Morning Focus Blog – 21/11/18

Today’s Morning Focus began with some breaking news as Pat Flynn was joined by Cllr Alan O’Callaghan live on the scene of a diesel spill on the road between Sixmilebridge and the Tulla side of Kilkishen.

The spill had caused a number of minor road crashes in the early hours of this morning.

After that attention shifted to Shannon where we had further discussion of the violent brawl that kicked off last weekend after a kickboxing event at the Oakwood Arms Hotel. We heard from Cllr Gerry Flynn who raised the issue with the local authority and from Sgt Séamus Mulligan of Shannon Garda Station who emphasized the point that Shannon is safe.

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After that we had CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland Tadhg Daly. He discussed a report from Junior Minister Jim Daly which found that lack of engagement from families was a contributing factor to the high number of elderly patients staying in hospitals when they could be discharged to a nursing home under the Fair Deal scheme. Waiting lists and a complicated application process are thought to be reasons people are avoiding the scheme.

Rounding out the hour we heard once more from the streets of Ennis as locals gave their opinion about making Home Economics a mandatory Junior Cert subject.

The second hour opened with a look at new drink driving legislation which recently made its way through the Oireachtas. The tighter rules see all drink drivers, without exception, receive a disqualification of a minimum of three months. Many see this as another nail in the coffin for rural Ireland. Cllr Pat Burke and Gerry Shortt of Shortt’s Bar in Feakle weighed in.

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The hour ended with an insight into an upcoming fundraiser for West Clare Cancer Centre. Saturday (November 24th) will see Cooney’s Quilty Tavern filled with talent in an effort to raise funds for the centre. The event is organized by cancer survivor Tom Crampton who wanted to give back after the centre supported him through both bowel and prostate cancer.

In the third hour of the show Pat spoke to applauded and revered Irish music performer Martin Hayes. Friday (November 23rd) will see Hayes perform a benefit concert in aid of the intergenerational garden in Tuamgraney. The garden brings together residents of Raheen Community Hospital and children from Brigit’s Heath early years centre while the concert will bring together talented musicians like Cormac Begley, Stephanie Keane and Katie Greene. The concert kicks off at 8pm at St Joseph’s Church in Tuamgraney.

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Then we heard about a new book hitting the shelves soon. Oral Historians Jackie Elger and Patricia Sheehan have written the book ‘Three Men from Clare’ chronicling the lives of George Casey (aged 95), Tom Cusack (RIP 1925-2015) and Morgie O’Connell (aged 93) but also the history of the communities of Clare. The book launches at Kildysart Community Centre at 4pm on November 25th with special guests George Casey, Morgie O’Connell and oral historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara.

The show ended with our regularly scheduled Ask the Vet segment with John Underhill.

Listen back below: