Today’s Morning Focus opened with a look at the fallout from Dr John Hillery’s decision to withdraw from the General Election due to personal reasons.
Hillery’s withdrawal leaves Fianna Fáil’s Timmy Dooley without a running mate. Clare FM understands that officers of Fianna Fáil will meet soon to plan their next move.
Then it was time to discuss housing. Recently, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy revealed he had written to those County Councils he believes are not doing enough to combat the housing crisis and he’s threatening to pull powers from those councils. Murphy also revealed a 1.25 billion plan to set up a land development agency that would see the government directly involved in the housing market building both social and private homes. In a statement Clare County Council said it expects to output 176 units by Build, Acquisition and Leasing therefore meeting the 164 unit target set by Rebuilding Ireland for 2018. Independent Councillor Gerry Flynn joined Gavin for an overview of the situation.
The hour ended with a look at the Presidential hopefuls looking to secure a nomination from Clare County Council. Businessmen and Dragon’s Den stars Gavin Duffy and Seán Gallagher were among the bigger names seeking a nomination.
The second hour opened with our weekly Garda Focus with Clare Garda Crime Prevention Officer Tríona O’Rourke.
Then we heard from John Carmody, the MD for a new project: Kilmihil People’s Park & KPP. The project comes in response to the growing problem of rural isolation especially in the west. Phase 1 of the project involved the donation of a 4.3 acre site along the Ennis Road donated by local businessman Michael Fitzpatrick. Phase 2 will see the construction of an all-weather pitch while phase 3 will see a multi-purpose community building with a gym and meeting room.
Then we spoke to Fiacre Hensey, General manager for Clarecare. The organisation which has provided a number of services to young and old across Clare is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Services Clarecare provides include Parent’ support Groups, Family Support Services, Older Persons Services including Home Care Packages, Social Work and Day Centre Services, Adult Counselling, a Citizens Information Centre, Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre and two thrift shops. Much of that is funded by charitable donation by the people of Clare. 120 collectors are as we speak in full preparation for Clarecare’s Annual Church Gate Collection taking place on September 15th and 16th and in remaining parishes on September 22nd and 23rd.
The hour ended with a look at the Embrace FARM tractor run which sees a large tractor drive the length and breath of the country in an effort to highlight farm safety and remember those farmers we’ve lost. Last Thursday (September 6th) saw the tractor arrive in Ennis.
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The final hour opened with this week’s Monday Sports Panel with Eoin Brennan from The Clare People and Clare FM Sport’s own Derrick Lynch.
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Following that we took a look at a mysterious exotic bird spotted in Ennis. We spoke with Tom Lynch from Bird Watch Ireland in an effort to identify the specimen.
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Finally the show ended with Ennis-based artist and musician Laura Mulcahy. Mulcahy is currently embroiled in a battle with internet giant YouTube after an administrative error lead to her music being linked to an account that was not her own. Her effort thus far have been ‘fruitless’ and beyond the loss of her work already uploaded, she is facing the potential loss of a key outlet for getting her name and work ‘out there.’
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