On Thursdays Morning Focus John began by speaking to Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Defence Pádraig Mac Lochlainn as Sinn Fein's local election candidate in Ennis has resigned from the party after it emerged that he had made an offensive comment about travellers on Facebook.
Cathal O'Reilly's statement was made nearly three years ago, and emerged in recent days – he has now stepped down from Sinn Féin on the eve of tomorrow's vote. The offensive comment in question was posted on Facebook in October 2011, on the day of a mass eviction at the UK's largest traveller site at Dale Farm in Essex. It then re-surfaced on social media this week, and in a statement to Clare FM Cathal O'Reilly has acknowledged that the comment is his. The Ennis butcher, who is a cousin of Sinn Fein's Ireland South MEP candidate Liadh Ní Riada, says he's deeply ashamed, and insists that he no longer holds those views. He also accepts that they have caused embarrassment to him, his family and to Sinn Fein. As a result, he's offered his resignation to the party, and a local Sinn Féin source confirmed that this was accepted yesterday afternoon. Cathal O'Reilly says he now wants to move on with his life as a private citizen and is no longer seeking support from Ennis voters. However, as his decision comes just before tomorrow's election, his name will remain on the ballot paper which will also say that he is running for Sinn Féin.
Liam Griffin retiring water safety officer with Clare County Council joined John in Studio. After more than 4 decades of service Liam and John had a look back at his career to date. Liam also took a look at the changes that he has seen over the course of that time.
This year, 2014, marks the 40th anniversary of the first Fleadh Nua in Ennis. Midway through the Ennis festival John checked in with Michael O'Riabhaigh, Fleadh Nua Chairman on how this years Fleadh Nua is going.
The RNLI Life Boats will launch their fundraising activities on this saturday night at the Temple Gate Hotel at 9.30pm. First up in the launch is Dolores Donnellan from Killaloe who has put together a beautiful selection of old time ballads and songs of Killaloe and put them all on a CD aptly named ,"My Lovely Hometown Killaloe" John was joined in studio by Joe Queally of the RNLI and Dolores ahead of the event for a chat and a song.
Africa Day will be marked in Ennis with an event titled "A Taste of Africa" which will take place in CBS School, New Road, Ennis from 13.00 – 16.00 on Saturday 24th May 2014. This community event will share some aspects of the rich heritage of various African countries and will create an opportunity for both African and non African Clare residents to enjoy some time together on this special occasion. John was joined in studio by Orla Ni Elli, Member of the Organising Committee for Africa Day Celebrations, Francis Okenbulor of the Association of Nigerians in County Clare and Omar Boushaib of the Moroccan Irish Association to talk about what the event means and what people can expect on Saturday.
Archaeologist Michael Lynch will lead a field trip in Kilnaboy on Thursday evening 22nd May meeting at the X-PO (former post office) Kilnaboy at 7.30 pm. Highlights of the evening will include visits to the old church in Kilnaboy (featuring sheela-na-gig and double armed cross) and also a medieval fort with a spectacular location on the banks of the river Fergus. Michael Lynch is the field monument advisor for County Clare. The event is free of charge and refreshments will be served afterwards in the X-PO. More information 087 292 54 87. PRO of the X-PO Tony Kirby spoke to John about what people attending can look forward to.
Finally, John Underhill of Burren Vets was in studio to answer listeners' livestock and pet 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.
