Clare Fm - Podcasts

There are 49 fewer Gardaí operating in Clare today than there were 16 years ago. New figures show that despite this county's population growing by 10,000 in this timeframe, Garda numbers here have fallen by 15%. There are currently 287 Gardaí stationed in Clare, down from 336 in 2009. Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says smaller towns and villages have been particularly affected.

A West Clare councillor is calling on the Junior Transport Minister to take the time to observe the condition of the county's roads network during his trip here today. Seán Canney will visit Shannon Airport this afternoon to launch the Irish Coast Guard's Aviation Service at the Midwest base. Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor, Rita McInerney, says urgent investment in the county's roads network is required, particularly on the N68 between Ennis and Kilrush. She says the route can serve a huge strategic role going forward, if given the correct level of funding.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch Speaking With Carl Walsh To Pay Tribute To Noel Normoyle

Donald Trump's reined back on his ability to end the conflict in Ukraine - following historic talks at the White House with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders. The U.S. president's ruled out putting the country’s troops on the ground - while warning that Russia's Vladimir Putin 'might not want' to secure a peace deal. The White House insists support from the air is both 'an option and possibility' as part of security guarantees. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed there are no plans to send American troops to enforce any future peace deal. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has played down talk of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It comes after Donald Trump renewed his call for the two leaders to meet and discuss ways to achieve peace in Ukraine. Russian officials have told the BBC they have not rejected the idea of direct talks, but say there shouldn't be "a meeting for the sake of a meeting". To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined b

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by singer-songwriter Tanya O, who has just released a brand-new track and is about to set out on tour. Tanya will be performing in venues around the country, including a date in Tulla, East Clare, on 6 September 2025.

The €800 million Limerick Tunnel isn’t due to revert to the State until 2041, but the private operator is already recording big returns. New figures show profits rose 10 percent last year to almost €12 million, after toll charges increased. That’s prompted calls to ask, should motorists be paying less? Should toll costs be reduced? To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Ennis-based former IRHA President, Eugene Drennan.

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Danny Lynch, chef at Le Chéile, Barefield. This week, Danny shared a delicious recipe for Hake and Overnight Oats.

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, is a lifelong condition caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb. It can affect memory, learning, behaviour and everyday life, yet awareness and support services in Ireland remain limited. One family who know this reality first-hand are Scott Casson-Rennie, and his son Jacob who lives with FASD. Jacob, who was adopted after years in foster care, now works part-time in Hotel Woodstock.

A dark chapter in Clare’s past is the focus of a new book by social historian Rita McCarthy. ‘Forgotten Lives – The Story of the County Clare Mother and Baby Home, 1922–1932’ tells the story of the institution known as the County Nursery, which operated for ten years in part of the old Kilrush Workhouse. Run first by the Sisters of Mercy and later by lay staff, the home was described by one Clare County Councillor at the time as “a disgrace to the twentieth century”. Babies died at what the medical officer called “an appalling rate”, while women and children endured harsh and inhumane conditions. Drawing on archives, oral histories and survivor testimony, McCarthy brings to light the lived experiences of those who passed through its doors. The book will be launched at the De Valera Library in Ennis on 21 August, by Professor Bernadette Whelan of UL. To tell us more, Alan Morrissey was joined by the author herself, Rita McCarthy.

Fianna Fail will make a decision on the Presidency by the end of the month, according to the Taoiseach. The party can opt to run its own candidate or support an external person. Independent TD Catherine Connolly and businessman Gareth Sheridan are the only other candidates to officially launch a bid for the Áras, however Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys and Sean Kelly have announced their intentions to join the race. Sinn Fein has yet to outline its position, but it's understood the party’s preference is to run its own candidate. Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he won’t be speculating until he meets with party members. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by Ireland South Fine Gael MEP, Sean Kelly, who has announced his intention to join the race. Meanwhile, we heard earlier from the Taoiseach that Fianna Fail will make a decision on the Presidency by the end of the month. This follows calls from the party's MEP, Billy Kelleher, for an urgent meeting to figure out what's going on. He sai

It's feared HIQA's review of emergency care capacity in the MidWest will face further delays. The report to determine if another emergency department is needed in the region was originally due in May, but has been pushed back to next month to factor in hospital bed capacity projections for 2040. The minutes of HIQA's latest board meeting however has revealed it's "uncertain about the impact additional planned private care will have in the region", with the new Bon Secours Hospital in Ballysimon to open next month. Friends of Ennis Hospital Chair Angela Coll says it's extremely frustrating.

Scores of new homes could soon be coming on to the market in Clare through the renovation of vacant commercial buildings. New figures show Clare County Council granted 52 change use of applications since 2018, which have the potential to yield up to 107 new houses. According to the Department, 31% of all applications related to former shops, 23% to offices and 14% to former pubs. Ennis Chamber President and Auctioneer Diarmuid McMahon believes that while this planning relief is no solution to the housing crisis, the uptake is still disappointing.

The Justice Minister has been requested to allocate more Garda resources to West Clare following a violent incident on Sunday, which left two people hospitalised. The public order incident which occurred shortly after 7pm in Miltown Malbay led to four people sustaining injuries, with a video circulating on social media showing one man bleeding profusely after an apparent attack with an article. According to An Garda Siochána, there were 69 Gardaí stationed in the West Clare area at the beginning of the year, with just one permanently assigned to Miltown Malbay. Clare Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that he believes the west of the county has been undermanned for far too long.

A petition has been launched to develop Clare's first ever dog park. It comes as Shannon residents are rallying for a dedicated facility for their four legged friends to serve the growing population. In July, the Shannon Municipal District passed a motion calling for a dog park to be established in the South-East Clare area. The local authority then promised to put together a committee in collaboration with community representatives that would aim to identify a site and appropriate funding streams that would bring the plans to fruition. A petition launched by local resident Margaret Curtin has since garnered 160 signatures. She believes the facility is essential and would serve as an important community hub. Between 2016 and 2022, Shannon's population grew by 10%, with over 10,200 people now residing in the town. Shannon Sinn Féin Representative Shane Doody says a dedicated space is urgently needed.

Tuesday’s Morning Focus broadcasted live from the Digital Hub in Cross, in the heart of West Clare, as part of Clare FM’s Summer Tour. Alan Morrissey spoke with council officials, community leaders, business owners, and residents about local development projects, coastal tourism, heritage preservation, and community pride on the Loop Head Peninsula. To begin, Alan was joined by John O’Malley, Senior Executive Officer with Clare County Council and Coordinator of the West Clare Municipal District, and Alan Kennelly, Senior Executive Engineer for the West Clare MD. John offered insight into the workings of the district, current infrastructure priorities, and key tourism initiatives. Alan Kennelly, gave an overview of recent roadworks and public services in the Kilrush LEA, highlighting the vital role played by outdoor crews, traffic wardens, beach operatives and more. Petition organiser and Shannon resident, Margaret Curtin joined Alan to discuss calls for a dedicated dog park in Shannon. Clare County Counci

Frustration has been expressed over frequent water supply disruptions inhibiting the operations of one of Clare's most prominent tourist attractions. Loop Head Lighthouse has origins dating back to the 1670s and generally welcomes over 25,000 visitors a year and has recently renovated the existing keeper's cottage for accommodating overnight guests. However the facility has been regularly burdened by water outages, forcing the closure of the on site toilets and café. Head of Operations Simon Day says it's not good enough in this day and age.

It's hoped the planning process for the first stage of the West Clare Greenway will get underway next year. 1.3 million euro in funding was granted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland earlier this year towards progressing the Kilkee to Kilrush section, as well as stage two of the greenway from Ennis to Ennistymon. Clare County Council says the design of the Kilkee to Kilrush route is being finalised and landowner agreements are currently ongoing. Senior Executive Officer and West Clare Municipal District Co-ordinator/Manager, John O'Malley says once completed it will be of huge value to the area.

Calls have been made for the permanent installation of working CCTV at a popular Clare amenity, in order to curb a spate of anti-social behaviour. It follows a number of recent incidents at Shannon Town Park, including allegations of substance use, open drug dealing ,fires and littering. Although cameras are in place at the site, it's understood the system is not active or monitored by Gardaí. Shannon Sinn Féin Representative Shane Doody says it's urgently needed.

Key positions remain unfilled at several Clare secondary schools ahead of the resumption of the new term next week. There are currently nine vacancies in this county, six for teaching roles, and three for Special Needs Assistants. It comes as a new report from the ASTI has revealed that 42% of schools have been forced to remove choice subjects from the curriculum due to staffing shortages. President of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland Padraig Curley says the Government needs to take action.

The Cathaoirleah of the West Clare Municipal District says there's extreme annoyance and frustration in Miltown Malbay following a violent assault last night. Gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident which resulted in at least one person being transported to hospital. A video circulating on social media showed one male bleeding profusely, with blood pools outside two premises. Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that the strongest possible action should be taken against those responsible.