The show opened this morning by asking if it's time to publicly shame illegal dumpers. At the monthly meeting of Clare County Council, there were calls for a billboard campaign featuring people involved in illegal dumping in Clare. The motion was proposed by three FF members of the authority. Dublin City Council have erected posters at dumping blackspots featuring pixelated CCTV images of people involved in the practice and its been suggested that similar measures could be implemented here. However Anne Haugh, Director of Transportation, Environment, Water and Emergency Services told the meeting the plan presents a number of difficulties, including the availability of power supply to operate CCTV in rural areas. Cllr. Alan O'Callaghan, FF Killaloe MD was on the line with Gavin.
The widower of the late Sylvia Roche Kelly, from Sixmiledbirdge, has hit out at the ongoing delay in publishing a report into claims of mishandling of his wife's case and a raft of other Garda investigations. Lorcan Roche Kelly's highly critical of the manner in which Gardai interacted with the O'Higgin's Commission. The commission report – which is still unpublished – identified serious failings in eight criminal investigations, and in the case of Jerry McGrath, who murdered Ms Roche Kelly in Limerick while out on bail in 2007. Mr Roche Kelly said his biggest issue is that it has taken nine years to get the report because gardaí had been uncooperative and didn't admit to any failings. He also said he's never had an explanation from the Gardai as to what happened, or from the Department of Justice. The report revealed that Gardai did object to bail for Mr McGrath in advance of Ms Roche Kelly's murder. However, Mr Roche Kelly believes that these objections weren't made properly. Gwen Bowen Solicitor for Lorcan Roche Kelly spoke to Gavin.
The head of Clare's Garda division has raised concerns over an increase in the number of young people being caught drink driving in the county. Today's Joint Policing Committee Meeting has heard there were 61 motorists arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in the first four months of this year, eleven more than during the same period in 2015. Chief Superintendent John Kerin says a significant percentage of these are people in their twenties, a trend he's not seen for many years. And he's warning people that drink driving is simply not worth the risk. Gavin spoke with John Kerin to find out more.
Next up we had our weekly financial slot with The Money Doctor, John Lowe. He discussed some possibilities for Budget 2017 and spoke about tax breaks for home buyers. http://independentfinancialadvice.ie/blog
Then the show turned to the dangers of Liquidtabs. Over 900 incidents of laundry liquid capsules poisinings were reported to the National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) in the last five years; the majority involving children less than 3 years of age. Since these “liquidtabs” are small and colourful they are easily mistaken for sweets or toys. Yesterday the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) launched an inspection campaign targeting retailers and distributors. The aim of the campaign is to ensure that all of these products, in soluble packaging, comply with additional EU-wide safety measures. Yvonne Mullooly, Senior Inspector with the HSA was on the line and she explained the importance of the new regulations.
Last week, people were treated to the once-in-a-lifetime sight of a huge jumbo jet 'sailing' along the Clare coast. This week, there's a more routine, but no less interesting, vessel making its way northwards. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group set sail on Saturday, from Kerry, aboard the Celtic Mist and are travelling clockwise around the Irish coast over the next three months. The research ship will be recording whale and dolphin numbers are it goes and the voyage is time to mark the 25th anniversary of Ireland being declred a Whale and Dolphin Sanctuary. Meadhbh Quinn Membership Officer, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group spoke from aboard the Celtic Mist.
It's Clare FM's Charity Month for Cahercalla Hospice and Charlie McGettigan spoke to Gavin about his song for charity.
Next the show heard about the William Winder Rainbow Foundation's Fun Weekend. This weekend the Rainbow Foundation is holding a “Fun Weekend” in Lahinch. The aim of the weekend is to bring families together while raising suicide awareness and prevention. Hosted by Bens Surf Clinic, there'll be activities for all ages, including rock-climbing, face-painting, archery, a bbq and more, with a fancy dress fun run on Sunday. Mark Winder from the foundation and Ben Bennett from Ben's Surf Clinic were in studio to tell Gavin more.
A Clare 3rd level student has been short-listed in Hotpress magazine's prestigious Write Here, Write Now Competition. Niamh Twomey's piece was selected from thousands of entries to the competition which is part of the national commemorations to mark the 1916 Rising. Winners will receive €250 in cash and a much sought after internship at Hotpress magazine this summer. Listeners can show their support for Niamh by voting in the special Write Here, Write Now Readers' Award at: www.hotpress.com/writeherewritenow . Niamh joined Gavin on the line. We also heard from Roisín Dwyer, commissioning editor at Hotpress magazine.
Finally today the show heard about three Clare companies who made the shortlist of Bank of Ireland's Start-up Awards. The businesses, each set up within the last three years, were selected based on the innovative and aspirational nature of their enterprises. Kilbaha Gallery and Crafts was shortlisted in the creative retail section while UJet Group Ltd and The Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Co. Made the list in the Emerging Startup category. Louise McGuane from Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Co. And Aidan O'Leary, Managing Director, Ujet Group were on the line to tell Gavin more about their businesses.
