As listeners had been hearing in local news, proposals which would have seen a 30 kilometre per hour speed limit rolled out county-wide have hit a speed bump.
Clare County Council has initiated a pilot scheme where the lower speed limit was rolled out in around 30 estates, but surveys have shown that it has made no significant difference in speed.
This means the further roll-out of the 30K limit is not included in a review of speed limits in Clare, althogh a public consultation on the process on the matter will begin in the coming weeks.
Gavin spoke with Council Engineer Tom Tiernan who says the evidence so far shows drivers aren't obeying the reduced limits.
Morning Focus then heard from Rita Malone from Clonlara. She's a part of the "Ireland Unites to Support Jakes Legacy – Clare Division" group. Her son, Oran, was knocked down and seriously injured in 2014.
Rita says she's shocked at Clare County Council's comments. She believes the pilot project has been effective in saving lives and preventing injuries and she's appalled that the council would consider reducing the speed limit a waste of time.
Gavin was then joined in studio by Pat Dowling incoming CEO of Clare County Council.
55 years ago this month, in what was Ireland's worst aviation disaster, a plane, en route from German to the US, plunged into the waters of the Shannon Estuary. While local people were heroic in their rescue efforts none of the 83 people on board survived.
Among those who lost their lives was a 33-year old Austrian father-of-three, Ferdinand Berger, On Saturday next (Sept. 10) the anniversary of the crash, his children will travel to Shannon for the first time to pay their respects and pray for their father.
*A short memorial service will take place in the Adoration Chapel, Skycourt, on Saturday morning
Gavin was joined on the line by Fr Tom Ryan, Shannon PP.
Sadly, no part of the county has been untouched by suicide. Globally, it's estimated (by the WHO) that 800,000 people die by suicide each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds. Up to 25 times as many again make a suicide attempt. The tragic ripple effect means that there are many, many more people who have been bereaved by suicide or have been close to someone who has tried to take his or her own life. And this is happening in spite of the fact that suicide is preventable. ‘Connect, communicate, care’ is the theme of the 2016 World Suicide Prevention Day. These three words are at the heart of suicide prevention.
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) takes place on September 10 is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). WHO has been co-sponsor of the day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
Samaritans: 116 123
Clare Suicide Bereavement Support (Clare SBS) can be contacted by telephone or text on the following numbers: 086 0565373 or 087 3698315
Clare Suicide Bereavement Support have a new premises at Innovation House, Roslevan Centre, Tulla Rd. Ennis. Innovation House is a blue building next to Liddy’s Store.
Gavin was joined in studio by Owen O'Mahony of Clare Suicide Bereavement Support
Morning Focus then asked what you do when you see someone using a disabled parking space, when they clearly don't have disability or a disability sticker? We've all seen it and chances are when we do, we do nothing. It's not surprising, as drivers who approach people illegally ‘invading’ spaces for people with disabilities are often met with aggression and abuse. That's borne out by new research by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland.
The organisation is calling for a raft of measures to tackle the issue – including the extension of enforcement policies to disabled spaces in publicly available private carparks; an increase in the current parking fine from €80 to €160 and in the future, possible penalty points imposed for illegal parking of this nature in all publicly available carparks.
Gavin was joined on the line by Richard Ryder, Marketing Manager with the Disabled Drivers Association
It's now more than a year since quotas on milk production were removed. This was heralded as a golden opportunity for dairy farmers, but has that really been the case? My next guest recently surveyed farmers about their experiences so far. The results point to significant potential risks – from unseasonal weather to increased input costs. Overall, according to John Garvey, they show that farmers need flexibility to make the most of the opportunities in the post-quota era.
Gavin was joined in studio by Dr John Garvey, University of Limerick & Farm Hedge.
The Midnight Mile for Special Olympics takes place on Saturday, September 10 at the West Clare Sports & Fitness track in Clonreddan, Cooraclare.
Track opens from 8pm with the official Mile at midnight.
Adults €10, children €5, family €20.
Proceeds to West Clare Sports & Fitness and Special Olympics. Gavin spoke to Dermot Galvin of West Clare Sports & Fitness.
September, it seems, is the month of love – at least in Lisdoonvarna.
The matchmaking festival – a traditional dating back a century-and-a-half – has already seen thousands descent on the spa town in search of romance.
At the heart of it all is legendary matchmaker Willie Daly. Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, went to meet him at a new venture he's just launched at his home in Ennistymon.
Gavin's next guest grew up on a small farm in Kilkishen. When she started her working life as a secretary for a steeplejack company she had no idea that she herself would go on become a steeplejack; set up her own business (employing 62 people); work with a major American company and be the first woman to build and own a private golf course. Angela Collins O'Mahony joined Gavin in studio as she adds the title of 'author' to her credits, with the publication of her autobiography, 'The Story of Ireland's Only Steeplejill'.
The launch will be held at O’Mahony Bookshop in Limerick on Thursday, September 15, at 5.30pm.
Gavin's last guest in this edition of Morning Focus is head of an organisation that looks after Clare people from the cradle to the grave – literally. Fiacre Hensey is the General Manager of Clarecare which provides services all over the county to children, families, older people and those struggling with issues like addiction or depression. This weekend, 190 collectors will be at church gates around Clare to raise vital funds to support Clarecare's work.
