The Government’s published new laws that will make a failure to report child sexual abuse a criminal offence that carries a jail term of at least five years
But Justice Minister Alan Shatter says the measure is about far more cases than what he described as the fixation on the seal of the confessional
And the Children’s Minister has published laws that will put the up to now voluntary child protection guidelines into law by the end of the year
The coalition’s also published a draft law to place in law the up until now voluntary ‘Children First’ guidelines on child protection
On Thursday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Children’s Rights Alliance Chief Executive Tanya Ward who welcomed yesterday’s publication of the Heads of the Children First Bill 2012
Placing Children First Guidance on a statutory footing will change the culture of child protection in Ireland, ensuring that abuse is tackled head-on and not hidden away.
Ennis Town Cllr Paul O’Shea has formed a fund raising committee to raise money for defibrillators in Ennis
The committee comprises of the CEO from the Ennis Chamber of Commerce, The Irish Red Cross, and others
They have gained sponsorship from the Clare Spring Water Company who are launching a fund raiser where 5 cent from every bottle of their best selling 500ml will go towards providing defibrillators for the town
The Irish Red Cross will provide free training along with 3 other training providers for the general public in the use of Defibrillators
They are also applying for Ennis to become a ‘Hearth safe Community’ through the Irish Heart Foundation
They say these life saving devices are much needed in our county town, we currently do not have one at our Garda HQ in Ennis
Paul O’Shea, Chairman – Ennis Defibrillators and Shirley Benson of the Irish Red Cross in Clare explained
If you wish to donate there is an account for Ennis Defibrillators in AIB Ennis
Sort Code 935387, A/C number 24311051.
Three students have lost a High court challenge against cuts of around 60 per cent to their maintenance grants
Medb McCarthy, a student at NUI Galway, Robert Johnson, studying at Dundalk IT and Iesha Rowan, a mature student at Galway-Mayo IT brought the action.
It was considered a test case for around 25-thousand students who are affected by changes brought in last year
President of the Union of Students of Ireland, Gary Redmond, says they’re bitterly disappointed by the ruling and he’s asking Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to explain himself
Gary Redmond, President of the Union of Students in Ireland explained what happened and said they are considering an appeal.
Disappointment has been expressed after two rural schools in Clare which were told that they were losing teaching staff have not been given a reprieve.
Last month, the Department of Education informed 73 rural schools that they are to lose a member of teaching staff from September – this included Boston National School near Tubber and Scoil Naisiunta Eoín Baiste in Ballyvaughan.
34 of these have now been given a reprieve, but this does NOT include the Clare schools
Attended an INTO meeting in Athlone yesterday about setting up a task force on the future of small schools
John spoke with Sean McMahon – Clare INTO representative and Mullagh National School principal – who is one of only 4 members of the executive on the task force .
In Morning Focus’ GIY Slot this week the theme was Creepy Crawlies: The good, the bad and the ugly
Lynn O’Keeffe Lascar, Outreach Horticulturalist at Kinvara Sustainable Living discussed creepy crawlies – are they a friend or foe?
She also had tips on how to identify them; common foes (aphids, caterpillars and slugs); slug control in detail; common friends (ladybirds, bluetits, beetles, song thrush, hedgehog, bats)
Carmen Cronin, Munster Coordinator for Grow-it-Yourself (GIY Ireland) highlighted the different GIY meetings in Clare coming up in April/May
There are 5 groups in Co Clare (Ennis, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay, Kilrush and Scarriff) Also there is a group forming in Newmarket on Fergus meeting on Tuesday May 8th in Obair, Newmarket on Fergus. carmen@giyireland.com
Kilbaha based Ailish Connolly organised a dig at Loophead last September to unearth and clean the ÉIRE sign
Constructed in 1943 by members of the local coast watch service, the sign was to warn incoming aircraft that they had entered neutral territory
The sign is located behind Loop Head Lighthouse and is approximately 12m long and six metres high. Signs can consist of up to 150 tonnes of stone. Few ÉIRE signs remain intact and those that do are generally located in very remote areas
She was inspired by a BBC ‘Coast’ programme – the BBC return this week to record for another programme to be broadcast on May 7th
They need more volunteers this Friday to white wash the sign- all are welcome
Last September volunteers took part in the initial dig to unearth the sign- this was met by a great community welcome – B&B’s put them up for free and local pubs and people provided food
Dr Michael Kennedy – a historian from the Royal Irish Academy is invovled in the project
He says it’s a wonderful project with major national implications.
Aileen Browne of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service appealed to people to come along and donate at the West County Hotel, Ennis this evening from 6pm – 9pm
Information on 021 480 7400
John Underhill of Burren Vets joined John in studio to answer listeners’ livestock and pet health queries.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
