065 671 9021
clareecho.ie
editor@clareecho.ie
facebook.com/clareecho
23 Jan 2020
twitter.com/ClareEcho
Sport ‘STARS ALIGNING’ FOR Clare Echo THE
WEST CLARE GREENWAY
PÁRAIC McMAHON
news@clareecho.ie
P
LANS are progressing for a proposed West Clare Greenway with “positive feedback” reported from Council officials on their negotiations with landowners in Kilrush and Kilkee. An 85km Greenway is envisaged for Co Clare that will run from Ennis to Kilkee. Elected members of the West Clare Municipal
District received a briefing on the project at a meeting last week with an update given on a recent trip to Waterford which saw officials and councillors cycle 23km along the popular Waterford Greenway. Officials are keen to “cherrypick” the strongest features from the Waterford Greenway which did cost €450,000 per km. If such a model is to be followed the cost of such a scheme in Clare will be in the region of €38,250,000. As calculated by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF), a co-op
bike hire renting 200 bikes over the course of 250 days can yield a €3.5m turnover with other councillors and officials confident if the project can get off the ground that it will be a massive success for the county. Such a sentiment was expressed by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG), “If we grab a hold of this, it will be done and done right. There are good people at the helm that can do it”. Past mistakes must be learned from, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) warned as he discussed the “wonderful idea”, he said “A word always follow desir-
able and that is attainable, between them is a very rocky road”.
Full story Page 6
Asylum seeker outlines four-star treatment
pg 31-43
l Innocent Iroaganachi
Photo by John Mangan
CLARE’S newest Direct Provision centre has been described as “a four star hotel” by residents living there. Writing in this week’s Clare Echo, Innocent Iroaganachi gave an account of how asylum seekers were settling into Clare Lodge on the Mill Rd in Ennis. From August to December, Innocent had been living at The Central Hostel in Miltown Malbay. He previously wrote in this paper about how they were embraced in West Clare
with the local community offering to provide lifts to the men whenever they needed to go somewhere. Innocent says that he is “having a great time in Ennis”. Born and raised in Nigeria, he and fellow asylum seekers have found their experience in the county town to be very enjoyable. Their rooms at Clare Lodge offer comfort and include a bunk, single bed, six foot wardrobe and a plasma television. Three men are in
each of the bedrooms. “I can tell you that most of us are happy with the independent living the new centre is affording us, especially as regards the kitchen, cooking, access to food items, training facilities and employment opportunities. “In appreciation of the lodge, a fellow resident...likened the lodge to ‘a four star hotel’.”
Full story Page 13
CUMMINS CAR CENTRE MAIN TOYOTA DEALER
CUMMINS CAR CENTRE
Exit 14, Ballymaley Business Park, Gort Road, Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 065 684 5000 www.cumminscarcentre.ie