Abuse allegations against a Christian Brother from Clarecastle will be reviewed by RTE, but only if his family can offer new evidence in the case
The late Brother Gerard Dillon was accused of abusing boys during his time as a teacher in South Africa, in the Primetime investigates Mission to Prey Programme in which Fr Kevin Reynolds was defamed
The Dillon family protest his innocence and have campaigned for a review of the case since last year when flaws in the Television expose were first revealed, and yesterday the issue was dealt with by RTE’s Director General before an Oireachtas committee
Noel Curran indicated he’s willing to look at new evidence from the Dillon family but he said RTE stands over the testimony of a former pupil of Brother Dillon in the programme which have been backed up by others
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke got Br Dillon’s family’s reaction when he spoke to Amanda Dillon, Br Gerard Dillon’s grand niece.
There was a 9 percent increase in the number of elder abuse cases reported to the Health Service Executive last year
The HSE received over 2,000 referrals
In the majority of cases the elderly person was being abused by a family member
The most common type of abuse reported in 2011 was psychological at 35 percent
However 23 percent of the referrals were in relation to financial abuse which the HSE says is on the increase
Paschal Moynihan- Specialist, Services for Older People with the HSE Mid-West- discussed with John
Also, Eamon Timmons of Age Action Ireland welcomed the report – saying the growing awareness of the issue is positive
Contact Age Action Ireland on 01 4756989 or contact the HSE on 1850 24 1850.
Reknowned artist and Ennis native Mick O’Dea joined John to discuss the Ireland’s favourite painting competition
The results will be released tomorrow
Amongst the 10 shortlisted works is one of artist Frederic William Burton’s Hellelil And Hildebrand: The Meeting On The Turret Stairs, 1864, he lived in Corofin
Mick’s own exhibition ‘Trouble’ is currently showing at the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery in Dublin
He also has 5 new works being premiered at the Annual Royal Hibernian Academy Exhibition in opening in Dublin on Monday
He also has an exhibition in the Norman Villa Gallery Galway as part of the Arts Festival in July
The Abbey Theatre will unveil a portrait of Sebastian Barry that they commissioned Mick to do in the coming weeks.
World Multiple Sclerosis Day takes place on Wednesday 30th May so Clare FM is calling on the people of Clare to get involved by throwing your own McVitie’s Digestives Tea Party to raise money for counselling, exercise programme and other services the Midwest
We gave away a McVitie’s hamper to a listeners to hold their own MS Tea Party to raise funds for local services- tune in again tomorrow for the chance to win a McVitie’s Hamper
Visit www.ms-society.ie
Bernie Aherne who is from Killaloe but living in Portroe has has been through cancer twice
Just before Christmas 2002, Bernie found a small lump on her right breast- she had a mastectomy
Then in 2010 she found another lump- she had a second mastectomy and more rounds of chemotherapy, happily Bernie is now in remission
After her ordeal, Bernie ploughed all her resources into fundraising for charities and has raised almost €90,000 to date
Bernie’s message is the importance of self- examination and early diagnosis
She shared her personal story with Morning Focus listeners ahead of the Killaloe Pink Ribbon Walk 2012 taking place on Saturday, 16 June (registrations will close on Wednesday, 13 June)
Nicola Wood, Chairperson of the Pink Ribbon Walk, encourged people to get involved this year and support their fundraising efforts
The Pink Ribbon Walk is a volunteer-led event which raises funds for Action Breast Cancer and the Irish Cancer Society
It helps increase awareness, provides vital information and runs a national helpline for anyone who has any concerns about breast cancer, or for families that need support
The more people are aware and informed the greater chance they have of surviving this disease
Since the first Killaloe PRW in 2010 they have raised almost €140,000 for Action Breast Cancer
For more information go to www.pinkribbonwalk.ie and follow them on Facebook
Paul Wolfe of Clare Citizens’ Information Service answered listeners’ social welfare, employment and consumer law queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
