The Irish Cancer Society is welcoming proposals by the Health Minister to introduce a ban on smoking in parks and on beaches
The smoking ban in pubs and restaurants has been in place since 2004, but statistics show it has failed to cut the number of smokers here
There are around a million smokers in Ireland, with the majority of those falling between the ages of 18 and 44
On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Kathleen O’Meara of The Irish Cancer Society who said that the Minister’s latest proposed ban is not just an issue of public health, it’s also about denormalising smoking.
The new Regional Manager for Hospitals in Ennis and Limerick is to be asked to explain HSE Budget plans for Ennis General and Health services throughout Clare to local Councillors
Following a special meeting of Clare County Council to discuss concerns about the health service last evening, members voted to ask Ann O’Doherty to address them on the progress of reconfiguration in the mid-west and commitments to protect the health needs of the people of Clare
They also called for the recruitment embargo on nurses to be lifted to fill frontline nursing positions in Ennis, and with fears for further budget cuts this year, Ennis West Councillor Tom McNamara lead demands for no more cuts in Clare
Tom McNamara, Ennis West Fianna Fail Councillor and Member of the HSE Health Forum West
who lead the debate on Health services at Clare County Council joined John on the line along with Christy Curtin, Kilrush Independent Councillor who called for Ann O’Doherty to address council and Johnny Flynn, Ennis East – Fine Gael Councillor who said Clare has been dealt a bad hand on health services over the years.
Tony Cogan from Miltown Malbay got the all clear after cancer therapy about two weeks go
We met Tony on February of this year when he told us his story of being diagnosed with Testicular Cancer Sufferer fourteen months ago
When he was initially diagnosed he wasn’t terrified but delighted to find the reason for his feeling so sick and miserable in the prior months
He had been nursing his father who died of bowel cancer- his experience with his father in the latter stages of his illness meant he was familiar with the terminology used
He wishes to urge men to go to the doctor and get themselves checked out- if his speaking about his own illness can spur one man to do this he will be happy
Tony is an advocate of the Cancer Man to Man is a support group for men who have had or are affected by cancer- event taking place on Saturday May 5th with Dr John Hillery
All men are welcome – whether they have already suffered from cancer or have been diagnosed. Contact Clare Cancer Support on 1850 211 630 or 087 691 2396 www.clarecancersupport.com
In our weekly legal advice slot Will Cahir of Cahir and Co. Solicitors, Ennis and volunteer solicitor at the Free Legal Advice Clinic in Clare Citizens Information Centre discussed Road Traffic Offences – sentences, fines and penalty points.
World famous nutritionist Udo Erasmus had a word about Omega 3 and healthy fats
He spoke about an Irish recipe booklet containing the Mackerel recipe by Bernadette of Inagh, and “omega3cuisine” which Udo co-wrote a number of years ago with chef Alan Roettinger
Udo’s website (www.udoerasmus.com) has a mass of detail on it, but an easier one to read is www.udoschoice.ie
He had some advice for listeners.
This evening at 7:30pm in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway Dr. Udo Erasmus will take to the stage to talk about Omega oils in a talk entitled ‘The Fats of Life’.
Finally it appears the mystery over whether the whale that washed up in North Clare was a rare breed to these waters has been solved
Images sent to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group confirm the carcass to be a long-finned pilot whale and not a Narwhal as previously believed
The story first hit the headlines earlier this month following sightings of the dead mammal on the shoreline in Liscannor but its breed couldn’t be confirmed as it then appeared to vanish
However Clare County Council subsequently stated that the carcass had been removed as it was an environmental hazard
But the IWDG says pictures sent to them, reveal it was pilot whale – the fourth to get stranded on the Clare coastline so far this year
John had a word with Dr Simon Berrow of the Irish Whale Dolphin Group
Max Halliday in Shannon spotted whale initially and reported it to IWDG
He says he wants to wait for DNA results to confirm it wasn’t a narwhal
Brian Kelly in Ballyvaughan provided the photo that confirmed it was not a narwhal but a long finned pilot whale.
If you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
