Morning Focus – Thursday 03/10/19

Hurricane Lorenzo (Pic: NOAA)

Adrian Kelly, Chief Fire Officer for Clare joined Gavin on air today to tell listeners what to expect ahead of Storm Lorenzo. 

A status orange wind warning comes into forces here, as well as Galway, Limerick, Kerry and Mayo from 6 o’clock this evening until 6 o’clock tomorrow morning. While a Status Yellow warning for wind and rain will also take effect nationally from nine o’clock this morning. Flooding, power outages, fallen trees and property damage are just some of the problems people are being told to expect.

Next, we heard from Dr Michael Harty, Independent TD for Clare, following a report by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation that found 82 people on trolleys yesterday (Oct 2). The issue was raised during Leader’s Questions in the Dáil, with the Taoiseach – mistakenly – saying a 60-bed block will open in the coming weeks. However, the UL Hospitals Group says this won’t open until late 2020. Deputy Harty outlined how he believes the modular unit won’t be ready for patients until early 2021

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The show’s next guest, Anne Marie Flanagan PRO of Clare Leader Forum joined Gavin in studio to discuss the event on in the Temple Gate Hotel which asks if the Disability Act (2005) is really working for those with disabilities. Finian McGrath, the minister with responsibility for Disability Issues is among those who will address this event tomorrow (Fri, Oct 4) to address a gathering of activists, local authority representatives and politicians.

Listen back below:

Now for this week’s Legal Advice slot, William Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors, Ennis, joined Gavin in studio to discuss the legal aspects of buying a house.

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Next on today’s show, publican Ger Shortt from Shortt’s Bar, Feakle, joined Gavin on air to chat about the country’s longest-running weekly trad music session. Ger’s pub hosts this trad session every week. It gets underway tonight from around 7pm, as it has done for an incredible unbroken 50-year run.  Ger believes this is the longest-running session anywhere in the county, if not the country.

Next, Rory Cowan – formerly of Mrs Brown’s Boys – joined Gavin on-air ahead of his book signing in The Ennis Bookshop on Saturday (Oct 5) at 2pm. His biography ‘Mrs Cowan’s Boy’ has just been published and has been getting a great reaction so far.

Listen back to the interview below:

Finally, to round up today’s Morning Focus, Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer joined us in studio for this week’s Arts Update.