On today’s edition of The Afternoon Show Gavin Grace was joined by Teresa Heeney, Chief Operations Officer at Early Childhood Ireland to discuss reaction to RTE’s primetime Investigates programme aired last night. Early Childhood Ireland says they’re both disturbed and saddened by the programme. The organisation, which represents 3,330 childcare facilities, says there are no excuses to justify such poor practice. Meanwhile the Association of Childhood Professionals has said last night’s programme showed repeat instances of practices that are not acceptable for the childhood sector and it’s calling on the Government to work together with its members to ensure the implementation of high quality, national standards. Also joining the show was Josie Hanrahan who works with West Clare Early Years – an umbrella group for six childcare facilities in West Clare (2 in Kilrush, Kilkee, Lissycasey, Kilmihil and Kildysart). She gave her views and outlined how many childcare practitioners are highly qualified, compassionate carers and don’t deserve to be tarred with the same brush as those exposed on last night’s show.
Tom Blake is from the School of Cosmic Physics in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and is also Director of the Irish National Seismic Network and spoke to Gavin following the news that an earthquake was felt in Ireland last night. The INSN has said that further earth tremors are likely in the coming days in the Irish Sea and in North Wales where a magnitude 3.8 earthquake struck this morning. The quake was measured at a depth of 8km and was followed four minutes later by a smaller 1.7 magnitude tremor at a shallower depth of 3km. Moderate shaking was felt by residents on the Llŷn peninsula, and in south-eastern counties of Ireland. INSN seismic stations as far away as Valentia, Donegal and Galway recorded the earthquake.
Aidan Courtney of The Ennis Book Shop was also in studio for his weekly book review and discussed a new book of short stories from Ennistymon native Eddie Stack entitled “Quare Hawks”.
Jim Madden from the Clare District Soccer League and Clare FM Soccer Reporter also spoke to Gavin ahead of tonight’s soccer game. England face Ireland tonight at Wembley, the sides have not met at the London venue since 1991 when Niall Quinn scored in a 1-all draw. It’s hoped that tonight’s international friendly between England and the Republic of Ireland will pass off peacefully. The Wembley game is the first time the teams have met since a Dublin contest in 1995 had to be abandoned because of crowd violence. Jim was at the match in 1995 and reported on the violence for Clare FM.
James O’Brien is the PRO at the Bridge Complex in Sixmilebridge and let our listeners know how they are holding their Annual Fit Whit weekend on the, surprise! Whit Weekend. This year, along with the very popular running events on the Friday evening (31st. May), and the Cycle of the Lakes on the Saturday (1st. June), this year’s Cycle will include a timed Climb for the advanced cyclists up Gallows Hill. Registrations can now be taken On-Line, and there will be a discount if you register this way. See www.fitwhit.ie for details and more information about the weekend.
To contact the show please email afternoon@clare.fm
