Clare Fm - Podcasts

HSE Mid West's REO says the location of a new hospital for the region will be up to the Government. It follows confirmation from the Health Minister that the Government has accepted all three recommendations from HIQA’s review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest. After meeting with Clare’s Oireachtas members, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill confirmed that work will begin in the new year on expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, developing a second site for UHL, and progressing plans for a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department for the region. On Thursday's Morning Focus, HSE Mid West REO Sandra Broderick spoke about the pathway for the future of healthcare in the region. Photo (c) Alan Place

A Shannon resident is calling for urgent action to improve safety at a junction at Purcell Park after a frightening near-miss involving two young children. Dara Gough says the incident happened during the evening rush hour, when limited visibility at the junction meant she narrowly avoided colliding with two boys on scooters. She believes the layout of the junction makes it extremely dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians, and that it’s only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs. On Thursday's Morning Focus, Dara spoke of her concerns about road safety in the area. Photo (c) Dara Gough

The Health Minister says expanding health services in Ennis will benefit the entire Midwest. It comes as Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has this week committed to boosting capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the campus to a second location and developing a new hospital with an emergency department in the region. The Minister has also reaffirmed the Government's commitment to increasing beds at Ennis, Nenagh and St John's, following former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly's announcement of 48 new beds at Ennis in May of last year. Addressing the Seanad, she says the more services are available in Ennis, the less pressure there'll be on other facilities the region.

Residents of a West Clare town are being offered financial incentives to stop smoking. The HSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme has launched the Financial Incentives to Stop Smoking Programme pilot in Kilrush as well as in targeted areas of Limerick city. Through the scheme, eligible medical card holders over the age of 18 can earn up to €400 in gift vouchers across a 12-month period. Health Promotion and Improvement Officer in Health and Wellbeing at HSE Mid West, Niamh Keating, says smoking is a particular concern in Kilrush.

A new local initiative is aiming to cut down on disposable cup waste in Clare. Joining us are Mary Howard, Ennis councillor, and Siobhain Landy of Sweet N Green, to talk about the launch of Cupa An Chláir, a new reusable cup project involving Ennis Tidy Towns and several local cafés. On Wednesday's edition of Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Mary Howard, Ennis Fine Gael Councillor and Siobhain Landy, Co-owner of Sweet N Green in Ennis were live in-studio to chat more on this.

A West Clare woman is hoping to be a voice for under-represented communities in her region on a new forum focused on community safety issues. Kilmurry McMahon community nurse and West Clare Aontú representative June Dillon has been appointed by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan to the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership. The LCSP, which has yet to convene, will act as a successor to the now-disbanded Joint Policing Committee and will facilitate discussions on local crime-related between between elected representatives, community members, Gardaí, the HSE and others. June has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons that many people in the west of the county don't know where to turn when crime strikes.

Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions was in-studio to chat about his thoughts on the Irish economy over the last year and his expectations for the economy going forward for the new year in 2026. Tommy spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus.

As Christmas approaches, many families across Clare are facing increasing financial pressure. Joining Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus was Denis Carty, Area President of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Clare, who is appealing to the public for support this Christmas. Denis gave us an update on this year’s Christmas appeal and shared what SVP volunteers are seeing on the ground, including the growing number of people reaching out for help compared to previous years. Photo (c) SVP

As winter brings a rise in respiratory illnesses across the Mid West, staying well and out of hospital has never been more important. Carmel McInerney, Respiratory Advanced Nurse Practitioner at Ennis Hospital, is urging people to take simple, practical steps to protect their lung health in the coming weeks. Alan Morrissey spoke to Carmel about a range of topics from flu and COVID-19 vaccination to managing asthma and COPD and knowing when to seek help.

An internal party review has found that senior figures within Fianna Fáil were aware of a potential issue involving former general election candidate Jim Gavin weeks before he was officially selected, yet no further action was taken at the time. The controversy later forced the former Dublin senior football manager to withdraw from the campaign just ten days before polling, and the review is now calling for much stricter vetting of future candidates. Meelick Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe says he believes the "blame" lies on many members as he joined Alan Morrissey to discuss what the review reveals and what changes Fianna Fáil plans to make.

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has told Clare’s Oireachtas members that all three options recommended by HIQA’s review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest have been accepted. The Government will begin work expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the UHL campus to a second nearby site, and developing a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department in the region, in the new year. Founder of the Midwest Hospital Campaign says option C has been "effectively kicked down the road" without commitment of a site, timeline or funding. To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Deirdre Culligan from Friends of Ennis Hospital and Hillary Tonge, founder of the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group.

The Health Minister has told Clare's Oireachtas members that the development of a new hospital with an emergency department in the Midwest will be progressed "in conjunction" with other approved measures. Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has met with TDs and senators from this region after confirming that all three options recommended by HIQA's review of emergency care capacity in the Midwest have been accepted. It means the Government will begin work on expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, extending the UHL campus to a second nearby site, and developing a new Model 3 hospital with an emergency department in the region, in the new year. Bodyke Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney says while the long-awaited new facility won't be delivered in the short-term, it won't be left on the long finger.

Clare County Council has refused planning permission for a second wind energy development in West Clare in two weeks. Plans for a wind turbine of 150 metres in height in the townlands of Slievenalicka, Illaunbaun, Drumbaun and Lackamore have been rejected by the local authority. It comes after the Swiss-owned Illaunbaun Wind Farm Limited failed to get approval for a project which would've seen five 492-foot turbines in Tooreen, Slievenalicka, Illaunbaun, Lackamore and Drumbaun constructed. Over 200 objections were made to each development, and Laura McMahon of the 'Miltown Locals Say No to Windfarm' group she was opposed to the projects for very personal reasons.

Clare FM's Derrick Lynch with Clare's Diarmuid Ryan at launch of Coop Superstores Munster SHL

Local author and historian Colm Liddy was back in the studio for the final segment of the year. This week, Colm brought us back to Christmas in Clare, 100 years ago.

There's a call for a south Clare town's services and infrastructure to be improved in line with its growing population. Clare County Council has granted planning permission to Datcha Construction Limited for the construction of 79 homes on the Shannon Road in Sixmilebridge. The town's population grew by 8% between 2016 and 2022, and is set to rise further with several housing developments at various stages of construction. Sixmilebridge Fine Gael Councillor John Crowe has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons the town requires significant investment to cater for its new arrivals.

Clare Animal Welfare has had its busiest year on record, with more dogs taken in and rehomed in 2025 than ever before. So far this year, the charity has cared for 275 dogs, continuing a steady rise in demand for its services over recent years. To talk about what’s behind these figures and the work being done on the ground, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Brigid Molloy, volunteer with Clare Animal Welfare.

The County Clare Skills Competition is set to kick off this Thursday, the 18th of December, at Tulla Primary School. The event promises to be an exciting showcase of young talent in football and hurling, aimed at improving standards and encouraging positive involvement at the grassroots level. To find out more, Alan Morrissey was joined by Micheál Duffy, Games Development Administrator at Clare GAA. Photo (c) Stephen Barnes Getty Images via Canva

For the final legal advice segment of the year, Sharon Cahir, of Cahir & Co Solicitors, reviewed the year's legal developments, focusing on property, employment, succession, and capacity law.

Christmas can be an especially challenging time for vulnerable women, both in the home and while out socialising. Clare support services are advising those who witness domestic violence to "name it" and address the problematic behaviour. To discuss the realities of domestic violence at this time of year, and to offer advice and support for those affected and for concerned family members, Alan Morrissey is joined by Dr Siobhán O'Connor, Director of Services at Clare Haven and Siobhán O'Leary, Director of Rape Crisis Midwest. Clare Haven 24 Hour Confidential Helpline 065 6822 435 Rape Crisis Midwest 24 hour National Helpline: 1800 77 8888 Background Image (c) by Kotenko Oleksandr from Kotenko via Canva