Today on Morning Focus we were joined in studio by our Friday Panel to discuss the latest news headlines from the past week.
Our panel this week included, Brian Meaney, Former Green Party and Fianna Fail Cllr, Gabriella Hanrahan – Community Liaison Officer, University of Limerick and Geraldine Gregan, Fine Gael activist. The topics included in today’s discussion were the upcoming General Election 2020, the drugs issue and an escalation in violence, tackling rural decline after Cross National School closure and are we drinking less as a nation?
You can listen back to today’s panel discussion below:
Before that, on the show, we were joined on air by Housing Activist, Fr Peter McVerry as he hits out at the governments housing plan following an incident in Dublin.
The accident involved a homeless man remains in hospital after an industrial machine moved attempted to clear the tent he was sleeping in, causing him ‘life-changing’ injuries. Yesterday, a woman in her early 20s died in hostel. And on Wednesday night, a photo went viral of an elderly woman eating a dinner from a charity on a window sill in the city.
You can listen back to that segment below:
Next, we were joined on air by Ruth Bruton a spokesperson from the Irish Community Rapid Response after they have failed to reach donation target.
The Country’s first charity air-ambulance will be unable to make life-saving flights as soon as the next few days. Based in Cork, from where it services Clare, the Irish Charity Rapid Response service was launched a month ago and relies on donations to keep it in the air. It can respond to all sorts of medical emergencies and has flown hundreds of rescue missions in the short time since it has been in the air. You heard early last week that it had less than ten days to raise the funds it needs to continue – roughly 400,000 euro. It has unfortunately failed to meet that target and looks now like it will be grounded.
Next on Morning Focus, we were joined by Tina O’Dwyer, Founder, The Tourism Space, Niall O’Callaghan, Managing Director, Shannon Heritage and Kieran Considine, Head of AIB in Clare, Limerick & Kerry as we talked about The Tourism Space conference taking place in Thomand Park. ‘Sustainable’ has become a key term in politics and everyday life with an increased focus on environmental matters in recent years. It’s also developed as a buzzword in business and areas such as tourism. As Clare gears up for what is expected to be another busy tourist season, how can the County’s hospitality sector embrace the concept and grasp the right approach? That’s the focus of the one-day industry event taking place next week.
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
To wrap up today’s Morning Focus we were joined in studio by the festival director of Shannonside Winter Music Festival and Seth Mulder and Midnight Run as they performed for us! The festival returns this weekend for its 21st staging.
The weekend sees almost 80 concerts, pub gigs, sessions, and shows across 17 venues in the villages of Sixmilebridge and Bunratty. Both will be buzzing and bouncing with acts from far and wide, as well as the cream of local talent.
Midnight Run are a high-energy, Tennessee-based bluegrass quintet, tied to the rich traditions of bluegrass music and offering a fresh approach to the “High Lonesome” sound. Each member draws from different genres including bluegrass, country, and rock n’ roll. Together they create a powerhouse of music that you do not want to miss!!
If you missed it, you can listen back below:
