On Tuesday’s Morning Focus we heard what people in Ennis thought of the upcoming budget when Clare FM’s Amy Ryan spoke to some yesterday
John Cooke spoke with Bríd O’Brien of the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed
She said that young people are more likely to emigrate if the Jobseekers’ Allowance is cut in today’s Budget and that the possible changes should be abandoned
It was reported yesterday that the Budget will see the weekly dole payment cut for 25-year-olds from 188 euro to 144 euro a week.
There’s been widespread criticism of today’s expected budget announcement of free GP care for the under 5’s
The main bodies representing doctors say they haven’t been consulted about the plan, which it is estimated will cost 40 million euro
The IMO and the Irish College of General Practitioners believe giving the benefit to all will mean that discretionary medical cards will be taken from those who need them the most
Lahinch based Dr Michael Kelleher- a member of the GP Committee with the Irish Medical Organisation- spoke with John and was critical of such a plan.
Photographers and reporters gathered outside Portlaoise prison this morning as John Gilligan walks free after over a decade in Jail
The 61 year old was jailed in 2001 after being convicted on drug trafficking charges
That sentence was reduced on appeal, and today he is a free man having spent 12 years behind bars
Considered one of Ireland’s most dangerous criminals, John Gilligan was one of the main suspects in the murder of Veronica Guerin in 1996
John spoke with Crime Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail Ali Bracken who was outside Portlaoise Prison this morning when Gilligan was set free.
Recently on the programme we discussed government plans to make Ireland virtually smoke free by 2025, and we heard welcome for those plans from the Irish Cancer Society, who continue to encourage people to quit smoking to save their lives
We also heard from Smokers rights group Forest Eireann who feel that smokers are being demonised in these plans, and many of you got in touch regarding your own experience of smoking or giving up the habit…
One regular listener to the programme, Christina Whelan from Ennis got in touch and invited John to her home to hear her story.
Frankie Coote, Clare ISPCA Warden, joined John with his usual slot with advice on the proper care of animals
Contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393.
If you have a story for Morning Focus email Focus@clare.fm
