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THERE have been calls for the Government to assist families with the cost of transporting children to the new Ennis National School.

The new school at Ashline opened its doors for the first time to pupils last week. The school was previously located at a site on the Kilrush Road closer to the town centre.

In a motion due to be discussed at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle urged the council to contact the Minister for Education and the Minister for Finance to allocate a grant to assist families, that are being asked to pay to transport children to the new school.

Cllr Guilfoyle said, “A lot of families now have an extra journey to make and I think the Departments should make some contribution to the cost of travelling to the school.”

The future of the former site of Ennis National School is unknown though it has been earmarked as a potential site for a major town centre retail development in the future.

In a submission to Clare County Council, Ennis Parish, the owners of the site, say it would be an ideal location for the future development of a commercial retail centre. Prepared by engineering firm Paddy Coleman and Associates, the sub- mission states, “It is their opinion that Proposal Site PS1 is ideal and should be promoted by the council through the Ennis and Environs Development Plan to cater for the identified retail deficiency. It is stated that they own part of the said site (the land associated with the Boys National School) and that the land will be available in the short term when it is vacated for the new school currently under construction at Ashline.” Supermarket giant Aldi have also emerged as potential purchasers of the site after signalling their intent to develop a second store in Ennis. However Cllr Guilfoyle says residents on the Kilrush Road would have concerns about any potential development in the area. He explained, “It seems it has been earmarked for a shopping centre. That may be a good bit down the line, if it happens, but I would have concerns. And there are people living there in peace for a long time that would have concerns about it.”

A LOCAL shop-owner has expressed concern that proposed traffic calming works at the entrance to Corrovorrin could lead to reduced business and a loss of jobs.

Councillors in Ennis have called for improvements to the Corrovorrin junction on the R352 Tulla Road to alleviate access problems in the area.

A report on the proposed € 50,000 project was presented to members at yesterday’s monthly meeting of En nis Town Council.

In a report to councillors, town engineer Eamon O’Dea stated that funding for the project had been se- cured from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Mr O’Dea explained, “The proposed layout has been confirmed with the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport road safety engineer during each stage of the design process. It was not possible to make significant amendments to the proposed layout to take account of the submissions received, however some minor adjustment to the parking opposite Tierney’s Shop on Kevin Barry Avenue were made.”

Mr O’Dea recommended that councillors approve the scheme at Corrovorrin Junction.

The proposed low cost safety scheme at Corrovorrin junction would involve a reduced carriageway width to give a “greater sense of enclosure” and the “reduce the crossing length for pedestrians”.

The council are also proposing courtesy pedestrian and combined crossing points along with an off road combined pedestrian and cycle lane

A preliminary deign report on the scheme states that traffic volume on the R352 ranges from 14,000 to 16,00 vehicles per day and 1,400 to 2,000 vehicles per day on Kevin Barry Avenue.

Alan Morrissey, Executive Engineer, stated, “Based on traffic flow levels the appropriate junction type is a priority junction.”

The report also states that analysis indicates, “There does not seem to be a speeding problem on the R352 east of Corrovorrin junction.

“An additional benefit of this design will be a reduction in crossing distances for pedestrians and cyclists thereby promoting sustainable travel modes” adds the report.

The council received three submissions on the proposed works.

Local shopkeeper John Tierney objected to the scheme at Corrovorrin junction. In his submission to the council, Mr Tierney stated that he is being penalised for complying with previous planning application. He stated insufficient background information was provided while adequate consultation procedures did not take place.

Mr Tierney referred to a brief re- port from the Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, which stated that according to Garda records, no accidents have taken place at the Corrovorrin junction in the past five years.

Mr Tierney also expressed concern that the proposed works would result in reduced business and loss of jobs.

Philip Coll, a resident of the nearby Kevin Barry Avenue, stated that he could not recall any accidents at the junction.

In his submission, Mr Coll told the council that he considered that filter lanes were required on both Kevin Barry Avenue and the Tulla Road. It was his view that a yellow box was required at the exit from Kevin Barry Avenue.

MEMBERS of Ennis Tidy Town’s Committee were upset yesterday (Monday) by Irish Business Against Litter’s (IBAL) finding that the town was one of three in the country it deemed littered.

The anti-litter league’s Dr Tom Cavanagh said however that IBAL was not worried about Ennis being third from the bottom of the league as it had been a good town in the past and he was confident it would be good in the future.

“I am not worried about them,” he said of the three towns deemed lit- ter.

The people of Ennis, and especially those who have dedicated their lives to the tidy town’s organisation, can take some solace in recent history.

In 2005, just a week before the county town won the national Tidy Town’s competition, it also received a damming report from IBAL.

For now however, there is a lot of disappointment at the news the town had dropped 13 places since last year on the litter league.

Ennis town councillor Mary Howard (FG), who is a volunteer with the local Tidy Towns, said members were very upset as they called each other following the news.

“One woman who goes out six nights a week [to pick up litter] was particularly upset. People are putting in a huge effort like this,” she said.

“A huge effort has been put into painting railings and other work this year,” she added.

As part of the litter inspection carried out by IBAL, litter inspectors surveyed recycling facilities, hotels and sports facilities in the towns and cities concerned.

IBAL expressed ‘disappointment’ that seven in 10 recycling centres nationwide were littered, and a number were litter black spots, including those in Ennis.

“These are typically managed by local authorities so it is disappointing that so many of them are unclean, especially as their importance is rising. We recognise the potential for these facilities to attract litter, a threat which some authorities have fended off effectively by installing CCTV,” explained Dr Cavanagh. Inspectors praised the facility in Dundalk as being ‘in a league of its own’.”

Over three-quarters of hotel grounds surveyed were free of litter, but a small number, including Treacy’s West County in Ennis were judged to be seriously littered, due to litter in the areas surrounding them.

A FATHER figure for councillors, a wonderful ambassador for his native county and a gentleman were just some of the words used to describe Clare County Council’s longest ever serving member who was laid to rest on Saturday.

PJ Burke, also known as Pa Joe, represented the Miltown Malbay Electoral Area from the 1940s up to the end of the 1990s, spending a record 45 years an Independent member of Clare County Council.

Cllr Christy Curtin (Ind) who gave the oration at the late West Clare man’s large funeral said Mr Burke would say he was “a councillor in the 1940s when council expenses were a penny ha-penny a mile”.

Describing him as an iconic figure Cllr Curtin said, “He gave good description of what a democratic representative should be. He was honest in all of his dealing and was an example to any public representative on how to deal with the public.”

The late councillor began his political career as a member of Sinn Fein but later declared as an Independent councillor. Coming from a long local political lineage, PJ Burke was first elected to Clare County Council in 1941. He held the position for only one year before Minister Sean McEntee announced the abolition of the local authority and the appointment in its place of a commissioner.

PJ successfully ran for election again in 1945 when the council was reconstituted. He lost his seat in the 1950 Local Election but regained his Council position in 1960. He retained his seat in the Miltown Electoral Area in five subsequent elections until 1999.

His father Tom was also a County Councillor from 1924 until his death, at the age of 65, in 1941. His grandfather, Garret Burke, was elected a Sinn Féin Rural District councillor in 1905 and later became a County Councillor.

Mayor Cllr Joe Arkins said, “PJ was very genuine. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always seen as a father figure for colleagues. He was very much involved in the campaign for the development of health services at Ennis General Hospital and vehemently opposed any downgrading of the facility.”

Tom Coughlan, Clare County Manager, added, “He was a gentlemen and a pleasure to work with.”

Labour TD Michael McNamara said Pa Joe was a man who represented the best values and traditions of rural Ireland. He is survived by his wife Mary and family.

A “VULNERABLE” young pregnant woman has been remanded in custody so she and her unborn child can receive necessary care and treatment, a court has heard.

The woman was the subject of an extensive two-day search by gardaí in Ennis earlier this month after serious concern was expressed for her and her unborn child at Ennis District Court after she missed a number of drug addiction appointments.

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of the woman after she failed to appear in court. The 19-year-old appeared back in court in Ennis yesterday following an alleged breach of bail conditions. Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court that gardaí received no response when they called to the woman’s house following the issuing of the bench warrant.

Insp Kennedy told the court that such was his concern, he authorised gardaí to force open the door. The woman, who in the apartment, was then brought before Limerick District Court where bail was again approved on condition that she again comply with all directions of the Probation Services.

Insp Kennedy applied to have the woman, who has pleaded guilty to drugs charges, remanded in custody.

Insp Kennedy said the woman had failed to turn up for scheduled appointments and had “led each and every one of us on a merry dance” around the issue of her care. This application was resisted by defence solicitor Tara Godfrey who urged the court to allow her client to remain on bail to attend future appointments.

The court heard the woman started abusing drugs aged 14. Ms Godfrey told the court that people to whom her client owes money for drugs had recently kicked in the door of the 19 year old’s apartment and taken her keys. “She is particularly vulnerable and dependent on services,” Ms Godfrey added.

She told the court that a failure to attend meetings was not a strong enough reason for the State to deprive her client of her liberty.

Insp Kennedy said the remand in custody was necessary. “It’s incumbent on the State to ensure she gets the treatment she requires,” he added.

Insp Kennedy said no complaint related to alleged break-in at the woman’s apartment had been made to gardaí.

The woman told the court that she was unable to attend appointments because she does not drive and has no family support.

Judge Mary Larkin said she was “quite satisfied” the woman had been in breach of her bail conditions. She remanded her in custody to appear again at Limerick District Court tomorrow. Judge Larkin also ordered that the woman’s name not be reported.

THE foster mother of a man found dead in Ennis last week has encouraged young people experiencing mental health difficulties to talk about their problems.

Tina Whelan, whose foster son Seamus Higgins went missing in Ennis earlier this month, says there needs to be a more open discussion on the issue of mental health among teenagers and young people.

Seamus was last seen jumping a wall at the rear of the Dun Na hInse housing estate on Saturday, August 10. His disappearance sparked a huge four-day search of rivers and other areas of Ennis. Seamus’ body was discovered by Civil Defence divers in the Claureen River on the afternoon of Thursday, August 15.

He had recently travelled from Southampton to Ennis for a holiday. Speaking yesterday, Ms Whelan said, “My plea to anyone who might be experiencing problems, would be to talk about it, just come out with the words ‘help me’. People don’t see the red flags until it’s too late. Young people just need to say the words help me. It’s only two words but it’s very powerful.”

Ms Whelan, who has been involved in fostering children for almost a decade, says there is a need in Ennis for a form of transitional housing for foster children when they turn 18.

She explained, “Kids end up in foster care through no fault of their own. They go through a stable fostering and then they have to go out on their own. Many of them go into apartments. They are vulnerable and they can’t really cope. I have seen it happen.

“Clarecare have an aftercare service and they do fantastic work. They really do. But I think there is a need for some sort of transitional housing. You have them in cities where they [kids] rent the rooms, pay for electricity, television. They have to budg- et. I think there are definitely places in Ennis that could be used. There is a project in Cork called Foyer that is really good.”

Tributes to the late Seamus Higgins have poured into a special Facebook page. Ms Whelan described him as a “beautiful true soul”.

She wrote, “I think this is the first day I’ve had time to think, I’m not sure where to start thanking people, but thank you to every single person who sent messages, cards, called to the house, made sandwiches, cooked food, sent flowers, stopped me on the street. I always knew I had the best family and friends and I will never be able to thank them enough.”

THE world’s first ever gay matchmaking festival is set to bring more than half a million pink euro flowing into North Clare this weekend.

The Outing, which begins in Lisdoonvarna on August 30, will kick start this year’s Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival and is expected to be a major financial boost for Lisdoonvarna and the surrounding towns.

Lisdoonvarna normally has a popu- lation of 1,000 people but during the five weeks of the matchmaking festival more than 60,000 people visit the village from all over Ireland and Europe. The entire festival generates an estimated € 3 million for the local area with The Outing itself expected to contribute more then € 500,000 to the local economy.

“Whilst there is no shortage of gold at the end of this rainbow, the main focus has always been on allowing all people a safe place to express who they are and not have to feel alone in being alone,” said a spokesperson for the Hydro Hotel – where many of the events will be staged.

“In a year that has been extremely topical for the gay community, Lisdoonvarna, a town filled with warmth and history, have decided to incorporate a gay weekend in order to allow the LGBT community to celebrate their pride and not have to defend it.

“The weekend promises to be explosive with entertainment ranging from well-known performers such as Niamh Kavanagh, Jonny Woo, Panti and Bunny, to tea dancing, a tease club with numerous well known DJs.”

Following The Outing, the remainder of the Matchmaking Festival will include the usual schedule of music and dancing. This year’s festival will also include a country weekend featuring the likes of Derek Ryan, Crystal Swing and Philomena Begley, while Louisiana soul star Buck Taylor, will join the festival team this year – performing every Saturday night throughout September.

AS THE countdown begins to the Clare hurlers’ date with destiny in Croke Park there are growing calls for the All-Ireland final to be shown on a big screen in Ennis.

Local authorities in Ennis are considering the suggestion to erect a big screen in the town centre, a proposal that could be done in conjunction with local businesses and Clare GAA.

Council officials met yesterday to discuss possible plans to mark Clare’s meeting with Cork in the All-Ireland final on September 8.

Abbey Street car park is the most likely venue for any pubic screening of the big match.

The area previously hosted celebrations to mark the ‘homecoming’ of sports legend Muhammad Ali to Ennis in 2009 and the recent Love Live music events.

Local community activist and member of the Disabled People of Clare support group Dermot Hayes proposed the big screen idea last week. He says the final is a great opportunity for communities across Clare to celebrate and come together.

He explains, “When Ennis hosted Muhammad Ali some years ago, a big screen was put up in the Abbey Street car park. It was just brilliant. I was there and still remember the buzz. In Limerick in 2006 when Munster played in the Heineken Cup, thousands came out on the streets of Limerick to enjoy the event. These memories are appreciated. So why not do it for the big match. Not everyone will be able to get a ticket and people who are living alone will want to share the joy of Clare playing in an All-Ireland final.”

Dermot is promoting the proposal as the ‘Big Idea’ through YouTube and Facebook.

Fine Gael councillor Johnny Flynn has called for Ennis Town Council and Clare County Council to “actively consider the installation, in partnership with others, of a large screen in Abbey Street car park, Ennis, or the All Ireland hurling final”.

Cllr Flynn says that subject to public demand, there may even be a need to site the screen in Cusack Park.

The Ennis councillor says the event would allow families unable to get tickets be part of the Banner County’s big day. Cllr Flynn added that a big public event would also be a good “tourism marketing opportunity” for the town.

CLARE families in mortgage difficulty could face a double blow should a a family member pass away unexpectedly. Spancilhill financial aid charity Dealing With Debt (DWD) says that hundreds of Clare families could face eviction from should a wage earning family member pass away – as the insurance will not cover the full cost of mortgages in arrears.

With more than 2,000 Clare families in arrears or in interest-only payment schemes, research from DWD indicated that the vast majority of these are under insured.

The insurance difficulty comes about when a mortgage goes into arrears as the life insurance cover associated with the mortgage is tied to the additional payment schedule.

Should a mortgage holder who is in arrears pass away, the insurer would only pay out the portion of the mortgage which is scheduled to be out- standing – according to the original mortgage timeline.

“If you had a € 400,000 mortgage lets say, and you run into financial difficulty and have to pay a reduced rate – maybe even interest only. After a while you would find yourself in a situation where you owe € 400,000 of a mortgage, but you only covered for € 300,000,” said Joe Corbett of Dealing With Debt.

“So you have situation of a family who is already struggling, gets hit with tragic death, and then they also face maybe € 100,000 in debt that they didn’t know they would have.

“We are seeing more and more of this. People are taking the risk that nothing will happen to them – and hopefully nothing will. People don’t take the insurance into account when they are in difficulty.

“When families are struggling to pay a mortgage then the insurance can be the last thing on their mind. It is a worrying situation and something that is becoming more and more common in Clare.”

CLARE had its best day on the jobs front for a long, long time yesterday when landmark Shannon company EI Electronics announced the creation of 70 new jobs.

The company, which has just celebrated it 50th anniversary in Shannon, announced that it would be swelling its local workforce from 430 to 500. This represents the largest single jobs announcement in Clare since the start of the recession in 2008.

The company, which is one of the real success stories of the Shannon Free Zone, is 100 per cent Irishowned and has become a world leader in the field of fire safety.

It already contributes an estimated € 30 million to the local economy each year and the new expansion is lightly to increase that figure by more than € 3 million.

In addition to it’s Shannon staff, the company also employs more than 50 people on mainland Europe – mostly in Germany and France. All of its high-skilled work, including research and manufacturing, takes place at it 12,000 square metre facility in Shannon.

The company is already one of Clare’s leading exporters – with more than 95 per cent of the good manufactured on site destined for the European market.

“I am delighted that EI Electronics has decided to expand its operation in Shannon with the creation of 70 jobs. This will have a direct benefit on a large number of individuals and their families. It is also a real vote of confidence in Clare and the wider region, as a place to do business,” said Clare Senator Martin Conway (FG).

“This expansion will make a significant difference to the wider region, and will undoubtedly lead to additional jobs being created in connected industries. The success of the workforce in EI Electronics is also proof that our indigenous companies can prosper and thrive.”

The company will host an open day for current and former staff members in Shannon later this week.

“As a major employer for 50 years, many thousands of people have worked at EI, covering three generations. This EI diaspora is spread over the counties of Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, Galway and Mayo,” said managing director Michael Guinee.

“The Open Day gives these past employees the opportunity to come back to their alma mater, see the factory and possibly meet up with old colleagues.”