MORNING FOCUS MONDAY 3RD NOVEMBER
Almost 2,500 people took part in anti water charges protests in Clare this weekend. Enda Kenny, Not another Penny and Clare says no, Hear the Banner Roar were just some of the chants to be heard as the marchers battled pouring rain to have their voices heard.In Ennis 1,200 people took to the streets with the same amount in Shannon and 50 in Westbury. There was a festive atmosphere in Ennis where a Bluegrass band led the March around the town. Breda McManus and Kathleen Austin who are members of the Clare says #no campaign joined John to speak about the weekends events.
Senator Martin Conway spoke to John about the issue of cyber bullying.Senator Conway was critised on social media recently following an appearance on the Vincent Brown Show where he said water doesn’t fall from the sky, on-online forums criticism for Senator Conway veered into the personal with some mocking his vision impairment. Martin received widespread praise last week from confronting the issue again on the Vincent Brown Show highlighting the issue of on-line bullying.
There were chaotic scenes at the Central Criminal Court on Friday after a 40 year old Co Clare man was convicted of murdering Piotr Nowakowski (peter nova kovskee) in Ennis last year.Supporters of the accused man Michael Maughan of Stone Court, Ennis, shouted abuse at the jury and overturned a bench in the court room.It took the jury under 2 and a half hours to unanimously convict Michael Maughan of the murder of Piotr Nowakowski at Sandfield Mews in Ennis in July last year.He had admitted manslaughter. Francesca Comyn Clare FM Courts Correspondent described the scenes with John.
Sergeant Joe Downey joined in studio to discuss policing and crime issues which have arisen over the past 7 days.
The inspiration adventurer and motivational speaker Mark Pollock spoke to John this morning ahead of a screening of a documentary which explores Marks life in the Glor theatre on Tuesday 4th November. Unbroken by blindness in 1998, Mark went on to compete in ultra endurance races across deserts, mountains, and the polar ice caps including being the first blind person to race to the South Pole. He also won silver and bronze medals for rowing at the Commonwealth Games and set up a motivational speaking business. In 2010 Mark was left paralysed after falling from a second story window. He is now exploring the frontiers of spinal injury recovery as the world's leading test pilot of Ekso robotic legs combined with aggressive physical therapy and innovative electrical stimulation.
Four popular Clare pubs – Morrissey’s of Doonbeg, Vaughan’s Anchor Inn in Liscannor, Wild Honey Inn in Lisdoonvarna and Linnane’s Lobster Bar in New Quay – have retained their listing in the new-look 2015 Michelin ‘Eating Out In Pubs’ Guide just published.Wild Honey Inn has also secured an Inspector’s Favourite commendation.Twenty-three other pubs from the Republic of Ireland and seven from Northern Ireland also feature in the publication. Rebecca Burr Michelin Guide Editor, spoke with John about the award’s.
Finally as always on a Monday John Murphy, wildlife expert and Chairperson of 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.
