On Thursdays Thursday's Morning Focus with Gavin
On Wednesday, there were 45 people on trollies in University Hospital Limerick. Nurses are threatening Industrial Action due to overcrowding in three hospitals including Limericks UHL. Mary Fogarty, the Industrial Relations Officer Midwest (INMO) spoke to Gavin about the issues the hospitals are facing.
Taxi driver Martin White discusses the situation of students being stranded in Ennis due to a bus that ran from Ennis to St. Josephs Secondary School, Tulla, being cancelled. The parents of the four students attending the school have to car pool but feel that a bus should be put in place for insurance reasons. It is likely that there will be an increase of students from Ennis attending the secondary school in Tulla due to a bigger school opening in March.
Ciara McCullagh has been on the Morning Focus show previously talking about the UV run in Killaloe that took place in April. Ciara's father Joseph died by suicide so Ciara is trying to break the stigma against mental illness and she is sending the message that it is OK to have that conversation about depression. She wants to bring colour into people's lives and she is helping out with the Light Up the Night for Cycle Against Suicide in Ennis on October 10th in Lees Road Park at 8.30 PM. Register on eventbrite.ie / Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Light-Up-The-Night-for-Cycle-Against-Suicide/
Clare suicide bereavement support 086-0565373 / Pieta House Midwest 061-484444 / Samaritans of Ennis and Clare 116 123
The University of Limerick are making big changes in the LGBT community. Talking to Gavin, the UL Student Union President, Colin Clark, discusses the installation of the campus' first ever gender neutral toilets. The new facility was launched last Thursday. Colin stated that this feature is part of the union’s aim to provide “equal access to public facilities and for all students to be able to safely and comfortably use a public rest-room”. LGBT society chairperson Sean Lynch said that this facility is a “huge part of making trans people feel more safe and more accepted”. Mr Clarke said that this new feature is about “breaking down barriers and ensuring that our Students Union and University are a welcoming place for everyone.
We were joined by Dr. Máire Finn from the Ennis Family Medical Centre for Morning Focus Health Matters. Today's topic was a baby's first year. Many people text in with questions medical questions relating to a child under 12 months.
In today's gardening segment, Michelle Flannery from Busy Bee Garden Centre & Tea Rooms Clondrinagh Ennis Road, Limerick, spoke to Gavin about Spring flowering bulbs which you are supposed to plant now for the Spring. She also spoke about what to plant in window boxes and hanging baskets for Autumn/Winter.
Dr. Fergal Barry was next on to speak about his new title of GMIT President which he begins on the first of October. Fergal is a native of Shannon and is currently the Vice President of Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT). He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from UL and Executive MA from UCC.
There are many events taking place this weekend, Gavin spoke to a number of people about the upcoming events. Michael King, the co-ordinator of the Harvest Mass at Coore church, told us about the event taking place on Saturday the 12th of September at 2pm. There will be a thrashing in full operation, butter being made, face painting and more. A mass of rememberance will also be said on Sunday at 1pm. Mary O'Brien is the event organiser of the Burren Peaks Walking Festival which is due to take place on the 12-14 of September. Check out – http://www.burrenpeakswalkingfestival.com/ for all the information. David O'Brien is the organiser of the Water Festival in Killaloe. It will be on the 11th of September to the 13th of September 2015. Visit www.killaloewaterfestival.com to find out about all the events taking place. Sunniva O'Flynn also came on the show to speak about the infamous Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking festival. Sunniva is the Head of the Irish Programming Irish Film Institute. She talked to us about the unique films that will be presented at the festival.
Lastly, Gavin talked to James O'Connor, the MD EMEA Operations Centre Microsoft and Event participant for the Laura Lynn Children's Hospice. He wants to raise awareness and will be in Kilrush today to promote the event.
