On today’s Morning Focus Brian Farrell of the Road Safety Authority discussed the new drink driving limit. The RSA and An Garda Síochána have announced details of a new campaign to raise awareness of the new reduced drink drive limits, which come into effect this weekend. The Transport Minister is denying that new drink driving laws – which include changes to the penalties involved – are a "soft touch". The legal blood alcohol limit is being cut from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood – ahead of the bank holiday weekend. And it will be even lower for learner and professional drivers – at just 20 milligrams. The launch of the new legislation was hijacked by a group of protestors – made up of driving instructors – opposed to separate, new driver training law
Clare FM’s Gavin Grace spoke to Morning Focus live from the Clare Inn Hotel where the Constituency count for the Presidential Election is taking place today. Gavin met with those attending the count, and a family member of one candidate in particular – John Higgins from Ballycar in Newmarket on Fergus. John is a brother of Michael D who’s in the running to become the 9th president of Ireland.
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Independent Roscommon TD and PRO Turf Cutters Association spoke to Clare FM’s John Cooke this morning about how Clare Turfcutters are being urged to fight against a compensation plan to stop them saving turf on raised bogs. Though EU Environmental Regulations mainly affect other areas of the Midlands and the West of Ireland, the Irish Turfcutters Association says Tullagher Lough and Bog near Doonbeg is also included, while further Clare bogs could see similar bans in future. They’re planning a meeting in Clare in the coming weeks to oppose the government’s €1,000 euro per year compensation package and spokesperson Deputy Luke Ming Flanagan told Clare FM that bog owners need to hold national and European politicians to account.
Margaret Quinn, a Volunteer with Anam Cara Parental and Sibling Support Group
Spoke to John Cooke about the group’s national awareness day which takes place next week. Margaret lost her daughter Bernadette 6 years ago after a 4 year battle with Leukaemia when she was 16 years old. Bernadette then aged 12 had been feeling unwell for a few months before she was diagnosed and often complained of pains in her bones which Margaret thought was due to a growth spurt/the amount of sport she played. They took her to 3 different hospitals until she was eventually sent to Crumlin Hospital where it was discovered that she had leukaemia. After this Bernadette was in and out of hospital and received two and a half years of chemotherapy. She began to get better and then relapsed and went through a bone marrow transplant (donated from outside of the family) but unfortunately she relapsed again and the family were told to expect the worst. Anam Cara’s National Awareness Day is taking place next Wednesday 2nd November, on All Souls Day, as a way to remember all of the children who have passed away in Ireland. To mark the event they are releasing 1,000’s of balloons into the sky and are encouraging people to buy an Anam Cara “Balloon to Remember” pin. The organisation are hoping that their National Awareness / Remembrance Day will one day be as successful as “Daffodil Day” and that people all over the country will buy a pin in support of bereaved parents throughout Ireland.
Elizabeth Hitchock, an Energy Therapist, Healer, Spiritual Counsellor and Workshop Facilitator talked about the 11th World Ghost Convention which covers all things supernatural. Over the past 10 years, Elizabeth, who has studied healing techniques in Ireland, the USA and India and who uses Bio-Energy, Reiki and other Healing Energies in her ‘Communicating with the Angels’ workshops, has had many workshop ‘miracles’ and insights. In a lecture titled ‘The Invisible Force of Angels’, Elizabeth, who always invites the assistance of Angels, described her concept and understanding of the Angelic Realm and related some stories of personal miracles through the intervention of Angels.
Aidan Courtney of Ennis Bookshop joined us for our weekly Book Focus.
Today’s titles include Murphy and O’Dea’s Stuff Irish People Love; Colm Keena’s Bertie, Power and Money- the Story of the Man who Blew the Boom; and Make, Bake, Love by Lily Higgins
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus you can email the show at [email protected] or text Clare FM followed by your name and comment to 53030
