Fears have been expressed that the campaign against a controversial South East Clare road may be lost after the majority of Clare county councillors voted on Monday, February 8th, against revoking support for the route. The Limerick Northern Distributor Road will pass through a number of areas of South East Clare affected by flooding in recent months, and locals fear its construction will worsen the situation there. A motion to withdraw support was proposed by Meelick Fianna Fail Councillor Cathal Crowe, but Clare county council officials warned that the vote would have little effect, as the road is now included in the Clare County Development plan. A majority of councillors voted against the proposal at this week’s meeting. Ed English, Chairperson for Nothern Distributor Concerned Residents, spoke to Gavin on the line this morning to discuss the issue.
Deputy Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fail; and Niamh O’Brien, Fis Nua, spoke on the show this morning about the ever-growing issue of flooding. Storm Imogen, which battered Clare over Sunday and Monday, had a more significant impact on North Clare than any other storm this winter. The west of the county was particularly badly hit and a clean up operation is still taking place. A national protest on the flooding will take place in Athlone on Saturday on Saturday, February 20th. A number of residents of Springfield, Clonlara, have told Morning Focus they will be attending.
Michael Barron, Director of Equate Ireland, spoke on the show this morning about equality in Education. Equate Ireland says its aim is to ensure greater equality in Irish schools, so that no child is excluded because of their religion or identity. They’re working in consultation with parents and communities to adapt school patronage arrangements to reflect our modern pluralist society. The organisation says it wants to make equality in our classroom a General Election issue in 2016. A Behaviours & Attitude survey commissioned by Equate Ireland shows that over 60 per cent of Irish want to make the reform of school patronage an election issue.
Later on in the show Gavin spoke to Aisling O’Brien, a journalist with Kerry Radio. They discussed a Listowell electoral area recount, which is taking place today.
Anne Murphy, an oncology nurse and service user, joined Gavin this morning to talk about a new cancer support service in Raheen. The new outreach service will be provided for East Clare cancer patients. Clare Cancer Support Centre is planning to start a new support service which will include a drop-in service for cancer patients, counselling, meditation, reflexology, arts and crafts and other services. The new services will operate every Friday and an extension will be considered if it cannot meet the current demand for support. Previously, East Clare patients would have to travel to its main-drop in centre in Kilnamona. Clare Cancer Support provides access to information about diagnosis, treatment and care. It can also put people in touch with practical, emotional and social support. All funds raised go towards operational costs and the service is free of charge. The service provided by professional oncologists and other fully trained staff at the centre were put in place after consultation with the HSE. However, it is important to note the HSE or the Irish Cancer Society does not provide funding for the Clare Cancer Support Centre. The new service will be available in the old nurses’ home at the rear of Raheen Community Hospital on Friday, February 12th at 12pm.
Gavin was joined on the line by an Ennis woman who will travel to Palestine. Bee Ni Choitir will be leaving on Friday, February 12th, to join a non-violent civil rights movement called Youths Against Settlement, in Hebron.
Eamonn Meehan, the Executive Director of Trocaire, spoke to Gavin this morning about Trocaire’s Lenten campaign for 2016. This year marks the 43rd year of Trocaire’s annual Lenten campaign in Ireland. For the first time, this year’s Trocaire box features people from Ireland, celebrating Trocaire supporters, who are fighting for justice for the world’s poor.
The fourth annual Concertina Cruinniu takes place in Miltown Malbay from the 12th of February to the 14th. Clare FM’s Siofra Mulqueen travelled to Miltown Malbay ahead of the launch of the Concertina Cruinniu where she spoke to Harry Hughes.
Sallyann Marron, of Sallyann’s Handmade Bags, spoke on the show this morning about the re-opening of Chapel Market. Ennis’s community craft market will re-open for 2016 on Saturday, February 13th, at 10am. Chapel Lane Market started in March 2015 and has become a very popular addition to the retail offering in Ennis, providing Clare residents, tourists and visitors an opportunity to see and purchase genuinely handcrafted goods. The market will celebrate its first birthday on March 5th.
John Underhill from Burren Vets joined Gavin to answer listeners’ queries about their pets.
Finally on the show, Gavin spoke to the Healthy Home Chef, Neven Maguire. In his new series, Neven looks at topics including coping with stress, food intolerances, and boosting the immune system through food.
