On today's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
The Treacy family case has really moved everyone in the country. Gillian Treacy made a Victim Impact Statement this week and it was extremely emotional. Clare FMs Morning Focus producer Fiona McGarry read out the statement on this mornings show. There were many reactions to the Treacy case Susan Gray, Chairperson of PARC (Promoting Awareness, Responsibility and Care on our Roads) spoke about the statement and the hope that Gillian's statement will encourage people.
Restaurateurs row with Department of Health survey on menus with calorie counts. Calorie counts on menus will have a devastating impact, costing restaurants an extra €5000 per annum. There may be risk of job losses if legislation goes ahead. Calorie counting will stifle creativity in the kitchen. The deadline for completing the survey is today (Wednesday, Oct. 28). Restaurant Association members say their members have 'no options only to agree that calories should be on menus' and that its members are 'outraged and insulted' by the document. Aidan McGrath of the Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna says that calorie counting on menus could cost him €10,000 a year.
Clare people react to news that processed meat is linked to cancer The World Health Organisation (WHO) this week classified processed and red meat at 'carcinogenic to humans'. Department of Health has issued advice on the importance of meat in a healthy diet. Reacting, a number of organisation, including those representing cattle farmers, have advised moderation and a focus on quality meat products. In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Health added its voice, saying meat is an important source of protein, iron and vitamins – and the most important goal is to try to eat a balanced diet.
John Lowe, The Money Doctor discussed VAT warning for on-line shoppers, Finance Bill gives major increase to Revenue powers, Too many Irish workers still over reliant on State pension scheme, and Additional 4% hit for landlords in 2014 tax returns.
The pneumonia bug is spread in a similar manner to the common cold – through close contact, coughing and sneezing. Pneumococcal disease can have very serious ramifications and it is important that awareness increases – of those who become infected with pneumo and who go on to develop invasive disease, 1 in 4 will develop pneumonia, 1 in 4 will develop meningitis, and 1 in 10 will die3. Those aged 65 and over and young babies are particularly at-risk, as well as those with medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, chronic liver disease, chronic heart or lung problems for example. The vaccine is available free of charge to these at-risk groups. The advice is to ask your GP about it this winter. Prof Seamus Sreenan, Consultant Endocrinologist, Connolly Hospital, spoke to Gavin about the risk of pneumonia.
Red Cross – new community mini bus / patient support vehicle. Michael Conlon (Area Chairperson) & James Lafferty (Treasurer) spoke about the event. The recycling fundraiser takes place on Friday and Saturday October 30 and 31 – Items to be dropped off at Unit 16 Tracklands Business Park, Tobartaoscain, Ennis on Friday October 30 between 5pm and 10pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Clare 'fish fall' of 1900 and other oddities. Strange, zany and at times downright baffling, Foster’s Historical Irish Oddities is described as a quirky compendium of true stories from all over Ireland. It is essential reading for anyone who loves to entertain friends and family with a good yarn or who needs further proof that Ireland is indeed a country with a unique cast of characters. It includes the tale of 'fish fall' on April 23, 1900. According to legend, there was a shower of small fish in the bog close to the coastguard station at Kilcredane, County Clare about three hundred yards from the sea. Several men were working in the bog at the time and reported the unusual occurrence to the officer in charge of the station. He investigated and found about 150 fish had fallen from the sky. They were young sand-eels (Ammodytes lanceolatus), which frequent shallow water near the coast at that time of year. The bog was west of the Shannon and the direction of the wind was north-north-west, force 2. It was a fine day, the sky was clear and the wind blew steady. Allen Foster Researcher and author of Foster’s Historical Irish Oddities.
Eva O'Connor – a Killaloe Actress and playright of My Name is Saoirse which is Written and performed by Eva – Set in rural Ireland in 1987. Saoirse lives in a peach coloured bungalow with her Da and big brother Brendan. Her best friend is Siobhán, who has a glorious fountain of ginger hair and an arse so big it distracts all the men at mass. After a night out drinking with the lads, Saoirse discovers her pregnancy and is forced to set out on journey that will take her miles away from her home and the carefree adolescence she once knew. Directed by Hildegard Ryan At Glor, Ennis next Wednesday, November 4 at 8pm – Tickets €15
Book Review with Caroline Collins Of Ennis Bookshop:
Searching for the Promised Land – An Irishman’s American Odyssey by Edward Deevy. An interesting story about a former Irish priest who worked in the American Deep South during the 1960’s civil rights era. Irish Thatch by Emma Byrne. A new book on Thatched Dwellings in Ireland compiled by a girl who bought a thatched cottage a couple of years ago and became fascinated by them.
