The Clare Echo 11/12/25

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Dec31, 11 2024 2025 THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Oct

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No doctor left in the village of Newmarket

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE’s fifth highest populated area no longer has a GP. HSE officials confirmed this week that GP operations in Newmarket-on-Fergus will cease and all medical card holders will now be transferred to Clarecastle.

The village has been without a permanent GP since Dr Colum Hackett’s retirement in May 2019 with Saffron and Blue Medical Centre operating the service out of Carrigoran House since June 2020.

According to HSE, up to 20 premises have been viewed within Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Officials from Obair have been in negotiations with the HSE for a year and a half about

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the potential of using the Tradaree building on the main street in the village. The community social enterprise has spent money preparing their plans to make the building suitable.

“We’re frustrated, we want the doctor in the village, we want to build on it, we want so much more than the doctor, we want to have a holistic centre for everything that is needed.

“For us, it is a real loss, it is more than just the doctor, it is a loss to all the other complementary services we could have brought in,’ General Manager of Obair, Orla Meehan told The Clare Echo.

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 Monica Beau of North Clare Bikers pictured in Ennis on Sunday after taking part in a charity bike run in Inagh

Cahercon gas reserve to create 300 jobs

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONSTRUCTION of an emergency gas reserve in Cahercon will create 300 new jobs, 40-50 of which will be permament.

Cahercon along the Shannon Estuary in West Clare has been selected by Gas Networks Ireland as the location for Ireland’s new Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (SGER).

According to Director of Service for Planning, Economic, Ru-

ral and Community Development with Clare County Council, Jason Murphy up to 300 jobs will be created.

Planning officials in the Council predict the application will go directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) said the construction process will take two years and between 40-50 people will be employed permanently at the site.

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Former Ireland rugby international Conor Murray with Thom Óg and Lochlain Ryan at The Ennis Bookshop at his book signing last weekend

Clare dodges the worst of Storm Bram

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SCHOOLS across West Clare closed on Tuesday on account of a Status Orange weather warning.

Storm Bram was the second named storm of the season. Gusts of up to 102km/h were recorded at Shannon Airport and over 400 homes were without power. As of We d n e s d a y evening, power has been restored to all but 19 properties in Miltown Malbay.

Areas that were without power included Ennistymon, Fanore and Tulla.

Met Éireann had the Status Orange weather warning in place for Clare from 10am to 6pm on Tuesday and waned of a risk of Red level winds in parts of the county.

Ferry operations were suspended by the Shannon Ferry Group, with no

sailings from 11am until 3pm “due to the weather wind warning”. Sailings resumed at 3pm from Killimer.

As a precautionary measure, schools across West Clare closed including Annagh NS, Burrane NS, Doonbeg NS, Kilmurry McMahon NS, Knockerra NS, Miltown Malbay NS, Scoil Reált na Mara in Kilkee and St Senan’s NS Kilrush.

Secondary schools that shut their doors for the day include, Kilkee Community College, Kilrush Community School, St Joseph’s Spanish Point and St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil.

Childcare provider, Cairde Beag in Kilrush also closed.

Shannon Airport remained fully operational during Storm Bram, a spokesperson confirmed to The Clare Echo. “Storm Bram brought challenging conditions yesterday, which we monitored closely

throughout the day. Despite the weather, we experienced only minimal disruption to our own operations at Shannon Airport, with just two flight cancellations, one diversion away, and a small number of delays.

“However, due to the wider impact of the storm across the country, we facilitated a significant number of diversions during the afternoon and evening. In total, six commercial flights diverted safely to Shannon between 15:00 and 20:00.

These included one Ryanair service from Manchester to Cork, four Aer Lingus flights from Los Angeles, Seattle, Lanzarote and Rovaniemi bound for Dublin, and one Scandinavian Airlines service from Copenhagen to Dublin. We’re really pleased that Shannon remained fully operational yesterday and that we could help keep passengers moving safely during Storm Bram”.

Pictured is Kilrush Community School which was among the schools closed Thursday.

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Schools urged to wear Christmas jumpers to try bring Cillian home

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

SCHOOLS across Clare and Galway have been asked to come together this December to help twelve year old Cillian O’Brien on his road to recovery.

On February 5th, 2025, just moments before a school chess tournament, Cillian suffered a catastrophic brain bleed and collapsed. The cause was a rare condition known as an Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a dangerous tangle of blood vessels in the brain. He was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital for emergency surgery and spent several weeks in intensive care.

Since that day, Cillian has remained in hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries and beginning a long journey of rehabilitation at the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire. His acquired brain injury has left him non-verbal, wheelchair-bound, and with impaired vision, though he continues to make gradual progress thanks to his strength, determination, and the incredible care he is receiving.

Cillian turns thirteen next September. His parents, Owen and Karen, have remained by his side throughout, unable to return to work as Cillian now requires 24-hour care. His sisters, Zoe and Aisling, miss him

dearly and simply want their brother home again. Owen hails from the parish of Clooney and works in Dromoland Castle.

Staff and pupils of Scoil San Phroinsias, Tirellan in Galway City are asking schools across Clare and Galway to take part in a special Christmas Jumper Day on this Friday (December 12th) to help raise funds for Cillian and his family.

“We’re asking all schools to join us to stand with Cillian and his family,” said Pat Keane, Deputy Principal of Scoil San Phroinsias. “If every school took part, even in a small way, we could make a huge difference together. It’s a simple, joyful way for pupils to show kindness and solidarity”.

Schools already participating in other Christmas Jumper appeals are encouraged to donate a portion of their collections to this campaign. Every euro raised will go directly toward Cillian’s medical care, therapies, and essential home adaptations.

Celia Lavelle of the fundraising committee stated, “Cillian’s courage and sense of humour have inspired everyone here at Scoil San Phroinsias. We know how strong the Clare and Galway school community is, and together we can make this Christmas truly meaningful by helping to bring Cillian home”.

Schools can participate by hosting their own Christmas Jumper Day and donating the proceeds via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the following account: Account Name: Bring Cillian Home IBAN: IE93 BOFI 9038 4097 2117 86 BIC: BOFIIE2D To make it possible to bring Cillian home, the family’s three bedroom semi-detached home in Galway must be completely adapted to suit Cillian’s new needs. This includes building an accessible extension and providing specialist supports and equipment for his ongoing care. To help fund these vital works, Scoil San Phroinsias has launched the “Bring Cillian Home” campaign, with a fundraising target of €300,000.

“We are deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support we’ve received,” said Owen and Karen O’Brien. “Knowing that Cillian is surrounded by so much kindness gives us strength and hope each day.

Thank you to everyone who is helping us on this journey”.

Last month, Doora native Dónall O’Connor who now lives in Lille in France walked 100km on a round trip from Lille in France to Kortrijk in Belgium in a single day to raise funds for Cillian. He raised over €13,000.

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Host of suitable sites identified in Clare suitable for construction of new hospital

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A HOST of suitable sites have been put forward by Clare County Council to the HSE as potential locations for a new hospital in the county.

To strengthen the case for the construction of a new hospital in Co Clare, the County Council has engaged directly with the HSE property division regarding its list of potential sites.

Director of Service for Planning, Economic, Rural and Community Development with the Council, Jason Murphy stated this week, “Consideration of all sites remains ongoing and is considered sensitive at this stage having regard to landownership arrangements, HSE announcements and commercial sensitivities”.

While he did give an exact number, Murphy said “various sites” have been considered by the planning department “that would have potential to accommodate a range of hospital options should one be required by the HSE in Co Clare. Sites have been considered against a matrix of criteria including access to public transport, access to road infrastructure, water and wastewater infrastructure, brownfield or greenfield na-

ture of the site, known ecological considerations, proximity to residential areas, access to energy sources, distance from other medical centres”.

Correspondence issued to the Council from the HSE acknowledged the “work undertaken” in identifying potential sites. The HSE appealed to the Council to “share all the details of the potential sites that have been identified with us”, stating that the information “will allow us to be informed and move more quickly once decisions have been made and a path forward identified”. Government decisions such as Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill’s (FG) final judgement on the HIQA review “will inform the way forward,” the HSE outlined.

At Monday’s meeting of the County Council, a joint motion called on the Health Minister and the HSE “to outline, as a matter of urgency, the mitigation measures that will be introduced to support healthcare provision for those living in remote and rural parts of the county who continue to experience long ambulance response times and extended travel distances for emergency treatment” while a decision is made on the HIQA review.

Tabled by Cllr Rita McIner-

Cllr Joe Killeen

ney (FF), Cllr Michael Shannon (FF), Cllr Shane Talty (FF), Cllr Joe Killeen (FF), Cllr David Griffin (FF) and Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF), the proposal also asked the Council to identify two potential sites of approximately 30-40 acres within a twenty to thirty minute travel time of UHL so that Option B of the HIQA review (construction of a new second site in close proximity to UHL under a shared governance

and resourcing model) could be built in Clare.

Communities in North and West Clare continue to experience “unacceptable wait times” when it comes to health care, Cllr McInerney stressed. Changes need to be introduced on a short to medium term to improve health services in the county, she added. “We all need that service and in a rural area, we will push for it as much as pos-

sible, we will do our part and won’t be found wanting”.

Ennis “has all the fundamental for a hospital,” stressed Cllr Shannon. He added, “We’ll need accommodation for people working in the hospital, we have road infrastructure, we have an abundance of green energy in this county being generated. We are going to have an abundance of energy, an acute hospital of 400-600 beds is required and everyone knows it in the Mid-West”.

Mitigation measures are required “to ensure a good health support system for those living in North and West Clare. We do have this golden hour but Kilbaha is ninety minutes from UHL, Belharbour is one hour and a minute away and Fanore beach is one hour and twenty minutes away,” Cllr Killeen flagged.

Justification for building a new hospital in Clare is clear from the data, Cllr Griffin outlined.

Progressing A&B initially and not prioritising a hospital in Clare was “a real hammer blow,” Cllr Hartigan commented. “It is about seizing opportunity under Option B, Clare must firmly be on the map which is why we’re calling for immediate identification of suitable sites”.

Pain felt by families has led the fight for better medical services, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said. “Any family that has gone through a family bereavement because of the hospital it doesn’t go away and that is part of why we are fighting for it.

Everything must be done to strengthen the case of Clare getting a new hospital, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) maintained.

Following a HSE briefing with elected members, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) observed 600 extra beds were needed in the region by 2040. He questioned what is entailed in the cross-party support

by Oireachtas members in the region for the HSE’s plan.

“Most of us will not be in this Chamber in my view by the time hospital is built,” Fianna Fáil’s longest-serving councillor in Clare remarked.

A short, medium and longterm plan is evident, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) observed. “We need to do everything in our power to advance the cause and provide information, research and offer solutions to say we’re doing this. It must be said, we have excellent people working in our health services and have a fantastic hospital in Ennis”.

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Ennis drycleaner hailed ‘knight in shining armour’ for saving wedding day

by Dearbhla Parry news@clareecho.ie

AN ENNIS business owner has been hailed a “knight in shining armour” after rescuing a bride’s botched wedding dress - just hours ahead of her dream ceremony at the Cliffs of Moher.

Canadian bride-to-be Abbigeel Eggert had always dreamed of tying the knot at the world-famous Cliffs Of Moher and everything in her fairytale was going to plan when she touched down in County Clare in September.

Abbigeel’s $2,000 gown was specially packaged for her flight to Ireland ahead of her marriage to fiancé Ben. However, upon arrival, Abbigeel discovered that the dress was badly stained due to being stored incorrectly by the Canadian bridal shop where she purchased her dress.

“I guess during transit [the bag] rubbed all this black dye all the way across the front of her dress,” described father-of-the-bride George McGowan.

With only 24 hours to

save the day, the McGowan family rushed to KathCleans Launderette and Dry Cleaners in Ennistymon, where they were told that it would take a week to clean. However, instead of turning them away, KathCleans sent them to T&J Dry Cleaners in Ennis, stating, “If anyone can do it, they can.”

Racing against the clock, the family drove into Ennis where mother-of-thebride Michelle asked the owner of the Cornmarket Street shop, Tony Mounsey, “I don’t know if you can do anything?”, to which he replied, “We just have to.”

Instructed to return the morning of the wedding on September 17, the family endured a sleepless night when they considered everything from renting a dress, to asking their florist to create a bouquet large enough to hide the mark.

But when 10am came, T&J Dry Cleaners revealed that the wedding would go ahead with the dress restored to its former glory - while refusing payment

Springs, British Columbia, Canada. Dad George tells The Clare Echo, “Really, this is his story. Everybody else got payment. He got noth-

T&J Dry Cleaners owner Tony Mounsey

and wishing them the best.

Michelle quickly FaceTimed her daughter to deliver the good news. “I just gave her a thumbs up, and she burst into tears.”

Not only did the dry cleaners remove the stain, but they also put a form inside the torso to keep the shape and stored it in what

it originally should have been wrapped in, a proper bridal garment bag.

“You are a beautiful human being, our knight in shining armour,” Michelle recalls telling Tony.

The family never had the chance to thank T&J Dry Cleaners in their rush to return to Harrison Hot

ing.

“The community knows the work this business does, but I want your community to know the work they do behind the storefront that keeps people coming back. May their business be blessed with ongoing success.”

When approached by The Clare Echo, Tony said, “I was only delighted to help out. It’s what we do here.” He revealed that these last-minute wedding disasters are more common than you would think, saying, “If anyone’s in a panic or an emergency, we will help them out in every way we can.”

Abbigeel and Ben exchanged vows in a nearby cottage, took their photographs on the cliffs, and

celebrated with their 20 guests in Doolin’s Homestead Cottage. “Because of what we’d been through, it really was such joy to see her up there in her dress,” Michelle told The Clare Echo.

Abbigeel’s connection to Ireland comes from her mother, who grew up in Belfast, and she and her three sisters would visit the West on family trips, where the wish of getting married on the Cliffs of Moher began.

When speaking about her wish to thank the dry cleaner’s owner, Michelle told The Clare Echo, “At Thanksgiving, we go around our dinner table and say something that we’re thankful for, and of course, he was my thing this year.” She said, “I cannot talk about it without crying, and I think that will always be the emotion I have. Every time I think about that man, I weep.”

“He’s what Ireland is all about,” she added.

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Dromoland Castle’s elegant new Christmas Shop is now open also Friday to Sunday, 10am–4pm, offering gift cards, curated treasures, and seasonal splendour to complete your festive gifting.

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‘Bolt from the blue’ for Newmarket-on-Fergus medical services to be moved to Clarecastle

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CONFIRMATION from the HSE that Newmarket-on-Fergus will be left without a GP has come as “a bolt from the blue” for the local community.

Over 1000 patients in Newmarket-on-Fergus are looking for a new GP after the HSE announced on Monday all 927 medical card holders in the parish would be transferred to the care of Saffron and Blue Medical Centre in Clarecastle from the beginning of 2026.

Following Dr Colum Hackett’s retirement in May 2019, all medical card holders in Newmarket-on-Fergus were transferred to Saffron and Blue which was operating out of Carrigoran from June 2020.

Saffron and Blue is already catering for patients from Clarecastle and Ballyea with Kildysart patients recently transferred and the Newmarket-on-Fergus arrival to put further pressure on their services.

According to the HSE up to 20 potential premises were viewed in Newmarket-on-Fergus but none were deemed to be suitable. These included vacant buildings such as what was formerly Commane’s clothes shop, Meehan’s Butchers and the closed Spar store at the Green. Newmar-

ket-on-Fergus has the fifth highest population in Clare with the population projected to grow by a further 1000 over the next decade.

Officials from Obair have been in negotiations with the HSE for a year and a half about the potential of using the Tradaree building on the main street in the village. The community social enterprise has spent money to make the building suitable, with the belief that it would be used for a GP practice with other services.

General Manager of Obair, Orla Meehan told The Clare Echo, “We showed the premises to the doctor and the HSE, there was one negative with the property, part of the roof is quite low so there was an access issue but the HSE came back to us and asked us to get a quote for raising the roof of that section. Once that was done, the premises was perfectly suitable so I contacted a QS and an architectural engineer who had begun the process of putting together a quote for us but in the meantime we saw the correspondence from the HSE this week. We have spent money to see if we can fix the premises but it appears to be gone”.

Monday’s announcement did come as a surprise given positive indications had been

issued by the HSE, Orla said.

“It came as a bolt out of the blue because we had originally been told the premises wasn’t suitable but for them to come back and give us the nugget of hope that it would be, that is why we are frustrated and because we had engaged professionals to come in and fix it. We were looking at providing a wellness centre for the area with occupational therapists, speech and language therapists. For us it would benefit the village in so many more ways than just a doctor. We’re frustrated, we want the doctor in the village, we want to build on it, we want so much more than the doctor, we want to have a holistic centre for everything that is needed. For us, it is a real loss, it is more than just the doctor, it is a loss to all the other complementary services we could have brought in”.

Eimear Murphy had been heavily involved in the organising of a public meeting in December 2019 when the fight to retain GP services in the village was one of the main items on the agenda. An Obair employee, she said, “We have been in talks with them to find a premises, we have a premises that is perfectly placed on the main street that is lying vacant and we have kept the building vacant for the last

Una Martin, Cllr David Griffin (FF) and Aidín O’Hanlon in Newmarket-on-Fergus

year and a half with the hope that the HSE are going to take us up on the offer and move the doctor back to the village, it was our hope it would have happened, we have parking there, we’re perfectly placed, central and easy to get on the bus route”.

Accessing services in Clarecastle is an issue for elderly patients, Eimear flagged. “It is a big inconvenience, Carrigoran while it is not directly on the bus route, it was local and very easy to get to, there was a presence here, albeit it not in the village but it was a presence in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Our main hope was to bring a presence of a GP back to the village, it looks like that has fallen through despite our best efforts”. Meals on Wheels service users have contacted Obair with their concerns this week, she confirmed.

N ew m a r ket- o n - Fe rg u s must fight for a GP, she insisted. “We’re not going to take this lying down, people need to get their voices heard, join forces. When Colum Hackett retired, we were told this was the solution and his patients were handed over with a view to having a presence in Newmarket-on-Fergus, that has fallen through like it has in other places”.

Owner of Varden’s Pharmacy, Martina O’Reilly said the village cannot afford to keep losing services. “So many businesses are closing or have closed in Newmarket-on-Fergus, it is more difficult for other businesses to keep going if all the businesses keep going from Newmarket-on-Fergus”.

Putting more patients in Clarecastle is not the answer, Martina stated. “They are already really busy in Clarecas-

tle so I don’t know how they will cope with all the extra people, it is difficult on patients that don’t drive, it is bad enough to have to go Carrigoran but to have to go to Clarecastle, I’m not sure how they will manage and they seem to be at over capacity, it is not the doctor’s fault but they really need a GP in Newmarket-on-Fergus. I feel sorry for people that don’t have transport and find it hard to be travelling any distance, there is a big population here and an elderly population that have a lot of needs, they really need healthcare in their village”.

Medical card holders are resorting to using private doctors due to the length of time it is taking to get an appointment, Martina noted.

“Some people are resorting to private doctors, even though they might have a medical card they will pay for a private doctor because they can’t get an appointment to see their own doctor, they are waiting too long and when they’re sick they need to see someone sooner”.

Community development officer in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Siobhán O’Driscoll stated, “What makes this worse is my own health situation. After having cancer, my health is already compromised, and I have had a persistent cough for six weeks. When I contacted Saffron and Blue, I was told the earliest appointment available was Thursday morning. That is simply not good enough. I was left with no choice but to go to a walk-in clinic and practically beg to be seen”.

O’Driscoll flagged that Obair showed the HSE “state of the art facilties” at the Tradaree building including lift access, door buzzers “and

everything required for a fully functioning practice. The HSE representative was very clear that she wanted Dr. Gavin to take the premises, yet he showed zero interest. That in itself is shocking”.

Twenty three year old Úna Martin said not having a GP in Newmarket-on-Fergus “will have a huge impact”. She outlined, “I was waiting forty minutes the last time when I arrived up there, my appointment was for 2pm and I didn’t get seen until 2:40pm. When you have to ring the doctor there, you are ringing and ringing, you have to hang up because it says user busy, there is only one person at reception for all these people, it is ridiculous. When you are trying to ring, you are forty minutes on the phone, hanging up, dial again and it says user busy, it is a joke really”. She said she had been waiting two weeks for this appointment.

Health services are required in Newmarket-on-Fergus, Maria Ryan stressed. “I’m very disappointed that there isn’t a doctor in the village especially with the population growing, for elderly people that do not drive it is inconvenient, we are losing all our services, we need a doctor, it is very important and we shouldn’t have to travel to see a doctor. It is a massive blow, even when my kids were small we always had a doctor in the village, we need these services, they are very important. My father and mother are ill quite often, my father has diabetes so he has to go to the doctor quite regularly, my mother had blood clots so she is the same, we need these services”.

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‘Devastating blow’ as Newmarket-on-Fergus medical services transferred to Clarecastle

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS’ five-year search to source a permanent GP has been dealt “a devastating blow” with over 1000 patients to instead be treated in neighbouring Clarecastle.

On Monday, the HSE announced that all medical card holders in Newmarket-on-Fergus would be transferred to the Saffron and Blue Medical Centre in Clarecastle, effective from January 1st 2026.

According to the HSE, this move will impact 927 medical card holders in Newmarket-on-Fergus. Of this figure, fifty are residents in Carrigoran Nursing Home. Newmarket-on-Fergus is the county’s fifth highest population centre.

Efforts have been ongoing since 2022 to find a suitable premises for Saffron and Blue to have a permanent GP premises in Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Carrigoran House since June 2020 has been the location of a part-time GP service for Newmarket-on-Fergus with Saffron and Blue receiving a contract from the HSE. For forty two years, Dr Colum Hackett was the GP with a premises in the village operating out of The Green in Newmarket-on-Fergus.

He retired in May 2019, the area has not had a permanent GP in the subsequent six years.

In correspondence on Monday, Margaret Friel, business manager with the primary care unit of the HSE said of the upcoming transfer. “This relocation has become necessary due to the unavailablity of a suitable premises in the Newmarket-on-Fergus area We sincerely appreciate having been able to host the service at the Day Centre at Carrigoran over the past five and a half years. However, this option is no longer available”.

She stated, “Saffron and Blue Medical Clinic is less than ten minutes by car from Newmarket-on-Fergus and is served regularly by Bus Éireann. A full range of GP serivces including enhanced diagnostics is available on-site”.

HSE officials said as recently as April they were ‘actively looking’ for a site in Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Cllr David Griffin (FF) said the announcement “is hugely disappointing to the community”.

He felt the inability to locate a premises for a GP practice in the village was “unfathomable”. He stated, “Significant effort has been put in by the community in recent years to help the HSE source a suitable premises in our village, and the news that these efforts were

unsuccessful to date is unfathomable. I have been and will continue to liaise with our Oireachtas members and lobby the HSE to ensure that the medical needs of our community remain on the agenda. We are the 5th largest settlement in the County, and it is concerning for the future of all villages if the HSE have been unable to facilitate a GP in our village. As a councillor I will continue to advocate for a longer-term solution”.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) labelled the move as “unacceptable”.

He said, “It is hugely unacceptable that the medical care for almost a thousand medical card holders will be transferred to the Saffron & Blue Clinic in Clarecastle. This news, which comes just three weeks before the service transition”.

Deputy Crowe added, “This news will be a devastating blow to the people of Newmarket-on-Fergus, one of the biggest towns in County Clare. It is simply unfathomable that almost a thousand patients can be transferred to a clinic which it already bursting at the seams and not expect it to be much harder to obtain GP services. We have already seen this play out in Kildysart where the continuity of their GP service, which is also operated

by Saffron & Blue, and the majority of whom have to travel to Clarecastle for their regular appointments now”.

According to the Meelick native, 20 residential, commercial and community properties were considered over the past three years by the HSE with a further call for ex-

pression of interests advertised by the HSE in June 2025.

He flagged, “I am very concerned about the risk of oversaturation of patients out of one clinic and the obvious effect that that could have on patient care going forward. Furthermore, it is a long and difficult commute for many patients, who may be elderly or unwell, who will now be expected to travel the distance to Clarecastle for care. The search for a permanent base for a Newmarket-on-Fergus GP practice must continue and it is simply not acceptable that the HSE should cease their search for a suitable premises. I will work very closely with Cllr David Griffin and the local community in vociferously pushing for this decision to be reversed. I have written to the HSE and to the Minister for Health asking for this process to be reopened for every stop to be pulled out to find a suitable premises as soon as possible”.

Last November, the Newmarket-on-Fergus community forum disbanded. The group had been formed in 2020 and had unsuccessfully attempted to bring a medical practice back to the village. In July 2023, representatives of the group attended a meeting with the then Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly (FF).

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11 2025

News

Shortage of parking costing Ennis retail sector €20m per annum claims councillor

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

ENNIS is short an estimated 240 spaces according to one councillor who said such a shortcoming is the equivalent of “€20m per annum lost for the local retail sector”.

Short-term initiatives have been launched across Ennis town centre to provide more parking in order to increase businesses for the festive season.

More than fifty parking spaces will be provided at the old Boys NS in Ennis now owned by Ennis 2040 DAC for the festive period. A senior official in the Council said the long-term development here could provide 180 spaces.

Free parking at Áras Contae an Chláir on the New Rd and at Waterpark House in Drumbiggle has been made available each weekend for free parking. Council owned car parks in Abbey Street, Harvey’s Quay (Parnell Street), Bindon St, Cornmarket St, Friars Walk, Lower Market St and Woodquay will have free parking from 2pm from Monday to Saturday. Fees remain as normal for on-street parking.

Holy Family School is also offering free parking from

December 20th to January 3rd inclusive along with this weekend.

Parking was once again brought before a recent sitting of the Ennis Municipal District with Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) requesting the number of car spaces lost since 2023 “due to the many works ongoing within our town and what actions are envisaged to have them replaced”.

In his response, senior engineer Seán Lenihan stated, “we haven’t ‘lost’ spaces but rather repurposed them as part of much needed and welcomed improvement works and projects throughout the Municipal District”. Such examples included ‘utilising’ “a number of spaces” to provide wider footpaths and the Safer Routes to School projects with saw “other spaces” also “utilised”.

Lenihan outlined, “While we all know that we have to look at other modes of transport and reduce our dependency on the car, we are somewhat away from that stage yet. And while there are almost 3000 spaces within the Town, one parking space for every 13 people compared to one per 29 in Waterford and one per 24 in Navan, we need to better manage and inform the public of where parking is available by means of improved

signage and real time digital messaging. To this end, we have sought the provision of necessary funds in next year’s budget to progress that particular project. We are also looking to add further parking spaces where we can such as the recently completed extension to the carpark at the Gort Road Business Park and the soon to commence carpark development to the rear of the Cloister”.

Further parking will also be provided “as part of the new development at the former Boys National School on the Kilrush Road as well as in a number of other locations that we are actively looking at and also, within developments proposed by the private sector,” he added.

A review of the parking bye-laws in Ennis Town will soon “be published,” Lenihan advised. “The outcome of this should greatly assist in a more streamlined and improved management and operation of the existing parking available. Finally, the introduction of the new Town Bus Service, expected to be in operation in the early part of the new year, will be a huge asset in minimising the dependence on the car and consequently, on the demand for Town Centre parking. The cumulative im-

pact of all the above will result in the optimum benefit for the car dependent public and crucially, the Town Business community who depend on their custom to prosper”.

Speaking at the Ennis MD sitting, Cllr O’Callaghan said 150 spaces were lost when he last tabled a similar motion on the subject. “Car parking is crucial to the viability of all businesses. Your reply says they had been repurposed, I welcome the work ongoing but the issue I have is there has been car spaces sacrificed, I haven’t got the figures.

These are all welcome developments but in my estimation about 80 spaces are gone so that is effectively 239 spaces that are not there, I welcome the Cloister plans, hope it can be dealt with long-term”.

All elected members are supportive of proposals for the Gort Rd, he said. “We need to look at parking and people getting to where they want to get to. I noted in 2017, there was workshops here at the time, there is a lack of data and decisions are made more on feelings than facts. The Council committed to develop and acquire sites for 130 off street spaces in three years but the concern I have is that to me hasn’t happened, within the time my colleague has

brought up by-laws but nothing has happened to date.

What I’m saying, we welcome all the work but if we want to develop and grow our town to maximum capacity we have to take on extra car spaces”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) said “very valid” points had been raised by his colleague. Cllr Pat Daly (FF) stated, “It is a good question, I have to say, the Cloister will be huge for the town and the GAA because the GAA is part of the town. Abbey St is a big worry, there is a serious worry that it would be gone but it won’t be now. Parking in this town is at a premium but it is improving.

It is as good a town in Ireland now with the works ongoing in Ennis”.

Responding to elected members, Lenihan said, “Looking back ten years I don’t agree that it is helpful and I’ve said it before, parking is fluid, I fully understand and I am repeating myself the requirement for businesses to have parking”. He felt the provision of the town bus service would be “a game changer but it is not there yet, the signage I’ve spoken about before and it will be very useful, I know for a fact there is a load of available spaces, we park where always park and there might

be a suitable spot elsewhere, Abbey St and Parnell St by remaining available for parking takes huge pressure off the requirement, some of the figures from ten years ago were based on different projections, car ownership was expected to increase significantly and population growth was also forecasted to rise significantly, some experts have now said they are not true”.

180 spaces are proposed as part of the overall development of the Old Ennis Boys NS, Lenihan revealed. “We are actively looking at other sites,” he added.

Pre-pandemic figures on parking in Ennis “are very important,” Cllr O’Callaghan stressed. “I do take all reports very seriously and I always have”. He said a document compiled by the Council states that 500 more spaces “has not materialised”.

Public realm works had a “significant impact” on turnover for businesses in Abbey St and Bank Place with Cllr O’Callaghan advising that sales were down 51 percent in one business alone. “200 spaces not replaced is equivalent of €20m per annum lost for the retail sector.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11 2025

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11 2025

News

‘He was our North Star’ - Buddy McMahon captain fantastic of all-conquering Newmarket-on-Fergus side laid to rest

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

BUDDY McMahon’s role in securing employment for generations in Shannon and captaining one of the county’s greatest hurling teams was hailed as he was laid to his eternal rest this week.

Newmarket-on-Fergus native Buddy worked for 42 years in the historic sales and ca-

tering section of Shannon Airport, beginning not long after Dr Brendan O’Regan created the world’s first-duty free shop. His career in Shannon stretched from 1952 to 1994.

On the hurling field, he was corner back and captain of the Newmarket side to win three Clare SHC titles in a row in 1963, 1964 and 1965.

He finished his playing

career with five senior championships before moving into management and was involved as the club won its first ever Munster senior club championship in 1967, they retained the provincial title a year later. At the time of his death, he was President of the club. The jersey he wore with pride and distinction on countless occasions was draped

across his coffin and he is fondly remembered as ‘Captain Fantastic’.

He donned the saffron and blue of Clare on two occasions, featuring at corner back on both instances. He was part of the minor side to defeat Kerry 10-3 1-3 played in 1949 in Causeway and lined out in the Kincora Cup in 1958 when Tipperary had a comprehensive 11-12 3-3 vic-

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tory, Jimmy Smyth was among his teammates for both appearances.

Last Thursday, Buddy died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Carrigoran House. Huge crowds attended his funeral at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Newmarket-on-Fergus, the reposal taking place on Monday evening and the Mass on Tuesday morning. His burial took place afterwards in Lemenagh Cemetery.

One of McMahon’s many roles within the GAA club was leading guards of honour. He received a President’s salute from Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA members as they gave Buddy a fitting guard both on Monday evening as his remains made its way from his home on the Ennis Rd to the church and again on Tuesday as the cortege departed the village.

Among the gifts brought before the altar on Tuesday were a hurley and sliotar, “a sign of Buddy’s great passion for our national games, all his incredible achievements and handing the gift onto another generation,” Fr Brendan Quinlivan stated.

Family was “the great bedrock” of his life with a book of family photographs “showing his great commitment to Mary, their children and grand-children”. A book to acknowledge his career at sales and catering at Shannon Airport was also brought forward along with a red rose as an ode to his “beautiful front lawn which was admired by all the neighbours”. An aerial photograph of Newmarket-on-Fergus indicated how much the community meant to him.

Speaking at Tuesday’s mass, Fr Quinlivan noted that this December was “a time of loss” for the McMahons with Buddy’s wife Mary dying in July of this year while his sister Fanny died less than a month ago. His only sister had been responsible for giving him his nickname, “When she was very young she could not pronounce the word ‘brother’ properly. It sounded like ‘butty’ so ‘buddy’ became a part of me. Even my sons have that nickname now,” Buddy recalled

Buddy McMahon was a stalward at Shannon Airport and Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA

in a previous interview with Tradraí, the annual publication produced

by Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Club.

Losing the love of his life, Mary and his only sister Fanny within four months “must have been difficult for him”, Fr Quinlivan acknowledged.

Fr Quinlivan noted of his role in the economic prosperity of the region.

“There are many people in the church here today that owe their livelihood and jobs to good words put in by Buddy. He was a hard worker and he expected the same from others”. Politics was another of Buddy’s passions through his involvement with Fianna Fáil. “I horrified my Blueshirt mother one night when I told her I was at an Ógra Fianna Fáil meeting that the Buddies brought me to,” Fr Quinlivan recalled.

Always at the heart of the community, Buddy was a peace commissioner who was involved in the building of the community centre and then as part of the committee which managed it.

Meeting his beloved Mary who he married in 1965 was a special moment. They later had five children, Una, Brendan, Fergus, Gerard and Joseph. “Of all Buddy’s achievements, his great heroism, his great passion for work, sport and the community, he would always say his crowning achievement was a dark night at a dance hall in Ballybunion over 60 years ago when despite his disfigurement with two black eyes from a sliotar, when he plucked up the courage to ask a young woman from Wexford to dance with

him,” Fr Quinlivan said.

“The pride he took in the achievements of his grand-children and all those around him, solid unwavering support for Mary in her pioneering work for families with additional needs”.

His son Fergus described his father as their “North Star”. He said, “Dad had a tough start, his mother died when he was a baby which left him, his father and sister Francis or Fanny as we knew her. They were raised in The Lodge in Carrigoran”. Long lives enjoyed

by Buddy who was just shy of 96 and Fanny almost 97 were in repayment for the pain they suffered in their youth.

Fergus quipped that his father’s success on the hurling field “skipped at least one generation” but “regardless his commitment to the club endured and he served as Honorary President until his passing”. In Shannon, Buddy “worked diligently” and “formed many deep friendships, some of those continued to this day”.

Close to 60 years of marriage showed the special bond between Buddy and Mary, Fergus noted, “spending nearly all of that time surrounded by our neighbours and friends on Ennis Rd”. Describing his father as “a news junkie,” Fergus added that his father was happiest when the entire family was reunited together. “He believed in getting involved for greater good whether it was the GAA, community hall, Fianna Fáil, disability organisations or Obair. For us he was our North Star, we will miss him but we know he was ready”.

15

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11 2025

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Father convicted of assault but escapes jail for head-butting another Dad at GAA grounds

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A FATHER who head-butted another Dad at an East Clare GAA ground has been convicted of assault but has escaped a jail term.

This follows Judge Alec Gabbett imposing 60 hours community service on Maurice Crotty (44) of Millstream, Killaloe for the assault on Aidan Fleming in May of last year at Smith O’Brien’s GAA club.

At Killaloe District Court sitting in Ennis, Judge Gabbett said that he was not imposing “a deterrent sentence” on Mr Crotty because of the good work he has done with the Probation Service after entering his guilty plea.

Judge Gabbett said that he had to mark a conviction in the case and imposed the 60 hours community service.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Crotty “really has done good work with the Probation Services which reduces his risk of re-offending significantly and the Probation Service believe that the matter can be disposed of without its further involvement”.

Judge Gabbett said that in the case there is a victim, Mr Fleming who believes that he has suffered reputational damage as a result of the assault and is looking over his shoulder as a result of the assault.

Solicitor for Mr Crotty, Tara Godfrey said that depending on what sanction the court imposes Mr Crotty may become unemployed or unemployable.

Judge Gabbett said, “I get that - but I can’t give imprimatur to someone to assault someone and then give the wave off because of that”.

Ms Godfrey said that Mr Crotty has attended nine separate sessions with the Probation Service.

In the case, Maurice Crotty has pleaded guilty to the assault of Aidan Fleming at Smith O’Brien’s GAA club, Abbey Street, Killaloe on May 29th 2024 contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Judge Gabbett said that the background to the assault by Maurice Crotty on Aidan Fleming was “over an

issue over a football at the local school and an email exchange”.

Ms Godfrey said that “there were also tensions over a WhatsApp group and contributions made”.

Ms Godfrey told the court previously, “This was a once in a lifetime act of aggression or act of violence and there has been no incident since”.

Judge Gabbett said that on the day of the assault, Mr Crotty went to Mr Fleming’s house where he was told that Mr Fleming was at the local GAA grounds.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Crotty went to the pitch, called out Mr Fleming and then head-butted him.

Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fleming in his victim impact statement said that he had never met Mr Crotty before.

Judge Gabbett said that in his statement, Mr Fleming also says very clearly that he suffered reputational damage when he was assaulted in front of parents and children.

In the statement, Mr Fleming stated that having to explain an unprovoked assault

Smith O’Briens GAA

to children is something that he never thought that he would have to do.

Judge Gabbett said that the head-butt assault also left Mr Fleming with emotional scars.

Judge Gabbett said, “This was not a slap. It is a headbutt and is at the higher end of a Section 2 assault charge”.

Judge Gabbett said that the Probation Report stated that Mr Crotty downplayed the fact that the assault occurred

in front of small children at a training session.

In response, Ms Godfrey said that the assault “didn’t occur in front of small children anywhere”.

Ms Godfrey said that there was a narrative to the assault “and this was not a situation where Mr Crotty picked out a random person and decided to visit an assault on him”.

Ms Godfrey said that is her client’s case that Mr Fleming had in an email to a school

principal defamed someone close to Mr Crotty when incorrectly claiming that the person had stolen a football.

Ms Godfrey said that Mr Crotty is ashamed of his actions and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Ms Godfrey previously told the court that Mr Crotty works in security and he would lose his job if there is a conviction.

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11 2025

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Luxurious new look, same personal service at Gleeson Goldsmiths AWARD-WINNING, independent Clare business, Gleeson Goldsmiths, recently took the wraps off its beautifully refurbished long-time store in Ballycasey Design & Retail Centre, Shannon. From a stunning, dedicated diamond ring showroom to a fresh and contemporary high-design interior, the gorgeous new look is the perfect showcase for the premium goldsmiths of choice known for their uncompromising quality, personal service and unique designs.

The attention-to-thelast-detail refurbishment is an early celebration of 45 years in business in 2026.

It marks another chapter in the story of this much-loved family-owned store headed up by goldsmith Brian, and Geraldine Gleeson. Featuring bespoke arched doorways, elegant new cabinets and striking wall art, the refurbishment is the work of well-known Clare-based interior designer Tess Stanford, with Geraldine sharing her inspiration for the ‘glow up’:

The team at Gleeson Goldsmiths

“We wanted a warm, luxurious, high-quality look befitting of our jewellery, while still being welcoming to our customers. From the centre’s sweeping leafy driveway to the old manor house, visiting our store is an experience. Customers know they can expect next-level care and expert knowledge – and we wanted our refurb to add to

Saoirse, Patrick, Aisling, Ciara, Sally and Eleanor Crowe

our appeal as a destination store. And while our shop has a new look, our tradition of personal care is as solid as ever.”

A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL Proudly Clare, Gleeson Goldsmiths chose to work with all local suppliers and services. A local joiner supplied all wood while Clare-

based professionals took care of the store’s lighting, flooring and signage.

With its own onsite workshop and team of four in-house, full-time goldsmiths, the business has built its name offering generations of customers the finest selection of quality, expertly handcrafted jewellery – all designed and manufactured in store. Countless couples have started their forever-journey with the jewellers, choosing from a beautiful selection of timeless and unique diamond engagement rings and wedding bands. Equally, the goldsmiths can work from a customer’s own idea or design to craft distinctive, customised pieces.

“We always say we’re everything a chain highstreet jeweller isn’t. Our team has been with us for many years, and we are all invested in giving our customers the best of care – always taking the time to understand what they’re looking for.”

To find out more about Gleeson Goldsmiths visit www.gleesongoldsmiths.ie

Gerard Talty, Eileen Talty, Deirdre Foran, Lexi O’Loughlin, Emma Talty and Ellie Talty

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THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11 2025

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Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO

To place a notice email kieran@clareecho.ie

PLANNING CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, DOONEEN, BURREN, CO. CLARE Take notice that J. Keane intends to apply to the Planning Authority for outline permission to construct a dwelling house, garage and proprietary waste water treatment system along with ancillary 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 I, Noel Daly, am applying to the above authority for permission/retention permission for the following development on property at Fahy Beg, Bridgetown, Co Clare: Retention Permission for partially constructed detached dormer dwelling house and permission for completion of same, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, connection to necessary services, construction of new entrance detail together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works 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 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 I, Leah Erwin, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Killerk East, Ballyea, Co Clare.

Permission for detached 2 storey dwelling house and detached domestic garage, onsite wastewater treatment system and percolation area, bored well, connection to necessary services, new entrance detail together with all associated ancillary and incidental site works 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 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 We, Cloncastle Boxing Club, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at the former Church of Ireland, Church Road, Clonlara, Co Clare, V94 X4K2, which is a protected structure (Protected Structure Reg. No. 20405302) Permission for development which will consist of the change of use of the existing church building to use as a boxing / training club with associated ancillary facilities, all located within the existing building footprint, together with all associated internal works and ancillary site works.

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 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 RWE Renewables Ireland Limited, intend to apply for planning permission for the Fahy Beg Battery Energy Storage System

Planning

NOTICES (BESS) Facility in the townlands of Woodpark TD and Leitrim TD, near Bridgetown, Co. Clare.

The proposed development, on an overall site of 3.58 hectares, will consist of: • A co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Compound with associated internal access tracks; • Access to the proposed BESS compound will be from the R466 local road and will consist of the use of an existing quarry entrance in the townland of Leitrim which will be upgraded as permitted as part of the Fahy Beg Wind Farm (under Clare County Council Ref: 23148 & ACP Ref 317227); • Installation of grid code compliance equipment to facilitate an under-thefence connection to the adjacent Fahy Beg 38kV substation. The grid code compliance equipment will include: a) Backup Generator, b) Neutral Earthing Resistor (NER), c) Auxiliary House Transformer, d) Marshalling Kiosks; e) 3 no. spare parts shipping containers (measuring 12.2 m (L) x 2.4 m (W) x 2.6 m (H)); and f) Associated ancillary development.

• Installation of 32 no.

Battery Energy Storage Units comprising metal shipping containers housing batteries (measuring 6 m (L) x 2.4 m (W) and 2.9 m (H) each), and associated ancillary control and ventilation units; • Installation of 8 no. Medium Voltage (MV) Inverter Stations comprising metal shipping containers housing the inverter, MV transformer, and an MVLV room (measuring 6 m (L) x 2.4 m (W) and 2.9 m (H) each); • Installation of 1 no. water storage tank (measuring 5.15 m (L) x 4.15 m(W) x 2.58 m (H)); • Construction of 250 m of new access tracks; • Provision of a crane hardstanding area to facilitate lifting operations on site (280m2); • Provision of 10 no. car parking spaces (8 no. standard parking spaces, and 2 no. accessible parking spaces); • Reprofiling of the existing cut slope embankment with the erection

of a gabion basket retaining wall measuring 75m in length and 2.5m in height, and construction of a reinforced fill slope embankment; • Underground electrical and communications cabling; • Security lighting, CCTV and communications mast; • Provision of 150m of Sound reflective barriers; • Security fencing and gates; • Drainage system including on-site surface water attenuation ponds; • Tree felling of 0.19 Ha (1,890m2) to facilitate required clearance for BESS compound, associated earthworks and drainage infrastructure; • Removal of 109m of hedgerow to facilitate development of the BESS compound, and replanting of 109m at perimeter locations; and • All associated ancillary site development and vegetation clearance works including landscaping and hedgerow reinstatement.

The Applicant requests that the development be granted planning permission for an operational period of 20 years and it is requested that the duration of the permission is for a period of 10 years from the date of grant of planning permission.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in relation to the project and accompanies this planning application.

This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply.

The planning application and the Natura Impact Statement (NIS) 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 BALLYVONNAVAUN, CLARECASTLE, ENNIS, CO. CLARE. Take notice that Richard & Jane Conneely intend to apply to the planning authority for permission to construct a new dwelling house and garage complete with a new entrance, wastewater treatment system and ancillary 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, Aras Contae an Chlair, New Road, Ennis 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 planning authority of the application.

PUBLICATION NOTICE Notice of Publication of The Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint Concept 2025 (Electricity Supply Board) Notice is hereby given that the Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint Concept 2025 (hereafter referred to as ‘the GA Concept’) was published on December 11th 2025 by Electricity Supply Board (ESB). The aim of the GA Concept is to enable the repurposing of the Moneypoint Generating Station site into a renewable energy hub and strategic resource for the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector, whilst also maintaining and operating Moneypoint Generating Station as the strategically critical Generating Station that it is at present. The GA Concept sets out a single, spatial strategy for the transformation of ESB’s land at Moneypoint, County Clare.

The GA Concept shall have effect from December 11th 2025.

Notice is also given that, in accordance with the requirements of S.I. No. 435 of 2004, as amended, a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) statement has also been prepared which summarises how environmental considerations have been integrated into the GA Concept. The SEA Statement summarises how the environmental report was prepared, and how submissions and observations made during the consultation periods have been taken into account during the update of the GA Concept and environmental report. The SEA Statement also outlines the reasons for choosing the options for the future development of the site outlined in the GA Concept, in the light of the other reasonable alternatives dealt with, and the measures decided upon to monitor the significant environmental effects of implementation of the Review.

Further, in accordance with Article 6(3) and 6(4) of the Habitats Directive, an Appropriate Assessment (AA) has been carried out in respect of the Review and a combined Screening for AA and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared.

A copy of the final Green Atlantic @ Moneypoint Concept 2025, SEA Environmental Report, SEA Statement, combined Screening for AA and NIS, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Appropriate Assessment Determination may be viewed on ESB’s website at: https:// www.greenatlanticatmoneypoint.ie/concept or in person by appointment at: Moneypoint Generating Station, Carrowdotia, Killimer, Co Clare, V15 R963.

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Thursday, Dec 11, 2025 THE CLARE ECHO 47

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Apr 20, 2023 38

Puzzle

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

THIS WEEKS PUZZLES Dec 11 THIS WEEKS PUZZLES April 20th Best Daily Word Search: 17 April 2023

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Solution

The Clare Echo Crossword ACROSS 1. Hitherto(10) 7. Evident(8) 8. Fire injury(4) Advertisement 9. Looked at(4) https://puzzles.bestforpuzzles.com/games/best-daily-word-search 10. Trading ban(7) 12. Definitely(7,4) 14. Parentless children(7) 16. Employed(4) 19. Require(4) 20. Lift(8) 21. Plague(10)

about:blank

DOWN 1. Freedom from war(5) 2. Distinguished(7) 3. Chilled(4) 4. Last(8) 5. Seventh sign of the Zodiac(5) 6. Thrifty(6) 11. Least advanced in age(8) 12. Notified of a risk(6) 13. Take no part(7) 15. Be evasive(5) 17. Idle bee(5) 18. Scottish dance(4)

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS 1/2

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Reveal

9

Save

7

Check

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Clear

00:01

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Software © 2017 crossword-compiler.com

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Fraction Graph

Maximum

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F R A C T

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C H E

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.

8

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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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A R B E G L A U E L G N A C N

How to play

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Diameter Fraction Equation Graph

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Cubic

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| Puzzle: Mon Apr 17 2023

O R R S U

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How to play

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Measure

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.

U

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Algebra Algebra

1/1

E N Q C E N H W A L G E R E D R O U

SUDOKU about:blank

about:blank

WORD SEARCH

Calculating

4/17/23, 9:55 AM

6

Puzzle

39

THE CLARE ECHO Thursday, Dec 11, 2025

Support journalism in Clare by subscribing to www.clareecho.ie/subscribe

Quiz

The Clare Echo Quiz 2.

What German firm built Ardnacrusha?

Audi Siemens Mercedes Benz Approximately how many kilometres is the Ardnacrusha Plant from Limerick?

2km 5km 2.4km

3.

When did construction of Ardnacrusha begin?

1933 1945 1925

4.

Who was Taoiseach at the time of construction?

Eamon DeValera W.T. Cosgrave Michael Collins

5.

What year was the ESB established in?

1921 1935 1927

6.

The station at Ardnacrusha generates what kind of power?

Hydroelectric Coal burning Peat burning

7.

At its peak, how many workers were employed during construction?

5200 10000 4000

8.

How much did the scheme cost when it was first decided upon? £10m £5.2m £7m

9.

Although it produced 80% of Ireland’s electricity in 1935, how much of the nation’s electricity does Ardnacrusha produce now?

2% 10% 5%

Scan here to see what’s on

10. Around 150 skilled workers and engineers spent time in Ireland during the construction of Ardnacrusha — where were they from?

Switzerland France Germany

ANSWERS

Hydroelectric 5200 £5.2m 2% Germany

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

Siemens 2.4km 1925 W.T. Cosgrave 1927

1.

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

Last weeks Answers . tongue on boot different colour . addidas logo missing . crest on shorts missing . nike swoosh missing on boot

. stripe on wrist missing . tuft of grass missing on ball . black logo on ball missing

Inah/Kilnamona go on to become U21A hurling champions for the fourth time beating Éire Óg.

Photo by Gerard O’Neill

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