Yesterday saw TDs and Senators begin three days of hearings on the government decision to legalise abortion in certain circumstances
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Political Correspondent with The Irish Daily Mail Niamh Lyons who summarised the arguements made by members of the medical profession on Tuesday’s hearing.
Kieran Murphy – President of the Irish Medical Council – said the politicians need to ensure they get the legislation right
Dr Rhona Mahoney – Master of the National Maternity Hospital – said clarity on abortions is needed when the risk to the life of a woman is not immediate, doctors need legal protection for what they effectively do now
Dr Mary McCaffrey – Consultant obstetrician at Tralee Hospital – said flexibility is needed so doctors can object to carrying out an abortion if that’s what they believe is right
A Garda investigation’s underway into the discovery of a pipe bomb in East Clare
The viable device was discovered during the search of a premises in Tulla yesterday and was made safe shortly after midnight
Meanwhile, two men arrested in connection with the incident remain in Garda custody
Captain Laura Keane of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit explained what happened
Clare Deputy Timmy Dooley is a Tulla resident and reacted to the news.
Ennis Councillors have again failed in their efforts to agree on a name for the newest section of the town’s Inner Relief Road.
Local representatives have pushed back a decision on naming the route until next month, after separate votes on three proposals all failed to produce an agreement.
Councillors rejected Old Gaol (JAIL) Road and Bothar na Rince, given the route’s proximity to the old county jail and Paddy Con’s Ballroom, as well as Phoenix Way which would have celebrated the town’s link with the American City
Muhammad Ali Road was among other suggestions which did not find favour
Tommy Brennan, Deputy Mayor of Ennis and TJ Waters, Chairman of the Ennis – Phoenix Twinning Board discussed.
It’s been a very mild start to 2013 so far with road temperatures remaining firmly above zero since Christmas
The past week has been much warmer than usual for this time of year and while road surfaces have been wet, drivers have not had to deal with the usual icy January driving conditions
Ken Ring is author of the Ireland Weather Almanac – he had a word with John
A Long Range Weather Forecaster from Auckland, New Zealand he says while we’re set for a cold and wet spring, the weather will pick up from the middle of April
And he says Ireland will have three largely dry months during June, July and August
Mr Rings website ‘Predict Weather’ claims temperatures will stay above 20 degrees for most of the summer – with some days as hot as 30 degrees
Some of Ken’s predictions for County Clare include:
Mild from 14th- 20th January, but predicts snow in the meantime, and after those dates
February 9-16th will be mild- after some cold weather, also March will be cold
April will see a rise in temperatures, the first sunshine being between 9-12th
May 12-19th he predicts temperatures in the early 20s
July will see a heatwave – top temperatures of 30 degrees!
Vanessa Flaherty of the Turnpike, Ennis is organising a Kerin family reunion for the Gathering 2013
Vanessa joined John in studio and said she has family coming from Australia, the US, the UK and Europe
Vanessa’ eldest son travelled to Australia in 2011 and when relations there found out he was there they made such an effort to meet him and show him around – a relationship developed between the Ennis family and the cousins in Oz through Skype and Facebook and it grew
The main event of the family gathering will take place in the West County Hotel on the 15th of June
Then the following day they are all getting together again at the Rowan Tree as Vanessa’s Great Great Grandfather Michael Kerin worked there in his later years when it was a gentleman’s club
(now owned by Vanessa’s cousin of mine Brian O Neill)
Plans to have their gathering photographed on the bridge as there is an on going connection to the building.
If you have a Gathering 2013 event you wish to publicise please get in touch with us [email protected]
Breda Gardiner is an Author, Columnist, Homeopathist and complimentary therapy expert
She joined John to discuss the many ways to boost your energy levels this year and keep yourself motivated in present times
Complimentary health and alternative medicine to put patient back into balance: these include homeopathy, iridology, muscle testing, Icelandic flower essences and positive affirmations Which treatment you need depends on your individual circumstances
For all patients the guiding principles are to treat the underlying cause of the imbalance, not just the visible symptoms: and to treat you the patient, not your illness
The aim is to help patients to cure themselves with the aid of homeopathic remedies, and also to guide and educate them on developing a more healthy lifestyle, with particular emphasis on diet and nutrition.
See www.Bredagardiner.com
Rob Hopkins of the Crack’d Spoon Theatre Company, West Clare had a word ahead of their presentation of the Wizard of Oz Pantomime in Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee on Saturday
at 3pm- they are a local group and would love some support
Tickets are €8 / €5 concession and can be booked at 065 9060769.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
