As concerns continued to increase about rising flood waters in Springfield, Clonlara, Gavin reported from the area. The show also heard from Mike Hogan of Springfield, who was evacuated from his home along with his family.
The topic of free pre-Christmas in Ennis was discussed and Gavin was joined by Rita McInerney CEO Ennis Chamber of Commerce. he Chamber believes that because of the location between the major shopping destinations of Limerick and Galway, more should be done in Ennis to encourage people to shop locally. They feel that the provision of free parking in council carparks goes some way towards addressing the situation, but not far enough, according to the Chamber.
A report from the social think-tank, TASC, reveals wealth inequality in Ireland. While Ireland is generally regarded as a classless society, it would be naive to think that makes us a nation of equals, and new report on how wealth is distributed has some stark findings. Task found that more than half of all wealth in Ireland is held by the top 10 precent of households, with the bottom half having only five percent. The study analyses data from the CSO’s Household Finance and Consumption Survey. Being well off, or even comfortably off, also depends on gender and whether or not you're married. The report shows that single parent households – mostly headed by women – have by far the least wealth. Karen Kiernan One Family CEO gave her reaction to Gavin.
We learned this week of the sale of Drewsborough House, the childhood home of Tuamgraney author, Edna O’Brien. The house was sold for in excess of €200,000 by private treaty. The new owner is understood to be a woman from Kerry who has family in the area and is relocating to Clare. The property failed to sell at auction in July last year, sparking calls for it to be purchased by the state, in order to turn it into a writers retreat and museum. Michael Blake, nephew of Edna O'Brien, spoke to Gavin about the sale.
With Donald Trump continuing to cause controversy on the US Presidential campaign trail, Ed Farnan of Irish Central update Morning Focus listeners
on the colourful billionaire’s electoral prospects.
Aodan Mac Suibhne District Manager of Revenue Commissioners joined Gavin for some advice on re-claiming tax.
Galway-born singer-song writer, Julie Feeney, was involved in a very special project with Music Generation Clare and she spoke to Gavin ahead of a performance in glory, Ennis.
This year saw the inaugural Clare Garda Division Youth Awards, sponsored by Shannon Airport. Six remarkable County Clare teens, and one group, have been honoured for their selfless involvement in community, as well as their individual triumphs over adversity, in the county’s first-ever Garda Division Youth Awards. The winners were Caitlin Campbell, Quilty; Clodagh Sulley, Ennistymon; Jane Doyle, Scarriff; Luke McEvoy, Shannon; Ruth Nolan, Kilrush; Jesse Onyejekwe, Ennis and North Clare Irish Red Cross Cadets. Among those to address the winners was Elma Walsh, mother of inspirational young Kerryman, the late Donal Walsh, who said it was incumbent on adults to celebrate youth wins and help them to work through defeats. Gavin was joined by winners Ruth Nolan, of Kilrush, and Caitlin Campbell from Quilty. Also in studio was teacher Deirdre Comer who nominated Caitlin.
With the Clare FM Christmas Toy Appeal underway, 8-year-old Adam Coote from Ennis wrote a special letter to Santa, asking for his help to provide for poor children everywhere. Adam dropped into studio to read his letter and tell Morning Focus why he felt it was so important to donate to the Toy Appeal.
