Today’s Morning Focus featured an in-depth interview with Ennis man Domhnal Slattery. Domhnal is the Chief Executive of Avolon Aircraft leasing company. They have airline customers in 18 countries, and having established the company in 2010, it’s reported that Avolon has raised more money than any other Irish start-up company in history. Their total fleet is valued in excess of four billion Euro. Domhnal is also Co-Owner of The Clare People Newspaper and son of the late Jack Slattery, formerly Slattery’s Greengrocers, Ennis (now O’Connor’s in the Market). From humble beginnings in Slattery’s Greengrocers to working in Tony Ryan’s GPA operation in Shannon and on to heading up his own major global aircraft leasing – Domhnall Slattery knows a thing or two about the ups and downs of business. Tomorrow – he’ll address members of the Ennis Business community for the Ennis Chamber Business Lunch, in the Old Ground Hotel, on the topic of "Making Ennis Interesting and Relevant". The cost for the event is €20 including a 3 course lunch and limited places are still available. For bookings contact Ennis Chamber on 065-684 2988
Limerick Leader Reporter David Hurley spoke to Clare Fm’s John Cooke following the conviction of Barry Doyle for the murder of Shane Geoghegen. 26-year-old Barry Doyle from Portland Row, Dublin smiled as the jury returned its verdict at the Central Criminal Court after nearly 6 hours deliberations. He will now face life in prison for gunning down the Garryowen captain on November 9th, 2008 at Clonmore, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle.
Also on today’s show;
A new TG4 series Ealu – 6 escapees, 6 plans and 1 objective will be aired tonight at 10.30pm. Producer Paddy Hayes told Morning the story of ‘Bourke and Blake- A Pal in Prison’ – one of the most famous jailbreaks in British penal history. Limerick man Sean Burke, who masterminded it, spent the final year of his life living in a caravan in Kilkee. Sean Bourke broke double agent George Blake from London’s Wormwood Scrubs in 1966. He was just 49 when he collapsed and died in the West Clare resort. This remarkable incident, which made world headlines, is recounted in the first episode of a new TG4 series, 6 escapees, 6 plans, 1 objective: Éalú (Escape)
Maeve Ryan, Service Co-ordinator of the Crime Victims Helpline also joined the show to discuss how last year saw an 11% increase in the number of people contacting the Helpline. The volunteers of the service received over 6,000 calls in total during 2011 – more than 17% of calls related to physical assaults. If you have been affected by crime please contact the helpline on free phone 116 006, on call save 1850 21 14 07 or text the service on 085 133 7711
Kieran McCarthy from Shannon spoke to John Cooke about his fundraising efforts for Cystic Fibrosis. He has raised an impression €27,000 for TLC4CF and Clare Crusaders. Kieran’s daughter Aoibheann is 3 years old and suffers from CF. The couple were initially heartbroken with the news but are now concentrating on the future and getting the best possible care and treatment for Aoibheann. Kieran took on an Iron man type challenge over the Bank Holiday weekend to raise funds for TLC4CF (Tipperary, Limerick and Clare for Cystic Fibrosis) which aims to improve CF Treatment facilities in the Mid-West, and the Clare Crusaders (their clinic in Barefield provides care and treatment for special needs children, including a range of therapies for Aoibheann). Kieran’s plan was to swim 3 kilometres in Shannon (120 lengths of the Shannon Pool), before getting on his bike to cycle 230 kilometres through the night to Dublin to be in time for the Dublin city marathon which he then ran and completed in 3 hours and 56 minutes.
John Underhill of Burren Vets was in studio for his weekly veterinary feature. Today he explained how rat poison is a serious danger for farm dogs. John also answered your animal health questions.
If you have a question or comment for Morning Focus you can email the show at [email protected] or text Clare FM on 53030
