On today's edition of Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
Concerns are being raised about online sales of sexualised images of children; either uploaded voluntarily to social networks or extorted from minors. The Irish Examiner reports that experts from across Europe – including Ireland – say the emergence of a profit motive to child exploitation online is a development in an increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect crime. Europol is warning parents that pictures they post of their children online may be used by people for sexual purposes.
Senator Jillian Van Turnhout, a Children’s Rights Activist and Ian Power Executive Director withSpunOut.ie both spoke for the need for parents and their children to become more conscious and careful while online. Both SpunOut.ie and Webwise.ie offer tips and advice on internet safety.
Shannon Heritage has been awarded a major contract to operate and manage the new €7m An Post Exhibition Centre in the GPO in Dublin to commemorate Easter Rising 1916 – The centre is due to open for Easter 2016. John Ruddle, Shannon Heritage CEO is delighted with this opportunity, he spoke to Gavin.
The head of IDA Ireland says he's confident that new strategies to promote job creation in the regions will lead to benefits in Clare. Martin Shanahan was speaking on a visit to Clare yesterday, where he met with company CEOs in Shannon and then addressed a Shannon Chamber of Commerce luncheon at Dromoland Castle. There, he told the assembled audience that the IDA is looking to increase regional investment by 30 to 40 per cent between now and 2019 – that would equate to between 66 and 71 separate investments in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary in that timeframe. Martin Shanahan also spoke to Gavin about the importance of Shannon Airport and the announcemnet of Apple's massive investment in Athenry when we spoke at Dromoland yesterday
Kieran Ferns is one half of the duo confirmed this week as Guinness World Record holders following the longest non-stop snooker match in history. Kieran and Gordon O Loughlin set the record last August – 191 frames over 85 hours. Where was the longest snooker game held? In the Ennis Snooker and Pool Club – The owner, Gerard O Loughlin joined Gavin in studio reflecting on this great event that he says he will never forget. Today is bittersweet as Gerard is closing the Snooker Club after a year in business but hopes to see the game come back into fashion in the future.
Morning Focus Friday Panel. Our panel of three guests from around the county join us in studio to take a look back at this week biggest news stories. Gavin was joined by Orla Vaughan, qwner of Kilfenora Hostel, Auctioneer and Business man from Kilkee Manuel Di Lucia and Mairead Doyle, Solicitor with Michael Houlihan & Partners Solicitors Ennis. Enda Kenny's salary was top of the discussion list, followed by the low pay commission regarding wage levels in Ireland; the Government's decision to refuse IAG's offer for the sale of Aer Lingus and the Oscars topped off the lively discussion.
Finally today, we were joined in studio by the Ennis Players ahead of their Spring production, 2015 of "The Mai" by Marina Carr. Director Paul Corey gave an insight into the production while Rita Brady who plays Grandma Fraochlan and Saoirse Byrne playing the part of Connie read a short but humouros piece from the script. The Mai will appear on stage, in Glor, Ennis, from Monday March 2nd to Wednesday March 4th, 2015.
If you have a comment or query and would like to contact Morning Focus – email: focus@clare.fm
