Friday is panel day on Morning Focus and there was a mix of chat and lively debate with Brian Meaney, Sharon Cahir and Paul Madden.
Topics discussed included the latest developments in the CervicalCheck scandal, following the resignation of Director General of the HSE, Tony O’Brien; the Eurovision and more.
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The show opened with an interview with Deputy Pat Breen, Junior Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection. He spoke to Gavin about the CervicalCheck situation and the resignation of Tony O’Brien; as well as Apple’s move to axe its planned data centre for Athenry.
Then, Gavin got the update on Darkness into Light events across Clare, including those in Ennis, Doolin, Killaloe/Ballina, Shannon and Sixmilebridge. He was joined in studio by Tom McEvoy of Pieta House.
Deborah Kett, Chair of the Parents Association for Gaelcholáiste an Chláir and Brian O’Donoghue, Principal of Ennis Community College, were Gavin’s next guests. A new school building is on the horizon so there’s a party on Saturday (May 12) from 2-6pm to say farewell to the old facility.
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Ennis man Kieran O’Loughlin then came to studio to tell Gavin why he’s raising funds for the Irish Heart Foundation and raising awareness of heart disease following the sudden passing in 2015 of his father, Patrick at the age of just 64.
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Dawn chorus event will take place at Ballyalla, Ennis (Sat, May 12, 5.30am) and at the Burren (Sun, May 13, 5am) this weekend and Tom Lynch of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland previewed them.
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Siobhán Mulchay, Clare County Arts Officer then popped in for her weekly roundup of arts events in Clare.
After that, there was some sweet music from the Forever Young Singers who are marking their 10th birthday with a special concert tonight (May 11) at 8pm at the Church of Our Lady/Fahy Hall, Roslevan, Ennis.
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The show rounded off with a chat with Brid O’Connell and Tony Gormley of the new O’Briens Bridge-based group, Shannon Paddlers. It’s a kayak club for men and women and follows the founding of Shannon Dragons, a dragon boat racing club for survivors of breast cancer.
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