Morning Focus Thursday September 8

On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined in studio by Fine Gael Presidential Candidate Gay Mitchell
In July he was selected as the Fine Gael parliamentary party candidate and said he had the ‘heart and the history’ to make the historic breakthrough in electing a Fine Gael president
Gay has been three decades in politics and says he does not appeal to one class, but to all those who were striving to cope in society
He is in the county visiting Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush today

Vote for our poll:

How do you think the government can help struggling mortgage holders?

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• Debt Forgiveness for some?

• Higher Mortgage Interest Relief?

• Shared Equity Schemes

• Rent Back Schemes

• Other

Loneliness is the biggest problem faced by older people in Ireland – and the problem is getting worse because of cuts to public services, such as health and transport
A new survey by the St. Vincent de Paul has found that in rural areas in particular, elderly people are suffering from a lack of human contact – as post offices close and local transport is reduced
St. Vincent de Paul says not having enough money is also a big worry for elderly people and it’s concerned that further cuts to vital services in the budget will hurt older people even more
John-Mark McCafferty, Head of Social Justice & Policy with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul had a word with John.

The official launch of the East Clare Walking Festival taking place this evening
Clare Tourism are pleased to announce that they are holding an Autumn Walking Festival on the: 21st – 23rd October
Will be a 2 day event and will centre around sections of the East Clare Way, which is a National Waymarked Walking Route
All walks will be guided and will take in some of the great natural wild beauty of East Clare
There will be walks near Slieve Aughty and Slieve Bearnagh including the magnificent scenery of Lough Derg and Lough Graney
Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes and Chairperson of East Clare Tourism Teresa Browne invited all to attend the launch in McNamara’s Bar Scarriff at 6.30pm

RESCUE 115 is the official name for one of the Irish Coastguards most trusted lifelines – the Shannon Based Coastguard Helicopter which is called out for all the major rescue and recovery efforts seen along the Irish coastline often in very difficult circumstances and conditions
The name Rescue 115 has also been given to a new RTE Television programme now following the work of the Shannon Based Coastguard Helicopter and the rescue services around the country
The issues raised in the programme will be familiar to many parts of Clare are we’re well aware of the invaluable work done by the local coastguard services  – particularly at the West Coast’s busiest coastguard station in Doolin, where local volunteers have spoken to us many times about their ongoing campaign for much needed new facilities – which now looks to be on hold again – for possible another 2 to 3 years
John Cooke had a word with Chris Reynolds,  The Irish Coastguard Director about the Doolin Coastguard and the challenges posed by a shocking number of tragedies at the Cliffs of Moher
As Chris Reynolds attended an international conference in Sweden, I started by asking him about Rescue 115 and whether things are always busy for the coastguard here

The Samaritans Clare branch are hosting two open nights this Thursday and Saturday in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
Contact The Samaritans on 1850 60 90 90
 
Clare FM’s General Manager Susan Murphy joined John in studio to announce the new Autumn schedule for the station
There are two new documentaries which will be airing over the next few months
“Creamery at the Crossroads” and “The Ballad of Jimmy Smyth”
Hindsight moves to the new time of 1.15pm on Sundays starting this Sunday
Clare FM also has a new Business show starting this Saturday @ 1.15
The Small Business Show with Conn and Kehlan. John soke with presenters Conn O’Muineahcain and Kehlan Kirwan
He was also joined by reknowned singer Kate Purcell who will present a new show starting on Sunday called The Dreaming Road this will be broadcast at 10pm for a 4 week series.

Buds to Blossoms Fashion Show- fundraising for Lotus Child- an Irish charity building a school for 150 street children in Calcutta that is taking place at the Armada Hotel, Spanish Point on Tuesday September 13
Fair City actor Aoibhinn Garrihy is set to travel to Calcutta next month to work in the building project, she encouraged people to support the fundraising fashion show.

John Underhill of Burren Vets joined John to answer listeners’ pet and livestock health queries. 

If you have a story for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]