The Clare Echo 09/04/26

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Apr 31, 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct 2024

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CAN’T AFFORD TO MOVE Traffic chaos to continue as road blocks remain Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan (FF) warned protestors that nobody is above the law

Man leading Clare protest: ‘We haven’t had anyone miss an appointment’

Cathal O’Donoghue of C&C Executive Travel and (right) traffic on the M18 at standstill yesterday

More on P6, 8

Photos by Joe Buckley

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

COUNTY CLARE will continue to be gripped with traffic chaos with protesting to enter a third day on the primary routes of the county.

Protests over the rising cost of fuel have taken over the county’s main road network since Tuesday morning with organisers stressing they are “in it for the long haul”.

Hundreds of vehicles have been involved in causing traffic delays and mounting road blocks in a deliberate attempt to clog up the roads of Clare and Ireland.

Frustration is beginning to rise among the Clare public who have had no impact in causing the price of fuel to increase but are also feeling the consequences of the road blocks. Cancer and dialysis patients from Clare have missed scheduled appointments.

On Wednesday evening,

Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan (FF) warned protestors that nobody is above the law.

“Democracy cannot be dictated to by an unelected group whose actions are now damaging the Irish public. No one is above the law and those breaking the law should know that there are consequences for unlawful activity”.

Lakefield Service Station said on Wednesday they have sold out of petrol and marked gas oil and have been delayed receiving their latest delivery of fuel due to the protests.

Organisers of the protest in Clare have admitted they have not made contact with politicians and are waiting to receive a call before they stand down.

“If people at home have problems with these protests they should be ringing our local TDs to get up to the Dáil and start waking the Dáil up,” said Cathal O’Donoghue of C&C Executive Travel.

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kieran@clareecho.ie ross@clareecho.ie 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

l The Ennis Franciscan Friars presented Mary Moloney of Steele’s Terrace with a special Franciscan Medal in grateful recognition for 80 years of service to the Friary Choir on Easter Sunday, her 87th birthday

Huge crowds at €20m Plaza opening

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

HUGE CROWDS descended to Doora for the official opening of the €20m Banner Plaza on Thursday afternoon.

Junction 12 of the M18 had tailbacks aplenty as the public from Clare, Galway, Limerick and Tipperary packed into the Banner Plaza for the official opening which was performed by Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien (FF).

A total of 120 jobs have been created at the Banner Plaza with the €20m price tag double the cost to construct Obama Plaza, the managing director of Supermac’s Pat McDonagh confirmed. The addition of the Clare facility brings to over 2,500 the amount of jobs nationally within the Supermac’s network. Plans for the motorway service station were first lodged in January 2016. It is situated just off junction 12 of the M18 in Kilbreckan, Doora on the outskirts of Ennis.

McDonagh was joined by his wife Una for the unveiling in what was a proud day in the career of the multi-millionaire. The Banner Plaza has been operating since November 7th and has proven to be a constant hive of activity.

Pat described it as “a very special day personally and for the wider Supermac’s family”.

He singled out the efforts of Clare County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Uisce Éireann along with the planning, legal, architectural and construction teams with Jarlath Connolly playing a leading role.

He admitted, “There was times when it was easy to lose heart with the setbacks we faced the belief that it was needed kept us going and that it made sense, it is for everyone travelling this route and the people of Clare that we kept going. For years, the people of Clare would always ask me the same question on when the Plaza would be open, it followed me everywhere. It had become something that the people of Clare wanted to happen”.

Getting the project to the finish line has been a bumpy road. In 2018, it emerged that bogus letters of support were submitted to the local authority in support of the development. Plans were withdrawn in 2019 following a request for further information with fresh plans submitted a year later before it received the green light in December 2020.

Noting the cost of €20m was double the spend required for the Obama Plaza, Pat pointed out that it also provides services that

Photo by Natasha Barton

did not exist along a 100km stretch between Galway and Limerick. He labelled it is “a commercial development but one that is part of the national infrastructure” as it supports road users, tourism, employment and regional connectivity.

Inclusion of Clare imagery throughout the Plaza be it sports people, advocates, musicians and well-known figures was a way of “saying something about Clare itself,” he explained. McDonagh said they have worked with Fáilte Ireland to ensure there is a reason for people to stop at the Banner Plaza “and be reminded where they are”.

Within the Plaza, services include Supermac’s, Eurospar store, Texaco forecourt, Mama Rich and Supersubs. McDonagh highlighted that the inclusion of Mama Rich is their “first venture into Asian street food and “it brings something new to the Plaza”.

The Plaza’s seomra ceol on the first floor is also their first dedicated space for music.

RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey who hails from Mullagh was MC for the official opening. He described McDonagh as “one of the leading business people in Ireland”.

Clare senior hurling captain Tony Kelly and Irish athlete Sarah Lavin were among the sporting stars in attendance with music provided by the Kilfenora Céili Band. A number of politicians were present for the unveiling.

Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Gordon Daly, President of Ennis Chamber, Diarmuid McMahon, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland, Jean McCabe, Deputy Vice President of the Irish Road Haulage Association Eugene Drennan and Chairman of Clare GAA Kieran Keating were also in situ for the official opening.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Shannon health campaigner James Johnston dies less than four year’s after tragic loss of daughter Aoife

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

SHANNON HEALTH campaigner, James Johnston has died after a battle with cancer.

Since the tragic death of his daughter Aoife in December 2022 at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), James along with his wife Carol and daughters Meaghan and Kate fought for justice, for better health services in the Mid-West region and to keep the memory of their beloved Aoife alive.

James was diagnosed with stage four kidney cancer in the summer of 2024 and on Friday he died peacefully at Milford Care Centre surrounded by his loving family.

Despite his ill health, James continued to fight for justice following Aoife’s death. She was left waiting for over thirteen hours for antibiotics at UHL, she was not assessed by a doctor over twelve hours despite having a letter from her GP advising that she had suspected sepsis.

Limerick coroner, John McNamara declared Aoife’s death a medical misadventure following her four-day inquest in April 2024.

From Cronan Lawn in Shannon, James is survived by his heartbroken family, wife Carol, daughters Meagan and Kate, mother Evelyn, brothers Adrian and Mark, sister Maxine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and his many friends.

He is predeceased by his beloved daughter Aoife and father Jim. Members of the Mid-West Hospital Campaign said they were thinking of the Johnston family but said James was “reunited with his beloved daughter Aoife. Reunited

l James passed away just over three years after the tragic loss of daughter Aoife (right)

in a place that time and distance no longer matter”.

Speaking previously, James said that no family should have to endure their loss when insisting the people of the Mid-West needed action not words when it came to better health services in the region.

He stated in 2024, “Let’s hope that is it not all talk. They need to get on with it and sort it out. No more people should die in that hospital. For 100 percent they need to sort it out”.

Speaking on Prime Time in October 2024, James said, “I just didn’t think she was going to die. If I had known, I would have torn the place apart”.

Aoife’s death led to two inquiries and disciplinary proceedings against six senior staff at UHL over the circumstances of her

final hours. The Johnston family had been vocal in declaring that only a full statutory inquiry would provide them with answers.

They said previous inquiries failed to provide accountability, and conflicts of evidence over measures that could have mitigated overcrowding on the night she died remain unresolved.

Speaking at James’ funeral mass in SS John & Paul Church, Tullyvarraga on Monday, his brother Mark said he was a “beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend”.

He said James was “deeply devoted to his family” and his love for his three daughters “knew no bounds”. Symbols of James’ life brought to the altar included car keys, a CD representing his love for music, the fishing reel, and a Liverpool jersey.

He told mourners in Shannon, “Aoife was his pride and joy, and the bond they shared was something truly special, the kind of bond that shaped who he was, that gave his life meaning and purpose,” he told mourners.

“When Aoife died, a part of James went with her,” Mark admitted.

“The grief he carried was deep and constant, a weight no parent should ever have to bear, and one that he carried with quiet strength every single day. If the truth be known, I had always hoped that Aoife’s death would not come to define James or his life. I hoped that, in time, he might find some peace beyond the heartbreak. But the truth is, it did define him. The loss, the sorrow and the injustice he felt became something he carried every day and in many ways it consumed him.

Mark added, “The loss of Aoife brought not only heartbreak but a deep and enduring sense of injustice. James carried anger and hurt rooted in unkept promises. This was not something he could simply set aside. It stayed with him day after day and weighed heavily on his heart”.

He said that the grief had a “significant impact” on his brother’s health and contributed to his illness.

“I truly believe that the strain and grief caused by this injustice had a significant impact on James’s health. The pain he carried with him undoubtedly contributed to his illness. This is not an easy truth to express, but it’s an important one, as it speaks to the depth of his love for Aoife and the profound affect her loss had on him. And as a consequence, his health declined, and he became seriously unwell.”

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Toonagh academic Lynch one of President Connolly’s seven Council of State nominees

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

TOONAGH native Kathleen Lynch is one of seven nominees by President Catherine Connolly to serve on the Council of State.

President Connolly confirmed her seven appointments to the Council of State last week with sociologist Lynch amongst them.

In addition to the President’s seven nominees, the Council of State also consists of the following members, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal, the President of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann, and the Attorney General plus every aable and willing to act as a member of the Council of State who has previously held the office of President, Taoiseach or Chief Justice.

The Council of State provides advice, when

l Katheen Lynch

requested, to the President on matters including whether a draft bill should be sent to the Supreme Court to examine its constitutionality.

Born into a farming family in Toonagh, her brother Michael is a former Chairperson of Clare IFA serving in the role from 2008 to 2012.

She is one of four siblings.

Kathleen is Professor Equality Studies (Emerita) at University

College Dublin (UCD) where she has also held a Senior Lectureship in Education. She served as a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) from 20202025 and is currently an elected Executive Member of the Global Forum for Rehumanizing Education. She has authored over 300 academic articles, and a number of books on all types of equality and social jus-

tice issues, with a strong focus on education.

She started her career as a social worker in Dublin’s north-inner city and what she witnessed in the job sparked her passion for social justice. Kathleen took her insight of poverty to the highest level of academia. She focused her early studies on education and, along with Dr Anne Lodge of NUI Maynooth, produced Equality and Power in Schools (2002), a major work on the subject of education access and attainment.

In Diversity at School (2004), Lynch and Lodge again examined the subject of education inequality, this time under the nine grounds covered by equality legislation, gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion and membership of the Traveller community.

Over more recent years she has published and lectured widely on

affective (care-related) equality. She was a regular pundit on Tonight With Vincent Browne on TV3.

Through research, education and activism, she has devoted her life to advancing equality and social justice. Her teaching and research are guided by the belief that the purpose of scholarship and research is not just to understand the world but to change it for the good of all humanity. To that end, she played a leading role in establishing the UCD Equality Studies Centre (1990) and the UCD School of Social Justice (2005).

Her work involved developing and establishing and teaching graduate, undergraduate and Outreach programmes in Equality Studies and Social Justice over a 30year period.

An invited scholar in several leading universities throughout the world, Kathleen was awarded the University

College Dublin (UCD) Medal for Pioneering Change, in 2018, and the Irish Research Council, President of Ireland Prize for research Promoting Equality and Social Justice, in 2019.

Other nominees include, Linda Ervine who is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area and received an MBE in 2021 for her work promoting the Irish language, she is a sister-in-law of the late Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine.

Fionnuala Ní Aoláin is a globally recognised international law and human rights expert.

Colin Harvey is a Professor of Human Rights Law in the School of Law, Queen’s University Belfast, a Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and a member of the Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

Donncha O’Connell is an Established Professor of Law at University of Galway.

Conor O’Mahony is Professor of Law and Dean of the School of Law at University College Cork.

Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh is former President of University of Galway.

President Connolly acknowledged the seven for agreeing to serve on the Council of State.

“These seven members bring a unique expertise and range of experience to the Council of State which will be of immense value in considering the matters which may arise over the course of my term of office. I look forward to receiving their advice and support over the next seven years”.

Since becoming Ireland’s tenth President, the Galway woman who is married to Ennis native Brian McEnery has adopted a policy of not speaking to the media.

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Traffic chaos to continue in Clare

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

TRAFFIC CHAOS is set to continue in Co Clare with organisers of the protests blocking up roads across the county committing to stay out “until we get a resolution”.

Convoys have taken to primary routes across Clare along the M18, N85 and R458 since Tuesday morning with hundreds of trucks, tractors and vehicles driving in loops and mounting road blocks. Their actions have been motivated by frustration felt with the rising cost of fuel due to war in the Middle Eas. Thousands of Clare people have been discommoded as a result of the protests with reports of missed appointments for cancer patients and dialysis patients also missing out on scheduled treatment on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents of children with disabilities have also flagged their difficult experiences of being stuck in traffic for hours and the impact on their panicked passengers.

Service stations have warned that the blocking of fuel depots will leave them without any supply of fuel. A spokesperson for Corofin based Lakefield Service Station on Wednesday afternoon cautioned, “due to the ongoing fuel protests the ports are currently blocked. We are awaiting our delivery of fuel, we have already sold out of petrol and marked gas oil. We apologise for the inconvenience but this is out of our control”.

On Tuesday, the convoy went in loops along the M18, leaving junc-

l Cars have faced potentially hours of hold-ups at various locations in Clare this week; pictured are trucks and tractors blocking the M18 yesterday where haulier protests continued for a second day

Photo by Joe Buckley

tion 12 at The Banner Plaza and heading for junction 11 for Quin, Dromoland with some operating in a loop and heading back for Ennis and others continuing towards Newmarket-on-Fergus and Shannon along the M18.

Another convoy operated a loop along the N85 towards Clareabbey Roundabout onto the Lahinch Rd in Ennis and back to The Plaza.

Road blocks were mounted on Wednesday morning cutting off access along the M18 forcing mo-

torists to exit at junction 11 and via Newmarket-on-Fergus where road works have been ongoing for the past month. The blockade also brought traffic to a halt at junction 14 in Barefield.

Organisers have described the protest in Clare as “a great success”. Information has been fed out via a WhatsApp group comprising of 1000 members. “We will strike again at 7am and cause more chaos because we are not getting anywhere with the Government,” said

Ballynacally’s Cathal O’Donoghue when issuing instructions on Tuesday night. “Cause as much disruption as ye can,” was the message given to drivers as they first departed The Banner Plaza.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, An Garda Síochána said they will continue to engage with organsiers of the fuel protest “seeking to work with them to mitigate the negative impact these protests are having on the lives of their communities.

While these protests have been

peaceful, they are causing significant disruption for people in some parts of the country. We in An Garda Síochána have received reports of emergency workers being delayed or not being able to travel to their work, of people not being able to attend hospital appointments or visit loved ones who are ill. Key public transports routes are also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted.

A small number of fuel depots are also being blocked”.

“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety,” the Garda spokesperson added.

Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan (FF) following a meeting with senior members of the Gardaí at the Garda Control Centre stated, “I emphasised to them that while Government respects the right to protest, that right must be exercised lawfully and must respect the rights of others to earn a livelihood or to move freely”.

Minister O’Callaghan warned protestors that nobody is above the law, “I also informed the Gardaí that it is essential our ports and fuel depots remain open and fully accessible. Government is well aware of the pressures on people from increased fuel costs, but democracy cannot be dictated to by an unelected group whose actions are now damaging the Irish public.”

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“Be a Tourist in your Own County Clare” On Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19

On Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, 2026, we encourage you to become a tourist in your own County Clare and explore the parts of the County you are not so familiar with - the hidden gems and captivating attractions that make Clare a must-visit destination. For this WEEKEND ONLY, take advantage of the OFFERS and BIG DISCOUNTS to Clare’s Top Attractions with our ‘Be a Tourist’ vouchers and promo codes.

ESSENTIAL TO KNOW: Check offers online as some are valid only on specific dates and may require online bookings.

See www.VisitClare.ie/wow.

One voucher per party suffices, but certain attractions require bookings with promo codes. For full details on date-specific availability, booking requirements, and promo codes, visitwww.

VisitClare.ie/wow. Please follow all instructions closely.

The WEEKEND SUMMARY OFFERS on Saturday & Sunday, April 18 and 19

Get ready for a weekend of wow — enjoy free and half-price entry to top Clare attractions! Go behind the scenes at a chocolate factory, cruise across Lough Derg or beneath the Cliffs of Moher, meet owls and alpacas, wander through historic sites, climb a lighthouse, explore caves and walled gardens, enjoy Burren walks, watch skilled sheepdogs in action, and more.

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Important: Get your vouchers and promo codes at www.VisitClare.ie/wow Check this website for vital offer details and booking conditions.

ay urd 26 Sartil 18, 20

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

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Cathal O’Donoghue, business man leading Clare fuel protests, takes aim at Government

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

OVER the past two days, hundreds of Clare protestors have been involved in road block demonstrations and causing traffic chaos on primary routes in the county. Their ring leader is the operator of a local transport company.

Ballynacally’s Cathal O’Donoghue of C&C Executive Travel has been among the driving forces for the protest in Clare, rallying the troops with messages before departing The Banner Plaza and also orchestrating their communication.

On Tuesday morning, Cathal seated on the bike of a motorbike minus a helmet led the first convoy out of the Plaza at junction 12 of the M18 and then proceeded to the roundabout to point vehicles either towards Shannon or onto the N85 to the Clareabbey Roundabout as they began a loop.

“Cause as much disruption as ye can,” was among the messages issued by Cathal when the crew first assembled at The Banner Plaza. He had to repeat his instructions

l Cathal O’Donoghue Photo by Joe Buckley

as some members of the convoy were unable to hear what he had to say. “Don’t worry about anyone else,” he added before reminding drivers, “take two lanes and leave the hard shoulder open”.

A WhatsApp group can contain a maximum of 1,000 members and the ‘Clare protest group to cut fuel costs’ quickly hit this limit once the protest got into full swing on Tuesday. Cathal and two other family members are the administrators of this group.

At The Banner Plaza, The Clare Echo attempted to interview O’Donoghue to gain further insight into the motivations behind the protest

and the inconvenience it would cause for many members of the Clare public who have had nothing to do with causing the spike in fuel prices.

When asked to do an interview shortly before 07:30, Cathal replied, “With all the s**t you have wrote about my business, you can f*** off and talk to someone else”.

Last month, The Clare Echo via journalist Gordon Deegan reported on how C&C Executive Travel pleaded guilty for unauthorised use of lands at Tiermaclane for the storage of buses.

Based on company registration records, C&C Executive Travel was established on Monday March 2, 2015.

Over its 11 year existence, the transport company has had a steady growth.

During that time, Cathal has not been afraid to criticise the Government. In June 2020, he highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on the business, claiming they recorded a €1m drop in revenue during the first six months of the year citing school closures, cancelled matches, deferred concerts and post-

poned weddings for hitting the coffers. At the time, C&C Executive Travel was reported to employ 35 people and had 35 buses parked up during the pandemic.

In the pandemic, he accused the Government of “not caring” when it came to social distancing and business supports during an interview with The Clare Champion.

Over the last five years, C&C has been successful in securing contracts from various departments connected to the Government. They include securing the tender from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to operate the Local Link services in Co Clare, obtaining school run contracts and also being awarded the Burren/Cliffs Explorer shuttle bus from Clare Co Council.

Although O’Donoghue opted to dodge any questions from The Clare Echo, he did agree to an interview with Clare FM where reporter Seán Lyons did not hold back in his line of questioning.

In his Clare FM interview, Cathal said they decided to continue with the protest because, “We got no phonecall

from the Dáil, no correspondence from any local TD or from anybody to say the fuel crisis will change. They are not going to help us so we are going to stand tough, we are standing up for the people of Ireland, that is what we are doing... I know people are aggravated but we’re doing it for everybody, we’re not just doing it for me or you, we’re doing it for every man, woman or child in Ireland”.

On the amount of people that have missed hospital appointments over two days since the protest began, Cathal stated, “We’re doing our best to keep the traffic going as best we can, we have to stand up ourselves too. Anyone that has came across us we’ve left them through, we haven’t had anyone miss an appointment on our side, there is no more we can do”.

He added, “The ambulance services are getting through fine where I am, that is all I can say, we’re not blocking any emergency services, a lot of the time it is cars coming up the lay bys blocking the laneways, we’ve let through several ambulances today”.

There has been no formal

engagement between protestors and politicians. When asked why protestors have not made contact with elected representatives, he said, “They know where we are, we are out on the roads and they can come talk to us. If they are here to represent us then they should be out here talking to us, they should be above in the Dáil talking to us and if people at home have problems with these protests they should be ringing our local TDs to get up to the Dáil and start waking the Dáil up”.

Protests will continue “for the week until we get a resolution from the Government. The Government are the only ones making money here, they are making €11m per day on this crisis, that is €40bn a year”.

He added, “They are forgetting the Irish people, the Government are very happy to help everyone outside the country but they won’t deal with the Irish people themselves, that is the problem here, they are not dealing with the Irish people, that is why we are standing up here, people may not like it but we are here for the Irish people”.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

News

Parts of Kilrush ‘becoming a red zone’ with spike in crime

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

PARTS of Kilrush have become “a red zone” due to the levels of criminal activity according to a county councillor who said the local

authority will have to consider stopping the delivery of social housing until it can manage its present stock.

Chief Superintendent of the Clare and Tipperary Garda Division, Aileen Magner has been called upon to meet with elected members of the West Clare Municipal District, management of Clare County Council and relevant community and statutory agencies in the wake of a rise in anti-social behaviour in Kilrush.

Recent incidents in Kilrush “have caused significant concern” according to Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) with “disturbing material” circulating locally and within social media. Such footage included a brawl in daylight on Henry Street and the filming of Gardaí taking e-scooters from youths who appeared to be under the influence.

Magner has been asked by Cllr Lynch (pictured) “to assist with the immediate reactivation of the public CCTV system in Kilrush, recognising its importance as a community safety and crime deterrent measure”. He said he was reluctant to raise such matters in the media but was frustrated with the absence of any progress over the last six months.

Senior executive officer in the West Clare MD, John O’Malley committed to bring the motion to the attention of the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP). The newly formed grouping meets behind closed doors.

Issues in Kilrush have spilled onto

the streets, Cllr Lynch flagged, “it started off seriously and it ended up farcical. It is not a good image and it wasn’t an isolated incident.

We as a Council have a huge input into this and a huge causation. This is going on for months and our solution was to call it a red zone which was not fair on people that were not causing the problems. We haven’t discussed this openly and it has not been resolved”.

Clare County Council needs to be stricter with its social housing tenants, he said. “A lot of it is back to our housing, where houses are not maintained, there are children running wild, our policy needs to be stricter, we are in the middle of a housing crisis and if you are privileged enough to have a social house and do not respect it then you should be moved out We’re not strong enough in moving people out”.

“A particular part of Kilrush is a red zone and it is boiling out onto the streets, if you have a house then you tidy it, I don’t want to see broken down cars or motrbikes outside social houses,” he stated.

Social housing needs to be seriously examined by the Council, Cllr Lynch stressed. “I’m at the point of putting down a motion to stop

delivery of social housing until we can manage our existing stock, we had a very good enforcement team but something has changed and it is not as good as it was because it is spilling out”.

Elected members met the Chief Supt before Christmas, he recalled, “we were asked to put in a list of questions and this was brushed over”.

Kilrush’s CCTV system needs to be switched back on, he said. “We got a double slap in the face when the new hospital was announced for Limerick, because then Limerick City and County Council announced they were extending their CCTV and we can’t even use it”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) said similar experiences are emerging in Ennistymon “with the absence of a community Garda, we had an excellent one who knew everyone from the age of six to eighty six in the community but they were moved to Ennis and the position was never filled”. He added, “I’ve no real faith in the LCSP”. On the LSCP, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) said, “it is in its early days and in its infancy”.

Lack of garda resources is evident countywide, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) noted.

“We’ve unruly behaviour in our two main urban centres in WC, we’ve a lack of garda resources, a lot of critical and crucial people were moved and not replaced”.

Director of Service, Carmel Kirby told the meeting, “the majority of our social housing tenants are very good tenants and look after their properties”. She said a meeting will be arranged with the Chief Supt to discuss the issues in West Clare.

Success for Shannon at World Championships SHANNON dancers put their best foot forward at the Irish Dancing World Championships with Patrick Considine finishing in third place, writes Páraic McMahon.

On Monday, four Clare dancers from the Daniel Flanagan Academy of Irish Dancing flew into Shannon Airport on a high following their exploits at the Irish Dancing World Championships in Chicago.

Patrick Considine, Hollie McKey, Teddie McKey and Alex Carew all from Shannon competed in the World Championships.

A student at St Senan’s NS in Shannon, Patrick finished third place in the U12 Boys Championship and returned home with a coveted world globe. Remarkably, Jayme O’Sullivan a teacher of Patrick’s at St Senan’s also finished in third position in the same competition back in 2011.

Alex picked up a world medal after finishing in twelfth in the same age category.

Teacher, Daniel Flanagan was immensely proud of how all four dancers fared in the

World Championships.

“To see four incredible dancers step onto the world stage at the World Irish Dancing Championships is something truly special.

Each one of them carried not only extraordinary talent, but also the dedication, discipline, and heart that it takes to reach the very highest level of Irish dance,” Daniel told The PICTURED: Daniel Flanagan with his students Patrick Considine and Alex Carew

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Fitzpatrick brings the dark arts to Ennis

l Ennis author Richard Fitzpatrick’s Book Signing at The Ennis Bookshop last Saturday, April 4. Richard was signing copies of his new book: HH Helenio Herrera: Football’s Original Master of The Dark Arts. (left) presenting local business owner Alfonzo D’Auria with a copy and (above) with Charlie O’Doherty. Fitzgerald is a journalist known for his work wtih BBC, Bleacher Report, Irish Examiner, and talkSPORT to name a few.

ADVERTORIAL

Small grants making a big difference in Clare communities Applications now open for the 2026 Community Organisation Grant Call CLARE Local Development Company (CLDC) has opened applications for its 2026 SICAP Community Organisation Grant Call, offering small grants to support local community groups, social enterprises, and community gardens across County Clare.

The grants, ranging from €500 to €2,500, will help strengthen local organisations that are working with disadvantaged or marginalised groups. Funding can support activities such as training and upskilling, small-scale equipment, project planning, community events or governance improvements.

Only one successful grant per organisation will be awarded each year, and social enterprises must provide 20% matching funding, employ fewer than ten people (except in exceptional circumstances), and avoid displacing existing local jobs.

“These small grants help local volunteers and leaders to turn good ideas into practical action,” said Monica McKenna, SICAP Co ordinator with CLDC. “Across the county, these projects are making a real difference — building inclusion, community connection, and pride of place.”

The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

Applications open 1st April and close 3rd June 2026, with all funded projects to be completed by 30th September 2026.

Eligible applicants include local community groups, community gardens (who are members of CLDC’s Community Gardens Network), and social enterprises employing fewer than ten people, based in County Clare and working with SICAP target groups, contributing to SICAP’s local development goals.

To find out more or submit an expression of interest, contact sicap@cldc.ie or visit www.cldc.ie.

Full eligibility criteria, ineligible costs, and application requirements are available with the Expression of Interest form on www.cldc. ie.

Together, we can help Clare communities turn good ideas into lasting local action.

Notes

Regional News

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GATHERING FOR GAZA On Friday April 10 from 8.30pm to midnight ‘Gather For Gaza’ Milltown Malbay invite you along to Let’s Dance, a disco fundraiser with DJ Douf in the Westbridge bar on the Main Street in Milltown Malbay.

The event is being organised by the group Gather For Gaza Milltown Malbay who run regular fundraisers in the local area and money raised on the night will be donated directly to families in Palestine. The group are grateful to local businesses for their support and for some amazing raffle prizes and delicious food including sushi will be provided on the night also.

Doors open at 8pm and tickets are €15 which includes food and you can pay on the door or book in advance through Revolut @powells62. Donations are much appreciated if you can’t make it but still want to support the event.

TUAMGRANEY HARP FESTIVAL THE Tuamgraney Harp Festival will again bring the East Clare village to life this year for its 10th anniversary.

Taking place from Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, the 2026 programme is full and varied with St Cronan’s COI church erving as the festival HQ, an exceptional venue which adds to the atmosphere of the weekend.

The Official Opening of the Festival will take place in Nuala’s Bar & Restaurant on Friday at 9pm followed by an open music session in the bar led by Denise Kennedy and Fiana Ní Chonall, with many talented musicians taking part. All are welcome for what promises to be a great night. An Art exhibition at Nuala’s Barn will be open from 1pm to 6pm.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary, the Tuamgraney Harp Festival will have extra events this year facilitated by the Event Management class at the College of Further Education & Training Scariff Campus. This course is run by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. These are all free events and are marked as FET event - FREE. Initially set up by Lizzie Affolter, Fiana Ní Chonaill is the festival director since 2022. She is a performer, teacher and composer from Castleconnell and has a PhD from the University of Limerick specialising in the areas of traditional Irish music festivals and cultural tourism.

The schedule for Saturday includes Music Workshops, Competitions, the Art Exhibition and a Gala Concert. Registration for the morning music workshops will be at St Cronan’s Church, Tuamgraney from 9-9.30am or can be done online in advance at www.tuamgraneyharpfestival.ie.

The festival will come to a close with a music session featuring local musicians in Nualas Bar & Restaurant at 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

Visit www.tuamgraneyharpfestival.ie for full details of the 2026 Tuamgraney Harp Festival.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

Healthy Clare

Share your views to build a healthier County Clare THE Department of Health is currently undertaking a public consultation on the new Healthy Ireland Framework. We want you to have your say to help shape the future direction of health and wellbeing policy in Ireland as this impacts County Clare.

The consultation is open until 22nd of April and we are inviting individuals, communities, organisations and networks in County to have their say and make an online submission via the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-ofhealth/consultations/healthy-irelandframework-public-consultation/ or see below a digital poster containing a QR code that will link you directly to the survey.

The new framework will help guide national policy and action to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities over the coming years. Ensuring diverse input at this stage is critical to its success.

If you require further information, please contact the Department of Health at: HealthyIreland@health.gov.ie Supported by Clare County Council and the Healthy Clare Working Group.

Grow – Cook – Eat – Gardening for wellbeing OVER the past 3 years we have been exploring Gardening for Wellbeing with the theme Grow, Cook, Eat at Clare Garden Festival. This article summarises our findings and our videos created around Gardening for Wellbeing are available for everyone to watch on https://claregardenfestival. com/gardening/ Learn more about gardening and healthy eating at Clare Garden Festival on 26th April at Ennis Showgrounds will again feature over 70 quality garden, plant and food stalls and all day garden expert talks; the festival is a treat for Gardeners and provides a wonderful day out for all the family with great entertainment and sumptuous food.

Growing our Own – Urban Farming Growing plants and producing food is in our nature, feeding our body, mind and the environment. Whether it’s a few herbs in your kitchen window or a small army of pots in the back garden, you can enjoy growing your favourite plants and veggies in the smallest of

Apply Online at:

https://submit.link/4HO or scan the QR Code For more information contact the Healthy Ireland Coordinator at:

healthyclare@clarecoco.ie

The Health Clare Micro Fund 2026 6 supports communities to develop initiatives that address health and wellbeing through the 2 Healthy Clare priority outcomes, Healthy Weight and Positive Mental Health.

Closing date: 10th April 2026

In this small 5x5 foot bed one could produce enough lettuce, spinach and rocket for a family for the growing season

spaces. Just get started with a couple of peas or herbs and take it from there year on year a little more.

Food from the Garden – Grow to eat Growing our own vegetables and fruit means knowing exactly where our food is coming

from, enjoying the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening and saving resources for ourselves and our planet.

Why not take up the challenge to grow your own summer salad.

Make it beautiful by adding edible flowers and enjoy fresh, raw and healthy foods from your

garden.

Growing our own vegetables is something that everyone can do if you have some space, time and gentle patience to watch seedlings turning into meals.

Seasonal Eating – Extending the Season Seasonal eating means eating foods that are in season; fruits and vegetables that naturally ripen in the sun are fresher, taste better and have the highest amount of nutrition.

They also tend to be lower in calories and higher in fibre than out of season produce – maximizing health benefits and minimizing environmental impact.

As gardeners our first response is of course –how can we extend the season? Simple season extending techniques like starting seedlings on our windowsills and plant-protection devices like cloches, can shield your plants from extreme weather, and stretch your gardening season and having a polytunnel can mean gardening and eating fresh vegetables all year around.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Shannon

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Storm Dave causes nine flight diversions to Shannon Airport

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NINE FLIGHTS diverted to Shannon Airport as a result of Storm David on Saturday.

Operations teams within Shannon Airport were supporting all diverted aircraft and passengers amidst the weather-related disruptions caused by Storm David.

Between 15:50 and 18:25, five flights had to divert to Shannon with a further four more up until 21:00.

The first aircraft from London Stansted landing safely at 15:50pm on Ryanair flight FR905 to Cork Airport.

Passengers were transported by bus to Cork, and Cork–London Stansted passengers were transferred by bus to Shannon with an updated departure time from Shannon of 20:10.

Ryanair’s flight FR5911 from Lanzarote Airport to Dublin Airport also had to divert to Shannon with passengers travelling to the capital via bus.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL1129 from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Cork Airport had to divert via Shannon

with a bus again provided to bring passengers to Cork Airport.

Ryanair flight FR9007 from Reus Airport in Spain to Cork Airport was the fourth flight to land at Shannon with a bus transfer to Cork Airport organised. The fifth flight was Ryanair FR7513 from Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain to Cork Airport.

Later in the evening, four flights originally destined for Dublin Airport and Kerry had to land at Shannon Airport instead.

They included Ryanair flight FR7063, operating from Alicante Airport in Spain to Dublin, Ryanair flight FR507, operating from Bristol Airport to Dublin, Ryanair flight FR6394, operating from Barcelona Airport in Spain to Dublin Airport and Ryanair flight FR7017-702, due to operate from Stansted to Kerry and return to Stansted had to operate both legs from Shannon Airport.

Shannon Bridge Club plays trump hand...

Kitty Mellett (President) and Ann Knowles (Secretary) of Shannon Bridge Club presented a cheque for €1,625 raised by the club in a fundraiser to help Down Syndrome Clare who have acquired a house in Ennis and are in the process of turning it into a centre for Down Syndrome Clare. (L-R) Donal Monaghan, Down Syndrome Clare, Kitty Mellett, President Shannon Bridge club, Yasmin Monaghan, Ann Knowles, Secretary Shannon Bridge club, Sean McKillen, Down Syndrome Clare

Comp students’ dementia app wins BD STEM Stars award

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

STUDENTS from St Patrick’s Comprehensive School in Shannon emerged as a winner of the seventh annual BD STEM Stars competition for a cognitive support app to help people with early to mid-stage dementia.

Three students, Chloe O’Loughlin, Caoimhe Ashton and Biella Pulida, came together to create the app, having been motivated for personal reasons. The trio worked for a year on the app and walked away from the competition with the best video presentation award.

“We are developing a cognitive support app to help people living with dementia and as each of us have family members with dementia,” explained Biella. “We wanted to keep their independence and their daily routines so that’s why we came up with

l Biella Pulido, Caoimhe Ashton and Chloe O’Loughlin Photo by Arthur Ellis

the app”.

Sixteen schools made it to the finals, with the overall award going to Mercy Secondary School, Mounthawk, Tralee but the Comp students, the only Clare team to make the final said the experience was as enjoyable as the

win.

Chloe outlined, “It’s been great to see all the different projects and all the different ideas come together and how they’ve gone about solving different challenges”.

Teammate Caoimhe added, “It’s great inspiration too,

looking around and seeing people’s postcards and seeing their ideas. It’s amazing to see what other people can come up with”.

Held at the BD RCI site at the National Technology Park, Limerick, the seventh annual BD STEM Stars awards were presented by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless (FF) TD. Approximately 60 students and teachers were involved in 16 shortlisted projects from counties Cork, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary attended the event.

Launched in 2019 and supported by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB), BD STEM Stars challenges students to devise solutions that positively impact delivery of healthcare —reflecting BD’s global purpose of advancing

the world of health. The programme aligns closely with Ireland’s national STEM Education Policy, which was introduced in 2017 and has been strengthened over the past decade to encourage greater participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects.

Addressing students and teachers from schools that made the finals, Minister Lawless said, ““Initiatives like this bring STEM to life for students, showing them how their ideas can have real-world impact, particularly in areas such as healthcare.”

BD Research Centre Ireland Site Lead Owen O’Neill said, “We never ceased to be amazed by the desire, the commitment and the application of the students who enter this competition to have an impact on the world of STEM. Our mission in BD

is all about advancing the world of health and we apply ourselves to that daily here in our Research Centre in Limerick, so to have students coming in here with that intent and with the quality of projects that they have built is hugely encouraging for the future”.

Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board Director of Schools and Youth, Donncha O’Treasaigh said, “Limerick and Clare ETB is proud to support BD STEM Stars, which has become a cornerstone of the STEM landscape in Munster. The continued growth of the competition demonstrates the value of strong partnerships between education and industry. Together, we are helping students to see clear pathways from the classroom to exciting, impactful careers in STEM”.

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Ennis

Review of parking by-laws to focus on workers taking prime spots

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

PARKING by-laws for Ennis town centre are to be reviewed over the summer months.

Elected members of the Ennis Municipal District have said a review of the by-laws are “long overdue”, the current regulations have been in place since May 2014. Changes and amendments to the existing policies have yet to be teased out between councillors and management of Clare Co Council.

Councillors are keen for public car parks to be made primarily available for visitors to town and are likely to try clamp down on the use of such facilities by employees of various enterprises situated in the town centre and to specify exactly who is entitled to a corporate parking permit.

With senior management in the local authority admitting they didn’t want to impact local businesses further in the be-

l Woodquay iin Ennis

ginning of 2026, it is possible increased parking fees may be implemented.

Raising the matter at the Ennis MD, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) flagged, “I’ve been a councillor since 2014 and we haven’t reviewed them, it is long overdue, for some reason we’re not being presented with this work and it is long overdue”.

Mayor of the Ennis MD, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) said she has asked

senior management in the MD to schedule a briefing with elected members to discuss the by-laws.

“They are long overdue and it is incumbent on us to go look at them”.

Director of Service for Planning, Economic, Rural and Community Development, Jason Murphy stated, “up until recently the works in the town centre hadn’t been completed and having regard to the impact to

local businesses I wasn’t inclined to bring forward new by-laws on parking”.

He continued, “I think at a point in time it will be timely to have conversations about the bylaws but it wasn’t on my agenda on this side of the summer months but I’m open to have conversations with councillors”.

Under current by-laws, parking is limited to three hours between 09:30 to 17:30 from Monday to Saturday at Abbey Street, Bindon Street, Cornmarket Street, Francis Street (Friary), Friars Walk, Lower Market Street, Parnell Street and Woodquay where there is a combined amount of 490 spaces.

Long-stay parking which is for eight hours for the same time-frame is allowed at glór where prior to the development of the new de Valera library, there was a total of 115 spaces. Cloughleigh car park where 55 spaces remain also allows for long-stay parking.

€8m for Ennis fire station ENNIS FIRE station is to undergo an €8 redevelopment.

As part of the State’s largest ever investment in fire and emergency services, €8m has been set aside for the redevelopment of the county fire services headquarters located on the New Rd in Ennis.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne (FF) confirmed the allocation on Tuesday morning. In addition, one new Class B fire appliance costing approximately €500,000 has been allocated to Clare County Council under the plan for fire services nationwide.

Under the National Fire Services Capital Programme (2026–2030), developed by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), a total of €328.5m will be spent to modernise Ireland’s fire service fleet, infrastructure, training capability and communications systems to meet the evolving risks facing communities nationwide.

According to Minister Browne, “This investment in the fire service will reinforce public safety in Clare and ensure that our critical infrastructure and essential services are protected. Having fire services that are recognised as dependable, well trained and

well equipped is crucial to the communities they serve and this injection of significant funding will future proof the service they provide”.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said the allocation marked “a landmark day for emergency services” in the county and that “a state of the art base” will be provided for firefighters in Ennis.

“Having grown up in a household where the fire service was a way of life my father, Mike, is a retired firefighter from the Limerick City Fire Service, I have a profound, lifelong respect for the bravery and selflessness of those who wear the uniform. The firefighters in Clare are the backbone of our community safety, often putting themselves in harm's way to protect us. They deserve the very best equipment and facilities we can provide”.

Minister of State, Timmy Dooley (FF) labelled it as “a significant investment”. He stated, “This redevelopment will ensure that our fire personnel have modern, fitfor-purpose facilities to support the critical work they do every day across Clare. Alongside that, the allocation of a new fire appliance will strengthen frontline response capacity and ensure crews have the equipment they need to respond quickly and effectively”.

Golf classic for first responders in Ennis and surrounds

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

CRITICAL, an emergency medical response charity, is holding a Golf Classic Fundraiser to support the recently established Community First Responder (CFR) group in Ennis and a second group currently in training in the Ruan and Dysart areas of County Clare.

The fundraiser will take place at Ennis Golf Club on April 25, with teams of four invited to enter at a cost of €160 per team.

The event is sponsored by Temple Gate and Shannon Springs Hotels and a range of prizes will be on offer on the day, including awards for longest drive, nearest the pin, and the top seven finishing teams.

The CRITICAL CFR groups across Ireland are made up of volunteers from both medical and non-medical backgrounds who undertake specialised training to give them the skills to respond to high-priority and emergency situations.

The Ennis CFR group has been responding to life threatening emergencies in the Pictured (L-R) are Padraig Lordan; Helen O’Neill; Dermot Kelly, Temple Gate Hotel town and surrounding areas since Septem- l General Manager; Lisa Glynn, Sales and Marketing Manager; Michael Fitzpatrick; Lorraine ber 2025. Among the call outs were 15 inci- White; and Edward Walsh CRITICAL dents of cardiac arrest during their first four months in operation. The committed team of nine volunteers is continuing its bi-week- stroke calls. group, Ruan and Dysart, located north of ly training to advance to the next qualifiThe success of the initiative has led to the Ennis. The group is nearing completion of cation level in dealing with chest pain and establishment of a new CRITICAL CFR its assessment and training, and is expect-

ed to begin responding to cardiac arrests, choking and unconscious incidents in the coming weeks.

CRITICAL is a charity dependent on fundraising to deliver the crucial services they provide to local communities. The establishment of the new Ruan and Dysart CFR group is estimated to cost up to €15,000.

Helen O’Neill, one of CRITICAL’s volunteers said, “Our mission is to provide life-saving treatment in emergency situations to support the National Ambulance Service. All of our members in Ennis and Ruan and Dysart are part of the local community and want to help people when they need it most. We would not be able to do this without the continued support of the people of County Clare. The Golf Classic is an important fundraiser for CRITICAL. We are very grateful to our sponsors Temple Gate Hotel, because of their generosity, all the funds raised on April 25th will help us to provide lifesaving care to our communities.

We look forward to seeing you all take to the tee-box and drive the greens.”

For more information on the Golf Classic and to book a Tee time contact Helen on 085 1295844 or for more information about CRITICAL and how to donate visit http:// www.criticalcharity.ie

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Birthday girl rings in a century Happy birthday to Kilmaley native Clara Murphy, who celebrated her 100th birthday at the Old Ground Hotel last weekend.

Born in Kilmaley, Clara nursed in St. Brenda's hospital in Dublin prior to marrying and raising seven children. She later went back to work part time in Our Lady's Hospital.

Clara is known for her love of music and dance, having won medals for old time Irish waltzes.

A skilled knitter of Aran sweaters, Clara loves GAA and follows Clare hurling, golf and rugby.

Regional

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Gort & South Galway

21 years on from murder of Emer Gardaí anxious to speak to Griffin

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

TWENTY ONE years on from the murder of Ennistymon native Emer O’Loughlin in Tubber, An Garda Síochána have issued a renewed appeal for information.

On April 8, 2005, human remains were discovered in a mobile home close to where Emer aged twenty three had lived with her boyfriend Shane Bowe at Ballybornagh, Tubber.

A fire had completely destroyed the mobile home. The human remains discovered inside were the following day identified as being Emer’s following DNA analysis. A post-mortem examination was carried out by then deputy state pathologist Dr Michael Curtis at Galway University Hospital.

Before leaving for work, Mr Bowe who has since passed away advised Emer to call to a neighbour’s caravan to charge her phone, as there was a problem with the power supply to their mobile home.

It was in a caravan, owned by John ‘Fozzie’ Griffin, that Emer’s remains were discovered later that afternoon.

Fifteen years later, investigating Gardaí on May 19th 2010 exhumed her remains, which were then removed to University Hospital Galway where forensic anthropology tests were conducted. The tests indicated that Emer had died a violent death, and as a result the investigation was

l Rodelyn Aponte (Galway City Council), Fergal Cushen, (Galway City Council) Pietro Salvagno (MKO), Luana Bergmann (CuriOcean)

Plastic bottles, food packaging & cigarette butts in Salthill

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

l Emer Griffin; and (inset) gardai are eager to speak to John ‘Fozzie’ Griffin upgraded to that of murder.

This year is the 21st year since Emer’s death and her family are still struggling to come to terms with her loss and are asking for assistance in order to bring them closure.

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information and are asking the public if they have any piece of information which they feel might be relevant to this investigation to make contact with them.

“If you believe you maybe in a position to bring closure and get justice for them, Gardaí would like to hear from

you. Do you have any information that may assist with the investigation? Gardaí may have spoken to you previously and due to the passage of time, you may now feel better placed to assist with the investigation,” a spokesperson told The Clare Echo.

Anyone with information can contact Gort Garda Station on 091 636400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

In November, a jury at the inquest into Emer’s death returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

Following the inquest,

members of the O’Loughlin family appealed for information on the whereabouts of John ‘Fozzie’ Griffin. Gardaí interviewed Mr Griffin at the time of their initial investigation but he said he had stayed with a relative in Galway the night before Emer’s death and knew nothing about the blaze at his mobile home.

Griffin’s last confirmed sighting was in Inis Mór on Oileáin Árann. His clothes were found at the edge of the cliff there, but despite intensive searches he has not been located and has never been reported as a missing person.

Gardaí believe Mr Griffin is still alive and they are anxious to trace him. They say he may have been assisted in leaving Inis Mór by another person and that the clothes on the cliff edge was an effort to frustrate the Garda investigation.

Emer’s older sister Pam said the inquest was “the first time the state has acknowledged that Emer O’Loughlin was killed by someone else. Up until now we’ve had suspicious death etc but this is the first time that we have had it confirmed that she was killed by someone else”. She remains hopeful that in time a suspect will face the courts and justice will be served for Emer.

PLASTIC BOTTLES, food packaging and cigarette butts were found to be the top three waste categories in Salthill according to a new study.

Marine conservation NGO CuriOcean in partnership with Galway City Council conducted a litter study for Salthill during the peak summer months of 2025.

Titled ‘A Litter Study for a Cleaner Salthill’, the survey and analysis aimed to understand the behavioural drivers behind littering and identify creative interventions to keep the popular coastal spot pristine.

Public and drone surveys were carried out.

The report showed that plastic bottles, food packaging and cigarette butts were the top three waste categories identified by respondents.

Ecological concern was evident in the public survey but so too were notable gaps in knowledge surrounding microplastics and chemical pollution. A substantial group of potential volunteers and people interested in environmental education were also identified.

14.4 percent of respondents confirmed they had been involved in an environmental event in Salthill in the past, such as a beach cleanup or workshop within the past year.

Fergal Cushen, Environmental Awareness Officer for Galway City Council, commented, “It is very important for the Council to work alongside the public in coming up with litter solutions. Littering, especially at peak periods with high football, is a complex problem with many variables. Studies like this give us an evidence base for a more targeted response to specific issues. It is great to be able to collaborate with CuriOcean to create informed solutions for a better Galway”.

The findings from the CuriOcean study will now be used to inform upcoming workshops which will focus on realistic litter measures to improve the area.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Columnists

17

The journey is short Spreading the word of positivity: Thought for the week RONAN SCULLY

T

HERE is a quiet, haunting truth that settles into the soul when we stop long enough to listen or when a loved one is very unwell or has passed away and that is that our journey on earth is brief and for some briefer than others. An elderly woman once sat on a bus, quietly enduring the bumps and jostles of a restless world. Beside her, a younger passenger, burdened with frustration and heavy bags, brushed against her without care. Yet the old woman said nothing. When asked why, she simply smiled and replied, “My journey is short. I will be getting off at the next stop.” That simple response carries a wisdom that echoes through eternity. How differently we might live if we truly believed that our time is short.

THE BREVITY OF LIFE Scripture does not shy away from this truth. In fact, it gently but firmly reminds us again and again: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).

“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14). “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (1 Timothy 6:7) Like a mist rising in the morning sun, like a breath in the cold air, like a candle flickering in the wind, our lives are precious, but fleeting. And yet, how often do we live as though time were infinite? We delay forgiveness.

We postpone kindness. We wait to say “I love you.” We assume there will always be tomorrow.

But tomorrow is never promised.

A LIFE POSTPONED IS A LIFE HALF-LIVED There is a song that once echoed through radios and hearts alike: “You work and work for years and years…You’re always on the go…Some day you say you’ll have your fun…But imagine all the fun you’ll have in an old rocking chair…” And suddenly, the question pierces the heart: When will we truly begin to live? Jesus spoke with urgency about this very thing: “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34). Life is not meant to be endlessly deferred.

It is meant to be lived, in love, in truth, in presence, in grace.

THE GIFT OF NOW We are often caught between two shadows: the past we cannot change and the future we cannot control. And in doing so, we miss the only place where life actually happens, the present moment. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Now is where love is given. Now is where forgiveness

is offered. Now is where healing begins. Now is where God meets us. Every conversation, every encounter, every quiet moment is a sacred opportunity and a chance to reflect something of heaven into this world.

THE THOUSAND MARBLES: A WAKE-UP CALL There is a story of a man who placed 1,000 marbles in a jar, each representing a week of his life. Each Saturday, he removed one. Watching the jar empty changed him. It softened him. It humbled him. It reminded him that time is not a possession, it is a gift. And one day, he removed the last marble. Not in fear. But in gratitude. Would we live differently if we could see our remaining time clearly?

Would we argue less? Forgive more? Love deeper? Give freely?

LIFE IS NOT JUST SHORT—IT IS SACRED The shortness of life is not meant to discourage us, it is meant to awaken us. To awaken us to love. To awaken us to purpose. To awaken us to eternity. “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

(Colossians 3:2). “To love another person is to see the face of God.” echoing the heart of 1 John 4:7–8. When we love, we participate in something eternal.

When we forgive, we reflect something divine. When we serve, we echo the very heart of Christ.

THE DANGER OF DELAY Perhaps the greatest tragedy is not that life is short, but that we live as though it is long. We say: “I’ll call them tomorrow.” “I’ll say sorry later.” “I’ll visit when I have more time.” “I’ll change when the timing is right.” But hearts grow cold when love is postponed. Relationships weaken when care is delayed.

Opportunities are lost when action is withheld. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”

(Proverbs 27:1) A CALL TO LOVE FIERCELY AND FREELY If life is short, then love must

be urgent. Love the people around you, not perfectly, but sincerely. Speak words that build, not break.

Choose patience over pride.

Choose mercy over judgment.

Be the one who forgives first. Be the one who reaches out. Be the one who listens.Because one day, you will wish you had said it. And one day, you will wish you had done it.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK As your thought for the week, choose one act of love that you have been postponing and do it without delay. Call someone you’ve been meaning to call.

Offer forgiveness where it is needed. Say “I love you” to someone who needs to hear it. Visit someone who feels forgotten. Give generously of your time, your attention, your heart.

And each day, ask yourself: “If this were my last day, would I live it differently?” Then live it that way. Life is short. Too short for bitterness. Too short for pride. Too short for silence when words of love are needed. Too short to live without purpose.

But also, just long enough to love deeply, just long enough to forgive freely, just long enough to make a difference.

And when our journey is over, may we not be remembered for what we had, but for how we loved. Because in the end, it was never about how long the journey was. It was about how well we walked it. And how much love we carried along the way. It is later than you think.

So live. Love. And begin today. Let me leave you with one of my prayers, “God grant us the grace to see our lives as You see them. To understand that our time is a gift, not a guarantee. Teach us to number our days, not in fear, but in wisdom. Help us to live fully in the present moment, to love without hesitation, to forgive without delay, and to serve without seeking return.

Remind us, Lord, that every breath is sacred, every person we meet is precious, and every moment is an opportunity to reflect Your love. Amen

‘Shroom to improve: Super Mario review We visit the top class Arc Cinema in Ennis for family entertainment THE Mushroom Kingdom has gone interstellar in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

While the transition from Nintendo classic to silver screen is a visual treat, the end result is a bit of a mixed bag.

Giving readers the verdict, The Clare Echo editor Stuart Holly and his two little helpers went along to review the film at the Arc Cinema in Ennis where they catch a Friday matinee.

The story kicks off with the brothers, Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), stumbling into a cosmic conflict after rescuing their new cutsie pal Yoshi (voiced by Donald Glover). From there, the plot launches into a race across the cosmos to stop Bowser and his long lost son, Bowser Jnr from harnessing the power of the Grand Stars. Along the way, they team up with Rosalina (Brie Larson), who guides them through gravity-defying landscapes that mirror the iconic game levels.

While the critics might be divided, the household "expert" panel has spoken: Aoibh (7): A big fan of the humor and Brie Larson’s Rosalina.

She felt the movie was funny and settled on a respectable 4/5 stars.

Dylan (5): The undisputed hypeman for the film. He was all about "the green dinosaur" Yoshi and was so thrilled he awarded the film a mathematically defiant 2,000/5 stars.

Their absolute favorite moment was that early-movie rescue mission of Yoshi. Realistically, once you look past the candy-colored visuals, the movie is fairly forgettable. There are nice moments when the score leans into the original Nintendo themes, and the "game-accurate" visuals provide a lovely hit of nostalgia for those who grew up with a Nintendo controller in hand.

However, the film struggles to bridge the gap between age groups.

While the characters are strong, the storyline is not. Unlike many modern animated features, there is almost nothing here for adults—no subtle

jokes or thematic depth to keep the grown-ups engaged while the kids stare at the screen. It’s a film that may even struggle to hold the attention of older children who crave a bit more substance.

Despite the mid-tier plot, the experience at Ennis Cinema was anything but. The experience was seamless from start to finish, providing a high-quality cinematic atmosphere that feels special for the kids. Speaking of the kids, the "Candy Floss" (or "Cotton Candy" as Dylan and Aoibh insist on calling it) was the perfect accompaniment to a trip to the stars.

The Bottom Line: If you have young children, they will likely find it out of this world. If you're over the age of ten, you might find yourself wishing for a "skip level" button.

Final Score: 2/5 Stars (Adults) | 2,000/5 Stars (Dylan)

l The Clare Echo’s film critics, Dylan and Aoibh

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

SHANNON Airport has become the first airport in Ireland to deploy a First‑Mover R‑3500, a state‑of‑the‑art electric ve‑ hicle (EV)‑moving system designed to safely relocate both electric and conven‑ tional vehicles.

Originally developed to enable fire departments to safely combat EV fires, this innovative unit is fully electric itself, remotely operated and capable of lifting and transporting vehicles up to 3,500kg.

Electric vehicles cannot be towed or lifted in the same way as traditional cars due to the placement and sensitivity of batteries.

With 50% of Shannon Airport’s fleet now electrified, the First Mover addresses an essential operational need, enabling airport teams to remove disabled vehicles

l Mark Browne, Deputy Chief Officer, Airport Police Fire Service, Shannon Airport, is pictured here with the airport’s new first mover vehicle

quickly, reducing disruption and maximising efficient airfield management.

Mark Browne, Deputy Chief Officer – Airport Police Fire Service said, “We’re delighted to be the first airport in the country to have a First-Mover on site and its really going to be a game changer in terms of maintaining a safe and efficient airfield.

“With 24 electric vehicles, which is 50 per cent of our total fleet and growing - we needed a safe, reliable, and sustainable way to move EVs without risking damage.

“This investment not only strengthens airside efficiency and safety but also improves the experience for our passengers should any incidents occur in our public car parks.”

The First‑Mover is a tracked unit mounted on a flatbed vehicle lifting device and operates without the

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need for a jack or manual processes.

The flatbed is pushed by the tracked unit under the vehicle, lifting it smoothly and, using the remote control, an operator can be at a safe distance of up to 100m from the unit while manoeuvring the lifted vehicle.

The introduction of the First-Mover is another important step in The Shannon Airport Group’s sustainability journey which has recently seen it achieve Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation, win two prestigious Green Awards (Green Large Organisation of the Year and Green Public Sector Organisation of the Year), and begin a €15m upgrade of the terminal building designed to improve energy efficiency and support a move away from fossil fuel systems.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Business & Recruitment

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Cusack Park naming rights ‘for local presence’ says Zimmer Biomet

by Páraic McMahon news@clareecho.ie

ZIMMER BIOMET’s naming rights deal with Clare GAA has been about giving back to the local community as opposed to improving its business according to a senior member of management.

Last February, Zimmer Biomet and Clare GAA announced a three-year partnership resulting in the renaming of Cusack Park as Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg.

An option of extending the deal by a further two years remains on the table.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Director of Manufacturing with Zimmer Biomet, Tom O’Carroll said of the deal, “It is important for us to have a local presence”.

Internal staff came up with the idea of entering into the agreement with Clare GAA, he said. “We had to get corporate sign-off for that, we want to be associated and like to be associated with the GAA, we are a grass-roots organisation, it is a nice fit with our brand, a nice way to give back to the community in such a significant way.

“To be honest, the naming rights are almost secondary to supporting the community, it has been very successful, we’ve got a lot of recognition”.

At the launch of the service, from Clare Co Council, are Pádraig Mac Cormaic & Geraldine O’Connor, Housing Delivery, Infrastructure Provision & Land Activation; with Alfie Jones, ICT and Digital Services

Council launches online home loan application

One of the big highlights for Zimmer Biomet was hosting a blitz for children in the summer, an event which is expected to be held annually at the county grounds. “We had over 2,000 young children come to Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in July where we had a football and hurling blitz, it was a blast, it was such an energy filling day, a lot of our own employees gave up their Saturday to co-ordinate and

host this. Working with Clare GAA is an absolute pleasure, they are a great organisation to deal with, we impacted so many people and lives that day, some of our employees kids were there and we got to give something back to them, we’ve something similar planned for this year and hopefully it might become an annual thing”.

Tom added, “It’s not going to improve our business in any

meaningful way by having the naming rights but it embeds us more in the community, it gives back to the community and the GAA is a worthy cause to give back to, it isn’t our only recipient of support and in many ways giving euros or dollars is the easy thing to do but we give a lot of time on big events which are very local”.

CLARE County Council has launched a new online Local Authority Home Loan application service, mak‑ ing it easier for eligible applicants to apply for hous‑ ing finance.

The Local Authority Home Loan is designed to support people who wish to purchase or build their own home, but who have been unable to secure mortgage approval from mainstream lenders, provid‑ ing an alternative pathway to home ownership.

Applications can be submitted online through the MyCoCo platform, which has been developed with a strong focus on usability and security. The system guides applicants through each stage of the pro‑ cess and includes an eligibility checker to help con‑ firm whether they qualify before proceeding. Clear, step‑by‑step instructions assist applicants in provid‑ ing all required information, helping to reduce delays caused by incomplete applications.

The online service ensures that applicants’ person‑ al and financial information is protected throughout the application process, while also offering a more efficient and accessible experience.

For applicants who prefer not to apply online, Clare County Council will continue to accept paper-based applications, ensuring that all applicants can choose the method that best suits their needs.

Further information on the Local Authority Home Loan, including how to apply, is available at: www. clarecoco.ie/housing/housing-loans/apply-local-au‑ thority-home-loan The Housing Loans team can also be contacted by email at loans@clarecoco.ie or by phone on (065) 684 6347 or (065) 684 6325.

ADVERTORIAL

Corcorans Furniture welcomes growing number of Clare customers this Spring AN ESTABLISHED name in furniture and interiors across Kerry and Limerick, Cor‑ corans Furniture & Carpets is now seeing a growing number of customers travelling from Clare, as more homeowners seek greater choice, quality and value when fur‑ nishing their homes.

With four stores across Kerry, including its flagship showroom in Killarney, and a location in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick, Corcorans has built a strong reputation for offering a wide selection of furniture, floor‑ ing and home interiors, all under one roof.

The Newcastle West store, in particular, has become a convenient destination for customers travelling from Ennis and sur‑ rounding areas.

From sofas and beds to carpets, vinyl and home accessories, Corcorans caters to customers looking to furnish their en‑ tire home with ease, combining extensive choice with in-store expertise.

In recent months, the team has noticed a steady increase in customers making the journey from Clare, something they say re‑ flects both changing shopping habits and a demand for more comprehensive in-store options.

“People want to see and feel what they’re buying, especially when it comes to big purchases for the home,” said Kieran Cor‑ coran, Managing Director of Corcorans Furniture & Carpets. “We’re seeing more customers from Clare choosing to visit our Newcastle West store, where they can ex‑ plore a wide range of options and get prac‑ tical advice from our team.”

Unlike smaller showrooms or online-on‑ ly options, Corcorans offers an in-person shopping experience where customers can compare styles, test comfort, and make confident decisions for their home.

As homes begin to refresh for the bright‑ er months ahead, the store is currently run‑ ning its Spring Sale, giving customers an added incentive to visit and explore what’s on offer.

With its accessible location in Newcastle West and ample parking available, Corco‑ rans is fast becoming a go-to destination for Clare shoppers looking for quality, choice and value this season.

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Waterways Ireland to contact ‘Diesel crisis pushing contractors to brink’ AGRICULTURAL and forestry contractors are being farmers along Scariff greenway “driven to the wall” by the spiralling diesel crisis.

A DELEGATION from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) in Clare met senior officials from Waterways Ireland in Scarriff last week to outline concerns in relation to the proposed 43 km Limerick to Scarriff Greenway.

IFA Clare County Chair Stephen Walsh said the IFA made it clear that farmers are very unhappy with the lack of consultation on the proposed Greenway project with most landowners along the route having received little or no information in recent years.

He said Waterways Ireland have committed to writing to all of the landowners along the preferred route corridor in the coming weeks as part of the public consultation number 3.

Stephen Walsh said IFA made it very clear to Waterways Ireland that the IFA is totally opposed to the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs)

for Greenway projects. In addition, he said Greenways should be developed on public lands and not on privately owned farmland and Greenways cannot sever and divide active farms.

He said Waterways Ireland indicated they understood t h e s e concerns and would take them on board in developing the project in line with the Greenways Code of Practice.

Walsh also noted farmers have raised a range of concerns relating to Greenway developments, including: Loss of privacy and security risks. Waterways Ireland agreed to meet with Clare IFA regularly so landowners along the route are kept informed on the project.

Contractors are facing diesel cost increases of up to 70%. Single tractor fills now cost radically more. A full silage operation could cost an additional €3,240 per job, contributing to an estimated €244 million burden across the sector.

“These are the cold, hard figures faced by the people who cut our silage, harvest our crops, and keep food production moving,” said June Dillon, Aontú representative for Clare. “When their engines fall silent, the entire country feels it.”

Against the backdrop of national protests by hauliers which have brought traffic across the country to a halt, Dillon is accusing the Government of ignoring those who are central to Ireland’s food production.

Dillon said the scale of the crisis is now impossible to dismiss.

She criticised the Government’s response as wholly inadequate, noting that recent fuel measures “would barely keep a strimmer going, never mind a fleet of heavy machinery.”

“It is not enough for Government to look the other way and hope the problem resolves itself. Hope is not a policy, and indifference is not leadership.”

Dillon said the Government’s failure to meaningfully engage with the Association of Farm & Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) was deeply concerning.

“When an entire sector is sounding the alarm, the least Government can do is sit down and listen. Instead, we have silence and that silence speaks volumes.”

She warned that the consequences extend far beyond contractors.

“When the cost of harvesting silage rises, the cost of feeding cattle rises. When the cost of harvesting crops increase so too does the cost of produce.

When that rises, so too does the price of food on every supermarket shelf. This is not just a contractor crisis, it is a food-chain crisis affecting every household.”

Dillon said urgent action is now required, including direct engagement with contractor representatives, targeted diesel supports, and practical measures to keep the sector viable.

“These are not radical demands, they are the minimum required to keep the sector functioning.”

She concluded, “When the people who feed the country say they are at breaking point, a responsible Government listens. What we are witnessing now is not just oversight, it is abandonment.

“If this crisis continues to be ignored, the consequences will not be measured in headlines, but in a struggling agricultural sector, mounting pressure on contractors and farmers alike, rising food prices for families, and ultimately a food system pushed to the edge.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

Clare Credit Unions continue to increase their presence in Agri Lending Market CLARE Credit Unions have continued to see a strong performance in the growth of our Agriculture Loan Book with approximately €20 million in loans issued by Clare Credit Unions to local farmers throughout County Clare.

This is under our Cultivate Farm Finance Initiative which was launched in 2018 and provides short to medium term loans built specifically for the growing needs of farmers within the Community.

Traditionally, Clare Credit Unions are associated with the personal lending market, however with a defined Credit Union farm friendly finance offering that is available to our farming community, this has seen continued growth in our Agri Loans and presence in the Agri Lending Market.

The Clare Credit Unions are members of the National Farm Finance brand known as ‘Cultivate’. This is a collaborative Credit Union lending platform that is now available in over 56 Credit Unions spreading to over 190 office locations across the country.

Cultivate Farm Finance offers flexible unsecured loans up to €100,000 with a competitive interest rate of just 6.55% (Apr 6.75% based on monthly repayments). These loans are not asset-backed and there is no require-

‘face-to-face’ engagement when dealing with their financial matters, which is very much the ethos of the Credit Union movement.

Clare Credit Unions consist of Derg, Ennistymon, Kilrush, and St. Francis Credit Unions, with 15 offices across the county, 80 local staff, a combined loan book of over €130 million, and more than 72,000 members.

‘For further information on the ‘Cultivate’ – Credit Union Farm Finance offering, you can contact Siobhan Durack at Derg Credit Union, Nora Tiernan at Ennistymon & District Credit Union, Claire Neylon at Kilrush Credit Union or Damien Browne at St Francis Credit Union’.

National Cultivate Week returns from 20 to 26 April 2026, with participating credit unions across the Republic of Ireland hosting events to celebrate Irish farmers and the role they play in communities right across the country.

Clare Credit Unions proudly supporting the Farming Community. ment for any collateral against the loan such as property or land. The repayments can be spread over a maximum of ten years and can be tailored to meet your cash flow requirements.

Farmers are increasingly able to take advantage of the local decision making and personal service offered by Clare Credit Unions who work closely with our farming members.

We continue to believe that farmers value

Credit Unions are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

FARMING

Nugent Trailers help Clare farmers on the move LOCATED beside Shannon Airport, Nugent Trailer Centre in Shannon has quickly established itself as a trusted hub for quality trailers, expert advice, and dependable aftersales support.

As part of the renowned Nugent Group, the depot combines market-leading trailers with a customer-first approach, ensuring every visitor leaves with the right trailer for their requirements.

One of the standout features of the Shannon depot is its extensive range of stock, with weekly deliveries arriving.

Whether you are in the market for Livestock, Flatbed, Plant, Tipper, Beavertail, Tiltbed, Box trailers or smaller Utility, Quad and General Purpose models, there is something available to suit every requirement.

Beyond sales, the trailer centre is fully equipped to support customers throughout the lifetime of their trailer. A comprehensive range of spare parts for most major brands is always in stock, making it a onestop shop for maintenance and repairs.

Onsite servicing is also available, ensuring trailers remain safe, roadworthy, and compliant. Regular servicing is essential, and the team offers free visual inspections along with seasonal service checks to give customers peace of mind.

The Shannon depot is also preparing to welcome its first Nugent TDC trailer, a highly anticipated addition to the range.

Built with a fully galvanised chassis and framework, the TDC is designed for durability, complemented by a fully welded aluminium floor. Practical features such as heavy-duty loading gates with guide handles and a high-grip rear tail door make

operation straightforward and efficient.

A key innovation in the TDC design is its maximum internal width, providing livestock with increased space, improved airflow, and reduced stress during transport. Each trailer includes a fixed dividing gate with dual latches for added safety and ease of handling. Performance is further enhanced by 445/45 mini super single wheels, delivering exc e l l e nt stability, while t h e monoleaf parabolic suspension ensures a smoother journey on the road.

Flexibility is also at the core of the design, with a sprung drawbar and adjustable coupling eye allowing compatibility with a variety of towing tractors. Customers will soon be able to view this impressive model firsthand at the Shannon depot.

At the heart of the operation is a knowledgeable and approachable team. Catherine and her staff are always on hand to guide customers. Walk-ins are welcome, making it easy for customers to drop by, explore the range, and get expert advice without appointment.

For those looking for quality, reliability, and service under one roof, the Nugent Trailer Centre in Shannon delivers on all fronts. Whether purchasing a new trailer, sourcing parts, or booking a service, the team is ready to help.

For more call 065 671 9111, email catherine@nugentengineering.com, or visit www.nugenttrailers.ie for more information.

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

FARMING

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

Sport

Minors ‘must be Lohan lauds lightning attack but frustrated by black card call as Clare claim league glory more aggressive

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

LIFTING league silverware is ideal championship preparation for Clare’s senior hurlers according to manager Brian Lohan.

Clare won a second league title in Lohan’s seven year tenure with Conor Cleary captaining the side to win the Division 1B title on Sunday rounding off their spell in the second tier with a seventh victory on the bounce.

Leading by ten points at half-time, Clare had a nervy finish and managed to record a two point win at the expense of Dublin.

“It was good to win a good tough game, a game of two halves, happy with the performance and how we saw it out eventually, good preparation for the championship”.

An ability to pick off scores, 2-14 of the 2-26 tally came from play and seven different players helped Clare to withstand any Dublin rally. “We were able to win ball, we were able to get up the field and get scores, to put pressure and kept attacking them and trying to get scores which was pleasing. There’s areas we need to work on and a couple of areas we were shown up a little bit so loads to work on over the next two weeks”.

Taking some gloss off the win for Lohan was the second half display and the concession of three goals. “We conceded three goals, it is never good to concede three goals, we will find it very hard to win matches if we are conceding three goals, that is an area we need to work on, I know one of them a black card was very soft, again Clare were penalised for a black card, I wonder will that rule apply to other teams in the championship or the league

but we’ll see”.

Rory Hayes’ black card also led to Dublin receiving a penalty from referee Thomas Walsh which Lohan felt should instead have been a free out. “I thought it was a free out, I couldn’t believe he was pointing to go in and give a black card, I haven’t seen it back this is just from watching it live and I thought Rory was fouled”.

How Dublin managed to get their majors is among the areas flagged by the two-time All-Ireland winner for Clare to tackle before commencing their championship bid. “I thought the second goal that they got was really soft from our defence to give away, we were not watching the runners at all, it was a really poor goal, they had one or two other opportunities, it is an area to work on”.

Injuries for Mark Rodgers and Shane O’Donnell will be a source of worry for Clare’s supporters. The manager said the medical team will be examining the duo to ascertain the extent of the injuries. Rodgers went off with injury in the third quarter while O’Donnell picked up a knock which prompted management to take him off at half time.

“We will have to see how he (Shane) is, we are carrying a couple of knocks and we will hope to get them cleared up. We have to get to the pitch of the game, to attack the game and you’re not going to get through these games unscathed which is the nature of the job”.

Both O’Donnell and Rodgers ran riot in the opening half, alongside Shane Meehan, the trio accounted for 2-13 of Clare’s half time tally of 2-15. “They are good players, really good players and when they are attacking the ball they are really good, inside there they were lightening for us in the first half”.

Lohan said neither Tony Kelly, Adam Ho-

gan or David McInerney were deemed fit to play in Sunday’s league final. “We went with our strongest fifteen that were fit, they were not fit, we will be hoping that our physios and medical people have a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks”.

Niall O’Farrell lined out at centre back for the first time in McInerney’s absence. The Broadford man has performed well in his first campaign with the county senior hurlers. “We’ve asked him to do a lot of things over the last couple of weeks, we’ve asked a lot of him he has responded and we put him centre back today and I thought he responded again”.

Ian O’Brien and Oisin Kennedy leap into the air for the sliotar Photo by Gerard O’Neill

by Eoin Brennan

Clare senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan Photo by Gerard O’Neill

Rodgers hopeful injury not too serious

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE star Mark Rodgers has said he is “not too concerned” and is optimistic his injury from Sunday’s Allianz National Hurling League final is not too serious.

Rodgers hobbled off with forty eight minutes played during Clare’s 2-26 3-20 win over Dublin in the Division 1B final.

He had been in scintillating form prior to this, scoring 0-12 and having one hundred percent accuracy from placed balls.

Though his movement was restricted after picking up the injury, Mark was hopeful it would not derail his championship

involvement. “I’m not too concerned at the moment, we have a couple of lads that went off early with knocks”.

Picking up a seventh win in as many games leaves Clare in fine fettle for championship, the Scariff attacker felt. “It is brilliant to get the result here, we used the full extent of our panel, we used five subs again today so we’re heading into the championship in good shape.

Of Clare’s 2-15 tally in the opening half, the full-forward trio of Mark, Shane O’Donnell and Shane Meehan accounted for all but two of the scores. “They are class players, they are a

Mark Rodgers chipped in with 0-12 to pick up the man of the match award Photo by Gerard O’Neill

pleasure to play with, any time you make the run off the shoulder the ball

is where you want it, we caused lots of problems in the first half which was

exactly our aim,” he said of playing alongside the Ennis duo.

Named as man of the match in Sunday’s final, Mark also praised the vital input at the other end of the field from netminder Eibhear Quilligan. “You don’t want Eibhear to have to be making those saves but it is brilliant to know you have that in the locker, when we really need him he often digs out one of those. We fell asleep for a few minutes but it is things to work on going forward, it is good to get a result again so it is seven games and seven wins so we’re really happy with that”.

ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1B FINAL Clare 2-26 Dublin 3-20 Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME CLARE Frees for: 17 (7/10) Wides: 6 (4/2) Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 2-14 Top scorer: Mark Rodgers (0-12 9f) Black Card: Rory Hayes (5) Own puckouts won: 17 from 28 (61%) Conor Cleary accepts the Division 1B trophy Photo by Gerard O’Neill

in the tackle’ O’Connell

DUBLIN Frees for: 12 (5/7) Wides: 5 (3/2) Spread of scorers: 8 Scores from play: 2-13 Top scorer: Cian O’Sullivan (1-10 6f) Yellow Card: Eoghan O’Donnell (24) Own puckouts won: 20 from 34 (59%)

CLARE’S minor hurlers have to be “a lot more aggressive in the tackle” if they are to bounce back from their first round loss.

Ger O’Connell’s charges fell to a 4-20 3-19 defeat to Tipperary in FBD Semple Stadium on Friday.

They’re back in action on Saturday at home to Limerick in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg. Seeing as the Shannonside neighbours also lost out in the opening round to Waterford, championship survival is on the line for both sides.

O’Connell outlined where Clare need to improve, “We need to be a lot more aggressive in the tackle too than we were against Tipp and Limerick are a similar team style-wise to them as they have a lot of good runners and we have to meet them head on next Saturday.”

Tipperary were a very strong test, he acknowledged. “It’s disappointing to lose but you reflect on the balance of the entire game, we were probably lucky to be still in it after twenty minutes as they [Tipperary] were dominating at that stage. Look we had started well but when Tipp started to get on top, they could have scored three or four goals instead of the one they actually got.

“But we made a few tactical switches to help and we definitely came into it again as we managed to get the half-time deficit down to just three which if I’m being honest was a godsend as we could have easily been ten or twelve down by then. So it gave us something to cling to at half-time and to be fair, whenever Tipperary scored a goal or got ahead of us, the lads came back and to be fair, we had them in trouble with ten minutes to go. We got it back to a point and had a few chances to either equalise or go ahead but just didn’t take them and they went up and got goals at vital times to finish it off,” O’Connell added.

Now in his second season as minor manager, Ger admitted they were aware of the quality of the Tipperary forwards they were going to face. Five of their six starting forwards accounted for 3-16 of Tipp’s 4-20 tally. “We knew going into the game that Tipp had really good inside forwards and that was certainly true. It was a really open game, I mean we scored 3-19 which would win a lot of games but up the other end we also can’t be going into games conceding six or seven goal chances and still hope to win them”.

Clonlara’s Ger praised the ability of the Clare side to bounce back. “We know we’ve work to do in the lead up to the Limerick match but there are plenty of positives too. I thought the boys showed great character and in the second half we worked the ball really well at times to get scores so there are a lot of positives to build on.

We just kept coming back from whatever set-backs came our way and that doesn’t surprise me because that’s just the type of group that they are. We have to learn from that game now as it’s a quick turnaround to the Limerick game this Saturday and obviously being in Cusack Park, our home games are massive and to be able to play there for this group is a big deal”.

25

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Sport

hails improvement Coughlan hopeful of further bounce Hayes in Clare’s workrate, shooting efficiency & from Clare U20s for phase two

by Eoin Brennan

news@clareecho.ie

ATTENTION switches to phase two of the Munster U20 championship for Dermot Coughlan and Clare with recovery the main focus ahead of Thursday’s clash with Cork.

Victories over Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick mean Clare will have home advantage for two of their three outings in phase two. The first of these sees them welcome Cork to Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty on Thursday evening.

On Friday, a seven point victory over Limerick was somewhat flattering to Clare but their back six delivered a very impressive display. “It was a battle and that was the best Limerick played over the three games.

Look we dug in there, defensively we were very sound again. We didn’t win as much ball around the middle third as we would have liked to. We got the result and that was what it was all about,” manager Coughlan outlined.

Blocking and movement was one of the impressive aspects displayed by Clare’s defence. “The defence was excellent, they are playing to a system now and they are comfortable with it. They were outstanding they put a lot of

Liam Keane dodges the tackle of Limerick full back Aaron Murphy Photo by Gerard O’Neill

pressure on Limerick”.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, the Kilmurry Ibrickane clubman explained that recovery becomes the chief focus for Clare before phase two. “Six days is a short turnover and we have lads carrying knocks. We will monitor that and hopefully they will all be fit for Thursday night. It will be recovery over the next few days, the games are coming so thick and fast you can’t do anything really, just get those boys fit for Thursday”.

Securing a spot in phase two was the aim for Coughlan and Clare from the outset of the championship.

He’s been pleased with their run to date and is eager to see a further bounce in Quilty this week. “We have three games under the belt and hopefully we will have a pick up from tonight again. Lads are honest, they are playing well, they never dropped the heads, they held the ball well in the last ten minutes. Our focus now is on phase two and we have three games in the next three weeks, two at home against Cork and Waterford and then we go to Tralee to play Kerry.

We are looking forward to it”.

Dermot Coughlan Photo by Gerard O’Neill

MUNSTER U20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PHASE Clare 2-10 Limerick 0-11 Venue: Dr Mick Neville Park, Ratkheale Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME CLARE: Frees For; 12 (4/8) Wides: 2 (1/1) Scores from play; 2-11 Spread of scorers; 3 Top scorer: Seán Fennell (0-8 3TP) Bookings: Daniel Brody (21) Own kickouts won; 12 out of 25 (48%)

LIMERICK Frees For: 16 (8/8) Wides: 14 (4/10) Scores from play: 0-4 Spread of scorers: 6 Top scorer: Callum Kiely (0-4 4f) Bookings: Owen Dee (57) Own kickouts won: 10 out of 14 (71%)

kickout retention

by Seamus Hayes THERE were three key areas of improvement visible for Clare’s minor footballers as they picked up their first win of the championship.

Clare accounted for Limerick by the minimum in Mountcollins on Monday evening to reignite their championship aspirations.

According to Clare manager Joe Hayes, improvement in the team’s workrate, shooting efficiency and kickouts were key to this hard earned win over a fancied Limerick outfit.

“It you are working harder you will have more possession. Our shooting efficiency this week was over 80% while our kickouts were over 90% up from 27% last week. There was more urgency in our play this week and that was evident from the first play when Siney (Neenan) won turnover possession and his team mates were there to back him up”, Hayes told The Clare Echo.

Limerick had a late chance to win but Charlie McCarthy’s attempt at a two pointer just drifted wide. “It was a bit nerve wrecking at the finish. We probably should have been more comfortable. We were 0-12 to 0-7 up and we were full value for that lead. Then they got a goal. It would have been harsh if we lost”.

Clare now face another must win game on Monday when they take on Tipperary at Quilty. “We have to win to stay in the race and if we win we are not guaranteed to progress but we can’t worry about that,” the ex county goalkeeper outlined.

Midfielder Paddy Neylon and full back Siney Neenan are both very doubtful for Monday’s game, both having left the field because of injury in the first half against Limerick. “We have a few more with minor injuries.

It’s all about recovery this week ahead of Monday’s game”, Hayes said.

Despite having lost their two games in the competition, Tipperary still have a chance to advance to phase two. To do that they must beat Clare and hope that Waterford account for Limerick. Such a scenario would leave Tipperary, Clare and Limerick level with one win each and that would lead to score difference being required to decide the order in which they finish.

A win for Clare allied to victory for Limerick over Waterford would leave Clare, Limerick and Waterford level with two wins each requiring score difference to determine placings.

Clare vs Limerick (minor) MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PHASE 1 ROUND 2 Clare 0-14 Limerick 1-10 Venue: Mountcollins, Limerick Compiled by Seamus Hayes

STORY OF THE GAME CLARE Frees For: 18 (11/7) Wides: 6 (2/4) Scores from play: 0-6 Spread of scorers: 4 Top scorer: Liam Keane (0-9 2TP 1TPf 3f) Black Card: Daniel Healy Yellow Card: Stephen O’Neill Own kickouts won: 9 from 16 (56%)

LIMERICK Frees For: 17 (11/6) Wides: 5 (3/2) Scores from play; 1-6 Spread of scorers; 5 Top scorer: Jamie McAuliffe (1-2) Black Card: Cian Barry Yellow Card: Jamie McAuliffe Own puckouts won: 14 from 20 (70%)

26

Thursday, Apr 9, 2026 THE CLARE ECHO

Sport

Three Clare sides in FAI Junior Cup action Ex Manchester Utd defender Wes Brown links with Newmarket & Bridge to face off up with Avenue Utd’s U13s by Páraic McMahon the first-choice starters also not lining out last weekend.

by Páraic McMahon

AVENUE UTD have had many high-profile coaches assisting club teams during their 43 year history but a Manchester Utd great answered the call to assist with their U13s this week.

Wes Brown a winner of five Premier League titles and two Champions League medals during his fifteen year career with Manchester Utd was in Bunratty on Tuesday evening as part of the Avenue Utd U13 management.

Manchester Utd are in Kildare this week taking part in a training camp at Carton House where they’ve been met with enthusiasm from Irish football fans.

Brown who made 232 appearances for Manchester Utd was not in Carton House but instead Bunratty for the CSSL U13 meeting between Avenue Utd and Bunratty Cratloe.

Ashley Crowe, a native of Manchester now living in Ennis and part of the Avenue Utd U13 management is an old friend of the former England defender and managed to draft him for their 6-0 win on Tuesday evening. “Wes was hosting football camps in Galway and Limerick and in between managed to spend some time with the kids from Avenue Utd and Bunratty Cratloe,” Ashley told The Clare Echo.

It was a close opening half before Avenue pulled away to leave Bunratty with the three points. “The highlight of the evening was certainly Wes’ appearance, he posed for photographs, gave autographs and spent time with everyone to hopefully make it a memorable evening for the boys,” Ashley added.

Founded on April 12th 1983 in Mickey Kerin’s Bar in Lifford, Avenue Utd won’t yet be adding the ex Manchester Utd and Sunderland defender to their full-time coaching ranks.

NEIGHBOURS Newmarket Celtic and Bridge Utd clash this weekend in the FAI Junior Cup with one of the county’s biggest sides set to fall in the third round of the national competition.

Fresh from the disappointment of a first defeat this season, Newmarket Celtic will be looking to bounce back from their Munster Junior Cup semi-final loss to Aisling Annacotty.

Bridge Utd come into the tie on a bounce having overcome Shannon Hibs 4-0 on Sunday in the second round of the FAI Junior Cup. Sunday’s game kicks off at 10:30 in McDonough Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Both sides are leading the charge for honours in the Maloney Hardware Premier Division. Newmarket Celtic sit top on 32 points with Bridge Utd behind them in second on 30 points.

Mark Culbert’s Bridge come into this weekend as the slightly fresher of the two teams as they make their way to McDonough Memorial Park. They were able to rest Filip Mostowy over the weekend with Brian Corry and Lee Mulready among

Eoin Hayes’ involvement in the tie is unlikely after he was forced off with four minutes played in Saturday’s Munster semi-final defeat.

The experienced striker was a huge loss for Alan Gough’s outfit after a hamstring injury ended his involvement in the Annacotty game. Tadhg Noonan who was suspended last weekend is expected to rejoin Harvey Cullinan in the heart of the Celtic defence with further changes expected to their first eleven such as the return of Nathan Boaventura.

Avenue Utd are also in FAI action and they welcome Dromore Utd to Roslevan on Sunday afternoon. Dromore defeated Creeves Celtic 6-0 on Sunday morning but Adrian Walsh’s men are expected to be too strong for the Pallaskenry men.

Storm Dave ensured Avenue were off last weekend.

They had been due to face Fair Green Celtic in the Premier Division but the tie was one of eleven soccer games in the county postponed.

Anything other than an Avenue win would be a big shock but it serves as another chance for the reigning league champions to

Eoin Hayes is a major injury doubt for Newmarket Celtic Photo by Joe Buckley

build further momemtum approaching the business

end of the season.

Aisling Annacotty vs Newmarket Celtic

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Tempers flare between Aisling Annacotty’s Jamie Halpin and Conor McDaid of Newmarket Celtic Photo by Joe Buckley

Photo by Joe Buckley

Kilker’s strike Bridge Utd vs Shannon Hibs sends Tulla through to third round of FAI SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

Adam Kilker Photo by Ruth Griffin William Bello of Bridge Utd flicks the ball from Shannon Hibs’ Dean Devanney

Photo by Joe Buckley

27

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Sport

Shannon Golf Club launch diamond jubilee celebrations

by Seamus Hayes news@clareecho.ie

FORMED in 1966, Shannon Golf Club marked the beginning of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations with this year’s Captains’ Drive In. A large crowd of members and guests gathered to congratulate the incoming officers.

Captain Brian Lonergan and Lady Captain Joan Hoctor have given many years of dedicated service to the club.

This year also marks a historic moment for the club, which welcomes the club’s first ever brother and sister pairing as Junior Captains, Jack and Grace McNamara.

They are grandchildren of the late Des McDonnell, a stalwart of junior golf and a hugely influential figure in the development of young players at Shannon.

It was a proud and memorable occasion for all involved, and a fitting start to what promises to be a special year of celebrations for the club.

Joe Robbins chairman and Joe Walsh club president were also in attendance at the drive in.

Last week’s 2 man modified scramble was won by Brendan O’Brien (13) and Ignatius Cullen

(16) with 53 points, one ahead of Nathan (6) and Tom Fox (5).

The men’s 18 hole singles was won by Oliver Nevin (13) with 35 points from Kevin Justice (14) with 34 points, with David Duhig (8) also on 34. John Dolan (+3) won the gross with 37 points.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB: Last week’s men’s fourball stableford competition at Ennis was won by Peter Morris (15) and Eoin O Keeffe (12) with 40 points on countback from John A. Byrne (15) and Mark Geraghty (8), with Cian O’Nolan (16) and Mark O’Brien (15) also on 40.

The senior ladies scramble was won by Martina Corbett, Mary Kearns and Ada McMahon.

The overall winner in the ladies 17 hole stableford competition was Martina Corbett (33) with 32 points.

Mary Lenihan (17) won division 1, Ann Pyne Gallery (33) won division 2 and Marie Connolly (47) won division 3.

Last week’s senior men’s competition attracted 67 entries and the team of four event was won by Tom Saunders, Michael Cummins, Michael Ball and Michael Clancy with 67 points, one ahead of Richard O’Connell, Paul Mockler, Brian Tuohy and

oe Robbins (Chairman), Jack McNamara (Junior Boys Captain), Grace McNamara (Junior Girls Captain), Joan Hoctor (Lady Captain), Brian Lonergan (Captain), Joe Walsh (President) Photo by Keith Buckley

Tim Kelly.

The Friday open singles was won by Barry Larkin (10) with 37 points from Gerry Broderick (24) with a similar score.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB: The Johnson’s Bar Spring series qualifier continued at Kilrush where the winner was Mark Cottam (10) with 34 points. John Robinson (19)

Abi makes Six Nations bow for Irish U18s

by Páraic McMahon MILTOWN MALBAY’s Abi Kelly is lining out with the Irish U18s in their Six Nations campaign.

Back to back wins have been recorded by Ireland as they bounced back from a heavy defeat to France.

A member of the Ennis RFC club, Abi is the only Clare representative in the squad of twenty eight.

Running over Easter, the U18 Women’s Festival sees Ireland play two full matches and two thirty five minute games. Ireland began with a heavy 59-0 defeat to France in the opening round before bouncing back to beat England 12-5 and Scotland 12-7.

Abi was introduced as a substitute in the French game,

Abi Kelly

breaching the French 22 with an injection of pace close to the left touchline not long after her introduction.

She started the England game and was responsible for helping Ireland get towards the opposing 22 for the first time after scooping up a partially blocked England kick. Kelly was again brought off the bench when it came to the Scotland clash.

A fifth year student at St Joseph’s Spanish Point, Abi is also one of the most promising ladies footballers emerging through the underage ranks in Clare. She was a key pillar in her school side reaching a first All-Ireland A final in twenty nine years and won an All-Ireland Minor B title with Clare last year.

was second with 29 points.

DROMOLAND GOLF CLUB: The men’s 18 hole stableford competition at Dromoland was won by Niall Dunne with 40 points from Ruairi Price, with Brian Foudy third on 36.

Mary Arthur with 34 points won the ladies 18 hole stableford competition from Dorothy Brennan with 33.

SPANISH POINT GOLF CLUB: Last week’s ladies 18 hole competition at Spanish Point was v par and was won on a countback by Eimear Johnston with +3 from Claire Bracken.

LAHINCH GOLF CLUB: The annual general meetings of Lahinch golf club were held on Good Friday at the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon.

Presidents for the coming year are Jenny Cagney and Dan O’Donovan while the incoming captains are Miriam O’Keeffe and John Gleeson.

Due to ongoing clubhouse redevelopment works, the captains’ drive-In did not take place but is scheduled for the May bank holiday weekend.

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB: Frank McEnery (12) with 41 points was the winner of the weekend singles competition while Joe Barry (9) won the gross.

This week’s senior’s outing was won by Joe Keane, Sean Heaslip, Liam McInerney and Luke Duffy.

There will be another club singles this weekend while the Costello cup will be played on Sunday at Woodstock.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB: The Derg Credit Union sponsored open team of 3 champagne scramble at East

Clare was a big success.

Winners in the ladies section were Siobhan Shanahan, Colette Ward and Mairead O’Shea, while Denis Purcell, Richard Meehan and Ben Hynes won the men’s section.

The weekend’s men’s stableford competition was won by Kieran Kennedy (20) with 43 points from Kevin Wallis (10) with 39.

GORT GOLF CLUB: Good Friday’s open 18 hole singles stableford at Gort was won by Joseph Caulfield (10) with 36 points.

The recent ladies open 18 hole singles stableford competition was won by Sandra Ferguson (21) with 33 points from Marcella Killeen (20) with 32.

S I X M I L E B R I D G E GOLF SOCIETY: Sean Lynch won the first Sixmilebridge golf society outing of 2026 held at Tipperary golf club in difficult conditions.

CLARE FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC: The annual Art Data Centres Clare football classic takes place at Woodstock on April 16 and 17.

Young Cooraclare owner prevails in race named after Galway boxer Molloy

by Michael Maher

LISSATOUK PEARL owned

by Cooraclare’s Seamus McMahon won the A5 graded contest in honour of Galway boxer Kieran Molloy.

Saturday night’s Galway card featured the semi-finals of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 525 yards stake generously sponsored by the McKenna family and the second round heats of the Galway Unraced N2 350 Yards Stake. The A2 graded ninth contest the top graded affair of the night on which the special guest was recently crowned European Welterweight boxing champion Kieran Molloy from Oughterard, his family have had a long and fruitful association with the sport and Galway greyhound stadium.

The eighth contest of the night was named in Kieran’s honour and following this a special presentation to mark his achievement was made by the Western Owners and Breeders Association.

Indeed it was a very proud

night also for W.G.O.B.A, Chairperson Hughie Keleghan as his teenage son Sean landed a double in the opening two races of the night with Poppy On Faya who he owns in partnership with Cian Mullrooney and his own Up The Jimmys in race number two.

In The Kieran Molloy European Welterweight Champion 525 all six runners were away well for this A5 graded contest with the white jacketed Balroebuck Tom showing fine pace on the run towards the opening bend to lead by three lengths from Croaghill Magic and Pronto Bucks rounding the opening bend with Lissatouk Pearl in fourth place as they entered the back straight. Racing down the back Balroebcuk Tom extended his advantage to over six lengths as Lissatouk Pearl began to motor and go in pursuit of the leader passing the halfway point. Exiting the back straight the Seamus McMahon of Cooraclare owned Lissatouk Pearl began to

take a couple of lengths out of Balroebuck Tom’s lead and with the leader treading water on the run home Lissatouk Pearl (Ballymac Cashout & Lissatouk Dolly) arrived to deliver a knockout blow close home and prevail by half a length in 29.61.

In the second semi-final of the Paul McKenna Memorial A5 Stake Flyers Penny and Highview Exotic were both away well and this pair raced stride for stride wide apart towards the opening bend with Killanin Bono in third place as they hit the opening bend where Flyers Pen-

ny despite drifting slightly wide took two lengths out of her rivals. Racing towards halfway Flyers Penny extended her advantage to almost four lengths over Highview Exotic and the Flyers Racing Syndicate owned daughter of Signet Ace and Pennylane Sheba was not stopping out front. Tracking well around the final two bends the Colm Fitzgerald of Kilrush trained lady eased home three lengths clear of Highview Exotic with Grangeview Icon back in third place in a time of 29.42.

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Plannings

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL DOONAGHBOY, KILKEE, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Sinead Lardner intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission consequent on the grant of outline permission ( P23-532) to construct Dwelling House, entrance, and connect to public services, plus all ancillary site works at the above address.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority, Clare County Council, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co Clare during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application.

The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, GLEBE HOUSE, LEAGARD SOUTH, SPANISH POINT, CO. CLARE. V95 A4A7 Take notice that M. & A. Cotter intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to alter the planning permission drawings as granted under P23/60192 at the above address.

That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, CLOONBONY, MILTOWN

MALBAY, CO. CLARE Take notice that S. Crawford intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct a dome shaped glass living space within her sensory garden along with associated site works at the above address.

That the planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. MOYARTA EAST, CARRIGAHOLT, CO. CLARE Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intends to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Sean Hurst for planning permission and retention permission for the following development at the above address: Permission to (a) demolish the existing sub-standard sheds to the rear of the dwelling; (b) construct a replacement garage / utility building; (c) construct new extensions to the front and side of the existing dwelling house; (d) make elevational changes to the existing house; (e) upgrade the existing wastewater treatment system (f) carry out all associated site works; and retention permission for a maximum temporary period of three years for the location and use of the existing mobile home on site. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application

may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. QUERRIN KILKEE CO. CLARE V15 YC81 Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intends to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Ger & Claire Troy for planning permission to renovate, alter and extend the existing dwelling house together with an upgrade of the existing wastewater treatment system and all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. MOUNTGORDON, MEELICK, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Diarmuid

Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intends to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Amy Rochford & Darragh Nolan for planning permission to make minor elevational alterations to the design of the dwelling house previously authorised under planning permission ref no. P2360031 along with all associated site works at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. DEERPARK BUNRATTY CO. CLARE Take notice that Diarmuid Keane + Associates Ltd. (065-9083667, www.diarmuidkeane.ie) intend to apply to Clare County Council on behalf of Kevin & Penny O’Connor for planning permission to construct a new dwelling house, private garage, site entrance, on-site wastewater treatment system and all associated site works and services at the above address. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to

the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL. Further Information / Revised Plans.

Planning Ref: P25/60241 Development Description: 1. Construction of a new 2-storey school building (1863.6 m2) incorporating 8 classrooms, general purpose room, library, offices, resource and learning rooms and associated ancillary accommodation; and a single classroom Special Education Needs Unit with associated facilities.

2. New site structures and features including retaining walls, cycle area, bin store, mechanical plant compound, hard play court, play areas, sensory garden, tiered seating areas, site furniture and child play installations.

3. New internal site pedestrian and vehicular transport layout including internal roads and turning areas, pedestrian paths, parking for 19 cars, bus and car drop off areas and right of way access points to neighbouring properties.

4. Realignment and widening of the existing north-western entrance to the site on the L1050 Ballinagaddy Road including demolition of existing boundary walls, hedgerows and gate and construction of a new set back vehicular entrance to the east of the existing entrance; with new boundary wall/fence, gates, landscaping and signage.

5. Alterations to the existing north-eastern pedestrian entrance to the site on the L1050 Ballinagaddy Road including repair/re-rendering of block walls to existing set back entrance (includ-

ing shared boundary wall with Andersons Cottage, a Protected Structure) and replacement of gates.

6. Upgrading, repair and replacement of existing boundaries throughout including boundaries with neighbouring properties with rendered block walls, natural stone walls and metal fencing.

7. Site soft landscaping works throughout including demolition and removal of existing hedgerows, raising and lowering of ground, site soft landscaping including hedges, shrubbery and trees.

8. And all associated site works including site services, site lighting, subsurface attenuation tank and site hard landscaping.

The total site area is 3.41 Acres. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was submitted to the local authority with the Planning Application.

Location: Sroohill, Ennistymon, Co. Clare.

Take notice that Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board has lodged significant further information in respect of planning application P25/60241. This information and planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the Planning Authority of Clare County Council, Planning Department, Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 5 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

Best Daily Word Search

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Best Daily Word Search

News

Thursday, Feb 22, 2024 THE CLARE ECHO

Puzzle

THISWEEKS WEEKSPUZZLES PUZZLESMar APR THIS 7 9th

SUDOKU

WORD SEARCH

Final Frontier

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Planet

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3

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ANSWERS

HOW TO PLAY

Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

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3 6 5 4 | Puzzle: Mon Feb 26 2024 2 1 9 6

38

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

Sudoku is a logic puzzle where you have to populate the grid with numbers. A number can appear only once in each row, column and house. Each puzzle can be solved using logic from the given information and requires no guesswork.

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Games home

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The Clare Echo Crossword

Solution

bruary 2024 Advertisement

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

ill(6)

ebruary 2024

DOWN 1 Unauthorised passenger(8) 2 Tender(5) 4 Noon(6) 5 Possessed(5) 6 Characteristic(7) 7 Short narrative poems(4) 8 Strata(6) 13 Bronte heroine(4,4) 15 American whisky(7) 17 Handsome Greek god(6) 18 Resides(6) 20 By and by(5) 22 Approaches(5) 23 The two of them(4)

8)

(6)

ACROSS 1 Tardy(4) 3 Undying(8) 9 Ungraciously curt(7) 10 Cold(5) 11 Concur(5) 12 Kidnap(6) 14 Waylay(6) 16 Spanish rice dish(6) 19 Bird with a long curved bill(6) 21 Light weight(5) 24 Path of a planet(5) 25 Cradle song(7) 26 Shunters (anag.)(8) 27 Capri, for example(4)

31

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 9, 2026

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Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz What is one thing Liscannor is famous for?

Roads Flagstone Horticulture

3.

What is the name of the pub in Liscannor that has a famous song written about it ?

Joseph McHugh’s O’Briens Vaughans

4.

Who wrote the song Liscannor Bay? Christy Moore Mick Flynn Andy Irvine

5.

O’Brien’s Tower was named after Cornelius O’Brien, what was his profession ?

Farmer Member of Parliament Builder

How many people live in Liscannor according to the last census?

422 225 374 How far did The Shore Wall Art Project in Clahane stretch?

100m 150m 200m

8.

What is the name of the woman who started The Shore Wall Art Project in Clahane?

Ann Vaughan Rachel Clancy Amy Considine

9.

What is the name of the man who invented the submarine?

John Holland Joseph Murphy Tom Mc Mahon

Scan here to see what’s on

10. In what year did he receive a contract from the U.S to build a submarine?

1865 1899 1895

ANSWERS

374 200m Ann Vaughan John Holland 1895

Spot the Difference

Can you spot the difference? Spot the 7 differences.

The answers will be revealed in next weeks edition.

Movies to see this week

7.

6 7 8 9 10

2.

6.

St Bridget Flagstone Joseph McHugh’s Mick Flynn Member of Parliament

To whom is there a holy well dedicated to in Liscannor?

St. Joseph St. John St. Bridget

1 2 3 4 5

1.

36 Parnell St Ennis, Co. Clare ennis.arccinema.ie

Last weeks Answers . Number 1 missing on jersey . Bar missing on jersey . Yellow changed to blue on jersey . Window missing on building in background

. logo on bottom of jersey missing (right) . G missing on GAA (middle) . Tower missing in background

What are you looking at me for? Referee Brian Punch addresses players during the FAI Junior Cup third round meeting between Bridge Utd and Shannon Hibs Photo by Joe Buckley

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