Morning Focus began with Dr John Hillery from Spanish Point, Consultant Psychiatrist & Head of the Irish College of Psychiatrists who spoke about the high number of vacant psychiatry positions in the country.
According to new HSE figures there are 61 vacant psychiatrist positions across Ireland at the moment.
Darragh McAllister, Lucas’s Bar & Considines, Parnell Street, Martin Waldron, CraftWorks, Parnell Street and Cllr Pat Daly, Fianna Fáil member of Ennis MD joined us live in studio to discuss the regeneration project announced for Parnell Street.
Almost a third of the premises on Parnell Street are vacant but the government has announced €1.4 million in funding which will enable a part 8 planning application to go forward next week.
Derek Barrett, Chairperson, The Shannon Venue was on the line to express concern at token funding for Shannon Venue. The Shannon Venue was listed among successful applicants to the urban regeneration fund. The project’s objective is to give a renewed sense of place, purpose and community through the development of a multipurpose community.
Listen back below:
In the second hour of the show we had our regular segment ‘Financial Advice’ with Tommy Corbett, Carey Corbett Financial Services, Ennis.
After that, we heard about the results from the National Patient Experience Survey from Rachel Flynn, Director of the Survey, HIQA. This displayed that only 31% of people said they were admitted to a ward within the HSE’s target time of 6 hours. Ennis General Hospital scored the highest in the survey while University Hospital Limerick performed the worst.
Sgt Caitriona Houlihan, Ennis Garda Station spoke to us about the 16 Days Campaign Opposing Violence Against Women. The 16 Days Campaign Opposing Violence Against Women raises awareness and during the campaign from November 25 to December 10 violence against women is highlighted as unacceptable and that women and children have a right to be free from violence and fear in their own homes.
Listen back below:
Clare County Dog Warden, Frankie Coote gave us our weekly ‘Animal Welfare’ update.
In the final hour of Morning Focus Cian Kearns and photographer Ray Foley informed us about a free talk, Q&A and photo exhibition launch which will take place tonight (November 27) at Oh La La Creperie, Ennistymon at 8pm. The pair secured funding from the Simon Cumber Media Fund and left for Tanzania to discover more about the Ruaha Carnivore Project there. The project trains former lion hunters from the Barabaig and Masai tribes to become lion defenders.
Listen back below:
Anne-Marie Flanagan, Clare disability rights activist, Clare Leader Forum gave details ahead of the first-time screening of a documentary celebrating disability campaigners of Clare. Next Monday a documentary will be screened at glór, Ennis between 11am and 1pm to mark International Day of Disabled People.
Listen back below:
Then, Tom Donovan, Editor of the Old Limerick Journal, the Ballybrown Parish Journal and the Glencorby Chronicle was on the line to discuss the murder of teenage bride Ellen Hanley also known as the Colleen Bawn in 1719. Her case will be remembered at a lecture tonight (November 27) at Teach Cheoil in Kilrush at 8pm.
Listen back below:
Morning Focus finished out with Martin Breen, writer for The North Munster Journal who told us about the new historical information discovered on North Clare monastic sites. This Thursday night (November 29) the history and archaeology of these sites will be discussed in a talk at the X-PO in Kilnaboy. There will be particular attention paid to the sites of Dysart and Rath.
Listen back below: