First up this morning we heard from the Clare senator proposing SIM card registration. A North Clare Senator has unveiled plans which he says would make it easier to tackle gangland crime. Ennistymon Fine Gael representative Martin Conway wants to force people to register when they are buying SIM cards for use on a pay-as-you-go basis. He's concerned that unregistered SIM cards are being used by criminals who then can't be traced. He's told the Seanad that he plans to introduce a bill in the coming weeks that would force people to produce a utility bill or passport to buy SIM cards. Senator Martin Conway, FG, spoke to Gavin just before the show started.
Then we turned to Fleadh traffic management issues. Businesses in Ennis have been told the town will be on traffic lockdown from August 12 to facilitate the All-Ireland Fleadh. A draft document outlining traffic and parking arrangements for the Fleadh (which runs from August 14 to 22) is to go out to public consultation shortly (Thursday's Clare Champion), but, so far, the response from the business community has been a positive one. Most firms see the temporary restrictions as a necessity for the Fleadh and are welcoming the boost the expected 400-thousand visitors will bring to the county town. Eamon O'Dea, Senior Executive Engineer, was in studio to tell Gavin more.
After hearing yesterday's Morning Focus, on the story about a Kerry County Councillor suggesting that Japanese Knotweed should be cooked and eaten as a means of taming its invasive tendancies, we had a call from Steve. He lives in Kilkee and is alarmed at the proliferation of the invasive species in the town. He says the weed – which can seriously damage the structure of buildings – is growing in a number of public places. He's been in touch with Clare County Council, who've sent him an information leaflet on Knotweed, but he believes the authority may be liable if the weed spreads to private property. Dr Frances Giaquinto is a Tulla based Botanist, Ecologist & Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecological and Environmental Management. She is one of the country's leading experts on invasive species like Japanese Knotweeds. She says there's a significant problem with the weed in Kilkee. Eating it, in her opinion, would be a very bad idea as picking it or putting left-overs in compost would spread this damaging weed. She explained her concerns to Gavin.
Next we heard from Desmond Lillis who is very concerned at impact of the DPOC closure. Desmond got in touch with Morning Focus about the impact of the closure of DPOC on him. As a disabled driver, Desmond has used the services of DPOC to apply for a fuel rebate from the Revenue Commissioners. He says he's not computer literate and is unable to set up an online account. While he says there are numerous people and organisations who've agreed to help him out as a personal favour, Desmond doesn't believe he should be able to access a service – like DPOC – to enable him to organise his own affairs. Desmond Lillis, Cooraclare, spoke to Gavin over the phone.
After the ten o'clock news the show turned to bin charges. It's been confirmed that bin charges will be frozen for at least 12 months. But the government will give households the option of moving to a pay-by-weight system from January onwards. Enda Kenny's told the Dáil that dual billing will be introduced from the New Year, showing households which system is cheaper. Paul Melia, Environment Correspondent Irish Independent, was on the line to discuss the row-back with Gavin.
Then we heard about an extreme challenge for charity. If you've seen a bearded, shirtless man running after a white van around Clare over the last day or two chances are it's been Stevey McGeown. The Armagh native has set himself the whopping challenge of completing 60 ultra-marathons in 60 days. That's about 40 miles a day, every day, for two months! He's literally running the length and breadth of the country to raise money for Autism support. Yesterday he ran from Ennistymon to Scariff; today it's Scariff to Shannon. He made a quick stop this morning to take a call from Morning Focus.
High Court reporter and Barefield native, Ann O'Loughlin, will release her second book, “The Judge's Wife” on 1st July. It follows her hugely successful début novel, “The Ballroom Cáfe”, which made it into the Top 20 on Amazon UK last year with over 300,000 e-books sold. The new book tells a love story that spans generations, and also throws a light on the terrible injustices of the mental asylums of the past. Ann O'Loughlin, journalist with Irish Examiner, was on the line to tell Gavin about the book.
Next we looked at Munster Stadium Showjumping which takes place on Friday next, June 24, at Limerick Greyhound Stadium from 5.30pm. It's promoted and supported by Munster Region Showjumping. The event kicks off with the 128 Pony class, the Amateurs will then take centre stage before our top grand Prix riders will battle it out for a share of the €6000 prize fund and a spot in the Jumping in the City Final in Shelbourne Park on August 5. John McNamara, Munster Executive Committee Showjumping Ireland, was in studio to give Gavin the details.
The marquee era is being revived in Lissycasey with a new music festival. The Lissycasey Music Festival- Live at the Marquee opens on Friday (June 24) and runs throughout the weekend. Years ago, Lissycasey Marquee played host to all the big showbands, and the revamped festival will kick off on Friday night with a tribute to the late concertina player Dympna O'Sullivan with MC Joan Hanrahan (of Clare FM and Lissycasey). Mike Denver is the special guest on Saturday night and Sunday is Family Fun Day. All money raised will be divided between Lissycasey GAA, Fergus Rovers Ladies Football Club, Fergus Athletic Club and Lissycasey Tidy Towns. Deborah Coughlan, Festival committee PRO, and John O'Malley, Festival committee chairperson, were in studio to discuss the event.
This Friday evening (June 24) at 8, Cooraclare GAA club are holding an event to promote health and wellbeing in the local community. Guest speakers will discuss a range of topics from physical and emotional wellbeing to healthy food-on-the-go. The event, which takes place at the Cooraclare Community Hall, is open to all. Joe Kelly, Secretary, Cooraclare GAA Club, was on the line with the details.
Thousands of people are making their way to the Redemptorist church at Mount St Alphonsus in Limerick every day this week to take part in the novena. Running until Saturday (June 25), this year's novena is focusing on the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the theme of the preaching will be Mary, Icon of God’s Mercy. Each day the church will focus on an aspect of the Icon. Examples of the daily themes are: Mercy is the Language of God, With the Lord there is Mercy and Redemption (the motto of the Redemptorists), Mercy for those who are Hurting and Mercy on the Margins. Fr. Seamus Enright, Rector of the Redemptorists in Limerick, spoke to Gavin and told him how the week has been going so far.
Finally this morning, we heard how you can celebrate the summer at the Ennistymon Midsummer Festival. Tomorrow (Thurs. June 23) sees the Ennistymon Midsummer Festival kick-off with an evening of art, history and culture. Over the following days, events will take place across the town, as Ennistymon celebrates the summer with music, dancing, markets and a range of activities for all the family. Throughout the festival the Ennistymon Arts Trail will highlight the great variety of cultural offerings in the North Clare market town. It offers visitors the chance to wander from one free event to another, including exhibition openings, art workshops, storytelling, poetry readings, live music, historical presentations and much more! Cathy Harmon Chairperson of Midsummer festival Committee was on the line and Sara Foust, Foust Gallery, Ennistymon was in studio.
