Clare County Council collected more than €120,000 in parking fines last year.

2025 also saw a fourfold increase in the number of parking fines issued at the Cliffs of Moher.

According to new figures, the total sum collected in parking fines in Clare across last year was €126,295 which was 15% above the figure for 2024.

61% of fines were issued in Ennis but the county town saw a 3% drop in fines compared to the previous year.

On Tuesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke with Cllr Joe Garrihy, Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor, and Cllr Mary Howard, Mayor of Ennis, Ennis Fine Gael Councillor.

Photo (c) Clare FM

There were almost 100,000 attendances at University Hospital Limerick last year.

New data show a total of 95,373 presentations were recorded at the region's main hospital in 2025 which was up 9% on 2024 and almost 25% above the figure for 2021.

Recent statistics released by HSE Mid West meanwhile indicate over 12,500 people with Clare addresses travelled to University Hospital Galway's emergency department in the last three years.

Friends of Ennis Hospital spokesperson Angela Coll says many are leaving this county due to a lack of emergency access.

A new committee established to discuss local safety concerns in Clare will meet for the first time this month.

Members of the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership will attend an induction workshop in mid-January before their first full meeting takes place in early February.

The partnership consists of 26 representatives including seven local councillors, a member of An Garda Síochána, TUSLA, HSE and Clare County Council reps, and various community stakeholders.

LCSP member Maghera Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says given the length of time that's passed since the disbandment of the county's Joint Policing Committee, he's looking forward to getting to work.

Clare Manager Paul Madden After McGrath Cup Win Over Waterford by Clare FM

Individual behaviour has been attributed as the cause of Ennis' significant fall in the latest anti-litter rankings.

The county town has dropped from 2nd to 15th in the Irish Business Against Litter League's table and following the latest inspection, is no longer deemed 'Cleaner than European Norms'.

While most areas of Ennis received A and B grades, the Deposit Return Scheme Machine area of Dunnes Stores received a C+ rating, with an obvious presence of black sacks, sweet wrappers and plastic bags bringing down the town's score.

IBAL Spokesperson Conor Horgan insists it's a simple fix however.

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey had a chat with Clare FM's Syl O'Connor and Derrick Lynch for the first sports review of the year for 2026.

Games Reviewed:

Munster Hurling League – Group B:

Clare 3-20 Limerick 3-18 (Saturday, Tulla)

McGrath Cup:

Waterford 0-11 Clare 3-10 (Friday, Dungarvan)

Judy Beck from Clonroad Garden Centre was back for the first In The Garden for 2026.

On Monday's Morning Focus with Alan Morrissey, Judy spoke about how to look after herbs.

If you have any questions for Judy you can text or WhatsApp on 0861800964 or email [email protected].

The Environmental Group, Friends of the Irish Environment, is warning that a protected rare snail at Doonbeg in County Clare is now in what experts describe as “terminal decline”.

The charity says this has serious implications for further development at the Trump-owned golf resort, including the proposed Irish Ballroom, and argues that existing court orders are not being complied with.

Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, Tony Lowes spoke with Alan Morrissey on Monday's Morning Focus to explain what the law requires, why this tiny snail matters, and what could happen next.

Photo (c) Pat Flynn

County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy joined Alan Morrissey for the first Arts Slot of 2026.

Siobhán provided our listeners with all the details of this week’s live events for entertainment lovers in Banner County.

This week, Siobhán told us about music events in Corofin and Ennis, Doolin Writers Weekend, a Traditional Dancing weekend in Ennis, and much more.

It’s time for Parenthood in Focus.

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in-studio by Petrina O’Halloran. Petrina is the founder of Mama's Boobie Box, mum blogger and writer for online magazine Boobingit.com.

This week Petrina is going to talk to us about healthy habits for children.

Photo (c) Mamas Boobie Box