Clare County Fire and Rescue Service responded to over 50 call-outs throughout the county last night as Storm Isha left as trail of destruction in it's wake.

Over 80% of incidents in this county involved fallen trees which became uprooted in winds of up to 109 kilometres per hour and subsequently scattering debris, blocking some roads.

A number of telegraph poles were also dislodged, mostly in the Keevagh area near Quin, leading to the R469 Ennis to Quin road closing for a time.

The northbound carriageway of the N18 from Cratloe to Bunratty also had to be shut, as scattered debris from trees and branches made the road virtually impassable.

A yellow weather warning for very strong and gusty winds remains in place for this county tonight and Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly is urging the public to remain vigilant.

At the peak of Storm Isha, over 12,000 homes and businesses in Clare were without power, with areas in Liscannor, Miltown Malbay, Kilkee and Ennis the worst affected.

Although the ESB dealt with damage to a large number of conductors and fallen electricity poles last night, repair crews are continuing to work throughout the day and have already restored power to all but 1,000 customers across the county.

Small pockets of Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, O'Briensbridge, Tulla, Maghera and Whitegate are still disconnected and ESB's Clare Area Manager predicts that power will be restored to the majority of those customers by 6pm tonight.

But with more storm weather ahead, Alan Hogan admits that some areas were power was stored could face outages again tonight.

A Clare TD fears the Irish international protection system will reach "breaking point" if the state doesn't find a faster way to process asylum claims.

It's been revealed that 3,285 people presented at Dublin Airport last year without valid travel documents which is an offence under the Immigration Act 2004 yet no prosecutions were made.

677 international protection applicants are currently being hosted in Clare which is the highest total in Munster and the tenth highest nationwide.

Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara has been telling Clare FM's Seán Lyons he believes the government must find robust legal pathways for those seeking asylum to enter this country.

Just one quarter of applicants to the first home scheme in Clare were able to purchase a property here in 2023.

The scheme sees either banks or the state contribute up to 30% of the cost of constructing or purchasing a new dwelling in exchange for a stake in their home.

Last year , 24 people were approved for the scheme in this county, however only six were able to draw down funding.

The price ceiling in Clare has now increased from €325,000 to €350,000 and First Home Scheme Head of Operations Helen Quigley believes this will significantly improve the outlook for local customers.

The Clare-based general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association claims factory meat prices are "nowhere near" high enough to cover input costs.

Bord Bia figures indicate that the average price for sheepmeat in Ireland last year was 20c behind where it was in 2022.

The Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative Society's most recent Irish Farm Report meanwhile has found that for the third year running, farmers have identified inputs costs as their greatest concern.

Cratloe farmer Eddie Punch says the burden of rising costs coupled with falling meat prices are putting significant strain on the agricultural sector.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by Tom Stewart from Keanes Garden Centre to give listeners an easy guide to growing Winter & Spring flowering shrubs.

Tom also answered some of your gardening questions. If you’d like your question to be answered by Tom on Morning Focus, please email [email protected].

On Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined in studio by June Curtin. June is the founder of Snamhaí Sasta and the woman behind the 63 Dips in 21 Days initiative, which involves the Miltown Malbay woman taking to the Atlantic Ocean three times a day for three weeks in December.

The annual event is aimed at raising significant funds for Mid-West Simon, hoping to eradicate food poverty by establishing a social grocery store in Ennis, which would allow struggling households to purchase goods at a heavily reduced price.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, it was time again for our Arts Slot with County Art’s Officer Siobhán Mulcahy.

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

This week, Siobhán discussed arts funding for local arts, upcoming music events, visual art events in Scariff & Kilkee, literature nights in Kilrush & Ennis, and outdoor light illuminations in Doolin, Ennistymon, and Bunratty.

On Monday’s Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey spoke to William Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors, Ennis in our weekly legal slot. This week, William spoke about the divorce process.

If you have a legal question for Cahir & Co. Solicitors, email us on [email protected]

The Vicky Phelan Campaign and Portrait Tour hosted by David Brennan, a childhood friend of Vicky's, along with Relay for Life Clare and Clare Haven Services is set to take place this Friday, January 26th.

David will be joined on the night by Lahinch healthcare campaigner John Wall and 221+ member Caoimhe O'Neill-Forde.

The free event will take place in Danlann an Chlair. Doors will open at 6.30 p.m. while the talk will begin at 7 p.m.

For more on this, on Monday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined by David Brennan, John Wall, Caoimhe O'Neill-Forde and Mary Howard.