Fire crews from across Clare battled for up to ten hours to bring a major gorse fire under control overnight
The blaze spread across hundreds of acres of scrubland between The Hand and Coore yesterday and also threatened a number of properties
A spokesperson for the Fire Services described it as one of the worst blazes they have dealt with in a number of years
Separately fire crews also attended 2 other gorse fires in East Clare yesterday at Ogonnelloe and Twomilegate
On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Miltown Malbay landowner Michael Sexton who was among those who fought the fire last night
Michael reiterated calls he made after a gorse fire seven years ago for farmers and landowners to come together and form an emergency response team for such incidents
Michael Hillery, Miltown Malbay Councillor, also had a word – he praised the response of the fire service and local people
Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer with Clare Fire Service Tom Burke spoke about the incidents and had advice to ward off any such incidents recurring.
The Education Minister received a stony silence as he took to the stage at the TUI congress in Galway yesterday
The teachers’ union voted overwhelmingly in favour of an emergency motion instructing it’s Executive Committee to withdraw from Croke Park 1 – if Croke Park 2 is imposed on its members
John spoke with Bernie Ruane, TUI Council member and former President and teacher at St. Patrick’s Comprehensive in Shannon from the congress in Galway.
Founder and CEO of Pieta House Joan Freeman and Clare organiser Tom McEvoy joined John in studio ahead of their launch of the 2013 Darkness into Light event in Ennis this afternoon
Taking place on Saturday 11th May, this year’s Clare event will get underway at Lees Road Park in Ennis and organisers are hoping for a turnout of several thousand
Darkness into Light is a unique event which begins at 4.00am as thousands of people gather in darkness at locations across Ireland and walk or run the 5km route as dawn is breaking
This is the third year that Darkness into Light will be taking place in Clare Following a record turnout of 15,000 people last year in 14 counties, this year’s Darkness into Light walk takes place at 20 locations nationwide
Contact Pieta House in Mungret, Limerick on 061-484444
See www.pieta.ie for more information.
This is Organ Donor Awareness Week
Brid Collins is Renal Coordinator at Midwest Regional Hospital Limerick
She spoke about trying to encourage more living donations this Organ Donor Awareness Week
They aren’t getting enough donations from deceased people hence the increase in living donations – some high profile ones highlighted just recently
Brid deals with people with stage 4 and 5 of advanced chronic kidney disease
The role also entails preparing patients for dialysis and transplants.
For more information log on to www.beaumonthospital.ie or www.ika.ie
Almost 25 years ago to the day a group from Inagh walked the Brian Boru March walk from Inagh to Clontarf in Dublin in 13 days
Tonight a concert honouring Irish musicians fiddler Joe Ryan and the blind piper Garrett Barry is taking place in Inagh tonight
Donncha O’Dulaing will be Master of Ceremonies at the event at St. Flannan’s National School, Inagh at 8pm
A commemorative photograph with people who did the walk is to be taken before the event tonight
Former teacher in Inagh Flan Garvey joined John in studio
Monies raised will go to the Autism Centre in Inagh school
Principal Anne Quinn explained that in 2002 they opened one classroom dedicated to autism and this led to a second classroom being added in 2009.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email [email protected]
