Morning Focus – Friday 19/05/17

Photo © Clare FM

An exciting edition of Morning Focus featured an interview with Minister Simon Coveney, a contender for the leadership of Fine Gael.

Minister Coveney joined Gavin on the line ahead of a series of engagements in Clare including the AGM of Clare Fine Gael. Listen back below:

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The show opened with a look at a shortage of chemotherapy drugs in some Irish hospitals. It’s an issue that’s been causing concern for patients and families. Gavin was joined to discuss the issue by cancer survivor and oncology nurse, Anne Murphy, from Tulla. Listen back below:

The show then turned its attention to the issue of beef prices with good news for suckler farmers in Clare. Gavin was joined on the line by Phelim O’Neill of the Irish Farmers’ Journal.

The show then heard the extraordinary story of Seamus Cotter from Ennis who survived stage four lung cancer thanks to his participation in a clinical trial. Gavin also heard from Dr Linda Coate a specialist oncologist at University Hospital Limerick. Listen back below:

County Arts Officer Siobhán Mulcahy was Gavin’s next guest for the weekly arts round-up.

The Friday Panel included Patricia McCarthy, Ger O’Halloran and Tony Killeen. Listen back below:

Friday’s Morning Focus was rounded off with a chat about Fleadh Nua (May 21 to 19) with Micheál Ó Riabhaigh, the festival’s chairperson. He was joined by Prof Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin ahead of the Ennis launch of his new book, A Short History of Irish Traditional Music, which ties in with Fleadh Nua.
Gearóid holds the Johnson Chair in Québec and Canadian Irish Studies at Concordia University in Montréal, Québec. Musicians Oliver O’Connell on accordion also joined the gathering. Listen back below: