On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Miriam Duffy from Rape Crisis Mid West spoke to Gavin Grace following calls for tougher sentences in cases of rape and sexual assault – after a 72-year-old man was bailed after he pleaded guilty to the rape of his daughter over a 9-year period. Mr Justice Paul Carney suspended 9 years of a 12 year sentence imposed on Patrick O’Brien of Old Court Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow – after describing his crime as ‘one of the most serious cases of serial rape of a daughter’. He’s been granted bail on the basis that his trial was fit for appeal – and the court heard O’Brien is in ‘extremely poor health’. To contact Rape Crisis Mid West call 061 311 511 or 1800 311 511 or see www.rapecrisismidwest.ie
Pauline Dunleavy from Kilrush RNLI also spoke to Gavin to discuss how Clare lifeboat teams saved a total of nearly 30 people last year. The RNLI says its crew based on Lough Derg launched their inshore lifeboat 17 times in 2012, saving a total of 22 people. In Kilrush meanwhile, 7 people were saved during their 4 launches. Nationally, crews launched 939 times last year, with the majority of callouts to pleasure craft. Just over 1,000 people were safely brought ashore.
Clare FM’s Doireann Wylde has been out and about asking if you think a special exemption on drink driving laws should be made for people living in rural areas. It comes as a Kerry councillor Danny Healy-Rae put forward a motion at a County Council meeting which would see permits granted to people in the countryside, allowing them to have a couple of drinks and drive home from the pub. It was passed by a margin of five to three.
Gort based Author Mary Elizabeth Coen was a guest of the show ahead of the launch of her first book later this week. The novel, “Love and The Goddess”, by the former home economics teacher will hit the bookshelves later this week. It’s based on a search for love and includes the themes of spirituality and even internet dating! Illness changed the direction of Mary Elizabeth Coen’s life. Originally from Athlone, she also previously worked as a fashion stylist and public relations consultant. However, she had to give up work when she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a condition characterised by chronic widespread pain. She became interested in holistic medicine, personal development and writing in an attempt to cope with her illness. Author Ferdia MacAnna at Charlie Byrne’s bookshop will launch it on Friday at 6pm. For more details on Mary see www.goddessmeca.com
David Martin is a member of the ever popular group, The Three Tenors, along with Declan Kelly, and Ray O’Hare. He joined the show ahead of their concert at The Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick on Saturday 26th. The concert will be packed with the world’s most beautiful and magical feel-good songs from Sinatra, Leonard Cohen, Simon & Garfunkel, The Dubliners, Roy Orbison and Michael Jackson to Elvis, plus rousing Irish Ballads! Joined by a Star Violinist, a regular performer on national TV, the guys with their amazing voices and friendly down-to-earth approach, look forward to their return visit to the Mid West. The Three tenors also recently had the honour of performing at the European premiere of Steven Spielberg’s film “Lincoln” starring Daniel Day Lewis in the Savoy in Dublin. For more information on The Three Tenors you can visit their website – www.threetenorsireland.com or see their facebook page.
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