The Clare branch of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service is warning further hospital cancellations in The MidWest are highly likely unless urgent supply issues are addressed.

The IBTS has issued a pre-amber alert, which means all Irish Hospitals have been asked to conserve their use of blood.

An additional 2,000 donations are needed over the next month to restore adequate blood supplies and clinics will take place at the West County Hotel in Ennis on Wednesday 18th and 23rd and in Kilrush Community Hall on Thursday 24th.

Broadford based IBTS Recruitment Executive Alex O'Connor says hospitals will have difficult decisions to make, if supply isn't met.

A former Mayor of Ennis believes it's "disappointing" that environmental concerns have resulted in another setback for the Ennis Data Centre.

After ruling to uphold Clare County Council's 2022 decision to grant planning permission for the data centre on the Tulla Road in April of this year, An Bórd Pleanála has now told the High Court it won't oppose an appeal to quash this decision.

Following this week's decision, Art Data Centres will decide at a hearing later this month if they wish to defend their case.

Ennis Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Daly, who's previously spoken in support of the development, is hopeful the project materialises in the future as he believes it would be a net positive for Ennis and its environs.

It's claimed the Government's early childhood care and education scheme is failing children with additional needs in Clare.

Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has been requested to visit a creche in Shannon to observe the plight of one child who has been cut off from accessing essential equipment and daily supports.

The ECCE scheme allows qualifying parents to avail of free pre-school service for children aged from 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and six months.

But there's one slight catch; participating children must reach the age threshold before enrolment on September 1st.

Alex in Shannon, who began her term aged 2 years and 5 months, is just outside the cut-off point.

Alex is also living with cerebral palsy and requires a wide array of additional supports, as she cannot sit unattended and requires specialised seating to keep her head and upper body in place, along with a walker.

As Alex cannot qualify for ECCE, she's also not eligible for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIMS), which would provide her with an Special Needs Assistant and the relevant equipment she needs.

Owner of KidzHaven in Shannon, Siobhán Mulderrig has already taken significant steps to help, such as employing an SNA at her own expense, but she says there are still major concerns for Alex without the appropriate seating, including a risk of choking.

Despite numerous presentations to the office of the Children's Minister, Siobhán says she has received no response so far.

Clare's opposition TD claims to have received acknowledgements on the other hand, but no meaningful response from either Minister Roderic O'Gorman or Taoiseach Simon Harris.

On a daily basis, Alex's parents are forced to bring in their own heavy and cumbersome walker for home, as none can be provided for them in KidzHaven at present, while she is also using a seat propped up by tea towels.

Kilrush Independent TD Violet-Anne Wynne is urging the Minister to make the necessary amendments and believes he needs to visit the creche in person to observe the challenges facing Alex for himself.

Gardaí in Clare claim they've caught motorists here watching movies while driving.

With Road Safety Week now underway, members of an Garda Síochána are aiming to draw attention to the main causes of crashes on Irish roads which are driving under the influence, while distracted and at speed.

144 people have been killed in road traffic collisions in Ireland so far this year which is 10 up on the same period last year.

Ennis-based Superintendent John Ryan says if you're not giving the road your full focus, you've putting your own life and the lives of others at risk.

If you are ready to start your fitness journey, then you could do a lot worse than head in the direction of Lisdoonvarna.

This week has seen the start of a “Steps to 5k” programme in Lisdoonvarna’s Pavilion Park.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by class instructor at Doolin Yoga and Fitness, Tricia McDonnell and running coach, Sean Urquhart.

Photo (c): https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=569526088732867&set=a.293107869708025

It is time for another wonderful tale from the one and only Eddie Lenihan, which means it is time for Seanchaí Corner.

Every fortnight on Morning Focus, Seanchaí Corner sees Eddie, the renowned author, storyteller, lecturer, and broadcaster regaling us with a memorable story from his extensive collection of old Irish tales and fables.

This week, Eddie told a strange tale about the navvy's widow.

Hotel Woodstock will be representing Clare in a big way at this year’s Family Business Awards.

The Ennis hotel is a finalist in not one, not two, but three categories for the prestigious awards.

The three categories are Innovative Family Business of the year, Hospitality Business of the year and Best In Customer Service

To tell us more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Co-owner of Hotel Woodstock, Sean Lally.

Photo (c): https://www.hotelwoodstock.ie/us/

The head of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau has been awarded for her contribution to Mid-West economy at this year’s Businesswoman of the Year Awards.

Network Ireland’s annual Awards celebrate the success of women in business across eight categories.

General Manager of the Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Karen Ronan received the ‘Judges’ Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Networker of the Year’ category.

To discuss this further, Alan Morrissey was joined by Karen Ronan.

Photo (c): Brownes Photograph

Today is World Dyslexia Day, with the entire month of October designated as Dyslexia Awareness Month.

For Dyslexia Awareness Month, Dyslexia Ireland is focusing on the urgent issue of the lack of extra time in exams for dyslexic students in Junior and Leaving Cert exams.

To talk more about this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Blossom4life founder, Una Buckley.

Photo (c) Facebook, Blossom4life

Seamus O’Rourke brings his latest show to Glór called Indigestion tomorrow evening.

Indigestion has been described as sensitive, hilarious, intelligent, absolutely compelling and refreshingly forthright.

It is a story full of hope, where laughter and tears join hands and race the viewers through fifty years of a life.

To find out more about it, Alan Morrissey was joined by Seamus O’Rourke.

Photo (c): https://glor.ie/events/indigestion-written-and-performed-by-seamus-orourke/