Morning Focus opened with a look at possible fall-out from the scandal at the suicide support charity, Console. The founder of the Clare Crusaders Clinic fears more scandals will come to light in the charities centre in the wake of the allegations of bad governance.
It's reported the suicide charity's founder Paul Kelly, his wife and son, spent hundreds of thousands of euro on groceries, designer clothes and trips abroad. Calls are now being made for the Charities Regulator to be given extra powers.
Manager of the Clare Crusaders and Mayor of Ennis, Councillor Ann Norton told Gavin the role of the regulator has never been more important.
A proposed increase to a public levy on electricity charges could see savings being made on bills wiped out, according to St Vincent de Paul (SVDP).
The Commission for Energy Regulation has suggested that the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy be increased by 36%.
SVDP is one of the parties with a vested interest asked to submit their thoughts on such an increase.
In its submission the charity says that the proposed increase will see domestic electricity bills increase by as much as €90 (including VAT) per year.
Gavin was joined in studio by John Cullinane of the St Vincent de Paul in Clare.
Rosemary Mann from Kilimer got in touch with Morning Focus after yesterday's discussion on poor broaband from 3 Mobile in North Clare. Rosemary told Gavin she and her late husband had a broadband service with 3 Mobile but needed to get a booster for it. David, was the account holder but was diagnosed with Motor Nurone Disease and was unable to speak with the company representatives or carry out the technical checks they required. Rosemary says that, despite this, the company continued to phone the couple from their overseas call centre. She eventually cancelled the account, but had to get a solicitor's letter to stop the company from calling.
Dr Maire Finn discussed a range of health concerns including diabetes and back pain.
As the Merriman Summer School opened in Ennis, Gavin was joined in studio by historian Professor Diarmaid Ferriter. Prof Ferriter spoke about the connections between current affairs and history, particularly in light of the Brexit referendum and said that, in his opinion, it's not the right time for a poll on a United Ireland.
Michelle Flaherty from Busy Bee Garden Centre & Tea Room, Clondrinagh, Limerick, told Gavin about dead-heading in the garden.
Dr Kevin Haugh, Cancer survivor and author joined Gavin to talk about his most recent work. Kevin Haugh, was a guest on Morning Focus a few years ago (2013), shortly after writing an account of the fight against Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (An Imperfect Storm). Now clear of the disease, Kevin joined us last February ahead of the launch of a lovely memoir of his childhood on the Loop Head Peninsula. A Place I Called Home deals with many of the social norms of the era, and shows how religion and immigration had an impact on both Kevin’s life and the lives of those in the wider community. He also shares a treasury of memories and tales handed down to him by the older generation, along with some nuggets of local history, social life and work on the land.
Members of Ennis Sub Aqua and Clare Civil Defence will be rolling up their sleeves this evening for a major cleanup of the River Fergus. The annual event has taken on a new signficance this year ahead of the All-Ireland Fleadh. Teams will start at Wood Quay at 6.30pm this evening (Thurs.).
Gavin was joined in studio by Noel Carmody, Civil Defence Officer with Clare County Council and by Gda Sgt. John Staunton a member of Ennis Sub Aqua Club.
A very special group of 150 children from Belarus land at Shannon Airport last Friday as part of a 30th Anniversary airlift by Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International (CCI) to take children out of the Chernobyl affected regions for respite care in Ireland this summer. Clare FM's Siofra Mulqueen was there to meet them at the arrivals gates.
Morning Focus rounded off with a preview of Seafest a festival celebrating the sea and seafood at the Marine Institute and other locations in Galway this weekend (July 2 & 3).
