Morning Focus Friday May 4

On Friday’s Morning Focus Senator Martin Conway told John Cooke that as a practising Catholic he feels that Primate Cardinal Sean Brady should resign at once
He was of the opinion he should resign immediately after the latest revelations contained in the BBC documentary air earlier this week about the Cardinal’s role in the 1975 investigation into allegations of abuse by Fr  Brendan Smith

James Breen, Kilnamona county councillor had a word in support of Martin Conway.

Listener George Ben from the Kilrush road in Ennis also had a word with John.

CONTINUE READING BELOW

‘Commemorating our Past – Constituting our Future’ is the theme of this year’s Burren Law School that gets underway today
One topic that is sure to generate interest is that of the debate ‘Sovereignty and the Fiscal Compact Treaty’ on Saturday afternoon where Lucinda Creighton TD and Dr. Terence McDonough of NUI Galway
Burren Law School committee member Martin Hawkes and Labour Party Dublin South TD Alex  White- who is the guest Director of this year’s conference- spoke about what’s in store this weekend in the Burren.
See www.burrenlawschool.org or call 065 7077200.

The government has agreed to support legislation to allow members of non religious bodies to perform civil marriages
This follows a Private Members Bill by Senator Ivana Bacik last year
The Bill proposes to amend the Civil Registration Act 2004, which regulates the registration of civil marriages
The 2004 Act stipulates that, apart from Health Service Executive registrars, only a member of a “religious body” may celebrate legal marriages.
This is defined as “an organised group of people, members of which meet regularly for common religious worship”.
This includes organisations such as the Pagan Federation Ireland and the Spiritualist Union of Ireland, which have obtained registration under the Act.
But the definition excludes members of the Humanist Association of Ireland, who currently conduct humanist wedding ceremonies even though these are not legally recognised
The HAI has nine accredited celebrants who conducted 153 marriage ceremonies last year
Ann James, Chairperson of the Humanist Association of Ireland, gave their reaction.

Kilkee Search and Rescue are holding a memorial on Tuesday evening for two volunteers that died tragically 25 years ago
25 year old JJ Harrington and 21 year old Ian Benson were fishing at the time when they  were swept into the sea
Also Michael O’Gorman and Seamus O’Byrne will be remembered – Manuel Di Lucia spoke with John.

Guinness Diving World Record Holder and Kilmaley native Christy Healy put in an incredible effort to raise funds for the Share A Dream Foundation in Limerick last year by becoming the first man ever to swim 10km underwater without surfacing 

In continued efforts to raise funds for this fantastic charity he is now launching a book- ‘The 10K Record’ in Hughes & Hughes book shop Ennis on Saturday at 6.30pm
The book will be stocked by Hughes and Hughes nationwide and all profits generated will be donated to the charity
It describes the incredible discipline required as well as the highs and lows during the preparation
Christy also mentioned plans to undergo an underwater dive from Northern Ireland to Scotland- they hope to attract some partnership
So far Christy’s fundraising efforts have resulted in over €16,500 being raised to make children’s dreams come true
Christy joined John in studio to urge people to support the cause
See online and on Facebook- Atlantic Diving School.

The Whitegate May Bank Holiday Festival begins today
Including Horse and Pony Racing, Poetry Book Launch, Nature and Historical walk, Male "Queen" of the May contest, Dinny Ryan Cup-10km road race, Traditional music, Loch Deirge Singers club, Family Entertainment
Pat Burke of Whitegate is chairman of the organising committee had a word with John to encourage people to go along
See www.whitegate.ie for details. 

This weekend’s Newmarket on Fergus Show  expects to be the biggest yet with a sizeable programme of events lined up
They are hoping families will come along on Sunday and are promising a great day out  – events from 10am onwards
Chairperson of the organising committee Megan Mulqueen had a word.

This weekend  the Carrigaholt Oyster Festival offers fresh oysters and a pint of Guinness or a glass of Champagne! 
Micheal Morrissey – one of the organisers – had a word with Johna bout what’s planned this weekend in Carrigaholt.

Ennis musicians Siomha Brock and Eoin Judge joined John in studio to play Siomha’s latest single ‘Talk A Little Less’ available on iTunes from today.

If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]