On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke was joined by Jim McMahon from Ennis. Jim’s daughter Ellen and her two friends, Aisling O’Sullivan and Eve Copley, who are currently undertaking their Junior Cert exams, are being hailed as heroes after helping to rescue a woman and her dog from the river bank in the town. The female pedestrian got into difficulty after her dog jumped into the water at Steele’s Rock opposite’s Carney’s Pub on Lifford Road and she subsequently went into the river to try and save him. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening at around 7pm. The young students then quickly grabbed a nearby lifebuoy from the river bank and threw it to the woman who managed to latch on and eventually was pulled from the water. Also joining the show was Liam Griffin of Clare Civil Defence who paid tribute to the quick thinking of the young students. He also pointed out how vital it is to have life saving equipment on hand for just such an incident.
Christine Buckley, Institutional Abuse Survivor and Founder of the Ashlinn Centre spoke to Clare FM’s John Cooke this morning. It follows the news that the Pope’s representative at the 50th International Eucharistic Congress has met with victims of clerical child sex abuse. The Papal Legate held two hours of talks with a group of survivors during a penitential pilgrimage to Lough Derg in Co. Donegal. Cardinal Marc Ouellet says the Pontiff asked him to go to the island to seek forgiveness from God and the abuse victims. The Papal Legate is also reaffirming the commitment from the Catholic Church to create a safe environment for children. Christine feels the time was not appropriate and in order to show true sincerity Pope Benedict himself should have come.
Gary Redmond, President of the Union of Student in Ireland (USI) discussed how the students group has welcomed the new online system for student grants launched earlier today. The new central agency, SUSI, is a much welcomed development and will speed up the processing and issuing of grant payments. However, USI says any attempt at reform must include the provision of adequate financial assistance for those families struggling the most.
Brendan Price is the Director and Founder member of the Irish Seal Sanctuary joined the show to talk about whether or not seals are damaging fisheries off the West Coast.
It comes as a Fine Gael councillor has called for seal culling to be introduced along the west coast. Galway County Councillor Seosamh Ó Laoi said the increase in the seal population was responsible for a steep decline in inshore fish catches. Mr. Ó Laoi referred to past practice where fishermen carried guns in their boats, and "kept the place clean”. He said that a cull was necessary and that it had to be carried out urgently. Brendan Price disagrees with a cull without scientific studies but says there are ways to compromise between wildlife and fishing interests.
Mayor of Clare Pat Hayes was in studio ahead of today’s civic reception for President Michael D. Higgins. President Higgins will visit Aras Chontae an Chlair in Ennis at 12 noon to meet local councillors and invited guests. At 4pm he’ll visit the East Clare Co-op in Scarriff at their community garden to honour their 25 years of operations in the area. At 5pm the President will visit Irish Seed Savers in Capparoe, Scarriff.
Mayor Hayes also paid tribute to the Clare Samaritans who were honoured with a reception on Monday to mark their 30 years of service to the county.
Roisin Ni Ghairbhith, Green Schools Travel Education Officer discussed Bike Week 2012, which takes place from 16th to 24th June, with cycling events all over the country, organised by local authorities, community groups, charities and cycling groups. Bike Week is the opportunity for people to get back on the saddle – for commuting or for recreation or just for the sheer joy of it! For details see www.bikeweek.ie
Professor Kieran Murphy, President of the Medical Council spoke to John Cooke about the role of the Medical Council and what it means to the general public. He also advised how people can make complaints about doctors and other medical practitioners and what they can expect. It comes as there was a 5% increase in the number of complaints against registered doctors last year. In its annual report, the Medical Council said that as a result of these complaints eight doctors had lost their right to practice in Ireland.
John Underhill of Burren Vets and Clare FM’s Resident Vet answered listener’s queries about pets of all shapes and sizes and answered queries on farm animals.
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