Morning Focus – Thursday 22/02/18

On Thursday’s Morning Focus, Gavin and his guests covered many topics. To start off the show he spoke to Lisdoonvarna hotelier, Marcus White, and Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill, about the Lisdoonvarna hotel that has been chosen to house asylum seekers.

Gavin then spoke with Paddy Dunne of Lisdoonvarna Fáilte about the public concerns and reactions in Lisdoonvarna in regards to the new asylum seekers housing location.

At 10 am, Gavin spoke to Harriet, a disabled woman in Killaloe who is living in constant stress and fear. She has access to state-funded home care but lives off cornflakes during the weekend as there is no-one to do her shopping for her or bring her to medical appointments.

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Next, Dr Geraldine Mooney Simmie, Lecturer in Education, Course Director Structured PhD in Education, chatted with Gavin about the initiation of a Leaving Certificate reform.

Then, Gavin talked about the commemoration for first War of Independence casualties in Clare that’s taking place on Sunday with Dr Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc, historian and author of a number of books including ‘Blood on the Banner: The Republican Struggle in Clare 1913–1923’. Listen back below:

After that, Clare FM’s James Mulhall took to the streets of Lisdoonvarna to hear the local public opinion on a Lisdoonvarna hotel becoming a housing location for asylum seekers.

At 11 am, Gavin chatted with inspiring author, Ruth Fitzmaurice, about the Ennis Book Club Festival and her work.

Next, Gavin spoke with some Loughraney Youth Club members about their production of ‘Lakeside Stories’. Listen back below:

Following that, Gavin discussed the cost of having and raising children with Ciara Leahy, Consumer Editor, Irish Country Living Magazine. Listen back below:

To round off the show, Clare FM’s James Mulhall spoke to some more Lisdoonvarna residents about the King Thomond Hotel becoming a centre for asylum seekers.