On Monday’s Morning Focus Marian Egan spoke with Caroline Clifford, Industrial Officer with Mandate trade union and Dunnes Stores staff representative for Clare, Limerick, Kerry & North Tipperary
The union representing Dunnes Stores staff in County Clare has expressed deep concerns over plans by the company to withdraw parking facilities for workers
Mandate members held a meeting in Ennis on Thursday night where employees at the major retailer claimed the move would place a huge financial burden on them as well as pose a health and safety risk
The company communicated to staff in approximately 47 stores nationwide informing them that the company is withdrawing parking facilities to facilitate the Easter period, but workers in several other stores – like Ennis say they‘ve been told this is a permanent measure
We have requested a statement from Dunnes Stores and are awaiting a reply.
The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) is to be officially established from today -25th of March – it’s a new body established under the provisions of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012
The Board will oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million pledged by the religious congregations to support the needs of some 15,000 survivors of residential institutional child abuse
These survivors have received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or equivalent court awards.
The Alliance Victim Support Group was established in 1999 to meet the needs of individuals who have been abused as children in Ireland’s State-run residential institutions
Marian spoke with Tom Hayes, the Secretary of The Alliance Victim Support Group and a survivor of Institutions in Killarney and Glin, Co. Limerick – Tom is originally from Croom
He discussed his group, the statutory fund the supports it can offer to victims, like Medical, Dental, Housing needs etc – not more compensation
For more information see www.alliancesupport.org or call Tom on 048 388 71708.
Dr. Rose Fitzgerald is a Public Health Specialist with the HSE
Dhe spoke with Marian about TB rates in Ireland that are now at an all time low
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre has announced that there were 368 cases of TB notified in Ireland during 2012, the lowest notification rate since TB surveillance began in 1998. The figures were released to mark World TB Day which took place yesterday (Sunday March 24th). The said that the decline in TB in Ireland was good news, but stressed the need to remain vigilant against the disease as cases of TB are still occurring in Ireland.
Garda Albert Hardiman of Ennis Garda Station appealed for information on recent local crime
Contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.
The Nicola Furlong murder trial in Japan once again highlighted the spectre of drinks-spiking
But just how much of a danger is it posing in the pubs and clubs of Ireland?
The prevalence of drink-spiking has always been a controversial subject
While research has suggested it is not as common as believed, it’s still not that difficult to find testimony which affirms that it does happen
Marian discussed with Dr. Chris Luke – Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Cork University Hospital – who says 99% of drinks spiking is with alcohol itself – though other drugs are a cause for concern
Also, Miriam Duffy – Rape Crisis MidWest Director- also had a word with Marian – contact them on [email protected] or call 1800 311 511.
Stonehall National School in conjunction with Newmarket-on-Fergus GAA are hosting an Evening of Fashion and Style in Dromoland Castle this Thursday at 7.30pm
This promises to be a fantastic evening for all the very fashion conscious ladies in Newmarket and the surrounding areas and the money raised on the night will go towards an "Astro Turf" pitch in Stonehall School and a much needed re-vamp of the dressing rooms at the hurling field
Concepta O’Connor, PRO of Newmarket on Fergus GAA, encouraged people to support this fundraiser
Tickets for this event are €40 and are on sale in Stonehall School or by calling Martha on 086-3959977 or Sinead 087-8309722
John Murphy, Clare branch Birdwatch Ireland and Clare FM’s Bird watching and Wildlife Expert joined Marian in studio to answer your bird and wildlife queries.
If you have a story for the Morning Focus show contact [email protected]
