On Thursday's Morning Focus with John Cooke
Cyclists will face fines for dozens of offences under a new fixed charge notice system for bike users. Fines in the region of 40 euro will be handed out for breaking red lights and cycling the wrong direction on a one way street. But it won't be an automatic offence if cyclists use footpaths.Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe says some cyclists should be able to use paths carefully. We spoke locally to Senan Burke of West Clare Cycling Club who thinks this is more of an urban issue – cyclists in Dublin for example . . . and Patrick O Donoghue of Burren Cycling Club who welcomes the plan to regulate cyclists on the road but fines would be difficult to enforce.
Alec Fleming of Ennis Chamber joined us in studio with details of the FBD Excellence Awards – County Awards held on October 10th with the closing date for applications July 30th . . . more information available on ennischamber.ie/services. Alec gave details of the 9 categories and how to apply with -€50 fee per category.
In our Morning Focus Health Matters slot we speak with Dr Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre- who today addressed the Free GP Care for Under 6s Contract with Advice/ Info for Parents. Doctor Maire Finn is from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, and will be joining us again next Thursday for more medical advice. You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email [email protected], but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP
A former Mayor of Clare says it's a "disgrace" that the NRA is continuing to refuse to appear before the Council to answer questions about issues on the M18 motorway. Sections of the route between Gort and Crusheen were closed at different points in October of last year to allow for remedial works, after safety concerns were raised, particularly in times of bad weather. Councillors had sought to ask questions of NRA officials, but they have again rejected this, due to what they say are "demands" placed on them by the scale of the national roads programme. East Clare Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes feels it's not good enough, as he explained to John on the show. We also heard from Sean O'Neill NRA Head of Communications who explained this is standard preventative maintenance.
Weekend Events
Rory O'Conner Quin, Vice chair of Ryan Rovers Soccer Club and Committee Member “Heart of Quin” Group. Heart of Quin Group is a new committee formed off the back of the passing of 2 former presidents of the Soccer Club Tom Ryan and Tommy O Brien who both suffered heart attacks. This group hosting a “Black puddin night” in the Village Inn Quin Saturday July 4th at 8 pm in aid of purchase of a new defibrillator for the village, the maintenance of the existing one in the primary school and also funds toward training as many people in the community to use the defibulator .
An Intergenerational Community Orchestra from CRUMLIN Dublin 12 (ages from 7 – 83 years young) are touring Galway and Clare and celebrating Independence Day with a free concert for everyone on Saturday 4th July 8pm American Independence Day, in Kinvara Community Centre Co Galway. Sandra Dackow from New Jersey is a Guest Conductor with the St Agnes'Summer Strings she spoke to us this morning.
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus please email [email protected]
