One of Clare's longest-established groups representing people with disabilities has formally taken the decision to wind down, citing a crisis in funding.
Members of the Disabled People of Clare voted in favour of a voluntary strike-off at an Emergency meeting in Ennis.
The closure will result in the loss of two full-time jobs and one part-time position.
There was a mixture of sadness and pride at today's emergency meeting of the DPOC, which heard that it's achieved most of its founding aims of enabling independent living.
The group – set up in 1992 – has been struggling for a number of years in the face of funding cuts.
Today's meeting heard that the HSE's decision to cease funding it in its current form has created an 'impossible situtation' and that it can no longer continue to operate.
DPOC board member Margaret Kinnane said the decision to close was inevitable but very difficult.
DPOC Manager Martina Halpin says that while the decision to close was tough, the group has achieved many of its key aims.
Meanwhile, a former chairperson of DPOC and of the national board of the Centre for Independent Living, Thomas King paid this tribute to founding members.
Today's decision by DPOC members comes on foot of legal advice.
The company is being voluntarily struck off with its assets transferred to other, similar charitable organisations.
