Clarecastle Sinn Féin councillor Tommy Guilfoyle is speaking out after Israeli forces intercepted a flotilla of aid ships bound for Gaza in international waters off the coast of Crete.

Around 175 activists have reportedly been detained—but there are growing concerns about the fate of one vessel, the Romantica, carrying Irish citizens, including Tommy’s uncle, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

Tommy has been contacting Irish and international authorities, calling for urgent action and protection for those on board, he joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus to tell us more.

Image © freedomflotilla.org

Concerns have been raised following recent inspections of several IPAS centres in County Clare, where a number of contractual breaches were identified, including issues around overcrowding, safety and living conditions.

The inspections, carried out by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, examined facilities in Lisdoonvarna, Ennis and Miltown Malbay, with mixed findings across the centres.

Earlier, Alan Morrissey was joined by John Lannon, CEO of Doras to discuss what this means for residents and the wider system.

John firstly gave me his reaction to the findings.

And for more on this he was joined on the line by Clare MEP Michael McNamara.

Image © Clare Fm

Shannon Airport has received a major funding boost. The Clare base has been allocated €1.93m under the 2026 Regional Airports Programme. The funds will go towards a new fire appliance and the construction of a new Airfield Security Perimeter Fence. Clare based Minister of State Timmy Dooley says it will allow the airport to focus more of its coffers on promotion.

One of the main organisers of the Clare fuel protests claims the latest measures announced by government aren't good enough for the general public. The coalition unveiled further details of its €505m support package yesterday , which will see hauliers and coach operators receive payments of between €300 and €1,350 per vehicle in their fleets. Farmers and agri-contractors will receive roughly €200 for every 1,000 litres of Green Diesel used, while motorists will avail of the latest 10c excise cut only. Clare Fuel Protest Organiser Cathal O'Donoghue believes the lack of supports for regular people will have a severe knock on effect for the economy.

On this week’s Atlantic Tales, Pat Flynn looks ahead to Burren Slow Food Festival which will take place at the Pavilion in Lisdoonvarna on May 10th celebrating an impressive 21 years as Ireland’s longest-running food festival.

A powerful new contemporary dance work exploring our connection to the land and to each other is coming to the stage in Ennis next month.

Ciseach, the latest production from Catherine Young Dance, blends movement, live music, and voice to reflect on the challenges of our time and imagine new ways forward.

Choreographer Catherine Young spoke with Alan Morrissey on Wednesday's Morning Focus to tell us more.

Photo (c) Glór Facebook

On Wednesday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined live in-studio once again by Tommy Corbett of Carey Corbett Financial Solutions.

This week, Tommy discussed the top priorties ahead of retirement for those aged in their 50s and 60s.

The Government has announced a major shift in its approach to supporting Ukrainian refugees, with plans to phase out State-provided accommodation for thousands of people over the coming months.

While ministers say it’s about creating a more sustainable, long-term system, there are growing concerns about what it will mean for those who have built lives here in Ireland.

On Wednesday's Morning Focus to discuss this, Alan Morrissey was joined by Maria Nikishanova, an Ennis resident originally from Irpin in Ukraine, and Simon Ó Treasaigh from the Clare Immigrant Support Network.

Photo (c) Яна Леоненко from Pexels via Canva

A new voice in children’s fiction from County Clare is about to make her debut, with a story inspired by folklore, family, and finding where you belong.

Shannon-based writer Laura Keohane will publish her first novel, Secret of the Selkies, next month with The O’Brien Press, bringing readers into a world of magic and mystery drawn from Irish legend.

Laura joined Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus to tell us more.

Image © IGI (Illustrators Guild of Ireland) via Facebook

A West Clare post office is set to reopen its doors next month, just months after a shocking robbery that left its postmistress injured and the local community shaken.

Now, in a sign of resilience and recovery, Carrigaholt Post Office will resume service from May 18th, with a strong outpouring of local support behind it.

Alan Morrissey has been speaking with Luke Aston, who is on the committee tasked with bringing Carrigaholt Post Office back, about the post office’s journey back and what this reopening means for the local community.

Image © Carrigaholt Post Office via Facebook