On today’s edition of Morning Focus John Cooke was joined in studio by Ger Dollard, Director of Services with Clare County Council to discuss the local property tax. Residents in just four unfinished housing estates in Clare are to be exempt from the Local Property Tax. Overall home-owners in 421 unfinished developments across Ireland will not be liable to pay the levy with Environment Minister Phil Hogan saying it’s only right and proper that these people are exempt. However, only four of these developments in Clare, namely Arda Na Deirge in Killaloe, Ard Ratha and Chuirt an Droichead in Sixmilebridge and Radharc an Locha in Mountshannon. That’s despite the fact that residents in 23 housing estates here last year were told they didn’t have to pay the now defunct household charge.
Also taking part in today’s discussion was Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy from Shannon. The government is coming under fire after it drastically cut the list of unfinished housing estates that would be exempt from the property tax. They also discussed the possibility of Ryanair making a big return to Shannon Airport in the coming year, following the announcement of the new Alicante route. Ryanair Deputy CEO Michael Cawley said negotiations are ongoing, but new business depends on the deal they can reach with the new management – is that deal a viable one for Shannon?
Mike Daly from Ballinasloe is part of the East Galway Cancer Support Centre and is the guest speaker at this Saturday’s event at the Clare Cancer Support Centre – Slainte an Chlair in Kilnamona. He’ll be speaking on "Living and Coping with Prostate Cancer". It takes place this Saturday at 12 noon. For telephone inquiries, please call 1850 211 630 or 087 691 2396 or see www.clarecancersupport.com
Owen O’Mahony of Clare Suicide Bereavement Support was also a guest of the show to talk about the services on offer for those affected by suicide and about how a special fundraiser will benefit the organisation this weekend.
Michael Duggan is the organiser of a charity Horse Ride tomorrow which aims to raise funds for the group.
The horse ride in Aid of Clare Suicide Bereavement Support will be held in Quin tomorrow Saturday 23rd of March at 1pm. If you’d like to contact Clare Suicide Bereavement Support you can call 086 0565373 or 087 3698315 or see their website www.claresuicidebereavementsupport.com
Also on the show we heard more about the work of Pemba support volunteers on Pemba Island, part of the Zanzibar Islands off Tanzania – as well as the potential dangers in the area, particularly after the murder of a Catholic Priest by Muslim extremists there last month. But the volunteers and priests continue their work for the poor and sick undeterred – John met Pemba based priest Fr Mathias Ng’ Ojo who’s currently visiting County Clare and Pemba Support Volunteer and founder Pat O’Doherty who returned from Africa recently.
Paul Touhy and Emer Murphy are from the organising committee for the fourth annual Pakie Ryan Challenge, which takes place in Newmarket on Fergus on the 23rd of March and is expected to build on the success of 2012’s event. Planning is well underway for this year’s race which again promises to be a Fun-Family-Friendly day out. Registration Fee is €20. Students €10 (with ID). Children are free. Those who wish to take part have three choices on offer; 10km run, 10 Mile run, a 5km walk or a 30km/50km Cycle. There were 1,414 participants in 2010 for the inaugural event while 2011 saw 1,700 participants and 1,841 in 2012.
Chinwe Obadeyi is a Foundation Ministries Preacher, based in Ennis. She discussed a special Afro-Irish Easter event coming up on Saturday, 23rd of March at 6pm at the Glor Theatre. Proceeds of this concert, which will feature gospel choirs and singers, will go to their Drop in Centre for the Lonely and Homeless.
Dr. Deirdre O’Mahony is an Artist and Lecturer at GMIT who’s based in Killinaboy. She also spoke to John about the Burren Spring Gathering 2013, which takes place this weekend. As part of the events planned Deirdre will give a talk on “Our Place Your Space: Towards a Collaborative Aesthetic of Place” this evening. This will be followed by a presentation to Michael McMahon in recognition of the depth and breath of his contribution to local knowledge and history. There will also be history and heritage walks in the Killinaboy area and exhibitions at X – PO Killinaboy over the weekend.
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