We began this morning by talking Trump, and to be more exact the protests against him which are planned for during his visit to Clare next week. It's expected that Donald Trump will be at his golf resort in Doonbeg in around ten days time, and while he's travelling to Ireland, people here are planning protests in Dublin and now, we can reveal, in Ennis as well. A meeting on the protests was held last night – Seonaidh Ní Shíomóin of the Anti-Austerity Alliance told Gavin more shortly before coming on air.
A number of residents of the Manus area, outside Clarecastle, are to protest later this morning (Tue., June 14) over ongoing changes to a local bus route. Since last November a weight restriction on HGVs using Latoon Bridge has been in place after structural studies showed investigation is needed its long term capacity. Bus Eireann services have been using a diversion route in the interim, causing inconvenience for a number of regular bus users. Adding to local frustration is the belief that a number of HGV drivers – including bus drivers – are flouting the restrictions. Anne Maguire is a resident of Manus near Latoon Bridge. Her son has intellectual difficulties and, as a regular user of Bus Eireann, he has been significantly inconvenienced by the diversion. Anne spoke with Gavin and explained her frusatratuion with the situation.
Next we turned to Euro 2016 where there's been a mixed reaction to Ireland's opening game against Sweden last night in Paris – it finished up in a one all draw at the Stade de France. Wes Hoolahan got Ireland's only goal after half time but Clark's own goal in the 71st minute gave the Swedes a point. The team now looks ahead to their meeting with Belgium on Saturday afternoon in Bordeaux. Dion Fanning, Chief Sports Writer SportsJoe.ie & Joe.co.uk was on the line.
Cllr Pat Daly and Acting CEO of Clare County Council Ger Dollard have returned from Louisville, Kentucky, after attending the funeral on Friday of Muhammed Ali – the first honoary freeman of Ennis. The pair represented Ali's ancestral home at a funeral ceremony which was attended by tens of thousands of mourners and viewed by millions of people on television worldwide. Both were in studio and they told Gavin about their trip.
Then the show heard about the rise in Cyber attacks and ransonwear. All of us experience computer glitches from time to time and – let's face it – they can be incredibly frustrating. But, imagine logging on to your PC and finding you can't access any of your files – and that your data has literally been held to ransom. In recent week, there's been a sharp increase in so-called 'ransomeware' attacks. These involve cybercriminals hacking into a computer system, often with an infected email, and encrypting the files. Money is then demanded for the key to unlock them. Most of these attacks go unreported for fear of losing client confidence. James Canty Head of Product at Magnet Communications spoke to Gavin and told him more.
After four months, Kilrush & Kilkee community childcare facilities have been restored. Sorcha Daly is among the many parents in West Clare who's been without a community childcare service since the shock closure of West Clare Early Years in the middle of February. Over the last four months, Sorcha's struggled to keep up her third level studies and admits to having fallen behind due to the lack of childcare. Today (Tue, June 14), her son Dylan will return to the newly re-opened childcare service in Kilrush. She told Gavin how imoprtant the services are to her.
Frankie Coote, Clare County Dog Warden, was in studio with the latest animal welfare news.
After the break we heard from an Ennis-based historian and her new book on Thomas Kent. A new book which chronicles the life of the 13th man executed for his role in the failed 1916 Rising has been released. Part of the 16Lives Series, the biography traces the life of Thomas Kent the only participant of the Easter Rising executed outside of Dublin. Ennis-based, Meda Ryan, is the author and she joined Gavin now in studio.
Tomorrow morning (Wednesday, June 16) three kayakers are setting off on a marathon paddle to raise funds for the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association. Starting at Lough Erne, they'll cross the Shannon-Erne waterway and down the River Shannon to Killaloe on a trip that will see them pass through all four provinces. Ger Harrington lives near Killaloe and decided to take on the challenge when he lost his mother to the disease in 2012. Ger and fellow kayaker, Pete Brewitt were in studio while the third party to the trip, James Lynch, was on the line.
Next Sunday (June 19), one of the countries largest cycling events outside of Dublin will take place. The Great Galway Bike Ride is open to all levels of cyclists with four scenic routes offering a challenge for every ability. As well as presenting the best of Galway City and County, the organisers aim to promote cycling and healthy living. Nigel Forde of Galway Bay Cycling Club and Nigel's Cycles, Galway was on the line with the details.
Finally today we heard from the Clare Musician who's in with a chance to win a “car-for-a-year”. Dermot Sheedy, from Darragh, has been named among the 20 finalists for this year's Nissan Generation Next Ambassador Programme. The self-taught percussionist specializes in the Bodhran and drums and has toured worldwide with Limerick band Hermitage Green. If he gets enough public votes he'll receive a free car for a year from the Nissan initiative which aims to support future leaders and champions. Local Nissan dealer Dulick Motors is encouraging everyone to get behind Dermot during the voting phase.
