Tag Archives: lisdoonvarna

Owen Ryan heard warm tributes to the late John O’Neill who was killed last Friday in Lisdoonvarna MANY tributes have been paid to the late John O’Neill since his death last Friday, with people in Lisdoonvarna describing him as very friendly, likeable and holding a wide range of interests. John was in his late seventies and was predeceased by his wife Christine, who died last year. He is survived by his two sons, Seán and Graham, and a number of grandchildren. John and Christine had run a prominent B&B on St Brendan’s Road in Lisdoonvarna, while it was also home to a painting school. Heather Crowe, who runs the Ritz Hotel and Bar in Lisdoonvarna very close to the O’Neill’s home said the death had caused huge shock in the area. “There has been a huge cloud over the town since this news last Friday morning. “John was a well respected man, the family are well respected in the town. …

A 32-year-old man appeared in court tonight charged with the murder of Lisdoonvarna man, John O’Neill. At a special sitting of Ennis District Court at 9.25pm on Saturday night, Thomas Lorigan, of no fixed abode, appeared charged with the murder of Mr O’Neill (78) at St Brendan’s Road, Lisdoonvarna, at an unknown time on January 6/7. Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Ennis Garda Station at 8.03pm on Saturday evening, Dt Sgt John Farmer of Kilrush Garda Station told the court that when cautioned and charged, Mr Lorigan said ‘no comment’. Insp Helen Costello told the court that the Garda application was to remand Mr Lorigan in custody and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed a trial on indictment. Solicitor for Mr Lorigan, Shiofra Hassett asked that Mr Lorigan be psychiatrically assessed while on remand in prison. Judge Marie Keane remanded Mr Lorigan to Limerick Prison and directed that it be noted on the warrant …

THE Lisdoonvarna man whose body was found on Friday morning has been named as John O’Neill. Aged in his 70s, Mr O’Neill had run a tourism business in Lisdoonvarna and was bereaved on the death of his wife last year. Speaking to The Clare Champion yesterday several local people said he was a friendly and sociable person, who was popular in the area. A man in his thirties was arrested on Friday and is still being questioned this afternoon. Mr O’Neill’s remains were brought to Limerick for a post mortem examination and Gardaí have said that the results will determine the course of their investigation.

A MAN has been arrested following the discovery of the dead body of a man aged in his 70s in Lisdoonvarna this morning. The man, who is in his thirties, is currently being detained in Ennis Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. The scene has been preserved and a technical examination is being carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau. State Pathologist Margaret Bolster has attended . The body of the deceased man has been removed to University Hospital Limerick where a post-mortem will take place. Gardai say that the results will direct the course of their investigation. There is an air of shock in Lisdoonvarna this afternoon, as local people begin to take in what has happened. One man said the dead man had been quite a popular figure in Lisdoonvarna. “I went to school with his son and they were very nice people. You’d meet him out having a few pints, a friendly …

A GARDA investigation has begun in Lisdoonvarna, following the discovery of the body of a man in his seventies in unexplained circumstances at a residence this morning. At the moment a road adjacent to the Square in Lisdoonvarna has been closed off and there is a substantial Garda presence in the area. The scene has been preserved and a technical examination is to be carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau. The office of the State Pathologist has been notified.

ACCLAIMED Miltown Malbay duo O’Connell Brothers have announced their first-ever headline show later this month, and it looks set to be one of the gigs of the year.  Brothers Kieran and Jon O’Connell have plied their trade with local folk group The Fiddle Case for the past number of years and are well known for their performances in other bands, including The Walls and Serious Mischief.  When the first pandemic hit and with gigs cancelled, the brothers turned inward and seized the opportunity to forge a new creative path. They built a home studio and immersed themselves in a bubble of songwriting and recording, the fruits of which have proven hugely popular with music lovers.  Earlier this year, ‘Songbird’, their debut single, flew into the world and onto radio playlists and the reaction was hugely positive. “Some songs get tossed around for months, years; a lyrical idea or a bit of a melody, but some seem to just land in …

A NORTH Clare hotel has scooped a top prize in the Good Hotel Guide 2022, and been recognised for excellence in promoting walking holidays. Sheedy’s Hotel in Lisdoonvarna has been awarded the ‘Editor’s Choice award for Walking Breaks’. It is the second time the hotel has received the award in the past two years. Sheedy’s is boutique four star hotel in the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark owned by John and Martina Sheedy. It is the only hotel in Ireland to receive the award for its two night walking break. Martina Sheedy who travelled to London to pick up the award on Monday said, “This award means so much to us, especially this year, with all the challenges we have faced due to the impact of the pandemic.” “We are delighted that we have won the award twice now; the first time was in 2020 and now again for 2022. What makes it even more special for …

EVIDENCE of social deprivation and isolation in North Clare has been illustrated in a recent pre-feasibility study, commissioned by Clare County Council, into the possible provision of stepped accommodation and associated services at the Stella Maris Centre in Lisdoonvarna. According to a copy of a draft report completed by social research consultant, Neil Haren, data from the 2016 Census provides considerable evidence of both deprivation and social isolation among older people in single and two person households in North Clare. There was a particularly high proportion of older people aged in excess of 75 years, which is half of persons in single person households. The study found 11 percent of those aged 65 and older and living alone in North Clare had no formal education. This applied to 6% of individuals aged 65 and older, and living in two person households. In contrast, the rate of individuals aged 15 years and above in North Clare without formal education was 1.6%. …