On Friday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Detective Inspector, with the Clare Garda Division, John Galvin to talk about the recent spate of drug seizures across the county.
Detective Inspector Galvin urged landlords to check their properties, following drug seizures worth almost 1.5 million euro at five rented houses in the space of a week.
Separate raids at houses in the Kilkee, Carrigaholt, Tulla and Caher areas resulted in major cannabis seizure and saw four polish nationals and a Vietnamese man remanded in custody.
Gardai are now investigating whether any of the seizures are linked due to similarities in the way the sophisticated grow houses were operating in isolated rural properties.
Darren Carty, Journalist with the Irish Farmers Journal, spoke to John about an important week for farmers. Decisions have been made over the past number of days that will shape rural agriculture for the next decade.
Figures released from the department of agriculture for the Rural Development Programme, sees 50 thousand euro for a new REPS scheme called GLAS.
Bunratty based haulier and President of the Irish Road Haulage Association Eoin Gavin also appeared on Fridays show.
Mr Galvin was speaking about the recent move by the IRHA who have issued a warning to the Government regarding road tax.
The body which represents hauliers maintain that failure to overhaul commercial vehicle road tax, in advance of the introduction of a road user charge for HGV’s in Northern Ireland and the UK, will have a significant impact on the ability of the transport fleet to service the export market.
Resident Dr. Maire Finn, from Ennis Family Medical Centre, joined John in studio to give the people of Clare some tips on giving up smoking.
Dr. Finn also answered questions and queries sent in from listeners in relation to this topic.
John Ruddle from Shannon was in studio to chat about an event taking place this weekend, the 15th Shannonside Winter Music Weekend.
Over 5,000 are expected to attend the festivities.
Mary Ellen, from the Shannon based Three Legged Stool Poets, joined John to chat about poetry readings that are happening at the Winter Musical Festival.
Finally Dr. Eamon Doyle, Geologist in Burren, spoke to John in studio about the landscape of the Burren and how the weather can impact the region.
The Burren has changed over millions of years due to floods earthquakes and ice ages.
Dr. Doyle spoke to John about the impact of storms, like the recent Storm Christine, on the Burren. He also spoke about evening courses being hosted by the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark and the Burren Outdoor Education Centre which take place between February 13th and March 13th .
