Morning Focus Friday December 14

On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined in studio by Chief Superintendent with the Clare Garda Division John Kerin to discuss rural station closures

Eight Garda stations across Clare are set to close in 2013 as part of budgetary measures announced by government
The closures in Clare are part of what’s described as a "Programme of consolidation" which will see 100 Garda stations closed around the country
Chief Superintendent Kerin assured people that they can expect a better quality of policing despite the closures.

One of "County Clare’s finest music ambassadors" Robbie McMahon has died
The Spancilhill Singer who has been described as " a true icon of Ireland’s Ballad Tradition" passed away yesterday morning following a short illness

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To pay tribute to him John Cooke was joined in studio by some of Robbie’s close friends
Frank Whelan, Producer of " Last Night As I Lay Dreaming" the documentary produced by Cois na hAbhainn which outlines the huge contribution the Spancilhill man has made to the world of singing down through the year

Pat Liddy, a friend and neighbour of Robbie who has known him for 40 years and Paula McNamara of the Ennis Singers Club
Robbie was President of the Ennis Singers Club and sang with many others throughout Clare Senator Labhras O’Murchu, Ard Stuirthoir Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, also paid tribute to Robbie and passed on condolences to his family

Wer heard Robbie McMahon speaking to Clare FM’s John Cooke in October 2010 on the occasion of his Civic Reception at Clare County Council and him singing Spancilhill at the Civic Reception.

Robbie McMahon is survived by his wife Maura and their four children, Fiona, Noelene, Dympna and Donal and is reposing at Daly’s Mortuary Chapel, Francis Street, Ennis on Saturday evening from 6 o’clock with removal to Clooney Church at 8 o’clock.
Funeral mass on Sunday at 12.30 with burial afterwards in Kilraghtas Cemetery.
No flowers by request please.

In our Morning Focus health slot we speak with Dr Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre. Today Dr Finn focussed on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Doctor Maire Finn is from the Ennis Family Medical Centre, and will be joining us again next Friday 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

Yesterday the Army bomb disposal unit was at the recycling centre on the Gort Road in Ennis following the discovery of a suspicious device- understood to be an old grenade
It’s understood the explosive device- believed to date back to the Civil War  was found in the metal recycling section of the Gort Road centre by staff yesterday morning who alerted both Gardai and the Army
Its thought the person who disposed of the suspicious object was unaware what the object was – this is not altogether a rare occurrence and people should be on the lookout for anything suspicious particularly when clearing out sheds etc
Captain Laura Keane of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit was at the scene yesterday, she spoke

with John and praised the quick thinking staff at the site. 

This was the final day of our giveaway in conjunction with Gleeson’s Jewellers of Distinction- Skycourt Centre Shannon
We’ve been giving away €40 vouchers each morning this week to celebrate their 25th year in business.

This Sunday a Free Christmas Festival of Carols and Light will take place at St. Senan’s Church Kilrush
Featuring Kilrush Mezzo Soprano Edel O’Brien, Soprano Helen Houlihan and the Kilrush Parish Choir 
A collection will take place for The Church restoration Fund and St Vincent de Paul
Another event – Carols By Candlelight will take place on Friday December 21st in St Columba’s Church, Bindon St, Ennis – proceeds to SVdP
Edel O’Brien joined John in studio to describe what people can look forward to ahead of the events.

If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]