We opened this morning with a warning over holiday break-ins. AA Home Insurance are warning home-owners to lock up their valuables before setting off on holiday after a study by the home insurer revealed that the average theft claim last year in Clare amounted to €2,442. With many householders beginning to set off on their summer holidays, home owners are being urged to take the necessary precautions to help reduce the risk of becoming another statistic Conor Faughnan Director of Consumer Affairs with the AA was on the line with Gavin.
As you've been hearing in our news, new figures have shown the extent of overcrowding in Clare's primary schools. number of Clare children who are being educated in so-called super-sized classes of at least 30 pupils has soared by a quarter in the past five years. A Clare FM investigation, outlines which schools are being hit hardest by overcrowding. It had already been known that 3260 children here were in classes of at least 30 kids, a figure which has actually fallen from 2015. However, when compared with just five years ago, this figure has jumped by over 650, a surge of 25%. Just under 400 students are in classes with at least 34 other classmates – the OECD says the average class size in most developed countries is around 21. The data, available on a school-by-school level, shows at least 100 kids in super-sized classes in schools in Clonlara, Cratloe, Sixmilebridge, Parteen, Clarecastle, Knockanean, Tulla and Quin, as well as in some schools in Ennis and Shannon. Gareth Heagney Principal Sixmilebridge NS Shortly before coming on air, Gavin spoke with South-East Clare Councillor Cathal Crowe, who is a teacher at Parteen National School. He spoke in a personal capacity, and began by outlining the impact on children and teachers of these super-sized classes.
Then we heard about an upcoming talk offering lifestyle advice for the farming community. IFA Clare Executive meet on Thursday, June 23, in Treacy’s West County Hotel at 8.30pm. Maureen Mulvihill will give advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle issues for members of the farming community. Maureen Mulvihill, Health Promotion Manager, Irish Heart Foundation was on the line with more details.
On our weekly Garda Focus slot, David Moran from Ennis Garda Station was in to let us know the latest happenings around the county.
An information event is taking place tomorrow (June 22nd) for people and family members affected by mental ill health. Between 10 am and 5:30 pm, the Friends Project will host “Mental Health Ireland”, an information day discussing of the role of mental health services, understanding wellness and recovery for the family and getting the best from the Citizens Information Centre. Ann-Marie Flanagan, MidWest Regional development Officer with SHINE was in studio to tell us more.
We then heard more from Addiction stories, our special series on addiction and its impact on families. This morning, we heard from Anne whose son was an addict for more than a decade. He's now come through rehab and is rebuilding his life, but as Anne told Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, his own health and his relationship with his family has suffered badly.
Today (Mon., June 20) is World Refugee Day, an occasion that has been celebrated here in Ennis for the past 23 years. Yet this year it comes at a time when, for the first time since the Second World War, the number of people forced to flee and abandon their homes has exceeded well over 50 million. Children make up half of the world’s refugees. As a number of Syrian families seek to make a new and safe home in Clare, an event to mark World Refugee Day is being held between 11 and 13:30 at the Civics Building Waterpark. Orla Ni Eili from Clare Immigrant Support Centre was in and she explained why they day is so important to mark.
On today's Sports Panel, Peter O'Connell from The Clare Champion and Derrick Lynch Clare FM Sport joined Gavion in studio to discuss the weekend's action. We also heard from Mikey Stafford, Deputy Editor at SportsJoe.ie who is in St Etienne.
On the Fleadh News this week we heard about Stewarding & marshalling preparations. Kieran O’Loughlin, Chair of the Sub- Committee on Stewarding & Marshalling was in studio to explain the action plans that are being put in place.
Finally today, we had a very special feature on Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Gavin introduced the report in his own words: “I want to share a story with you now – though in fact, it may be two stories. This is the tale of Martin Wallace, and his wife Geraldine – they live in Clonlara and have been married for nearly 40 years. They are retired school principals – Martin, who's 64, was principal in Shannon Comprehensive for four years, and later at Castletroy College in Limerick. He also suffers from Motor Neurone Disease. He first showed signs of the condition three years ago, and is now in a motorised wheelchair, his voice terribly weakened. But while he lives with the truly horrific disease, his wife Geraldine is by his side, caring for her husband. They're big music fans, and the piece you're about to hear includes songs from some of their favourite artists. It is the story of Martin's battle with MND, of how the disease has badly affected Martin's health, but also of how it will never diminish their love.”
