Joining Máire Moynahan on today’s show was Mark Fielding of ISME – the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, who has warned retailers to be extra vigilant during the Christmas and New Year period as they’re targeted by organised gangs of shoplifters. The Association outlined that retailers are twice as likely to be victims of shoplifting over the Christmas, as the level of crime rises due to the greater opportunity and the recession. The direct shoplifting cost to retailers this year will be in excess of €230m, of which €51m will occur at Christmas alone. This does not take into account the amount spent on security, which adds hundreds of millions on to the cost for retail businesses. It is estimated that shoplifting alone adds up to 3% to the price of products. Rita McInerney of Ennis Chamber of Commerce also discussed how local retailers and business interests along with Gardai have been meeting to address the issue of crime and shoplifting in Clare this Christmas season.
Jane O’Doherty and Tom McGlacken were also in studio to talk about their recent trip to Pemba. Jane and Tom are Volunteers with Pemba Support Ireland and are just back after two weeks – funded by the Charity Bothar. They are after setting up a livestock
enterprise funded by Bothar and conducted by Heifer International Tanzania. Mission of PSI is to work in partnership with the people of the Pemban Community, Tanzania, to develop and complete sustainable community projects, to enable the people to achieve an improved quality of life based on their values and to enable them become the authors of their own development. To help out the charity you can visit www.pembasupport.org or email [email protected]
Emma Clarke Conway from the Coeliac Society of Ireland also gave us tips and advice if you are a coeliac and worried about how you will cope when dining with family and friends this Christmas and New Year. To help make life easier for coeliacs everywhere, the Coeliac Society of Ireland has devised a new survival guide to ensure the festive season is as stress free as possible for those suffering from coeliac disease and who have to eat a gluten free diet. Check it out online at www.coeliac.ie
Joe Lillis from the West Clare Walking Club also spoke to Máire about how they’ve organised a Moonlight Walk in the Cratloe Woods this evening – Tuesday December 17th at 7.30pm. Donations on the night to will go to charity – the Galway Mountain Rescue Team. Davy Fitzgerald will lead this walk, which will take 2hours approximately (6km). Attendee’s are asked to wear HiViz jackets, warm clothing, hat/gloves and to bring a torch/head torch.
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