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Mar 28 2024
TUNING UP FOR CHANGE
Is this the way to armadillos l €137k spent by Council on cycle lanes by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
l (L-R) Olivia, Josh and Rachel, students from Gaelcholáiste an Chláir and Ennis Community College, at the Young Social Innovators Speak Out event in Kilkenny with their project ‘Poverty is not sustainable’, a YSI initiative to eradicate poverty and support the most vulnerable and at risk in your community
CLARE County Council spent €137,000 installing the controversial bollards and armadillos in Ennis, The Clare Echo can reveal. Introduced in 2019 as part of a new cycling scheme, the bollards and armadillos were aimed at protecting cyclists but have been panned by local residents and business owners. €137,000 exclusive of VAT was spent by the local authority on the scheme which is set to be amended resulting in the removal of the bollards and armadillos in
191 submissions on Oatfield Windfarm by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
AN BORD PLEANÁLA have received 191 submissions on Ørsted’s plans to construct 11 wind turbines in Oatfield. In submission fees alone, An Bord Pleanála have obtained €9,550 regarding the development. The Broadford to Oatfield Windfarm Action Group had been formed in opposition to the project. Broadford residents, Theresa and Patrick O’Connell have said they were incorrectly listed as an associate dwelling for the project which “has caused us a lot of anxiety and has caused upset
with our close neighbours as we have been blamed as signing up for this development. It is incredibly upsetting”. Local primary school principal Aonghus O’Brien warned, “I am bringing to the board’s attention that if this project is allowed to proceed then the most vulnerable children in our community will have their school lives permanently changed for the worse”. A decision on the case is due to be made by the planning authority by June 26th.
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the near future. “There was no need of them at all, we have no problem with a cycle lane but all the paraphernalia there was no need for it,” former Mayor of Ennis Tommy Brennan (IND) told The Clare Echo. Discussion on the infrastructure always sets tempers flaring with Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) coming under fire when he criticised “licenses for life” and older drivers when debating the matter at the February sitting of the Ennis Municipal District.
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