Category: News

DIGITAL speed signs have helped to reduce car speeds on the Tulla Road over a two-year period, new figures show.

Analysis carried out by Clare County Council shows that the average speed of cars using the Tulla Road has fallen from 44km/h in 2011 to 42 km/h in January 2013.

In a motion tabled at the July meeting of councillors in the Ennis East electoral area, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) requested a report on the speed and change in volume of traffic on the Tulla Road since new speed measuring devices were installed.

In his reply, Robert Burns, Executive Engineer, explained that initial analysis of speed signs in July and August 2011 indicated that the average speed on the inbound and outbound lanes on the Tulla Road was 44 k/m/h with 85 per cent of the vehicles at or below 52km/h.

Mr Burns continued, “A detailed traffic count carried out by the road design officer over a 24-hour period in late January 2013 (at Fitzpatrick’s Supermarket) indicated that the average speed as 42 km/h with the 85th percentile speed at 49 km/h, representing a significant improvement on speeds recorded in July / August 2011. The legal speed limit at this location is 50 km/h.

“The date provided by the digital speed signs is currently been analysed and further information will be available when this latest round of analysis is complete.”

Cllr Flynn welcomed the reduction in speed. Cllr Pat Daly (FF) urged motorists to pay heed to the speed signs and drive safely. Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) questioned when the digital speed signs would be extended to other roads around Ennis.

Mr Burns said the signs will be installed on the Lahinch Road and any plans to extend the system are being kept under review.

Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said the cameras are put up in consultation with the Gardaí.

WORK on a new development plan for Ennis and its Environs is expected to come to a halt following the publication of new local government legislation.

Last week, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, published the Electoral, Local Government and Planning and Development Bill.

Speaking yesterday, Director of Service and Ennis town manager Ger Dollard said the new bill contains a provision to grant discretionary powers to local authorities facing abolition to extend the lifetime of the existing development plan and to cease any development plan reviews already commenced.

Ennis Town Council had begun the process of drawing up the Draft Ennis and Environs Development Plan 2014-2020.

Mr Dollard was speaking at the July meetings of councillors in the Ennis electoral areas.

Councillors in the Ennis West Electoral Area committee heard calls for the development of a Green Plan for Ennis. The proposal was contained in a motion out forward by Cllr Brian Meaney (FF).

Cllr Meaney told the meeting that Ennis contains a number of unique, green spaces that could be better utlised to improve the town.

In his reply, senior executive planner Brian McCarthy stated, “The provision of a Green Infrastructure Plan in and around urban areas is now widely recognised as contributing importantly towards creating places where people want to live and work. Green infrastructure can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, protection against flooding and erosion as well as enhancing the quality of life for residents of the areas and enhancing their awareness of the local environment.”

Mr McCarthy continued, “The natural heritage of Ennis and environs with its natural and semi-natural amenities is an important aspect to the quality of life of its citizens and tourists and is ideally placed for the development of a green infrastructure plan. A green infrastructure plan offers huge potential to enhance green spaces and biodiversity for the benefit of the people of Ennis to create and enhance attractive and accessible places for people to enjoy direct and regular contact with the natural environment.

“It is considered the development of a Green Infrastructure Plan for Ennis and Environs is ideally provided via the preperation of the Draft Ennis and and Environs Development Plan.”

THE announcement of visitor numbers and the confirmation of an estimated € 5m boost to local coffers was made at the launch of a Gathering Clare Festivals and Events booklet for July to December 2013.

The booklet is being made available at tourist offices, hotels, Council offices and Libraries throughout the County to promote the dozens of events scheduled to take place during the second half of the year.

Amongst some of the key events held during the first six months of 2013 was the Bunratty International Chess Festival, The Burren Tolkien Society Festival, Kilfenora Music Festival, International Junior Tour of Ireland, Festival of Finn, Russell Memorial Weekend, Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival and the Gathering the Scattering Family History Conference, which were collectively attended by more than 1, 500 overseas visitors.

July and August will increase those numbers as a number of local festivals are due to take place. “We are delighted with the success of The Gathering which has brought huge economic benefits to communities across the County,” explained Monica Meehan, Gathering Clare coordi- nator.

“Communities in every corner of Clare have thoroughly embraced the Gathering initiative and we are glad to say that the quality of festivals and events is excellent. Recent visitor figures released by the CSO reflect the contribution made by the Gathering to the wider tourism sector.

“This is evidenced by the 10 per cent increase (404, 535 overall) in visitors to the Cliffs of Moher during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period last year.

“Furthermore, almost a quarter of the 5750 people who have visited Loop Head Lighthouse between March and June have been from overseas,” Monica added.

ALMOST € 65,000 has been allocated to 15 childcare facilities in the county for repair and building work.

The allocations are part of the second round of Childcare Capital Grants awarded since 2008.

Among the facilities to benefit are Teach Spraoi, Toonagh (€ 2,148); Fledglings Early Years Cuan Samh, Kilrush (€ 9,886); Lifford Childcare Centre in Ennis (€ 1, 542); Redeemer Pre-school in Ennis (€ 9,324); Bridge Kids, Sixmilebridge (€ 4,948); and Brigit’s Hearth, Tuamgraney (€ 4,720). Kilmaley Community Crèche Ltd will receive € 2,979, while Naíonra Na Leanaí, Westbury, will get € 2,997; Daisychains Playschool, Bridgetown € 2,988; Tic Toc Nursery Ltd, Westbury € 2,919; Wonder Years Crèche, Ballynacally € 2,994; Stone Court Childcare Initiative, Ennis € 1,308; Maghera Gardens Crèche and Playschool € 2,389; Kincora Kids, Killaloe, € 4,960, and Little Harvard’s Montessori, Quilty € 8,519.

Nationwide € 2.75 million is being allocated to 671 childcare providers.

Clare senator Tony Mulcahy (FG) said, “I understand that all submitted applications were considered in order to find those that most closely met the criteria and objectives of the programme. Applications that were successful were those that represented the most complete, coherent, and compelling cases for funding with particular consideration given to additional supporting material and the level of deprivation of the areas according to the Pobal Haase index. I would like to congratulate all of the 15 successful applications in Clare.”

“This investment is being targeted to have high impact on the successful childcare providers involved. Funding will go towards providing safe outdoor play spaces in childcare services, improving buildings and supporting services to ensure that children with disabilities have better experiences within early years settings.”

PARENTS with children under five years of age, who have sustained injuries or are seriously ill, must go directly to the Accident and Emergency Unit at the University Hospital Limerick, by-passing the Local Injuries Unit at Ennis Hospital.

Clare people with “conditions due to medical illness”, serious head injury, abdominal pains, gynaecological problems, neck and back pain, injuries due to self harm and major injuries must also go direct to Limerick as the Local Emergency Centre in Ennis became a Local Injuries Unit yesterday (Monday).

As part of the reorganisation of health services a new 10-hour, fiveday week, Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) was also opened yesterday at Ennis Hospital.

The MAU will be open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

The unit will see patients who are referred by their GPs with certain symptoms that may require hospital admission such as chest infections and chronic diseases including asthma and diabetes.

Shannondoc and GPs can also admit medical patients directly to the hospital outside the opening times of the MAU, following discussion with the medical and nursing staff.

In announcing the change of services at the County Clare hospital, the HSE said, “the hospital will continue to provide consultant delivered selected acute medicine.

“It is being done as part of an ongoing programme to improve patient safety and efficiency. The Small Hospitals Framework published in May 2013 sets out a very clear role for hospitals such as Ennis. Ennis hospital has a pivotal role in treating patients from Clare.”

The new look Ennis hospital is now not a million miles away from what the Hanley Report proposed in 2003. That report was campaigned against by the Ennis General Hospital Development Group for years and was the subject of differing election promises in the last decade.

In April 2009 the then Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis lost its 24hour Accident and Emergency Department, which was replaced with a 12-hour local emergency centre.

In May of this year the HSE published The Small Hospital Frameworks, which outlined yesterday’s changes and included Ennis in the University Limerick Hospital group.

The new Local Injury Unit will be open during the same hours as the emergency centre it is replacing from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

It will treat adult patients and children aged over five with minor injuries such as suspected broken bones, sprains and strains, facial injuries, minor scalds and burns. The unit is led by a consultant in emergency medicine and staffed by registrars, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists, multi-task attendants and clerical staff. People can self refer to the Local Injury Unit or be referred by their GP/Shannondoc.

Anyone requiring treatment outside of the opening hours should attend the Emergency Department in either University Hospital Limerick or Galway Hospital; or visit Shannondoc.

Those with minor injuries may also wait to attend the Local Injury Unit the following morning.

ENNIS Town Council has announced the introduction of a new cashless method of paying for parking in County Clare’s largest town.

The ParkMagic system enables customers displaying a ParkMagic barcode window sticker in the windscreen of their cars to make parking payments via text message or phonecall.

Traffic wardens use electronic handheld devices to scan the barcode or input vehicle registrations to verify payment status.

The system also includes a text messaging option for customers to be notified that their payment is due to expire.

Ennis becomes only the third Irish town to use the ParkMagic system, which is already in operation in Limerick City and Cork City.

Newly appointed Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Mary Coote Ryan said:

“I would like to commend the Council for providing innovative and easier ways for members of the public to park in the town.

The introduction of the pay-byphone system complements other parking initiatives such as the extension of free parking during the summer season, the Christmas free parking scheme and the introduction of new Carparking Byelaws.

Leonard Cleary, Town Clerk explained:

“The ParkMagic system uses mobile phone technology to simplify parking payments whilst also allowing greater access for the public and the overall efficiency of parking in the town.

“An expiry text message facility is available to customers to alert them 10 minutes prior to their parking payment expiring and will prompt a repeat payment if permitted at the relevant parking location.

This facility encourages space turnover and also maximises the level of payment compliance.

Payment systems that allow flexible payment arrangements rather than payment of parking on arrival.

This is expected to encourage longer shopping trips and greater consumer spend as indicated in the recent Retail Excellence Ireland report on Ennis and other towns and cities,” added Mr Cleary.

Before parking, drivers need to register with ParkMagic.

This can be done by picking up a window sticker in any one of the designated outlets.

These include Ennis Town Council (Drumbiggle), Rowan Tree Café Bar, County Boutique, Willow, The Ennis Bookshop, Zest, Ennis Tourist Office, County Museum, Glór, Chamber of Commerce, Clare County Council, De Valera Library, Bank of Ireland, AIB, Ulster Bank, Permanent TSB, Credit Union, Main Post Office, and Market Place Post Office.

TWO young life guards have been praised for their efforts to resuscitate a swimmer in Kilkee during the beach’s busiest Sunday of the year.

A retired teacher from Limerick died at the University Hospital Limerick despite the best effort of the local life guards, the Kilkee Coast Guard, the ambulance service, Shannondoc and Gardaí on Sunday evening. At 6pm the 76 year-old was discovered floating in the sea and was quickly taken ashore by the two female life guards who worked tirelessly to resuscitate him at the scene while contacting the other emergency services.

The deceased man, who remained unidentified until his wife reported him as a missing person later in the evening, was then airlifted to Limerick hospital.

ENNIS Town Council has advised against members of the public carrying out repairs to a vacant apartment block in Ennis.

The warning from Ennis Town Manager Gerard Dollard came after a local councillor offered to provide building materials to make the Fairways building safe. The area has been a source of concern among lo- cal residents due to the derelict condition of the building and the level of anti-social behaviour it is attracting.

A number of homeless people have also been residing in the building.

There have also been calls to demolish Fairways, which has been declared a derelict site by the Council

At the July meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) asked if there was anything preventing members of the community from carrying out repair work. Cllr Flynn said he would supply materials for the work.

However, Town Manager Gerard Dollard said that from a health and safety point of view, the Council would caution against members of the public working on a privately owned structure. The issue was raised by Cllr Brian Meaney (FF) who has called on the Council to issue a vesting order to take control of the property.

He said such an order would enable to take possession of the building for a nominal fee.

Mr Dollard said the Council is pursuing the matter under the dangerous buildings legislation and is obliged to follow correct legal procedures. He told the meeting that issues had arisen in trying to identify the owner of Fairways. “It is something that we are not ignoring”, he added.

Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Mary Coote Ryan (FG), described Fairways as an “awful looking building.”

FUNDING for small festivals in Clare has been slashed by more than 20 per cent in the latest tranche of funding announced by the Arts Council.

The funding, which was announced last week, will impact on festival taking place in the second half of 2013. Overall funding for six Clare festivals during this period come to € 20,000 – a reduction of a reduction of € 5,080 on the same tranche of funding last year.

The festival worst effected are the Willie Keane Memorial Festival, whose Art Council funding was cut by a whopping 35 per cent (from € 3,080 in 2012 to € 2,000 this year) and the Feakle International Traditional Music Festival, which saw a cut by 21.5 per cent (from € 7,000 in 2012 to € 5, 500 in 2013).

Funding was also granted to the Shannon Winter Music Festival (€ 4,500); Ennis Street Festival (€ 3,000), which taking place in July; the Crotty/Galvin Traditional Music Frestival Weekend (€ 3,000), which will be held in Moyasta in September and Music in the Glens in in Killaloe (€ 2,000).

This brings the total allocated to Clare through the Festival and Events Scheme (formally the Small Arts Festivals Scheme) to € 44,500 for 2013. Total Arts Council funding for small festivals in Clare amounted to € 83,100 in 2007 – meaning that funding levels in the county have dropped by more than 46 per cent over the last six years.

These continued cuts to the arts budget has prompted the chairperson for the Arts Council to call on the Government to take a different approach to funding the arts.

Chairwoman Pat Moylan has said the State should not take such a narrow view of stimuli for the economy and it needs to get away from the Celtic Tiger thinking that the only stimulus jobs that can be created are in construction.

“Sometimes there is too traditional a view that what creates jobs quickly are construction projects only. This is narrow thinking. The arts has untapped potential, already supports almost 21,000 jobs and contributes significantly to the economy,” she said.

A NIGERIAN born business graduate intends to throw his hat into the ring for the 2014 local elections. George Atijohn says he wants to run as a candidate in the Ennis electoral area.

The married father of two wants to get involved in local politics in order to “improve the town of Ennis”. He has lived in the town for almost 13 years. If successful, Mr Atijohn said he would represent all the people of Ennis.

He said, “I’m not going to represent one particular community. I want to represent all the people of Ennis.”

The 47 year-old says he would like to get the opportunity to tackle issues such as unemployment and the shortage of local authority housing.

“Look at the problem with unemployment in Ennis. Unemployment doesn’t know any colour. We have nearly 1, 500 waiting on the housing list. These are things we need to tackle head on.”

“How do we create jobs? That is my interest. How do we get ourselves out of the economic mess that we are in?”

Mr Atijohn comes from farming background and previously ran an information technology business in the Lifford area of Ennis. He recently graduated from the University of Limerick with a Masters in Business Management. He says he can’t wait to hit the campaign trail.

“If I could start tomorrow, I would. I would love an opportunity to have a debate with other candidates. You know the way they do American debates? We should do them. It would be fun. Invite the people from the town in and let them assess the candidates.”

He added, “I’m not just talking the talk. I’m going to walk the walk. Let us come together and see how best we can improve the town.”

If successful, Mr Atijohn would be following in the footsteps of Taiwo Matthew who won a seat on Ennis Town Council in 2004. The Nigerian born doctor made history when he became the first immigrant to be elected to a local authority in Ireland.