Joining Gavin Grace on today’s edition of The Afternoon Show was Political Correspondent with the Sunday Independent John Drennan. They discussed how the Roscommon and South Leitrim TD Luke Ming Flanagan says he doesn’t believe his quashing of penalty points is a resigning matter. In the Dáil last night, Deputy Flanagan described two instances where penalties issued to him for driving while using a mobile phone were struck off by Gardaí. Roscommon County Manager, Frank Dawson, is expected to issue a statement in relation to claims made by Deputy Flanagan over who arranged to have penalty points struck off for him. He’s cancelled his scheduled departure for Tucson, Arizona for St Patrick’s Day Celebrations this morning in order to deal with the situation.
Alan Jagoe is the President of Macra na Feirme and spoke to Gavin about why the organisation says a measure to provide funding for young farmers across the EU under the reform to the Common Agricultural Policy will be further encouragement for young people to pursue a career in farming. CAO figures released last weekend showed a surge in the amount of college applicants choosing farming courses. The EU has made a proposal to provide more funding to young farmers under the reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy.
Aidan Courtney of The Ennis Book Shop was also in studio for our weekly book review and today talked about “Fingers: The Man who Brought Down Irish Nationwide and Cost Us €5.4bn’”by Tom Lyons and Richard Curran and “A History of Ireland in 100 Objects” by Fintan O’Toole.
Also joining Gavin in studio today was Mick O’Loughlin from Ruan and Darragh Quinn of The Farmyard in Corofin. They talked about a special art competition is being held to help raise funds for Clare Crusaders. “Nature at Easter Time” is the theme and its closing date is Friday March 22nd. Kids are encouraged to enter their art work for display at The Farmyard (March 30th to April 1st), there will be a minimum sale price of €3 euro on each piece which will be donated to Clare Crusaders in Barefield.
Tom Hanley from the East Clare Drama Festival was also a guest of the show ahead of the 66th annual festival, which takes place from March 14th to 23rd in Scariff Community College Hall. The festival begins on Thursday 14th March with the official opening by Michael McNamara T.D. followed by Sliabh Aughty Group in “A Wake in the West” by Michael J. Ginnelly. Doors open 7.45pm, Curtain nightly at 8.30pm.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
