Morning Focus – Monday 24/02/20

Today on Morning Focus, we were joined in studio by Padraig Lordan, Ennis based Paramedic and Mark Callanan, Community Engagement Officer, National Ambulance Service, Western Region as the Ruan/Dysart Community first response group was launched this month.

Community groups such as those can have a huge impact in saving lives in areas, particularly when ambulance cover is stretched. They do excellent work and the organisers in Ruan/Dysart are keen to demonstrate how important they can be. If any community group is interested in setting up a Community First Responder group in their area, you can email Mark on [email protected]

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As the risk of floods remains a very serious threat for some Clare residents, we spoke to Clonlara resident Geraldine Quinlivan about the issue. Those living in the Springfield area of Clonlara have been affected by floods in what’s threatening to be a repeat of the issues there four years ago. A number of residents have been moved from their homes already due to flooding on approach roads to their homes. Other residents can access their homes but are afraid that any further rise in water levels will see houses destroyed.

Next on the show, we were joined on the line by Clare Sinn Féin TD, Violet Anne Wynne ahead of the leaders of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail’s meeting tomorrow for exploratory talks on if they can make a historic coalition.

Meanwhile, talks elsewhere to form a government continue this week as Sinn Féin will be trying to arrange a deal with left-leaning parties to form an overall majority, but the numbers will be very tight.

After the 10 am News, Clare Crime Prevention Officer, Seargent Tríona O’Rourke joined us in studio as Clare Gardaí asked for your help in solving local crimes.

Newly chosen Fianna Fáil Cllr for the Shannon MD, Pat O’Gorman joined us on the line next as he has been chosen by East Clare Fianna Fáil members to replace Cathal Crowe, who was this month elevated to Dáil Eireann. A special meeting of Clare County Council is being held this afternoon in which the decision will be officially ratified by the local authority.

Next, composer Ian Wilson, joined us on the line as Clare County Arts Office is holding two free concerts to showcase the first performances of a long-running project called ‘Adaptation’. It’s the creation of Ian who has been working in West Clare investigating possible foreign influences on local culture over the centuries. There are two performances which are being held this Thursday in Teach Ceoil in Kilrush and Friday in Miltown Malbay Community Centre and are free and open to the public.

To wrap up today’s Morning Focus, we looked back on a busy sporting weekend with Tommy Guilfoyle, Clare FM’s Hurling analyst and Rory Hickey who covered the Ladies Football game for Clare Fm. It sure was a busy one for Clare’s Senior GAA teams, with one win, two draws and one loss yesterday afternoon. Clare’s Camogie side took victory over Camogie League stalwarts Kilkenny in their round 2 clash yesterday, which was followed by a stalemate between the Clare and Kilkenny hurlers which ended level. The Senior Footballers went down by a point to Laois in Cusack Park after battling back from a big half-time deficit, and the Ladies Footballers shared the spoils with Meath in Doonbeg.

If you missed it, you can listen back below: