Morning Focus – Wednesday 16/10/19

Today on Morning Focus we looked ahead to the 30th Annual Clare Area AA Convention which takes place between October 18 and 20 at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis.

“John” shared his story with Gavin to help shed a light on the struggles of addiction and how Alcoholics Anonymous aided him on his journey to recovery.

Please find contact details for Alcoholics Anonymous below:
The Clare Area Phone Service – 085 1841103
You can also get in touch with the organisation via email – www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie

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Also if you missed “John’s” story, you can listen back below:

Next on the show, it has been claimed that Clare patients receiving treatment for diabetes are suffering from an “archaic service”. In light of this Clare County Council is calling on the Health Minister Simon Harris to address staffing shortages for diabetes services in the UL Hospitals Group.

Gráinne Flynn of Clare Diabetes Support Group, joined Gavin on the show today to discuss the matter. Previously, the issue has been highlighted by Diabetes Ireland who say that while there should be five Whole Time dietitians here – there were none last year, and there are other staffing shortages as well.

The Clare Diabetes Support Group estimates that there are 4,700 patients in the region served by ULHG who are being denied access to the latest therapeutic options and to educational resources to support them in managing their condition. This, in turn, is said to be worsening their outcomes and leaving them vulnerable to the complications of the condition.

Listen back to Gavin’s interview with Gráinne below:

First on Morning Focus, Bernard Purcell, Editor of The Irish World, London spoke to Gavin about the nature of a revised Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. EU and British negotiators have resume discussions this morning after what’s described as ‘constructive’ talks last night (Tue, Oct 15). The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier is due to brief ambassadors from the EU 27 member states today (Wed, Oct 16) around lunchtime. It’s understood that the main stumbling blocks include the management of customs and the role of Stormont in supporting any new agreement.

GMIT SU President Aaron Burke from Ennis is a regular commentator on issues connected to the third-level sector, but he joined Gavin in studio today on a different subject. Later this month (Oct 27), he’ll be running the Dublin City Marathon in honour of his late father, Tommy Guilfoyle, who had signed up to do it but sadly passed away from cancer in May of this year. Like his late dad, Aaron is raising funds for Sláinte an Chláir.

If you would like to donate please click here.

Also, an 80s-themed event in aid of Aaron’s fundraising will take place in Tom Steele’s Bar in Ennis on November 1st, all are welcome.

If you missed it you can listen back below:

Next, Declan Kelleher, Chairperson of Corofin Historical & Heritage Association (Cumann Staire is Dúchais Chora Finne) and Dr Maccon McNamara, President of Corofin Historical & Heritage Association joined Gavin in studio to discuss the launch of the Fr John Murphy Memorial Fund.

Mr Kelleher and Dr McNamara, are working to ensure that the contribution of a Clare man to Daniel O’Connell’s, success is remembered in the town of Corofin, where Fr John Murphy (Parish Priest of Corofin, Kilnaboy and Rath) was instrumental in getting local people behind the cause of Catholic Emancipation.

You can listen back below:

Next on the show, it’s set to be a very big weekend, for obvious reasons, for Miltown Malbay and we’ll be checking in ahead of the County Football Final on Friday. However, for today Eileen Ryan, Treasurer of Miltown Malbay Community Centre joined Gavin in studio to tell us about the launch this Saturday (Oct 19, 8pm) of the town’s new community centre. It’s a fantastic amenity and the result of a €1.4 million redevelopment project. The venue now boasts new meeting rooms, a café and a multi-use sports/concert hall with a retractable stage; and will be officially opened by Minister Michael Ring.

Lastly, to round up today’s Morning Focus, John Underhill of Burren Vets joined Gavin in studio for this week’s Ask the Vet.

This week John discussed pyoderma in animals, which is a bacterial infection of the skin.

You can listen back below: