Morning Focus heard concerns about pot holes along the edge of a stretch of the N85, one of Clare busiest roads. We all know how frustrating it is to be stuck in a traffic tailback – often headed up by a tractor or a slow moving truck. While farmers are generally required (under the Rules of the Road) to allow faster moving traffic to pass, if they can, this doesn't always happen. According to a member of the Ennis Municipal District, tractor drivers on a stretch of one of the country's busiest roads simply can't risk pulling over because of enormous potholes.
Former Mayor of Clare James Breen has expressed disappointment that works haven't been carried out to repair the lay-by near Kilnamona Cross, the only one of its kind on a long stretch of the N85. Gardaí are to be sent photos of potholes at a lay-by in a bid to ensure that farmers don't get prosecuted for holding up traffic.
Gavin spoke with former Mayor of Clare Cllr James Breen, IND, Ennis MD, CCC.
Just as the new school year gets underway, up to 1-thousand students in South East Clare have been left without a bus service into Limerick.
For around 40 years, Bus Éireann has operated a service from the Shannon Banks and Westbury areas into Limerick City.
The service, which was used by many students attending secondary school in Limerick was discontinued on Friday, with passengers advised to use alternative buses.
Councillor Cathal Crowe says parents are very angry at receiving only a five day's notice that the route was being cancelled, with some claiming that it has been axed due to a licencing issue. He's calling for the service to be reinstated.
Clare FM is awaiting a response from Bus Eireann on the issue. Gavin was joined on the line by Cllr Cathal Crowe, FF, Shannon MD, CCC.
A Shannon company is looking to a bright future with the opening of a €3 million innovation centre for the development of new technologies. Modular Automation provides services to the medical devices sector. Its expansion has lead to the doubling of its footprint in Shannon and has paved the way for further recruitment in a range of engineering roles.
Gavin spoke with Martin Dolan, part owner and commercial director of Modular Automation
The Government's been urged to act on the recommendations of the Aras Attracta care home report.
It found conditions for many of the patients at the Co. Mayo facility were "bleak" and residents there were living a "half-life".
The review group has recommended a move to a rights-based social model of service delivery – that supports their independence
Inclusion Ireland wants a guarantee of the closure of institutions for people with an intellectual disability over a five-year period. It says the report on Áras Attracta in Swinford must be implemented in full. Gavin spoke with Paddy Connolly, CEO Inclusion Ireland and with Cllr Anne Norton, IND, Ennis MD, CCC and Clinic Manager, Clare Crusaders & Mayor of Ennis
Everyone knows how uncomfortable a headache can be. Many of us know what a migraine is like, and it's altogether a different story. For children a migraine can be particularly distressing and one-in-ten kids live with this debilitating condition.
To support children and families coping with this situation, a Young People’s Migraine Information Seminar will take place on Saturday next (Sept 10) at 11am in the Castletroy Park Hotel, Castletroy, Limerick. Gavin spoke with Dr Patrick Daly, former Clinical Director, Migraine Clinic, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, thousands of Irish men and women arrived in Mexico and South America lured by the promise of adventure, fame and fortune. They were soldiers, spies, sailors, merchants and diplomats. Among then was Ennis native, Thomas O’Gorman. He emigrated with his French wife, Ana, and his in-laws from Mauritius to South America at the end of the eighteenth century. While Thomas tried to make his fortune, Ana became one of the most renowned hostesses in Buenos Aires. The O’Gormans played host to the cream of Buenos Aires society, while Ana became notorious in Buenos Aires for taking lovers such as the Irish spy, James Florence Bourke, one of her husband’s former comrades-in-arms.
Paisanos [PAY-ZAN-Os] tells the story of the O’Gormans and the many other Irish men and women who helped fashion the New World and sowed the seeds of Ireland’s revolutions to follow. It's author Tim Fanning joined Gavin to talk about this remarkable era.
You might remember that on Monday's show, we referred to an article in the Irish Indpendent which suggested that busy parents could be risking their children's health by "not being there" and not getting to know them as well as they should.
The results of a unique study by UCC – which will be published later this month – is set to reveal that many feel their parents are too often absent, and that the lack of quality time is also having a negative impact on their health. The study, which will feed into the National Obesity Policy, found that both primary and secondary pupils felt "no one is listening to [their] opinions".
Gavin got some advice for busy parents from Andreja Varga of Planika Coaching.
Gavin's next guest has put his vivid imagination to good use in a career creating comic book characters. Brendan McCarthy who's worked on Oscar-winning productions including Mad Max has just launched his new comic creation. 'Dream Gang' is a comic book thriller set in the world of dreams: A group of gifted psychics, the Dream Gang, are able to travel through other people's dreams at night. They uncover a dark conspiracy to destroy
humanity by an invasion from within.
Brendan co-wrote and designed the acclaimed Oscar-winning movie Mad Max Fury Road as well as having spent many years working in Hollywood on pop videos and TV as a designer (for people like Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, etc) and also as a comic book creator on strips like Judge Dredd, Spider-Man and Batman.
The Rio Olympics haven't exactly been Ireland's finest hour, but still we did enjoy some hard-earned success despite the controversy. Tomorrow (Thursday), the Paralymic Games get underway with high hopes for the 48-strong Team Ireland. That's despite news that Olympics organisers have cut budgets for the event. A former paralympian James Murrihy joins me now in studio. James now works as Sports Inclusion Disability Officer and has participated in the Games in London and Beijing. Gavin was joined in studio by James Murrihy from Quilty, Sports Inclusion Disability Officer with Clare Sports Partnership.
Morning Focus then asked if you remember your first set of wheels? And it was, by any chance a Ford Fiesta? We'll if it's of a certain vintage, you might be eligible to enter the search for Ireland's oldest model.
The Fiesta was first introduced to Ireland and Europe in 1976 – so it's hit the big 4-0 this year. As part of the celebrations, Ford in Ireland is hoping to uncover Ireland’s oldest one.
Launched in the same year as Apple Computers and supersonic passenger flights on Concorde, few could have predicted the Fiesta’s phenomenal success story.
Gavin spoke with Eddie Rynne, General Manager, T Sheils Ford, Gort Road, Ennis
This edition of Morning Focus concluded with our regular Ask the Vet slot with John Underhill of Burren Vets.
