On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Anne Marie Flanagan from Corofin
She is terrified her PA hours will be cut- after working and paying tax for 21 years- putting herself through college
She said her whole life would change if she didn’t have a PA and thinks decision makers are not seeing the person behind the word ‘disabled’
Tom King of the Disabled People of Clare and National Vice President of the Centre for Independent Living
spoke ahead of a protest they have organised outside Dail Eireann at noon today and Wednesday at 2-4 pm
He says the Minister for Health will make the disabled ‘prisoners in their own homes’ after the HSE announcement that €10 million is to be wiped from the Personal Assistance Service budget
There’s 1,700 plus getting PA hours at present and as many waiting to get the service
Joe Carey TD of Fine Gael joined John in studio to respond
He was away when this announcement was made last week- he says the vast amount of cutbacks are in administration he says, so frontline have been spared as much as they can be
Pat Murphy of the Sunset Foundation in Ennis said that vulnerable, disabled people cannot afford any more cuts.
The Clare Samaritans are holding two selection/recruitment events, the first on Thursday at 8pm at the Templegate Hotel and the second on Saturday at 10am in the Old Ground Hotel
The Samaritans base in Clare is on the Kilrush Road in Ennis and they offer confidential emotional support to people who are experiencing feelings of distress and despair, including feelings that may lead to suicide
This is done by listening to people and giving them an opportunity to talk about their problems
For the most part this is done over the phone but visitors are also welcome to call to the centre or to make contact by email
Gerry Dobbins, Director of the Clare Samaritans and Kevin Phelan, Director of Training joined John in studio
All new volunteers take part in a comprehensive training programme, Kevin explained what the training entails
Two men in their twenties remain in Garda custody this morning, in connection with the murder of Robert Sheehan in Bunratty
The 21 year old, from Moyross in Limerick, was gunned down outside the
Bunratty Castle Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning, as he attended a family wedding reception
He was taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, where he lost his fight for life yesterday evening
Gardaí have launched a murder investigation and say they’re following a number of lines of inquiry
They’re appealing for anyone with information in connection with this murder to contact them
Superintendent Derek Smart of Ennistymon yesterday at a press conference renewed an appeal for information about the gun attack
Barry Duggan, The Irish Independent’s Midwest Correspondent expanded the story.
Contact the incident room at Shannon Garda Station on 061 365900
Garda Confidential line- 1800 666 111
The Ennis Toastmasters club is 38 years old and wish to promote the club’s activities for the coming season
The club is recommencing today and they wish to remind people of the many benefits and skills that can be acquired and developed by joining toastmasters
Geraldine Gregan from Clarecastle is the President of Ennis Toastmasters
She has been a member of the 30 strong group for the past three years and says and is a great social outlet
Club PRO Dermot Hayes encouraged people to come along to their meeting tonight in the Templegate Hotel at 8pm
Clare ISPCA Warden Frankie Coote was in studio to advise people on the proper care of animals
The Clare Dog Shelter was under pressure yesterday as 17 dogs were handed in because of the recession, peopler emigrating etc
Frankie also had some advice for animal owners ahead of Winter
Clare ISPCA Dog Shelter 065 6820393
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