Morning Focus opened with analysis of a Clare Champion #GE16ce opinion poll indicating that Labour's Michael McNamara and Fine Gael's Joe Carey could be in line to lose their Dáil seats.
Using a sample ballot paper, the poll sought the views of 660 likely coters in face to face interviews at fourteen sample points across Clare between Friday and Sunday last.
The poll indicates that Independent Dr Michael Harty and Sinn Féin's Noeleen Moran are poised to take a seat alongside Fine Gael's Pat Breen and Fianna Fáil's Timmy Dooley.
Michael McNamara is in fifth place with 8.74% of first preference votes and Joe Carey is in sixth place at 6.13%.
Mid-table candidates include Fianna Fáil's Clare Colleran Molloy on 5.67%, Michael McDonagh on 5.06%, Green Party candidate Fergal Smith on 3.68% and Fine Gael's Mary Howard and Independent Ian Lynch both on just over 3%.
They're followed by Independent Ann Norton on 2.61%, Fís Nua's Niamh O'Brien on 1.84%, Independents Richard Cahill on 1.53%, Andre Sibo Hakizimana on 0.61% and Dermot Mulqueen on 0.31%
The overall poll has a margin of error of 5%. Peter O'Connell from The Clare Champion joined Gavin in studio to discuss the results.
Brian and Lourda Bermingham moved into their home in Labasheeda around ten years ago when the local road was in reasonably good condition. The couple, who have a young family, say the road is now pot-holed and water-logged to the point where they are fearful of letting their children out onto it. They say that it hasn't been serviced in years and it in such a poor condition that they may be forced to move out of their home. According to the couple, there are six other road-users and 2 homes which are due to be rented.
The couple say they've been in touch with the council and local councillors over the last two years, but to no avail. He believes that as tax-payers and contributors to the local community, they're entitled to better basic services. Gavin spoke to Lourda about the couple's concerns.
Cian Kearns produced a special Simon Cumbers Fund report from Sierra Leone where the deadly Ebola outbreak left tens of thousands dead and gave rise to an international panic.
With support form the Simon Cumbers Media Fund, Clare FM's Cian travelled to Sierra Leone to report on the problem first hand.
Gavin was joined by Ann Lynch of the Mullagh Entire Drama Group who are performing, Separate Beds, a Three Act Comedy by Sam Cree in Mullagh Hall on Friday February 19; Sunday, February 21; and Saturday, February 27.
Gavin was joined by Dr Conor Reidey to discuss the topic of tackling criminal drunks in the early 20th century.
Ennis was the focal point of Ireland's efforts to tackle what was known as 'criminal drunkeness' in the early decades of the 20th century. The town was home to the Irish State Inebriate Reformatory, which opened at the local prison in 1900, with the aim of reforming habitual, criminal drunks who came to Clare from all over the country.
The inmates of the reformatory and two other institutions (The Certified Inebriate Reformatory and The Voluntary Inebriate Retreat) are the subject of a lecture tonight at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis, hosted by Clare Roots Society.
Using registers of inmates, annual reports, court cases and institutional records, Dr Conor Reidy presents a stark account of the ways in which alcohol addiction and lack of opportunity condemned countless Irish victims to lives of poverty, misery and crime in the early twentieth century. Conor also looks at the ways in which institutional staff sought to exact reform over the inmates through education, training, religion and discipline. He profiles a hitherto little‑known system, giving it a place within the historiography of Ireland’s complex web of so-called reformative institutions.
Dr Reidy is an author and historical researcher with a government commission of investigation, and the Secretary of the Women's History Association of Ireland.
Ahead of the launch by Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA Club of its 33rd Tradraí club annual. The publication of Tradraí promises to build on the success of last year’s edition. There are interviews with ell-known characters in the parish alongside historic articles and features looking at the future of the club. The club is one of the oldest in Clare having been established in 1885. This year’s committee is comprised of Con Woods, Bridie O’Looney, Ryan Corry, Annmarie Meehan and Editor Páraic McMahon. Gavin was joined in studio by Páraic McMahon and Con Woods.
David Moore joined Gavin ahead of an event at glor, Ennis, entitled 'Stunning Universe'. The event features the best photographs of the universe taken by the world's most powerful telescopes and by spacecraft and landers showing the universe as you have never seen it before. David founded Astronomy Ireland 25 years ago and is the editor of its magazine.
The leading lights of the chess world were set to converge on Bunratty (Fri. Feb. 19) for the 22nd Bunratty Chess Festival. The tournament which takes place at the Bunratty Castle Hotel, will see some of the world's top chess players share their expertise and pit their wits against novices.
Gavin was joined by Gerry Graham, founder member of Bunratty Chess Festival and Chief Arbiter (a sort of chess referee).
Morning Focus was rounded off by comedien Conal Gallen, who after taking over 18 months out to tour his hugely successful 'Bit On The Side,' returned to glor for what promised to be his best show yet – jam-packed with over two hours of hilarious jokes, stories and songs.
