Last evening the Dail passed the first vote on Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill by 138 to 24 with four defections in Fine Gael
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Sinead O’Carroll, Reporter with The Journal.ie
The Committee stage of the abortion legislation will continue today, with the contentious suicide clause to be discussed
After the Government won the first vote in the Dáil last night it went straight into committee
Discussion of the Bill in committee is not expected to conclude until tomorrow and it will return to the Dail next week where the Fine Gael revolt is likely to increase
Ferghal Purcell – Manager of Lough Erne Resort in Fermanagh and Ennis native – spoke with John to reflect on hosting the G8 leaders in June, the first time Northern Ireland staged the summit
He says he is pleased with how his 180 staff preformed and looked after Obama, Putin and Angela Merkel and others
This was not Ferghal’s first time managing an event of this gravity and importance- he hosted Nelson Mandela during critical talks leading to the first free democratic elections in South Africa in 1991.
Customs officers at Shannon Airport seized 300-thousand euro worth of cannabis – in a consignment of freight yesterday
Clare Revenue officials say positive detection of the cannabis was made at Shannon by a customs sniffer dog named Ollie.
He’s a Cocker spaniel wwith a nose for crime and John found out more about him and the working of detecting drugs at Shannon from Revenue Customs official Pat Nagle.
A revamped Ennis Market looks set to become the legacy project of the town’s Council
A special meeting of local representatives is to be held in the coming weeks, to rubberstamp plans to construct a covered market area modelled on the Milk Market in Limerick
The current preferred option would see the market moved to the car park at Lysaght’s Lane, known locally as Moran’s Car Park, and the plan has already received support from traders and stall-holders
Johnny Flynn, Ennis Town Councillor, joined John in studio to discuss the project and Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber also had a word
They are supportive of this enhancement project and hope that the market would be extended into an area that is central – Rita says projects like this have worked well in other towns and cities.
Crumlin Children’s Hospital Heaven Cent campaign ends this Friday
Clare natives wishing to support the Heaven Cent fundraiser can drop their coins off at 25 locations around the county as Sarah Benson- Communications Manager at Crumlin Children’s Hospital explained.
The Scattery Island Kilrush Gathering Event takes place this weekend
The event, organised by The Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Forum, takes place over two days this Saturday and Sunday and includes historic tours of the island, music, dance and storytelling, historical re-enactment as well as boat trips on the Sally O’Keefe and a currach race between Scattery Islanders
The Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Forum was set up by a group of VEC students who completed the Heritage and Tourism programme in Kilrush Adult Education centre last year
Rita McCarthy – Chairperson of The Scattery Island Heritage and Tourism Forum – spoke with John about what’s planned for the weekend.
The Kilkee Arts in Focus-Art Exhibition is taking place throughout this week
This event will showcase local artists, poets, musicians and dancers of all ages, providing enjoyable entertainment for all
Maureen Glynn, Kilkee Civic Trust’s Arts in Focus Co-ordinator, explained what people can expect.
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