Morning Focus – Wednesday 20/11/19

Today on Morning Focus, we heard from Jim Warny as the story of the Thailand Cave Rescue has been adapted into a film called, The Cave. 

The Cave is the story of the 2018 rescue of a trapped soccer team from a flooded cave in Thailand. Much of the story is told from the perspective of Ennis-based Jim Warny, who took part in the rescue. Jim stars as himself in the movie, which recently had its Irish premiere at the Cork Film Festival and, this week, has had its gala premiere in Bangkok, ahead of a general release of the film in Thailand.

If you missed our chat with Jim, listen back below:

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Before that, Timmy Dooley Clare Fianna Fáil TD, joined Gavin on the line to discuss the National Broadband Plan. The Taoiseach says the opposition had chances to come up with a cheaper, quicker alternative. The government signed off on the contract today, which is set to cost 3 billion euro. It’s been met with criticism from the opposition benches, with Sinn Fein calling it ‘flawed and compromised’. Fianna Fáil has described the tender process as ‘shambolic’ but admits there’s little that can be done now that it’s signed.

If you missed it, you can listen back below:

Next, Cllr PJ Ryan joined Gavin on-air following Shannon Group’s call on Clare County Council to consider a commercial rates alleviation for the group, to allow it invest and grow. At present, the parent company of Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage and Shannon Commercial Properties pays €2.4 million per year in rates to the local authority. In addition, the tenants of Shannon’s hangars pay around €1.1 million in rates, meaning a total of €3.5 million is paid to the council from the group and its interests. Chief Operating Officer Ray O’Driscoll says a measure such as a rates alleviation would be a vital support, Cllr Ryan gave us his response to Ray O’Drisscoll’s comments.

Next on Morning Focus, a change of pace as our very own Brian Flynn joined us in studio to tell us the story behind the song – Are you right there Michael, By Brendan Dowda.

Next, Cllr Paul Murphy was on the line with Gavin to chat about the HPV Jersey Fitting Day which is taking place in Áras an Contae this Friday from 10am until 2pm. There’s a choice of three Clare Jerseys or two generic ones for non-natives of Clare. Kids sizes are also available! For people who mightn’t be able to attend on Friday, you can get in touch with Cllr Murphy on – 087 8396757 or via Facebook.

If you missed our chat with Cllr Murphy, you can listen back below:

To finish up today’s show, John Underhill of Burren Vets joined us in studio for our Ask The Vet segment.