Morning Focus – Friday 11/08/17

As the clocks ticks down to the opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann next Sunday (Aug. 13), Morning Focus had a special festival flavour, with live music in studio as well as updates on final preparations.

The show opened with a look solutions to the long waits faced by the county’s elderly residents at the region’s main Emergency Department. Dr Billy O’Connell from Miltown Malbay told Gavin that creating an Urgent Care Centre model at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) might be one possible approach.

To look ahead to the running of the Fleadh (Aug. 13 – 21), Gavin chatted with Ger Dollard, Deputy CEO and Director of Economic Services with Clare County Council. You can listen back to the interview with Ger below:

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Talk then turned to the possible impact of a hard Brexit on employment in Clare. A new survey by the Farmers’ Journal reveals that up to 17.5% of jobs in this county could be at risk. Gavin spoke about the findings to News Correspondent Thomas Hubert.

Gavin then spoke to Mike Lennord, a plumber who’s mother had been without a functioning sewage system for over a week. Mike called to tell us that the issue had been resolved and thanked all those who offered his family support.

This week’s Friday panel were John Quinlivan, Claire Gallagher and Keir McNamara who discussed topics including child homelessness in this region, the Fleadh and the existence of fairy folk. You can listen back to the Friday Panel below:

The show rounded off with live music in studio ahead of a special Fleadh-related event to highlight the services of Clare Haven. There’ll be live music from a range of artists at Clare Haven’s shop on the Gort Road. The concert takes place on Thursday, August 17 from 2pm.