Clare’s government representatives are being urged to lobby the Justice Minister to lift the recruitment embargo on Gardaí as falling numbers have put further stations here at risk of closure
At a joint policing committee meeting in Kildysart earlier this weThe county’s Chief Superintendent John Kerin said at a public joint committee meeting in Kildysart on Monday that he expects several stations to be shutdown when the Garda Commissioner unveils his policing plan in the coming months due to the huge fall in officer numbers over the past two years
However despite this crime figures in the county continue to fall while detection rates here are higher than the national average
On Thursday’s Morning Focus Marian Egan spoke with Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen about the issue of policing and calls from FLAC for more speed and transparency in dealing with social welfare appeals
Last week Deputy Breen returned from a visit to Sierra Leone with a delegation from the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
They visited the African country from 14th-17th October to see the work of Irish Aid and the impact of its programme there
Deputy Breen also commented on local government reform and Minister Phil Hogan’s decision to abolish town councils.
The personal cancer stories of four well known Clare men have helped to achieve a national medial award for Clare FM
Morning Focus Presenter JC was presented with an Irish medical medial award at a ceremony in Dublin last night for a series of interviews entitled Cancer Man to Man
The entry features hurling legend Ger Loughnane, Sixmilebridge Priest Father Harry Bohan, former Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes and Miltown Malbay Businessman Tony Cogan as they recounted their own experiences of cancer and encourage health awareness among other men.
Sponsored by Glaxo Smithcline the awards recognise outstanding contributions in the field of health related journalism and accepting the prize Clare FM’s John Cooke spoke with Marian from Dublin and paid tribute to those who made the award possible.
Marian had a word with the Independent North West MEP and also Brigid Barron, Innovation & Programme Manager – Caring for Carers who was in Brussels last week at a meeting of the European Parliament Carers Interest Group organised and chaired by Independent MEP Marian Harkin, Clare Carers backed calls for the government to retain the half-rate Carers Allowance
Clare Carers Brigid Barron, Catherine Lee, Cora Long, Noel Power, Mary McDermott and Geraldine Power also urged the government in its forthcoming budget to put in place a transition payment for Carers whose duties are completed
See www.caringforcarers.org or call 065 68 66 515.
This week is European Week for Health and Safety
Whether it’s a large corporation or a small, self-employed operator, the HSA is trying to raise awareness of the importance of Health and Safety in the workplace
Martin Halloran, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority, had some good insights into common areas of concern, misconceptions, hints and tips.
See www.hsa.ie
On today’s Grow it Yourself slot Evan Talty of Wild Irish SeaVeg, Quilty discussed uses for Seaweed in the Garden
Regional GIY Champion Carmen Cronin was also in studio to speak about events upcoming for
GIY groups in Ennis, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay, Kilrush, Newmarket on Fergus and Scarriff.
See www.GIYIreland.com
The Shinty International Festival is taking place this weekend- Clare is getting ready to host the biggest sporting weekend of the year with the international shinty matches tournament in the county taking place
Sean Chaplain, Clare GAA Games Promotion Officer, was in studio along with Chairperson of the Shinty Organising Committee Flan Garvey who explained the celebration of cultural and sporting festivities
There will be free admission to all games and events taking place all weekend
The game of Shinty is derived from the same root as the Irish games of hurling but has developed different rules and features
It’s a team game played with sticks and a ball and now played mainly in the Scottish Highlands and amongst Highland immigrants in the big cities of Scotland
Katherine O’Loughlin, Manager of the Irish Shinty Team explained that Friday sees the u21hurling/shinty game at 7pm which will see Clare seniors Seadna Morey and Tony Kelly line out for their country
Chairperson of the Clare Camogie Chairperson Orla Considine spoke about the huge day for Clare Camogie coming up on Saturday
It’ll be a day for all Camogie fans across the county as President Michael D. Higgins will officially open Fr McNamara park at half time in the Camogie shinty international
Following that there is a parade to Cusack Park before the men’s senior international at 2pm
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
