Sub-zero temperatures led to icy roads as a cold snap hit Clare. Ice was reported at locations around the county.
Tom Tiernan, Senior Engineer Clare County Council, advised motorists to drive with extra caution.
Family doctors raised their concerns over the pressures on GP practices – particularly rural ones – at a meeting in Dublin last night between GPs and health minister. Doctors told Leo Varadkar that there’s a tsunami of healthcare problems facing the health service, as the population ages.
The Irish Medical Organisation says future challenges will dwarf the ones currently being experienced. By the age of 65, almost two-thirds of people will have two chronic conditions, but by the age of 85, that figure will rise to 82 percent. These include heart attacks, diabetes and chronic pain. Gavin spoke to Dr Michael Kelleher, a Lahinch GP, who is a member of the IMO GP Committee. On the issue of rural GPs, Dr Liam Glynn from Ballyvaughan told Gavin that a candidate will be unveiled next week for GE16 as part of the #nodoctornovillage campaign.
There's concern that dating apps have played a role in a rise of sexual assaults in the capital over the last year.
This week, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre revealed a 36pc in sexual attacks in Dublin over 2015.
While there are no figures in the Irish context documenting any increase in assaults with apps like Tindr and Grindr, it's understood that up to up to 400 attacks in the UK last year were connected to dating sites.
Miriam Duffy, Executive Director, Rape Crisis Midwest spoke to Gavin about the issue.
Ennis-based Caring for Carers merged this week with the Carers Association to create 'Family Carers Ireland'.
The new organisation is extending its freephone careline to seven days a week and will also provide nursing and social care advice, and Gavin spoke with Susan Hogan who is now Area Manager with Family Carers Ireland.
The Oireachtas Petitions Committee has been asked to consider banning Donald Trump. Elaine Mernagh’s submitted petition is entitled ‘Ban Donald Trump from Ireland’, while one from Mr Aniq Jawad calls on politicians to ‘Ban Donald Trump from Entering Ireland’. Both are being examined to make sure they comply with standing orders.
Daragh Brophy from Journal.ie told Gavin that the petition is unlikely to make much progress.
Daragh also spoke to Gavin about a petition, which was deemed inadmissable, to put Conor McGregor's face on the €1 coin. That was struck down by the Oireachtas petitions committee – which says it couldn't contact the person responsible for submitting it.
The issue of road signage spelling errors in Clare has been generating concern. Places including Kildysart, Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Ennistymon and Corofin are misspelled on routes including the N67 – the main tourism artery from the north west. Gavin spoke with Donach O'Loughlin Businessperson and Chair of Lahinch Community Council. He was later joined by caller Jinny Thomas from Cahir.
Our garden guru, Michelle Flannery, from Busy Bee Garden Centre & Tea Rooms, Clondrinagh, Limerick, spoke to Gavin about planting potatoes.
Gavin was joined in studio by two Clare natives helping to bring the RDS Primary Science Fair to Mary Immaculate College. The very first RDS Primary Science Fair came to the midwestern region for the first time on January 15 and 16. Up to 2,000 children, including pupils from nine primary schools across Clare were involved.
Crusheen native Michael Browne is a head judge and RDS Development Director Joanna Quinn, a Doonbeg native, is also deeply involved in taking this prestigious event out of the capital and into the midwestern region and both joined Gavin in studio to discuss their views on the fair and the importance of STEM subjects in Ireland's future.
Saturday (January 16) is National Iyengar Yoga Day and to celebrate, free classes were offered at a range of locations including O'Brien's Bridge-Killaloe and Tuamgraney. Among those hosting classes are Susanne Sturton who left the bright lights of London and set up the East Clare Yoga Centre in Tuamgraney 14 years ago. The Longford native spoke to Gavin about a form of yoga which she calls 'meditation in motion'.
Ahead of Bagatelle's farewell tour which comes to Munroe's, Galway on Saturday, January 16. Gavin spoke to vocialist and bass player, Ken Doyle.
