Morning Focus – Wednesday 06/09/17

The midweek edition of Morning Focus looked ahead to a range of events coming up around the Banner County, including the launch of the Ennis Food Festival.

There was also a strong focus on political matters, with the Cabinet preparing to meet today and the Sinn Féin think-in underway in County Meath. The show opened with a chat with the Irish Examiner’s Political Editor, Daniel McConnell who looked ahead to the new political term.

Sinn Féin MEP Líadh Ní Ríada then joined Gavin on the line from the party think-in.

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The talk then turned to the challenges facing hauliers who are appealing to the government not to hike diesel prices. Gavin was joined by Ennis haulier Eugene Drennan.

We then returned to the issues around hospice care for Palliative Care Week. Morning Focus Producer Fiona McGarry joined Gavin in studio to chat about interviews conducted at Milford Hospice. Listen back below:

The problems associated with high blood pressure were highlighted with Marese Damery, Health Check Manager with Irish Heart.

Gavin then caught up with Chris Whitehead a Banner native who now lives in the UK and who is walking the Wild Atlantic Way to raise funds for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The Ennis Food Festival is being launched this weekend and takes place from October 12 to 15. Ahead of the launch, Gavin was joined in studio by Mark Harris of the Wine Buff, Ennis and by Brian O’Neill from the Rowan Tree Café Bar, Ennis. On the line was CEO of Clare Local Enterprise Office (LEO), Padraic McElwee. Listen back below:

Clare Samaritans are looking for volunteers and Gavin was joined by Brendan Cunningham who told him about information evenings on September 12 and 14 at the Samaritan Centre, Sunville on the Kilrush Road in Ennis. More details on these events is available by calling 065 682 9777.

Anyone needing support can call the Samaritans on their freephone number 116 123 or log on to their website.

You can listen back to the interview with Brendan Cunningham below:

The Shannon Group Charity Committee at Shannon Airport is to hold a charity cycle along the Wild Atlantic Way and Gavin was joined on the line by Pamela Brooks to find out more about the event.

Vet John Underhill returned to his regular Wednesday slot, rounding off Morning Focus with a chat about pet and livestock health.