First up this morning we heard from the Idomeni refugee camp. A Clare GP is amidst thousands of stranded migrants being evacuated from the makeshift Idomeni camp on the border with Greece and Macedonia. Hundreds of riot police moved into the camp this week, but the authorities have stressed force will not be used. The Greek-Macedonia border was closed in March. Since then at least 8,400 people – many of them women and children – have remained stranded in the border area, having been prevented from continuing their journey to northern Europe. Corofin GP Fergus Glynn is currently working at camps which have sprung up around the village of Idomeni in Northern Greece, as part of the humanitarian response to the refugee crisis. Conditions in Idomeni are dire with an estimated 13-thousand people effectively trapped because of the closure of the border with neighbouring Macedonia. Clashes between occupants and security forces have occured. *Fergus spoke with us briefly yesterday off-air and said the Idomeni and said that a very heavy police and military presence were succeeding in keeping a generally peacful atmosphere, with no aggression. Dr Fergus Glynn was on the line from Idomeni.
Next we heard that gambing addictions are on the rise. Addiction treatment facility – The Rutland Centre – has called for regulation of the gambling industry in Ireland. The organisation says cases of gambling addiction have increased by 6 per cent in the last three years. The agency also says the problem is on the rise amongst women due to increased access to online gambling. Gerry Murphy from the Bushpark Addiction Treatment Centre, Ennis told Pat more.
Ennis's historic Franciscan Friary is in need of a 100-thousand Euro funding injection to provide for essential renovation works. The Friary Renovation Appeal Fund has been launched to help provide a new floor and seating in the 124-year-old building on Francis Street. 124 years ago in 1892 the then Bishop of Killaloe, Bishop Thomas McRedmond, dedicated the church as a House of Prayer. The altar consecrated on that day, which is still used today, was built by Pearse of Dublin, father of 1916 hero Pádraig Pearse. On the day of Consecration the inseparable connection between the history of Ennis and the Franciscan Friars was acknowledged and that connection continues to this day. Bro Isidore Cronin OFM The Guardian of the Friary and Fr Tom Ryan PP Shannon were in studio.
Our Clare FM charity month in support of Cahercalla Hospice is drawing to a close and we'll be revealing the total raised on this Friday's Morning Focus. We've also been hearing the stories of some of those who've used the wonderful services of Cahercalla to care for family members. Eileen Ryan, who lives in Kilkee, is one of those. Her father John O'Sullivan – a man who was very well known in Ennis – passed away from cancer at the age of 84, at Cahercalla last March. Eileen spoke to Morning Focus producer, Fiona McGarry, and began by telling her about her dad John. MF_Eileen Ryan OUTRO: That was Eileen Ryan speaking about her dad John O'Sullivan who passed away at Cahercalla Hospice last March. Until Friday next Clare FM is asking listeners to raise funds for Cahercalla Hospice who do amazing work under very difficult circumstances. There are many ways of raising funds, please promote. Text 57252 followed by Clare FM (no space) for €2. We are also running our €1 appeal, please drop €1 into our studio’s at Francis Street, Ennis or donate money online by logging onto Clare.FM and follow the on-screen prompts which are 100% secure.
Next, we spoke to two Clare people caught up in French fuel crisis. There've been chaotic scenes at fuel stations across France this week as a fuel supply crisis bites. Staff at an oil refinery in the city of Marseille have downed tools, prompting a shortage at service stations across the country. Violence has borken out at petrol stations, hundreds of which have been forced to shut. Tear gas has been used to break blockades of striking workers who're protesting over proposed new labour laws. We heard from some people from Clare who are caught up in this situation: Marie Georget Owner of Oh La La Creperie, Ennistymon (from Brittany) and Colm Garvey Inagh native, living in Toulousse, France, on and off for 20 years.
Pat's next guest was an author of books for young adults. Clare-based Kim Hood's second novel, “Plain Jane”, will be launched in the Ennis Bookshop this Friday (May 27th). Her first book, 2014's “Finding a Voice,” was short-listed for the Bookseller YA Book Award. Both novels deal with themes of disability, mental illness and “fitting in” with peers.
This evening (Wed, May 25) a reception at the Oakwood Hotel in Shannon will mark the 40th Anniversary of the Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society. The event will also see the launch of volume 40 of “The Other Clare”, the society's journal, which has been published every year since their founding. Aimed at a general reader, the journal is filled with essays covering local stories of historical interest. John O'Brien, Chairperson of Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society and Terri Shoosmith, Editor of journal came into studio to tell Pat more.
Today (Wednesday, 25th May) is Africa Day, an international celebration of African unity. Here in Ennis, the large African community will use the day to share aspects of their rich heritage with their new community. There'll be refreshments, music, poetry and visits to the oak tree planted at Waterpark on Africa Day last year. It all kicks off between 12 pm in the Civic Building, Waterpark, Drumbiggle. Abi Ladigbolu, Comfort Ofei and Orla Ni Elli from Clare Immigrant Support spoke to Pat to tell him about their own invovlement and what's going on during the day.
With thanks to United Airlines, Clare FM has traveled stateside to attend the Clare Association of Chicago's 50th Anniversary. In the third of our four-part series this week, Clare FM's Fiona Cahill speaks to our diaspora about their lives in Chicago and the highs and lows of emigration.
Then we heard from John Underhill of Burren Vets with our weekly Ask the Vet item. Today he spoke about allergies that can affect animals, both big and small, at this time of the year.
Finally today we heard about the Clare Burren Marathon Challenge. This Saturday (May 28th) runners from around the world are heading to the Burren to take part in the Clare Burren Marathon Challenge. Each entrant chooses between a full, half or mini marathon. All three challenges start in Ballyvaughan, Co.Clare at 9am, and all three take participants on and off road to the finish line back on the Pier at Ballyvaughan. One man who's travelled further than most to get to the event is Australian Jim Fennel and he joined Pat in studio. Pat also spoke to event organiser Mary O'Brien Event organiser.
