Clare Fm - Podcasts

Kevin Callinan, General Secretary of the FÓRSA Trade Union and former President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, joined Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus to highlight his upcoming talk in Clare. Kevin, who has strong Clare roots, will be back in the Banner County this coming weekend; he will be in Corofin to both launch and speak at the Festival of Finn.

The government is being urged to "get its house in order" on immigration. It comes amid a dispute with the UK over returning asylum seekers to Britain, with Ireland working to close the loophole to send refugees back to the UK if they cross the border. The Cabinet has approved proposals from Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to quickly draft legislation so that the UK can again be designated as a safe country to return people seeking asylum. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Donnacha Ó Beacháin, a Newmarket on Fergus native, Professor of Politics at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, and John Lannon, CEO of Doras.

The Government is being called on to acquire Barrington's Hospital for use as a second MidWest A&E. The 53-bed Limerick City facility, established in 1829, has officially been listed for sale today with a guide price of €12.5m. It comes just one week after the inquest into the death of Shannon sixteen-year-old Aoife Johnston heard that overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick is systematic. Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Clare Colleran-Molloy believes acquiring the building is an open goal for the Health Minister to alleviate pressure in the MidWest.

Clare's Sinn Féin councillor is accusing the Government of conflating legitimate fundraising with gambling in a bill being tabled this week. The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022, which is being discussed in the Dáil today, would see the establishment of a Gambling Regulatory Authority, the creation of a gambling licensees register and would prohibit the participation of children in gambling activities. A recent survey by the Economic Research and Social Institute found over 400,000 people nationwide are now showing signs of a gambling addiction. Shannon Sinn Féin Councillor and General Election Candidate, Donna McGettigan is concerned clubs and community organisations will be unable to fundraise is the legislation is introduced.

A Clare GP is lending his voice to calls for the workload facing pharmacists to be drastically reduced. The Government is being called on to reform the funding model for pharmacies, amid complaints of burnout among staff members. Pharmacists and those working in pharmacies are said to be under "phenomenal pressure" due to workload increases coupled with medicine shortages.

Clare County Council will hire a second Dog Warden to focus on enforcing bye-laws on beaches this summer. The officer appointed to the role will have the authority to issue fines and remove dogs from the beach between the June and August period for any breaches of the rules. Since 2021, there has been one fine issued for dog fouling in Lahinch. County Dog Warden Frankie Coote says it was clear further resources were needed.

A Clare financial advisor is warning motorists of the "strenuous" process resulting from being involved in a crash with an uninsured driver. It comes as new data from the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland shows there's been an 11% increase in the number of claims over accidents caused by insured cars in the last year. In Clare alone, there were 39 such claims last year which is up one from 38 in 2022. Tommy Corbett of Carey Corbett Financial Solution says while the fallout from any collision is stressful, being involved in an incident in which one party doesn't have an insurance can be a headache.

On this week’s History in Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by local historian and author Colm Liddy to talk about ancient church ruins. The list features: Templecronan church Fenloe graveyard Corcomroe Abbey Ennis Abbey Dysart O’Dea church Kifenora Cathedral Glencolmcille graveyard Rath Blathmaic Quin Abbey Canon Island If you have any stories you would like to share with Colm about your town, you can contact him at colmliddy@eircom.net or Clare FM at focus@clare.fm.

To discuss the latest in the entertainment world, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare FM’s Colum McGrath, on Tuesday’s Morning Focus. This week, Colum discussed Bruce Springsteen in Ireland and the Electric Picnic lineup.

It’s the time of year when fishers begin to come out in force for fishing season. To find out more about river fishing as well as to give us advice and tips on fishing in general,Alan Morrissey was joined by Christopher O’Meara, Secretary of the Killaloe/Ballina District Anglers.

There are calls for the enabling works to begin on reopening Ennis' A&E following the harrowing findings into the death of a Shannon Teenager at University Hospital Limerick. 16-year-old Aoife Johnston passed away from bacterial meningitis on December 19th 2022 after waiting twelve hours on chairs to see a doctor in the ED, despite presenting with an urgent GP referral letter querying sepsis. The consultant on call for that weekend, Dr.Jim Gray told her inquest that an additional 300 beds would be required to meet patient demand in the hospital, on top of the 144 new beds to come on stream by 2027. Kilkee based Friends of Ennis Hospital Spokesperson Deirdre Culligan fears without urgent action there will be more tragedies at UHL.

Urgent clarity is being sought on community healthcare beds due to come on stream in Clare. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced earlier this month that up to 25 step-down beds would be installed in Clare between July and September of this year. At the time, he Department of Health gave Cahercalla Community Hospital as the location of the beds but it's since emerged that they remain out for tender, meaning no facility has been confirmed as of yet. Scariff Independent TD and European election candidate for Ireland South, Michael McNamara is disappointed by the Government's lack of clear communication and the matter and believes people deserve to know about the plans in more detail.

Over €1.1m in funding has been allocated for four Clare regeneration projects in rural towns and villages. Ennistymon is the biggest beneficiary, receiving €495,000 for the creation of an inclusive and vibrant public square. Killaloe has been awarded €225,000 for a new public green space, while Querrin and Labasheeda will receive over €221,000 and €193,000 respectively to restore historic buildings for community use. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway is hopeful boots will be on the ground soon to bring the projects to fruition.

There are calls to temporarily waive local property tax in West Clare in order to increase housing development. It comes amid renewed concern for the region following a directive issued by Minister for Planning, Kieran O'Donnell that prohibited the development of one-off homes on the N67 and N68. The Kilrush Electoral Area currently has the lowest level of home ownership through mortgages and loans in the county at a rate of just 23%. Lissycasey based Fianna Fáil local election candidate, Alan Troy believes a lack of basic amenities and services are leaving young people disillusioned about their future.

It's claimed there are strong indications that both multi-national and indigenous companies in Clare are on track to expand. It comes as new figures show over 11,000 jobs in this county are now supported by either the IDA or Enterprise Ireland. According to the Department of Trade, Enterprise and Employment, there are now 159 companies operating in the MidWest Region that are clients of the Industrial Development Agency. 70 of these are in Clare and currently employ over 6,000 people, with the majority of these multi-national companies based in Shannon. It marks a 20% increase in jobs created by the inward investment agency here in the past five years. The CEO of Shannon Chamber believes although there are challeneges such as accommodation, companies are attracted to the regions ecosystem of third level institutions, Shannon Airport and motorway infrastructure. Helen Downes says there are strong indicators that companies already here are keen to expand operations and increase employee headcount. Enterp

A pilot scheme trialing new illegal dumping surveillance measures is being proposed for the Clarecastle area. It follows complaints of repeated environmental crime at a prominent historical and recreational site on the outskirts of the Clare village. Visitors to the Clareabbey Greenway last week were greeted by the sight of large refuse sacks, clothing, bed linen and loose rubbish discarded near the entrance to the thoroughfare. It's not the first time this has been observed in the area, with over 100 complaints related to illegal dumping having been made about Clareabbey in the last 15 years. Last week's scenes have prompted local representatives and activists to call for urgent action such as the implementation of surveillance measures. The use of CCTV and drones has been enabled in recent months, as Minister of State Ossian Smyth has signed off on regulations empowering local authorities to take such steps in sights blighted by litter. Clarecastle Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom O'Callaghan believes that

It's claimed new avenues are urgently needed to help Clare households attempting to exit homelessness. It comes as the latest monthly figures from the Department of Housing show 80 adults were living homeless in March. According to MidWest Simon, there has been a particular surge in presentations from single adults. Regional Accommodation Manager Jonathan Shinnors says there is a severe shortage of one-bed and two-bedroom units for people hoping to leave emergency accommodation.

"From Ennis to Nashville," is a tribute radio documentary to Maura O'Connell, that broadcast on Clare FM on Monday, April 29th 2024. In this documentary you will hear from Maura, her friends, family, and music colleagues. "From Ennis to Nashville" is produced by Clare FM's Programme Director, Padraic Flaherty. Email: pf@clare.fm

Munster SHC: Clare 3-26 Cork 3-24. Commentary from Syl O'Connor & Tommy Guilfoyle

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrisssey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, in this part 2 discussion, Tom gave listeners all the tips and tricks for planting flowers in hanging baskets. If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.