MORNING FOCUS THURSDAY 6TH NOVEMBER
In 2013, 5 cyclists and 31 pedestrians lost their lives on Irish roads, so far in 2014, 9 cyclists and 8 pedestrians have been killed. Scores of both cyclists and pedestrians have been injured over the last number of years while using our roads. Ennis will host the very first "Light Up The Night" event. This is a new safety campaign that will take place on Thursday November 6th. The main focus of this campaign is to educate all vulnerable road users on how to be visible to traffic. The campaign is to ensure that all road users not only wear high visibility clothing but clothing that is reflective also. Cllr Mary Howard and Sgt. John Maloney were in studio to outline the initiative.
Catherine got in touch with us yesterday about her own adoption story. Yesterday we spoke about proposed new legislation which is aimed at helping those who have been adopted get access to their birth parents. Catherine contacted the show to talk about her owns struggles trying to find her parents. Catherine was born to an Irish mother in England and was later adopted by an Irish family. She has made many attempts to find her birth mother over the years but has been left frustrated by the Irish system. Catherine outlined the difficulties she has faced in attempting to find her family with John.
According to reports in today's Irish Times, the ECB threatened to stop emergency funding unless Ireland took bailout. The European Central Bank (ECB) explicitly threatened in late November 2010 to cut off emergency funding from the Irish banking system, unless Ireland immediately applied for a bailout and agreed a programme of austerity and bank recapitalisation. The letter from then ECB president, Jean-Claude Trichet, to former finance minister Brian Lenihan – marked "secret" – was sent on November 19th, 2010. Stephen Kinsella Economist and author discussed the letter and its repercussions with John.
Ruhama launched its 2013 Annual Report today, as the organisation marks 25 years of providing frontline services to women affected by prostitution and trafficking. (Launch at 10am today, Wednesday, in Alexander Hotel Dublin – Minister Frances Fitzgerald is unable to attend))Over the 25 years, Ruhama has assisted over 2,500 women affected by prostitution from over 60 different countries. Sarah Benson
CEO Ruhama spoke to John about the report.
The number of mumps cases this year has more than doubled over 2013, prompting medical experts to urge people to get vaccinated against the infection.Over 400 cases of mumps have been diagnosed so far this year compared to 184 cases for the whole of 2013, according to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). Most of those affected were young people aged 17 to 20 years. Dr Rose Fitzgerald
Specialist Public Health Medicine with the HSE Mid West spoke about the importance of vaccinations with John .
The glór foyer, home of Nolan & Lambe @ glór, currently boasts work from from artist Mike Lewisohn & John Kelly.John's work is an evocative and original multi award-winning photographer. As staff photographer with The Clare Champion he has chronicled the life of Clare over the past two decades; his unique photographs scratch beneath the surface of everyday activity within the county. Kelly's photographs have appeared in many publications and his work backboned the acclaimed publication, The Scattering. For this project, Kelly travelled to England, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea to record the story of those who left Clare for further fields.Clare FM's Mike Hurley took a look at the exhibition and spoke to John about his life's work.
The Ennis Trad Fest is back for 2014. The festival is 21 years old this year, hence Ennis Trad 21 and they would love for everyone to join in the celebrations With an amazing line up, a session trail & master classes, the Ennis Trad 21 has something for everyone. Michael 'Blackie' O'Connell and Murty Ryan were in studio to preform live and give listeners a taste of what they can expect from the festival over the next couple of days. Michael 'Blackie' O'Connell and Murty Ryan were in studio to preform live and give listeners a taste of what they can expect from the festival over the next couple of days.
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.