Morning Focus opened with a look at a new initiative to tackle the issue of crime against farmers and rural dwellers. New figures show that 30 thousand farm-related crime incidents have been reported to Gardai since 2010. The most common occurrence was theft from farm yards – with stolen equipment often ending up for sale online. This week, Crimestoppers have teamed up with The IFA, Gardai and DoneDeal to combat rural crime. William Shortall, IFA regional organiser spoke to Gavin about the issue.
Staying with farming matters, a large contingent of farmers from Clare joined a protest yesterday (Tue. Aug. 23) in Athlone to coincide with a public consultation session on a flood management plan for the River Shannon.
Farmers voiced anger over the Shannon CFRAMS Flood Management Plan, pointing out that no work has been done to avoid a repeat of the damage caused by severe floods of last winter.
The head of the IFA, Joe Healy said the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and rural dwellers had been devastated, and that many remained fearful that the situation will be repeated.
The IFA has criticised the CFRAMS report for a number of reasons – saying it focuses on towns and villages, while ignoring rural areas and farmland. The union also claims that environmental concerns are overriding the public good.
Gavin was joined on the line by Willie Hanrahan, Clare IFA Chairperson.
Following news that more than two million people are now in employment in Ireland, Clare's Junior Minister is predicting a number of jobs announcements for the county in the coming months.
MInister Pat Breen's comments come as new CSO figures show ongoing growth in employment, with more than 2 million at work for the first time in seven years.
In the MidWest unemployment has dropped from 9.8 percent to 8.5 percent in the past twelve months, with an additional 5,300 people taking up jobs.
Gavin spoke to Junior Minister Pat Breen of the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.
A book of autographs collected by a Meelick IRA volunteer in 1916 at the Frongoch internment camp will be the subject of a lecture this evening (Wed.s, Aug. 24) as part of Heritage Week.
'The Scroll of Ireland's Fame' – An Irish Rebel Autograph Book from Frongoch Internment Camp 1916 is the title of the talk, to be delivered by Dr Tomás Mac Conmara at Clare Museum (8pm).
Frongoch internment camp in Wales was a makeshift prison during the First World War. Until 1916 it housed German prisoners of war in an abandoned distillery, but after the 1916 Rising, they were moved out and up to 18-hundred Irish prisoners, among them such notables as Michael Collins, were imprisoned in Frongoch. They were accorded the status of prisoners of war and the camp quickly became a breeding ground for revolutionary ideas.
In 2014, Clare Museum has paid €5,000 for the historical 1916 album, compiled by a former Meelick IRA volunteer and future deputy, Patrick Brennan.
This journal and autograph book, which provides a unique insight into life and conditions at Frongoch prisoner of war camp,
Gavin spoke to the man delivering the lecture, Dr Tomás Mac Conmara, oral historian.
There was music next in the Morning Focus studio. It came from a group of musicians who play without the help of sheet music – and rely solely on their memories. They're among the highlights of the Burren Summer Festival, which gets underway tomorrow (Thurs., Aug. 25).
The event will run until Sunday, August 28 in Ballyvaughan The festival's director and founder is Dave Flynn, who's also the man behind the Irish Memory Orchestra – the first and only orchestra in the western world to play exclusively from memory.
They orchestra will feature in the headline event on Saturday at St John the Baptist Church Ballyvaughan, where they'll be joined by Galway accordion maestro Mairtin O'Connor, performing music composed by Dave, conducted by Bjorn Bantock.
Gavin was joined in studio by Dave Flynn, Artistic Director of the Irish Memory Orchestra; Jack Talty; and Neil O'Loghlen
The Morning Focus Book Club chatted about The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson. Discussing the autobiography were Brian Comerford, a Kilrush library bookclub member and Cora Gunter of Clare County Library.
The next topic for discussion was the Percy French Cultural Festival. The event takes place on August 27 and 28 at Moyasta Railway Station. Songs and music all day with steam trains running from 1-5pm. Gavin was joined by Jackie Whelan, Director of the West Clare Railway.
This edition of Morning Focus was rounded off by our regular Ask the Vet slot with John Underhill of Burren Vets.
