As a life-threatening storm hit the Banner County, Morning Focus updated listeners on all of the disruption caused around Clare.
The show opened with a run down from Gavin and Fiona on the services closed in the county due to Storm Ophelia. Forecasters predict the ex-hurricane could bring gusts of 130 kmph and a Status Red alert remains in place all over Ireland.
The show then heard from Tom Tiernan of Clare County Council who updated listeners on what the local authority is doing to prepare for the storm. An emergency line – 1850 278 278 – has been opened by the council for reports from members of the public.
The severe weather has lead to the cancellation of meals-on-wheels services in parts of South Clare. Gavin was joined on the line by Siobhán O’Driscoll of Obair in Newmarket-on-Fergus who urged people to check on elderly friends and family.
That call was echoed by Gavin’s next guest, Fr Brendan Quinlivan, Communications Officer for the Diocese of Killaloe. Fr Brendan also discussed Census findings which show a fall off in the numbers of Catholics in this county. Listen back below:
Sergeant Joe Downey, Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, then joined Gavin for advice from An Gárda Síochána about keeping people and property safe in the storm.
An event in Killaloe-Ballina tomorrow (Tue Oct 17) at St Anne’s Secondary School was then previewed. Gavin was joined on the line by Catherine O’Connor an Educational Consultant with Trinity College, Dublin, and author of the book, ‘Cracking the College Code’.
The talk then returned to Storm Ophelia as Gavin was joined by Clare FM’s Pat Flynn who was out and about to report on the impact of the storm to-date.
Then, Morning Focus Producer, Fiona McGarry joined Gavin in studio ahead of an event on Thursday in Water Park House, Ennis, on the subject of domestic violence. The second Domestic Violence Awareness Day takes place on October 19 on the theme of ‘Listening to the Child’. Fiona spoke to Sergeant Catríobna Houlihan, Chairperson of Clare Local Area Network and Maddie Bell, a specialist in domestic abuse. Free childcare is available for those attending the event (sessions at 9.45am and 2pm) by contacting Clare Haven on 065 68 22435. Listen back below:
Further storm updates then followed with Andrew Murphy, CEO of Shannon Airport and Pat Gavin of Carrigaholt Post Office.
The Monday Sports Panel was made up of Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch and Eoin Brennan of the Clare People. Listen back below:
The show rounded off with a word from Kilkee where Noel Gavin told Gavin he was opening his doors to anyone in need over the hours of Storm Ophelia.
