The number of callouts received by Clare County Fire Service so far this December has risen by a third, compared to the whole of the same month last year.

Up to the 20th of this month, fire crews attended 139 separate incidents in Clare, up from 104 in December 2023.

These include 84 storm related incidents, 19 road traffic indents, eight ambulance assists, seven oil spills, seven alarm activations, four chimney fires and five outdoor fires.

This weekend crews responded to a fire that destroyed the belltower of Ruan Church after the spire was struck by lightening, as well as a house fire in nearby Dromore, which resulted in a young couple losing their home and all their belongings.

Clare's Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Kelly says every house fire can be devastating and he's urging people to consider that in the run up to Christmas.