Morning Focus began with a look at over a thousand people who turned out at Thomond Park last night to pay tribute to sporting legend Anthony Foley as he made his final trip home. The body of the Killaloe man was flown home to Shannon Airport last night on board Ryanair's corporate jet. The flight landed at Shannon Airport shortly after 6 o'clock and Garda motorcycle outriders led the cortege from the airport to Anthony’s home town of Killaloe via Thomond Park, where over a thousand fans gathered. Alan Owens, The Limerick Leader, joined Pat on the line to speak about the tributes.
Pat then spoke about Garda and teacher strikes. There's no doubt that the government is under unprecedented pressure at the moment with the prospect of secondary school closures and an absence of Gardai on the beat over four days next month. The GRA, AGSI and ASTI are the unions who've currently voted for strike action as they seek the restoration of pay cuts imposed during the recession. The threat that Gardai will walk off the job is being described as a crisis for the government and Garda management. To-date, the minority administration is taking a hard line, saying that until a new public pay commission reports, the Lansdowne Road agreement will be stuck to. The cabinet is discussing plans for the pay commission – though it won't make a report to government until next summer. Pat was joined on the line by Senator Martin Conway, FG.
We then took a look at the outrage shown by up to five thousand people who protested in the capital yesterday (Wed.s Oct. 19) calling for free third level education. The Union of Students in Ireland organised the march to Government Buildings. The union opposes the introduction of a student loan scheme – one of three third-level funding options being considered by the government. Pat’s next guest was Donal Foley, Officer with the student’s union.
Excitement is building among the business community around the county for this year's FBD Clare Business Awards Gala Ceremony. The Ceremony will be held at 7pm on Saturday next (Oct. 22) in Treacy’s West County Hotel, Limerick Road, Ennis. The evening will be a showcase of the Best In Business in County Clare as the Category Winners are announced along with the Overall Winner who will receive a Prize Pack worth €10,000! Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce joined Pat on the line to discuss the awards.
Next Pat took a look at a rather interesting book; it’s an autobiography from a man who details his struggles from dealing with a tumour in his brain and spine. Despite such a terrible diagnosis he says he hasn’t let it stop him achieving all that he wants to. The book is called Headcase and was launched last month in the Galway Bay Hotel. Pat was joined live in studio by the author John Walsh.
Morning Focus then took a look at an exciting new opportunity emerging for young people and that is the commencement of the Youth Trad Singing Circle. The group will be meeting every second Saturday in Glór here in Ennis starting this Saturday 22nd and will provide a social outlet for young Clare People who are interested in traditional singing. Gavin was joined on the line by Elle Marie O’Dwyer, the woman behind the group.
Now we’ve got something that will excite those of you who stay away from animal products. If you head down to Peckish, the new vegan café in Ennis, this evening you can catch Dr Ben Brown, a naturopathic doctor who specialises in nutrition, giving a talk on managing pain and inflammation through diet and nutrition. I have the man himself on the line with me here to provide more details. Dr Ben Brown ,Naturopathic Doctor and Author joined Pat on the line.
Pat then spoke with Eugene Hogan, spokesperson for the family of Anthony Foley, who came on the line live from Kilaloe giving all the details of the funeral arrangements of Anthony Foley.
Luka Bloom's been on a nation wide tour which winds up this Friday night with an eagerly-awaited gig at glór in Ennis. Luka's been performing material from his latest album Frúgalisto, some of which is inspired by the natural beauty of County Clare. Luka joined Pat live in studio.
Morning Focus ended with an interview with Peter O'Donohue, a clare tenor performing a the Wexford Festival Opera.
