On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Timmy Dooley TD of Fianna Fail who expressed concern that Garda stations across Clare and the Midwest could be facing closure in the next few months after the Justice Minister Alan Shatter launched a fresh attack rural Garda stations
Minister Shatter has confirmed that his decision to close Carrigaholt station along with dozens of others across the country is just the beginning of sustained attack on community policing
Senator Martin Conway of Fine Gael sais it would not like to see any more rural stations close
He would like to remind Fianna Fail that there have been no ultimate decisions made yet and the Garda Commissioner is examining the situation
Last week, Max Halliday from Shannon reported the sighting of the whale, "with a tusk the length of a hurley" protruding from its head, to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
He had a word with John about how he came about finding it
Unfortunely the rotting 15ft carcass vanished from the beach in Liscannor in Co Clare before scientists had the opportunity to examine it
But Betty Devaney of the Environment Section of Clare County Council explained that they had cleaned the carcass away.
Have your say- clare.modus.ie poll:
Are you fearful poor compliance with the household tax will result in a cut in local authority services?
• Yes – 35%
• No – 56%
• Don’t know – 9%
John looked at Former Green Party TD and Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent’s new book Trevor’s Kitchen Garden – a week by week guide to growing your own food
Have you ever wondered what happened to some of the TDs who exited public life in the General Election of last year? And what about those who’s parties were wiped out completely by the electorate?
Well one time Green Party Leader and former Junior Minister Trevor Sargent had his name highlighted recently in the report of the Mahon Tribunal – but unlike many it was for the right reasons Judge Alan Mahon singled him out as someone who tried to expose bribery in the planning system in the 1990’s –
His name is also to be found in a new book about gardening – Trevor’s Kitchen Garden – as the former Green TD has had green fingers for many years and guides others through his weekly blog on growing your own food –
John spoke Trevor Sargent about what he’s been doing since his party was virtually thrown out on the political compost heap last year
Trevor’s Kitchen Garden is available at the Ennis book shop and through orpenpress.com – you find out more on trevorskitchengarden.ie
Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service joined John in studio to answer your social welfare entitlement, employment and consumer queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
