Morning Focus Blog – 04/12/18

Artist's impression of The Shannon Venue. Photo: Croí na Sionna

Today’s show saw continued discussions on the Shannon Venue project, following news that it has been shelved. At the outset of the programme, we spoke with the project’s chairman Derek Barrett and Mick Guinee of EI Electronics, who has been a strong supporter of it. Later, we heard from both of the elected Councillors from Shannon Town, namely Gerry Flynn and Mike McKee.

You can listen to both discussions below.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

A theft of Christmas decorations from outside of the St. Vincent de Paul show in Ennis, Vincents, which was widely circulated on social media yesterday turned out to be a false alarm. Gavin spoke with the group’s Clare Area President, Niamh McDonnall, about this and also the demand on their services in the run-up to Christmas.

The Social Democrats are seeking legislation to remove excessive charges and restrictions associated with gift cards. They’re also angry that the government has failed to move on legislation to better regulate this area, even though it has been in the offing for some time. Gavin spoke with the party’s Joint Leader, Catherine Murphy, while after 10pm we continued the finance theme with Money Doctor John Lowe.

After conversations on drink driving with Barry Aldworth of AA Ireland, and with Frankie Coote, Morning Focus explored a ‘controversy’ that is brewing over Christmas songs. A radio station in Ohio has pulled the classic ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ because of connotations of date rape in one of its lyrics, while questions are also being asked of ‘Fairytale of New York’ due to some of its questionable language also. You can listen back to Gavin’s chat with Sorcha O’Connor, Showbiz Reporter for the Irish Independent and Evening Herald, below.

On Thursday, Bishop Fintan Monahan will launch a book entitled “Go make Disciples of all Nations” in the Ennis Parish Centre. The book, which has been compiled by John Bradley and Cora McNulty in association with The Clare Roots Society, recalls the countless men and women from the parish who gave their lives in service of the Gospel as priests and religious throughout the 20th Century and into the 21st. This project was the brainchild of Fr. Tom Hogan in his last year as Parish Priest of Ennis. Gavin spoke with Fr. Tom and with John Bradley.

And we finished the show with a conversation with comedian Neil Delamere, who’s bringing his new show to Glor in the New Year. Gavin and Neil talked about comedy, soccer, Brexit and more.

You can get in touch with the show at any stage on [email protected] and remember we’re on air Monday-Friday 9-12.