Morning Focus Tuesday July 9

Clare’s local political representatives have made a last minute appeal for a referendum on controversial abortion legislation
The Dail is expected to pass the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill tomorrow night (wed) but Clare County Council passed a motion last evening, calling on the government to put the issue to the people in a vote

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus with John Cooke we heard from Fianna Fail’s Bill Chambers of Cooraclare, Pat Burke from Whitegate of Fine Gael and Patricia McCarthy, Shannon Independent.

John was joined in studio by Ennis Fianna Fail Councillor Brian Meaney
He says residents of the Steel’s Terrace area in Ennis are living in constant fear and intimidation as the Fairways Building Complex which has fallen into disrepair has become a hub for antisocial behaviour in recent months
Councillor Meaney is calling on the town council to invoke  emergency powers under The Local Government Act to deal with the situation at the building – he raised this most recently at the area meeting yesterday morning
The building is an eyesore but the most pressing issue is the antisocial behaviour that’s occurring there that represents a threat to public safety
Over the weekend a group of people were socialising there and neighbours were being intimidated – he feels this is the final straw

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Tony Mulqueen of Fine Gael was also in studio – he said local residents have been circulating a petition calling on Ennis Town Council to carry out emergency remedial works on the Fairways
They are also calling for the building to be placed on the derelict sites list because of its negitive3 impact on the area

Yesterday was the hottest day for 7 years and the mercury is only going to go higher today
Monday was the hottest day here since July 19th 200, when 31 degrees was recorded at Casement Aerodrome.
That could be bested today, with Met Eireann warning the heat will soar to 30 degrees today
Tomsie O’Sullivan in Lahinch had a word about what the atmosphere has been like at the seaside resort.

The Clare Senior footballers suffered a disappointing 3-17 to 0-10 loss to Laois on Saturday bringing an end to their 2013 campaign
It also marked an end to the reign of Mick O’Dwyer as Clare manager, the county will be looking for a new manager as he confirmed after the game he would be stepping down from the role after a year in charge
John spoke with Mick O’Dwyer about his time in Clare and his plans for the future.
 
Teenagers from across Europe have been learning about County Clare, thanks to a European Union initiative
Students from Colaiste Mhuire in Ennis, Sikemi Matthew and Caoimhlin Meaney travelled to Brussels to represent their school, and their county, in a competition for second level students from across the EU
Clare FM’s Gavin Grace sent a report from Brussels.

The Clans of Clare series  
The Tribe of Dal gCais is a new 15 part series in which 15 Clan names were chosen who’s origins are based in Co. Clare. Each Clan name descends from the The Tribe of Dal gCais who were a powerful network of Families from  the 10th Century that ruled the Kingdom of Thomond.
The series was produced by Denise Woods and we’ll be featuring a different tribe each day over the next three weeks.
Today we heard about the Considine’s.
 
Clare ISPCA Warden Frankie Coote had advice for animal owners – urging them to ensure their pets and livestock have adequate water, air and shade in this hot weather
Contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393.

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