With ongoing flooding in Springfield, Clonlara, Gavin spoke with widow Bridget Kinsella, a mum of three boys, Luke (16), Philip (15) and Jake (15). Over the weekend, the boys worked with the emergency services to lay hundreds of sandbags around the family home. On Sunday, Phiilp suffered an asthma attack and was taken to hospital, luckily he has since recovered. Bridget told Morning Focus she would have been lost without the heroic efforts of her three boys.
A new national report revealed different cancer risks for men and women. The study from the National Cancer Registry, showed that the number of cancer cases in Ireland is still increasing, however the overall cancer risk for men is levelling off. Despite continuing rises in cancer cases in Ireland, survival rates continue to improve. The report suggests that, although the total number of cancers continues to rise, mainly due to the ageing of our population, there is some positive news. For men, the risk of developing cancer, which had been rising steadily since at least 1994, may now be plateauing. The risk of lung cancer continues to fall for men, due to a long-term fall in the number of men who are smokers, but the recent fall in women smoking has not yet made any impact on female cancer risk. The cancer risk in women continues to rise, and lung cancer has now overtaken colorectal cancer to become the second most common major cancer in women, however the risk of dying of cancer was over 30 percent higher for men than for women. Gavin discussed the finds with Dr Harry Comber, Director of the National Cancer Registry.
A leaked report on the issue of student loans suggested that graduates could face loan repayments in the region of €25 a week over a 15-year period under major reforms to third-level funding. The draft report – Funding Irish Higher Education: A Virtuous Circle of Investment, Quality and Verification – recommends the introduction of a new income-contingent loan system for graduates, increased maintenance grants for students from low income families and a greater contribution from both the State and employers. The Union of Students in Ireland has criticised the new proposed scheme. It's described the scheme as "overwhelmingly intimidating" and something that would deter students from applying to college. The USI estimates that the scheme would lead to "a real increase of €7,500 in fees for third level". The USI also believes the loan system will only push people further away and outlined that other countries in Europe offer better pay and lower registration fees, making the cost of education cheaper abroad. To hear more about the USI objections, Gavin was joined by Annie Hoey Vice President Union of Students of Ireland.
With concerns that storms and flooding could be signs of climate change, Morning Focus heard about new research from academics at NUI Maynooth which shows that flooding will become a fact of life for most of us in Ireland and urges the government to change planning guidelines to reflect the increasing likelihood of extreme weather events. Gavin spoke to Dr Conor Murphy of the Irish Climate Analysis and Research UnitS (ICARUS), part of the Department of Geography at NUI, Maynooth.
Clare FM’s Derrick Lynch reported from a civic receptions for Clare sporting heroes. Clare's All-Ireland champion hurlers of 1995 were honoured with a civic reception by Clare County Council. The local authority bestowed the honour on the team two decades after Anthony Daly lifted the Liam McCarthy cup, ending an 81 year wait for the Banner County. It was one of two civic receptions in honour of Clare's sporting heroes which took place at Áras Chontae an Chláir last night. The other was in recognition of the achievements of Clare handballers in their World Championships, local lifesavers in the European Championships and of Paul Kirrane and Patrick Rutherford who achieved bronze in this year's Special Olympics World Games.
More than 300 pupils from the Holy Family Senior School in Ennis have been perfecting singing, dancing and gymnastics routines over the last few weeks as they get set to raise the curtain on their forthcoming production of 'Ali Baba' and the 40 Thieves. With rehearsals in full swing, Clare FM’s Siofra Mulqueen went behind the scenes to find out more.
With just 10 sleeps to go to Christmas, Gavin spoke to Jessica Alexander of The Sleep Council, about ensuring you’re getting a good night’s rest.
