There has been strong anger and concern in Ennistymon following Clare County Council’s decision to proceed with the removal of mature, decades-old trees in the town square as part of ongoing public realm regeneration works.  

 

The felling of the first tree last week prompted immediate reaction from local residents, who are now urging the council to pause the works and reconsider the layout to preserve the remaining trees. 

 

Campaigners say they are not opposed to the regeneration of the square but believe the existing trees could be retained with only minor design adjustments.  

 

The move has also drawn attention in the context of recent national and EU-level warnings on biodiversity loss, with locals questioning why established trees are now being removed despite no previous concerns about their condition. 

 

For more on this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Maeve Stone, a concerned local.

Photo (c) Phil Evenden from Pexels via Canva

The rising cost of living continues to dominate kitchen-table conversations across the country, with energy bills increasing again, inflation remaining stubbornly high and more than half a million household energy accounts now reported to be in arrears.  

Against that backdrop, Sinn Féin is holding a public meeting in Shannon this evening as part of its campaign calling for further government action to support workers and families. 

Joining Alan Morrissey earlier ahead of that meeting at Treacy's Oakwood Hotel was Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson and Deputy Dáil Leader, Pearse Doherty.

Image (c) Sinn Féin

A Clare childminder fears Government regulations will result in lots of people leaving the sector in the next year.

It comes as 18 childminders in Clare have collectively received €18,000 through the 2026 Childminding Development Grant which supports the purchase of toys, childcare equipment and other essential items.

Under regulations published by the Department of Children in 2024, all childminders must be registered with Tusla by 2027.

Ennis-based childminder Aoife Coote doesn't expect everyone to comply with this requirement.

The speed limit outside a Clare primary school could soon be halved amid serious road safety concerns. Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle is calling for speed ramps to be installed outside Doora National School and the adjacent MaryK's Childcare. Ennis Municipal District says as the current speed limit is 60 kilometres per hour, ramps can't be put in place, but an ongoing speed limit review will likely recommend that the road be reduced to 50 kilometres, with a 30 kilometre section designated outside the school. Councillor Guilfoyle says it's unsafe for children crossing the road at present.

One in four Clare farms failed environmental inspections last year.

New EPA figures shows the local authority inspected 221 farms in this county in 2025, with 25% failing initial inspections and 75% failing on follow-up visits.

The Environmental Protection Agency says most failures were caused by uncontrolled run-off from farmyard manure, inadequate management of silage pits and slurry and effluent discharging to groundwater.

Clare IFA Chair Stephen Walsh says there are a number of proactive steps farmers can take.

An Ennis theatre is being called on to clarify its position for hosting politicial events by local Fianna Fáil Councillors.

It's understood Glór refused to host a commemoration marking 100 years since the party's establishment last month.

It comes just over two years after the ALDE Europe Party held a conference on the future of renewable energy policy at the venue.

Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Antoinette Baker Bashua says clarity is needed.

Fr Gerry Kenny presents this Beyond Belief which features the Archavist of the Irish Jesuit Province discussing the Census of 1926. Also Fr Patrick Cahill continues his discussion with Wendy Grace about Suffering.

Fr Gerry Kenny leads or Sunday prayer for 14th June 2026, the Second Sunday after Trinity.

It's claimed as little as six regular Gardaí were policing the entire county of Clare on one day during the last weekend in May.

It comes as elected representatives have once again raised concerns over stretched garda resources locally.

The latest meeting of Clare County Council heard that on the day in question, just one Garda Car was policing the Western seaboard from Kilrush to Kinvara.

Ennistymon Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Talty expressed his concern.

A Clare TD is expressing concern that regular households are being priced out of embracing renewable energy.

Bodyke Fine Gael Deputy Joe Cooney has asked the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment if it's looked at the impact of high electricity prices on the uptake of the likes of heat humps, electric vehicles and home batteries.

Ireland is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 largely through the electrification of heat and transport.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Cooney says for many people, the cost of going green is simply too high.