Morning Focus opened with another look at the ongoing row over the Apple tax bill. In recent days, Apple boss Tim Cook has called Europe's ruling on its tax bill 'political crap'. But the Irish Independent, who's spoken to Mr Cook, says he's confident his appeal against the ruling will be successful.
The US tech giant has been ordered to pay Ireland up to 19 billion Euro in back taxes and interest charges in a landmark decision by EU's financial watchdog. It follows claims that it's dealings here were illegal because it took advantage of our low corporate tax rate to pay as little tax as possible.
The Government still hasn't decided if it'll appeal the Apple ruling.
To discuss the legal aspects of this landmark case, Gavin was joined by Prof Ray Friel, Director International Commercial and Economic Research Group, UL
For further analysis of the issue, Gavin spoke to Junior Minister Pat Breen, FG.
After Tom's call to Morning Focus yesterday (Weds., Aug. 31) about his concern over roadside hedges around Moyasta, Elizabeth from Kilmaley got in touch. She lives down a two kilometre stretch of rural road and her family looks after the hedges on the stretch of road along their lands. However, there's another stretch of road which Elizabeth understands is owned by the Forestry service. That's severely overgrown, with trees meeting in the middle… Elizabeth says it's a frustrating situation as she doesn't know who's responsible for maintaining the area. She says that, on occasion, Clare County Council have come out to remove fallen trees and branches.
With the evenings getting shorter and the kids going back to school, road safety should be to the forefront of our minds – particularly in terms of cyclists. Whether you're behind the wheel or on your bike, the advice is to take extra care when out on the road, as Gavin's next guest, Sgt. John Maloney explained.
We also heard from Ennis man Noel Cusack who will take part in an epic 24hr cycling challenge on the Isle of Man, incorporating the famous motorcycling circuit.
In preparation for this challenge Noel is taking on the Edge of Clare Cycle totalling 412km this Saturday (Sept. 3).
He'll leaves Clarecastle Village at 9am heading out the Shannon Estuary to Kilrush where he will continue along the Wild Atlantic Way to Loop Head and up the Coast of Clare to Ballyvaughan before crossing to East Clare and then swinging down to Killaloe before turning for Cratloe, Sixmilebridge and Shannon returning to Clarecastle for about 11pm.
He is raising funds for 'Babydog Rescue' and Community Text Alert Schemes in Clare through local Gardai.
Dr Maire Finn discussed the importance of the home first aid kit and answered general medical queries.
Gavin's next guest is a young man mad about sport and at peak fitness when a sudden and debilitating disease left him fightling for his life.
Niall Malone from Ennis had multiple operations to have his colon removed after being diagnosed with ulcerated colitis.
The 25-year-old underwent a long and rigorous recovery process and is now urging people his age to get checked out, as he admits he’d be “six feet under” if he hadn’t. He joined Gavin in studio to tell him more.
As a fundraiser for the Kilkishen Community Centre, John Torpey came to studio to draw a pair of tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling Final.
