Morning Focus Thursday April 11

The inquest into the death of Savita Hallapanavar is expected to hear more medical evidence today
The 31 year old died from septicaemia last October following a miscarriage at Galway University Hospital
Many of the key witnesses have already testified, such as Savita’s husband Praveen Halappanavar and her consultant obstetrician Dr Katherine Astbury
The inquest has still to hear from the coroner’s own expert witnesses which include a former master of the National Maternity Hospital, Dr Peter Boylan

On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Petrina Vousden- Health Editor with The Irish Daily Mail- who has been covering this inquest in Galway.

The Nevin Economic Research Institute Spring 2013- Quarterly Economic Observer outlined the think-tank’s most recent set of projections for the Irish economy suggest a period of low-growth and high-unemployment for the next three years
A further shrinking of the numbers employed in 2013, by 0.6%, with employment levels remaining static in 2014 and 2015;
Unemployment remaining at 14.7% in 2013 and marginally increasing to 15% in 2014 and 2015 as net outward migration releases pressure on expanding labour supply due to rising youth cohorts
Nevin’s Senior Economist Dr Micheál Collins explained the findings to John.

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It’s emerged a man who has been homeless in Ennis for over five years is currently living in a public toilet in Clare’s County Town
Each night, Czech national and chronic alcoholic, Joseph Pavelka shares the Council-owned facility on Market Street with friend, Polish national, Peter Baram
The situation’s been described as a scandal by Ennis District Court Judge Patrick Durcan
John spoke with Josie O’Brien of HELP homeless support in Ennis
Josie tries to help these men as best she can and said it is a very sad situation and she feels more supports need to be in place to help people in their situation.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation trolley and ward watch figures this week have shown consistently high numbers
During his visit to Clare on Monday Minister Reilly faced questions on overcrowding at the region’s main Accident and  Emergency centre in Limerick, where 38 patients were on trollies during one recent day of overcrowding
Speaking to Clare FM, the Minister insisted his special delivery unit is working to address capacity problems like this
But speaking to John this morning Mary Fogarty of the INMO says patients on trolleys have no dignity or privacy and the situation is disasterous.
 
Alex Pelling and Lisa Grant from Manchester exchanged vows for the 41st time on Doughmore beach in Doonbeg on Tuesday
In June 2011, they sold their possessions and quit their jobs to embark on a world wedding tour – to raise money for UNICEF
However, although the pair have tied the knot 41 times, non of the weddings have actually been legal
But the couple say they will make their marriage official soon – once they tie the knot for the 50th time
The couple joined John in studio to tell their story.

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