On Wednesday's edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke
Plans to construct a crematorium in Shannon have moved a step closer. Clare County Councillors have agreed that the local authority should sell a 1.3 acre at Illaunamanagh which is set to be home to the first crematorium in the MidWest. Businessman Jim Cranwell is to pay 140 thousand euro for the site, and has been told to build the Crematorium within two years. Jim spoke to John about the plans ahead. Mr. Cranwell already has planning permission to construct a chapel, crematorium, rememberance gardens and other associated works at the site in question.
Following concerns about damage to the iconic sculture of Daniel O'Connel in the town centre including fears it may be leaning to one side as heard on yesterday's show – Clare County Council agreed to carry out assessments to ensure the structure is safe and properly preserved for the future. Dick Cronin is the Councils Conservation officer and with the help of the local fire service – he and others were hoisted up O'Connells colum to go face to face with the historic leader – John spoke to him about what happened this morning.
Carmel Martyn from Cooraclare spoke to us next regarding the Leaving Cert System. Carmel sharply criticised what she calls the injustices of the points system after her son missed out on his dream third-level course by a quarter of a percentage point. Last August student Frankie Martyn missed out on securing a course in biomedical science at NUIG after being denied an A1 in biology despite being only one quarter of a percentage point off 90 per cent. The student remained on 89.75 per cent in biology due to a State Examinations Commission (SEC) policy of not rounding up percentages in the Leaving Cert. This resulted in him securing 535 points instead of the 540 required to enter the biomedical science course.
Next, Darragh Glynn, Principle of C.B.S National School Ennis spoke to us ahead of their Car Free Day at the school tomorrow. Roisin Garvey from An Taisce have been working with the school on it's 4th green flag the Sustainable Travel flag. The aim of the 4th green flag is to encourage pupils, staff and parents to walk, cycle, carpool, park and stride or use public transport on the school run instead of always relying on the private car.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Group has said the Airport could benefit in an IAG takeover of Aer Lingus. Neil Pakey had previously expressed concerns about the proposed deal, and is still standing firm in his view that Shannon's access to Heathrow must be maintained for the good of the region.
But he has now told Clare Fm that there may be more opportunities for Shannon in the event that IAG becomes the owner of the former flag carrier. Following a private briefing to member of Clare County Council this week, Neil Pakey spoke to local reporters including Clare FM's Gavin Grace and began by commenting on the progress of the Independent Shannon Airport to date.
Grandparents who mind their grandchildren for long periods can display significant signs of depression. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin looked at the experience of seven and a half thousand older people for the study. It found that 60 per cent looked after their grandchildren at some point in the previous month. The more time they spent looking after their grandchildren – the more significant the depressive symptoms. Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communication at Age Action Ireland outlined his thoughts on the findings. While, Bernie in Ennis, Grandmother to 10 beautiful grandkids, whom she minds throughout the week, says contrary to the report in the Irish Independent, she would be depressed without her grandchildren. And claims they keep her young! Mary in Clarecastle is also a Grandmother who looks after her granddaughter during the week, she says while it can be demanding, she is delighted to be able to help her daughter out, as childcare is so expensive.
It is not widely known but back in the early 20th century, there were specialist institutions within the prison system to hold people who had been convicted of drunkenness and related offences. The largest was the national reformatory in Ennis and nearly two thirds of its inmates were women. Dr Conor Reidy Lecturer in the History Dept at the University of Limerick's latest study entitled 'Criminal Irish Drunkards: the inebriate reformatory system, 1900-1920', incorporates an examination of the relationship between alcoholism and criminality in early C20th Ireland, the reformation and institutional treatment of habitual drunkards as well as the effects of habitual drunkenness on children.
Morning Focus Animal Matters with John Underhill of Burren Vets next, where he answered some of your pet queries.
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