Today on Morning Focus, we heard from Kilrush based Garda, Robin Grace as he is using his experiences of Mental Health to create a new safeguarding app.
Garda Robin Grace has established the ME app which aims to support young social media users by prompting them to connect to people that care about them in a time of need. There are also educational aspects to the app.
Robin has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the App, and is asking for your help to get it over the line. The app will allow children who are struggling with serious mental health difficulties to seek help.
More information about the app can be found here and if you wish to donate to this project you can do so here.
You can listen back to our interview with Robin below:
Before that to start the show we returned to a topic we have been discussing throughout the week, the controversial RIC Commemoration.
The Government has decided to defer the controversial commemoration of the RIC. In a statement, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan says it is a result of the disappointing response to the proposed event in Dublin Castle later this month. He says he hopes to have an alternative commemoration in the months ahead.
The first to publically comment against the commemoration was Cllr Cathal Crowe who last week said he was to boycott the event, labelling it ‘revisionism gone mad’.
We heard Cllr Cathal Crowe’s reaction to the deferral of the Commemoration on the show this morning.
General Election Candidate and Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway, also joined us in studio as he has called on Fianna Fáil to clarify their stance on commemorations.
Senator Conway says that their objection to this event is inconsistent with a Fianna Fail TD attending a commemoration of British Soldiers killed in the Easter Rising four years ago.
Next on the show, we returned to our series on addiction, which we’ve been working on with Bushypark Treatment Centre in Ennis.
We’ve already heard of the ways in which addiction festers and how it can impact on people’s lives and yesterday, Gerry Murphy took us right through how treatment is carried out.
Today, we took a look at what happens once a recovering addict leaves Bushypark Centre. Kevin Hogan is a Polydrug Coordinator with Bushypark and works mainly in the community outreach service. He’s been telling Clare FM’s James Mulhall about the work he does and also what loved ones can look out for if they’re concerned about someone’s behaviour.
If you or anyone you love is suffering from addiction, Bushypark can be contacted confidentially on 065 684 0944.
If you missed today’s episode you can catch it below:
After our news headlines, we heard from Keith Williams, Founder & Director of Design at Keith Williams Architects in London as work is set to commence on Clare’s new county library today as he is the architect behind the project.
Kilmihil-based Keating Construction is leading the project, which is costing in the region of €14 million and will be located beside the glór theatre in Ennis. Construction is expected to take at least 18 months, after which the library will be fitted out.
On the show next, we heard from John Kearney, Founder and Volunteer of Irish Community Rapid Response as he spoke to our very own Ben Sweeney as the country’s new charity air ambulance is appealing for funds to maintain its services.
The Irish Community Rapid Response based in Co Cork has been in operation since July of last year. However, it says if it does not raise 400,000 euro it will be out of action in two weeks time.
If you missed our interview with John, you can listen back below:
Next, we were joined on air by Padraig Rynne, Music Development Officer of Music Generation Clare as a new project is hoping to introduce the Uilleann Pipes to Clare’s young people.
Music Generation Clare has partnered with Na Píobairí Uilleann, who are dedicated to promoting the instrument worldwide, to offer tuition.
To finish the show today we had our Ask The Vet slot with John Underhill of Burren Vets.
If you missed it, you can catch it below:
