Morning Focus Friday May 17

The results of a postmortum on the body of a Polish man who died after a hit and run in Ennis is expected to determine the direction of the Garda investigation
The father of one, named locally as Thomas Nowakowski – died just 100 metres from his home in Tobartascain on Wednesday night

On Friday’s Morning Focus Clare FM’s Deputy News Editor Trudy Waters joined John Cooke in studio with the latest from the Garda investigation

It’s understood Thomas Nowakowski was on two weeks holidays from his job at Hillbilly’s fast food restaurant on O’Connell Street in Ennis town centre when he was struck by a car near his home in the Tobartascain area on Wednesday night
His wife and 18 month old daughter recently returned home to Poland for a brief visit
Yesterday Gardaí were making efforts to contact her while its understood a co- worker formally identified his remains following a postmortum carried out by Dr Marie Cassidy at the Mid West Regional Hospital in Limerick

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Hillbilly’s Spokesperson Dermot Carberry  said the staff at Hillbilly’s on O’Connell Street in Ennis are devastated at the loss of Thomas – a valued member of staff and a lovely person.

Mayor of Clare and Ennis Councillor Pat Daly expressed his sympathy to the family and friends of Thomas Nowakowski on their tragic loss.

Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.

Agreement has been reached between unions and management in the Bus Éireann dispute over cost-saving measures
It followed around 23 hours of talks between the two sides facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission
If the proposed measures are accepted by trade union members, the agreement will begin on 1 June and run until January 2015
In a statement, the company said the measures will help protect the future of the company, 2,500 jobs and 300 routes around the country
John spoke with former Killaloe Councillor and NBRU Executive Member Tony O’Brien who said the agreement means that company executives are contributing and paying their way too.

Canon Brendan O’Donoghue joined John in studo to speak about the Shannon Parish Mission taking place this weekend

Cannon O’Donoghue has been a priest in St Senan’s parish in Shannon for 25 years and was a priest in Ennis for 22 years
Born in Dublin, raised in Laois, he moved to St Flannan’s College for his secondary schooling as a boarder in 1944 and in 1961 he returned to St. Flannan’s to teach.
See www.shannonparish.ie

The annual Clare 250 mile Cycle takes place this weekend, as over 70 cyclists take to the roads of Co Clare to raise money for the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes and the Clare 250 cancer centre

John was joined in studio by three cyclists who have done the cycle for the past 21 years; Jimmy Maher from Quin, Christy Cullen from the Clon Road, Ennis and Stevie Malone from Kilnaboy

Clare FM’s, Chris Hanrahan will be following the progress of the cyclists and keeping us in touch right throughout the two days.

The Fisheries Awareness Week event in Clare this year is a very early morning  River Walk in Ennistymon looking at the Inagh River Biodiversity and Fisheries & Wildlife taking place this Saturday
Information will be provided to participants by IFI staff on the Fisheries Conservation and Enforcement projects that are on-going locally
Ken O’Neill, Fisheries Assistant Inspector at Inland Fisheries Ireland, explained.
Booking is essential so call 061 300 238 if you are interested.
 
The Pink Angel Ball in memory of Maureen Lavery will take place at the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis on Saturday
It’s all in aid of Clare Cancer Support and Cahercalla Hospice
One of the Pink Angel Ball organisers Orla Meehan had a word with John.
Maureen Lavery Pink Angel Ball is on facebook.

Fleadh Nua 2013 takes place this Sunday and runs until May 27th
Chairman of Fleadh Nua Micheál Ó Riabhaigh joined John in studio, along with renowned accordion player and maker Martin Connolly

Martin provided some music to get people in the mood for the Fleadh.

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