Morning Focus opened with a look at the overcrowding situation at University Hospital Limerick. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation called this week for all essential doctors and available personnel to be brought in to help alleviate pressure at the region's main hospital.
Trolley numbers exceeded 40 on certain days, with lengthy waits for patients prompting the hospitals group to open over-flow facilities in Ennis and elsewhere. Gavin spoke with Colette Cowan CEO of the UL Hospitals Group.
Today, the Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams visited flood-stricken Clonlara, as the party prepared to introduce a Bill to the establish a body with overall responsibility for the assessment and management of flood risk and flood defences along the River Shannon. Dep Adams spoke to Gavin from O'Brien's Bridge.
Following the announcement of supports for farmers hit by flooding, the ICSA gave cautious welcome. Gavin spoke with Eddie Punch, from Cratloe, who is General Secretary of the ICSA. Rural GP s meet again in Corofin
The ongoing crisis in general practice brought up to 300 people to a meeting in Corofin at the start of last month (Dec.) to show their support for rural doctors. Ahead of another public meeting in Corofin, Gavin spoke to Ballyvaughan-based Dr Liam about the prospect of a candidate standing on the rural GP ticket in the constituency of Clare.
Dr Maire Finn discussed the issue of quitting smoking.
More Clare students taking part in the BT Young Scientist Exhibition spoke to Gavin. Today it was the turn of Ailish Kenny, James Kelly & Katie Donnellan from St John Bosco Community College, Kildysart who are looking at The Distribution of Japanese knotweed in West Clare and its Effect on the Eosystem
West Clare Councillor Ian Lynch declare his intention to stand in the General Election. The Independent Kilrush Councillor, who formerly represented Fine Gael whilst on Kilrush Town Council, has told the Clare Champion that he will enter the race, following months of speculation about his intentions. Gavin spoke to Cllr Lynch about his reasons for running.
Midwest Simon made a special January appeal for support for its food banks in Ennis and Kilrush. The banks operate as follows:
Ennis Tue. (10-11.30am) & Wed.s (2-3.30pm)
Kilrush Mon. – Fri. (10-11.30am)
Gavin spoke with Tracey Reddy.
Today's feature from Cuimhneamh an Chláir featured the voices of John Hastings from Quin, Margaret Waterstone from Mountshannon, Susan Williams from Kilfenora, and Nora Canavan from Doolin (at age 107 Nora is one of Clare’s oldest citizens).
The piece was made using the oral history collection of Cuimhneamh an Chláir and was a Rag and Bone Production for Clare FM, by producer Paula Carroll.
Gavin also spoke with Roisin Fitzpatrick, a former banker who became an artist after near-death experience. Roisin suffered a potentially fatal brain haemorrhage at the age of 35 and decided to pursue a passion for visual art. She says her brush with death and knowledge of an after-life cause her to turn adversity into a positive life change. Her book is entitled 'Taking Heaven Lightly' and has become a best-sellerlate in New York, as part of their 1916 commemorations.
Groups interested in gardening are being invited to join the 'Pop up Garden Community Challenge 2016'. The challenge is to create a garden on the theme of 'Upcycling and Composting in my Garden' on a plot of 3m x 3m.
The initiative is supported by Clare County Council's Environment Section and comes ahead of the Clare Garden Festival on Sunday, April 24, at Ennis Showgrounds. Gavin was joined in studio by Carmen Cronin, Founder and Manager of Clare Garden Festival.
