Morning Focus – Thursday 17/10/19

On today’s Morning Focus, Gavin was joined in studio by Elaine D’Alton, NCCWN Clare Women’s Network Coordinator and Yvie Murphy, NCCWN Clare Women’s Network Project Worker as the ‘Silence and Voice Festival of Feminisms’ returns to Ennis this weekend (Oct 19 & 20).

This unique event is offering an opportunity to 400 participants to reflect creatively on silence and voice as part of their journey as women in Ireland. Violence against women and homelessness are among the wide range of topics to be discussed during the event which is organised by Clare Women’s Network. The event will hear from the diverse voices of women in our communities. It takes place at Dánlann an Chláir.

You can listen back to the interview below:

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Next on the show, we had an update regarding the new draft Withdrawal Agreement. At around ten minutes to seven this morning (Oct 17), word came that the DUP can’t support the deal currently on the table, Dep Pat Breen, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection joined Gavin on the line to discuss the decision. However, as the show continued word broke that there has been an Agreement made, but the DUP does not support it.

Next on Morning Focus, Noeleen Moran, SF General Election candidate for Clare was in studio as she has condemned the extradition of Clare man John Downey and called for his immediate release after he was charged this weekend with the murder of two men in the North in 1972. Noeleen insists that twenty years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement Republicans should not be pursued and prosecuted for conflict-related matters and that actions, including the extradition of Mr Downey, undermine the Peace Process.
John Downey from Creeslough in County Donegal, but originally from Kilrush, was remanded in custody to appear in court again on 25 October.

Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors, Ennis joined Gavin in studio for this week’s Legal Advice slot which concluded our discussion on the topic of Wills.

If you missed it you can listen back below:

Next, we heard “Carol’s story” ahead of the 30th Annual Clare Area AA Convention which is taking place between October 18 and 20 at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis. Carol tells listeners her story of alcoholism and recovery.

Please find contact details below for Alcoholics Anonymous:

The Clare Area Phone Service is – 085 1841103
You can also get in touch with them via email – www.alcholicsanonymous.ie

If you missed Carol’s story, listen back below:

Kilmihil’s Eimear Considine is an Irish Rugby Player and World Cup Pundit for Eir. Eimear spoke to Gavin to give her assessment of Ireland’s prospects in the closing rounds of the tournament in Japan.

Listen back to what Eimear had to say below:

Lastly, to finish Morning Focus today, Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer joined Gavin in studio for this week’s Arts Update:

This evening at 8:30pm the XPO in Kilnaboy is having a film screening of Culloden. In regards, to visual art, Foust Gallery Ennistymon is hosting an exhibition which takes inspiration from the Burren Geographical Park, which is opening this evening. In glór tomorrow evening they have their opening of the exhibition ‘Small town decline rural patterns of decay’ which will showcase an array of artists. Finally Philips Brennan’s exhibition ‘Clare Moments’ opens next Wednesday in Kilkee. Next, to dance, tomorrow in glór at 1 o clock, the students of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in UL have a free showcase taking place. Danceperados is also taking place tomorrow evening in glór. Lastly to the theatre in Scariff, there is a classical music and song event taking place in the library tomorrow from 7pm – 8pm and Corofin drama society are presenting Neil Simon’s ‘Plaza Suite’.