On Fridays Morning Focus John began by speaking to people from across the county who days their lives were touch by Albert Reynolds. Marie O'Keefe from Kilnamona met the former Taoiseach when she was a young teen. She wrote a poignant letter shortly after her elder sister Caroline's death detailing her late sister's last year of life. This inspired former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, his wife Kathleen, and Cork-born oncologist Dr Frank O'Sullivan of leading children's hospital St Jude's in Memphis, Tennessee, to set up Ireland's Children for Children Foundation. She told John how wonderful he was to her and her family. Mary from Slainte an Chlair also spoke to John and explained that without contacts made through Mr. Reynolds Slainte an Chlair would not be where it is today. Clare Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley also offered his condolences to the family of Albert Reynolds.
Limerick-based NGO, Doras Luimní, called for the immediate closure of the Mount Trenchard Direct Provision centre in Foynes. This call followed a series of events that have brought to light the dire situation that the residents are in: substandard living conditions; isolation and depression; years left waiting for a final decision on their applications for residence, leading them to resort to a hunger strike in a desperate bid for the nightmare to be over. The protests by residents were met with the immediate dispersal by RIA, the Reception and Integration Agency, of key individuals who raised concerns. Clare Immigrant Support Centre is supporting the calls being made for the closure. John was joined by Karen Mc Hugh – CEO at Doras Luimni and Orla Ní Éili – Manager Clare Immigrant Support Centre about the conditions at Mount Trenchard Direct Provision centre in Foynes and today's protest. The peaceful protest will take place today at 2pm (assembling from 1.30pm) on Bedford Row and the corner of O'Connell Street, Limerick City Centre.
Siobhan O Driscoll – One of the village carnival festival organiser 2014 in Newmarket on Fergus spoke to John about all the festivities happening there over the weekend. It takes place over 3 days from today Friday the 22nd to Sunday the 24th. People can enjoy a Frozen themed parade and lots of live music.
Our new feature The Morning Focus Panel started today. The panel of people from across the county takes a look back at this week' big news stories. On this weeks panel we have:
Patricia McCarthy – Former Clare Cllr, Michael Vaughan – Lahinch Hotelier and Joe Queally – RNLI – Fanore.
The panel looked at the following topics:
Albert Reynolds, Going to College/CAO/Renting as a student, Abortion, Rose of Tralee, Bad Driving, Clare U21 Hurlers semi final.
Congella McGuire – Heritage Officer, Clare County Council was next in studio. Congella gave listeners an overview of Heritage Week. Heritage Week is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Download the free "National Heritage Week" App for iPhone or Android smartphones at www.heritageweek.ie. For further information on the 75 events taking place throughout Clare contact Congella McGuire, Heritage Officer, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, at Tel: 065-6846408 / Email: [email protected].
Finally Geraldine Gilligan of The Irish Wheelchair Association Ennis spoke to John about a 5km fun run this Saturday in Ennis. It's a fundraiser for wheelchair mountain trike for the use of people with physical disabilities in Clare.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
