On Mondays Morning Focus John began by speaking to Ciara Meehan. Ciara had been in rented accommodation until six weeks ago with her partner and her four children. The landlady has been forced to put the house up for sale. Ciara's been on the housing list for 10 years. The family had moved in with her partner's sister but her husband is very unwell and it didn't work out. They're now in a two bedroom apartment with her partner's mother.
She's in her 80s and needs rest as would any person of her age, she has also had health issues recently. The children are aged 9, 8, 5 and 2. Her partner is on disability and she isn't working at present. Ciara is signed up to go on a Fás training course in September once the toddler is in playschool. One child is sleeping on a sofa; two are sharing a single bed while the toddler is sharing a mattress with Ciara and her Partner Tom. She says she's tried everything to get accommodation but landlords seem to think they'll trash the place if they're on rent allowance. Ciara says things have been extremely difficult and she's never felt this low. The older children are in Cloghleigh primary school. But if they don't find anything she'll have to take them out and move out to Kilmaley with her mum. She doesn't drive. She says last w eek her eldest asked her "Mammy why are we homeless" and she didn't know what to say. She says knows families who've gotten houses recently who weren't on the list as long as she has and the council advised her to look at the homeless sector for support but she doesn't want to bring her children into a shelter as she'd be afraid of the situations you might find there. e says the children are very upset at not having their own home and she feels terrible about it all.
Up next John was joined in studio by Doirin Graham Chief Executive of Clare Local Development Company and Stephen Walsh Chairman of Clare Local Development Company ahead of a meeting tonight at 6.00pm in the West County Hotel, Ennis regarding Minister Phil Hogan's Alignment proposals for the scheme. The purpose of the meeting is to:
Explain what 'Alignment' is
Explain what is likely to happen in Co. Clare
Hear what our politicians have to say
Ennis Chamber and Promote Ennis campaign for increased bus services. Representatives of Ennis Chamber and Promote Ennis recently raised the issue the closure of Ennis Bus Station with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Alan Kelly, TD and members of Bus Eireann Management. At a meeting organised by Labour TD Michael McNamara, Ennis Chamber CEO Rita Mc Inerney met with Minister of State at his offices in Kildare Street to highlight the concern of the business community in Ennis at the loss of a staffed Bus Eireann office in Ennis. John spoke to Rita about the issue and where they hop to go next.
Sergeant Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer with the Clare Garda Division appealed for the public's assistance with information on crimes committed in the county over the past seven days. Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.
Thousands of people have responded to a grieving mother's plea for wider availability of life-saving EpiPen injections to help people with potentially fatal food allergies. Caroline Sloan, whose teenage daughter Emma died after suffering a fatal reaction to a restaurant nut sauce, has launched a petition to free up access to the life-saving injection devices. The petition has been rolled out in Ennis over the weekend. John spoke to Caroline about the campaign. Those who wish to sign the petition can do so on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1410835352514803/?fref=ts
With the help of the sports department we take a look back at the highlights of the weekends sporting action. This week we look at Clare football, Soccer, the big Rugby game and Clare Camogie.
Finally Tom Lynch with the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland joined John in studio to answer listeners' bird and wildlife queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
