Clare Fm - Podcasts

A long-awaited third MRI scanner for University Hospital Limerick will not be installed until 2026. Fine Gael Minister of State, Alan Dillon confirmed the news in the Seanad during a discussion over lengthy waiting lists for radiology diagnostics at UHL. Currently, there are just two scanners at the MidWest region's main hospital, but its understood that only one is operational at the moment. Inagh Green Party Senator Roisín Garvey insists the MRI deficits at Dooradoyle are directly contributing to poor patient outcomes in the ED.

Concern has been expressed that the livelihoods of West Clare residents are being severely disrupted due to persistent flooding. It comes as the local authority has been requested to carry out river widening works in the Shragh and Mountrivers areas of Doonbeg to alleviate pressure on farmers, properties and roads. Clare County Council has stated though that the Doonbeg River does not fall under it's remit or the Office of Public Work's and that therefore the possibility of remedial works going ahead is "remote". Doonbeg Fianna Fáil Councillor Rita McInerney says central government needs to take the issue on board immediately.

Clare FM Preview Of Local Soccer Fixtures

A Clarecastle councillor insists there's "no apology to be given" for comments he made in relation to fellow councillors' alleged conflicts of interest. It follows a discussion at yesterday's meeting of Ennis representatives, which centred on funding given by councillors to community and voluntary organisations. A seemingly trivial matter snowballed into a war of words between councillors at this week's Ennis Municipal District meeting, after Councillor Tom O'Callaghan suggested several members present should have withdrawn from a previous meeting due to undeclared conflicts of interest. The comments were in relation to General Municipal Allocation funding which some councillors had given to organisations in which they are personally involved. Each of the seven councillors in the Ennis area has this year been granted €49,000 in GMA funding which can be given to local charities, sports clubs, festivals or other organisations of their choosing. Since 2014, almost €2.5 million has been doled out by Ennis's

A Clare Member of the Oireachtas Communications Committee insists government must now hold the feet of RTÉ management to the fire following new reports into governance and work practices at the broadcaster. The two reports outlined 116 recommendations for future spending and oversight, while a third report found a number of barter transactions RTÉ now have six weeks to put an action plan in place which include measures such as pay bands for on-air presenters and bringing the organisation under the supervision of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Mountshannon Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley has been telling Clare FM's Daragh Dolan that any scandal within the national broadcaster is an erosion of public trust.

It's claimed bus management and parking solutions need to be trialed in North Clare as a matter of urgency in order to tackle legacy traffic issues. It comes as an integrated traffic and transport plan is currently being developed for the region by the local authority. Among the measures suggested the plan is introducing a one-way system on the R477 Fanore coastal road in order to manage high volumes of visitor traffic en-route to the beach, the Burren and Cliffs of Moher. Colum O'Leary from Fanore Community Development says the proposals must be trialled as soon as possible. Clare's Green Party Councillor meanwhile is hopeful that as the plan has heavy input from community groups that it will have a meaningful impact for local residents. In Cliffs of Moher 2040 Strategy , there were 232 public submissions made over traffic congestion in the area. The major problems noted included noise pollution, air pollution, speeding and day-trip bussess. Lahinch Councillor Liam Grant whose previously called for a

A south-east Clare councillor is calling for the strongest possible penalties to be inflicted on perpetrators of rural and agricultural theft. Its after a John Deere was stolen from the Clare-Galway border over the weekend before being recovered over 200km away in Wexford. In 2023 alone, there were 72 reported incidents of vehicle and related thefts in Clare, which was an increase of over 76% from the 41 recorded the year before. Kilmurry Fianna Fáil Councillor Alan O'Callaghan insists a zero tolerance approach is needed to send a strong message to criminals.

Clare minor football manager Dermot Coughlan says his side will have regrets about their slow start after defeat to Cork in the Munster semi final. A scoring spree of 1-5 without replay in the opening quarter proved to be the match winning period for the Rebels, as they went on to record a 1-13 to 0-8 win. Clare played two thirds of the contest with 14 men following a straight red card for midfielder Aidan Weaver, but battled bravely in the second period. Coughlan says while the numerical disadvantage ultimately made the difference, attentions will soon turn to their All-Ireland series.

Clare Sports Partnership is running its annual Bike Week initiative over the coming days, with a host of activities and workshops planned. To find out more about it, Clare FM's Derrick Lynch spoke with program manager Pat Sexton.

A very special evening is in store in SS Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ennis this coming weekend. Cantare Choir and Orchestra present Vivaldi’s Gloria and Summer from The Four Seasons plus a selection of your favourite classic string pieces on Saturday, the 11th of May. The concert, which will raise money for Pieta and Slainte an Chláir, will also feature a variety of soloists, including renowned sopranos, Regina Nathan and Helen Houlihan. To tell us what you can expect on Saturday, Alan Morrissey was joined by Michael Hennessy, Helen Houlihan, Des Ryan and Carmel Honan.

Transition Year students from Rice College have presented their vision for Ennis in 2040 at Clare County Council. Months of research and action planning went into the presentation to a panel of judges as part of the Ennis 2040 DAC education programme. To discuss this further Alan Morrissey was joined by Kevin Corrigan, the Chief Operating Officer of Ennis 2040 DAC and by TY Students from Rice College: Kelly McMahon, Sanjida Rahman, Ania Rog and Isabelle Keane.

A former Mayor of Ennis has demanded an apology from a councillor who suggested she had an undeclared conflict of interest. At this week's monthly meeting of Ennis representatives, and for the second such meeting in a row, Clarecastle Councillor Tom O'Callaghan has questioned the practice of councillors giving General Municipal Allocation funding to organisations in which they are personally involved. Each councillor has this year been granted €49,000 to spread across community and voluntary organisations of their choosing. Barefield Independent Councillor and Manager of the Clare Crusaders Children's Clinic, Ann Norton, says Councillor O'Callaghan's suggestion that she's abusing her position for personal gain is "insulting".

It's claimed the local authority has the will but is being denied the funding to tackle Clare's housing crisis. It follows the Residential Tenancies Board final report for 2023, which shows the average price of renting for new tenants in this county is now over €1,300 per month. During April alone, a further 118 households here joined Clare County Council's approved social housing list. Clarecastle Sinn Féin local election candidate Tommy Guilfoyle, who's a member of the council's housing committee believes the Government could be allocating more funds to the local authority to provide social and affordable housing.

Calls are being made for the urgent provision of traffic-calming infrastructure before a major incident takes place on a busy South-East Clare road. To date, Clare County Council has received over €300,000 in funding for the Shannon to Limerick Greenway project. The route involves Bunratty and Sixmilebridge, but concerns have been raised locally that there will be no safe passage for the large volume of cyclists and pedestrians that will continue along the heavily trafficked Newmarket-Drumlins R458. Independent local election candidate for the Shannon Municipal District, Keith Mc Namara says a solution is needed now.

It's claimed the people of south-east Clare feel as if they're in "no man's land" due to the allegedly poor provision of services in the region. Clare County Council operated a service office in the village of Westbury up until 2016 but it was closed after an examination found only 400 people visited the office for non-motor tax queries in the space of a year. At the time, the local authority it was taking the decision because "access to online facilities is now much greater than when online access facilities were initiated at the office". Clonlara resident and Fine Gael local election candidate Val Gillane believes the office should resume services as people in the area don't feel represented by Clare County Council.

Ennis traders are calling for decisive action amid whats been described as a major escalation of brazen retail theft. It follows a number of incidents last week in which multiple stores in the town suffered financial losses after being targeted by the same group.

An Ireland South Candidate is calling for an immediate halt to an EU fund that is indirectly bolstering Israeli military efforts. It comes amid claims from People Before Profit that up to one-third of the IDF's arms last year came from european funding. It's understood Israel is availing of grants from the EU's €95bn 'Horizon' scheme which is designed to support research and innovation, however some companies are using it to develop drone technology. People Before Profit European Election Candidate Cian Prenderville believes Horizon has to be defunded to save lives.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrisssey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keane’s Garden Centre in Kilcolgan. This week, in this part 2 discussion, Tom gave listeners all the tips and tricks for growing hydrangeas If you have a question for Tom, contact the show on 0818 400 964 or send a text or Whatsapp to 086 1800 964.

On Tuesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Burns, retired Deputy Principal at Rice College and Director of the Burns Study Centre in Ennis. This week, John discussed the pros and cons of transition year.

Fundraising efforts are underway to help give a Clare man back the quality of life he was once used to. Eamon McCormack, originally from Shannon, but now living in Sixmilebridge, was diagnosed with an Essential Tremor, a neurological movement disorder. On Tuesday's Morning Focus Alan Morrissey was joined by Barbara McCormack, organiser of the fundraiser, to help Eamon receive Deep Brain Simulation (DBS) Surgery. To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/eamon-mccormack-needs-dbs-surgery?qid=c04b30dfe9e9716f92b792eeaa7e0873