On Friday’s Morning Focus, Producer Niamh McNamara took a trip to the Laurel Lodge accommodation centre on the Clare Road in Ennis run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
It’s been open for five years and provides emergency accommodation for thirteen men
Morning Focus producer Niamh McNamara visited Laurel Lodge this week and met staff and residents
Special thanks to Pat Cahill, Gerry Kelly, Tom Larkin, Tony Meehan and the residents,including Frankie, Christy and Keith.
Eamon Meehan is a Kilmaley native and deputy director of Trocaire – he joined John Cooke on the line to speak about his recent to Pakistan where he was visiting some of Trocaire’s programmes
He travelled to Sindh provide in southern Pakistan where families are struggling to live in a very harsh environment and where many are forced into bonded labour or modern slavery
While he was there, he met with Columban Sisters from Clare who are working with the poorest of the poor and stretching every small resource they have as far as possible
Pakistan is a country never far from the headlines – Eamonn would be available to speak to you and your Clare listeners about the reality for ordinary citizens in the country and describe what life is really like there
You may also be interested to know that at this time of year Trocaire’s runs its annual Christmas ‘Gifts of Change’ appeal. Last year Clare people bought €17,428 worth of gifts such as chickens, school fees and solar lights for families living in poverty
www.trocaire.org
In our Morning Focus health slot we speak with Dr Maire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre
Today Fr Finn answered some of our listeners general health queries
You can always send us your thoughts and queries by email [email protected], but if you have concerns or queries about your own health right now please contact your local GP
Chris Droney from Bellharbour is world renowned for his concertina playing, and over the years he brought home 9 all Ireland titles in playing the music he loves as well as another All Ireland Fleadh win for a duet
This year Chris was also the proud recipient of another prestigious title – the Clare Association’s Clare Person of the Year – while today’s he’s also celebrating his birthday!
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
