On today’s Afternoon Show Gavin Grace spoke with Professor Luke Clancy, Director General of the Tobacco Free Research Institute about how nearly 4,000 deaths have been prevented in Ireland as a result of the smoking ban introduced in 2004. Brunel University in London, DIT in Dublin and the Tobacco Free Research institute, according to their combined research, say that the lower death rate from smoking related illnesses is primarily due to a reduction in passive smoking rather than a reduction in active smoking. The study shows there has been a 26 per cent reduction in deaths from heart disease, a one third drop in stroke deaths and a 38 per cent reduction in chronic lung disease mortality. The authors estimate 3,726 smoking-related deaths have been prevented by the ban.
David Fitzsimons from Ennis based Retail Excellence Ireland also joined Gavin on the show to discuss the news that a receiver is expected to be appointed to Xtravision today. The rental and games company employs 1,024 people in its shops across the island of Ireland. All of the company’s stores are to remain open while a buyer is found by receivers Ernst and Young. According to sources, the withdrawal of credit insurance and a downturn in rentals led to decision. Retail Excellence Ireland – which represents retailers – blames the Government’s "lack of focus" on the needs of the domestic economy.
Sean Farrell from thescore.ie also spoke to The Afternoon Show to talk about how the IRFU have confirmed that Leinster coach Joe Schmidt will take over as Ireland coach. More detail will be announced at a press conference this afternoon on the two time Heineken Cup winning Coaches agreement but it’s expected that his contract will take him to the World cup in Japan in 2015 and possibly the Six Nations of 2016. Sean and Gavin also discussed the news that Ireland’s most capped player Ronan O’Gara is to retire from the game.
In the latest instalment of our “Calling Home” series Gavin Grace met Dermot Clancy. Dermot is a native of Clarecastle but is now living in Ruwais, just outside Abu Dhabi. Dermot and Gavin spoke about what drew him to Abu Dhabi, what he’s doing and what he hopes to do in the future. If you or a loved one is living abroad we’d love to hear their story – please contact [email protected]
Also on today’s edition of the show Irish tenor extraordinaire – Colm Wilkinson spoke to Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan about how he became one of Broadway’s most distinctive voices. Colm is best known as the original Jean Valjean in Les Miserables and the Phantom, roles he created and embodied in London, Toronto and New York. He played Jean Valjean in the 10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall (1995) and has gained many new fans since his guest appearances on both the 25th Anniversary Concerts of Les Misérable at the O2 London (2010) and Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (2011). Colm plays the Bishop of Digne in the new Les Misérables movie alongside Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe. Colm will be conducting an Irish tour in the coming weeks – Colm Wilkinson in Concert is an evening of music and stories and takes place in UCH, Limerick – Thursday June 13th and Friday 14th. Theatre favourites such as ‘Music of the Night’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and his signature song ‘Bring Him Home’ anchor the show which also includes definitive Irish classics such as ‘Danny Boy’ and ‘Whiskey in the Jar’.
To contact the show please email [email protected]
