A Regional Health Forum West member says unacceptable overcrowding has become the norm at University Hospital Limerick.

The HSE took the decision last Wednesday to defer scheduled care at University Hospital Limerick as well as Ennis, Nenagh, St. John's and Croom Hospitals due to spiralling overcrowding following the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Trolley numbers reached as high as 127 last week compared to 80 on the same day last year.

Regional Health Forum Committee Chairperson and Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor Donna McGettigan says the facility is in crisis response mode day in day out.

Aer Lingus has come under fire from a Clare Senator for it's decision to wind down cargo service at Shannon Airport.

The hub will close in the coming months following 55 years of operation and currently employs 18 people.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has requested a meeting with Aer Lingus to discuss the future of the service and alternative options for the workforce.

Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway believes the airline's focus should be to expand operations at Shannon rather than reduce.

Reaction From Clonlara, Clooney Quin And Crusheen After Opening Round Of Clare SHC

A popular walking spot in West Clare has been named Ireland's favourite tourist destination.

Kilkee Cliff Walk can proudly called itself the nation's best-rated tourist destination as new Trip Advisor research shows the attraction has the highest number of 'excellent' reviews of any Irish tourist site.

Only places with 100 reviews or more were considered and the rankings show the Cliff Walk has received 514 reviews - 91.8% of which are 'excellent'.

Clare County Council Head of Tourism Deirdre O'Shea is hopeful the accolade will drive tourist traffic going forward.

Over 700 Clare companies availed of upskilling supports last year.

New figures from Ireland's workplace talent agency Skillsnet show there was a 17% increase in the number of employees participating in training courses last year, with over 2,700 doing so.

More than half of participating businesses in Clare were micro businesses with between 0 and 9 employees, while services, agriculture and technology were the most popular sectors for upskilling.

Skillsnet Communication and Policy Director Tracey Donnerry says businesses in Clare are keen to stay ahead of the curve.

Dereliction in Clare is said to be "at the lower end of things" compared to other counties while "room for improvement" has been noted.

New figures from GeoDirectory show roughly 5% of residential building classed as derelict in Ireland are located in this county.

The figures also show just 88.2% of dwellings here are occupied - with the remainder either vacant or in temporary use as holiday homes.

GeoDirectory CEO Dara Keogh says while dereliction is a matter of concern in Clare, it's not as serious here as it is in other parts of the country.

Large crowds descended on East Clare today to pay their respects to the late literary great, Edna O'Brien.

The Tuamgraney native was remembered as a worsdmith, extraordinary women and fabulous mother at her funeral mass this afternoon.

The voice of Edna O'Brien speaking in 2015 where outlined her fearless approach to her 1963 debut novel "Country Girls" which would epitomise her legendary career to come.

The book was initially censored in Ireland and denounced by the Church for highlighting taboo social issues.

Throughout the course of her over 60-year vocation, O'Brien penned over 30 texts and was described during her funeral mass as someone who gave courage and spoke for those who were rendered dumb.

Chief Celebrant Fr Donagh O'Brien said she was a wordsmith and a truth teller who paid the price for her bravery.

St.Joseph's Church in Tuamgraney was packed to capcity for the service, with many more paying their respects watching from screens outside.

Those in attendance included President Michael D.Higgins and First Lady Sabina, while Commandant Colonel Claire Mortimer represented the office of Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

Irish Actor Stephen Rea was among those who delivered a reading during the ceremony,

A number of gifts were also brought to the altar to celebrate Edna's life, they included copy of Ulyesses by James Joyce, a portrait of Samuel Beckett and flowers from her childhood home at Drewsboro House, which she was said to have described as "her home of homes".

The French Legion of Honour was also brought up to recognise a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, as well as the budda to recognise her spiritual exploration.

The eulogy was read out by Novelist Andew O'Hagan who paid tribute to Edna for wonderfully sharing her world with others.

In Accordance with her wishes, Edna O'Brien was laid to rest at the ancient monastic settlement of Holy Island on Lough Derg.

Speaking during the mass, her son Marcos Gelber said that although she will rightly be remembered for her literary works, she was a fabulous mother who showered her family with love.

The Chair of the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association in Clare is urging co-ops to ensure dairy farmers are "properly paid" this month.

The ICMSA is calling for the price of July milk to be increased to 45 cent per litre amid claims farmers' cashflow has "never been as tight".

The most recent analysis from the ICMSA shows the median price paid to suppliers for milk at co-ops was just over 41 cent.

O'Callaghan's Mills farmer Martin McMahon believes the vital contribution of dairy farmers must be acknowledged and they must be given their due.

Clare FM's Derek Dormer speaks with managers and players involved in this weekends opening round games in the Clare LGFA senior club championship

The deferral of scheduled care at Ennis Hospital, UHL and other Midwest facilities this week has been described as "completely unacceptable".

It's now two days since the HSE took the decision to cancel elective and day surgery as well as outpatient appointments for an indefinite period of time across UL Hospitals Group facilities.

The Emergency Department in Dooradoyle remains open 24/7 while Injury Units and medical assessment units at Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's are all operating as normal.

Irish Hospital Consultant Association President Gabrielle Colleran has been telling me the people of the Midwest have been abandoned "by virtue of what their postcode is".