Tag Archives: Pat Kelly

NO health and safety issues were identified during an unannounced visit by a senior official from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Direct Provision centre in Miltown Malbay last week, it has been revealed. “I am advised that there was no evidence of any rodent activity or water leaking on the day my official visited,” Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan stated in briefing note seen by The Clare Champion. Mr Flanagan commissioned the report following concerns raised in correspondence and Parliamentary Questions relating to the emergency accommodation premises for international protection applicants at the Central Hostel in Miltown Malbay. Hostel owner Pat Kelly did not wish to make any comment but said to contact the Department of Justice on the issue. Last Thursday (June 4), officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) held a clinic via video call with residents of the centre, which was attended by 12 of the 19 residents. The clinic was …

WITH the economy apparently thriving, Christmas was quite positive for local retailers. On Wednesday morning as they reopened their doors, several traders told The Clare Champion things had gone well. Although Christmas Eve hadn’t been particularly hectic, busy earlier trading had more than made up for that, said Patrick Bourke. “We had two record days, the Friday and Saturday, December 22 and 23. The busiest days in a long, long time. That helped matters and it was part of the reason why Christmas Eve was back a bit, there was so much spent on the Friday and Saturday.” His store in Kilrush performed well, he said. “Kilrush had a very good Christmas. It came later in Kilrush than it did in Ennis but it turned out well, there is no doubt about that. This year, the emigrant factor wasn’t quite as noticeable as other years. We had the wedding end of it alright, with a lot of people back for …

Clare senior football captain, Gary Brennan, will become just the fourth man from the county to represent Ireland in the International Rules series, when he lines out against Australia in Croke Park on Saturday week. The Clondegad clubman, who teaches at St Flannan’s College in Ennis, has been selected on Joe Kernan’s 23-man panel for the one-off test. Kilkee’s Noel Roche was the first Clare man to represent Ireland in the series in the 1980s, while Martin Daly (1998) and Odran O’Dwyer (2003) have also represented the country. Speaking to The Clare Champion on Wednesday, Gary Brennan said he has been helped by many people in his development as a footballer. “I’m delighted but I’m very conscious I wouldn’t be in this position only for my family, all of my football and hurling club mates and my county team mates. “This comes from training all year with the county, playing at a particular standard and being fortunate enough to go …

ALTHOUGH it had a closing down sale lately, Xtra Vision at SkyCourt is not in fact closing. SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly said, “This is a welcome boost for SkyCourt. It would have been a devastating blow to lose Xtra-vision as an anchor tenant. We knew that the Shannon store has always traded well and that’s why the landlord worked closely with the new owners throughout the receivership process to convince them of this fact. “We are delighted that our efforts have been fruitful and look forward to seeing a new vibrancy and exciting developments at the Shannon store, which is now undergoing a refit to recommence trading.” He also said that Senator Tony Mulcahy had campaigned strongly to keep the store open. Welcoming the news, Senator Mulcahy said; “The decision by Xtra-vision to remain at Shannon demonstrates the value of shopping local. Even during the scale-down period, Shannon consumers stuck with a local outlet as opposed to going elsewhere. All …