On today's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
Roving Dublin gang jailed over aggravated raid on Tipperary family home. Fiona Donnellan from Tipp FM speaks about the incident where seven Dublin men who admitted carrying out an aggravated burglary on a family home in Co Tipperary two years ago have received a range of sentences totalling 105 years. The men broke into the home of Mark and Emma Corcoran at Burnchurch, near Killenaul, in November 2013. The couple's three young daughters, who were aged eight, six and two, were also in the house at the time. Judge Tom Teehan handed down the sentences at Clonmel District Court. He said the level of gratuitous violence used on Mr and Mrs Corcoran was terrifying and he also had to be a voice for the children.
Superintendent Brendan McDonagh spoke about the anti-social behaviour in Clare estates. The Mayor of Ennis said this week that members of the community are "living in fear" due to anti-social behaviour. A number of concerning incidents have been reported to Gardaí in recent months. Residents, County Councillors and a number of Clare's Oireachtas TDs met on Monday to discuss concerns over the ongoing anti-social activity and another meeting is due to be held with members of An Garda Síochána today (Friday).
Concerns about over-sharing of kiddie pix on social media. Innocent photos of children – originally posted on social media sites – account for up to half the material found on some paedophile image-sharing sites. It's a finding of the Australian Children's eSafety Commissioner, who has warned people about sharing photos of their children on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. Darren O'Connor is an advocate of 'sharenting'. He is an author and blogger on www.askdad.ie. Opposing his opinion was Aoife Griffin, Regional Manager ISPCC West/Midwest Region, a caller who feels strongly that children's photos should not be posted on social media.
Conor McNamara of TV3 Rugby spoke to Gavin about the upcoming Rugby World Cup where Ireland will take on Italy. he spoke about what to expect and who he thinks will be playing.
Clare FMs Edel Bane spoke to Gavin about the self-imposed social media ban. Edel was challeneged to give up on social media following research she undertook for the Morning Focus show about Facebook. The topic was 'Can we live without social media?' and she tried it out. She could not use Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and all the other forms of media used for commuicating.
Caroline Quigley, the author of Phoenica Rising – Keeper of Light (Young Adult fantasy adventure set in the Burren) spoke about her new book and read a short extract from her novel. The book is described as a 'Modern, Celtic, mystical, Inspiring, fantasy, adventure story'. Phoenica, a shy, sensitive, intuitive girl with a deep love of nature, moves to the West of Ireland and meets Bromia her estranged Grandmother and discovers the mystical city of Juna (located in the ancient Burren mountains). Caroline will be signing her book at Easons on Saturday at 12noon.
The weekend events include:
East Clare Golf Club – holding Golf Classic in aid of Scoil na Maighdine Mhuire's Autism Unit on Saturday, October 3, 2015 Tea times 9am – 12pm.
Last in Summer Series House Concerts with American Folk duo James Moor and Kort McCumber – Venue: 27 Iniscarragh, Ennis (behind St Flannan's) – Doors 7.30pm for 8pm
The Outing – Lisdoonvarna. Match Making Festival for the LGBT community.
This weeks panel, Gavin spoke to Michael Vaughan, Lahinch hotelier; John Quinlivan, Chairperson Friends of Shannon Airport (former Chair Shannon Development); and Orla Vaughan, Vaughan's Bar, Kilfenora about the possible papal visit; a living wage; TV licence; the Capital Plan; A&E overcrowding; Enda locked in lift.
To mark Van Morrison's 70th birthday, the Van Morrison Project pays tribute to the Belfast-born legend in a show that combines Irish language versions of his lyrics with a full band sound. The Project comes to Glore in Ennis tonight. Anne Blake (Brad Pitt Light Orchestra), Hillary Bow amd Liam O Maonlai sang tunes of Van Morrisons.
