made the pledge after a meeting with Deputy Pat Breen this week, amid growing unease about the proposed ending of this service. “CEO Colette Cowan assured me that she would take my concerns on board. She advised me that the HSE is currently in discussions with GPs regarding a number of issues and that the warfarin services in Kilrush will feature in these discussions. “She is very aware of the concerns, the logistical problems which it could cause for patients who would require ongoing treatment and is hoping that a successful resolution and agreement can be reached with the GPs to accommodate those patients locally. “Following our meeting, she is to revert back to me at the earliest opportunity,” he said. Deputy Breen had sought a meeting …

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Superintendent on guard for a new challenge

THE newly appointed Kilrush Division Garda Superintendent, Martin McGonnell is still coming to terms with the geographical size of his new beat. Yet the Monaghan man, who served for 13 years in Donnybrook before moving on to promotion to West Clare, feels that similar policing principles apply in rural and urban settings. “I think I was in Clare once previously, which a lot of people find surprising considering that it’s such a scenic area. Compared to Dublin, where you might have a lot more incidents but in a much more confined space, it’s a big change. “To go from Kilrush to Ennistymon is a round trip of around 120km and 140km up to Lisdoonvarna. The distances are huge. It’s a stretch from Loop Head right up to Ballyvaughan. It’s going to take a bit of time and patience to get used to it,” Superintendent McGonnell told The Clare Champion. “In the Donnybrook area you have 34 embassies, including the British, …

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