TURN-UP FOR THE BOOKS ‘Very racist’ rhetoric at Clare event

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

DEPARTMENT officials have confirmed a building in Shannon Free Zone will be used for emergency accommodation - as tensions simmer locally over the plans.

Clashes were visible within Shannon at a public meeting where close to 200 people were in attendance including far-right extremist Graham Carey.

The Shannon Residents Group has been formed subsequent to the meeting to try represent local views.

Former Strategic Projects Manager for Shannon Development, Michael Leydon felt some of the speeches at the Shannon meeting were “very racist”.

Chair of the Shannon

Residents Group, Elaine Kingston Durbin said “broken systems” in Shannon must be fixed before more refugees arrive in the town. “I won’t be bandied a racist because I’m absolutely not, I’m genuinely concerned about the impact it will have on the town, the citizens in the town and my own family”.

MORE ON pg 9-12

Newsdesk

Email: editor@clareecho.ie or news@clareecho.ie

Sales

Email: ciaran.coote@clareecho.ie or niall@clareecho.ie

36C Abbey Street, Ennis, County Clare Telephone: 065 671 9021

This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Ennis Book Club Festival launched

Siobhan Ni Ghairbhith, Roisin Garvey, Una Ni Ghairbhith and Colm Garvey pictured at the launch of Ennis Book Club Festival 2023 at the Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis, on Friday night. The event featured The Art of Reading Book Club with Louise Kennedy, Author of Trespasses (in Ennis) in conversation with Colm Tóibín, the Laureate for Irish Fiction (in New York)

The Poet's Corner Bar is a traditional Irish pub that opens its doors onto the main town street of Ennis. Perfect for a pint, a bite to eat or traditional Irish music session.