On today’s edition of Morning Focus, Clare FM’s John Cooke spoke with Consultant Gastroenterologist
Dr. Maeve Skelly about Ennis General Hospital’s new regional role as part of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. The new endoscopy unit at Clare’s County Hospital has been approved by a top level accreditation body to carry out colonoscopy tests for patients throughout the Mid-West in a bid to improve detection and survival rates from the second most common cancer in Ireland. Nationally the HSE will invite people in their 60’s to avail of voluntary bowel cancer screening, and Ennis General will be the Mid-West location for follow up colonoscopies if they’re required.
Fr. Brendan Quinlivan, Parish Priest of Scariff, Feakle and Killanena and Diocesan Communications Officer also joined John to discuss the conclave to decide a new Pope, which gets underway today. Cardinals from around the world will start the process later to decide who should become the next Pope. They will begin their discussions shut away in the Vatican this afternoon at 3.30, before casting a vote in the Sistine chapel. Cardinals from 48 countries will vote until one candidate gets a two-thirds majority. The Vatican’s installed a special chimney in the Sistine Chapel – from which white smoke will signal the election of a new Pontiff – after the Cardinals have finished the top secret deliberations. 85-year-old Pope Benedict stepped down last month saying he did not have the mental or physical strength to carry on.
Racing Pundit Rupert Bell also joined the show to give us his views on this year’s Cheltenham Festival. The annual racing festival begins today subject to a 10.30 track inspection. Despite having covers on most of the track frost has settled on some areas however officials says they are confident the course will be fit for racing. However they have put back the starting times to 2.05pm. Once again trainer Willie Mullins will lead the Irish charge for glory at Cheltenham, with one of his strongest ever raiding parties headed by Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle and Sir des Champs in the Gold Cup. The hopes of a nation rest on many of Mullins’ team which also includes the brilliant mare Quevega and a string of star novices.
Also on today’s show was our regular Free Legal Advice feature. Sharon Cahir of Cahir & Co Solicitors, Ennis discussed how to deal with neighbourly disputes and noise or nuisance behaviour, your rights under the law and how to solve problems through mediation to restore harmony at home. Free Legal Advice Clinics are operated as part of the Clare Citizens Information Service in Clare.
Paul Doody, from Sixmilebridge, is father to 3 year old Sarah, and joined John Cooke in studio to talk about Sarah’s autism and what the family is doing to provide the best tuition for her. Sarah was diagnosed with autism in 2011, and ideally requires home tuition until she starts mainstream school next autumn. But a grant which was to provide her with this support was cut last summer, leaving her parents needing to find €25,000 privately to ensure Sarah receives the help she needs. Miriam O’Rahilly, Sarah’s cousin was also in studio to talk about how she intends to help raise the funds needed. Miriam is taking on a parachute jump with four of her friends: Jennifer Lyons, Siobhan Hanrahan, Liam Brosnan and Shane Moloney. It had been a long term goal of hers to plunge from the sky – so Miriam felt it was an ideal time to combine fundraising and doing the jump, which it is hoped will raise €8,000. The group will take to the skies of Co. Offaly on Saturday, March 30th. For more information, and to support the family, contact [email protected] or to make a donation you can do so. The account no at Ulster Bank in Shannon is 10586656 and teh sort code is 98-62-50.
Frankie Coote, the Clare ISPCA Warden was also in studio to advise on the proper care of animals. Frankie discussed a recent dog attack on a woman in Corravorrin and a calf being killed by a Rottweiler cross in the Templemaley area recently. You can contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393.
To contact the show please email [email protected]
