With a number of incidents of violence among members of the travelling community occurring in Ennis in recent days
Clare Chief Superintendent John Kerin joined John Cooke in studio on Tuesday’s Morning Focus to appeal to people to sort out their issues in a peaceful way- he also appealed to the public for any information they have on the events that took place
Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.
A settled traveller in Ennis contacted Clare FM’s Morning Focus to express frustration at the situation regarding traveller violence in Ennis.
He said he’s concerned about the bad reputation it’s giving other travellers – and he says tougher action from Gardai and the Courts is required to ensure it comes to an end.
Micheál Collins is Senior Researcher at the Nevin Economic Research Institute
He recently presented a study that details a separate tax for saturated fat, added sugar and salt to economists attached to government departments
He spoke with John and concluded that a levy on all three could generate €188 million a year for the exchequer but that the direct effect on consumers would be quite small
But it could lead suppliers to reduce fat and added sugar and salt in products
The cash generated could be used for health promotion campaigns.
The Mayor of Clare, along with the Mayors of Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and Kilkee have been invited to Dublin this morning to meet with the Environment Minister, as he announces widespread reform of local government in Ireland
Under the plan being put to Cabinet all 80 town councils nationwide will be abolished while a number of county council including Clare will have their councillor numbers reduced, others will be increased while a number face amalgamation
Other measures are a voluntary redundancy scheme for 500 staff while the current system of 10 regional authorities and regional assemblies will also be abolished
Local representatives have been invited to attend a briefing on the matter today, though invitations to the event were only sent yesterday
John discussed this with Clare Labour Deputy Michael McNamara and Deputy Barry Cowen, Fianna Fail Environment and Local Government Spokesperson.
The Health Minister has given a broad indication that accident and emergency services will be removed from Ennis General Hospital
Speaking after he opened the King’s Island Primary Care Centre in Limerick last night, Minister James Reilly said better care can be provided to people in emergency situations at facilities like Limerick Regional, rather than Clare’s County Hospital
The HSE has already stated that it plans to remove A&E care from the county hospital, transferring it to Dooradoyle, with Ennis General becoming a local injuries unit – no date has been set for the change, which has already been undertaken in Nenagh
John Rattigan, the Curator of the Clare Museum is appealing to the public for loans of objects and documents relating to past wards that are linked to people resident in Clare
Items from the Great War, all other subsequent wars and United Nations peacekeeping operations
It is intended that the artefacts would be on display at the museum in time for Remembrance Day on November 11th – he joined John in studio
Email [email protected] or call 065 682 33 82
Clare ISPCA Warden Frankie Coote was in studio for his weekly slot with advice on the proper care of animals
The Dogs Trust have taken Clare under their wing because of the numbers of stray dogs here- this a huge initiative whereby the dogs will be micro chipped and vaccinated free of charge – and rehomed. Contact Clare Dog Shelter on 065 6820393
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
