The Clare Echo 13/03/25

Sinn Féin to pursue VioletAnne for loan

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SINN FÉIN are adamant that they are going to pursue ex Clare TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) to repay a loan for rent arrears.

A commercial loan of €12,126 was issued by Sinn Féin to Wynne in May 2020 following her election as a TD for the party to cover a rent debt for a property in Tullycrine.

Wynne previously told The Clare Echo, “The arrangement with Sinn Féin ceased once I left the party” on the money owed to Sinn Féin.

week, President of Sinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald (SF) stressed “the loan has to be paid back”. She added, “the party is still awaiting payment, of that loan, it was made in goodwill and in good faith”.

No timeline has been set by Sinn Féin on when it demands to have this loan paid back by the former TD.

Speaking to The Clare Echo this

“The party has no option but to pursue that money being repaid because otherwise, it becomes an illegal donation, and we can’t have that. It was made in good faith, and I fully expect that the money will be paid back”.

More on p12/13

Garda car stripped for parts in Sixmilebridge

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

AN ON-DUTY Garda had their car stripped for parts in Sixmilebridge.

While parked at the Garda Station in Sixmilebridge, the vehicle was damaged.

Clare TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) said he was “appalled”

by the incident and described it as “reprehensible”. “There are a number of individuals in Sixmilebridge who really need to feel the full strength of our laws and policing systems, several of them belong behind bars” Deputy Crowe added.

More on p4

Pictured is Violet-Anne Wynne (IND)

Proprietor of O’Neill’s Bar in Newmarket-on-Fergus Ann O’Neill and Obair Community Development Officer, Siobhán O’Driscoll welcome Mary Lou McDonald (SF) to Newmarket-on-Fergus

Photo by Joe Buckley

Clare

lose to Cork

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Clare TY Students step into UL

Dharlie Caingies and Fatima Sáchanez from Colaiste Muire in Ennis with Amina Costello from Coláiste Charáin in Croom and Daire McGovern from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Spanish Point pictured taking part in the STEPS Engineering Your Future Programme at University of Limerick this week. STEPS EYF is an Engineers Ireland initiative to promote engineering as a career choice for transition year students. It is an engineering experience where, through a range of activities, students gain an insight into the world of professional engineering.

Free popcorn for Paddy this St Patricks Day

THE ARC Cinema Ennis is rolling out the green carpet this St. Patrick’s Day with a golden offer – FREE popcorn if your name is Paddy! This special offer is available only on Monday, March 17th.

Cathal from The Arc Cinema Ennis says, “To celebrate the Bank Holiday, we just wanted to have a bit of fun and make the day a lit-

tle different. We are also showing Greyhound of a Girl all weekend and during the Bank Holiday as our kid’s club showing, based on the popular novel by Roddy Doyle.”

In addition to this animated tale, we are also screening exciting new releases, i So, don your greenest outfit and head to The Arc Cinema Ennis for a St. Paddy’s Day

to remember! But don’t forget – this offer is available for one day only, and terms and conditions apply. Be sure to check our website for full details.

Bishop Willie ‘brought Church forward hundreds of years in Clare

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A TRAIL-BLAZER, loyal friend and a man who brought the church forward “hundreds of years” in Clare is how county councillors have remembered Bishop Willie Walsh.

Clare Council’s March meeting was adjourned for a brief spell as a mark of respect to the late Bishop of Killaloe, Willie Walsh.

Bishop of the Diocese of Killaloe from 1994 to 2010, Walsh died peacefully at his home in Ennis on February 19th aged ninety. The Roscrea native’s reposal and funeral was attended by thousands with a message of sympathy from Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of Pope Francis read at the funeral.

In 2010 following his retirement as Bish- op, a civic reception was held at Áras Contae an Chláir. In the same chamber on Monday, the March meeting of the local authority was adjourned for fifteen minutes as a mark of respect to the former St Flannan’s College maths and physics teacher.

Proposing the adjournment, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) noted the “huge contribution to the Diocese of Killaloe” made by Bishop Willie. He admitted that his proposal had not been agreed among the party groupings prior to the meeting but felt it was “appropriate” to acknowledge Walsh. Cllr Hayes stated, “he was a loyal friend to us all here in every community across the county and the Diocese, he led from the front and he was true to his job and his beliefs”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) recalled that she spoke with Willie six days before his death and kissed him on the forehead as he was leaving a function, “I told him I’d see him soon”. She said she was in the company of three ninety year olds and was struck by how “hale and hearty” the trio were.

“He was a crusader even though the title

of his book said he wasn’t,” Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) commented while referencing Walsh’s memoir ‘No Crusader’. She lauded his work “advocating for women and domestic violence in the church at a time when it wasn’t spoken about”. She believed it was fitting that the last event she met him at was organised by Clare Haven, “he was a trail blazer in that regard”.

According to Cllr Pat Daly (FF), “he was a man of the people, he brought the church forward hundreds of years in this county, he got people to go back to mass”. The Ennis man informed the meeting that he was a Munster championship at St Flannan’s College while Willie was the team coach. He mentioned that Willie was a former President of Éire Óg GAA Club and the President of Clare GAA at the time of his death. Walsh was “a very distant relative” of Cllr Paul Murphy (FG). “He fought for the under-privileged and wanted to see justice being served”. He continued, “He wasn’t popular with the church at all times, he was never afraid to fight for what was right”.

Willie’s move to College Grove in Ennis left the entire estate “delighted,” Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) reflected. “He was an extremely intelligent person, he went through difficult times with the church but did it with dignity”.

Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) said she has had few dealings with Walsh during her time in political life over the past eleven years. “I didn’t have much interaction with him in my adult life but I remember him as a positive role model for the church when I was a child, a positive gentleman is what I can remember of him back then”.

Hurlers

Council Boosts Security at €400 Daily Over Encampment

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL ARE forking out a reported €400 daily to a security firm after it beefed up its operations Áras Contae An Chláir in the past week.

Security has been placed at the entrance of Áras Contae An Chláir to monitor who can gain access to the car park of the Council’s headquarters.

This follows the arrival at the beginning of February of an illegal encampment in the car park of Waterpark House which houses the office

of the Ennis Municipal District staff and other sections of the local authority.

Extra measures have now been taken at the Áras to prevent any encampments cropping up on Council owned property.

Internal sources within the Council have told The Clare Echo that the local authority is paying up to €400 daily to the security firm at the gate of the Áras with the security personnel estimated to earn €100 per day.

Based on these figures, the Council will have spent €2000 by today (Thursday) with the personnel on duty since last week. The arrangement is expected to be a temporary one.

No figures on the spend were pro-

vided by the Council when questioned by The Clare Echo. In a statement, a spokesperson for the local authority outlined, “Security and extra security are sometimes required at different local authority locations around the county for various precautionary reasons and on a temporary basis. As these undertakings are considered and implemented under “security”, unfortunately I am advised that I cannot share any specific details. Áras Contae An Chláir is open for business as usual”.

Car belonging to onduty Garda stripped for parts in Sixmilebridge

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A CAR BELONGING to a Garda based in Sixmilebridge was vandalised and stripped for parts last week.

While parked at the Garda Station in Sixmilebridge, the vehicle belonging to the Garda on duty was damaged with parts of the car stripped off and taken.

This follows increasing instances of anti-social behaviour and rising amounts of crime in the locality. The serving member was on-duty at the time of the incident which occurred on Wednesday March 5th, The Clare Echo has learned.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Clare TD Cathal Crowe (FF) said he was “appalled” by the incident. “I place a high value on the work of An Garda Síochána, they often put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe and you’d like to think when they show up for work that they and their property are safe. What happened here, I find it to be reprehensible”.

Deputy Crowe met with Chief Superintendent of the Clare and Tipperary Garda Division, Aileen Magner and Superintendent based in Ennis, John Ryan in recent weeks to specifically discuss the policing needs of Sixmilebridge. “I have highlighted it is no longer a village and it is a town, combined with Newmarket-on-Fergus it has a population exceeding Kilrush, it comes third in the county in terms of population behind Ennis and Shannon. Whilst I don’t believe having extra Gardaí on duty would have made a difference on this occasion, there is a need to take this minority group of people to task and show them this a lawful country where the law will be upheld”.

As an outcome of his meet-

ing with senior Garda personnel in the county, Deputy Crowe said he has been promised additional patrols in Sixmilebridge, extra Gardaí rostered to police the area and increased Garda checkpoints on roads approaching The Bridge. “Whilst Garda checkpoints can annoy people I don’t think law abiding people need to fear Garda checkpoints, it is to curb those living beyond the law, I would love to see an increase in foot patrols, it is a fine size town, a lot of wonderful things happen there every day of the week, as the population grows the policing needs to grow too. There have been a number of High Court incidents from there in the last few years, I hope an increased Garda presence can make a difference”.

According to the Clare TD the main anti-social behaviour issues occurring in Sixmilebridge include “drug dealing, vandalism of cars, property theft from houses, burglaries and instances of feuding”.

He continued, “I regularly hold clinics there, the clinics have become busy, they are not just coming down to talk about medical cards, housing and pensions, they are expressing concerns that there are a few people in Sixmilebridge trying to rule the roost, they attribute most of the problems to this small minority of people who are openly and activity drug dealing, I concur with that view and I live relatively close to Sixmilebridge, things happen in spates, things can peak and can pan out again, there are a number of individuals in Sixmilebridge who really need to feel the full strength of our laws and policing systems, several of them belong behind bars”.

lSecurity at the entrance to Áras Contae An Chláir on Wednesday morning.

Photo by: Tom Micks

Further information sought for Custy’s plans to build 55 houses in Ballymaley

by Michael Fitzgerald

PLANS FOR 55 HOUSES to be built at Ballymaley have been halted by Clare County Council.

The planning authority is seeking further information due to perceived loss of privacy from the development, boundary disputes, a lack of open space, lighting and poor cycle connectivity as well as other issues.

Custy Construction Ltd are seeking permission to construct fifty five houses consisting of eight four-bedroom detached two-storey houses, eight four-bedroom semi-detached houses, five three-bedroom detached two-storey houses, twenty six three-bedroom semi-detached two-storey houses and eight three-bedroom detached bungalows.

In their ruling, Clare County Council stated they had “serious concerns” over the layout of the development. The Council have questioned the “potential for loss of privacy and impact on residential amenity, orientation of dwellings adjacent to the access road and public open space, lack of safe and usable public open space within the proposed development”.

Local residents have objected to the development as they feel it may encroach onto their properties.

Imelda O’Dwyer is the owner of a bungalow adjacent to the site and

stated that she was “concerned with the proposed ground level or floor level of the new property into my property, leading to the loss of privacy and amenity which has been enjoyed by me and my family for years”. Olivia Frawley of Ballycorey has also issued an objection to the development as she feels it is too close to her home.

Gillian and Shane Shannon feel that the proposed development will result in a lack of privacy for their home in Ballycorey, “Currently we overlook agricultural lands and have optimum privacy. As a consequence of the proposed scheme our privacy and security will be greatly undermined”.

The planning authority has also noted what it calls “over-proliferation” of boundary walls throughout the public realm of the development which it feels will impact on third party lands as well as public surveillance of the site. The Council has asked that revised boundary treatments be provided. The planning department has found that what little public space is available is not satisfactory due to “the extreme sloping nature of the space” and “thin strips of land and pockets proliferated by parking spaces and turning heads”.

Conor and Sinead Galvin of Ballycorey, Barefield, questioned the lack of amenities close to the site. They objected to the development

over fears that “the area currently lacks sufficient amenities such as schools, healthcare facilities and recreational facilities to support a development of this scale. This would place additional strain on an already overstretched services, impacting both existing and new residents of the area”.

Concerns have also been raised over “poor cycle and pedestrian connectivity to the site from Ennis town and that future residents may not be able to access the site safely by foot or bicycle in the absence of upgrade works along the Gort Road”. The planning department has asked Custy Construction to make amendments to this in their application by engaging directly with Ennis Municipal District and the Road Design Office. The Council has also noted a lack of appropriate signage in the application and has asked that a road safety audit be conducted.

Bridget Ginnity, a local election candidate for the Greens cited a number of issues in her objection on the grounds of access to and from the site. She stated that “A pedestrian crossing on the main road should be included as part of the development, as well as safe pedestrian / cycling access to Ballyalla, a significant amenity in the locality. The current 60 km/hour road speed limit should be reduced to at least 50km/hour”.

The proposed site is in close proximity to a large lesser horseshoe bat population, causing Clare County Council to seek clarification on the impact the proposed development will have on their habitat. The Council has asked that details be made clear in relation to the impact of light and noise pollution from the proposed development. Custy Construction have included plans for a bat box in their application but the planning authority has stated that any natura impact statement must be signed off on by a qualified ecologist.

Local residents have also raised concerns over the impact on the local bat populations. Pamela Wall stated, “Developing the site would result in the loss of foraging, commuting, and roosting habitat for several bat species. Most notably, the development would lead to the loss of a night roost used by Lesser Horseshoe Bats and add to the habitat fragmentation that has affected this species in the Ennis area”.

Other environmental issues have caused objections to be issued to Clare County Council. Michael Duffy of Kilfenora took issue with the impact the development could have on groundwater at the site. He stated in an objection notice that “The infiltration rates submitted are extreme and such than any polluted surface waters will infiltrate rapidly to the already at risk groundwater.

The design should facilitate natural treatment methods for the treatment of groundwater prior to discharge to ground or surface waters”.

Fears of increased traffic congestion have caused Catherine Freney of Ballycorey to object. She feels that “Current infrastructure is inadequate to accommodate the additional traffic, potentially resulting in safety risks for pedestrians and drivers alike, particularly pedestrians as the closest public footpath is approx. 280m away”.

Many locals feel the development would have a negative visual impact on the area. Ballycorey resident John Coote has objected on the grounds that “The scale and design of the development may not be in keeping with the rural character of the Ballymaley and Ballycorey area”. Issues have also been found in landscaping with Niamh Coote stating “The proposed landscaping plans include a number of species along the dividing boundary. I would have grave concern that these trees would have a negative impact on the natural light I currently enjoy”.

ST PATRICK’S DAY

Monday 17th of March

news@clareecho.ie

We’ve over €360m of timber lying on the ground

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

OVER €360m worth of timber is lying on the ground leading a North Clare councillor to call for the expediting of felling licence applications.

Storm Éowny’s damage to trees across the country has still been felt with 60,000 worth of forest trees still on the ground, seven weeks later.

In a proposal before Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) called on Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon (FG) and Minister of State for Ag riculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Michael HealyRae (IND) “to fast-track felling licence applications for forest owners whose trees were damaged by Storm Éowyn and do not have a thinning or felling licence. We further call for grant aid for the replanting of the forest area”.

progressed similar to the Swedish experience of 2005. Finally, we call for the appointment of a coordinator for each county to assist the massive logistical and marketing strategy of our national asset”.

His motion welcomed the establishment of the Windblown Taskforce and asked “that a largescale timber rescue operation be

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Cllr Killeen noted, “Farmers in the past were encourage to sew a forest as part of their holdings, unfortunately for a number of foresters

mostly farmers, we’ve 60,000 acres of forest trees on the ground, that is over €360m worth of timber on the ground, once the timber hits the ground it is losing contact with its roots, the most time they would have to get those trees off the ground is twelve months, after six months the timber has dried out to a certain extent and it is not worth the same amount of money”.

Loophead Lighthouse grand re-opening

LOOP Head Lighthouse, one of County Clare’s most iconic landmarks, is set to reopen for the 2025 season on Saturday, March 15 with a special Grand Reopening event on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

Visitors are invited to celebrate the occasion with an afternoon of live music and the unveiling of the lighthouse’s brandnew Crow’s Nest exhibit in collaboration with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group.

Located on the very tip of Clare’s dramatic Loop Head Peninsula, the lighthouse has long been a symbol of the county’s rich maritime heritage. This year’s reopening promises a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025

Time: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: Loop Head Lighthouse, Kilbaha South, Co. Clare (Eircode: V15 T292)

The event will begin at 12:30 pm with opening speeches and the official unveiling of the new Crow’s Nest exhibit. Guests will then be treated to an afternoon of live performances, including traditional music by Bernie Keane & Friends, a choral performance by Ceol Sionna, and a set by singer-songwriter Alan Daniel Tobin. Loop Head Lighthouse is a key attraction along the Wild Atlantic Way, offering stunning coastal views and a glimpse into Ireland’s nautical heritage. This event marks the perfect opportunity to experience its beauty and history.

For more information, visit: www. loopheadlighthouse.ie

Felling licences must be expedited, he stressed. 1,200 new licences are needed, Cllr Killeen calculated.

“We need to speed up the approval of felling licences, now is the time to do something about it and get the timber off the ground”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said it was “fascinating” to sit beside Cllr Killeen for the “understanding” he

brings to agriculture and forestry. “I had to double check what felling was so maybe I’m too long on the concrete,” the Clareabbey resident admitted.

Biodiversity impact needs to be assessed, Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) said. He flagged, “Farmers have taken their fair share of battering in the storms” and felt the matter needed to be handled before next winter.

“There’s an awful lot of value just sitting on the ground and it is perishable,” warned Cllr Conor Ryan (FG). “We are looking at eight months at the best end of the scale and it could be seventeen months which is too long to wait,” he said of the applications. Grant aid should also be provided for replanting in forest areas, the O’Callaghans Mills farmer believed. “It is very important, this was all done at cost, more native and durable trees were planted”.

Sweden dealt with the matter very quickly over twenty years ago, Cllr Tony Mulcahy (FG) recalled. “We’ve problems with taskforces here and waiting for felling licences,” he observed. Support was also voiced by the Cathaoirleach of the County Council, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF).

Assurance must be issued from the Minister and the Windblown Taskforce, Cllr Killeen stressed, “we’ve €360m worth of timber on the ground and 1200 licences needed,” he repeated.

Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) and Dave Whelan assess the damage to trees in Inagh

Photo by: Tom Micks

Clare Tourism Together Clare Tourism Together

Networking Event 2025 Networking Event 2025

week for the annual ‘Tourism Together’ Networking Event 2025. Eoghan O’Mara Walsh and Eoghan Corry set the scene on topical tourism items, new government / new direction; with an analysis of tourism priorities, the evening was of great benefit to the industry for the year ahead. The event was organised by Visit Clare and supported by the Clare Tourism Advisory Forum, with thanks to Vice Chair Maurice Walsh of Durty Nelly’s and Chair Sean Lally of Hotel Woodstock who was a magnificent MC for the evening. See Visit Clare

Nicola Killeen (Visit Clare Team), Carmel Kirby (Interim Chief Executive), Eoghan Corry (Lead Travel Commentator in Ireland), Sean Lally (Chair Clare Tourism Advisory Forum; Co-owner Hotel Woodstock), Alan O’Callaghan(Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council), Siobhan McNulty (Director of Tourism Development), Deirdre O’Shea (Head of Tourism), Eoghan O’Mara Walsh (CEO of Irish Tourism Industry Confederation), Siobhán King (Fáilte Ireland)

Connections are thriving fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment and circled is Siobhan McNulty, new Director for Tourism Development in discussion with Eoghan Corry

Networking is in full swing at the 2025 Clare Tourism Networking Event, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere

Eoghan O’Mara Walsh and Eoghan Corry discussing topical tourism items

Conversations flow at the Clare Tourism Networking Event held at The Inn at Dromoland All photos by Eamon Ward

Interim Chief Executive Carmel Kirby with Leah O’Donoghue, Graphic Recorder - @design.leah

200 tourism operators from across Clare gathered at The Inn At Dromoland last

on social media for more.

Gambling addict stole €84,000 of laptops from Shannon employer

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A gambling addict hooked on sports betting on his smartphone was able to steal an estimated €84,000 of laptops from his Shannon-based employer due to ‘very lax’ stock supervision procedures in place, a court has heard.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Andrew McMorran (43) has pleaded guilty to 21 sample counts of 117 counts in total of stealing Dell Latitude Laptops from his employer, the Pepper Group of Westpark Business Campus, Shannon, on dates between July 1st, 2021, and March 31st, 2023. Mr. McMorran of Rosewood Rise, Bandon, Cork, was stealing the laptops and putting them up for sale on DoneDeal in order to fund his gambling addiction.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey), told the court that Mr. McMorran had a previous conviction for

a similar offense where he received a suspended two-year six-month prison term and was fined €15,000 in June 2023 for 29 counts of stealing Lenovo laptops from a Corkbased multinational pharma firm between October 2020 and January 2021.

Mr. McMorran worked in the IT department at financial firm Pepper Advantage Ireland, where he would format laptops and give them out to new employees or employees working from home.

Det Garda Colm Moriarty told the court that when the laptops would be returned, Mr. McMorran would mark them as ‘damaged’ or ‘unusable,’ remove them from the premises, and then put them up for sale on DoneDeal.

Dt Garda Moriarty said that some of the offenses took place during Covid-19, and there was a big demand for laptops as people were working from home. He said that the estimated cost of laptops stolen by Mr. McMorran is €84,000, though

“it is unknown as we don’t know how many were new and how many were old.”

Det Moriarty agreed with

made a complaint to Rathfarnham Gardai in March 2023 concerning the suspected theft. This followed

counsel for Mr. McMorran, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor Daragh Hassett), that Gardai at the interview stated that he was able to steal the laptops because of ‘very lax’ stock supervision by his employer.

Ms. Comerford said that Jason Palmer, Head of Financial Crime at Pepper, first

Seventy-five-year-old

a stock take of laptops at Pepper’s Shannon operation. Mr. McMorran was suspected of being the thief, and he was first suspended and then fired by his employer.

Det Garda Moriarty said that Mr. McMorran presented a spreadsheet to Gardai showing that he had stolen 225 laptops. However, Det

Garda Moriarty said that these contained a large number of duplicates, and the figure he had arrived at was 120. Mr. Whyms said that providing the list of stolen laptops to Gardai “would not be typical behavior of a criminal mastermind.

The Pepper Group was able to confirm 116 laptops as their own. Det Garda Moriarty said that an internal audit by Pepper showed that there were 234 laptops unaccounted for but said that there is no evidence to suggest that Mr. McMorran was involved in any thefts beyond the 117 counts on the indictment before the court. He said that the IT system was so poor at Pepper that they were unable to say where the other laptops went.

Det Garda Moriarty agreed with Mr. Whyms that Mr. McMorran was a very wellliked colleague at Pepper, and colleagues were upset at having to make statements as part of the Garda investi-

gation. Garda Moriarty also agreed that Mr. McMorran had no trappings of wealth, and payments from his accounts showed evidence of his gambling addiction at the time.

Mr. Whyms said that Mr. McMorran is in recovery from his gambling addiction and has deleted all gambling apps off his phone. He added that Mr. McMorran is a native of Durban, South Africa, and arrived in Ireland 24 years ago, now living in Cork. He now works for a car park operator and made known his gambling addiction and legal issues at his job interview.

Mr. Whyms said that Mr. McMorran’s present employer describes him as “trustworthy and reliable.” A Probation Report states that Mr. McMorran has taken full responsibility for his actions. Judge Francis Comerford remanded Mr. McMorran on continuing bail to March 25th to fix a date for sentencing.

Clare man charged with aiding illegal entry of twenty-two-year-old

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A 75-year old Co Clare man provided a fraudulent French ID card to a 22 year old woman he met online in order to assist her to gain illegal entry into Ireland last year, it has been alleged in court.

At Ennis District Court on Wedneday, Roger Bishop of Crown, Lissycasey, Co Clare appeared in court charged with two smuggling related offences connected to the alleged illegal entry of the woman, who was living in Turkey at the time, into the State in March 2024.

Solicitor for Mr Bishop, Colum Doherty told Judge Grainne Malone that his client wished to enter guilty pleas to the two charges.

However, Judge Malone told Mr Doherty that before she could accept the guilty pleas, she had to decide on the issue of court jurisdiction in the case.

After hearing an outline of the alleged facts in court from Det Garda Karen Barker from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), Judge Malone declined jurisdiction meaning that the case will now be transferred to the circuit court where more serious penalties apply on conviction.

Judge Malone said “It is a serious offence”.

Declining jurisdiction, Judge Malone said: “I appreciate that it is somewhat marginal but in all of the circumstances particularly the age discrepancy between the

two and the element of preparing a fraudulent ID card I am refusing jurisdiction.”

Giving an outline of the facts, Det Garda Barker stated that on March 1st 2024, it will be alleged that Mr Bishop travelled to Turkey where he met a female.

She said: “He purchased tickets and a French ID card and assisted her in travelling to Dublin airport where he presented his passport and the French ID card with her details on it and gained entry.

Dt Garda Barker said: “It was subsequently found that the French ID card was false in the name of the female. She is 22.”

The nationality of the woman was not disclosed in court.

Asked by Judge Malone how did Mr Bishop come to meet the woman who is 53 years younger than him, Det Barker said: “They were in an online relationship.”

Asked by Judge Malone where is she now, Det Garda Barker said: “She subsequently claimed asylum. She attempted to leave the jurisdiction in May-June and Luxembourg returned her back to Dublin airport on the false French ID card she had gained entry with previously.”

Asked by Judge Malone did Mr Bishop stand to make any financial gain, Det Barker said: “No judgeshe was culpable. She wanted to come to Ireland and she got in a relationship. He basically thought

woman

he was in a relationship with her but when she arrived here, it didn’t go to plan.”

Det Garda Barker said that “it wouldn’t be one of the more serious cases we have dealt with”.

Det Garda Barker said that the DPP had directed that the case be dealt with in the district court. Judge Malone said that the DPP has the benefit of all of the papers in this case but said that she was refusing jurisdiction.

Mr Bishop - who turns 76 in May - is charged with possessing a fraudulent French ID card at T1 at Dublin airport on March 1st 2024 with the intention of assisting another person entry into the State in breach of Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004 contrary to Section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons Act) 2021.

Mr Bishop is also charged with on March 1st 2024 at T1, Dublin airport with intentionally assisting the entry of another person into the State which was a breach of Section 5 of the Immigration Act contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021.

A Book of Evidence will now have to be prepared for the case to go to the circuit court and Judge Malone further remanded Mr Bishop on continuing bail to appear before Ennis District Court to April 23rd.

Clare County Council will be hosting an information event on the Affordable Homes at An Gallán Nua, Lahinch Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. Costello Estate Agents and Mortgage Teams from the Council, and other local mortgage providers will be in attendance at the event.

Fresh Arrivals at Blossoms on the Go: perfect plants for your garden & Mother’s Day gifts

MARCH is a month of new growth and planting time hurray. But first where to start …

Here in Blossoms on the go garden centre we have just had a very exciting delivery of a wide selection of plants.

If this year one of your resolution was to eat healthy by planting your own fruit and vegetables we have a fantastic selection .The fruit trees and fruit bushes have arrived and growing your own fruit is easy weather you have a small garden, even it’s a container garden it can be done.

Berries are packed with goodness and are considered superfoods to help balance your gut. Whether its blueberries or raspberries they are great fruit to add to the garden this year or expand your collection .

Apple trees, pear trees, Plum trees have so many advantages to grow, they are fresh and free from chemicals making them more nutritious and healthier. Some of my favourite’s apple trees are Beauty of bath and Katja, they delicious.

Strawberries are super easy to grow and are a great way to get children involved in the garden. They can be growing in a hanging basket or a bed, lots of edible fruit and vegetable to expand your garden.

We have a very important day coming up later this month and that’s Mother’s Day so if you want to give her a gift for the garden, we have lots of fantastic plants to make your gift extra special. Whether it’s a tree or shrub her are some fantastic ideas that you can consider.

Kanzan tree commonly known as the cherry blossom tree we have the pink and white flowering ones available. The camellia in beautiful reds and pink s make a fantastic show of colour this time of year. The magnolia is a magnificent shrub with its tulip flower again in different colour from pink to burgundy. If it’s a scented pot of colour and flower s the Diosma pink fountain is my top plant for both. We have lots of gift ideas and they are for any occasion not just Mother’s Day.

Have a Fabolous week in the garden and Happy Patrick day

Ennis carpenter accused of claw-hammer assault on Clarecastle man in front of children

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A 45-year old Ennis carpenter has appeared in court charged in connection with a claw-hammer assault on a man at his home in front of the alleged victim’s two children, aged 12 and 10.

At Ennis District Court, Det Garda Kevin Hooban said that it will be alleged that Ennis man, Alan Mounsey unlawfully entered the Clarecastle home of Aaron Moloney at 7.15pm on Saturday February 22nd armed with a claw-hammer and assaulted Mr Moloney a number of times and caused him serious harm.

Det Garda Hooban said that Mr Moloney sustained several injuries from the alleged home assault that included a fractured leg, broken ribs, a puncture to the lung and lacerations to the head.

Det Garda Hooban said that Mr Moloney was hospitalised for seven to eight days as a result of the alleged assault and has now been discharged.

Det Garda Hooban gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr Mounsey and said that the accused made no comment after caution.

Mr Mounsey of Bishop’s Court, Ennis is charged with the assault causing harm of Aaron Moloney at Cluain Ard, Clarecastle on February 22nd.

Mr Mounsey is also charged with producing a claw hammer during the course of an alleged assault contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same address on the same date.

Opposing bail for Mr Mounsey, Det Garda Hooban told the court today that “there is a strong possibility of further more serious charges being brought against the accused”.

Det Garda Hooban said that Mr Mounsey is known to Aaron Moloney. Det Garda Hooban said that the alleged assault took place in front of Mr Moloney’s two children aged 12 and 10.

Det Garda Hooban said

that the accused made no admissions during a Garda interview.

Det Garda Hooban said that a huge concern for Gardaí is the violent nature of

tion for bail, Mr Mounsey said that he will abide any bail conditions.

Mr Mounsey has sole custody of a son from a previous relationship and has a

ing the alleged injured party through social media or any other means.

From the witness box, Mr Mounsey told the court, “My main priority is my missus

the alleged incident and said that Gardaí were concerned that Mr Mounsey would try to interfere with the alleged injured party.

In advancing his applica-

daughter with his current partner and the couple are expecting their second child together.

Mr Mounsey said that he has no intention of contact-

and my kids. I am not getting involved in anything. I am sole carer for my son. A kid on the way. I am working. I will not interfere with anything”.

He said, “My priority is my family. That’s it. I will comply with any conditions and I know if I break any I will go straight to prison”.

Counsel for Mr Mounsey, Aaron Desmond BL said that Mr Mounsey is a hard-working individual and a family man.

Judge Alec Gabbett said that his main concern was the Garda concern over the interference with the alleged injured party and granted bail on condition that Mr Mounsey move away from his Ennis home.

Judge Gabbett granted bail after a bail address in Kilkee was provided to the court for Mr Mounsey and he is allowed go into Ennis for school pick-ups and dropoffs.

Judge Gabbett also attached other conditions to bail including no contact with the alleged injured party and remanded Mr Mounsey on bail to appear before an April court of Ennis District Court.

€1m in property stolen, damaged in burglary spree

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A SENIOR Garda has told a court that an estimated €1m in value in property has been allegedly stolen or damaged in a spate of burglaries across Limerick, Clare and Galway.

At Ennis District Court, Det Sgt John Casey said that the “significant Garda investigation” concerns the alleged burglary of 31 commercial premises, 24 residential properties and also concerns 37 unauthorised takings of vehicles.

He said that there are 69 alleged injured parties.

Det Sgt Casey said that a Garda report into the investigation comes to 200 pages and also comprises 180 witness statements.

Det Sgt Casey provided the investigation update to court where one accused man, Eddie Carey (31) concerning the overall Garda investigation is charged with 24 burglaries at premises across Clare, Limerick and Galway.

Det Sgt Casey said that one Garda and a Garda sergeant are working full time on a file to be sent to the DPP.

Det Sgt Casey said that Gardaí hope to shortly lodge the file with the DPP and make a presentation to the DPP when the file is lodged.

Eddie Carey has been on remand in custody since January 19th after he was refused bail.

After hearing Det Sgt Casey’s evidence, Judge Alec Gabbett said that it is apparent that “remarkable progress” has been made by the Gardaí in the case.

Mr Carey is facing 46 charges overall and in one of the charges, Mr Carey is charged with burglary at Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Shannon.

On one day alone on February 2nd 2024,

Mr Carey of De Vere Court, John Carew Park, Limerick is facing burglary charges concerning seven separate premises - Carry Out, Drumgeely, Shannon; Subway restaurant, Shannon; High Maintenance, Limerick Rd, Ennis; Remix, Limerick Rd, Ennis; Tech Station, Killaloe; Corbally Centre, Corbally Rd, Limerick and Inver, Ennis Rd, Limerick.

Mr Carey is facing the burglary charge against Wolfe Tones where he is accused of trespassing at the Shannon GAA clubhouse on July 9th last and committing theft contrary to Section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

On the same date, Mr Carey is accused of committing burglaries at Hair Symphony, Clarinbridge, Galway, Day Break, Crusheen and Gala Chinese, Castle Street, Oranmore, Co Galway.

On another date on July 5th last, Mr Carey is accused of carrying out burglaries at five premises - The Electronic Store, Market Square, Scarriff; Rogers Bar, Main Street, Scariff; Newcastle West Mobile Zone, Newcastle West; Gadget Fix, Main Street, Adare and Poinaire, Main Street, Adare.

In total, Mr Carey is facing 46 separate charges that comprise of 24 burglary charges, 17 handling charges, four charges concerning the unauthorised taking of cars and one charge where he is accused of having in his possession two vehicle unlocking and starter devices.

The charge states that the two unlocking devices were in Mr Carey’s possession at his address on September 17th last and the devices were made or adapted for the use in the authorised taking of vehicles. Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Carey in custody to appear via video-link from Limerick prison at Ennis District Court to March 19th next.

Promises & delays on opening of Ennis dialysis unit labelled ‘shocking’

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

REPEATED delays to the construction of a dialysis unit in Ennis have been criticised by elected representatives in Clare.

Ennis long-awaited satellite haemodialysis unit in Ennis has constantly met delays. Confirmation of the unit was announced by CEO of UL Hospitals Group, Colette Cowan in July 2024 after funding had been secured.

Correspondence issued by UL Hospitals Group last summer indicated that their tender process was complete with an interim start date of 2025 envisaged.

A renal care provider had been identified in May with the service scheduled for a late 2025 opening, however at the November sitting of the Regional Health Forum, Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) queried the matter and was informed that the service would not be up and running until the second quarter of 2026.

In a proposal before Monday’s meeting of

Clare County Council, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) called on the local authority to write to UL Hospitals Group “requesting a comprehensive update on the progress of the new haemodialysis unit in Ennis, including, a precise timeline for the commencement of services, confirmation of the unit’s location, details of the contractor and any potential delays encountered and a detailed outline of the project’s current status and any challenges preventing its timely completion”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Guilfoyle said over 190 people “need this critically vital service, some of whom have to travel two and a half to three hours multiple times a week to access this vital service”. He maintained elected representatives needed to do what they could “to make the lives of the people of Clare better”.

Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) labelled the delays to the opening as “shocking”. He outlined, “what is the de-

lay. It is a significant issue. If they get delayed access, it can lead to severe complications”. He continued, “Urgent actions are needed to solve the delay, it is so disappointing that we’re still waiting”.

Cllr McInerney told the meeting the matter has been raised at the Regional Health Forum and that it had been promised to be “operational by 2024 and then by the end of 2025, from my last query in November, they are now talking about the second quarter of 2026, this is really urgent and we need to put the pressure on”.

Answers are needed on the stumbling blocks are needed Cllr James Ryan (SF) insisted. “It is an extremely essential service, it is unfortunately sometimes a matter of life and death”.

Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) noted, “We all have family members and friends going through this. We’re hoping for a positive response”. Cllr Shane Talty (FF) commented, “It is a

pity for service users, what they’re going through in travelling to Limerick three or four times a week, having this in Ennis would be a game-changer for them”.

Similar sentiments were voiced by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG), “It is terrible to have families in situations like this where they can’t go locally for the services they need”.

Clarity was sought by the Cathaoirleach, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) on who in UL Hospitals Group needs to receive the letter and suggested the Regional Executive Officer. “I don’t care who we write to so long as we get a reply and not one like what we got from Drew Harris, we want a detailed reply and if we don’t, I’d ask the Council to write back immediately, we’re getting no to every reply whether it is a road or services and we need to stop accepting no as an answer,” Cllr Guilfoyle responded. He also asked the local authority to promote World Kidney Day via their social media accounts.

Clare to turn green for St Patrick’s Day

get involved in the proceedings.

CLARE turns green this weekend with St Patrick’s Day parades taking place across the county.

Ennis’ parade will take place on Monday at 11am with uilleann piper Blackie O’Connell and Dr. Máire Finn serving as grand marshals. The theme of this year’s parade is “We love Clare because…”.

Proceedings in the square in Kilrush from 12pm on Monday. The parade will begin at 3pm in Market Square with this year’s theme being “Coast to Countryside”. Kilrush’s Grand Marshal is Mary O’Mahony.

A first-ever St Patrick’s Day parade takes place in Newmarket-on-Fergus, commencing at 4pm on Monday, with retired councillor, Pat McMahon (FF) the grand marshal. Claire Coughlan, owner of The Rós Cafe in the village is part of the organising committee. “It’s obviously our first one, so we’re starting small. We have all the local sports groups, we have local community groups, some businesses”.

Shannon’s parade begins at 1pm on Sunday starting at Ros Min and finishing at St Senan’s Rugby Club. Organisers are urging volunteers to

A “Jam-Packed Family Funday” will take place on Monday from 12.45pm in Sixmilebridge. There will be food stalls and a pet farm on the day.

Fanore’s parade will be taking place on Sunday. The North Clare parade will leave Fanore beach at 12.30pm with entertainment on the day including live music in O’Donoghue’s pub and circus performers. A monster raffle will also be held.

Lisdoonvarna St Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Saturday, March 15th. Live music is on all day at the Roadside Tavern. The parade is scheduled to leave the Pavillion at 12.30pm.

Proceedings begin at 12pm on the 17th in Kilfenora. Damien Gormley will be performing in Vaughan’s pub in the village after a trad session.

Scariff’s parade will begin at 3pm in nearby Tuamgraney on Monday. The parade organisers are encouraging everyone in the community to dress up for the parade and decorate the windows of their homes and businesses for the occasion.

Tipperary and Clare will forgo their traditional yellow and blue in favour of green this weekend when the Killaloe/Ballina parade kicks off

‘One

in ten people’ campaign launched by Irish Kidney Association

IN CELEBRATION of World Kidney Day a national funding drive and information campaign has been launched.

As part of World Kidney Day which is today (Thursday), the Irish Kidney Association the registered charity which supports thousands of kidney patients and their families, has launched a national fundraising drive and information campaign.

‘One in ten people’ is the slogan of the health awareness campaign while volunteers from the charity’s twenty five branches collected funds in Aldi stores across the country.

This is the IKA’s second year to use World Kidney Day as a focus for its primary grassroots fundraising campaign. According to a TILDA report, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects one in ten people, and one in

at 2.15pm on Sunday. Prizes on the day include Best Dressed Window, Best Overall Float.

The parade returns to Miltown Malbay this St. Patrick’s Day at 2.30pm, featuring vintage cars and tractors on display as well as spot prizes for the best walkers, floats and displays.

Kilkee St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at 12pm in the town. All floats are welcome at the event that promises music, fun and prizes on the day. Floats have been told to gather at the Circular Road from 11.30 am.

The Liam MacCarthy is headed to Tulla this St. Patrick’s Day where the theme is ‘Icons and Legends’. The cup will be at St. Mochulla’s Primary school from 3.30pm along with face painting and picture taking. The parade departs from the school at 4.30pm.

Feakle’s parade begins at 11.30am following mass at 10 on Sunday. Prizes will be on offer for the best float. A meet and greet is also running in the community hall from 10.40 to 11.40.

Gort’s parade begins at 12.45pm on Monday with the theme of “Our Community”. The Pádraic Giblin RIP Perpetual Cup will be awarded to the best vintage car or tractor on the day.

seven individuals over the age of fifty yet ninety eight percent of the population don’t know they have it.

The campaign also aims to highlight how CKD can be detected by your GP through simple blood or urine tests. Early detection and management can slow down or prevent the progression of the disease to End Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) where the only treatment is dialysis or a transplant.

At any one time in Ireland there are approximately 600 people on transplant waiting lists for heart, lung, liver kidney or pancreas and approximately 500 are waiting for kidney transplants.

Clare’s branch of the Irish Kidney Association will be holding their AGM on March 27th in Cois na hAbhna. The current Chairman is Corofin native and well-known activist Dermot Hayes.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Clare members of the Irish Kidney Association, Maureen Hand and Dermot Hayes.

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

Mary Lou insists Sinn Féin have backing of Gardaí & Defence Forces ‘It has to be paid back’ says Violet-Anne must

MARY LOU MCDONALD (SF) believes she is still the person to lead Sinn Féin into Government and says her recent praise of a senior IRA figure linked to the killing of a Garda and Defence Forces member would not limit the faith of An Garda Síochána in the party.

During a sit-down interview with The Clare Echo, Sinn Féin’s President McDonald was flanked by first-time TD, Donna McGettigan (SF) in the Shannon Springs Hotel.

Brendan ‘Bik’ McFarlane died last month with Mary Lou among those leading tributes of the commander of the IRA prisoners in the Maze during the 1981 hunger strike.

McFarlane is also believed to have been involved in the 1983 kidnap of supermarket executive Don Tidey, for whom the IRA demanded a ransom of £5m, although the case against him collapsed. Gardaí tracked the kidnappers to Derrada Wood in Co Leitrim, where trainee garda Gary Sheehan and soldier Patrick Kelly were killed in a shoot-out as the four kidnappers escaped and Tidey was freed.

When asked what message her praise of McFarlane sends to members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, McDonald stated, “My respect for the Gardaí and the Defence Forces is very deep, we have a very strong working relationship with members of An Garda Síochána, we’re looking to improve the lot of serving Gardaí, of serving members of the Defence Forces, to ensure they can carry out their public service effectively and safely, I hope at this stage that all of us can recognise the need for people to remember their dead, the conflict is over, it was bitter, there was a huge amount of suffering.

“You mentioned the loss of life of a Garda and a member of the Defence Forces, I’m not going to attempt to defend that for a second, it should not have happened, that was clear at the time and it’s clear now but I think with the passage of time and as people age, and then people die and the world moves on, I actually think it’s a very important thing that people can freely and openly remember, commiserate with and support grieving families, but also to remember the dead. For lots of people, Bik McFarland was a giant of of Irish history, not least because he shared his cell with Bobby Sands so you have all of that history there and when people talk about Bic, that’s what they remember, they also acknowledge his contribution to the peace process and actually bringing the conflict to an end so that’s my intention. I’m a person of goodwill and of great respect for people who give such value in public service, and I think my remarks would be understood and heard in that way”.

She maintained Gardaí and the Defence Forces would feel Sinn Féin had their back despite praising a suspected Garda killer. “I don’t accept that at all. If you talk to members of the Gardaí at a very local level, community Gardaí but also divisional, people of all ranks, you will find and reflect the people here in Clare, Limerick and all across the State we work very closely with the Gardaí, our communities rely on An Garda Síochána for safety, our only crib is that we don’t have enough of them, we don’t have the visibility that we need and that serving members of the Gardaí don’t have the equipment, the support, that I believe is essential for them to carry out their tasks”.

Explaining her decision to promote McGettigan to the party’s front bench as a spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, the fifty five year old said, “Donna has proven herself to not just be tenacious and very resourceful, she is very personally strong, Donna apart from anything political in her life has demonstrated huge personal resilience, huge character, she is a woman of the utmost integrity, a person that I know for quite a long time and I know that she brings with her the kind of spark and energy, but most of all, the kind of persistence that you need to be a really, really effective TD and a very effective member of the front bench. Two first time TDs, Donna McGettigan and Joanna Byrne, who’s elected from County Louth, two formidable women, both of them were, promoted to the first bench just literally as first time TDs and I think it’s important to to mix things up and to bring in new voices, new talent to make sure that you have a geographical blend that you balance your team geographically but also gender matters. It matters that we have enough women in key positions, taking key leadership roles in the team so it was a blend of all of those reasons, and I see all of that in Donna”. McDonald maintained confidence she is the person to lead Sinn Féin into Government.

“Leading from the front and leadership is a funny thing, you know, when things are going your way, you know, surfing the wave is fairly straight fairly straightforward, that’s not the challenging bit for anybody in leadership, where you’re tested is where things go a little bit pear shaped on you where things don’t go to plan, that’s when you’re really tested to show up as the leader and I like to think that I do that I’m a person with them, I’ve got great staying powe, I’m stubborn, I suppose, in many ways and I believe in what we’re doing, and I believe in our team. I believe in economic prosperity. I believe in social justice. I think we can live in an equal Ireland. I also believe that we can live in a united Ireland, that’s my dream. That’s why I do this. But that’s the passion and the belief of our wider

team. So, yes, I am the leader of the party. I don’t, see that changing for a while.

“But of course, I’m always in the hands of our members because we I get elected at the Ard Fhéis democratically but I’m enjoying the work and having had now a couple of months, actually, it’s four months nearly since the election so time to kind of reflect, to regroup, to just gather myself again. I’m game on for it. I wish the government were similarly. Do you know we only have eleven sitting days between now and Easter? Not one piece of legislation has gone through the Dáil. We’ve no committees established and all of this, the place has been literally turned upside down to appease and satisfy one man, and that one man is Michael Lowry. You could not make this up. It’s absolutely astonishing. And I don’t know what is going on, but Micheál Martin has allowed this, and Simon Harris, but mainly Micheál Martin has allowed this to unfold in the way that it has”.

She was critical of the US military’s use of Shannon Airport but believed it had a huge role to play in economic development of the region. “Illegal renditions are a breach of international law and there have to be inspections. Like, I mean, we are not at loggerheads with The United States. We are friends in in some respects with the we have the deepest bonds, of friendship but Shannon Airport can’t be used or misused for the movement of weapons or for other, matters that are in breach of international law. The Irish state has to satisfy itself that the rules are being, applied.

“I think in terms of the wider issue of Shannon itself, the airport, this as a hub for regional development, it will be no surprise to anyone any anyone who follows you, and who lives in this region that we need to do much, much better in terms of balanced investment. And I know the region has done well, but I think the Mid-West can do a whole lot better and the airport infrastructure is part and parcel of all of that. You have a natural, you know, entrance point, a very strict it’s a very, very strategic location.. I remain deeply concerned about the hospital, about UHL. Still, they sent in a task force months and months ago, we were told this was going to get sorted out. It hasn’t been sorted out. And for the last number of years, time and again, I mean, I have raised the issue of overcrowding, the trolley count safety concerns at the hospital. Maurice Quinlivan has raised it again. Donna, you’ve been on your feet as a as a new TD raising it, we can’t just continue keep doing that and it’s clear that we need, we need additional capacity. I think it’s game set and match in terms of a second not just A&E, but a second hospital facility, in the region so all of these things are interlinked, and we need to get it all right”

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

SINN FÉIN are going to pursue former Clare TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) to repay a loan issued to her for rent arrears, the party’s President has confirmed to The Clare Echo.

Following Wynne’s election to the Dáil as a Sinn Féin TD in February 2020, Sinn Féin in May 2020 gave her a commercial loan of €12,126 after it emerged she had rent debts with Rural Resettlement Ireland of the same value built up over a four year period. An agreement had been reached that Deputy Wynne would make monthly repayments of €1,000 to Sinn Féin.

During The Electoral Chair election debate by The Clare Echo, Wynne said, “The arrangement with Sinn Féin ceased once I left the party”. She added, “I paid what I could and then I was out of the party, every arrangement and communication ceased from that moment onwards”.

Wynne said Sinn Féin received €27,000 of her Dáil salary per year following her exit from the party in February 2022, working out at €81,000 from her time in Leinster House as an Independent. She indicated that this would be sufficient in clearing her loan to the party.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Mary Lou McDonald (SF) said the loan given to Wynne for rent arrears at a property in Tullycrine “has to be paid back”. She stated, “there are legal reasons for that, I know the party is still awaiting payment, of that loan, it was made in goodwill and in good faith because I understand perfectly how people with families can all too easily, sadly get into financial debt and where they need, you know, a hand up and a and a bit of assistance, I have no issue with that at all, but it was a loan, and we do expect it to be, repaid. The party has no option but to pursue that money being repaid because otherwise, it becomes an illegal donation, and we can’t have that. It was made in good faith, and I fully expect that the money will be paid back”.

When asked if the matter could be brought before the courts to secure a repayment, Deputy McDonald said, “I haven’t even countenanced that, I think we just need to stay engaged, and Violet-Anne needs to be clear that the money does have to be paid back, that is the legal position. I think it’s also the fair position that, you know, when somebody assists you, that you’re reasonable in in terms of, respecting it”.

No timeline has been set by Sinn Féin on when they Violet-Anne will have to repay this loan. “Obviously this can’t go on forever. I mean, it can’t drag out indefinitely”.

Both Violet-Anne and Mary-Lou have previously clashed following the release of a biography by Shane Ross about McDonald. In ‘Republican Riddle, Wynne said the MaryLou’s feminism is a façade. Responding to these remarks for the first time, Mary Lou commented, “I’m not even going to dignify that with a reaction. I think anybody who knows me or who is fair and honest about me will recognise that I have been, I’ve been a feminist all my all my life, I believe in women, I believe in our contribution to public life but don’t mind my words, the evidence is in the fact that Sinn Fein has hit now almost the 40% threshold, not in candidates that we ran, but in candidates that we got elected as Teachta Dála, to this Dáil, we have 39 TDs is

l MUST BE REPAID: Sinn Fein president Mary

back’ - Mary Lou must repay Sinn Féin

the biggest team we’ve ever had, and 15 of those are women. Now I want us to get to 50% and I’m we’re going to work really, really hard to make that happen but like the evidence of my work is in my track record and, so that’s all I have to say on that”.

Wynne also previously said a snub from Mary-Lou was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ in prompting her exit from Sinn Féin. “I don’t accept that. I don’t accept that for a second,” McDonald replied.

On her reasoning for not contributing to the biography on her by Ross, the Dublin Central TD said, “I said at the time, I mean. My story is my story to tell, with all due respect to everybody else, lots is written about me, legitimately, I’m a pub-

lic figure, but I reserve the right to tell my story at a time that I think is appropriate. I said at the time that the book was, at a minimum, premature and then when it was, published, it was prurient, it was intrusive, it was largely inaccurate, but that’s on Shane, that’s his that’s his, lookout so it was it was kind of as simple as that, you know. it’d be the equivalent of me waking up next summer and saying, I think I’d write a biography on, Leo Varadkar, and then taking a huff if Leo said, ‘no, Mary Lou, actually, I’m not going to do that’. That to me would be the equivalent”.

Mary Lou McDonald (SF) drinks a famous a famous Irish Flag in O’Neill’s Bar Newmarket-on-Fergus

Photo by: Joe Buckley

Ennis Book Club Festival 2025

A series of photos taken across the weekend at the Ennis Book Club Festival

All pictures by Eamon Ward

Regional News

Clare volunteers brought dying village in East Africa back to life

by Stuart Holly editor@clareecho.ie

WELL-known Ennis GP, Dr Rory O'Keeffe received a standing ovation at a gala event for his volunteerism in Kenya, also highlighting the projects carried out by volunteers from County Clare in Africa.

Dr O'Keeffe, now retired, was a GP in Ennis for almost 50 years and relocated to Kenya following his retirement

After travelling back from Africa to speak at Project ESPWA’s Gala Fundraising Dinner in Killashee House Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare, Dr O’Keeffe received a

standing ovation from the 200 strong attendances.

He praised project ESPWA for their great work in Ukraine, Honduras, Dominican Republic and Haiti, but in particular for his first love in Kenya.

During his address, Dr O'Keeffe noted the impact that ESPWA makes to Kenya by shipping 40-foot containers to the poorest people of East Africa. He also highlighted projects completed by volunteers from Clare, Cork and Galway, building a new school in a village called Shirango,and a Disability Centre in a town called Bamba catering

When you’re an Addams

Ennis Community College and Gaeilcoaliste an Chláir celebrate a successful run of their production of ‘The Addams Family the Musical’ which took over the glór stage on Thursday March 6.

Pictured below (L-R): Jaime Ferns as Granny, Tadhg Mac Mathúnaas Pugsley, Olibhéar Ó Ruairc as Gomes Addams, Holly Vaughan as Morticia Addams, Avril Ní Dhiarmada as Wednesday and Paul Greene as Uncle Fester

NOTES

Alzhiemers Society information cafe

The Clare Branch of the Alzheimer Society will host their Ennis Information Cafe on the third Wednesday of each month, in the Ennis Centre, Cuan An Chlair, Cahercalla, from 11.30-13.30.The guest speaker on March 19 is Technologies to Enable Independent living, Speaker Bernadette Dunne . Join in for tea and a chat. For more information contact Samantha Fennell 0879152151, e-mail : samantha.fennel@alzheimer.ie

for up to 1,000 people in a Government flagged area of high deprivation.

Other projects included the drilling of a borehole 200 meters down to find water, erecting a water tower and fitting solar panels to run the pump as there was no electricity anywhere near Shirango.

He went on to tell of the great scenes of joy that day as the children played with the water and the ladies were relieved as they no longer had to travel 15km round trip in the blazing heat to get their bucket of very poor-quality water.

Dr O'Keeffe added, “With

the school and the water tower, these volunteers brought a dying village in East Africa back to life” and explained the plan to send more containers and carry out another big project in Kenya in 2025. ESPWA is a charity that gives humanitarian aid to communities in crisis and is run on a total voluntary basis, no payments or expenses are received by any of the directors or volunteers. Anybody wishing to volunteer, donate or contribute in any way please contact or local Ennis representative: Pat Barry on 086 2582995.

Lidl win appeal for €20m development

by Michael Fitzgerald news@clareecho.ie

LIDL has won an appeal to An Bord Pleanála to enable a €20m development in Ennis to proceed.

German retail giant has won a seven year battle and it can now work ahead with plans for a new store, twenty apartments, playground, café and two retail units at the junction of the Clare Rd and Tobarteascáin.

Thirty permanent jobs are expected to be created on what was formerly the site of Michael Lynch Construction Ltd with a further 100 jobs in the construction phase. The Retail Grocery Daily Allied Trades Association (RGDATA) had objected to the development as it felt that smaller shops in the town would not be able to survive. Plans to develop the site were first lodged by Lidl in 2018 but the application was refused. The revised application was first submitted to Clare County Council in January 2022. The Council granted conditional planning permission to the site that year but the development was stalled by objections from local retailers as well as residents.

Local resident Michael Brennan objected to the development as he felt it was an “outrageous idea to have a major entrance to such a large retail unit so close to and

right in front of someone’s private residence”. Mr Brennan said that he had “serious safety concerns and objections over the proposed junction, entrance or turn off into Lidl being located almost directly across from my front gate. The current plans would all but deny me the ability to make a right turn, therefore preventing me clear and free access to the main Limerick road. It would be a major infringement on the ease of access to my home on a daily basis”.

Paul and Kay Ryan of Ryan’s Centra, Clonroadmore, opposed the development due to the impact it would have on other businesses in the area. They objected on the grounds that the development would “seriously impact on the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre and would constitute an unsuitable form of development which would be principally dependent on car-based transport”. The couple also raised the issue of increasing traffic congestion and referenced “peak times” at St. Flannan’s College as a contributing factor to their objection.

The RGDATA issued a twelvepage document in response to the plans. They claimed that the proposed development would serve a much wider catchment area than its site designation allowed. The vacant site had been earmarked as a ‘neighbourhood centre’ but the

RGDATA argued that the site’s location on the Limerick road would lead to it experiencing a disproportionate amount of customers. The association also deemed that the net floor space was too large and questioned the absence of a noise impact assessment in the application.

They stated that “the proposed scheme will draw a much wider customer base and will therefore result in a much greater retail impact on the surviving shops operating in the town centre. Moreover, the proposed development would constitute a significant intensification of retail provision in this area to a degree that would be contrary to the neighbourhood centre designation”.

Planning was granted by An Bord Pleanála subject to twenty eight conditions, they include a revised car parking layout, a relocation of the playground to a more central position within a larger civic area. The ruling determined the development if it adhered to the conditions "would not unduly affect the viability and vitality of Ennis town centre, would not seriously injure the residential amenities of future occupants in the scheme or of property in the vicinity and would be acceptable in terms of flood risk, traffic safety and convenience".

Ennis; Talk of the Town

lPat Barry, Dr Rory O’Keeffe and Dan Ducey

North Clare

Liscannor photographer wins Global Geoparks Network competition

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A LISCANNOR-based photographer Anja Kolic has been named overall winner of a photography competition celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Global Geoparks Network (GGN).

Hosted by the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, the competition was won by Croatian-born Anja Kolic.

Her image of the Doolin shoreline with the Cliffs of Moher in the background was selected as winner by a judging panel comprising Geopark geologist Dr. Eamon Doyle and Ennis photographer Eamon Ward.

Anja’s photograph will now be submitted to a national competition in which her entry will be judged against the winners of similar contests hosted by Ireland’s three other geoparks, namely the Copper Coast in Waterford, Cuilcagh Lakelands in Cavan and Fermanagh, and Mourne Gullion

Strangford in Down. The Irish winner will be sent forward to compete against entries from the 229 UNESCO Global Geoparks across the world.

To mark her competition win, Anja was also presented with a bespoke hamper by Birgitta Curtin of Burren Smokehouse, which includes the best of the Smokehouse’s famous produce as well as other local GEOfood products.

Award-winning press photographer Ward said, “Anja’s photo is well composed with speckles of warm evening light on the foreground limestone. The beautifully backlit wave breaking and cliffs bathed in evening light with nice detail in the sky in the distance would make you want to be there”.

According to Dr. Eamon Doyle, “Anja’s photo captures the main geological elements of the Geopark in one image. We have the karst limestone in the foreground, the sandstone and shale

Originally from Croatia, Anja Kolic lives with her husband John in Liscannor. As well as producing landscape photography, Anja also photographs elopements, proposals, weddings, food and products. See www.anjakolic.com for more.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas of international geological significance which promote Earth science education, sustainable tourism development, biodiversity, awareness of climate change and UNESCO’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). The Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark is managed by Clare County Council with support from Geological Survey Ireland. Joyce Country and Western Lakes (Galway/Mayo) is an aspiring geopark and is hoping to join the four existing Irish Geoparks in being awarded UNESCO Global Geopark status later this year.

Quare Clare hosts free day retreat for GBT+ men in Kilfenora

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

Quare Clare is hosting a free day retreat for gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary (GBT+) men on Saturday, March 22nd, at The Common Knowledge Centre in Kilfenora, Co. Clare.

The event, which runs from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, offers a unique opportunity for GBT+ individuals to unwind, reflect, and engage in meaningful conversations in a safe and welcoming environment. The retreat is open to those aged 18 and over, and all meals will be provided at no cost.

The retreat will feature guided men’s circles led by Gerard O’Dea, a fully accredited counsellor and psychotherapist. O’Dea, who is a member of the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland (APCP), will facilitate conversations aimed at self-reflection and community

building. Huri Huerta, a mindfulness expert and local resident of Co. Clare, will guide participants through a grounding mindfulness session.

In addition to these activities, attendees will have ample time to connect over shared meals and engage in games and other relaxing activities. The retreat aims to foster a sense of connection and support, offering a much-needed respite from the pressures of daily life. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided, and lifts are available for those in need of transport.

Padraic Hayes, a committee member of Quare Clare, spoke about the importance of the retreat, stating, “Finding spaces where I can truly be myself, connect with other GBT+ men in Clare, and just take a breath away from everyday life is rare. This retreat will give me a chance to reflect, recharge, and build community in a way that feels natural and uplifting.”

The retreat aims to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where participants can come as they are, take time for themselves, and build lasting connections with others in the GBT+ community.

For more information or to register, visit the Eventbrite page or contact Karina Murray at karina@ kmurray.ie or call 087 643 7780. Quare Clare is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community in County Clare and beyond. Through events, programs, and community outreach, Quare Clare works to create a society where everyone can live authentically and without discrimination.

of the Cliffs of Moher in the distance and the im-

portance of the element of water is highlighted in be-

tween them by capturing the beautifully formed wave.”

lWINNER: Anja Kolic Liscannor-based photographer

Quare Clare

Photo by: Kit Harty

O’Brien leads calls to defer Killaloe Bridge pedestrianisation trial

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

KILLALOE’s sole elected member of Clare County Council has called on the local authority to defer its trial pedestrianisation of Killaloe Bridge.

On Monday, Cllr

Tony O’Brien (FF) described the planned pedestrianisation of Killaloe Bridge has “quite a contentious issue locally”. He outlined, “quite a lot of people are for and against it”.

In a statement issued last month, Clare County Council said

agreement was reached between elected members of the Killaloe Municipal District and Nenagh Municipal District along with officials from Clare and Tipperary County Councils to pedestrianise the existing Killaloe Bridge for a trial period.

No further detail on the dates for the trial period have been provided by either local authority.

These measures will be introduced “a number of weeks after” the opening of the new bridge, which will allow an interim period when both bridges will operate for vehicles.

The timeline for its introduction will be announced closer to the opening of the new Shannon Bridge Crossing.

Public engagement regarding plans for the 18th Century Killaloe Bridge was held in Killaloe and Ballina in January and February. The trial, provided for under Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, aims

to pilot a more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly route on the existing bridge between Killaloe and Ballina. The trial will also enable further detail and evidence of traffic flows and pedestrian movements between the towns to be gathered, and for the social, economic and tourism benefits to be measured.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the County Council, Cllr O’Brien was the only councillor to raise the matter. He said he had written to senior planner and Killaloe MD co-ordinator, Brian McCarthy outlining his views. “I’d ask that consideration be given to doing nothing until the end of September or October when the schools are back and when we’d have a true reflection of what the traffic will be like when the holiday season is over, this will give a proper assessment of what may be required”.

Feakle Festival in the running for music award

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

FEAKLE FESTIVAL is in the running to be named small music festival of the year.

Nominated in a shortlist of ten for small music festival of the year in the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) awards, Feakle Festival is competing alongside the likes of Other Voices held in Dingle plus Night and Day in Roscommon. The award ceremony takes place on March 25th in The Sugar Club.

Irish venues that deliver the best standards in live music entertainment are recognised in the awards. Hundreds of venues across Ireland qualified for the awards and more than 20,000 IMRO members were asked to nominate their top choices in an online poll. Venues were judged on their ambience, staging, sound/lighting facilities, diversity of music programming, accessibility for people with disabilities, venue staff and management and the work they undertake in promoting the venue and its programme of music events.

The IMRO Live Music Venue of the Year Awards acknowledge the immense efforts made by music venues across Ireland, through the provision of world class entertainment for their customers, their vital contribution to local economies and the significant role they play

in providing a public platform for songwriters, composers and performers.

Along with one overall award for National Live Music Venue of the Year, awards will be presented to the leading live music venues in the following regions: Dublin, Leinster (excluding Dublin) Connacht, Munster and Ulster (covering Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan). In addition to this IMRO members nominated their top music festival choices.

Held in August, the 2024 iteration of the Feakle Festival was its thirty seventh. Guests included the Liam MacCarthy and Allianz National Hurling League trophies which were proudly brought to the East Clare village by Eibhear Quilligan, Adam Hogan and Conn Smyth. Martin Hayes’ mark on the festival was also honoured in August. The Maghera native who has gone on to international acclaim has only missed the Feakle Festival twice in its running.

Eileen O’Brien, Sorcha Costelloe, Mary MacNamara, Brian Donnellan, Danny O’Mahony, Geraldine McNamara, Gearóid McNamara, Paraic McDonnchadha, Terrance O’Reilly, Suzanne Leahy and Cáit Ní Ríaín were other musicians to perform at the festival while the late Brían O’Rourke was also remembered.

lSenior planner, Brian McCarthy and Cllr Tony O’Brien (FF).

Photo by: Eamon Ward

West Clare

Book by Kilrush academic raises €55k for Down Syndrome Limerick

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A BOOK by a Kilrush academic has helped to raise €55,000 to expand the services offered by Down Syndrome Limerick.

Stories and photographs from many of the pubs across Limerick City are included in the book, ‘Limerick City Pubs 1850 - 2024: Taprooms, Taverns and Alehouses’ which was released last July.

Written during the COVID-19 pandemic when casual conversations about lamenting visits to the pub and their importance for social interaction later turned to a major research and then a book, the authors are Kilrush native, Dr Paul O’Brien and fellow author William Banks.

Accounts of the pub trade dating back to the mid 1800s along with old photographs, order books, invoices plus oral history and stories from many of the city’s older bar tenders and owners are included in the publication. Over 500 photographs and

research into 800 pubs are in the book.

€55,000 has been raised in sales from the book to assist the expansion of services from Down Syndrome Limerick which helps families and individuals with Down Syndrome through a range of Social, Education and Development activities.

Research compiled detailed that over fifty percent of pubs down the decades were owned by women, even though women frequenting public houses was not a feature of the country’s social life at all during the 60s and 70s. It also noted that up to 170 of the 800 pubs featured have now closed, at least 110 of which since the early 1970s.

Owner of the well-known Souths Pub on Limerick’s O’Connell Avenue, David Hickey has links stretching to South-East Clare. “I’m in the trade all my life and indeed my family before me started out in a small pub in Clonlara in Clare,” he said. “What strikes me is how bars

have changed so much over the decades, how sophisticated they have become as social locations, and an important part of people’s lives,” he added. “The pub trade is heavily regulated now and in addition to that, there have been so many pubs which have closed. There was a 32 percent drop in the number pubs in Limerick since 2005”.

Dr O’Brien said the book really was a trip down memory lane for the city’s pubs and taverns but an important historical record of the city’s pubs, many which are also housed in old historic buildings. “The stories of the many pubs of Limerick are an important part of the history and identity of our city. These are histories that need to be both preserved and celebrated, and it’s important that we can keep these fondly remembered places and people alive for future generations”.

A spokesperson for Down Syndrome Limerick said “we feel extreme gratitude to Paul O’Brien and Wil-

liam Banks for their selfless generosity towards our members and are in awe of their skills and talent which complement each other so well in honouring nostalgia while creating this unique historic reflection of Limerick through the decades. These are the innovative projects that can make such a difference to our members and the services we provide in Down Syndrome Limerick”.

Paul received received his doctorate from the Department of History at Mary Immaculate College where he lectures. In 2016, he was a research fellow at Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris. He is a recipient of the Military Heritage Trust of Ireland award for his research into recruitment practices during the First World War. He has also published a book on The Glynns of Kilrush, the provincial entrepreneurial family who came to local prominence in the early years of the nineteenth century.

Kilmihil man given eight month prison term for ‘eight day of harassment’ of Garda

by Gordon Deegan news@clareecho.ie

A JUDGE has imposed a prison term of 22 months on a West Clare man for carrying out an eight day “campaign of harassment” via Facebook against a serving Garda. At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed the 22 month prison term with the final 14 months suspended on father of four, Jason Downes (31) for the harassment of Garda David (Daithí) King in June 2020.

Imposing the eight month jail term, Judge Comerford said that Mr Downes was “callous in seeking to cause private distress for Garda King” by making his “anonymous slurs”.

Judge Comerford said that though Mr Downes’s harassment of Garda King did not last for a protracted period, it was “nasty”.

In the case, a jury last November returned a majority 10-2 guilty verdict where Mr Downes of St Michael’s Place Kilmihil, Co Clare was accused of harassing Garda King by persistently communicating with him on dates between June 6th and June 16th 2020 and thereby causing him alarm and distress contrary to Section 10 of Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.

Judge Comerford said that prior to the harassment, there was interaction between Gardaí and members of the Downes family that involved the Garda seizure of a car and Garda King was one of the Gardaí involved.

Judge Comerford said that he was satisfied that the Facebook posts constituted harassment communications against a member of the Gardaí who carried out duties in a proper manner.

Mr Downes also sent a message via Facebook messenger to Garda King’s wife, Ciara Bohan containing ‘nasty messages’ about Garda King.

Judge Comerford said that the communication was calculated to hurt Garda King’s marriage and that didn’t have any impact at all as Garda King’s strong marriage was able to withstand the false communications.

Judge Comerford said that the means of harassment was reasonably sophisticated where Mr Downes used a mobile phone with two SIM cards in order to avoid detection.

In a letter to court, Mr Downes apologised to Garda King and his wife, primary school teacher, Ciara Bohan.

Mr Downes said that he wanted to apologise to Garda King and to

Ciara Bohan “for upsetting them and causing them pain and stress caused by this situation”.

Mr Downes said that he accepted the jury’s guilty verdict and said “I made wrong choices”.

Judge Comerford said that the apology wasn’t of great mitigation as the apology was somewhat pro-forma and impersonal compared to the very personal slurs he articulated in his harassing communications

Judge Comerford imposed a headline 32 month prison term on Mr Downes.

Judge Comerford said that Mr Downes wasn’t of good character due to previous convictions and since then has committed further offences including possession of drugs for sale and supply.

Judge Comerford said that some aspects of Mr Downes’ life are worthy of some degree of respect as he holds down a job as a delivery driver to support his family.

Reducing the headline sentence, Judge Comerford said that there is potential for Jason Downes to work as a diligent member of society and provide for his family.

Judge Comerford said that any sentence must be immediate as Mr Downes lied to Gardaí when questioned about the harassment and then sought to rely on the lies

before a jury.

Judge Comerford said that with 25 percent remission, Mr Downes may serve around six months in jail.

In a victim impact statement in court, Garda King said that Mr Downes “acted like a coward and concocted lies about me” on a fake Facebook account.

Garda King said that Jason Downes “had no regard for his actions and the effect they could potentially have”.

In his victim impact statement, Garda King told the court that he has worked in the West Clare area since 2017 and he built up good working relationships with people from all areas of the community.

He said, “This incident meant that people in the community have lost trust in a member of An Garda Siochana they would previously have turned to in a time of need”.

Garda King said, “After this incident I had to start again to build up a good reputation in the community I serve. Despite this, the comments made in these Facebook posts are still mentioned to me by some members of the public on a regular basis to this day”.

Garda King said that after he had deleted his social media accounts in 2020, Mr Downes then contacted his wife via Facebook

messenger making false allegations about him.

He said, “If it were not for the strong relationship and deep trust I share with my wife, these allegations could have had a serious effect on our marriage”.

In evidence in the trial last November, Ciara Bohan told the jury how she was left ‘nervous and scared’ over “nasty” comments made about her husband from the anonymous Facebook account.

Ms Bohan said that she was left “upset and vulnerable” over the anonymous Facebook messenger messages she received about her husband, Garda King in June 2020.

Ms Bohan was seven months pregnant at the time and also had a toddler at home when she received messages from a Facebook profile with the name Tommy Teirnan, spelt wrong.

In one message received on her own Facebook account on June 16th 2020, it said ‘tell your husband he is only a shitty arse coward. I will find out more about him and when I do, he will be very sorry”.

Ms Bohan said that her husband is well respected amongst his peers and “then to receive the nasty messages and nasty sentiments expressed by someone, it is very hurtful”.

lLIMERICK CITY PUBS: Paul O’Brien and William Banks

Shannon

38k passengers for Shannon Airport over St Patrick’s Day period

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

38,000 passengers are to travel via Shannon Airport for the St Patrick’s Day holiday period.

Representing a ten percent increase on 2024 passenger figures, Shannon Airport’s Patrick Day activity has also been boosted by punters travelling to the Cheltenham Racing Festival.

Passenger levels for February are also up eight percent compared with 2024 at Shannon Airport.

Management of Shannon Airport have said the international airport is becoming increasingly popular with holiday-goers.

CEO of the Shannon Airport Group, Mary Considine said they are very pleased with the expected increase in traffic. “Voted by the public as Ireland’s favourite airport, our staff are dedicated to delivering excellence in customer experience. Shannon Airport was ranked fourth in Ireland’s Customer Experience Insights (CXi) Report 2024 and maintaining our status as Ireland’s top airport brand is important to us.

“It’s heartening that our commitment to providing a seamless and enjoyable travel experience continues to resonate with our passengers, with more and more people from all over Ireland discovering how easy and convenient it is to travel through Shan-

non Airport,” she said.

Considine added, “Our diverse range of air services at Shannon serve as a vital gateway, connecting tourists to the stunning beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way. This not only supports our region’s tourism industry but also boosts the regional and national economy. We have had a positive start to the year with passenger levels in February up almost 8 per cent on last year”.

This week, punters attending the Cheltenham Racing Festival have been flying to the UK from Shannon Airport in big numbers.

In the lead-up to St Patrick’s Day, the airport has been adorned with special St. Patrick’s Day-themed decorations to create a festive atmosphere for arriving and departing passengers, as well as visitors greeting their loved ones. A bespoke St. Patrick’s Day display featuring a giant shamrock with a welcoming message has been created in the airport arrivals hall, offering arriving passengers plenty of opportunities for selfies and group photos.

“Our dedicated team stand ready to extend a warm Shannon welcome to all our passengers, ensuring an easy, seamless and comfortable journey through the airport. We look forward to welcoming everyone during this festive season, and we would like to extend a Céad Míle Fáilte to everyone this St. Patrick’s Day,” Mary added.

Councillors shoot down plans for fighter jets at Shannon Airport

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

CLARE COUNCILLORS have criticised plans to base fighter jets at Shannon Airport.

The Clare Echo reported last week on the Government’s inten tion to ramp up national defenc es with the acquisition of eight fighter jets which would be based at Shannon Airport.

Preliminary analysis by de fence planners calculate that the cost of the fighter jets will be between €60m and €100m per annum.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of Clare Coun ty Council, Cllr Tom my Guilfoyle (SF) shot down the plans. “We have fancy follies about an air post squadron costing €14m in Shan non. We got €14bn from Apple and we’re talking of war aircraft in Shannon when we haven’t occupa tional therapists, speech language therapists and dialysis units in the coun

ty”. He said councillors attached to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to chat “with their colleagues and recalculate their spending”.

Similar views have been expressed by Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) who believed the Government needs to rethink its defence strategy by investing in coastal security and not fighter jets. “As someone who lives on the exposed Clare coast, I see first-hand that Ireland’s greatest security vulnerabilities come from the sea, not the sky. We need urgent investment in protecting our coastal waters, stopping drug smuggling, and securing our marine resources, not fighter jets that will spend most of their time grounded”.

She felt money would be better spent on having a dedicated Irish Marine Corps to patrol and protect Irish waters, rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) for rapid-response and interception missions, jet skibased sea drones, similar to those deployed in Ukraine, to track and neutralise maritime threats and investment in frigates, ensuring Ireland has a long-term, fully functional naval presence.

Cllr McInerney suggested it would be more prudent to have a strategic defence partnership with the United Kingdom. This would see Ireland take responsibility for securing the Irish Sea and the UK would continue to provide air patrols along Ireland’s coast using their existing RAF resources. “It makes far more sense to focus on protecting our coasts while working in partnership with the UK for air defence. This would ensure Ireland has real, tangible security without wasting billions on fighter jets,” she said.

Rita who is Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District added, “The West Coast of Ireland

is completely exposed. Any real threat—whether smuggling, illegal fishing, or hostile incursions—will come from the sea, not the air.

drones, and patrol vessels will do more to protect Clare, Ireland, and our sovereignty than any fleet of fighter jets ever could”.

l ST.PATRICK’S DAY HOLIDAYS: Pictured at Shannon Airport are departing passengers Mike Coughlan from Cork and Denis O’Connor from Tipperary, both travelling to New York for St. Patrick’s weekend

Investing in a Marine Corps, sea

lJETS: Shannin aiport exterior [inset image left: Cllr Rita McInerny (FF)

Gort & South Galway

Galway City Council hosts first bilingual meeting

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

HISTORY WAS made on Monday when Galway City Council hosted a fully bilingual meeting.

Coinciding with Seachtain na Gaeilge, the first ever bilingual meeting in the history of Galway City Council took place in City Hall.

Galway’s unique position as a bilingual and Gaeltacht city, and as a Gaeltacht Service Town was acknowledged during the meeting. The proposal for a bilingual meeting arose from the newly formed sub-Strategic Policy Committee for Gaeilge in December 2024.

80% of people in Galway would like to use more Irish every day, according to research undertaken by Gail-

limh le Gaeilge, with similar messages in surveys from Gaeilge ABC and Ireland Thinks.

Interpreters were available through headsets throughout the March meeting, with meeting documentation available in English and Gaeilge. Several councillors put forward motions and made contributions as Gaeilge.

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane (FF) said, “Galway City has two large Gaeltacht areas in Knocknacarra and An Bruach Thoir, comprising Terryland, Coolagh, Menlo, Ballindooley, Ballinfoyle, Parkmore and parts of Castlegar, as well as being adjacent to the Conamara Gaeltacht. Our native tongue

can frequently be heard on the streets of Galway City, in cafes on Shop Street, in schools and in businesses – this is a unique feature of Galway City, and it behoves us as the Elected Members of Galway City Council to protect and promote our native language and our cultural heritage”.

Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Leonard Cleary outlined, “In 2016, Galway City was honoured as a bilingual city by now President Michael D. Higgins. A special meeting was held at the time with one agenda item fully as Gaeilge. This fully bilingual meeting is a great opportunity to showcase Galway as a bilingual city and our commitment to the language.

It’s important that we strive to make public services accessible through Irish in the coming years. We want Irish-language speakers to feel included and welcome in Galway City, and this is one of the many steps we are taking to address that”.

Galway City has four Language Schemes spanning 2006-2022. Since the language plans commenced in 2006, Galway City Council has committed to provision of seirbhís trí Ghaeilge by phone and in person, with initiatives including bilingual advertising, press releases, website, consultation and promotional materials; Irish classes and training for staff and Elected Members; and support of initiatives which promote Gaeilge in the community, including funding Gaillimh le Gaeilge and the recent bilingual Tonnta festival.

The Irish Language Schemes are now subsumed into the Official Languages Act, which requires all public bodies to deliver services as Gaeilge on an equal basis with English. Recent obligations include the requirement to publish a minimum of 20% of advertising bilingually, with a minimum of 5% of advertising to be on Irish language media. Under the Official Languages Act, all Public sector organisations are obliged to have 20% of staff competent in the Irish Language by 2030.

The initiatives have been welcomed by Galway City Council who said wish to see an active Gaeilge offering in visibility and usability for native speakers, for those learning the language, and for the two million tourists who visit Galway annually to appreciate and experience our culture.

Ruan's Sharon Shannon is Grand Marshal for Galway City parade

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

FAMED MUSICIAN and Ruan native Sharon Shannon is the Grand Marshal for the St Patrick’s Day parade in Galway City.

A national treasure hailing from Co Clare, Sharon was chosen by Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Peter Keane (FF) to be the Grand Marshal.

He said, “We are thrilled to have Sharon Shannon as our Grand Marshal. Her immense talent, passion for Irish music, and dedication to preserving and sharing our culture worldwide make her the perfect representative for St. Patrick’s Day. We can’t wait to see her lead the parade and share in the festivities”.

Celebrated for her exceptional talent as an accordionist and her incredible contributions to Irish music, Sharon has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds and is one of Ireland’s most beloved

musicians. Her 1991 debut album, Sharon Shannon, is the best-selling album of traditional Irish music ever released in Ireland.

This year’s parade in Galway City will see fifty community groups and over 3,000 participants take to the streets of Galway showcasing the city’s heritage, music, dance and different cultural backgrounds. The parade will platform Galway’s shared sense of community, pride and that special atmosphere that makes Galway unique in what is shaping up to be the largest ever St Patrick’s Day Parade in the city.

The parade commences at 11:30 on Monday 17 March and will depart from the University of Galway onto University Road, cross the Salmon Weir Bridge, onto Eglinton Street and continue through Eyre Square, to Bóther na mBan and finish at the Dyke Road Car Park. Road closures will be in place from 11:00 until approximately 14:0

lBILINGUAL MEETING: Irish Officer, Marcus Ó Conaire, assisting Cllr Donal Lyons (IND) with a Gaeilge translation before the start of Galway City Council’s first fully bilingual meeting

Photo by: Cormac MacMahon

lSharon Shannon

The attitude of gratitude ‘if you want to find happiness, find gratitude’

GRATITUDE is a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation for something in our lives. It involves recognising and acknowledging the kindness, generosity, and good fortune we have experienced, whether from others, nature or in our lives in general.

Gratitude can be expressed through words, actions or simply through a sense of inner thankfulness. It is often linked to a positive emotion like happiness, contentment, and wellbeing.

We can bring gratitude into our lives in many ways:

Starting a journal- Each day at the same time if possible, write five things for which you are grateful.

Practise mindfulness- Take a few moments throughout the day to pause, breath and reflect on what you are thankful for, whether its something in the present moment or something from the past.

Express thanks to others- Taking time to

verbally thank people around you for their help, kindness, and support. A small sincere thank you can strengthen relationships and strengthen positivity.

Reframe negative thoughts- Make better choices around the thoughts we use in challenging situation, finding the positive can alter and alleviate the situation.

Gratitiude before sleep- Going to sleep and reflecting on five things that went well in your day. It does not have to be big things. Even a simple or small thing is something to be grateful for.

Practise appreciative listening- When in conversation listen with an intention of gratitude for the person, time, and interaction.

By integrating small acts of gratitude into your routine, you can shift your mindset and develop a more positive and faithful outlook on life.

Beidh neart ag tarlú le linn seachtain na gaeilge

Macalla an Chláir

LE MACDARA Ó CONAOLA

There’ll be plenty happening during Seachtain na Gaeilge

Imeachtaí/Events:

l SIONNA – Ciorcail Comhrá, Wolfe Tones, Dé Sathairn, 15ú Márta, 7.30pm l CILL ROIS – Preab-Ghaeltacht chuile oíche Dé Ceadaoin ag 8pm i mBuggles Bar l LUIMNEACH – AIFREANN GAEILGE, chuile Dé Domhnaigh, 10.30am, Mainistir an tSlánaitheora, Sráid San Doiminic, Luimneach l Clare FM - Cúl-chaint le Domhnall Ó Loingsigh chuile Dé Sathairn, ag 9am ar Clare FM l CILL INÍNE BAOITHE - Ciorcal Comhrá san XPO, chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 7.30pm l INIS – CAINT AGUS COMHRÁ, chuile Dé Luain ag 11am sa gCopper Jug, Dé Máirt ag Zest 11am, Dé Céadaoin ag 11am in O’Brien’s, oíche Déardaoin sa Temple Gate (8pm), Dé hAoine The Market 11am, agus Dé Sathairn i nGlór, 11am-12pm. Déan teagmháil leo ag: caintaguscomhra@outlook.com l LUIMNEACH – Ciorcail Comhrá. Chuile Dé Céadaoin ag 10.30am, Bialann Eden, Ollscoil Luimnigh.Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ó Noel ag 086 792 8389. l AN SCAIRBH – Lón i nGaeilge, 1-2pm, CHUILE DÉ MAIRT i gcaifé An Gáirdín, fáilte roimh chuile dhuine.

AN BHFUIL SCÉAL LE ROINNT AGAIBH ?!

Bígí i dteagmháil linn agus leanaigí ar Facebook agus Twitter muid ag: @macallaanchlair R-phost: macallaanchlair@gmail.com

Whispers of Gratitude

In the quiet moments of the day, When the world seems far away, I pause to feel the simple grace, Of life’s soft touch, a warm embrace.

For every breath that fills the air, For love that’s given, hearts that care, For laughter shared and hands that hold, For stories whispered, truth retold.

Gratitude is like a seed, Planted deep to fill the need,’ A humble hear, a gentle plea, To see the world through eyes set free.

So here’s many thanks, From my heart to your heart.

A gift a prayer, a work of art, For everything both big and small, I am grateful for one and all.

Wear gratitude like a cloak, it will feed every corner of your life.

Thought for the weekA Grateful Heart Spreading the word of positivity

RONAN SCULLY

I AM writing this thought for the week after returning from another trip to Africa to visit projects the organisations I work with operate and while there I noticed the many young people especially girls who had to walk 5 to 6 miles daily to fetch water and in a lot of cases dirty disease ridden water.

On my return home I went straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water and it made me think of the sight of the children especially girls in many parts of our world who have to fetch water walking many miles everyday and all I had to do was turn on a faucet in the kitchen. You turn on a faucet, and there is warm water and cold water, and drinkable water. It made me feel so grateful as It’s a gift that millions and millions in our world will never experience.

In a world often marked by hustle, bustle, and the relentless pursuit of success, it is easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of being grateful. I am generally ‘glass half-full’ guy, but even the most positive people sometimes need to be

reminded to be grateful. I agree with Robert Louis Stevenson, when he wrote, “The person who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life”. Unfortunately, because the beauties of life are so abundant, sometimes we take them for granted. What are you grateful for?

Gratitude is more than just a feeling, gratitude is actually a practice: one we can cultivate and even develop, which will transform our experience of ourselves, our lives, and our world.

Even in difficult times there are reasons to be grateful. We are alive. We are loved. We are surrounded by beauty and wonder.

Gratitude is fuel for the soul. Without a regular infusion of gratitude we become self-involved, believing that we are the ones responsible for all that we have in our lives.

I have a memory of my teacher Mrs. Carroll in first year asking us to write a short essay describing the things in our lives for which we were grateful. I sat for the longest time just staring at that piece of paper. I couldn’t think of a thing for which I was grateful. I was surrounded by gifts, but I didn’t recognize them as gifts, and so I couldn’t begin to express my gratitude for them. I naively assumed

that everyone had food and clothing, a loving family and a comfortable home. I was unaware of how privileged I was to enjoy these things on a daily basis, and simply took them for granted. Gratitude springs from the awareness that we have been given a gift. Often this awareness comes upon us in sudden and unexpected ways.

Thought for the week

As you’re thought for the week, be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

As we navigate the tapestry of our lives, let us be reminded that gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion but a deliberate choice. It’s an acknowledgment of God’s grace at work in our lives. May this exploration of gratitude in grace serve as a reminder to approach each day with a heart full of thanksgiving. Let us be grateful not only for the blessings we can see but also for the grace that sustains us through the unseen trials. In this dance of gratitude and grace, we find a path to deeper spiritual fulfillment.

Clare Echo Class Acts: Celebrating

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

THIS weekend, communities all over the country will be dressing up in varieties of green white and orange, with shamrocks and decorations covering the streets in celebration of Ireland’s patron saint.

For the students of Ballyea National school, preparations for the national holiday have already begun. The holiday, deeply rooted in Irish culture and tradition, was the perfect opportunity for students to explore and express their creativ-

St. Patrick’s Day with Ballyea National School

ity.

As part of their festivities, the first class students worked on an imaginative project that combined art and storytelling, two major elements of Irish culture. They created their own St.Patrick hand-puppets and put on a puppet show all about the story of how St.Patrick came to Ireland.

The puppet show featured lively characters, including St. Patrick himself, and incorporated elements of Irish folklore. The children told the story of St. Patrick’s arrival in Ireland, his role

in spreading Christianity, and his use of the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.

In addition to the puppet-making and performances, the children sat down with The Clare Echo and shared insights into what they had learned about St. Patrick’s Day. Each of the students had a clear understanding of the history of St.Patrick, explaining that he came to Ireland and banished all the snakes from the country. They also explained how St.Patrick taught the Irish people about christianity using the shamrock as a represen-

tation of the holy trinity.

“We celebrate because he got rid of all the snakes, well most of them” Ethan explained.

After hearing about the story of Naomh Padraig, the children then spoke about the most important part of the national holiday, the parade. Many of the children will be attending various parades around the county, with some even taking part in their local parades as members of their sports teams.

“I like watching it” said Aly “there will be people dancing, St.Patricks’ colours and old fashioned cars”

Although the parade is a very exciting element of the day, some children explained that they are also looking forward to practising their dancing skills while listening to some traditional Irish music.

However Hazel said that the best part about St.Patrick’s day “is I get a day off from school so I can lie in.”

The Clare Echo also paid a visit to fifth and sixth class pupils at Ballyea National School where Stuart Holly The Clare Echo editor gave a presentation about news and media in county Clare.

lSéanda, first class

lFiadh, first class

lFaye and Daire, first class

lStuart Holly, Editor of the Clare Echo fifth and sixth class students and their teachers

lIarla, Meaghan and Sam first class

Arts & Culture

Meet the women behind ‘Treise Linn’

by LISA MULLALY

An evening of vibrant artistic expression, featuring music, poetry, and film, will bring together Clare’s creative community to support Women’s Aid in a special event titled ‘Treise Linn’. Held at The Attic, Hotel Doolin, on Friday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., this event promises to be a memorable celebration of solidarity, creativity, and the power of women in the arts.

With an all-female lineup, ‘Treise Linn’ will showcase some of Clare’s most exciting creatives, each bringing their unique voice to the stage. These artists share a commitment to celebrating the power of women’s voices, with works that explore themes of resilience, strength, and community.

The Clare Echo spoke with several artists featured in the event to learn about their inspirations and motivations.

Aoibheann Boyle

As both the organizer and one of the performers of ‘Treise Linn’, Aoibhionn Boyle has used her platform to inspire others through her

music and advocacy. Her musical journey began unexpectedly when she moved to Clare. What started with her attending traditional Irish music sessions led to performances at local events and, eventually, a musical career. “I didn’t know many people when I first moved here,” Aoibhionn recalls. “I went to trad sessions regularly, and soon someone asked me to sing. It just snowballed from there.”

Aoibhionn’s debut performance for Women’s Aid at the 2023 event ‘Chop ‘n’ Tunes’ marked a pivotal moment in her career. Since then, she has worked with local electronic producer Dan Began, releasing music that gained attention on 2FM. Aoibhionn’s passion for empowering others through music continues with ‘Treise Linn’, which promises a blend of acapella singing, funky trad jazz, and electronic mu sic, featuring collaborations across various genres.

“Communi ty is everything,” Aoibheannn says, highlighting the importance of collaboration in rural areas. Her goal for

‘Treise Linn’ is to create a welcoming space where everyone feels supported. The event will also feature local craftspeople and businesses, with proceeds benefiting Women’s Aid.

Maeve Abyss

Maeve Abyss, a poet whose work is shaped by her journey to Ireland, has found deep inspiration in the country’s cultural landscape. After falling in love with Ireland during her first visit at 18, Maeve moved to Limerick in 2023 to pursue a creative writing program. “Poetry doesn’t have to be something sleepy we study in school. In Ireland, it’s all

around us,” Maeve explains. “People tell stories in pubs, and you realize these moments are deeply poetic.” Maeve plans to perform original poetry at *Treise Linn*, including a new piece written specifically for the event. Her poetry addresses politics, women’s rights, and the power of elevating women’s voices. “Uplifting women doesn’t put others down. It benefits everyone, men included,” she says, emphasizing the importance of supporting women in all aspects of society.

Fiona Kirwin

Fiona Kirwin is a versatile musician known for blend-

ing traditional Irish music with jazz. Her musical journey began at age five with the fiddle, later expanding to the saxophone, which she initially learned on a whim. “I got a saxophone as a joke present from my parents. I taught myself to play,” Fiona recalls.

Her musical career took off as she joined a band that explored various genres, including folk, pop, jazz, and blues. Fiona enjoys experimenting with the fusion of traditional Irish music and jazz, particularly with the saxophone. “Blending trad music with jazz is so fun,” she says. At ‘Treise Linn’, Fiona will perform alongside Aoibhionn and Aisling, blending traditional and contemporary musical styles.

Aisling Lyons

Music has always been at the center of Aisling Lyons’s life. Growing up in a musical family, Aisling pursued a music degree at the University of Limerick and became a music teacher. Her passion for collaboration has led her to work with artists across genres, helping shape her own unique sound.

“Through collaboration, I’ve ex-

Grave matters and great laughter await in The Ennis Players’ ‘The Cemetery Club’

by Lisa Mullaly

lisa@clareecho.ie

The Ennis Players will be returning to the glór stage this weekenD with this year’s Spring play; The Cemetery Club.

Set in Queens, the play follows three widows who gather at their husbands’ graves once a month, enjoying tea and lively conversation. But when Sam, the local butcher, shows up, the dynamics change, sparking romance, rivalry, and a series of comedic moments.

Originally written by Ivan Menchell in 1990, this production will see the three leading ladies Ida, Lucille and Doris played by Laura O’Brien, Maeve Plunkett and Noreen O’Loughlin. Directed by Bernie Harten, a veteran of the Ennis drama scene with over 60 productions under her belt, the show promises not only sharp humor and wit but also a deep, relatable exploration of loss and moving on.

The Cemetery Club may sound like a somber title, but Bernie assures us that the play is anything but heavy.

“It’s a sharp, funny New York comedy,” she explained while chatting with The Clare Echo ahead of the show’s opening night.

“There’s a real mix of humor and depth,” Bernie says. “The characters are struggling with grief, but it’s portrayed in a very relatable and funny way.”

Since starting out in the society as a prompter, Bernie has tried her hand at every position available, from

stage management, to front of house and now directing, however Bernie says that her very place to play is on stage.

Throughout her time with The Ennis Players Bernie has taken on some significant characters on stage. One of her personal favourites being “The Widow Quin” in tier production of “The Playboy of the Western World.” Bernie also notably played “Cauth” in their award winning interpre-

tation of “Dandy Dolls”. Directing The Cemetery Club has been a “fantastic” experience, according to Bernie. But while the cast’s commitment and enthusiasm make directing easier, Bernie acknowledges that some challenges remain. One notable hurdle has been ensuring the cast nails the New York accents. “We had a workshop with a voice coach to help with the accent, but it’s about more than just the accent,” Bernie says. “It’s the mannerisms, the personalities that come with it. The most important thing is that the characters feel real.”

Bernie’s passion for this production is clear, and she’s excited for audiences to experience The Cemetery Club this spring. “It’s a show that will make you laugh and might even bring a tear to your eye,” she says. With its wonderful cast and heartwarming story, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.

The Cemetery Club will run from March 16-19 in glór Ennis. Tickets are available from Tickets are available now at www.glor.ie

plored new genres beyond traditional music,” Aisling says. Her travels have also influenced her work, as she’s performed worldwide and learned from musicians in countries like the U.S., Australia, and across Europe. For ‘Treise Linn’, Aisling will perform alongside Fiona Kirwin, blending traditional and jazz influences into newly composed tunes, including pieces inspired by female composers.

SAOL

SAOL, a self-taught musician, began her career as a member of the band ‘Dreaming of Jupiter’, which disbanded after COVID-19. She now focuses on her solo work, writing music that explores social issues like housing rights and inequality.

“The transition to solo work was freeing but challenging,” SAOL reflects. “I miss collaborating, but I also love the creative freedom to write directly from my heart.” Her music serves as a platform for difficult conversations, addressing political and social topics that are often uncomfortable to discuss. For the event, SAOL will be performing original songs she’s written since moving to Clare.

Debut exhibition for Kilkee artist

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

Ukrainian artist Valerii Ushkaov has made their Irish debut with their exhibition entitled “Classics on Cobblestones”, currently on display in the Edna O’Brien Library in Scariff.

Valerii is an emerging artist specialising in oil paintings on canvas, where they explore the dynamic relationship between automobiles and the beauty of nature. The work captures the harmony between mechanical design and natural landscapes, blending nostalgia with vibrant scenery.

Originally from Ukraine, Valerii moved to Ireland last year and has since settled in Kilkee. Valerii attended art school in Ukraine, receiving training in a variety of mediums such as pencil, watercolor and pastels. Through their training, Valerii gravitated towards oil painting and felt that this was their strongest medium.

“I experimented a lot, and I found the best

format for me is using a large format; this way, I have more space to add in details.”

After graduating from art school at the age of 15, Valerii took a break from painting as they were tired of feeling pressured to create hyperrealistic work and felt deterred by the technical criticism which came with studying art.

Since returning to painting with a newfound inspiration and passion, Valerii sees painting as a hobby rather than a source of income and continues to work fulltime while creating artwork.

“I don’t care about making money from my art, I don’t make any money from this. If I get money from it eventually, then that will come along on its own. I believe if art is something you like to do, then just do it.”

The exhibition currently on display consists of 8 large-scale paintings all following the theme of classic cars paired with juxtaposing landscapes. The exhibition will run until March 29.

l WOMEN’S AID: MaeveAbbyss, Aoibheann Boyle and SAOL

Photo by: Mirian Ryand

lTHE CEMETERY CLUB: Maeve Plunkett as Lucille, Laura O’Brien as Ida and Noreen O’Loughlin as Doris

Photo by: John O’Neill

Community unites to protect Ennis Post Office Field from development

by Lisa Mullaly lisa@clareecho.ie

The Ennis Post Office Field, a vital 1.8-hectare green space along the Fergus River, stands as a cornerstone in the effort to preserve Ennis’ natural heritage. Known locally as “The Meadow,” this historically untouched area is the last undeveloped meadow within Ennis Town’s ancient boundaries.

Acquired by the County Council 30 years ago for £1 million to prevent development, the field has served as a nature reserve, natural floodplain, and biodiversity hotspot, with cattle and sheep grazing in the area up until recent decades.

The community group, “Hands Off Ennis Post Office Field,” has rallied widespread support from residents, environmentalists, artists, anglers, local businesses, and other stakeholders to ensure the field remains untouched by development. This group is firmly opposed to the de-

velopment plans currently under review by Ennis 2040 DAC.

In a recent statement, Ennis 2040 DAC announced a review of its proposed development for the field, sparking cautious optimism among the community.

“Hands Off Ennis Post Office Field” responded on social media, expressing hope that the review might lead to a positive outcome. “We hope this signals a positive step forward. Our commitment remains firm—we will continue our advocacy until a decision is made to keep the field undeveloped,” the group stated.

The group’s Secretary, Kieran Burke, emphasized their intention to engage directly with Ennis 2040 DAC to ensure the field’s future is protected. “We understand interim COO Padraic McElwee has been in discussions with stakeholders regarding the meadow’s future. We would welcome the opportunity to meet Mr. McElwee to present our concerns and vision,” Burke said.

Cllr. Tommy Guilfoyle, the group’s Public Relations Officer, outlined the group’s mission to safeguard the field and its ecosystem. “Our foremost goal is to preserve the Post Office Field, protect its river ecosystem, and maintain its biodiversity,” Guilfoyle stated. The group also advocates for the preservation of the meadow as part of a sustainable development plan for Ennis. “Preservation and maintenance of the Post Office Field must be an integral part of the sustainable development plan for our capital town,” he continued.

One proposal includes repurposing the vacant former Telecom/Analog building as a biodiversity education center, visitor center, and tourist attraction. According to the group, this initiative would generate both ecological and economic benefits while preserving the green space that is considered by many to be the “Town’s Lung,” essential for the health and well-being of Ennis.

The importance of biodi-

versity in the area is highlighted by the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee. An information sign located at the River Fergus in the Abbey Street car park, often referred to as the “Heart of Ennis,” outlines the crucial role biodiversity plays in maintaining environmental balance. It defines biodiversity as “the life that sustains our environment through essential services such as clean air and water provision, nutrient cycling, and the creation of recreational areas like parks and

reserves.” Any development on the Post Office Field, the committee warns, would directly compromise this valuable biodiversity.

The “Hands Off Ennis Post Office Field” group remains steadfast in its mission, calling for continued community solidarity to protect this cherished green space.

“We believe preserving this green haven is essential for the well-being of future generations,” the group stated, urging the public to support their efforts to keep the field undeveloped.

With the field’s future still uncertain, the community remains vigilant in its fight to preserve one of Ennis’ last remaining natural spaces. The ongoing discussions with Ennis 2040 DAC will be pivotal in determining whether the field will remain a vital part of the town’s landscape or become the site of new development. The outcome will have lasting implications for Ennis’ environmental and community well-being.

Clare households and small businesses cut over €2,000,000 in energy costs with solar panels

CLARE homes and businesses saved an estimated €2,866,227 on electricity costs in 2024 through the widespread adoption of small-scale solar energy systems, according to new industry data.

The milestone reflects the installation of approximately 4,109 solar panel systems in the county, with a combined capacity of 16.6 megawatts (MW) – equivalent to more than a 33,200 individual panels.

These findings come from the newly launched Irish Small-Scale Solar Tracker, published by the electricity price comparison website Kilowatt.ie.

Dominic Ó Gallachóir, founder of Kilowatt.ie, attributes this surge in solar adoption to recent policy changes and incentives.

“The growth of solar microgeneration in Ireland has taken off since late 2022, driven by multiple factors: the removal of planning permission requirements for rooftop solar, the introduction of export payments, and

grants from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland,” he explains. “It’s encouraging to see substantial savings for electricity consumers. We’re now witnessing more households completely eliminating their electricity bills by combining extensive solar installations with electricity tariffs offering generous export payments.”

Clare ranks 11th nationally for small scale solar installations, and 3rd per capita.

lSOLAR SAVINGS: Solar Panels

Shannon Aerospace fundraiser raises over €160k for local charities

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

THIRTY FIVE YEARS of Shannon Aerospace saw the aviation community unite with a milestone fundraiser for Mid-West charities raising over €160,000.

To mark thirty five years since the creation of Shannon Aerospace, a committee of current and former employees was formed to endeavour to raise at least €100,000 for five local charities.

Bunratty Marine Search and Rescue, Limerick Suicide Watch, Milford Care Centre, Pieta House and Shannon Aviation Museum were the chosen beneficiaries.

A reunion evening is planned for Friday March 28th at The Strand Hotel in Limerick which will see over 400 colleagues and sponsors reunite. Shannon native James Sexton will host the event including a four-course meal, interactive entertainment and live music from Spring Break.

Launching the event in the Atlantic Aviation Group on Friday, Chair of the Committee, Ben Whelan stated, “Our aim is to celebrate the anniversary with colleagues, past and present, whilst also raising significant funding for these amazing local charities”.

Set up in 1990, the idea for Shannon Aerospace came from Tony Ryan and the GPA Group, who convinced Lufthansa and Swissair to set up an aircraft maintenance facility in Shannon to create 1,075 jobs. It was the largest project of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland. The company is now under Irish ownership of the Atlantic Aviation Group.

Employees are invited to register via Linkedin or contact any

member of the committee which comprises, Ben Whelan, Shannon Technical Services; Brian Stapleton, Formidion; Dave Chaplin, Atlantic Aviation Group; Declan O’Brien, Eirtech Aviation; Denise Mangan-Fahy, AerCap; Tom Behan, Macquarie; Des Egan, Falko; Ed Coughlan, Sirius Aviation; Eoghan O’Driscoll, JLPS; John Drysdale, Shannon Airport Group; Brian Power, NAC; Tony Kennedy, Avolon; Karl Griffin, Genesis; Les Walsh, Deucalion, Pat Foley, Lufthansa Technik, Pat Shine, former CEO, Shannon Aerospace; Paul Dillon, Abelo; Shane Markham, Shannon Technical Services; and Marie Kenne-

dy, Atlantic Aviation Group. Commenting on this fundraiser, Mary Elliot, Bunratty Search and Rescue said: “We are reliant on donations to keep our service running. We have ongoing costs, like the upkeep of boats and equipment and staff training. Every year we like to earmark a specific project that needs doing. This year, we are planning to repair and update our boathouse. Since the boathouse was built and opened in the 1980s, we have been carrying out general maintenance and repairs, but we now need to refurbish the entire building. The donation we will receive from current and former Shannon Aeospace employ-

ees will go a long way to achieving this. We are truly grateful for this amazing gesture”.

Speaking at the launch, Anne Marie Hayes, fundraising manager at Milford Care Centre, said, “We are delighted to be part of Shannon Aerospace’s 35-year reunion celebration. We are truly grateful to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this special occasion, which not only recognises decades of employment and contribution to the Mid-West region but also highlights the generosity of its employees. Funds received from this event will go towards Milford Care Centre, a facility dedicated to providing exceptional, person-centred care whenever its required. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Shannon Aerospace’s (Atlantic Aviation Group) past and present employees for their continued support”.

Shannon Aviation Museum’s Jane Magill added: “We are honoured to be nominated as one of the beneficiaries of this historic event. Shannon Aerospace and the generations of highly skilled people it has produced, has made a significant impact on the aviation sector not only across Ireland, but globally. Shannon Aviation Museum (SAM) is a unique environment where young people have the opportunity to be involved, to learn more and to connect with others who share their passion. SAM is a vital pillar, encouraging the next generation and developing a pipeline back into the industry, SAM contributes to the future skills pool through its inspirational aviation education programmes which are delivered by passionate aviation professionals, many of

them were trained by SAL they are happy to give back to the industry that has given them a truly dynamic and fulfilling career. The donation received is very much appreciated and will make a significant impact on our organisation by going towards co-funding grant aid to extend our building. This investment in our infrastructure will benefit many future generations and help to inspire them to discover the wonderful opportunities for life-long careers that aviation offers.”

Audrey Ellis, PRO, Limerick Suicide Watch (LSW), commented, “We are extremely grateful for this sizeable donation. It will be used to facilitate training, patrol gear and life-saving equipment i.e. hoverarks. Limerick Suicide Watch is totally public funded, and we rely on the public, and companies, like Shannon Aerospace, supporting LSW and keeping us as a group to patrol the banks and bridges of Limerick city. On behalf of LSW, I would like to thank Shannon Aerospace members and friends who contributed to this”.

John Dempsey at Pieta House said, “Pieta receives over 85% of its funding from donations and fundraising events, so the support from the Shannon Aerospace 35-year anniversary is amazing and much appreciated. It will help us deliver hope to so many that reach out in suicidal crisis, who are self-harming or have been bereaved by suicide. On behalf of Pieta and our clients, our sincerest thanks to all associated with Shannon Aerospace 35-year’s event, and we wish them the very best ahead of their reunion on March 28th”.

Element-six celebrates International Women’s Day

SHANNON-BASED Element Six, in conjunction with Shannon Chamber, marked International Women’s Day (IWD) by inviting leaders from business and sport to engage in a panel discussion on taking ownership, responsibility, and action to close gender barriers in the workplace and beyond.

The event, which was held onsite in the Element Six’s Shannon facility, brought four female leaders together, each with a different life story, to share insights on topics ranging from gender bias, empowerment, self-belief, and balancing career, personal life.

The four leaders – Siobhan Duffy, the first female CEO of Element Six; multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Forbes 30 Under 30, and inspirational speaker, Ailbhe Keane of Izzy Wheels; project manager, people and sustainability with Vhi and research post grad with TUS, Lavinia Ryan-Duggan and; Ireland’s greatest female distance runner and mindful running coach Catherina McKiernan – did

not disappoint the audience as they responded enthusiastically to insightful questioning from moderator, Lisa Mulvihill, senior human resources professional with Element Six.

Siobhan Duffy, sharing her journey to leading Element Six, said that equality in business is about not feeling different for being a woman but about encouraging women to have a louder voice. She stressed the importance of innovation and leadership in driving gender equality.

Requesting people to refrain from referring to women in sport, but instead focus on people in sport, Catherina McKiernan said that actions speak louder than words, that empowerment lies in achievements, and that mindfulness and well-being help in achieving goals.

PhD candidate at TUS, Lavinia Duggan-Ryan, blended her academic research with real-world experiences to share insights on how equity, inclusion and leadership

development can empower individuals and organisations. Stating that no-one was born with gender bias, she stressed the importance of thinking strategically, connecting emotionally, and taking action

to achieve goals and make a lasting impact.

“It’s all about head, heart and feet,” she stated.

Shannon Chamber’s CEO Helen Downes, was fulsome in her praise

for the openness of the panel in speaking about their journeys in business and life.

“The focus of IWD is to recognise the contributions of women in various fields. It’s a day to celebrate how far women have come in the fight for equal rights and opportunities and we certainly saw that in spades at the event.

“My motto is life has always been: Be yourself; everyone else is taken. It is so important for everyone, not just women, to recognise that their value lies in embracing their individuality and authenticity. Trying to be someone else is a waste of a person’s unique potential. Bring your own strengths, creativity and perspective to the work and success will follow,” she added.

“Shannon Chamber was delighted to partner with Element Six to deliver an event to the IWD 2024 theme of ‘Accelerating Action’. In sharing their individual experiences, the challenges they have faced, and the steps they have taken, and continue to take, to break barriers

l35 YEARS: The Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan and the Cathaoirleach, Municipal District Cappamore-Kilmallock, Cllr. Martin Ryan, with Ben Whelan, chair of the Shannon Aerospace 35-year anniversary committee (centre), representatives of the four charities being supported by the fundraising, the organising committee, and representatives from Atlantic Aviation Group and Shannon Chamber at the launch of the celebratory fundraising event, which will take place on 28 March.

Photo by: Eamon Ward

lELEMENT-SIX:Siobhan Duffy, CEO, Element Six (4th left) pictured at the International Women’s Day with (from left): Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Lisa Mulvihill, HR manager, Element Six; keynote speakers Ailbhe Keane. founder, Izzy Wheels; Lavinia Duggan-Ryan, Vhi and research post grad, TUS; and Catherina McKiernan, distance runner and mindful running coach.

Photo by: Eamon Ward

Theresa Mulvihill Women in Business Co-ordinator, Sharon Keegan Keynote Speaker & Cllr. Rita McInerney

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Edel Breslin of Oir Tonics, Winner of Best Innovation & Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach

Carmel Kirby, A/Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Members of LEO Clare Evaluation Committee, Aine Gleeson, Damian Barrow, Chris Clancy of Enterprise Ireland, Kieran Sheehan, Gert O’Rourke

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Ben Whelan & Colm O’Ceallaigh, Founders of Shannon Technical Services, & Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach an Chlair

Winner of Best Export Award, The Tourism Space & Winner of Best Digital Award, Great Visitor Experiences

Deirdre Keating Senior Enterprise Development Officer LEO Clare, Sharon Keegan (Keynote Speaker), Helen Pilkington Assistant Staff Officer LEO Clare, Theresa Mulvihill Women in Business Co-Ordinator

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan, Cathaoirleach an Chlair, Shane & Claire Bannon of Indigo Visual & Timmy Dooley, Minister for State

Keane says Clare showing was flat

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3

Sligo 1-19 Clare 2-14

Venue: Markievicz Park, Sligo

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

CLARE senior football manager Peter Keane was frustrated with big decisions in their two point loss to Sligo but readily admitted their performance was too flat.

Having ended Kildare’s unbeaten streak, Clare’s senior footballers let a chance to go joint top of Division 3 in the Allianz National Football League slip through their fingers when suffering a 1-19 2-14 defeat to Sligo.

After the game, Keane acknowledged that his side were struggling on the road having lost their only other away game, which was against Antrim in the first round. “We had something similar above in the opening day against Antrim, is it the travel I don’t know, sometimes when you have a high like we did after the game against Kildare last week, sometimes you can end up with a relatively flat performance the following week but you know that said, we turned in a very good last quarter so we were we were happy with that”.

He added, “You start out initially hoping you're going to win your home games and thus far we have but then you got to pick up something away and that decides where you're going to end up in the table at the end of it”.

Keane was annoyed with some of the decisions which he felt went against Clare. “We were just unlucky, we could have scraped a draw at the very death, Dermot Coughlan’s two pointer just went very marginally wide, we were very flat in the first half and that probably set the tone for the game. We fought very, very well in the last quarter, really went after the game. I suppose we were unfortunate with a couple of decisions that didn't go our

way, so we're disappointed”.

Among them was a 71st minute goal by Ikem Ugwueru which was deemed to be a square ball. “I didn’t see much wrong with it but it was the referee’s cal”.

Keelan Sexton’s black card on 52 mintues

was another source of contention for the Kerry man. “It was a big blow and we were down a man in very warm conditions... it was unfortunate to lose a man”.

Wins against Laois and Offaly will keep promotion to Division 2 within Clare’s

grasp but Keane was avoiding such talk. “I haven't done a whole while thinking about that but we’ve a game next weekend against Laois and we’ve to go and try win that game”.

Clare Credit Unions team up with Minor Ladies

Clare Credit Unions are delighted to sponsor new training tops for the Clare Minor Ladies Football Squad for the 2025 season. Dave Noble and Ray O’Mahony of St. Francis Credit Union were delighted to represent Clare Credit Unions at the Championship launch, where the squad were presented with their new training tops.

l Aaron Griffin gets past Daniel Lyons on his way to scoring Clare’s first goal

Photo by Gerard O'Neill

SCAN HERE FOR MATCH REPORT

We won't rest 'til we win All Ireland

ALL-IRELAND PPS SENIOR C FINAL

St Clare's Manorhamilton 1-17

Ennistymon Community School 1-13

Venue: St Jarlath's Park, Tuam Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

ST. CLARE’S MANORHAMILTON

Frees For: 26 (9/8/4/5)

Wides: 10 (2//1/1)

Scores from play: 1-10

Spread of scorers: 6

Top scorer: Jack Kelly (010 5f)

Own kickouts won: 18 from 25 (72%)

Bookings; Cathal Cunneen (35)

REFEREE: John Gilmartin (Sligo)

ENNISTYMON Community School “won’t rest” until it claims an All-Ireland title, writes Seamus Hayes.

On Saturday, it took extra time to separate Ennistymon Community School from St Clare’s Manorhamilton but they came up short just in their efforts to lift the Dr Eamonn O’Sullivan Cup (All-Ireland C PPS football final).

Joint manager Tara Rynne was disappointed with the outcome of their 1-17 1-13

ENNISTYMON COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Frees For: 19 (9/7/2/1)

Wides: 11 (3/6/1/1)

Scores from play: 1-9

Spread of scorers: 7

Top scorer: Conor Burke (0-8 4f)

Own kickouts won: 19 out of 30 (63%)

Bookings; Donncha O’Dwyer (25)

defeat but was immensely proud of their showing. “It’s hard to see the lads on the ground there after giving everything and not to come away with a reward after all the hard work this year”, the Inagh/Kilnamona club woman told The Clare Echo.

“We took a few minutes to find our feet but it was so close throughout the sixty minutes. We found ourselves three points down, rallied to get the goal to force extra time. In the dressing room

before the extra time we were in good shape”, she added.

Commenting on the effort from both teams she said “lads were out on their feet. At one stage, there were six lads between both teams on the ground with cramp. It’s

tough because on a day like this they give everything. It’s hard to end with nothing”.

to have got to this stage, you are not going to win everything, hopefully they will be in finals where they will be successful, unfortunately it wasn’t to be today”.

Concluding she said, “the school will continue to take part in these colleges competitions. We won’t rest until we got that All-Ireland”.

Understandably she was keen to pay tribute to the players for their efforts.

“We are so proud of them

Reflecting on the campaign she said “we had a really good year. Before Christmas we didn’t have too high expectations, we were enjoying the matches. Then it started to get serious and we were impressed with ourselves to be going so far”.

U20s suffer shock defeat to Waterford

MUNSTER U20 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PHASE 1 RD1

Waterford 4-12 Clare 2-15

Venue: Doonbeg

Compiled by Páraic McMahon

STORY OF THE GAME

WATERFORD

Frees for: 20 (13/7)

Wides: 5 (3/2)

Spread of scorers: 5 Scores from play: 3-1 Top scorer: Joe Brennan (0-7 3f 2tpf) Yellow Card: None Black Card: Conor Keating (59), Adam Murray (63) Red Card: None Own kickouts won: 16 from 27 (59%)

CLARE: Frees for: 15 (7/8) Wides: 10 (2/8)

Spread of scorers: 7 Scores from play: 2-10

Top scorer: Daire Culligan (0-5 1f) and Colin Riordan (1-2)

Yellow Card: Luke Pyne (59), Evan Cahill (62), Seán McAllister (63) Own kickouts won: 15 from 21 (71%)

REFEREE: Eoghan Ó Muircheartaigh (Kerry)

CLARE’S U20 footballers have left themselves with an uphill battle after suffering a shock loss to Waterford in Doonbeg on Saturday, writes Seamus Hayes Waterford recorded their first win since 2021 in the U20 Munster football championship after scoring four goals in the second half to defeat Clare 4-12 2-15.

Concentration levels dropped for Clare after a blistering start to the second half where they scored 2-1 in the first four minutes, said manager Maurice Walsh.

Following their opening round loss, Clare travel to FBD Semple Stadium Thurles this Saturday (14:00) needing a win over Tipperary to get their challenge for a place in phase two of the provincial championship up and running. Tipperary meanwhile are in a strong position after recording a 3-8 0-6 win over Limerick in Rathkeale on Saturday, the hosts will be the favourites this weekend.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Walsh was frustrated that they became lacklus-

tre in the second half. “We were quite happy last week at half time when we trailed by three points having played against the wind. We rectified a few things at half time and we came out and went ahead by six as we scored 2-3. We seemed to switch off at that stage and we got a little lacklustre. Our concen-

tration levels dropped and Waterford took advantage”.

Éire Óg clubman Maurice noted, “Waterford ran Clare very close in minor football last year. Paul Power, their manager then is in charge of he under 20’s now and there is momentum in Waterford football”.

The manager acknowl-

edged “we haven’t as much work done as other teams and we would have liked to have been in place a bit earlier”.

With Saturday’s game in Thurles very much in focus now, the Clare boss said “we met up on Monday night and we will train again this Thursday evening before de-

ciding on the line up for Saturday’s game. Fortunately we don’t have any injury issues following last week’s game. We have looked at their (Tipperary) game and we have identified areas that we can work on. We were always targeting this game for a win. It’s real championship for us now”.

l Josh Daniels charges forward for Ennistymon Community School Photo by John Sheridan

l Josh Daniels charges forward for Ennistymon Community School Photo by John Sheridan

'If they're going to change the way the game is refereed, at least tell us'

NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE ROUND 6

Cork 6-20 Clare 0-23

Venue: Zimmwe Biomet Páirc Chiosóg

Compiled by Eoin Brennan

CLARE manager Brian Lohan has said he is “very disappointed” with their performance and result following a 15-point loss to Cork on Sunday, reports Eoin Brennan.

Relegation from Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League seems inevitable for the reigning All-Ireland and league champions after losing four of their five games so far this year.

Speaking following Clare’s drubbing at the hands of Cork, Lohan stated, “Very disappointed in the performance, very disappointed in the result and the nature of the result as well. I have to give credit to Cork but that's maybe a bit too easy to say. When you concede as many goals as that, it's just very tough on all concerned.

“Look, conceding those goals was obviously massive and maybe not fronting up to the attitude that Cork came with as well, that’s disappointing too,” he added.

Lohan believed that within a week there has been a change in the manner in which games have been refereed. “That said, I think that game was refereed differently to anything we’ve seen so far. The word I’m getting is that there was a big meeting with the referees during the week and they laid down the law but nobody told us and nobody told the players.

“To get all this information second-hand or third-hand and have two players sent off as a result of it, it’s just not good enough. I mean if they’re going to change the way the game is refereed, the least you could do is tell us,” Lohan said.

Clare finished with 13 men following the dismissals of Peter Duggan and David Fitzgerald, Lohan was frustrated witht the red card for Duggan in what was his first appearance of the year.

“So four red cards in Kilkenny, three here and

one last night. Okay, last night there was no debate, it should have been a red. But I don’t know, I thought Peter's was a harmless tackle. I thought the goalkeeper kind of ducked his head to get around the tackle and it was harmless. As for Fitzy’s one, I haven’t spoken to David now, so I don’t know exactly what happened but it looks like the game was refereed completely differently to

STORY OF THE GAME

CORK Frees For: 12 (6/6)

Wides: 14 (7/7)

Scores from Play: 6-15

Spread of Scorers: 6

Top Scorer: Declan Dalton (2-6) Yellow Cards: Tim

O’Mahony (22), Tommy O’Connell (27), Patrick Horgan (35), Eoin Downey (38), Micheál Mullins (50) Red Card: Cormac O’Brien (73) Own Puck-Outs won: 14 from 27 (52%)

REFEREE: Liam Gordon (Galway)

how the games have been refereed so far this year. A little bit of notice is I think is what we deserve,” he said.

Although happy with the win, Cork manager Pat Ryan stressed their visit to Ennis on April 20 was the defining fixture. “It was a good day. We performed well. I thought the lads were sharp and they took the goals well and they were very clinical. I think

Sparrow & Doyle among new managers

by Páraic McMahon

FORMER Clare manager and two-time All-Ireland winner, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin has taken charge of his native Clarecastle while O’Callaghans Mills have appointed an ex Clare U20 and minor hurling manager as their new boss.

Ten teams will battle it out for the inaugural premier intermediate hurling championship in 2025. It is shaping up to be one of the most competitive competitions in any grade in the county for some time.

After 47 years in the top flight, O’Callaghans Mills lost their senior status in 2024 and there is no doubt that they are determined to make a quick return.

Clarecastle are also keen to get back up to senior level, they and the Mills will be under new managements in 2025 as are Parteen/Meelick.

Two time All-Ireland winner with Clare in the nineties, Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin will manage his native Clarecastle and his backroom team will include Martin Sheedy and Donagh Murphy.

Sean Doyle from Bodyke will be the coach at O’Callaghans Mills this year. The former Clare minor manager takes over from Clare’s All-Ireland winning centre forward from 1995 and 1997 P.J. O’Connell who managed the side for the past two years. Limerick man Niall Douigh from the St. Patricks club will be in charge of S and C with Robbie Madden and Billy Murphy as selectors.

Tulla are also chasing a return to senior having being relegated in 2019. Brian Quinn is to continue for a second term at the helm and his backroom is unchanged and includes coach Barry Corbett, Fintan

Leamy, Karl Quinn and Brian Lynch. Bryan McInerney (S&C) replaces Jason McCarthy.

Another team with a new manager for 2025 is Parteen Meelick where Noel Ryan takes over as manager/coach. He coached the side last year when Denis Barry was manager. After three years in that role Denis did not seek another term.

Noel Ryan’s management team will include Roddy McDermott, Keith Howard, Ken Barrett (selectors) and Martin Reale (S&C).

Pat Taaffe is to continue as manager with his native Tubber. They suffered a heartbreaking one point loss to Wolfe Tones in the 2024 final. There are changes to his backroom team as Rory Gantley, now with the Clare senior hurlers, and Ivan Conway have stepped away. Former Clare and Dublin coach Gavin Keary from Loughrea will coach the team this year while Paschal Lee and Mike Coen continue as part of the backroom team.

Leon Quirke is to continue for a third term as Ruan manager and his backroom team is unchanged with Pakie Roughan, Michael Daffy and Martin Moynihan (coaches), Pat Meaney and Gearoid Roughan (selectors) and Jamie Fitzgibbon (S&C).

Sixmilebridge will also be unchanged with Pat Keane continuing as manager with Eamonn Healy and Seamus Cusack as selectors. Whitegate’s 2024 management will also be continuing for another term and it comprises Niall Hayes as manager; Dermot Hayes, Cathal O’Byrne (coach) and Derrick Morris (S&C). Jason O’Brien will continue at Killanena joined by Enda Collins and Fintan McNamara. Colin Molloy will manage Bodyke.

that's our game. I mean we’ve have very dangerous inside-forwards so we're trying to get the ball in a bit better. We probably didn't take our chances over the last couple of league matches that we played in. We took all our chances today, we’ve worked very hard on that and we took those opportunities against what is a very mean Clare defence normally.

CLARE Frees For: 19 (8/11)

Wides: 5 (4/1)

Scores from Play: 0-11

Spread of Scorers: 10 Top Scorer: Aidan McCarthy (0-12) Yellow Cards: David Fitzgerald (3), Darragh Lohan (11), David McInerney (22), Seán Rynne (27), Adam Hogan (35) Red Cards: Peter Duggan (51), David Fitzgerald (73) Own Puck-Outs won: 21 from 40 (53%)

l Conor Leen and Eibhear Quilligan offer some back up to Adam Hogan.

Photo by Ruth Griffin

SCAN HERE FOR PLAYER RATINGS

PLAYER WATCH: John Conlon (Wing-Back) Minutes Played: 70

(6/7)

Clare returned with 3 golds and 1 silver from the All-Ireland Juvenile A Finals, with U16 sinlges winner Sean Considine, U15 doubles gold Charlie Collins and Sean McGee (pictured); U14 doubles winners Daniel Madden and Cillian Howard, and silver medalists Ellie Frost and Chloe Hannon

SIXTEEN BECOMES EIGHT IN CLARE CUP

MOYLUSSA TAKE SPOILS AT U10 BOYS INDOOR SOCCER

The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games for U10 boys were held on Saturday in Corofin GAA Hall, coordinated by Paddy Vaughan with his team of referees. Thirteen teams participated. T In preliminary games – Clarecastle/Ballyea Green beat Quin/Clooney Red 5 – 1. Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Blue beat Clarecastle/ Ballyea Red on penalties. Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly beat Quin/Clooney Green on penalties. Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Red beat Doora/Barefield 4 – 1. Crusheen/Ballinruan/Tubber Red beat Ballynacally/Lissycasey Maroon on penalties. Quarter finals – Moylusa beat Cratloe. Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Red beat Ballynacally/Lissycasey White. Sixmilebridge/ Kilmurry Blue beat Inch/Kilmaley/ Connolly. Crusheen/Ballinruan/Tubber beat Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Red Semi finals – Moylusa beat Sixmilebridge/ Kilmurry Blue while Crusheen/Ballinruan/ Tubber beat Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Red.

In the final Moylusa (pictured) came out on top beat Crusheen/Ballinruan/Tubber 4 – 2.

The two Sixmilebridge teams decided not to play off for 3rd & 4th places so divided the spoils. Moylusa now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster competition in U.L. weekend of 26 th /27 th April.

1st Moylusa – Jonah Finnegan, Sean Furlong, Michael Mc Namara, Adam Moloney, Sean O’Brien, Adam O’Looney, Macdara O’Connell. 2nd Crusheen/Ballinruan/Tubber – Donal Og Dillon, Darragh Griffin, Donnacha Hassett, Rian Murphy, Liam Vaughan, Alex Wang, Caleb Williams, Theo Zemba.

3/4th – Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Blue – Yousef Albbas, Eli Corbett, Evan Feehan, Aidan Glynn, Alex Keane, Padraic Keogh, Patrick O’Sullivan. 3/4 th - Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Red – Leo Lavelle, Luke Lavelle, Ronan O’Connell, Evan O’Connor, Cillian O’Donoghue, Fionn O’Donoghue, Antoni Zielinski.

U16 Boys Pan Munster Plate: Ennis RFC 21 – 24 Middleton RFC

Ennis went down fighting until the final whistle in the Pan Munster Plate Quarter-Final when the score showed 21 – 24.

The Clare boys started well and were up seven nil after Ciarán Sheehan burst through to score. Midleton came back with a try after some defending by Ennis to leave it 7 – 5. Ennis soon regained their composure and Harry O’Donnoghue broke through to score again, converted by Tadhg Bane. Midleton came back by getting through under the posts for 14 - 12. Approaching halftime, Ennis put on even more pressure and stole the ball from Midleton on their 22 to put in six or seven phases for Harry O’Donnoghue to score again under the posts. The score at halftime was 21 -12.

Things started going wrong for Ennis immediately in the second half. Midleton kept the ball in Ennis’ half and eventually scored under the posts. Then, Ciarán Sheehan and Cian Earle collided in defence while tackling the same man. Both had to be subbed off. With two big carriers and defenders gone, Ennis pummelled the line at the other end but couldn't get across the whitewash. The game went up and down the field, but Midleton had just that bit more power at the end and scored the decisive try. Despite

Ennis U16s pipped by Cork opposition

desperate attempts to salvage the game, Ennis couldn't get that vital score and was left with 21 – 24. Ennis’ best players on the day were Harry O’Donnoghue, Ciarán Sheehan, Evan Cusack, and John Harwood.

Senior Men 1 st XV Munster Junior League: Fermoy RFC 15 – 20 Ennis RFC Ennis’ Senior Men wrapped up their Munster Junior League Division Two season with an away 15 – 20 win in Fermoy. Try scorers for the Ennis team were Jack Dillon, Shane Punch, and Cian Guilfoyle. Punch also scored a conversion and a penalty, helping the men win against Fermoy with 15 – 20.

Additional Results:

U14 Girls Cup: Bantry Bay/Dunmanway 7 – 26 Ennis U14 Boys Munster Plate: Ennis 12 – 48 Shannon U18 Boys Pan Munster: Bandon 31 – 21 Ennis Senior Women’s League: Roaring Water Bay 0 – 57 Ennis/Kilrush

Fixtures:

U15 Pan Munster Development Plate: Waterpark v Ennis: Saturday 15 th March; KO at 1pm in Waterpark U16 Girls Cup: Ennis v Clonakilty: Saturday 15 th March: Kick-off at 3pm in Drumbiggle

U14 Boys North Munster Cup: Ennis v Young Munster; Sunday 16 th March; KO at 11 am in Drumbiggle U16 Boys North Munster Cup: Ennis v Garryowen Sunday 16 th March; KO at 12:00pm in Drumbiggle U18 Boys North Munster Cup: Ennis v Shannon Sunday 16 th March; KO at 12:00pm in Drumbiggle U13 Boys North Munster League: Old Crescent v Ennis; Sunday 16 th March; KO at 3pm in Takumi Park

Doubles in Limerick for Clare owners

by Michael Maher news@clareecho.ie

Doubles at Limerick For Clare Owners

At Thursday afternoon meeting in Limerick, there was a double for Michael and Donnacha McNamara from Tulla and Parteen's Joe Collins

For the McNamaras, litter brothers Aqua Bolt and Daystar won their respective graded contests in 29.58 and and 29.32, they are out of a homebred litter by Malachi and Rockalong Aqua.

And for Joe Collins, Shanakyle Valley, a son of Malachi and Aarons sensation landed the spoils in 29.50 and and in Race 11 Shanakyle Blue recorded the exact same time in an A6 contest, and he is a son of Malachi and Our Blue Velvet,

Last Friday nights Galway card was dominated by the Semi Finals of both The Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby generously sponsored by Karen Geoghegan and The On Faya Kennels A2 Bitch 525 generously sponsored by the Mulroney Family

In race 3 the Peter Russell of Shannon owned Petes Noah(Buegess Bucks-Notimetotalk) registered his seventh career success on his twelveth start as he came with a sustained late run to lead on the home bend as he defeated Bayview Wild and Cragataska Black by a length and a half and half a length in 29.59. Bayview Wild showed good early pace to lead Petes Noah and Springwell Eddy by over two lengths rounding the opening bend and this lead became three lengths at halfway . Racing between the final two bends though Pete’s Noah began to close on the leader. Despite keeping a wide berth rounding the home bend the Donie Duggan of Tulla trained Petes Noah gradually asserted on the run to the line . Saturday nights ten race card at the same venue featured the Final of a Mini Novice 350 yards stake and the semi finals of some graded stakes finals the final of which will form part of the under card for next Friday Nights Kilcolgan Castle Connacht Derby and On Faya A2 Bitch Deciders . In the second Semi Final of the Bet on the Tote A5 Stake Creggane Pudgie was best away on the wide outside with Ard Roxy and Ballyhale Matt also prominent as they

reached the opening bend . Rounding the bend there was plenty of bunching and this allowed the Seamus McMahon of Cooraclare owned Laissatouk Pearl to slip round along the rails and opened a three lengths advantage racing down the back straight . Approaching the penultimate corner Swift Hazed began to close slightly on the leader but Lissatouk Pearl(Ballymac Cashout-Lissatouk Dolly) was not for catching as she scored by two & a half lengths in 29.44. Bobtailbuttercup was best away in the second semi final of the S8 Stake on the wide outside but as they settled down on the run towards the opening bend the Thomas Connor & Saoirse Nohilly of Ennistymon owned Baby Blue Leah made rapid progress towards the inner to take command at the opening bend bend. Tracking well at the turn Baby Blue Leah( Bull Run Bolt-Togher Blue Leah) extended her advantage to over four lengths as Killanin Blake moved into second place but the winner was long gone beyond recall as she scored by five lengths at the line in 19.71.

The S4 graded ninth contest saw the Thomas Connor kennel complete a double as Heathlawn Best(Ballymac Best-Blackstone May) recorded his sixth career success in this S4 graded sprint contest as he proved four and a half lengths too good for Drombeg Star in 19.21 Drombeg Star trapped well towards the outside but once he found his stride the winner powered down the inner to lead at the opening bend. Tracking well Heathlawn Best extended his advantage to four lengths on the crown of the home bend and was home and hosed entering the home straight .

The concluding contest of the night was an A5 graded affair and from traps the red jacketed Bouncing Baron came away best and led from Kiltymon Ninja with Creevy Jet in third place as they began the swing down the back . Racing along the back Bouncing Baron continued to show the way to Kiltymon Ninja who began the creep closer rounding the third bend . Turning for home the lead was down to a length as the Stephen Murray of Sixmilebridge trained Kiltymon Ninja(Good News-Kiltymon Pearl) finished the stronger and lead close home to score by half a length for owners The Maiden Voyage Syndicate in 29.55.

l Simon Kilker rescues the goal-bound ball Photo by Ruth Griffin

Wind a factor at Players Championship at Sawgrass

THIS Thursday in my opinion is the real start to the 2025 golfing season when the best players in golf, tee it up at the Players Championship at the renowned Sawgrass golf club in Ponte Verda Beach, Florida.

Surely this tournament is our fifth major or needs to be considered to be a major event, that is steeped so much in the golfing history books with so many amazing winners throughout the years.

There are so many of the top golfers playing well at the moment it makes for quite the exciting tournament however you still have to tip Scottie Scheffler on his pursuit of a three-peat at The Players Championship.

Scottie Scheffler, the reigning champion for the past two of The Players Championship, is set to defend his title for the third consecutive year at TPC Sawgrass. Becoming the first golfer since Jack Nicklaus in 1978 to win this prestigious event thrice, Scheffler is surely a favourite for victory.

Having clinched the title in 2023 and 2024, Scheffler's consistent performance and calm demeanour make him a formidable contender every time he tees it up. His jour-

ney from a remarkable 2024 season, which included seven PGA Tour wins and an Olympic gold medal, underscores his dominance in the sport today.

Rory McIlroy, the 2019 Players Champion, is another strong contender. Despite recent equipment challenges which have resulted in him having to putt his older woods back into his bag for this week's tournament, McIlroy's resilience and experience at TPC Sawgrass position him well for a potential comeback.

His strategic approach and familiarity with the course will play pivotal roles in his performance and help him to win should he be in contention next Sunday evening.

However, my pick and a slight outside winner this week is a player I picked to win last year's Masters and a player I felt would have won only for his double bogie six on the 11th at Augusta.

In truth it was his lack of experience in playing around Augusta that led to Ludvig Aberg narrowly missing out in winning the first major of the year. This year I feel however, Ludvig is teeing up nicely to a hot start to the season and I expect him to come close to contending

at both this week's Players Championship as well as at the Masters in a months' time. He is one of the most talented players I have seen in years and with the experience he has gathered in the majors in 2024 I know he will surely be in contention come Sunday evening at Sawgrass.

Sawgrass is one of those courses where the wind plays havoc with the golfers. Some golf courses including my own course at Dromoland GC experience quick directional changes in the wind direction.

Within seconds the wind can swap from directly downwind to turning where the wind is all of a sudden hurting your ball flight.

We see a lot of this wind direction movement around heavily tree lined courses like Sawgrass and Augusta which leads to huge misjudgements in distance control.

This is especially seen on the signature island 17th Par 3 hole in Sawgrass where the players have to constantly battle the winds around this floating island green located in the end of a lake.

Even though this Par 3 is just over 140 yards players have to battle the wind strength and every changing direction as well as trying to hold

and no doubt this year this hole will also play a pivotal role to whoever lifts that famous Players trophy this Sunday.

Bright sunshine for Woodstock captains’ drive in

WOODSTOCK GOLF CLUB

Bright sunshine was the order of the day as the Woodstock captains for 2025 ‘drove-in’ to office on Sunday. The officials for 2025 are Gerry O'Malley (Men) Chaye Kelly (Ladies), Frank McEnery (Seniors), Sean Crowe (Junior boys) and Grace O'Halloran (junior girls)

A nine hole scramble with teams starting from the first an tenth tees followed.

The front nine winners were Mike Kelly, Helen Frost O'Neill, Patsy Nugent and Ross Kenny while the back 9 winners were Joe Keane, John Clune, Joan Cullinan Coote and Ramona Gleeson. Round 6 in the Ozone Health and Fitness Spring league saw victory go to Mike and Cathal Kelly with 54 points with Seamus and Barry McNicholl in second place with 52 points.

The final standings in the league after last week’s round reveal Pat and Joe Barry with 219 points in first place. In second place with 210 points are Mike and Cathal Kelly followed by Paddy Meehan / Dickie Pyne with 202, Pat O'Brien / Colin Higgins with 20, Paul Coote / Chris McGrath with 201 with sixth spot filled by Kieran Dromey / Jarlath Fahy with 198

Last week’’s club singles was won by Colin Reidy (15) with 35 points from Noel Moloney (13 with 34 and Gerry Walsh (18), also with 34 Winners in the 2’s competition were Noel Mulcahy (7th hole), Dickie Pyne (7th hole), Ronan Horgan (7th and 11th holes) and Ken Horgan (6th and 8th holes).

There will be another club singles this weekend while there will be a fourball betterball competition throughout the bank holiday weekend with re-entry with a different partner on a different day allowed.

KILRUSH GOLF CLUB

The Johnson's Bar Spring qualifier continued

at Kilrush at he weekend when this week’s winner was Geremiah Brennan (8) with 30 points. In second pace was Jim Young Snr (6) who also scored 30 points with Noel Thornton (11) a point back in third spot.

EAST CLARE GOLF CLUB

East Clare hosted an International Women's day scramble in aid of Clare Haven o Sunday when the winners were Brid Hayes, Terry Mulvihill and Marie A. Kelly. In second place were Evelyn Skeahan, Maureen Clune and Joyce Purcell followed by Bridget Minogue, Deirdre O'Neill and Helen Conway.

Last week’s ladies Wednesday competition was won byTrish Kerr. Brid Hayes and Phil Burke. In second place were Teresa Bradley, Ursula Hogan

and Geraldine Condren with third spot filled by Helen Downey, Siobhan Mulcahy and Connie McKenna.

In he men’s 18 hole stroke competition on Sunday, Redmond Walsh Senior (12) was the winner with 65 from Neil Harrington (10) with a similar score with Stephen Hickey (25) a stroke back on 66

Last week’s senior men’s competition was won by Kieran McNamara, Jim Willis and Nick Obolewicz from Danny Minogue, Eamon Goode, and Donal Fleming with third spot filled by John Fielding, Steve Symes, and Jim Greene.

Friday’’s mixed scramble was won by John Nihill, Breda O' Loghlin and Pat Duggan from Mary Jo Minogue, Willie Roche and John Fahywith

third spot filled by Mary Collins, Terry Coughlan and Dave Condren.

ENNIS GOLF CLUB

Last week’s ladies 13 hole fourball better ball at Ennis was won by Mary Curley (51) and Sinéad O'Sullivan (41) with 32 points. They had one to spare over Nuala D'Auria (39) and Mary T. McMahon (12) . In third place with 28 points were Flor Coffey (18) and Peggy Costello (21) followed by Rose Enright (19) and Geraldine O'Rourke (26) with a similar score.

In the 8 hole singles the winner was Martina Corbett (21) with 21 points followed by Marian Irwin (21) with 16 points, Phil Butler (14) with a similar score with Flor Coffey (10) with 14 points and Celia Reilly (18), also with 14 points.

The senior ladies scramble was won by Carmel Verling, Pat Lacey and Martina Corbett from Nuala D’Auria, Mary Kearns and Ann Kelly with third spot filled by Marie Dilleen, Alice Darcy and Therese Lillis.

GORT GOLF CLUB

Barry Cahill (8) was the category 1 winner with 42 points in the men’s 18 hole singles stableford competition at Gort at the weekend. Category 2 was won by Martin Callinan (14) with 41 points, category 3 by Pat McNamara (19) with 41 points and category 4 by Brian Crossan (23) with 40 points

SIXMILEBRIDGE GOLF SOCIETY

Sixmilebridge golf society had it’s first outing of the year to Ennis last Saturday where Brian Murphy emerged as the winner from Pat Kearney with Colin Murphy in third spot followed by Vinny Purcell. The nines were won by John McNamara and Joe Joe Murphy

the green surrounded 360° by a lake adds to the excitement of this tournament knowing it's never over until you have finished your round at Sawgrass.

This hole has caused havoc over the years

'GIRLS HAVE TO WORK HARDER

TO BE NOTICED IN SPORT'

We discuss the challenges facing young sportswomen with four up-and-coming local talents

by Kaitlyn Ferns news@clareecho.ie

YOUNG sportswomen in Clare can feel “angry and upset” by the lack of support for girls in sport in the County.

A recent Sport Ireland study found around 30 per cent fewer girls are involved in sports at secondary school level than in primary school.

While girls and boys have similar sports participation levels at primary school (girls 94 per cent, boys 89 per cent), almost one-third fewer girls take physical exercise at post-primary level (girls 65 per cent, boys 79 per cent).

Boys are also more likely to meet the national physical activity guidelines than girls.

The Clare Echo sat down with four young local sportswomen and got their take on the issues surrounding equality in women’s sport as they approach an age where there’s a significant dropout rate of girl's sports participation.

Jorja Deegan Herlihy (15) is a 3rd year student at Ennis Community College. She plays midfield with Avenue United FC and is a fullforward with The Banner GAA Club.

“I think girls have a lot to prove when playing sports," she tells The Clare Echo. "We have to work a bit harder in order to get noticed and be seen, so that we are not overlooked.

"In the past there has been an odd one or two negative encounters," she admitted. "When I played with boy's teams it came as a shock for a girl to play with them, therefore I got comments from the players that could be taken as hurtful. Thankfully we are moving out of that stage now and it is more common for girls to play a male dominated sport.”

HEALTH

She went on to explain how inequality in sports makes her feel “angry and upset”. She added, “I don’t understand why females are looked at differently or badly upon just for playing a sport that can better their health.” Jorja thinks the biggest problem is that “women’s matches aren’t broadcasted enough, therefore the younger generation don’t get

to see women playing so less girls join sports.”

Jorja believes that public perception of women in sport must change now “I think the biggest change that needs to be made is people’s mindsets. If people can change how they view women’s sport and be able to spread a positive view to others, that would be a massive help in taking women’s sport more seriously.”

Saoirse Quinn (14), a Second year student at Coláiste Muire in Ennis who is originally from New Zealand, plays soccer, rugby, Gaelic football and camogie. Despite coming from the

spiritual home of rugby, it wasn’t until her family moved to Ireland that she took up the sport she’s most passionate about and she’s been actively playing with Ennis Rugby Club for the last two years.

Saoirse believes that the support of a dedicated coaching team can have a huge influence on encouraging young women in sport.

Saoirse admits that she has also received criticism and unwelcome comments from people, “especially from the boys that are a similar age to me.

"They always assume they are better than me just be-

cause I'm a girl and they are a boy. This makes me feel quite frustrated because I am just as good as them, if not better!”

LEADER

However she stresses, “I do receive positive feedback from other people. As the captain of my rugby team, I get a lot of encouragement from my teammates and coaches. They tell me I’m a strong leader, and they appreciate how I motivate the team and keep everyone focused. My friends and family also support me and are proud of what I’ve achieved.

"It feels good to be recognized for my hard work, and

to be an athlete but why is it not for a girl to want the exact same thing?”

She continued, “In volleyball, since its seen as more of a 'girls sport' I would say I wouldn’t have to prove myself as much, but in running I definitely would compare my speed to the speed of the lads running with me and always trying to be better, so I'll be taken more seriously.”

A JOKE

Young soccer player Jaime Ferns (15), a third year student at Ennis Community College, believes that the pay gap between men and women soccer players is “a joke.”

The pay gap between male and female athletes has sat between 80-84% over the last 20 years. The highest paid female soccer player is Aitana Bonmati, making a €1 million salary, whereas the highest paid male soccer player is Cristiano Ronaldo who makes over €263 million a year.

Jaime explained, “I have mixed feelings about this. Men get paid the perfect amount of money while women don't even get half that. Not even successful players like Katie McCabe.

"In a perfect and equal world, men and women both respect each other in sport and get equal pay. There must be change.”

“I joined the new Avenue girl’s soccer team in April 2023 because my dad encouraged me. I’m a striker.” she explains.

Jaime says she receives “loads of positive feedback” from fellow teammates, coaches, family members and teachers.

it helps me stay confident in what I do. The positive feedback keeps me motivated to keep pushing forward in sports.”

Juliana Gea (16) who attends Coláiste Muire as a third year student, plays volleyball and competes in athletics with St. Cronan's Athletics Club.

Juliana told The Clare Echo, “Inequality is quite unfair. I know a lot of girls that would definitely have such a good career ahead of them in sports, but they're drawn back since they don't get as much attention as a guy would get.

"It's okay for a guy to want

“Sometimes I will get the odd comment though, typically from a male and they will say how women’s soccer will never live up to the expectations of the men’s.

"Of course, I ignore these comments, but they can still sometimes be hurtful. I love the sport so much and my dream is to someday see it become fair and equal.”

l (clockwise from top left) Jaime Ferns in action for Avenue United; Juliana Gea, a member of St Cronan's Athletics Club; Ennis RFC starlet Saoirse Quinn; Jorja Deegan Herlihy (right) celebrates winning a title with her teammates

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Bernadette Walsh, am applying to the above authority for permission for the following development on property at Walsh’s Bar, The Green, Killaloe, Co Clare:

Permission for the reconstruction and refurbishment of existing fire damaged public house and its conversion into a ground floor commercial unit, ground floor studio apartment, 1st floor 1 bed apartment, 2nd floor one bed apartment, demolition of existing single storey rear annex, construction of new single storey extension to rear 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, Sean O’Connell & John Biggins, are applying to the above

authority for permission for the following development on property at 3 Royal Parade, Killaloe, Co Clare, V94 N8XY:

Permission for the construction of a bay window the first floor, dormer window to the second floor, demolition and reconstruction of the existing rear extension, internal alterations, 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 CO. COUNCIL POULBAUN, CARRON.

Take notice that Donat O Brien intends to apply for permission for development, the development consists of the construction of a slatted unit and associated site works at the above address.

The planning application maybe 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 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 MOVEEN EAST, KILKEE

Take notice that Tom Deloughery intends to apply to the Planning Authority for permission to construct Agricultural Slatted Unit 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 Plan-

ning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL, 10 THE LINKS, LAHINCH, CO.

CLARE, V95 Y328

Take notice that Brendan Quinn, Colleen Quinn and Vincent Browning intend to apply to the Planning Authority for permission for the following works a) single storey rear extension b) additional bedroom and floor space on the first floor of the house c) additional rooflights on the front and rear elevations 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 BRICKHILL WEST, CRATLOE, CO CLARE.

Take notice that K Deegan is applying for planning permission for the change of use of a former dwelling house which was designated as an agricultural storage building subsequent to P19-548 back to a dwelling house and planning permission to refurbish the building and construct an extension along with all necessary 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 Clare County Council 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 SPANCILL HILL, MUCKINISH, CO. CLARE

Permission is sought by Cillian Duggan & Laura Slattery for retention of modifications to the design of the dwelling house and adjacent ancillary independent living accommodation granted under planning reference 23/104 at the above address. Amendments to include the retention and

completion of minor elevational changes, alterations to the internal layout of dwelling and modification of roof over ancillary independent living accommodation.

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 house 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 f 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application.

CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL LEAMNALEAHA, LISSYCASEY, CO

CLARE Take notice that Kevin McGuane is applying to Clare County Council for planning permission to reorientate an existing private road away from his dwelling house along with all necessary ancillary 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 Clare County Council 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 CO. COUNCIL GORTNAGLOGH, BROADFORD, CO.

CLARE

Permission for the retention of a dwelling house and septic tank on revised site boundaries is being sought on behalf of Olive Vaughan. 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. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

065 684 4545 info@realprint.ie www.realprint.ie

Mc NAMARA, Joe (Joseph) Sixmilebridge

Ward, Declan Ennis

Beakey, Brendan Corofin

Flynn, Dr. Michael Shannon

McMahon (née Burke), Nora Caher

Recent Deaths

Linnane, Br. John Joe

Malone, James (Jimmy) Lahinch

McArthur, Francis [Frank] Caher

Mc Grath (née Tierney), Mary Corofin

Moroney (née Murnane), Rita Broadford

Walsh, Larry Parteen

McLOUGHNEY, ANNE Shannon

Curran, John Ennis

McGrath (née Nestor), Mary Corofin

O’ Brien (née Hewitt), Eileen Ennis

The Clare Echo Quiz

1. Where was groundbreaking author Edna O’Brien born?

Tuamgraney

Quin

Ennis

2. What Irish author has been longlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction?

Roisín O’Donnell (Nesting)

Claire Keegan (Small Things Like These)

Claire Kilroy (Soldier, Sailor)

3. When was the film Small Things Like These, based on the book by Claire Keegan, released in Ireland?

October 2024

November 2024

December 2024

4. What was Sally Rooney’s debut novel?

Normal People Conversations With Friends

Beautiful World, Where Are You

5. Which Anne Enright novel won the 2007 Booker Prize?

The Forgotten Waltz

The Wren, The Wren

The Gathering

6. Fia and the Last _____ won Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) at the Irish Book Awards 2024…

Penguin

Snow Deer Night Owl

7. What is the name of Sinéad Moriarty’s debut YA novel?

The New Girl Good Sisters About Us

8. The film Room was based on the book by who?

Emma Donoghue

Marian Keyes

Sheila O’Flanagan

9. Which of the following books was not written by Maeve Binchy?

Tara Road

Circle of Friends

Anybody Out There?

10. What Irish novelist was named a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997?

Maeve Binchy

Iris Murdoch

Mollie Keane

Iris Murdoch

Anybody Out There?

Emma Donoghue

The New Girl

Snow Deer

Spot the Difference

ANSWERS

The Gathering

Conversations With Friends

(Nesting)

Celebrating International Women’s Day at Huntington Castle, Carlow are Clare Cllr Rita McInerney, Cllr Rachel Hartigan, Cllr. Claire Colleran Molloy, and Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú

Quiz by Emily Ross

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Caliper

Caliph

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Clipper

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Eclipse

Ellipse

Fillip

Flipchart

Flipflop

Flippant

Flipper

Heliport

Lipstick

Lollipop

Millipede

Slipcase

Slipknot

Slippage

Slippy

Tulips

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