Tag Archives: Tony O’Brien

REPRESSION of protests in China made headlines across the world in the last week, but weren’t even mentioned when the Chinese ambassador met with Clare County Council on Monday. The local authority hosted China’s Ambassador to Ireland, He Xiangdong, to mark Clare’s twinning relationship with Yunnan Province in China. Yunnan Province, which has a population of more than 46 million, is in the far southwest of China and borders Vietnam, Laos, and Burma. In a statement issued through Clare County Council, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Tony O’Brien said he had been honoured to host the ambassador. “A lot of work and time has been invested in nurturing the relationship between Clare and Yunnan Province and it was an honour to welcome the Ambassador to County Clare. “Though separated by thousands of miles, the twinning relationship has already made significant strides towards bridging this gap through a shared spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, exchange of knowledge and more importantly, friendship.” …

THERE is no prospect of the second phase of the Northern Distributor Road going ahead, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has said. The minister emphatically ruled out the prospect of the contentious relief road going ahead on a visit to Moneypoint last Friday. “The road isn’t in the Metropolitan area strategy. It has no Government funding and no prospect of it any time in the future,” he said. Subsequently, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Tony O’Brien said that the Minister’s attitude to the proposal will have a terrible impact, not just on Clare, but on surrounding counties also. “What I’d say is that this NDR has gone through every feasibility study, every phase of planning, it is included in the Mid-West Area Strategic Plan 2012-2030, it’s an integral part of that,” Councillor O’Brien pointed out. “It was in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Strategy, it was an integral part of that, to provide an orbital route around Limerick City and to improve …

Reservations over funding ‘private company’ and possible neglect of other districts CLAIMS and counter claims were expressed by county councillors during heated exchanges before a controversial €10 million loan was approved for the Ennis 2040 Designated Activity Company (DAC) by a majority vote. Ennis 2040 Designated Activity Company (DAC) has been registered as a company to assist in identifying opportunities for development and employment in Ennis and making the town an attractive place to live and work. While councillors support investment for Ennis, several expressed grave reservations about the new funding mechanism proposed by the council executive at a meeting on Monday, and the lack of a similar package for rural Clare. The loan was passed by 23 votes to five, with Councillors Tony O’Brien, Gerry Flynn, Donna McGettigan, P J Kelly and Susan Crawford officially recording their opposition. Some of the remaining councillors who supported it – Pat Burke, Joe Killeen and Ian Lynch – did so reluctantly. Councillor …

THE new Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District is Fianna Fáil’s Pat Hayes. The Caher-based councillor took over the role from Pat Burke of Whitegate who has held the role for two consecutive terms. Councillor Hayes was nominated on Monday at the AGM of the district by Councillor Alan O’Callaghan and seconded by Councillor Tony O’Brien. Taking over the role, Councillor Hayes thanked Councillor Burke for his work for the last two years. He also outlined his priorities for the year ahead, including furthering projects like the Killaloe Bypass and Inis Cealtra. “We have many plans in the pipeline in this district,” he noted. “What I want to see now is delivery.” Director of Services Ann Haugh thanked Councillor Burke and welcomed Councillor Hayes to his new role. “I have no doubt but that you’ll keep us on our toes,” she said. The new Leas Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District is Councillor Joe Cooney of Fine Gael.

Clare bus drivers were “shocked” by the indiscriminate murder of Athlone-based bus inspector, Laurence Hayes and his wife, Martina, according to a local councillor. Laurence and Martina, who were in their 50s, were on holiday in the resort of Sousse in Tusinia last week, when they were among the 38 victims killed by terrorist, Seifeddine Rezgui. Meath woman, Lorna Carty was also killed in the attack. Martina came from a large, well-respected farming family in Kiltoom, County Roscommon, not far from Athlone. The couple, who are survived by daughter, Sinead,  lived in West Lodge, an estate on the western side of the Shannon in Athlone. A Bus Éireann employee, Councillor Tony O’Brien, who knew Mr Hayes personally, said it was “incomprehensible” what had happened to the couple. He said the couple had packed their bags and were waiting for a bus to go home, when they were brutally murdered. Describing Mr Hayes as a “very witty, chatty and friendly” colleague, who loved life, Councillor …

The HSE is making budgetary provisions for Free BreastCheck mammograms for women in the 65-69 age group next year, it has emerged this Monday. Following  correspondence with Tony O’Brien, national director of the HSE, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell has received formal confirmation from the HSE that his proposal to extend Free BreastCheck mammograms to women in the 65-69 age group is now forming part of the HSE’s budget process for next year. “I am very pleased with this confirmation from the HSE. It’s a crucial step along the road to extending BreastCheck to women aged 65-69. It follows a commitment I previously got from the Minister for Health in the Dáil that free BreastCheck monitoring will be extended to women aged 65-69 during the lifetime of this Government. “What the HSE is now effectively saying is that the HSE has made a business case to the Department of Health to extend BreastCheck to women aged 65-69, and the HSE has included the …