Two serious accidents on farms or relating to farm machinery this week have once again highlighted the issue of farm safety during one of the busiest periods of the year for farmers.

A teenage boy who was a passenger in a tractor in Leitrim lost his life in a crash, while separately in Cork, a five-year-old was hospitalised following an incident involving a cow.

To discuss the issue of farm safety, Alan Morrissey was joined by Clare Chair of the IFA’s Farm Family & Social Affairs Committee, Caroline Lynch, and Clare ICMSA Secretary, Martin McMahon.

Photo (c) Chanita Sykes from Pexels via canva.com

The HSE is being urged to end the "unacceptable" practice of unfunded ambulance shifts in Clare. It's understood ambulance cover in Ennistymon on Wednesdays, Scariff on Thursdays and Kilkee on Fridays is primarily secured through overtime or relief staff. The issue has come to prominence again following a number of high profile incidents locally, including reports of a student waiting over an hour for an ambulance after having a seizure at a North Clare school. Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says Clare is the poor relation compared to the rest of the country.

Shannon's elected representatives have vowed to block any future proposals that would decrease staffing and resources at the town's fire station. Clare County Council will submit the 2025 to 2030 Fire and Emergency Operations Plan to councillors for consideration later this year and it's believed this will recommend manning Shannon with 12 personnel rather than 15. This is based on a recent risk assessment, and a petition to prevent such a move has so far gathered over 1,600 signatures. Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat O'Gorman, says services are already overstretched.

Clare manager Terence Fahy speaking with Clare FM's Derrick Lynch after Munster U20 hurling loss to Tipperary

A Service for Holy Thursday

A Shannon property rumoured to be in the process of becoming a direct provision centre will be student accommodation. Formerly the Shannon Development building, Phoenix House housed roughly 70 Ukrainian refugees until June 2024 when the Department of Integration ended its contract with the owner over "issues raised during a site visit". Three weeks after the Department told Clare FM it wasn't considering the building for International Protection Applicant accommodation, Shannon Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan has been informed that it will be student accommodation from September of this year. Deputy McGettigan has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons when it comes to vacant buildings rumoured to be IPAS accommodation, communication is key.

Ornithologist and wildlife sound recordist, Seán Roynane has previously joined us for a chat on Morning Focus.

Seán is bringing his show, entitled Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong & Belonging with Seán Ronayne to Clare.

His date at Glór in Ennis forms part of a nationwide tour.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Sean Roynane.

Photo(C): Glor Facebook

On Wednesday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tommy Corbett from Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.

This week, Tommy provided Alan and our Morning Focus listeners with advice on Market Volatility and How it Affects Your Pension, Savings and Investments.

Shannon Community Partnership is to host a meeting aimed at shaping the future of the town.

This evening’s meeting will take place at Hope Café in Shannon.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Siobhán Boyd, chair of the Shannon Community Partnership.

Photo(C): Canva

This weekend, Miltown Malbay will play host to a very important fundraising gig.

The aim of Saturday’s concert at The Westbridge" is toraise money for the humanitarian organisation Medicins San Frontieres - Doctors Without Borders -who at present have over 1,000 staff in Gaza to provide vital medical assistance for all civilians caught up in the conflict.

John Roberts is the organiser of the event.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Organiser, John Roberts.

Photo(C): ClareFM