The discussion on Tuesday’s Morning Focus was all about the reality of making ends meet
John Cooke spoke with Cathal Oakes of the Clare branch of Saint Vincent de Paul to get his reaction to a report by the Irish League of Credit Unions that shows one in ten Irish people borrowing money to pay for the essentials are going to money lenders
It has also found that third of all consumers have been forced to borrow money to pay their bills in the past year
17 per cent of people have no money left at the end of the month once all their bills have been paid
SVdP say some people are using the services of unlicensed moneylenders
Contact Clare SVdP on 065 6824188.
Michael Culhitty of the Money Advice abd Budgeting Service said MABS has been inundated with people seeking help and advice with their finances
See www.mabs.ie or call 0761072000.
Following our talks about road safety recently, landowners in Mid, North and West Clare were urged to get more proactive in roadside hedge cutting at last night’s meeting of Clare County Council, as their counterparts on East Clare are making more progress and the Council can’t afford to do it
Sixmilebridge COuncillor PJ Ryan urged the council to carry out a major advertising campaign to advise owners of their responsibilities for the upkeep of their roadside hedging.
Thalidomide survivors have ceased all negotiations with the Government on a compensation deal
The 25 members of the Irish Thalidomide Association are now to launch individual high court actions against the Government
They’ve accused the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and health minister of "weaselling out" of a commitment to negotiate fair compensation. The Taoiseach and members of the government have been accused of "weaselling out" of a compensation deal
Chairperson of The Irish Thalidomide Association Maggie Woods, from Claregalway, spoke with John.
This week Morning Focus’ giveaway is courtesy of GIFTWORKS- the new Home and Giftware store has opened up on O’Connell Street in Ennis
From Monday to Thursday we have a daily prize of led tree Table Lamp to give away and a grand prize on Friday of A French cream Dressing Table
Log on to our webpage on www.clare.fm to see the prizes
Sean Corcoran, Chairman of Barefield Tidy Villages committee contact the show after another case of vandalism overnight
Village flower beds were targeted, plants were pulling up and there are marks of wheelies on the roundabout
Sean says this is the fifth time it has happened and that the committee – made up of local volunteers who fundraise and they are now down to their last euros – are very upset.
A new website has been launched to help promote the folklore and oral history of County Clare
www.clarememories.ie is the website of Cuimhneamh an Chláir, the Clare Oral History and Folklore Group, who have been documenting the memories of Clare’s oldest citizens over the last two years
The entirely voluntary group have already amassed considerable collection of material amounting of over three hundred and thirty interviews with people aged between sixty five and one hundred and six
The group were established in 2009 and comprises volunteers from all across county Clare
Cormac McCarthy, Cuairteoir -Cuimhneamh an Chláir, joined John in studio
We had a taste of some of the interviews available to hear on the website
Brud Skeehan from Bridgetown, who was born in 1915, speaking about his recollections of the Shannon Scheme
Kilmihil man Timmy Ryan – born in 1911- speaking about a time when the road outside his house was filled with the sound of conversation and the change that the years have brought
Timmy passed away in June 2012 at the age of 102 RIP
And we also heard a recording Cormac did with Maureen McDonagh from Liscannor speaking about matchmaking.
Kinvara woman Fiona Graham is the writer and producer of ‘Songs for Amy’ , a darkly comedic love story, inspired by the music scene of the west of Ireland
The film is set against the stunning background of County Galway
The Official Press Launch party for ‘Songs For Amy’ will take place in Johnson’s Hall, Kinvara from 7pm this evening
Clare ISPCA Warden Frankie Coote joined John in studio for his weekly slot
He says the problem of dogs been abandoned – particularly in the border areas of the county – is continuing
He also urged people who are missing dogs to contact him
Also he added that dogs are continuing to roam freely and he reminded dog owners that they have to be restrained and cannot roam freely – contact the Clare Pound on 6820393
Contact Frankie on 087 622 5253.
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