On Thursday's Morning Focus John spoke to Fiach Kelly the Political Correspondent of the Irish Times about the arrest of Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams. He spent the night in PSNI custody after being arrested in connection with the murder of Jean McConville. Fiach also spoke to John about the government decision to set up the Oireachtas banking inquiry and how it will be months before it is up and running and the public hearings begin.
Ellen O'Neal, Poly Drug Project Co-ordinator and Aftercare Co-ordinator at Bushypark Treatment Centre, Ennis was in studio to talk about the West Clare Drug and Alcohol Initiative. This is in place to help if alcohol or drugs are a problem in your life or in the life of someone you know. This is a new multi-agency service serving West Clare at the Clarecare Offices in Kilrush each Thursday from 10am to 2pm. They can be contacted at 065-6840944 or 086-4163508.
Richard Cahill from Sixmilebridge made a last minute decision to run for election to the European Parliament. He came to studio to explain how he chose the parliament over local politcs. The well known community activist and founder of the Bridge Complex in Sixmilebridge, who wants to cut through European red tape, acknowledged that he's facing a major challenge in the ten county constituency.
Continuing an election theme, John was joined by Niamh O'Brien of Fis Nua running in the Killaloe electoral area, Clare Colleran-Molloy of Fianna Fail running in the Ennis electoral area and Noeleen Moran of Sinn Fein running in the West Clare electoral area to talk about why there are not enough women going for election. An analysis by Women for Election shows women make up just 17% of candidates in Clare in the local elections.
Sean O'Neill from the National Roads Authority spoke about the contracts having been signed to link Ennis and Shannon Airport by a motorway to Galway and beyond as part of the new M17/M18 Gort to Tuam Public Private Partnership. The route will consist of 57 kilometres at a cost of 550 million euro and creating up to 450 jobs.
Finally, Fr Gerry Carey, Parish Priest of Doora Barefield came to studio to talk about the Cycle against Suicide which comes to Ennis this weekend. Following his recent appeal on the show he and other locals have organised home stay accommodation for 300 cycling participants.
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