On Fridays Morning Focus John began by Speaking with Barry Roche southern correspondent with the Irish Times in relation to the bodies of twin brothers who were found dead in Cork yesterday. Nine-year-old twins Tom and Paddy O'Driscoll were found with stab wounds at their home in Deerpark in Charleville at about 5.15pm. Gardai suspect they may have been the victims of a murder suicide incident. A younger brother found the boys bodies and raised the alarm with a neighbour. Emergency services were called, however the twins were pronounced dead at the scene. The body of Jonathan O'Driscoll, their brother who was in his early 20's was found at around 7pm in the Buttevant area of Cork.
Clare County Council has been told by government that it can reduce the property tax charge here by the maximum amount of 15%. Details have been published of how local property tax funding will be handled by local authorities. From next year, Clare County Council will be able to retain 80% of the local property tax collected here in the county. In the past few minutes, the Department of the Environment has released figures showing that this is expected to be 8.32 million euro.2.08 million of this can be used by the Council as discretionary funding and any reduction in the property tax would come from this pool. The maximum reduction is 15%, or a total of just over one-and-a-half million euro, while the remaining 520 thousand will stay within the Council's coffers. Clare is one of twelve Councils where the government says the property charge can be reduced, and one of ten were this cut can be to the full 15%. That decision, though, would have to be made by County Councillors. The remaining local authorities will be given contributions from what's called an equalisation fund to ensure their income doesn't fall in 2015. Deputy Timmy Dooley of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway joined John in studio to discuss the issue.
Suzanne Costello CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland joined John to discuss next months budget, Alcohol Action Ireland are urging the government not to bow to pressure of the drinks industry in the up-coming budget
Ailish Connolly of the Kilbaha Gallery and Crafts, Ger O'Halloran of Abbey Stores and Clare FM's Syl O'Connor joined John in studio for the Friday panel, amongst the topics the panel discussed were the property tax, class sizes , the All Ireland final and the Ice bucket challenge!
Finally as always on a Friday John had look at some of the events taking place in the county over the weekend including:Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend Moyasta on 05 September 2014 – 07 September 2014, Tulla Vintage Day this Sunday 7th in O hollorans Field and Killaloe Water Festival Fri 5th and Sat 6th Sept – celebrating all forms of water sports, surrounded by a carnival atmosphere of music, food and games.
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