Morning Focus opened with a discussion on the practice of parents and priests baptising children just so they can get access to schools. The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin condemned the practice and, according to the Irish Times, a recent report prepared for the Dublin Council of Priests, noted how “some of the strong correlation between baptisms and birth rates” in its findings was likely due to Catholic schools admission policies. Gavin spoke with Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times.
Following coverage of the sad death of Polish national Marek Skiba in Ennis, there was a donation from Michael Regan Headstones. Gavin spoke to him and was also joined by undertaker Cyril Cusack who is covering half of the cost of the funeral along with comedian Brendan O'Carroll.
The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021, was launched this week by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald. The strategy envisages a range of actions to be implemented by State, voluntary and community sector organisations aimed at preventing and responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Gavin spoke to Clare-based Senator Tony Mulcahy who has been instrumental in formulating policy in this area.
Sixmilebridge-based Councillor John Crowe issued a warning to listeners about fake €50 notes in circulation.
The Right 2 Water campaign says it will hold the country's largest ever protest on the weekend before the General Election.
The group is also preparing for 30 protests around the country this Saturday (Jan. 23) calling for the scrapping of Irish Water and water charges. Gavin spoke to Niamh O'Brien from O'Callaghan's Mills, a General Election candidate for Fis Nua.
Nuala Kilkenny of Tuamgraney joined Gavin in studio to chat about her appearance on 'At Your Service'
Nuala and her husband, Paul, have owned their bar and restaurant business for 17 years. In search of a re-vamp, they called in the expert services of hotelier Francis Brennan.
Our round-up of weekend events covered events at Mount Callan, Ennis and Miltown Malbay.
Our Friday panel was made up of Michael Vaughan, Lahinch Hotelier Former President of the IHF; Brian Meaney, former member of Clare County Council, and John Quinlivan, Chair of Friends of Shannon Airport, and Former Regional Manager with Shannon Development.
Topics discussed included phone surveillance, the warning over new synthetic drug, '2CB', and the campaign to repeal the Good Friday alcohol sales ban
With all of the weekend events, we had a second round-up covering a poetry reading at Shannonbridge Music Festival, and activities at Bunratty Folkpark for the music festival.
