On today's Morning Focus, Marian kicked off the show by speaking to Orla Hannon, Chairperson of Down Syndrome Ireland. Orla hails from Sixmilebridge and at 27 Orla is a very young and inspirational leader. She represented Ireland in the European Parliament, in Brussels for World Down Syndrome Day last Friday. Orla wowed MEPs by giving a 10 minute power point presentation, in the European Parliament, highlighting the need to create employment opportunities so that adults with Down Syndrome can take their place in society.
Up next Fiach Kelly, Irish Times Journalist spoke to Marian about the penalty points issue as it's expected to remain at the forefront of political debate this week. Pressure has been growing on Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan to withdraw a comment he made about Garda whistleblowers to the Public Accounts Committee in January. The commissioner said that on a personal level he found the actions of the whistleblowers, responsible for bringing the penalty points issue into the public domain, "disgusting".
After yesterdays draw against Galway we hear from Clare Hurling Manager Davy Fitzgerald. The game finished 18 points to 1-15 in a thrilling finish in Cusack Park. Davy Fitzgerald's side went down to 14 men 5 minutes before the half time. Clare Player Brendan Bugler also gave Clare FM his reaction to the game.
Sergeant Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer with the Clare Garda Division appealed for the public's assistance with information on crimes committed in the county over the past seven days. Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.
The 5,000 EURO Normoyle Hillery Scholarship 2014 for Clare students has been announced. Clare pharmacists have called for increased incentives to study the sciences at third level which would address a shortfall in sought after science skills, slow down the brain drain and aid the economic recovery in Ireland. Valerie Normoyle, who along with her husband Shane, Developed Normoyle Hillery Scholar ship spoke to Marian about how students can apply for this ahead of sitting their Leaving cert.
North Clare Historical Society will hold their final talk in their current lecture series will take place tonight. Pádraig Ó Héalaí will deliver a talk on Seán Mac Mathúna, a part time collector for the Irish Folklore Commission in the 1930s and 1940s. Seán was a native of LUOGH, Doolin who collected 11,000 handwritten pages for the Folklore Commission. He travelled all over North Clare by foot to gather this information without the use of a tape recorder. He really deserves to be remembered for this vast contribution. Marian spoke to Pádraig Ó Héalaí about what's in store for people who attend tonight's talk.
John Murphy, wildlife expert and Chairperson of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland joined John in studio to answer listeners' bird and wildlife queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
