Clare Fm - Podcasts

A former Mayor of Ennis has demanded an apology from a councillor who suggested she had an undeclared conflict of interest. At this week's monthly meeting of Ennis representatives, and for the second such meeting in a row, Clarecastle Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has questioned the practice of councillors giving General Municipal Allocation funding to organisations in which they are personally involved. Each councillor has this year been granted €49,000 to spread across community and voluntary organisations of their choosing. Barefield Independent Councillor and Manager of the Clare Crusaders Children's Clinic, Ann Norton, says Councillor O'Callaghan's suggestion that she's abusing her position for personal gain is "insulting".

It's claimed the local authority has the will but is being denied the funding to tackle Clare's housing crisis. It follows the Residential Tenancies Board final report for 2023, which shows the average price of renting for new tenants in this county is now over €1,300 per month. During April alone, a further 118 households here joined Clare County Council's approved social housing list. Clarecastle Sinn Féin local election candidate Tommy Guilfoyle, who's a member of the council's housing committee believes the Government could be allocating more funds to the local authority to provide social and affordable housing.

Calls are being made for the urgent provision of traffic-calming infrastructure before a major incident takes place on a busy South-East Clare road. To date, Clare County Council has received over €300,000 in funding for the Shannon to Limerick Greenway project. The route involves Bunratty and Sixmilebridge, but concerns have been raised locally that there will be no safe passage for the large volume of cyclists and pedestrians that will continue along the heavily trafficked Newmarket-Drumlins R458. Independent local election candidate for the Shannon Municipal District, Keith Mc Namara says a solution is needed now.

It's claimed the people of south-east Clare feel as if they're in "no man's land" due to the allegedly poor provision of services in the region. Clare County Council operated a service office in the village of Westbury up until 2016 but it was closed after an examination found only 400 people visited the office for non-motor tax queries in the space of a year. At the time, the local authority it was taking the decision because "access to online facilities is now much greater than when online access facilities were initiated at the office". Clonlara resident and Fine Gael local election candidate Val Gillane believes the office should resume services as people in the area don't feel represented by Clare County Council.

Ennis traders are calling for decisive action amid whats been described as a major escalation of brazen retail theft. It follows a number of incidents last week in which multiple stores in the town suffered financial losses after being targeted by the same group.

An Ireland South Candidate is calling for an immediate halt to an EU fund that is indirectly bolstering Israeli military efforts. It comes amid claims from People Before Profit that up to one-third of the IDF's arms last year came from european funding. It's understood Israel is availing of grants from the EU's €95bn 'Horizon' scheme which is designed to support research and innovation, however some companies are using it to develop drone technology. People Before Profit European Election Candidate Cian Prenderville believes Horizon has to be defunded to save lives.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrisssey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, in this part 2 discussion, Tom gave listeners all the tips and tricks for growing hydrangeas If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Burns, retired Deputy Principal at Rice College and Director of the Burns Study Centre in Ennis. This week, John discussed the pros and cons of transition year.

Fundraising efforts are underway to help give a Clare man back the quality of life he was once used to. Eamon McCormack, originally from Shannon, but now living in Sixmilebridge, was diagnosed with an Essential Tremor, a neurological movement disorder. On Tuesday's Morning Focus Alan Morrissey was joined by Barbara McCormack, organiser of the fundraiser, to help Eamon receive Deep Brain Simulation (DBS) Surgery. To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eamon-mccormack-needs-dbs-surgery?qid=c04b30dfe9e9716f92b792eeaa7e0873

A long-awaited dialysis unit at Ennis Hospital is expected to be operational by the end of this year. The UL Hospitals Group confirmed last August that the tender process for a Contracted Satellite Hemodialysis Unit service in Ennis was in progress and that it had met with a number of renal care providers. Those in Clare seeking renal care at present have to travel to either the Renal Department at University Hospital Limerick or its satellite centre on the Dock Road in Limerick. Responding to Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway in the Seanad, Junior Minister Dara Calleary says a provider has been identified and the unit should open in the coming months.

A West Clare business woman is calling for an urgent enhancement of local autism support services to ensure equal career and societal opportunities. There are roughly 320 diagnosis' of the intellectual disability in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary every year. The sensory condition, presents a unique set of circumstances for every individual, however anxiety and stress in busy environments are commonly shared. Owner of Cocolemon Hair Salon in Kilrush and Sinn Féin local election candidate, Dawn Bennett says both healthcare and employment services need to be overhauled.

Clare Manager Mark Fitzgerald After Munster SFC Final Loss To Kerry

On this week's episode of Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn chats with actor, poet and musician Davóg Rynne from Miltown Malbay.

Clare Gardaí are advising people to take "collective responsibility" for their friend group as they socialise over the weekend. The May Bank Holiday period is typically associated with a spike in roads offences, with 188 arrests having been made over this weekend last year for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. 900 on-the-spot fixed charge penalty notices for speeding were also issued during this period. Head of the Roads Policing Unit in the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division Superintendent Eddie Golden says planning in advance is of paramount importance ahead of nights-out.

There are calls for targeted investment in slow tourism initiatives in East Clare. Last April, the adopted 'Killaloe Municipal District Strategy & Work Plan' identified the promotion of greenway and blueway attractions among fifteen key objectives for the region's future. Later this year, the local authority is hoping to open a landmark visitor centre at Inis Cealtra in tandem with the launch of public realm enhancements in Mountshannon in a €4.2m investment. East Clare Green Party local election candidate Audrey Flynn insists the local authority must match this funding with eco-tourism products.

Stephen Fletcher presents this Sunday's Beyond Belief and finds out more behind the scenes stories from our jet setting Vatican Correspondent Colm Flynn. He also questions Michael Burrows, the local Church of Ireland bishop, in a new 'Ask the Bishop' slot. As usual Stephen enjoys a coffee and chat with his friend and colleague Fr Gerry Kenny.

Fr Gerry Kenny leads our Sunday Prayer for today the 6th Sunday of Easter.

A Clare farmer claims the agricultural sector in this county is being severely hindered by over-regulation. It comes amid renewed concern over the EU Nitrates Derogation which currently applies to large swathes of land in the North and East of the county, where farming activity will face the restriction. The measure was introduced following an EPA recommendation aimed at reducing instances of pollution in natural waterways from agricultural run-off. Lissycasey farmer and Irish Freedom Party candidate in the Kilrush Electoral John Hill believes the report enforcing the decision is entirely flawed.

On the show this week, we will have an in-depth preview of Sunday's Munster football final as check in with both camps ahead of the game. There's a huge game on Saturday for the Clare U20 hurlers, BOC's minors continue their winning streak and the Clare minor footballers prepare for the Munster semi final

Clare FM Commentary - Clare V Tipperary Munster MFC Phase One Final