Morning Focus Thursday 7th August

On today's Morning Focus John began the show by speaking to Isobel O'Dea – Clare County Coroner and asked the question Will new death certificates leaving out the cause of death, ease the distress of bereaved families, or set back the awareness campaign around suicide prevention?  Death certificates which omit the cause of death are to be introduced by the Government to limit the suffering of families who have lost loved ones to suicide.  Tanaiste Joan Burton has confirmed that she will bring in new regulations to allow a "short form" death certificate to be used, which won't include how the person lost their lives. Ms Burton has said she is "very much aware" of the distress caused to families of those who died in tragic circumstances and the impact of having the cause of death on the certificate.

Up next Joan was joined on the line by Dr Anna Clarke of Diabetes Ireland as the body believes children's health will suffer with the loss of a quality paediatric diabetes service at University Hospital Limerick, a national campaign group has warned.  Over the last year, children's diabetes services at the hospital had improved dramatically with the appointment of a full time locum endocrinologist replacing one on 'half-time'.  The full-time consultant was solely concerned with medical care for more than 250 children with type 1 diabetes and, as a result, there was a fivefold increase in care and support.  Diabetes Ireland said families had been delighted and patients had received quarterly medical appointments.  However, the full-time post is reverting back to a half-time position.

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The CEO of Irish Water Safety, John leech spoke to John and he is urging the public to use the Local Authority manned lifeguarded bathing places to ensure there are no more swimming tragedies this summer. Please take heed of advice given by the lifeguards and supervise your children, as lifeguards are not baby sitters. Lifeguards rescued 64 casualties from Clare beaches, rivers and lakes during the month of July.  There were 29 lost children reunited with their parents in Clare, while 1,669 accidents were prevented by the proactive actions of lifeguards.

Cycling legend Seán Kelly will lead 120 amateur cyclists from the City Hall in Waterford this Thursday morning on a 640km charity cycle around the six counties of Munster. The tour, which will take place over the next four days, will finish on the iconic Patrick's Hill in Cork City on Sunday 10th August. The Tour de Munster cycle, which is now in its 14th year, donates 100% of the proceeds to Down Syndrome Ireland (Munster branches).  John spoke to John as he was about to hit the road. Clare FM is a proud Media Partner to the Tour de Munster.

2 Clare men are set to play 80 consecutive hours of snooker.  Gordon O Loughlin and Kieran Ferns from Ennis will undertake this mammoth task starting on 15 August.  The guidelines for the challenges are strict, with only five-minute breaks permitted every hour, though the option is there to play on and eventually accumulate up to four consecutive breaks, thereby enabling 20 rather than just five minutes of rest. They also require two witnesses switching on and off table duty every four hours, with at least one of them having to be an expert in the field.  John was joined in studio by Gerard O'Loughlin – Manager of the Ennis Snooker and Pool Club and Gordon O'Loughlin – Local Snooker Player to get all the details including Ken Doherty's appearance!

Cara O'Sullivan the famous Soprano was in studio with John this morning.  Cara is coming to Ennis to give a lunchtime recital as part of Classical Thursday today. She is one of the top international sopranos to ever come out of this country. She is a superb performer and being from Cork she has a wonderful sense of humour and loves to talk! She regularly sings at Thomand Park for the Rugby and sang in Marseille for the big rugby Munster match – The Heineken Cup Semi Finale.  She also gave us some beautiful songs. 

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.