On today's edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke,
Michelle Hayes from Gleann anoir Estate, Shannon emailed Clare FM regarding a public meeting being held by concerned residents about the go ahead of the crematorium in Shannon, tonight at 8pm in the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon. The main concerns include the location of the crematorium and the size of the site in which it is to be built – at 1.3 acres, there are fears the site is too small and that may have a knock on effect to the surrounding residental estates.
April is Alcohol Awareness Week and Alcohol Action Ireland held a national conference on Girls, Women and Alcohol: The Changing Nature of Female Alcohol Consumption in Ireland yesterday whereby the focus was on the changing culture among women and their drinking habits and its effects including the increase risk of breast cancer. Catherine Keane Head of Public Affairs and Policy Alcohol Action Ireland spoke to us following the coference and Dr. Tony Cox, an Ennis based GP and the President of Ireland's College of GPs also joined us in studio to offer information and advice regarding alcohol units.
Investigations are continuing into how a boat loaded with migrants capsized in the Mediterranean on Sunday, after leaving Libya, where it is estimated between 800 and 1000 migrants drowned. The Tunisian captain and a Syrian crew member have been arrested and are facing charges arising out of the incident, which the UN fears has left 800 people dead. Around 27 people were rescued and are recovering. EU ministers have announced measures to help stop the crisis in the Mediterranean – including a proposal to double the size of its search and rescue operations. Colm O Gorman Executive Director, Amnesty International Ireland gave us the latest on this tradegy.
Cystic Fibrosis Sufferer Tom King from Tulla joined us in studio to talk about his battle with the condition. At 62 Tom says he's the oldest living Irish person on CF Registers and was told by doctors he wouldn't make it past his 40's. Tom defied those odds to qualify as an Electrician and a Chef, he married nad has two sons and a grandson. He's a National Board member with the Centre for Independent Living and has worked with the Disabled People of Clare Group for many years. Though his health is failing and he's now confined to a wheelchair, Tom is proud of his achievements in life and hopes new medical advances and improved facilities at the Hospital in Limerick will offer more hope to CF sufferers now and in the future.
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland's 65 Roses national awareness week in Clare, from April 20 to 26. As part of the week, on Saturday April 25, volunteers will be selling 65 Roses pins and silk Purple Roses in the Sky Court Shopping Centre in Shannon with funds raised going towards CF research, the development of new CF health facilities and the provision of patient grants. People are also being encouraged to take up a 65 Roses Challenge—one of any number of 65-themed fundraisers detailed on www.cfireland.ie—or to make a €2 donation directly now by texting "65ROSES" to 50300*
Morning Focus Emigration Generation
Mark Taylor from Ralahine Newmarket on Fergus contacted Clare FM and Morning Focus regarding an idea to set up a call with Clare people living around the world and speak to them about their experiences. Largely inspired by the Irish Times “Emigration Generation” feature – which Mark says focuses a lot on people in Canada OZ, New Zealand and the UK, but less on the people in other more obscure countries. Mark works in Marine Shipping and has been living in Santiago, Chile for the past four years. He outlined some of the challenges he faced moving away from home, significantly the language barrier. Truthfully Mark says he would love to return home and work in the Clare región. It was fantastic to hear from Mark, if you have friends or family living/working abroad that would like to speak to us please get in touch via email [email protected]
Youth Work Ireland Week, now in its 4th year, runs all this week from April 18th – 25th and Clare Youth Service has a full programme of activities based on this year’s national theme of ‘Hear Us Now’. Brian McManus Youth Worker from Clare Youth Centre outlined to us the schedule of events for the week in the county.
If you have a comment or query for Morning Focus please email [email protected]
