MORNING FOCUS MONDAY DECEMBER 1ST
GARDAÍ WILL BE able to take blood samples from drivers injured in crashes from today, as tight new road safety laws come into effect.The laws will also see Gardai implementing new roadside drug impairment tests. The laws will close a loophole that allowed drunk drivers avoid testing if they were unconscious or claimed to be injured. Barry Keating of Clare County Council outlined the new laws with John.
The entire executive of the Ennistymon branch of the IFA have resigned on foot of Clare Markets decision to sell Eniistymon mart . According to the committee it will be the first time in 70 years that there will be no branch of the IFA in Ennistymon. Tom Clare and Pat Donoghue former members of THE Ennistymon Branch joined John to discuss their position.
An estimated crowd of 150 took part in the latest anti-water charges demonstration in Ennis at the weekend. Crowds gathered at The Height, and then marched around the town holding placards and chanting their opposition to Irish Water. The crowd was much smaller than in previous water charges protests in Ennis and Shannon in the first demonstration in Clare since the coalition announced their revised water charges plan. Clare FM's Derrick Lynch met some of those still determined to fight on. John also spoke with Niamh O'Brien of Clare Says No To Water.
THE HSE sent a prescriptions charge refund from 2013/2014 to a woman who has been dead for 21 years. Her son Noel Shinnors, who now lives in the house, got a shock when he saw the letter because the name and address is written "Kathleen Shinnors, Clonoughter, Clonlara Near Limerick"."Even though it is County Clare my mother would always write "Clonlara, near Limerick" because in the old days the post would come quicker if you did that. The rest of us write County Clare," said Noel.Inside the letter, dated October 22, was a cheque for €7.50 and documentation detailing a prescription charge refund? Noel spoke with John about the distress receiving the prescription caused him
The Fianna Fail leader was in Ennis yesterday where he addressed the annual Eamon de Valera Commemoration Addressing those gathered near the Courthouse, Micheal Martin launched a stinging attack on the government's health plans for the new year and criticised Fine Gael and Labour which he said were launching their General election campaigns ahead of time. Setting out Fianna Fail’s new vision for Ireland, he denied that his party was also now in General election mode, when he spoke to Clare FM's Aisling O'Rourke.
And finally as always on a Monday John Murphy of the Birwatch Irelands Clare branch was in studio answer listener’s wildlife queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
