Morning Focus – Friday 13/12/19

Today on Morning Focus we heard from the mother of an Ennis boy whose story prompted Leo Varadkar to say that Santa will find homeless children this Christmas.

The mother, Margaret Maughan has attacked the Taoiseach for making what she’s called “empty promises.” On Wednesday, Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald told the Dáil of the case of seven-year-old Kevin Maughan, who asked Santa to come to his hotel “again” this Christmas night. His family are staying in emergency accommodation in Ennis, and were in a similar situation last year. Leo Varadkar assured children in emergency accommodation that Santa will find them, but Kevin’s mother says families like hers deserve better.

If you missed our interview with Margaret, you can listen back below:

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Before that we were joined on air by Former Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Tony Killeen and Former Fianna Gael TD for Clare Madeline Taylor Quin to discuss the UK Election results and the impact they will have on Ireland.

Next, we were joined on the line by Cian Kearns, as he got in touch with the programme following a very positive experience he had with the University of Limerick Hospital.

Cian made contact with the show as he wished to thank the staff at University Hospital Limerick for the care they gave his daughter recently. His daughter Bodhie has a rare form of dwarfism as a result even just the common cold can become life-threatening. Bodhie took ill at the beginning of the month and while Cian was worried about the overcrowding situation at UHL A&E they still took her there however they received ‘world-class care’ for his daughter which meant she could return home 4 days after being admitted.

Cian wishes to thank the staff at UHL for their hard work and the care they gave his daughter.

If you missed it, you can listen back below:

Next on the show, we had a special Friday Panel as we were joined in studio by 2019 winners of the Clare Business Excellence Awards. We focused on the topic of business gearing the conversation towards reflecting on business in Clare, the secrets to success and how to switch off from your business.

Our pannellists this week were, Tina O’Dwyer of The Tourism Space and Winner of ‘Best Micro Business’, Irene Hamiliton of Scattery Island Tours and Winner of Best Tourism Experience in Clare, but also the ‘Overall Winner’ of this year’s Clare Business Excellence Awards, June Moloney of La Jolie Femme, Winner of Customer Service Excellence category and John Shaw, Managing Partner, MHP Solicitors winners of ’Best Professional Service Provider’ category.

If you missed it you can listen back below:

Next on the show we were joined by Mary Moloney, fundraising manager of Cahercalla Hospice as this Christmas Cahercalla Hospice are raising funds for the hospice with a gorgeous calendar filled with images of Co. Clare and the Burren.

To finish the show, PJ Murrihy joined us on the line to tell us about the Parish Event taking place in Kilmurry Kibrickane this Sunday 15th of December at 8pm in Quilty Tavern. The event will feature himself PJ Murrihy, Seamus Shannon and a host of local talent. Finger Food will be served and there will be a raffle on the night. Tickets are €10 and are available in local outlets and on the door.