 Lanter-McBarty attended yesterday's meeting despite his suspension, and it was subsequently adjourned until Monday, February the 21st. Jinvi and council members held a meeting after yesterday's developments, and Councillor Jerry McMunnical says the lack of progress being made on important issues is creating anger among members of the public. We had many major issues to discuss. Laika was not discussed. Our housing crisis was not discussed. The wonder energy plan, nothing of any meaningful importance to the people of this county was allowed to go ahead because of the antics of one man. We know the extreme and justifiable anger that the people of Donegal Field when they see our council failed to proceed on issues of importance, and we're expected to act on it. But unfortunately the behaviour was totally unacceptable. Meanwhile, Donegal County Council is being urged to investigate all possible flood mitigation solutions for the river Swilly. The river runs through the heart of Latter County with concern that some of the nearby lands may be prone to flooding in the future if action is not taken. This used to be raised at today's sitting of the Latter County Milford Municipal District by Councillor Michael McBride. He says it's imperative that Latter County is not stripped of valuable development lands, and that the local authority do everything it can to combat flooding going forward. That would make sense for the development of Latter County, the development of the AED, which is going to be technological university, that we would look at maybe all the solutions. Some of the solutions I think we could look at, and we feel there is some risk of flooding in Clare Park and could be put on the ground level to our student accommodation, and that would open higher, and then second and third, fourth floors, etc. in that area. Whether nice, sunny spells and scattered showers, a rain slate and some snow over hills and mountains today, with highest temperatures of seven to nine degrees. That's all from Highland Radio News for now. We'll be back with news again at 10 o'clock. Until then, good morning. This is an important announcement from the Department of Social Protection. If you have been in receipt of the COVID-19 pandemic unemployment payment and are now returning to work, this message is for you. You must ensure that you stop your payment on your first day back at work. The simplest way to do this is online at www.mywelfare.ie. For more information, visit gov.ie forward slash dsp COVID-19 brought to you by the Government of Ireland. Today's show is sponsored by the three-store Bongkranah. Visit us in store for the best deals on high-speed home broadband and more. Three for a better connected life. And a very good morning to you. It's the 9th of Noon Show on Highland Radio. It's Donald Kavanaugh with you until 12 noon today. As always, we have a varied array of guests lined up to speak to, but most importantly, we are welcoming and asking you to send in your comments, your perspectives and your views on the issues of the day, or indeed the issues you would like to see raised on the programme. You can do so by texting us on 086-60-25000. That number is good for WhatsApp messages as well. You can call us on 074-9125-000. 0035374-9125-000 if you're outside of the dialing area. Caroline Orr is producing and taking your calls this morning. We're at Highland Radio on Twitter. We're Highland Hub on Facebook and we're on other social media platforms as well. You can email us comments at highlandradio.com and we are of course broadcasting the show live on Facebook and also live on the Highland Radio YouTube channel. So when we take an interview on Zoom, you can listen to what's happening with those as well. It's Tuesday morning, it's the 8th of February and we're going to begin with the papers this morning, the Donegal People's Press, the main headline hidden gem, a little known woodland estate on the shores of Donegal Bay, has the potential to be a flagship project aimed at the county's outdoor recreational strategy, the McManus Estate, which is just a few miles west of Donegal Town at Rossi Longan Forest, is a true hidden gem. We're told a story about that on the front of the People's Press also there. Motion passed with Gar thee in Council Chamber. Donegal County Council's January meeting was in a state of stalemate yesterday afternoon over the suspension of Councilor Frank McParty from the Council. The meeting was adjourned until February 21st after Councilors voted to take High Court proceedings against Councilor McParty. That motion was passed with Gar thee present in the Chamber. Gar thee had been called after an incident outside the Oral Letter Centre where the meeting was taken place. That said, the start of Declan McGee's story there, more on the insight of the People's Press. I was at that meeting myself and Declan's story, a very, I think, accurate and fair outline of what happened. The front of the Derry Journal this morning, Laura Glen writes, a low, low day for the Council. Let's say, quote from the Cahirluk Councilor Jack Murray, who described yesterday Monday as a low day for Donegal County Council. He was speaking after the Council initiated High Court proceedings against Councilor Frank McParty to enforce a suspension which had been agreed last week. The co-option of Finnegwale is Jonny McGinnis, who was to take his late father Bernard's seat in Anishoan, did not once again take place. Now, Jonny McGinnis had been online at the previously adjourned meeting the week before. Yesterday, he was there. He arrived and I indeed spoke to him and prerecorded an interview with him outside of the centre before he went in. In the event, the co-option didn't happen, so the interview is on hold until the co-option does happen. Councilor McParty had again questioned the sanctions in a statement before the meeting saying, if the reasons and laws for his suspension was outlined, he would attend the meeting and he said if the sanctions were not lifted, he'd be considering his council seat and also considering legal proceedings. And there was a number, again, a number of interjections from the floor from Councilor McParty over the course of proceedings yesterday. And to be honest, we were in the, what we'll call the chamber in the main room at the Aurelia Centre. We were there, I would say, for about two and a quarter to two and a half hours. And if the council actually sat for eight minutes over the course of that period, that's as long as the actual council sat for it, convened and adjourned immediately on two occasions and then there was a vote taken at the end and that's the only business done. So we are in a situation where the minutes of the November meeting have still not been passed. There is a whole body of work that was to have been agreed at the end of January. That hasn't been looked at at all as of yet. We have that co-option that we referenced. There's also a number of very important issues, not least of which, and it was referenced by Councilor Jeremy Monagall in the piece he did with Michaela for News, that, you know, we have a situation where there is a very important wind energy debate has been going on in this county and there are clauses pertaining to wind energy and how wind energy and wind mills are to be governed in the county development plan. That's been under discussion. That's to what the public consultation before it can be put into a plan and passed and enforced. That consultation has again been delayed and we know from what we saw in Mean Bog, you know, what can happen when, you know, you have issues with wind farms and it's a very important issue and just one of many important issues which are up for discussion, which cannot proceed any further because of what's been happening and because of the stalemate that that pertains in the council at the moment. And certainly it's an issue that we may see resolved on Monday week, but we wait to see what happens as we understand it. The chief executive was to lodge those papers with the High Court yesterday. So I believe officials and councillors are hoping that they may get some form of response from the High Court by Monday of next week but they adjourned for two weeks just to give time for those issues and proceedings to go through the courts and while they're going through the courts, obviously we will not be discussing them in any detail because it is now for the courts to adjudicate and to decide. The front of the Irish Independent this morning, Gardie, use CCTV to identify suspects in vicious burglary, hunt for gang as Farmer 73 fights for his life after attack and we heard the story yesterday of Tom Nyland who's been in hospital and whose condition has deteriorated significantly in recent days following that attack at his home in Screen County, Sligo on January 18th. It's understood that Gardie have made significant progress and a number of suspects may have been identified. Also on the front of the Irish Independent, Coveney orders inquiry into Army Barracks party. Defence Minister Simon Coveney has ordered an independent investigation into an alcohol fuelled COVID-19 party at an Army Barracks which resulted in several senior officers being reprimanded and alleged sexual assault of an on-duty female soldier by an off-duty male officer who attended the gathering is currently being investigated. We're told by military police. Front of the Irish Times this morning, dozens of soldiers at social event during lockdown, the same story. Minister for Defence orders external review of McKee Barracks barbecue. Gathering took place outside Defence Forces COVID Task Force headquarters and also on the front of the Irish Times this morning. Insurance lobby attacks motor industry inquiry. Brokers Ireland claims anti-competitive report is intended to sully its reputation. Also on the front tax cuts unlikely in planned package of income supports. The prospect of tax cuts as part of the government's cost of living package is receding ahead of key meetings. This week. Irish Daily Mail this morning. Families spending less on shopping. Soaring inflation forces pinched consumers to switch to TV dinners and supermarket brands. Families are ditching branded goods and spending less to counter soaring inflation. Latest research shows Tesco, Lidl and Aldi own brands are spiking in sales as people tried to evade the highest food inflation in more than 20 years. Now, in my experience, in many cases supermarket owned brands are every bit as good as the major branded products. And you know, I certainly would not be one to look down on supermarket owned brands. In fact, there are certain products in which I think the supermarket owned brand is better or nicer or more to my taste. And that's a fact of life these days. And it looks like it's going to become even more so as inflation continues to rise and the cost of living really begins to dominate many discussions. Front of the Irish Daily Star this morning. The Soaring 20s crack of the nest. Ireland is in the running to host Euro 2028 matches and Euro's hero Ray Houghton says he couldn't be happier about the Anglo Celtic fade. It's another boost to Ireland's Covid recovery and it's also been confirmed that St. Patrick's Day flexibilities will return in March and will be the biggest ever. And also on the front of the Irish Daily Star, Tom, how am I ever going home? That's the question that he asked in hospital after Thugs left him fighting for his life. He remains in a critical condition. The Irish Daily Mirror this morning. We will never give up. Fight goes on for girls who didn't come home. The heartbroken family of Amy Fitzpatrick voted last night to never give up in the fight to trace the missing Dublin woman. The she was just 15 when she vanished from Spain's Costa del Sol in 2008. Her dad Christopher had a poignant message for Amy on her 30th birthday yesterday while her aunt Christine said she should be here. She was a lovely girl. Front of the Irish Sun. It should be us. And that's a couple's lotto nightmare. That story is on the inside. And there's also an exclusive shock video. Prem Star's vile attack on Cat, a Premier League ace Kurt Zuma could be prosecuted after being filmed booting his cat like a football across his kitchen floor. And also Tom in a coma for just 600 euro and army facing sex pick probe. There are the other two stories on the front of the song. That's the way the papers are looking this morning, as I said, if you would like to make contact with this about any of the issues that are exercising you at the moment and that you're taking an interest in you can do so. You can text us on 086 60 25,000. That number of good for WhatsApp messages as well. Call us 07491 25,000 0035 374 9125,000 if you're outside of the area. And comments at highlandvideo.com. Terms and exclusions apply. On Sunday the 13th of February from 12 noon to 5pm. View our stunning drama suite. Meet local wedding suppliers, get wedding inspiration and talk to the Silver Birch wedding team. Don't miss our biggest wedding event of the year. On Sunday the 13th of February at the Silver Birch Hotel, Oma. App Store. Fill in a few simple details about yourself and your medicines and you're all set. From prescription ordering, daily medicine reminders to messaging our pharmacy team directly, it's all at your fingertips with our new Brennan's app. Like to know more? Why not call your local Brennan's pharmacy today for more information? We're here for you. Highland Radio Time Checks brought to you by Letterkenny Shopping Centre, the centre of shopping in Donegal. Free parking and shopping all under one roof. Letterkenny Shopping Centre, bringing you the time at... It's just approaching 18 minutes past nine o'clock. There is a debate on single-sex education, particularly in the secondary sector but across all sectors of education. And the Labour Party in particular is moving legislation to seek the scrapping of single-sex schools within 10 to 15 years. But is there evidence to suggest that scrapping single-sex schools will improve educational outcomes? Well, we're joined on the line by Dr. Emer Smith. She's a research professor with the Social Research Division and growing up in Ireland Economic and Social Research Institute. Emer, good morning to you. Good morning. The question of single-sex education is one that you've looked into and you have a perspective on this that's interesting because the growing up in Ireland research means that you can actually track individuals over a long period. So you can come up with data that really has a basis in ongoing factors it were. Do you see any evidence that there is a difference between single-sex or multi-sex schools? There's two things to say. First of all, when you're asking people themselves, they would tend to favor co-education settings. So that's one aspect. But if you look at objective outcomes, once you take account of the fact that the profile of students going to single-sex schools is a bit different, tends to be a bit more advantaged, tends to be of higher priority. Once you compare like with like, we actually don't see any differences in academic outcomes like junior or leaving search results. We don't see much difference in self-image country, to what you might expect. The one difference we found was that in girls schools, you tend to have a little bit less misbehavior and less truancy than among girls in co-ed schools. But that's the only difference. Is there an argument that says that these issues are issues that go beyond academic achievements? And if we limit this debate to academic achievement, we are really limiting the debate to an extent that's going to do with disservice to everyone. Because there have been suggestions, for instance, that those who are in a mixed school and a co-ed school will have more balanced experiences, will have more balanced views, will have more experience and perhaps we'll see less of the gender-based issues and problems that we have seen in this country, particularly in recent times. Well, what seems to be the case is really that gender differences are pervasive, regardless of whether we're talking about single sex or co-ed schools. So that the gender difficulties and gender inequalities that we're seeing are broader, they're societal, they're not just related to school type. We've looked at much broader outcomes than academic outcomes alone. We've looked at stress and mental health. We don't see any differences there. We don't see any differences in sexual behavior amongst 17-year-olds or where they get their information about sex. So we've taken quite a comprehensive view of this and we're not seeing the difference. I think it's important that the argument is based on, well, do you think it's a more natural setting? What would young people prefer rather than saying it's to do with improving or just improving outcomes because the evidence is quite clear that other factors are at play. Do you then believe that what the Labour Party are doing in the dull trying to scrap single-sex schools then is, I won't say a lost cause, but perhaps isn't the most important issue that they could be tackling at the moment in the education sector? I think the most important issue is educational disadvantage and the social differentiation in school and the implications that have for young people who are in schools with the concentration as a disadvantage. I think that's really a priority in terms of where we see poor outcomes, effects not just on academic outcomes but on behavior and so on. In terms of the work you're doing within the context of the ESRI, the Growing Up in Ireland study is one which is an interesting one because as it said, it's tracking people over a period of time. Talk to us a little bit about that research and about the sort of things you're finding from it. Well that would go beyond the gender issue but it would certainly give us great insights into education disadvantage, for example, because we can place kids from preschool into school and so on. And actually we see that young people from more disadvantaged backgrounds who start school and they're doing really well in terms of vocabulary that they fall behind as they get older. So we're seeing a lot of lost potential if you like from kids. On the gender issue, we're seeing that the lives of boys and girls, young men and young women are very gendered. That their experience of school is quite different but also their lives outside school. We're seeing quite a lot of difference in their social activities, their friendship networks. So it's really allowing us to see how inequalities develop and change as young people move from infancy really to young adults. One of the major attempts to tackle disadvantaged gender education sector in recent years has been the DASH program. Is there evidence in what you're seeing to show that that's having any effect that it's working at least in some way? I mean, yes, I think the evidence is pretty positive on the DASH program but I think what our research shows that those schools with the, you know, the urban DASH band one schools was with the real concentration of disadvantage. That the gap is quite significant there. So there will be a case for targeting more resources to those schools in particular. I think another thing our research shows is that you have to remember that not all disadvantaged children attend DASH schools and over half of them are outside DASH schools. So they're not provided with support by virtue of their disadvantage. So we have to look maybe at kind of tapered provision or, you know, to all schools to cater for those students. And in a sense you've almost preempted my next question because I was going to ask you about the urban rural divide in the work that you were doing in terms of the research. The thought among many people would be that there is going to be more options in an urban setting and particularly in a big city there'll be more options to say go for educate together or go for the school of choice where if you're in a rural area if you're in a smaller town you don't have as much choice. Is there evidence from the work that you're doing that there is a difference between urban and rural and even small town and large town stroke city? I think what you find is there is more choice in urban areas but that actually results in more differences between schools and their intake. What has been found by ourselves and also by the Education Research Centre has been that in rural areas the effects of the concentration of disadvantage isn't as great. So it could be the case that you have low income families but the education levels or the access to education resources might be greater so the outcomes aren't as severe as in those kind of grade-prived urban areas. We haven't looked so much at the small town, larger town issue but that isn't emerging clearly from the research. And finally in terms of education to the most important developments over the course of the past 10, 15 years in particular and indeed it's been growing for longer in that has been Guelz, Colina and the Educate Together programme. To what extent are they having an impact on educational trends and to what extent do you believe they're potentially changing the system? They're growing sectors but we still have to remember that they're a very small proportion of all schools so in terms of educational policy I think we need to be looking at not just type of schools but big ticket items like senior cycle reform like the new well-being agenda which is to be welcomed in schools issues around mental health especially in the wake of the pandemic so I think there are issues that apply across all types of schools and I think they're the ones that we should be focusing on on policy terms. Dr. Emar Smith of the ESRI Research Professor and working with the Social Research Division and particularly on the growing up in Ireland research programme thank you very much indeed for speaking to us this morning. Thank you very much. Your voice, your station. Just a few of your comments that have been coming in why are those councillors and executive members which councillor McClearty is referring to not stepping aside until the allegations are proven or rejected in court to allow the work of the council to continue that's one question being posed by a caller. Callers as I know Frank McClearty doesn't always conduct to himself well but he's being slammed for trying to get the truth. Callers as Donald if you were to get your house retrofitted at approximately 50,000 at the age of 60 it's like another mortgage and certainly it is an issue because the government is looking at assisting in retrofitting and assisting in providing the money for it but certainly it is a huge cost to be taking on particularly at that age. We would need a bus for the evenings to get out and about so as a caller taxis cost too much for nights out around rural Donegal and other have been some innovative transport schemes Ron certainly some publicans have been running sort of local buses themselves and organising lifts and so on and so forth and there have been some and of course we have to say in fairness the ruling transport service has been doing great work but yeah there certainly is an issue for for sort of travelling in Donegal at night particularly for socialising. Callers as it's nice to hear from a FinaFall TD that's on over a thousand euro a year to tell us to stop complaining about the cost of living I presume that's a reference to the junior minister Sean Fleming who said people should rather than complaining people should be shopping around a bit more fair point caller says what what do I do in this situation I fell in my kitchen at the end of June I hurt my arm I told give a time but after two weeks I went to a doctor and I was sent to letter Kenny hospital where an x-ray was taken I was told it was okay the swelling got worse I went back to the ER and sat there from 5 p.m to 11 30 to get another x-ray to be told they still didn't see anything wrong but I was referred to the fracture clinic a week later when I went there and attended that clinic I was told I had a bone in my wrist coming away from the socket and I needed to attend an orthopedic surgeon in Galway my appointment is in March my wrist has got worse can someone please suggest what does one do under these circumstances that's a question from a caller there and if you have any perspective on that we'd be delighted to hear from you text 086 60 25000 for grade fuel deals contact Gortley sales and hire large sacks and trailer loads of logs also briquettes coal kindling and gas with free delivery locally contact Gortley sales and hire in letter Kenny on 91 262 76 contact us today to find out how you can skip the bidding lists and receive treatment in Northern Ireland visit kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com because life matters you can pick up all the ingredients for a great deal at Tesco Mobile like the amazing Samsung Galaxy A52S 5G free for just 30 euro a month on our bill pay plan that's a saving of 149 99 plus you'll even get 99% network coverage this is supermarket mobile Tesco mobile every little helps visit us in store or search Tesco mobile tees and seas apply 24 month contracts payable by joint debit 99% population coverage see Tesco mobile.ie for full plan details and tees and seas Sheridan security now introducing zero wire smart alarm systems zero wire zero mess and a real peace of mind with a simple press of a button your alarm can be set or on set or download the free app and control it from your phone call us today on 074 912 602 five and get your alarm from 299 euro stay local stay safe and protect what you value most with Sheridan security systems at three we have an amazing range of broadband offers to keep you connected switch to three's high speed home broadband for just 39 euro per month and get three months free with no upfront cost visit the three store bankrana for this offer and more subject to coverage tees and seas apply today's 90 noon show is sponsored by the three store bankrana visit us in store for the best deals on high speed home broadband and more three for a better connected life it's the 90 noon show on Highland radio you may remember you may have heard on the news a few months back that there were 40 national schools across the country taking part in a pilot program as part of a process of reviewing and updating the primary school curriculum and one of the 40 schools across the country that was taking part in that pilot program was bali more national school in donna fanahe a coach in the caron is the principal there kosh good morning to you hi darl how are you very well indeed thank you coach it must have been interesting for yourself and and the teachers at the school to be taking part in what potentially is going to be a very important program in determining the direction of primary education into the future very interesting process I suppose for us we wanted to be involved from the ground because it is going to impact our work for the foreseeable future the teaching and learning that goes on in our schools and the experience that the children have and the families of our schools community have as I said for the foreseeable future so yeah we were delighted to take part to be involved in the process and continuing our involvement in the process will be critical I suppose to what program is laid out for us in the future I know you'll be slightly limited in what you can say about the things that you're doing and the programs that you're taking part in but do you believe it's going in the right direction from the point of view of someone who's a principal and obviously you've been a teacher and you've been in this education game at national school level for quite some time do you get the sense from what you've been doing over the past while that this is going in the right direction? Yeah I suppose if you think about the old curriculum it came into place in 1999 and society has evolved and changed so much like the children are so into technology and that is the future going forward so there was a long overdue revamp of the curriculum needed and I do believe it is going in the right direction but I do believe that everyone needs to have their say and participate in making sure that all voices are heard and ensuring that the curriculum that is rolled out matches what we do need in the society but I definitely do need to feel it is a step in the right direction and it is long overdue and much needed You and your teachers have been taking part in various workshops to plan the next phase now of where this is going and I'm sure from the government's point of view from the department's point of view and from the curriculum organiser's point of view your input is going to be vital here are you confident and satisfied that you're being listened to? Yeah and I suppose people might think what has a small school in the north west of Niigal got to add to it but we are very different to the larger schools perhaps in the city where we're teaching multi-grade curriculums we have various class groups in front of us and we need a curriculum that works for us as well as a singletrain school so I do feel that the ideas that are coming from all the different types of schools the different setups are being heard and are being taken into consideration with the planning that the NCCA are currently working on When will we see the new curriculum fully formed and in place? It's going to be a long and slow process the primary language curriculum that was launched a couple of years ago has I suppose been the start of the the example of the curriculum and that is still being phased in so there's no kind of end in sight I suppose with the work and once the consultation process closes the NCCA will begin kind of co-lating all of the data and the information that they've received from the public the schools that are working with them and any other parents, teachers or anyone that does want to participate and then a report will be sent to the department and then the department and the NCCA will begin working on rolling out the the finished product on a phased basis I imagine What impact has the pandemic had on this because obviously it's going to have effected education in general but in terms of online learning in terms of the optimal use of technology could it be that we've learned things as a result of the pandemic and as a result of the directions the pandemic forced education to take that ultimately may actually inform how the curriculum develops particularly in terms of IT and the use of the technology that you refer to earlier I suppose yeah every school has made great progress and leaps and bounds in terms of using technology and for teaching and learning over the past few years we had no choice but move online with online teaching and remote teaching so everyone has upscaled immensely and I do feel that that will probably take away some of the fear factor of this new curriculum being kind of technology heavy and integration heavy because we are so used to it now and it's definitely what we need in our schools the children are plugged in quite a lot and they probably know more than us at the moment but we are advancing and I definitely do think that the curriculum and COVID has helped so it could well be that COVID has actually maybe sped up the you know the bringing in of technology into this because traditionally I know certainly traditionally having had and my youngest child was starting school in 1999 when the new curriculum was coming in and you know so from that point of view it's a long time since I've had skin in the game in any education sector to be quite honest but it in terms of one of the worries always was when someone said the curriculum is changing the immediate response was going to be oh my god here comes the cost of books going up again and from that point of view you know there was always going to be a worry there when you bring in technology you bring in the prospect of perhaps not having the heavy expenses of books that that would have brought in although you will have the obviously the the initial cost of getting the mobile or the iPad or the tablet or whatever is being used but once you have technology you've maybe got the potential in some cases to move away from the books and maybe ease down on those annual costs of books yeah absolutely and I suppose when the department kind of slides off on these proposals and the new framework the next step would be increasing the funding that is available to make sure that every school can actually deliver what is being rolled out in the schools to what extent have you got the parents involved in this process and to what extent have they been briefed on on what's happening with this new curriculum and have they been given the actual opportunity to say well from speaking to our children this this is our perspective as parents a lot of the work we've been doing is on the staff involvement making sure that the staff have their voices heard and there is opportunities for parents to get involved and the NPCA have focus groups for parents organized and there's one coming up on February 16th and it's an online focus group where parents can get involved and have their say we have been talking to the children about changes they would like to see and if they were the Minister for Education what would they bring in just to get their general stance on it but as I said once the consultation process closes the framework then we're stuck with this whatever the department rolled out so it's vital that people have their say and all of the information there's questionnaires there's different things on the NPCA website if you click on the have your say tab where anyone that wants to have their opinion or their voice included in the data can submit or as I said take part in the online zoom that's organized it certainly seems from what you've been saying too is that you and your staff have taken full advantage of the opportunity this gave you to ensure that your perspective was heard and that your experience has been logged in terms of taking part in this process from the point of view of the school from the point of view of the staff and indeed from the point of view of yourself as a principal have you come out of this better have you learned from this do you believe that this has helped you in your career and in the way you're liaising and reacting both to the staff and indeed interacting with the children as well like the conversations that it has generated in our staff and we are only a small school like if we had more staff in our school I can only imagine the extent to the conversations and the skills and you know the curriculum or the professional development that has come out but as well because we're looking at what we're doing at the moment and seeing how we could slot in the new curriculum with it so we are integrating more subjects together we are you know working on technology and improving ourselves there as well and giving the children better experiences so even though the new curriculum is not here from what we've been reading and learning about it and discussing about it we are trying to incorporate that into what we're doing at the moment so we're kind of getting a bit of a taster session in our own planning and in our own teaching and learning in the classroom Coach it's great to hear that it's been a success from your point of view and that Bali Moore has taken full advantage of the opportunities that gave and it's good to know that Bali Moore's perspective is being heard at national level it's the NCCA the National Curriculum National Cancer Curriculum and Assessment their website again it's ncca.ie and people can go there and actually make their own views known and they too can take part in this process absolutely there's a tab at the top of the website have your say and if they click on primary and they look at the consultation process they'll see the draft framework they'll see all of the information and there's a questionnaire that they can fill in or they can register for the online Zoom that's taking place on the 16th of February No Coach Nique Rona hopefully this new curriculum as it develops will be a success and you your staff and your children at Bali Moore National School can look at it in years to come and think to yourselves yes we played a part in actually making that work thanks indeed for speaking to us this morning Milibuekas thanks a million Milibuekas that's Coach there the principle of Bali Moore National School in Dunfanahi and a very very important project to be involved in there just want to let you know that we've had notification that major works will take place on station roundabout in letter Kenny tonight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. the works are required to carry out emergency repair works to the sewer network on station roundabout now as a result temporary traffic management will be in place for the duration of those works Irish Water and Donegal County Council water services are apologizing for any inconvenience caused by the works so if you live around the town and you will be driving in through the town or its environs this evening if you know the area maybe best to just keep station roundabout out of your planned routes completely and take an alternative route and just minimize the amount of traffic that's hadn't done towards the roundabout so that when people get themselves into the and I'm sure most people will sort of know what the alternative routes would be to avoid the roundabout but you know especially for those who don't know the area as well as residents do no harm just to steer well clear station roundabout between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. tonight it's the 9th of noon Shewan Island radio just a few of your comments and this is one that came in yesterday my son was accused of driving away from a petrol station without paying we were contacted by Gardie and we were in shock further to our own investigation and this comes from the lad's father we discovered he'd only bought the car two weeks previously and the incident had happened two weeks previous to that so effectively this happened four weeks after the incident now we had to call the person he bought the car from and we got it sorted ourselves the person who was driving the car who was the previous owner presumably then paid I just think it's the most basic of policing to check the registered owner of the vehicle matches with the date of the incident when we contacted the Gardie they were very dismissive and refused to apologize for the anxiety that they put us on and we have registered a complaint with the ombudsman it seems to me four weeks is a long time between the alleged incident happening and Gardie actually calling to the house now this actually happened and I will tell you this this genuinely happened someone close to me that I was living with some years ago quite a few years ago actually it happened and they were driving to Dublin early in the morning and they stopped at a station they put in some fuel they went in they bought whatever a bag of crisps and a soft drink or whatever and they went and they paid for that at the tail and then they left and they drove away and just forgotten the moment that they had got fuel Gardie called at the house that afternoon and you know immediately it was oh god I'm so sorry went down sorted it immediately everything was fine there was no problem but that literally you know within a matter of hours and we know that there are CCTV cameras on four courts so I don't know it's I would have thought four weeks between the incident and the visit seems on the face of it to be a long time but yeah it's a terrible thing to feel you're being accused of something and I do certainly feel for the people involved there the problem of illegal and thoughtless parking is happening in every town and village in the country you may recall we spoke yesterday to councillor Terry Croson about the situation in Moff now as it happens I was speaking in person at councillor Croson yesterday afternoon because we were both in Aura Ledger Centre for that aborted meeting of Donegal County Council and he told me that he was travelling he was picked up by to get to letter Kenny I think it was councillor Albert Doherty his colleague from Caern picked him up and as they were driving through Moff on their way to letter Kenny for that council meeting he said he counted at least two and possibly more cars parked on the footpath in Moff, blocking the way so he said and one of them in the very area that we were just talking about on the programme yesterday morning so it obviously is an ongoing issue now today is safe for internet day and we're going to be discussing that with our next guest after this short break in this week's RTE guide home of the years Hugh Wallace on the personal challenges he has faced Joanne McNally on going from lockdown to sell a tour success plus our free home and interiors magazine packed with tips, trends and ideas for your home everything and more RTE guide on sale now With thousands of vouchers also to be won search Cadbury win a day in their boots T's and C's apply at Cherrymore kitchens and bedrooms we are now operating out of one new state-of-the-art showroom in Dunnigaltown and we invite you to visit our new 5,000 square foot Dunnigaltown showroom to discover the latest eye catching designs remember at Cherrymore you're dealing directly with a manufacturer which means high quality kitchens at factory prices start planning your dream kitchen or bedroom by calling Cherrymore on 074 9725882 Cherrymore 25 years delivering value quality and service all over Ireland for confirmation and first communion see the great selection of suits casual wear and footwear at Watson men's wear Letterkenny top brands including 1880 club Lyle and Scott Farah and Diesel also Tommy Bowe footwear and all at great prices whatever the fit whatever the style confirmation and first communions are covered for less at Watson men's wear open seven days a week on Main Street Letterkenny and at Watson men's wear dot com also great end of sale bargains still available Highland radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport thinking of a sun holiday this summer with a family flight to Alicante Malaga Faro Mallorca and Milan with Ryanair Ireland West Airport you're flying Mediterranean tellers sturdy sunny spells and scattered showers of rain sleet and some snow over hills and mountains today highest afternoon temperatures 7 to 9 degrees Celsius in moderate to fresh occasionally gusty southwest winds scattered showers along the coast will occasionally penetrate inland lowest temperatures tonight of 1 to 3 degrees Celsius coldest around dawn with some frost and icy patches possible light to moderate southwest winds increasing fresh to strong and gusty tomorrow there'll be some sunny spells with scattered showers around coastal areas some of sleet and possibly snow on hills highest temperatures 5 to 7 degrees Celsius in fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west winds Today's show is sponsored by the three store Bongkranagh visit us in store for the best deals on high speed home broadband and more three for a better connected life This is the 9 to 9 show on Highland Radio and today is Safer Internet Day and delighted to be joined by Jane McGarregal who's an author at Webwise Jane, good morning Good morning Donald thanks for having me on and happy Safer Internet Day and the same to yourself and Jane's with us on Zoom so if you have access to YouTube or Facebook Live you can watch this conversation as well as listening the glory of the multimedia age brought to life in glorious technicolor Jane Safer in Internet Day it's an important one because you know the internet is such a part of our lives but as well as being such a boon to us in recent years it does have a dark side and that's something that we always have to be aware of Absolutely so today Safer Internet Day what it is is actually it's a really brilliant opportunity to bring children teens, schools families and the wider community together to raise awareness about important issues affecting children and young people online we know the Internet is an integral part of our children's lives and this year we're encouraging families to sit down together to talk to listen to learn using our new resources and a big part of our campaign this year is we brought together a panel of experts from the National Parents Council Professor Brian O'Neill Deputy Chair of NACOS and Dr Coleman Noctur to discuss some key findings around what's going on for children online and one of those key findings is actually a lot of children don't tell when something goes wrong online so what that's brought up from our discussions is that parents need more supports in this area and we need more research in this area and that's not all that's happening today it's a big day in schools actually over 170,000 children from across Ireland and many of those are in schools in Donegal are taking part in safer internet today today they're doing lessons they're engaging activities and we're seeing some brilliant initiatives happening schools are looking at topics like body image cyber bullying privacy image sharing cocoa's law and many and many more and I suppose what that's telling us is we know that this is an important issue for our schools and for our communities and everyone is keen to do something about it so today really is a wonderful opportunity for us to shine a light on that Sometimes you hear the perspective that all people panic about the internet and parents panic about the internet and it isn't the big problem that sometimes all the doomongers make it out to be but it's a concern that your research suggests that parents actually underestimate the risks to which their children have been exposed to in the past year Absolutely that is what the researchers tell us and that's kind of consistent findings so there's a bit of gap in perception between what parents understand is going on online and what children and what is actually happening children at the risks they are facing so in terms of that what we need to do is we need to be able to better support families better support parents and actually we've spoken to a lot of young people this year for our campaign and I think this is really nice to hear from young people they've told us they don't expect their parents to be perfect in this area but they do recognize that they need more support so for any of your listeners watching today we have developed a brilliant suite of tools to give families more confidence to open up those conversations to keep the conversations going there's a list of talking points and this resource was actually written by our youth panel in consultation with over 100 teens from across Ireland so these are conversation starters for parents to use with their teenager and they're written by teens so they cover off very relevant topics for teens and they allow those conversations to be done in an open, safe way and we also have a brilliant topic generator tool so why not sit down this evening visit our website and use the topic generator tool it'll serve you up as a family a range of different internet safety questions like what's your favorite app or what would you do if something happened online or how can you tell if something's true online another big topic false information and what that allows families to do is talk about this I suppose free from judgment free from criticism and free from pointing fingers and I suppose it normalizes it and vitally important too that it's a two-way conversation because if a child perceives they're being lectured to by their parent particularly on something like online and the internet about which as you've rightly said in most cases the children know far more than the parents actually do if the child sort of perceives that they're being lectured to I mean you know it's you're on a hiding to nothing on that one the conversation's got to be two ways there's got to be listening as well as talking yeah absolutely so some of the things I suppose the advice we gave to parents when approaching a conversation avoid a critical eye we want our children to feel comfortable that they'll be able to come to us with a problem so we don't want to demonize the internet you know we only have to look at the last two years the lifeline the internet has been for us and actually going online for most people for most young people is a positive useful experience so we do need to recognize that and children and teens see the internet as a very important part of their lives you know talking with their friends finding out things learning things creating things so we need to respect that as well and I suppose the other thing you know if your child comes to you with a problem be open listen and have them find a solution so try not to maybe overreact we can you know there can be a tendency to do that and that is very natural but we want to ensure that children will come to us their teenagers will come to us when we have a problem when they have a problem online another finding of your research was that less than half of parents are aware that their children have in fact experienced what you refer to as contact and conduct risks and that's something that you know is going to be an issue of concern and there's always the fear of so-called grooming and the fear that somehow their children may be involved in conversations online that they believe to be innocent but can be anything but yeah absolutely and this is probably one of the most common concerns parents will tell us they have and actually when we look at the research what the research does tell us is that the most common you know risks or harms children do encounter online will be cyber bullying or being excluded from groups online from chats online or encountering inappropriate content content online and I suppose one piece of advice we won't give families today and parents you can help set your child off in the right direction in terms of what content they're accessing online help them kind of curate a healthy positive news feed or search algorithm so you can sit down together and maybe find things together that your child is interested in or you know people to follow so that will ensure they're kind of in a safer space online as well one key tip that's being offered by yourselves is that you know children should be encouraged on no account should they ever reply to unwanted or unsolicited messages yeah absolutely and that's been the advice for a long time now and you know that is I think that is a message that is being very well received by children and young people there's certain areas of online safety where children are kind of a lot more up to date and it's more emerging issues and I suppose maybe things like cyberbully and that we still need to address more as well but we are I suppose pleased to see that those messages are sinking in as well and there's opportunities here too for instance even something as if you're going on a family holiday you've now got the opportunity to sort of sit down at a computer or a laptop or whatever with the children look at videos of the area look at potential activities to do look at the geography of the area and actually go on an exploration where it becomes something very real and it's something the family can share do it online and then go and do it in reality when the holiday comes absolutely the joys of technology it brings so many opportunities and that's another you brought up another really good point you know families can kind of bridge the gaps by sitting down together and engaging in these sorts of activities together as a family or for example if you'd like me struggle to understand what TikTok is and your your teenager is using it sit down this evening with them ask them to show you you know maybe they have some favorite dances or or content that they want to show you and again you're normalizing that conversation and you're making it more open so hopefully in future that if anything does come up you can have a chat about it openly and your child will feel comfortable Jane McGarregal author at WebWise thanks indeed for speaking to us today it's a safer internet day and some some very important tips and perspectives there from from Jane Jane thank you very much thanks very much Dono thank you and you can look at WebWise and other resources for for more information and for more advice as well but today is as Jane said their safer internet day and it's a lot of a lot of things happening in schools but there's a lot of things as Jane said can be done in the home as well right it's uh just uh coming up to two minutes to 10 o'clock news with Michaela coming up after this break discover the Dunstores app and put better value at your fingertips tap to browse all our latest grocery offers see all your 10 off 50 grocery vouchers stored in one place and scan your value club card to earn points all within the app saving you time and money plus download the app today and you'll receive a one-time 10 off 30 welcome voucher Dunstores always better value terms and conditions apply welcome voucher can be used on the grocery shop of 30 euro or more is your water safe to drink if your water tastes unpleasant or has a foul smell it may be a sign that something is in your water Brothers Tech Donegal provide a complete private well water treatment service using the best water treatment equipment to meet your needs or maybe you drill the new well and the water isn't satisfactory at Brothers Tech their expert team will also service existing problematic systems if you're concerned about the quality of your water call Brothers Tech on 087-638-7057 every once in a while something comes along that's different makes us reassess consider our own thoughts that's why Cooper was created and it's how we conceived the fermentor E hybrid drive another way with electric power move another way with the performance of a petrol engine the Cooper fermentor E hybrid contact your Cooper specialist at Connelly's Cooper Sligo Calooney County Sligo search Cooper with everything from pedal and electric ride ons to go karts and scooters there's loads of fun guaranteed all year round at tennis toys if you have a kid's birthday coming up tennis toys can help make it special or get snow ready with a sleigh visit tennis toys on lec road letter Kenny or shop online for express delivery at tinnystoys.com tennis toys with so much more than just farm toys at three we have an amazing range of broadband offers to keep you connected switch to three's high-speed home broadband for just 39 euro per month and get three months free with no upfront cost visit the three store Bunkranna for this offer and more subject to coverage fees and fees apply live on air online and on the Highland radio app this is Highland radio news Good morning I'm Michaela Clark with the news at 10 o'clock the environment minister says a new retrofit scheme is the best way of tackling rising energy costs the 352 million euro scheme will see grants of 25,000 euro made available for full retrofits covering half the cost the government will also cover up to 80% of the cost of smaller projects like insulating an attic speaking on his way into cabinet minister Eamon Ryan says it'll help bring down energy bills this new 80% grant Lunatic Envolve Installation is the best way of fighting energy inflation this cuts the bills this actually is the best protection against international factors we don't have control of if you control our energy use here at home that's the best way to say Donegal Deputy Peer Storty however says there's a lack of urgency on the issue Retrofitting is exactly what we need to be here and we need to be seen ambitious investment and we look at the plans that the government are going to announce when cabinet come in but let me be clear that's not happening today or tomorrow the plans are there there'll be an announcement but this is going to take a while to vet in the problem is the energy costs are rising right here right now the problem is that families are falling into poverty right here right now the Shinfenghanser says many important issues have not been addressed following the adjournment of yesterday's meeting of Donegal County Council it comes as the Council seeks an order of enforcement from the court on the suspension of Council Frank McBritty who last week was suspended for making sustained interjections and questioning procedures at its monthly meeting Council McBritty attended yesterday's meeting despite his suspension and it was subsequently adjourned until Monday February the 21st Shinfenghanser members held a meeting after yesterday's developments and Council Jeremy Monagel says the lack of progress being made on important issues is creating anger among members of the public we had many major issues to discuss Laika was not discussed our housing crisis was not discussed the wind energy plan nothing of any meaningful importance to the people of this county was allowed to go ahead because of the antics of one man we know the extreme and justifiable anger that the people of Donegal feel when they see our Council failed to proceed on the issues of importance and we're expected to act on it but unfortunately the behaviour was totally unacceptable Donegal County Council is being urged to investigate all possible flood mitigation solutions for the river Swilly the river runs through the heart of Latter-Kennie with concern that some of the nearby lands may be prone to flooding in the future if action is not taken this used to be raised at today's sitting of the Latter-Kennie Milford Municipal District by concert Michael McBride Council McBride says it's imperative that Latter-Kennie is not stripped of valuable development lands and that the local authority do everything it can to combat flooding going forward That would make sense for the development of Latter-Kennie and the development of their estate that we would look at maybe all the solutions some of the solutions I think we could look at is that we feel there is some risk of flooding in the Clare Park and could be put on the ground level to our student accommodation and that would you know, open higher and then second and third and fourth floors et cetera in that area The committee has been established in Carygarde in a bid to address road safety concerns a public meeting was held last night to discuss the issues which includes parking in the village and road safety around the local school Johnny Goddrey part of McLaughlin was in attendance after meeting and believes the committee will be instrumental denying and ensuring improvements are implemented There's real serious concerns in the community about traffic safety in the village around no traffic camera measures such as ramps maybe electronic signage car parking but not just the village also with the local school so a committee now has been established to pull together the solutions to put together a petition and to lobby Johnny Gold County Council for the changes that are required Whether nice sunny spells and scattered showers of rain slate and some snow today over hills and mountains highest afternoon temperatures of 79 degrees and moderate to fresh occasionally gusty south west winds That's all from Highland video news for now we'll be back with an update again at 11 o'clock until then good morning The obituary notice is for this Tuesday morning February the 8th The death has occurred of Desmond Wallace Clairode Donegal Tine Funeral service in Donegal parish church at two o'clock tomorrow afternoon followed by burial in Gleaves Cemetery Donegal Tine Funeral may be viewed on the Donegal group of parishes Facebook page Highstrictly private please family fliers only please The death has occurred of John McGee Port Hogg Lynn Bunkranna remains reposing at his late residence removal from his home on Friday morning a quarter past 10 going to St. Mary's Church Cockhill for recreation mass at 11 o'clock while being termed in the adjoining cemetery John's recreation mass can be viewed on churchservices.tv Family time please from 11 p.m. until 11 a.m. Family fliers only please donations and lay of desire to the Donegal hospice and the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association care of any family member or Murphy funeral directors The death has taken place of Charlie Gallagher late of Summer Hill Donegal Tine and formerly of Strove Green Castle Charlie's remains are reposing at Collins' funeral premises called off this evening from 5 o'clock until 8 o'clock Recreation mass tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock in St. Mary's Church Bally Brackamville followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard The death has taken place of Josie McKelvey Finntine his remains are reposing at his late residence Recreation mass at 12 noon tomorrow with Chuck Pobble come kill Nefah Finntine with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery Rosary tonight at 8 o'clock with house private afterwards until 11 o'clock tomorrow morning funeral mass can be viewed on Chuck Pobble come kill Nefah Facebook page The death has taken place of Sam Cole Annegrie his remains are reposing at his sister Mary Charlie Collins' residence in Tune Ranafast Rosary tonight at 8 o'clock Sam's funeral mass will take place tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock in St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church Annegrie followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery funeral mass can be viewed live on the Annegrie parish webcam and Facebook page The death has taken place of Martin Ridge Calhame Fulcara and a former of Castler County Galway his remains are reposing at his late residence house private this morning before the funeral funeral mass in Christ the King Church Gorta Hork this afternoon at 12 o'clock with interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery The funeral mass can be viewed live on MCM media or in the Kearnrody funeral director Facebook page The death has taken place of Gerald Jerry Kennedy 95 at Castle Grange Park Strabam and former of Iona Terrace Waterside Derry The requering mass in St. Mary's Church Melmoid at 10 o'clock interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery The requering mass can be viewed live via the parish webcam and the death has taken place of Siobhan Gallher 229 lower Mount Marion Milford remains are reposing at her home requering mass this morning at 11 o'clock in St. Peter's Church Milford burial afterwards in Milford cemetery funeral mass can be viewed on Church services TV family flowers only donations if desired to the friends of Letcher Kenny University hospital care of any family member for more details including any family health guidelines for wigs and funerals please go to highlandradio.com You have one new message Hi Claire Auntie Dee here I just wanted to say a big thank you for skipping my party We had a great night and everyone was so happy you didn't come Now you take care I hope to see you soon Bye No one will thank you for turning up to work or anything else when you're sick Stay at home and get a test to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 from the HSE for us all Today's Ninetill Nuneshow is sponsored by the three store Bancranah Visit us in store for the best deals on high speed home broadband and more Three for a better connected life It's the second hour of the Ninetill Nuneshow on Highland Radio Our community garter slot coming up in a little while please let's stick around for that before we do anything else a few of your comments Ray the suspended co-option of Johnny McGuinness onto Donegal County Council Why is this co-option even happening? Any true democracy demands a by-election whenever a sitting councillor resigns or passes away in office no matter the cost taxpayers or in convenience to the political system sadly in the Pete and Potato Republic preserving the political status quo and local family dynasties says a caller The convention on Donegal County Council is that when a councillor passes away the party to which that councillor belongs or if that councillor isn't independent the independent block has got the right to co-opt a new member and the convention is that whoever that party decides to put forward is not challenged by the other parties on council technically going by the rules there is no guarantee that Johnny McGuinness would be accepted that Johnny McGuinness is being nominated by Finneguel but what would happen in the council meeting is the chair will call for nominations Finneguel will nominate Johnny McGuinness he will then say are there any other nominations from the floor no there won't be because convention will be followed in this instance as this has been on several occasions where sitting councillors have passed away both at county and municipal and town council level over the past number of years and there have been several in recent years that I personally have covered and you know it is the that is what happens at Donegal County Council level and that is for instance if you're in the European Parliament there isn't a by election in the European Parliament in the European Parliament what happens is a an MEP takes their seat and they then nominate I think a list of up to three people who will take over in the seat in the event that they give up the seat it happened most recently in the Midlands Northwest constituency when Mered McGuinness was made EU Commissioner and Colin Markey who is from County Louth was the next Finneguel nominee as part of the replacement list and so he took that particular seat in the European Parliament so there isn't always a by-election there is in the Dahl and there is in Parliaments in the UK as well but at council level Co-option has always been the certainly the situation in Donegal County Council I believe on most other councils across the country as well and certainly the convention and the long-standing tradition that is abided by in Donegal is that whatever someone passes away that the nominee that's put forward by their party is the person that will take that seat on a post that's that's the convention with regards to obesity and body shaming of children if I'm drunk a publican has the right to refuse to serve me on the grounds that it could be detrimental to my well-being surely fast food takeaways should have the right to turn away parents with fat kids that's a comment from a listener I think it's I'm not sure it's comparing like with like and I certainly don't see any fast food restaurant or any restaurant indeed turning away business in that way I mean the risk to health of drunkenness and having too much alcohol is far more immediate and far more detrimental in the now than obesity and weight issues I was in a shop yesterday not realizing I had walked in without my mask as I was paying I saw the masks on the desk I lifted one saying I forgot my mask I'll take one of those I was shocked be charged 150 for one single mask surely if the public are expected to continue to wear them in shops etc they should be made cheaper as a pensioner I found it expensive I suppose it depends on was it a cotton mask or was it one of the disposable masks but I I mean I I'd be honest I did exactly the same myself on one occasion I was and ironically I was actually going to an appointment in a hospital not in letterkenny and I was walking up to the hospital and suddenly realized that I had left my mask on the locker in the hotel room and there was thankfully there was a londus across the road from the hospital so I pulled my jumper up over my nose I walked into the shop and I bought a pack of the masks there and then and you know it's something that can happen to any of us Cora says any more news on the walkway from Derry to St. Johnson going ahead it'd be great to see this getting the green light it's certainly being discussed and I know Paul Canning for one was speaking about it only very recently and certainly there's a lot of pushing to get that done we know there's work being done between Muffin Derry there's work being done between Strabal and Lifford indeed a lot being done with Riverine and so on as well and yes the more we see walkways and greenways developed I think the better and it's wonderful to see them grow Cora says there are a lot of slates lying loose on a roof on letterkenny's main street it's very dangerous to pedestrians and parked cars surely the local council should be addressing this before there is a serious injury someone says never mind the education of disadvantage to pupils surely the burning social issue of today is the provision of gender neutral toilets in our schools I think that most certainly is a tongue-in-cheek very much indeed it's 14 minutes past 10 as I say our community garter slot with Sergeant Charlie Anderson is coming up very soon indeed before we do anything else though I know there are people out there with a book in one hand and a pencil in the other asking where are the numbers wait no more it's time for Highland Radio NCBI Radio Bingo so without further ado I will hand you over to Kanas it's time for NCBI Bingo on Highland Radio it's Tuesday the 8th of February you're playing on the brown sheet the reference number is S7 it's game number six the numbers are 19 64 50 57 54 63 44 22 53 and finally 55 phone your claim to 9104833 before it tonight leaving your name contact number and the name of the shop where you purchased your book and we'll call you back the next working day get all your NCBI Bingo information at HighlandRadio.com Do you currently have vacancies that need urgently filled? 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Let Highland Radio help you source and fill your current vacancies in the most cost-effective way simply sign up to our new job spot and we will tell our listeners about your vacancies both on air and online every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during our primetime shows we will broadcast the latest job opportunities across the Northwest and into County's Derry and Turon All job listings will be available online at HighlandRadio.com For more information contact the advertising team on 07491 25322 or email advertising at HighlandRadio.com Highland Radio We are here for you Every once in a while something comes along that's different makes us reassess consider our own thoughts that's why Cooper was created and it's how we conceive the formentor e-hybrid drive another way with electric power move another way with the performance of a petrol engine the Cooper for Mentor e-hybrid contact your Cooper specialist at Connelly's Cooper Sligo Caloony County Sligo search Cooper Nutrious XL Yo with lamb and Nutrious Yo with lamb crunch are both formulated to ensure a vigorous lamb and excellent milk yield available our lambing season offer 25 kg bags by 10 get one free and 10 euro off per ton in bulk available at your local homeland store offer until March 31st visit Nutrious.ie for full nutritional information Highland Radio Time Checks brought to you by Leto Kenny Shopping Centre the centre of shopping in Donegal free parking and shopping all under one roof Leto Kenny Shopping Centre bringing you the time at and the time is 18 minutes past 10 o'clock today's 9 till noon show is sponsored by the three store Bonkranagh visit us in store for the best deals on high-speed home broadband and more three for a better connected life it's the 9 till noon show on Highland Radio it is a Tuesday morning it's 18 minutes past 10 and of course it being a Tuesday it's time for our community garden slot and I'm delighted to say that in studio this morning is Sergeant Charlene Anderson Charlene good morning and you know what if I shift off your mic we would be able to hear you then which would make things a lot easier I think Charlene good to see you a lot to get through on the slot this morning so we're going to start with some breaking news as it were and a burglary in Leto Kenny last night and that's correct on us so Leto Kenny Gardie are this morning investigating a burglary that occurred between 9 30 and 10 p.m. last night so that was the 7th of February at the sunny side apartments on the Port Road in Leto Kenny now the door to an apartment was forced open and entry was gained so a black mobile phone a bank of Ireland card and a small quantity of cash was stolen from the property so we're just appealing this morning to anyone who may have observed any suspicious activity in the area and possibly between 9 15 and 10 15 p.m. and if anyone was in the area and may have dash cam footage we'd ask them just to contact Gardie and Leto Kenny on 0749167100 one of the things we've been seeing a lot on the slot in recent months has been criminal damage and sadly quite a bit of that to report this morning as well absolutely there's a number of incidents that we have to cover today I suppose the first incident took place in Leto Kenny Gardie are investigating a criminal damage incident there that occurred in the area of Glentane Manor and that occurred on Tuesday the 1st of February between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. now resident in the estate had parked their vehicle outside their property overnight only to discover that two of the tires had been slashed so we're appealing this morning to any residents in the area who may have noticed anything suspicious or indeed anyone who was in the area at that time may have any information to offer in relation to this particular incident and again it's Gardie and Leto Kenny on 0749167100 and moving now to Bunkrana and Bunkrana Gardie are also investigating a criminal damage incident that happened at a house in the Klunche area of Glentane Manor now this occurred on the 4th of February Donald between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m. so the residents of the property were at home at the time and they heard a loud bang outside and they later established that the window of their property had been smashed so if anybody has any information to offer in relation to this particular incident or indeed again observed anything suspicious in the area at the time they can contact Gardie and Bunkrana on 0749320540 and heading back to Leto Leto Kenny again for instance that happened at the weekend that's correct Gardie you're in Leto Kenny you're investigating another criminal damage incident now this happened at the 4th well apartments in Leto Kenny on Saturday the 5th of February and it occurred between 1.15 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. now the front window of an apartment block was broken between those times so again if anybody witnessed the incident or anyone has any information in relation to the incident we would ask them to contact Gardie and Leto Kenny and in the early hours of last Saturday an incident in Lifford yes well also Gardie and Leto Kenny are investigating this incident it's a criminal damage incident that happened on the Leto Kenny Road in Lifford in the early hours of Saturday the 5th of February between 4 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. now Gardie are appealing for dashcam footage from the Leto Kenny Road and also within the Lifford area in general between 3.30 a.m. and 5 a.m. so they're appealing for anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed or sorry observed a black Volkswagen Passat and or a seven-seater Saphira in the area between those times so once again if anyone has any dashcam footage we would ask them to contact Leto Kenny Gardie in relation to this incident now something that we were speaking about actually on the program earlier with specific reference to parents is the fact that today is safer internet day and obviously the Gardner National Cyber Crime Bureau was keeping a very close eye on issues pertaining to that that's correct I suppose when I arrived this morning I could hear you speaking to someone in relation to the safer internet day and it was just something we wanted to touch on this morning as well obviously it's today and the Gardner National Cyber Crime Bureau in conjunction with the Gardner National Community Engagement Bureau and Webwise Ireland are advising people to talk, listen and learn to prevent becoming a victim of online abuse or crime so we just like to encourage parents and children to have open conversations about their life online I suppose look there's a wealth of knowledge, material in relation to online safety and it's all on that website webwise.ie and there's a number of upcoming webinars for parents and children to mark safer internet day and registration registration can be found on that website there's been a lot of talk as well too about scams online and you know they can come via text messages they can come via email and I suppose you can never say it enough that you know when you come across something suspicious electronically through your social media contacts or through your web or through your text or whatever you know if it's suspicious there's a reason it's suspicious absolutely and we're just asking people in that regard just not to click on any links you know if they want to screenshot the message but then delete it straight away to contact yourselves or indeed the bank and never act on any advice received I suppose sometimes these call callers can provide instructions over the phone and I suppose the hope there is to gain access to your computer or indeed your personal bank in detail so once again it's just to be vigilant look they are prevalent they have become very prevalent over COVID so it's just for people to be mindful and indeed if anyone has any questions or concerns they can always contact the guard the station and we can advise them in that regard we've got used to seeing Garthy looking a certain way and people who've been watching this lot online will be looking at you this morning and they see your colleagues and you know they're used to seeing a certain uniform that's about to change it is, yes it's about to change all right so at the moment a national new uniform has been rolled out it will consist of polo shirts kind of like combat trousers operational trousers and it'll be more conducive to our role as operational Garthy I suppose the uniform I'm wearing today it will take a couple of weeks for the new uniform to be rolled out nationally and we're just in receipt of it at the moment but a go live date will be identified possibly maybe the end of March the beginning of April and it'll be rolled out to Garthy sergeants and inspectors probably 13,000 members across the organization and I suppose as we approach the 100th anniversary of our establishment it is only the third time that the uniform the formal uniform has changed thankfully the skirts are gone these have skirts years ago they were never in my time but thankfully they're gone the trousers are indeed you know more conducive to operational duties so yes so we're hopefully we'll be in receipt of those in the coming weeks and the cap will remain people have asked about the hat and the cap yes it will remain in operation and I suppose it's unique and distinctive element of the Garthy uniform so that will still stay one of the things that will go in many cases then if photo shirts are coming in will be the tie and I'm sure and I know as someone who wears ties as little as possible if ever you see me wearing a tie I'm either presenting something at a show or I'm going to a funeral or a wedding and I mean that's the reality and I'm sure a lot of your members and colleagues will be absolutely delighted not to have to wear the tie on a daily basis Oh absolutely and particularly for certain type of incidents like public order incidents things like that they're not really conducive to what we do although look I do like my uniform and I think for court purposes and maybe some ceremonies and that this type of uniform will remain but it's just more for the operational day to day role of what we do it's as I said it's more conducive to that another issue you wanted to raise before we go Charlene is that of personal alarms and they're hugely important things and as I was saying to a fair I sort of take a personal interest in this because my little mother before she passed away she wore one and it did on more than one occasion prove to be very important in making contact with a neighbour so from that point of view a really important piece of advice here Absolutely well it's just actually I was visiting one of our locals there in Bunkrana over the Christmas period and he just asked me just to maybe the next time I was on the radio what I mind mentioning it and really what it is is that what he has found from speaking to his neighbours is sometimes people don't check their personal alarm and when I say don't check it it's just their battery basically they can do like a call to the provider just to see if it's working correctly and sometimes people have no need to use these personal alarms for years and then when they do need to use it they find the battery is no longer working so we just ask people this morning and just maybe make that call they can do kind of like a test call to their provider and just tell them when they press the button on their alarm this is merely a test call there's no issue with it if there is a problem with their their alarms and they don't know how to change the battery of that they can always contact myself in Bunkrana or indeed Denny Gardner station and we have community Gardner Day we can go out and we can assist them but you know it's just to make sure that they know that they can do the test call and ensure that their batteries are working correctly because in the event that it is needed well at least they know that they can contact the emergency services and it's vitally important because I mean you know so as you say and hopefully someone who is living on their own and they're older maybe they hopefully they won't need it from one end of the year to the other but if they take a phone or if there is an issue mean to know that that button is there to be pressed and help can be called either the emergency services or a neighbour or whatever it is hugely important absolutely Sergeant Charlene Anderson thank you very much indeed for speaking to us this morning that was Sergeant Charlene there and if you can help Guardi just before you go Charlene just if you want to repeat that confidential line again that if anyone has they can contact the local Gardner station if they have any answers or you know perspectives to offer on the various issues but the the confidential line once again 1800 666 111 thank you very much indeed thank you Tony What's gravity? When does the grass go greener? Can people with longer legs jump higher? How are plastic cup made? How filthy are our parents? Which ingredients make the best line? Why do we dream? Are you faster than a calculator? Could a robot be powered by fruit or vegetables? When children ask why who knows what will happen? 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Restore your confidence with vein treatment at Kingsbridge Private Hospital at Erkene Our vascular consultants offer assessment advice and options and the latest treatments available So it was that program on a Sunday afternoon in the early to mid 1980s much beloved of people of my era and it's a fine fine day by Tony Kerry was one of the videos that featured regularly it was always uncle that got out of prison and got involved with a mafia gang and there was this really involved story video that was really good that they played along with it and I suspect it was the video more than the song that actually got out of the airplay but hopefully that's brought back some memories Now I want to go to line one and say good morning to Damien Carlin and Damien, good morning Good morning double, how are you? I'm very well indeed Damien you're basing Goudour but originally from Derry if I'm correct in saying that you have a three and a half year old daughter and you went through what can only be discussed well she was three and a half at the time and at the beginning of lockdown you found yourself facing a problem and facing an issue that you wouldn't expect to face with a child of that age Like most kids she had kind of been cut off from everything that she knew so she was going to her grandparents in Derry and she was going to a child minder and she had a lot of friends and stuff like that and that was kind of and she was kind of left her own devices with us so yeah we went for a period of about six weeks just myself my wife Marie and Issa at home and we were doing the same thing that everyone was doing watching Joe Wicks in the morning and doing home baking and stuff like that we noticed Issa starting to change a bit as the time went on she was just kind of displaying some strange symptoms like she was acting anxious having panic attacks and I got the stage where she had what can only be described as a full-blown breakdown for us three and a half year old yeah you can only imagine yeah and it got to the point where she was hospitalized so we made contact with the Paul McElvin Hospital in Derry and we were referred there from her GP and she was advised to come over to the pediatric ward which we did and actually they had suspected that she had a virus they mentioned Covid which is on the test and at the start obviously everyone was terrified of Covid nobody really knew what it was but that came back negatively but she was still displaying a very high temperature they then got very concerned that it might have been meningitis or encephalitis just she didn't really know how to express what she was feeling she was saying that she had like a swinging thing in her head she was afraid of certain motions like for instance the wind coming on the window and moving the blinds or the air freshener in the car moving she was terrified of these things and we only found out later that was her way of trying to express what she was feeling she doesn't know how else to put it across but the problems for us really only started when she came out of hospital she was kept in over the album for a week because they were concerned about meningitis etc so she went through a lot of tests she went through three number punctures and an MRI and they determined that there was no physical cause they could find so we were released from hospital and when he figured out we very quickly made a decision to move to Guidoa my wife was pregnant at the time of our second child and we needed the support so we moved to Guidoa and again along with all the other changes that Eva had this was another massive change added in on part of that and a little for us looking back it was definitely the right decision to move to Guidoa it was very difficult you know she started reliving a lot of these procedures that she had and she was having night terrors and stuff and how is Eva now? she's come along a lot she's going to play therapy and Fulcara was a lovely lady from Guidoa and she's been about the last few months and that's a huge difference to her life so she's coming on with some bones thankfully what you have done in response to this is quite unique because you've written your experiences down but you've written them in the form of a short book that's called Eva Finds Her Smile yeah I have that kind of came about I have to say we were kind of left her on devices like everyone else and all the kind of support functions have been taken away so we didn't really know what else to do so I kind of went on the internet and started researching ways that I could try and help her myself and it came across as an interesting idea and that kids at age normally respond to certain stimuli so one of the things that I found would be to put her experiences in writing but we could read together as a bedtime story Eva's loved bedtime stories from she was born basically so yeah basically I created a story about a young girl named Eva so obviously my daughter's Eva but I called the child Eva and basically I based it on what had happened to Eva and so we started reading it at night basically the book just it makes it easy for kids at her age to understand what anxiety is and what the cause of it is and what you can do to make it better so we started reading that and I did find that it was making an improvement and her general well-being so I kind of got the idea to try and really get a publish to see if I could help other kids so I thought about that process about a year ago and I got in touch with a few publishers and luckily I got some interest so for the last year and a half I've been working with a team of illustrators from Pegasus Publishers and the book was published last week so yeah thank you and it's important because your experience is something that not a lot of parents would have gone through thankfully and the issue of course the problem you would have had is trying to get information and trying to get support you're going to find something of a void because there isn't an awful lot out there and hopefully this is the sort of book that can be helpful to parents but crucially as you've said because it's easily read and because it can be used as a bedside story hopefully it's a book that can bring some comfort to a child in the same situation in the future as well Yeah well that was my main goal when researching the book and writing it and deciding to try and get it published was first and foremost to help other kids who have gone through similar issues but also to help parents so one thing that I'm aware of and a lot of people are aware of that there is still a taboo and there's still a stigma around mental health basically childhood mental health because we just don't expect it to happen in children so young but the one thing that I really want to get from the release of this book is to get people talking as families and to get parents talking as kids because like in our generation it's not something that would have been discussed growing up and if you had any sort of issues you would have just kept it to yourself and obviously that's just going to spiral as you get older so I think if people get the book and you read it to their kids and it's not just about anxiety or mental health it could be any issues you know facing kids these days and if people use that as like a gateway and for that initial conversation to bring up and talk about important topics and do they get some courage and get a bit of strength to do that so I hope that the book will for anyone that has it or anyone that gets it but I hope that that's what will come from well there is a big debate going on obviously at the moment about the CAMHS service child and adolescent mental health services and what your experience shows is as well as the need for interventions when children are in their teens and a little bit older I mean there is potentially a need for emergency intervention right at the age if it was at the time and it would seem at this point you know there's not very many people who would even know how to handle a situation like that never mind being in a position to make a meaningful intervention yeah definitely and I think even even the doctors and the consultants concerned you know they were they were looking for a physical cause they were just convinced that that it was managed out of certain stuff like this because the symptoms were so strange and they just didn't expect to see the child that young and a little maybe rare but we could be the lucky ones that Eva was willing to talk to us about it and she was willing to express it but there could be a lot more kids out there that wouldn't do that you know they won't keep it to themselves so you know yeah as I say even even the doctors were surprised so if it gets people talking it makes people aware that these issues can occur from an age and that's what I'd like to achieve she must be getting close to the point now where she's starting school and beginning that I mean how are things progressing in terms of that? yeah she's an engineer infant at the moment in Guidor and initially when she started the school it was both the most kids they're very nervous when they go on but three felt was kind of different it was a big step up and when we moved to Guidor and we were kind of in our own bubble as everyone else was it was very difficult for her early on to come out of that bubble and start interacting with other kids and sometimes she does still have a bit of difficulty but she has come on leaps and bounds she really has improved thankfully but and based on the title of the book I mean Eva has found her smile yeah so the book is Eva Thinks Her Smile EVA so I didn't want to brand her without her she gets older so I've based the character on her and her story but I'm hoping that a lot of people young kids can relate to it it's an absolutely fantastic thing to do Damien and I have no doubt but this is really going to be a helpful resource to people in the future and hopefully it'll help families to find themselves in the same situation as yourself fair play to you and to your family for going through all this and we wish you we wish your wife we wish Eva especially all the best and you know may the book be a huge success and may you get the rewards for it that you deserve thanks for much indeed thank you Damien it's been a pleasure thank you that's Damien Karlin the book is called Eva Finds Her Smile and it's a book which I think has the potential to be a very important book in into the future it's 13 minutes to 11 o'clock I'm going to take a short break back after these Central Auto Parts really do stock everything for all makes and models of cars shocks springs wipers mats brakes need I go on and now stocking selly mix and sunny car and commercial paint Central Auto Parts Portland Grove Business Park Letter Kenny find us on Facebook or call us on 0749127491 from our soils our sustenance from our farms our food from our farmers our ingenuity from our villages our unique communities our meats our grains our vegetables our dairy our eggs our fruit there is a little piece of Ireland in everything we produce an Agriware and Irish Farmers Association Initiative Promoting Environmental Economic and Social Sustainability Learn more at sustainingarland.ie Do you need a little extra help staying in your home? At Bluebird Care we offer a wide variety of Q mark approved personalized home care services across Donegal and our fully trained and committed staff will always meet your care needs with kindness compassion and dignity to get your personal home care assessment plan visit bluebirdcare.ie or call our care team today on 07491 29562 and bring care home I joined Bluebird Care as a health care assistant it's so rewarding that at 70 I'm still here I love my job and it fits around my lifestyle the training and support I received is superb it doesn't feel like I'm working visit bluebirdcarecare.ie to find out how you can join our expanding team of health care assistants my only regret is that I didn't join sooner this is not just a career in care this is a career with Bluebird Care Highland radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport Ronaldo, De Bruyne, Cavani you can now see both Manchester teams in action with Ryanair's twice weekly service to Manchester Ireland West Airport you're flying sunny spells and scattered showers of rain, sleet and some snow over hills and mountains to dinner that's what you call a mixed bag highest after the temperature seven to nine degrees celsius in moderate to fresh occasionally gusty southwest winds scattered showers along the coast will occasionally penetrate inland lowest overnight temperatures one to three degrees celsius coldest around dawn with some frost and icy patches possible light to moderate southwest to west winds will increase fresh to strong and gusty tomorrow sunny spells with scattered showers in coastal areas some of sleet again possibly some snow on hills highest temperatures tomorrow five to seven degrees celsius fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west winds if you were watching primetime on rte tv last night you'll have seen a presentation on domestic violence and in particular one of the things highlighted was the issue of refuge beds and the fact that there are so few available for emergency situations and sadly we know particularly through the pandemic and as we come out of it there is still a huge need for that service joined on the line by dr mary hainsworth who's manager of the donnie gall domestic violence services mary good morning morning donnell how you doing very well indeed you must have watched that primetime program last night and thought to yourself yeah yeah yeah yeah no no no no surprises there sadly yeah unfortunately it is the case and i mean we were involved in our team in terms of talking to them as well about the issues but the bottom line is and i see the minister has come out today and said funding's not an issue it's just a case of getting the system up and going but but i would challenge that you know like funding is an issue effectively refuges are part of the homelessness response um and we face the same issues that all the homeless providers face you know once the building's up and running it's got to be maintained who funds that who provides extra units who stacks it all of those costs are kind of the hidden costs of running a refuge or any homeless unit and that doesn't really seem to be being addressed in the politicians responses at the moment it's not quite as clear cut as they're kind of making out yes there is definitely there's a lack of space but who's actually going to fund it who's going to step in and build it who's going to manage it who's going to coordinate it none of those issues are really being addressed at the moment and and we do know this i mean even taking the issue of refuge beds out of it as you said if if um you know a woman needs somewhere else to live it's going to involve getting involved in the rental market and we know at this point in time the rental market can be fraught and uh not not to mention hugely expensive well there's the rental market and there's also the social housing market and neither really are operating effectively at the moment because the rent private rental market was never meant to subsidize social housing um so many people who really can only afford social housing cannot afford now the rates so they're being asked for in private rented and the demand for properties means that you know it there really isn't the properties available and they're very restricted in terms of the areas in the county that you can actually move into and even though the council is coming on board and building more social housing like it takes time to put together those developments so you know you're looking and trying to plan 18 months two years in advance where properties might be and you've got a waiting list of four or five years of clients on social housing list so the likelihood of getting into your own social housing property if you became homeless today you're looking at two three years down the line and who who how do you manage in the meantime that's the biggest challenge and in terms of immediately necessary emergency refuge accommodation in Donegal how are we sorted at the moment because we know traditionally there has been a shortage in that area as well the house now we are one of the more fortunate councils and if you look at any of the highlights where you know counties that don't have accommodation we're not there like we do have four family units in refuge we are currently developing three safe housing units that are going to come on board this year so you know in compared to many of the other counties we are actually very fortunate but we still like between July and December we still put up 16 families in hotels and B&B 20 children were homeless because of domestic abuse that had to be home in not ideal situations and again there's a question mark about who's going to continue fronting that but it's not ideal you know and that's why people tend to go back it's why you know the kind of the burden of what it means to leave that suddenly hits home and then you've got children to think about so many people end up going back into very difficult situations just to provide a roof over the head and that shouldn't be the way that it is that we're trying to give safety and we're trying to give security to children in particular and also to the families that support them and it's also coming at a time when women are going through what is going to be a hugely emotional turmoil and a hugely difficult time mentally and emotionally so to be trying to deal with the practicalities of rent and the practicalities of navigating that market of rent and social housing and application and everything else on top of what must already be a time of emotional turmoil that just piles on the difficulty it does and I mean we do have an outreach program and that is predominantly their work you know it is supporting clients who have either chosen to stay in their own house or who've moved into a new house and are now struggling with the practicalities around just maintaining the house the heat and all the rest of it that goes with it and often these cases might have social work involvement they might have other professionals engaged so you know the stress is not just your own immediate life you're trying to negotiate and navigate a whole range of different things out there and these things aren't unified like they're not made easy so that you can just tell your story to one person and every service knows about it you've got to trade physically to each of these locations transfer all your payments move everything to your new address like I mean they do say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do anyway regardless of anything else so yeah it's a huge piece of the work that we do supporting that and advocating for clients and just kind of providing that emotional backup to make sure that they can get through what they're going through and are there women in a potentially unsafe situation who are staying in that situation because of the difficulties associated with securing alternative accommodation oh absolutely and that's the unfortunate piece because even though we were able to offer BNB accommodation you know drawing the pandemic it was not an ideal solution for some we even had to move women out into Northern Ireland to try and access refuge accommodation over there and yeah many many women have said well look the kids it's their home it's where the school is I know it's not safe but you know the hassle of everything else I just can't face it I'm going to have to go back and live and try and work through this so yeah all lives are kind of being put at risk a little bit here and we know that the pandemic did shine a light on domestic violence and the situation that was exacerbated by many women because of the fact that people were being spent is forced to spend more time together in enclosed areas and there wasn't necessarily the escape and the freedom of going to work and that did exacerbate many people's situations I mean has the government we know there was a short-term response from a gather point of view from a government point of view but has there been a long-term response or are you getting any indication from government that that commitment that was shown during the pandemic is now going to last and become something more long-term? Well I see the minister is kind of writing on the back of all these stories at the moment and trying to push forward and get an intergovernmental kind of review and focus on it but this has happened before and it hasn't really released any extra resources and I mean The Guardian had that space where they could actually focus on domestic abuse but now like the night time economy has opened up all the other crimes that were kind of maybe put on hold a little bit are going to be back out there now so there's going to be a demand on their resources and times and that's the same as all the other services I mean one of the big gaps was that children didn't have an outlet to be able to tell their story you know there was no schools that they could actually maybe pick it up earlier what happened during the pandemic a lot of cases were reaching crisis point and that was when the agencies were getting involved ideally we don't want cases getting to crisis point we want interventions to happen earlier so that we can actually work with families and other agencies can be brought in you know they can do some of that ground work rather than letting it get to crisis where you need to have the emergency services involved Dr Marie Hainsworth manager of the Donegal Domestic Violence Service thanks very much indeed for speaking to us this morning thank you Donald certainly an issue that needs to be monitored and looked at very carefully in in the coming weeks and months that's Dr Marie Hainsworth there it's a minute and a half to 11 o'clock news with Miquela after these are you thinking of changing your car then look no further than any shown credit union for your finance it's simple a car loan from any shown credit union means you borrow the money to pay for your car and the car is yours no hidden fees or balloon payments apply online at www.inichoncu.ie or contact us on 074 93 61017 membership of any shown credit union is open to anyone who lives or works in the initial financial loans are subject to approval terms and conditions apply any shown credit union is regulated by the central bank of Ireland Donegal County Council want to hear your views and invite you to get involved in the preparation of an outdoor recreation strategy for Donegal a number of online consultation events are running across the county from the 31st of January to the 9th of February and online survey until the 22nd of February sign in and have your say visit DonegalCoco.ie to find out more the good times are back the highly acclaimed Joe Dolan show remembering Joe is back in Lettercanny for one night only and what a party it will be St Patrick's night thursday march 17th eve of the bank holiday at the Clannery Hotel the spectacular show starring brother Ben Dolan nephews Edwin and Ray niece Sandra Karen Carroll plus the original Joe Dolan band will have you rocking and rolling in the aisles at the Clannery celebrate our national holiday and style tickets now available at the Clannery Hotel 074 91 24 369 remember there's no show like a Joe show always a sell out book now Donegal Hearing Clinic now open up here so Lettercanny and Bunkranna now offering state of the art rechargeable hearing aids free with your PRSI also pain free micro suction wax removal services call 074 91 double eight four seven zero or DonegalHearingClinic.ie life sounds brilliant with Donegal Hearing Clinic at three we have an amazing range of broadband offers to keep you connected switch to threes high-speed home broadband for just 39 euro per month and get three months free with no upfront cost visit the three store Bunkranna for this offer and more subject to coverage Tee's and C's apply it's the 9 through noon show on Highland Radio it's 11 o'clock time for headlines can we say good morning to Miquela Clark thanks Donald good morning a British government minister says the toppling of the Stormwind Executive won't change its approach to Brexit negotiations it's after First Minister Paul Given resigned over the Northern Arnhem Protocol last week UK's Minister of State for Northern Ireland Connor Burns made the comments to a Westminster committee a short time ago as you just heard on the 9 to 9 show the manager of the Donegal Domestic Violence Service says a lack of emergency refuge accommodation is forcing people back into unsafe situations lack of refuge beds available in Donegal resulted in 16 families being housed in hotels and BMBs last month while 20 children were homeless because of domestic abuse the environment minister says a new retrofit scheme is the best way of tackling rising energy costs the 352 million euro scheme will see grants of 25,000 euro made available for full retrofits at covering half the cost the government will also cover up to 80% of the cost of smaller projects like insulating and attic Donegal Deputy Pierce Doherty however says there's a lack of urgency on the issue Guardian investigating a burglary in letter Kenny last night between half past nine and 10 o'clock the door of an apartment at the sunny side apartments on the port road was forced open and entry gained a black Alcatel mobile phone a bank of earning card and a small sum of cash was stolen from the property Meanwhile investigations are continuing into a number of criminal damage incidents across the county Tires of a car parked in letter Kenny were slashed while windows of properties in Clamane and letter Kenny were smashed Guardian also keen to speak with anyone who saw Volkswagen Passat and a seven-seater Saphira on the letter Kenny Road in Lifford between 3.30 and 5 a.m. on Saturday night last A committee has been established in Carygarde in a bid to address road safety concerns a public meeting was held last night to discuss the issues which includes parking in the village and road safety around the local school and Donegal could benefit from a one and a half million Euro Biodiversity Fund The 2022 local Biodiversity Action Fund has opened to applications from local authorities The fund aims to support locally led projects that align with actions under the National Biodiversity Action Plan Those are the latest headlines we'll be back with an update again at 12 noon At Irish Life we've been helping people make smart investments with their nest egg for over 80 years For actual trusted advice search Irishlife.ie or contact your financial broker or advisor We know Irish Life We are Irish Life Irish Life Financial Services is tied to Irish Life Assurance for life and pension problems Irish Life Assurance PLC is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Irish Life Financial Services Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Today's 9 to 9 show is sponsored by the three store Bunkranna Visit us in store for the best deals on high speed home broadband and more three for a better connected life It's the third and final hour of the 9 to 9 show this morning on Highland Radio 08 6 60 25000 for your text messages or whatsapp messages you can call us 07491 25000 0035 003537491 25000 if you're outside of the dialing area Caroline taking your calls and producing the show as well Comments at Highland Radio if you wish to send us an email we're on social media as well at Highland Radio on Twitter and Highland Hub on Facebook You may have seen in the papers Senator Irene Flint who of course is based in Donegal independent senator has blasted Jimmy Carr's holocaust joke about travellers as a prime example of the casual racism against the community I am not going to repeat the joke many people will have heard it and the joke is included on a performance by Jimmy Carr called His Dark Materials which is on Netflix and is still available A petition has been launched calling on Netflix to remove segments of that particular show and I'm joined on the line by Hugh Freel Traveller Men Development and Health Worker with the Donegal Travellers Project a regular guest on this show Hugh good morning Hugh good morning Don't hurt you Not about at all thanks Hugh it seems once again sadly we have to talk to you about an utterance by a celebrity by someone in entertainment who has made what many will see as a casual joke but a joke that is really hurtful to yourself and to your community and indeed to others as well Yes Donal Yes casual joke you know people will see it is funny or you know on his behalf he thinks it's hilarious that he can come out with this kind of racist comments around you know travellers around juries LGBT people with disabilities was included in it you know Johan the witness was included in the joke you know and it's not acceptable in our society but look comedy is humor and humor is good for people's laughter is good for your mindset but don't take a hand of other ethnic minority groups or marginalised other groups or segregate them into you know proportions for the laughter or on the back of other people if you get what I'm saying so I just think it was revolting I think it was disgusting at Benjamin just to pull out that kind of material and I think it's a it's a profile issue as well for himself just to get you know more hits on his on his Netflix and he is the sort of comedian who's always sort of prided himself on on you know pushing the boundaries and you know being edgy and you know pushing that envelope a little bit further than everybody else but the problem when you build a career on pushing the envelope and pushing the boundaries is there are almost inevitably times when you push it too far your firm belief is on this occasion he very definitely has I definitely don't because if you look at the the billions and billions people who are gassed tortured and the holocaust they you know the Roma community there was estimation around 500,000 to maybe 10 million and a half that was murdered you know when you look at some of the documentaries on the holocaust and the survivors and the trauma and the pain that they endured through their their experience of the holocaust you know in the gassed chambers that's seen people murdered seen children murdered you know that's not a joke that's definitely not a joke and I don't think millions of people's lives you know were put in the shed and gassed were children taken out and thrown into a hole you know what's funny about that I just it's not a joke I don't think see I know that he he tries to go on the boundaries and test the boundaries but definitely this is you know beyond it and beyond the beyond the joke you say we need stronger legislation how how will that be affected and to what extent do you believe that the government here can control Netflix because we now have the situation where so much of our entertainment contact is coming online it's coming from outside it's programs recorded elsewhere produced elsewhere mixed elsewhere and indeed broadcast from elsewhere and we're receiving them through the ether online it's making it more difficult perhaps whereas if this was on RTE if we relatively simple if it's on terrestrial television to get it sorted but when it's on the internet it's just making it that more difficult I mean is this something you've looked into as to how can you get legislation that can effectively tackle something like this we have and we've been advocating for the social media platforms you don't have stronger legislation from a government in relation to you know Google in relation to Facebook in relation to different platforms Instagram you know all the platforms where people can be very very racist and avert comments about the travel community of the Roman community of people with disabilities or BMEs so this just doesn't affect the travel community this is affecting a number of other groups as well in terms of of what they've been from the ethnic minority group so around the tighten the legislation around this that the Ken and Jimmy Harris and other people who use these platforms to propel themselves in their career shouldn't be allowed and should be prosecuted because you know our government needs look at the damage this causes people inflicts that racial comments has a social element to travelers on the ground that has a social element to the Roman community on the ground and other ethnic minority groups because endure racist comments discrimination practice by services by the education system by you know the pubs the hotels this has a this has a designating effect across society it's not about a joke it's about the acceptance of this joke so people think it's morally okay to talk about the travel community in a really derogative way to talk about Roman in a really derogative way to talk about BMEs in a really derogative way because they see the pillars of society is not protecting ethnic minority groups so it's around I can see that your Jimmy Karr said that you know our TV said that so there's different arenas of that don't that give way to people to allow that this is socially accepted that's a socially okay to talk really derogative about other ethnic minority groups and travels for Roma we know that there is a plan to begin effectively a new regulator who will have responsible responsibility for TV and for radio for instance Herand radio will be under that regulator's auspices but will also have responsibility for social media and have responsibility for streaming services so from that point of view perhaps we'll see the legislation that you want then and we'll see more powers being given to that regulator that they can take effective action yes I think that that'll be brilliant and in recent I don't know that there is a regulator and there is a complaints procedure and there is procedures there that that eradicate this kind of behavior eradicate these kind of comments around you know racism, discriminative practice you know on the back of our ethnic minority groups and that's that's where society that we want to live in and wouldn't be socially accepted if he said that about single mothers or he said it's about you know the white settled population you know something really derogatory about that he'd be called out and he'd be make apologised public apology and you know something there and so forth and it seems to be in this this country that when it comes to black and ethnic minority groups and Roman and Traver we haven't got there yet you know we had a few apologies around racist comments but you know the legislation definitely needs to be tightened it needs to be endorsed and backed by our by our government and implemented to these social media platforms because people's found a new way now to be racist Aileen Flynn has made it quite clear that she's going to be pursuing this I mean you'd be hopeful I'm sure that senators and indeed TDs back are on that I've been born yeah Aileen Aileen Sanadale Sanwell pursued it and we have locked at it and we've you know the the excitement to hit react in 1999 has been reviewed at this present time COVID has kind of put to the the dampers in relation to you know a lot of the procedures that was going forward but hopefully now don't that the kind of where we're socially open to it we'll be getting our head stuck into it again in relation to firstly meeting the you know the government and meeting the parties at the nitrous which is the national travel women inclusion strategy committee that oversees a lot of the the themes in terms of the travel and women community in Ireland the strategy so that that's the place where we can make an influence and change to influence the senators and influence the TDS in relation to the the excitement to interact and finally here we know that Netflix is being petitioned and being asked effectively to remove these comments from the his dark material performance that is still available on on that particular platform are you getting any indication that that Netflix will do so and that we will see a slightly edited version of the program put back up I think hopefully don't don't that you know there's a lot of there's loads of constraints but on there's a lot of then hopefully next well we'll review it and re-ramp that Jimmy Carr's piece and they they then watch it on Netflix but I do think that you know as I said it's a very hopeful piece it's a very damaging piece because the content of that as I said we're not talking about you know a few individuals we're talking about millions and millions of people who have talked to gas sheds and gas children men and women doesn't matter what emphasis was on it in terms of you being Jewish Gypsies you know Traver Roma some people was gassed and the survivors were that if anybody watched the documentaries you know it's really helpful to see people who endured that who embraced that and come out to the end of it but millions didn't and he if that's his tactic to propel himself and his platform it's really really I'd say it's really disgusting Hugh Freel Traverment Development and Health Worker with the Donegal Traveras project thanks indeed for speaking to us this morning thank you you take care of yourself bye now and that's Hugh Freel there from the Donegal Traveras project there and that his dark material performance by Jimmy Carr on Netflix the petition is to get that at the very least edited and changed Coler's called in we spoke earlier about the regulations pertaining to co-opting a new member onto council Coler says national regulations state where a local councillor resigns retires or dies there are party nominates a replacement candidate if an independent councillor dies the local authority follows its own procedures as set out in its standing orders so that's the legal situation as it stands Coler says I was in for an operation in letter Kenny but got the opportunity to go to Balli Kelly to have it done quickly quicker I have to get a PCR test two days before it's costing me 180 euro sterling I can't have it done here which would be free and then bring the result the test must be carried out in their place does anyone know a way around this it's very expensive now I know if you get a PCR test through the HSC for instance that's not acceptable for travel and the reason it's not acceptable for travel is basically to stop important test slots for people who are showing symptoms being taken by people who basically need PCR tests because they want to do something else so I know that's one of the major issues with PCR tests here now whether you can get a derogation from that on the basis that I need a PCR test in order to have vital surgery and that is in fairness that is very different to saying I need a PCR test because I want to go to Spain on my holidays so I would have thought it should be possible to get some form of derogation and allow a HSC PCR test to be used in this instance if anyone else knows anything more about that certainly it's understandable that you cannot get a HSC PCR test and then use it to justify your travel you have to get a private test on in that instance and I think that's absolutely and totally correct because we can't have these really important test slots being taken up by people who want to travel a different situation for someone who is awaiting surgery Caller says did many listeners hear what Sean Fleming the Fina Fall finance I think he's actually a junior minister the person here says a finance spokesperson he is actually I think a junior minister in the Department of Finance his approach to the rising cost of living was to say you know stop complaining and shop around and a person on over a thousand a hundred thousand close tax free expensive what planet is young and there was a similar comment came in earlier as well and we had someone asking earlier about crutches and recycling crutches the Kili Begs women's group are running a Belarus orphanage appeal and they will gladly take crutches please check their Facebook page Laurie is arriving in Kili Begs on the 19th of February and leaving on Sunday the 20th so if you have crutches that you want to recycle the Belarus orphanage appeal may very well be the destination that you are looking for it's uh 17 minutes past 11 o'clock whether it's a smart meter to better manage your energy plugging into a greener type of fuel or something bigger with board gosh energy you can go your kind of green discover more at board gosh energy.ie board gosh energy guarantees that 100 percent of the electricity supplied to you under green plans is sourced from renewable generation in accordance with the CRU green source product verification process 10 percent green gas will be purchased in Europe from guarantee of origin certificates for green gas at Tesco we're always looking for ways to make shopping easy for everyone that's why we're giving one lucky customer the chance to win a brand new Nissan cash guy to enter simply complete your first shop with click and collect on tesco.ie by March 6th there's never been a better time to shop online book your free slot today Tesco every little helps terms of condition supply competition open to first time click and collect shoppers only purchase required open to Irish residents aid over 18 offer valid only until the 6th of March for full terms of condition see tesco.ie the Donegal IFA County Executive are holding their annual general meeting online via Microsoft Teams this Wednesday 9th of February at 8 p.m. guest speakers will be Minister of Agriculture Charlie Mcconnellog and Ulster North Lentster Regional Chairman Frank Brady all welcome for invite to meeting text your email address to Tom Boyd on 085 757 90 26 All children aged 5 and over are being offered a COVID-19 vaccine their vaccine will help to protect them and the rest of the family too the advice from the World Health Organization is that the COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children this age so if you have questions about their COVID-19 vaccine we have answers you can trust to register or for information visit hsc.ie from the hsc Highland Radio Time Checks brought to you by Letterkenny Shopping Center the center of shopping in Donegal free parking and shopping all under one roof Letterkenny Shopping Center bringing you the time at and the time is 19 minutes past 11 o'clock today's show is sponsored by the three store Bongkranah visit us in store for the best deals on high-speed home broadband and more three for a better connected life Mary says Hugh has spoken well we are all equal in the eyes of God and in fairness Hugh has long been a very articulate campaigner for the traveling community in the northwest and long may that remain the case just had a note from council Michael McClaverty to say just letting people in the Falkara area know that the bottle banks are being temporarily removed for about a month to allow for ongoing works to be done at their present location they will be returned once those works are finished the council has asked that people use the Gortha Hork or Dunfanahe banks in the meantime that's just a note let us know that if you're in the Falkara area and you notice that the bottle banks are removed that's being done to facilitate work and they will be back it should take a month or so now we're going to turn our attention to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and for most babies in the womb they are essentially blank canvases but for some there are already writings on that canvas and not necessarily writings that will have a good effect we're joined on Zoom this morning by Tristan Kasen-Renny who is the director of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder F-A-S-D Ireland and he joins us on Zoom Tristan good morning good morning Craig Tristan a lot of people will not be aware of what fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is to tell us briefly about that particular condition and its cause okay well essentially it's caused by consuming alcohol either when trying to conceive or when pregnant so the embryo and the fetus are very vulnerable to alcohol when it is consumed the first place any substance that's consumed by a mother will go straight to the embryo or the fetus and then pass onwards to the mother's body and then it's expunged but essentially any amount of alcohol that's consumed will go to that embryo or fetus is this a matter of quantity or is it a matter of as you possibly suggested there any amount of alcohol because you'll be told that there's no harm in a glass of red wine every now and again is it an issue of the more that is consumed the more the risk of FAST becoming an issue is or is it anything being consumed can cause a problem it's literally as you just said it's anything any amount of alcohol that you consume poses a risk the HSE guidance currently states that no amount of alcohol is safe at any stage of pregnancy and so that is a message that we absolutely need to get across to any person who is either considering starting a family or who is already pregnant now of course obviously there will be many many instances in which a woman may go out and consume alcohol in the course of a night out and not know at that point that she is pregnant and you know from that point of view you are stressing that the organisation adopts very much a no blame or shame only information and information support approach yes correct the I think we have to accept that society has accepted the drinking of alcohol for many many years amongst women that are pregnant to the point that you know even as late as the 50s Guinness and other forms of alcohol were handed out in hospitals to pregnant women to enable them to avoid the baby or themselves suffering from anemia so as a society we have to move on now because we accept and we recognise the risks caused by consuming alcohol and so that's why the message has to change and we absolutely cannot focus on any blame or shame because it was an accepted part of society that it would happen and you're quite correct and you say that people will go out and they will have a drink and they won't know they're pregnant that's a very common occurrence and I guess that that's why the message from us and from the HSE and other organisations in Ireland is if you are considering starting a family that's the time that you need to stop drinking There is figures that we have come from the World Health Organisation in 2017 and I will be honest I was very surprised to see that on the World Health Organisation's figures for 2017 Ireland of 187 countries Ireland ranked third behind South Africa and Croatia so that does suggest that it is a major issue in this country Absolutely Greg FASD is the most common neurodevelopmental disability in Ireland It's estimated again we have no up-to-date prevalence figures but it is estimated that some 40,000 people living in Ireland have FASD Now not all of those will be diagnosed many of them will be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and that poses a problem in itself There is currently no true pathway to diagnosis It's a very complicated pathway that families have to journey through and we as an organisation are working very closely with ministers in government to try to put a process in place that will allow families, young people to be able to get a diagnosis which will help them to be able to live their lives independently And presumably there are variations in severity and also variations in the symptoms that may display and indeed variations in the impact it may have on life into the future Yes, absolutely I mean FASD is an umbrella term that we use it covers various essentially as it says disorders but it's most recognised with fetal alcohol syndrome and one of the there are 428 co-morbidities with FASD and one of the highest prevalence in that is ADHD So it's very common in Ireland currently that if a child presents with ADHD then that's the diagnosis they're given and there's no further exploration to find out actually if they have FASD which to be honest is really important because it would open up how we support that child or young person through their school years and onwards into adolescence and adulthood And that then begs the question about the true numbers because very often in cases like this people will suggest well Ireland is third highest on a global list because Ireland has a good record in actually diagnosing FASD and the chances are there are other countries where prevalence is far higher and indeed prevalence in this country could very much be far higher as well than the estimated 1600 babies born each year with it So is this one of these instances in which we'll never really know the true number? Yes, the figure that you have there is I think 600 babies a year which was from 2017 because of COVID we understand that well we expect that number to have doubled if not gone up a little higher simply because people were stuck at home and there was very little to do and alcohol intake did increase over the lockdown period So I think that our organisation has three core strands one is to prevent FASD one is to support FASD people with FASD and the other one is to raise awareness across the country about FASD and that's why programs like this talking to you today is very important to us we desperately need to raise awareness of FASD because there are a minimum of 40,000 people living on the island with FASD and many of those will be struggling young people in school and adolescents and then people in their 20s, 30s and beyond that will be struggling to be living independently and it's really important that we start to recognise this disability so that we can address it and provide necessary supports for people The response to this in certain ways may have to be tailored to families as well because as we said inevitably and sadly there can be instances where effectively the person with FASD may be looking at their mother and saying this is your fault or the mother may be looking at them and feeling guilty because they feel it's their fault and it goes back to the blame and shame discussion that we had earlier that there are nuances to this particular discussion that perhaps need a particular targeting and need a particular response maybe even in terms of counselling Yes it's probably one of the most difficult conversations to have in that very often the full appearance of FASD arrives at the age of 10 and so a primary school typically would start to have difficulties with the child's behaviours and attention and focus in class and of course beyond the age of 10 we have transitioned to price primary secondary school and really it's a case of that if we haven't got the diagnosis at primary level we're going to struggle when we get into secondary level for support of the child so that conversation is very difficult how do we go about and it's something we have to think long and hard about how do we go about identifying first and foremost the children that are of concern and then having that conversation with the birth family to be able to say you know can we talk about how the pregnancy was can we talk about you know your recollection of when you were drinking when you were smoking if you were taking drugs for example when did you last do that before you found out you were pregnant can we explore that a little bit more so that's a whole conversation that needs to be had and it's about working together with the Department of Education Department of Health Department of Social Welfare you know the Department of Special Education inclusion we have to work across all of those ministries and bring them together because FASD affects so many different facets of life and you know we know of those children it's an interesting exercise for every head teacher or deputy head to do given the prevalence as again estimated at 4.75 if you took a typical high school of 700 students then you'd be looking at somewhere in the region of 28 to 30 of those students having FASD just based on prevalence I've done an exercise with the teacher where I've asked them to walk around school and identify individuals just to themselves no names and they said that they didn't realize actually that they had those children in the school but once it was highlighted to them that FASD existed and was a known about condition and that they'd raised the awareness of it then they were easily able to identify those students so again as an organization we run regular workshops for both parents families carers teachers health professionals to be able to learn about FASD and I believe our next one is the 11th of March where we're running a 2L workshop which is an introduction to FASD so if anybody's got concern about their child or a child that they're looking after or a child that they come into contact with then I'd urge them to get on to the workshop and just find out a bit more about FASD we obviously have the website as well that people can refer to and the website is FASDRland.ie yes it is and that's the best way for people if they want to get in contact with you or they want to learn more about this FASDRland.ie is probably the best pathway to do so that's certainly our website we also on Twitter so very often Twitter is a great way for people to get in touch with this if they have just a quick sort of question and answer and we're also on Facebook and Instagram so hopefully there's plenty of ways that people can get in touch with us Tristan thanks indeed for speaking to you it's this morning Tristan Kasen-Renny there director of FASDRland and as we say FASDRland.ie is the website there on Twitter and social media as well Tristan thanks very much indeed and that's Tristan and that was the FASDR discussion and it's a discussion I think that is going to continue for quite some time it's 28 minutes to 12 noon into the last half hour of the program let's take a short break back after this and online every Monday Wednesday and Friday during our prime time shows we will broadcast the latest job opportunities across the Northwest and into County's Derry and Turon all job listings will be available online at highlandridio.com for more information contact the advertising team on 07491 25322 or email advertising at highlandridio.com Highlandridio we're here for you treat yourself or a loved one to a Clarence gift of beauty from McGee's Chemist Letter Kenny purchase two Clarence skincare products one to be a moisturizer or serum and you'll get a choice of four treat-sized essentials from a selection of eight together with a gorgeous cosmetics bag which four will you choose available while stocks last in store at McGee's Chemist Letter Kenny and online at McGee's.ie with the best cost less Valentine's is fast approaching and what better way to celebrate with a romantic three course meal and glass of Prosecco a backstage bar and grill our Valentine's menu is running all weekend from Friday the 11th to Monday the 14th of February call Century Complex and 07491 21976 to book your table at three we have an amazing range of broadband offers to keep you connected switch to three's high-speed home broadband for just 39 euro per month and get three months free with no upfront cost visit the three store Bunkrana for this offer and more subject to coverage tease and see supply today's 9 till noon show is sponsored by the three store Bunkrana visit us in store for the best deals on high-speed home broadband and more three for a better connected life Caller says regarding the person having to get a PCR test in Balli Kelly I was to do the same but they accepted a PCR result from a recognized company that I used I still had to pay 99 euro but that's better than 180 sterling Caller says Jimmy Carr has made jokes about absolutely everyone including single mothers and the wider general public offence is given and offence is taken the caller says excuse me offence is taken and not given the caller says I am a bouncer at a nightclub and you know I agree racist abuse is not acceptable but it works both ways so says our caller now you may have noticed and I have certainly noticed that there has been it seems an increase in sea swimming at all times of the year and I have got several friends to do it myself and I see them posting up pictures of them coming out of the water in the middle of the winter and it sends a shiver up my spine to be bluntly honest um but there are many people who absolutely love it Joe Joyce is the P.R.O. with the Locx Swellie or NLI Joe good morning good morning Donald Joe you're a man who would know the waters around in a show on better than most you're seeing a lot of sea swimming and by and large you think it's a good thing but people need to be careful it is a good thing particularly over lockdown a lot of people have partaken on it are starting to see the beauty of what we have around us it's become a very big social thing it's very good for you there are some dangers associated with it it's really about a lot of common sense but not a lot of people are doing it they've passed the care park there and a lot of people there having coffee having a sandwich after their swim so yeah it's a it's a positive I think well one of those who is doing it quite a bit recently is Marion Simpson Marion good morning good morning and Marion I don't know if you and Joe know each other but you're certainly not that far away from each other because you're doing your swimming at London yeah that's right and I do know Joe yeah I started for me in July 2020 going in with my grandchildren and I absolutely loved it and I uh then four ladies joined me and we took it from there we swam every day and right through the winter and then gradually other people joined us and we have now 65 people on our whole staff group and in our group coming and going at different times now it's quite clear from what you've said in the message you sent us that you're doing so responsibly you have a WhatsApp group and you get everything organized you work with the tides and you're being quite careful and that's a point that's been made that you know would see swimming you know there are potential risks and it certainly seems you and your group are taking the responsible approach to it yes understood that no one goes in alone if there's always somebody going in with them we're very careful when the tides are quite high and also when the tides are very far out as well when the tide's going out so we do we do put up the tide times every week and we know during the beginning of each week what's good and sensible time to go Joe it must be heartening to you to hear someone like Marion speak in that way because it's clear that you know she's doing this the correct way the ladies there are doing great work it's a big social thing and you know people maybe that would be afraid to go and swim on their own there's a great group there there's a group another group at Ned's Point to join them you know it's you go there you go in they put up the timetables so what's the tides they're swimming parallel to the shore there's certain places that are very safe to swim London beaches they're very safe one of those one of those spots when they come out then they wrap up pretty quickly and they put on they have their coffee and tea and it's a big social thing as well it's very good for your mental health so you know it's it's a very good positive would the first piece of advice then from your point of view Jobe to say the people look become involved in the group and whatever you do don't go out there on your own it's not a good anything under 15 degrees is deemed to be cold water and the temperature rarely gets above 15 degrees here even in the summer it just runs around about 12 so immersing in cold water if you're not used to it if you don't acclimate yourself to it has some serious effects you can suffer from a thing called cold water shock that's when your body goes into the cold water you're not used to it you spasm you can inhale water if you're if you're submerged that gets into your lungs and it can cause some serious medical problems and you can possibly drown it can minimize your effect the blood vessels contracting your arms your ability to move and your ability to control what's happening it can is greatly undermined so you just do need to be careful so if you are going in as Marion says look at the tide check the weather forecast go with a group if you can tell somebody where you're going tell them when you're back have some warm stuff for when you come out and be ready for when you come out watch the wind chill if possible swim hardly out to the beach watch have an exit point as well as an entry point and just be aware of the situation and take local advice if you're not familiar with the area take local advice because the locals always know where the good places to swim and where the bad places to swim are and most importantly of all if anyone if you or anyone else gets into difficulty at sea ring 999 or one one two contact the coast guard the coast guard is a specialist we're very lucky here at Donegal we've an excellent team with Malinhead and all at Donegal is very well equipped with R and L.I. personnel and with coast guard personnel and there's a great overlap so you know we're really well covered in the county and like those are the things to look at keep yourself safe enjoy it and I think you have a bit of fun Marion you've I love the way you've described yourselves you say you're swimmers in the summer but you're tow-dippers in the winter yeah well uh the summer undoubtedly much more conducive to staying in a bit longer but it still says the temperature now in the water is down to approximately 8 degrees and it's recommended that you stay only one minute for every degree of the water so we could be in a nice in five minutes like now you do go in and this is the bit that really amazes me because as I say I have friends who do it quite regularly but it seems to me judging by the pictures they're putting up on social media they're mostly going in in wet suits you go in in swimsuits but with swim boots and socks on yeah it's just the way it started we started going in in the swimsuits and then one day actually did meet another we never intended to be swimming through going into the water in the winter going in when there's snow on the ground but one thing led to another and it just was amazing and it was a great life saver throughout lockdown last year and it brought some of us through very difficult times as well um it's great to hear that you know 64 people in the group now marina and all 64 I'm sure don't always go out together but I mean there's going to be a group going out every day and fair play to you for for doing that and fair play to you for doing it sort of safely and is it something marina and you would recommend to people I mean do you feel better for doing this now I must be honest I am sitting here and I'm thinking go into the water off Donegal in the winter not on urinelli and I must say I have nothing but admiration and respect for people who do well to be quite honest I can't recommend it enough there's uh whenever one goes into the water the first couple of minutes are that you know the mind takes over it's cold and the body sort of feels about but then once that initial few moments are over the rest then it's it's it's just amazing and um I it took me 10 years actually I thought about it for 10 years before I actually went into the water and I I really cannot recommend it enough but it's like this it really needs to be experienced I could talk to you all day about it but unless uh unless one goes in and actually experiences that themselves that's when you really understand if I'm going into the water in in the summer my way of doing it to be honest is I stand about 20 or so meters away from the shore I run like the clappers and I dive in and I get the short sharp shock and that's it then it's done and then you can swim away now it's grand to be doing that in July I take it that's not the way you'd be doing it in the cold water of January or February no definitely not we take it very gently we uh told us for a little while before we actually go in and then gradually and breathe and we're all encouraging each other and we're chatting and laughing and then there could be about a song we have a few good singers there so it's very gradual and we sort of go in a little bit sideways as well so that we're not getting the onslaught of the cold just straight onto our chest we have an age group from teenagers to 70 plus plus and each one is very appreciative of where each other want each and every one of us are at the level of ability and everything else and and Joe what Marion has just said to us there and I'm going to give the final word to you I mean that that's really indicative of the proper way to do this I mean have a strategy have a way of doing it but don't expose yourself to that shock that that cold shock that you can get and it's one thing to jump into the water in the middle of July but you're not going to be doing that in the winter no definitely gently ease yourself in splash about the water on your body and then back of your neck on your face just gradually gradually acclaim you've raised yourself to it like if Marion says there you know the boots on the feet gloves on the hands bathing suit that you have on very important that you have a colored hat or something that we can easily pick you up in the water and then swimming floats for a gradient to the ardent about the swimming and just be careful enjoy it and as Marion says it is really exhilarating runners will talk to you about the release of indulgence and you definitely get that when you're cold water swimming it is very very exhilarating and very addictive well Joe thank you indeed for the advice and Marion fair play to you and thank you for you know you're a huge advert for it and it's great to know that you and your colleagues are really getting an awful lot out of it Joe Joyce and Marion Simpson thanks indeed for speaking to us this morning thank you that's our pleasure that that's Joe and Marion there Joe from Luxury Lifeboat and Marion part of the group that swims at London and they had swim an inch for a while but there's more about in London and the main thing to remember there is first and foremost and Marion says it in the note that she gave to us no one swims alone and if you follow that advice you can really reap the benefits of swimming in the seas even off Donegal with the massive stock of four parts you're sure to get the part you 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Weather Updates with Ireland West Airport Discover Edinburgh this summer with Ryanair's three times weekly service stunning architecture endless winding streets and an awe-inspiring castle Ireland West Airport you're flying really a mixed bag in terms of whether today's sunny spells and scattered showers of rain sleet and some snow over hills and mountains highest afternoon temperature seven to nine degrees celsius moderate to fresh occasionally gusty southwest winds scattered showers along the coast will occasionally penetrate inland tonight we'll see lowest temperatures of one to three degrees celsius coldest around dawn with some frost and icy patches possible light to moderate southwest to west winds increasing fresh to strong and gusty there'll be sunny spells tomorrow with scattered showers along the coast some of sleet and possibly snow on hills highest temperatures tomorrow a little bit lower than today five to seven degrees celsius fresh to strong and gusty southwest to west winds now you'll have heard that Sinn Fein held a meeting to discuss issues in Carigart last night and they're putting forward many suggestions we're joined on the line now by councillor Liam Blaney I feel a fault councillor who also has been working a lot in Carigart and he says the council has been very proactive there already councillor Blaney good morning Good morning Donald you're delighted to see your colleagues in Sinn Fein taking an interest in Carigart but you're just making the point that you know there's been action taken there already and more is to come Well I'd like to see any of that I'd have all taken taken interest in it the more the merrier and the better chance we'll have of getting things done but I just want to say that there have been issues on ongoing issues up of speeding around the school in Carigart can we try different things there to try and help to slow traffic down and anybody that travels through that area will know what the speed van is there very regularly this last week again and but the beginning of last week I got a couple of calls about speeding within the town itself Carigart and I raised on our roads meeting last Tuesday and I have to commend the council provincial proactive and at the speed in which things has happened since that we have put up numerous speed signs repeat speed limit signs in Carigart they have they gone nothing was last Friday to they've undertook traffic survey that'll go on for at least a week I've asked them that maybe they would repeat it again in the summertime and if there's been it as a a seaside resort or town beside a seaside resort that there'll be a lot more about the summertime so I've asked them to repeat that in the summertime again but whatever that throws up that traffic survey throws up they will do whatever's in their power to try and see if they can alleviate whatever problems and that is an important point and that is an important point you make because I mean very often we'll see decisions taken based on the surveys that are conducted in January or February and as you rightly say figures that will be gained in a traffic survey in January and February will bear no relation whatsoever to what's going to be on the roads in Carigart come June, July and August yeah certainly so but see the other side of it Donald could be because there's so much traffic around the town of Carigart in the summertime and anybody's down that rest in the summertime we'll be able to understand this that there'll be very little issues with speeding in Carigart because the town is jammed with traffic and you can't get speeding in it and maybe it's not made throw up more issues now than in the summertime in the summertime but either way we'll want to compare both anyway but it's just a matter of fact of having the facts and anything that these facts do throw up at least you have proof to say look this is the reason why it's been done and the council many times gets bad for this but I have to say the speed in which this has happened and I have to commend them for that in terms of the garther response and the council will of course be in contact with Garthee through the JPC and those lines of communication is it a case where there needs to be more Garthee visible in the Carigart area because the reality of it is and you mentioned speed vans already but nothing is going to stop speeding more efficiently than the site of a squad car well as the traffic sort of it throws up that I'm quite sure reacted upon and as there was there was an issue with vehicles coming up from the shore car park up through a wee slip road that takes you out onto a square we've got the light moved to the end of that wee road and we ramped up the end of it trying to slow down in case there was a complaint there with the children that was getting a few near muscles of getting knocked down because there's a wall in and the garg came up couldn't see them but there's rampers to make that happen and any other issues that is under the remit of the council but you know there is a speed limit out of the end of the day and it is an enforcement issue and if the garage has to enforce the road we'll see if it does the traffic survey to let up or not you're you're confident that once we get the results of of of that particular a traffic survey they will be acted on quickly and then it's on the control of council I will ensure that I will do all I can and I know from the way they've acted ready that they're willing to go and do anything they can as soon as possible I'll leave it on the car with the control job Councillor Lee and Blaney thanks indeed for speaking to us this morning Thanks Donald That's Councillor Lee and Blaney there speaking to us about Kerry Garten and that traffic survey taking place and we'll see what comes out as a result of that a letter has come through to us and I always say it's lovely to see letters coming through and the letter says Dear Greg we hear you often shining a light on people's problems we would like any advice on ours from you or your listeners we're two pensioners my husband has cancer we have a mortgage which our lender has offered a settlement deal from 110,000 euro to a one-off payment of 50,000 euro is there any lender that would deal with pensioners and now what I would say to the caller and I certainly would not offer any financial advice particularly in a specialized area like this what I would suggest is if you could speak to a financial advisor and show that financial advisor the documents that you have from your lender because a financial advisor will be able to give you the sort of advice that you need I certainly wouldn't presume to and I think it's that sort of area where rather than taking general advice from someone who might know a little bit about it my intonation would be to go to a financial advisor who is independent and show them the documentation and let that financial advisor let he or she give you their perspective on it and that's I certainly wouldn't presume to give any advice but we wish you all the best with that and especially all the best to your husband as well and hopefully the health is good so the only group that people don't lose the rag over when constant jokes are made is women a local business we're told is advertising Valentine's hampers with cleaning materials in it for a Valentine's gift so no jokes about anything or anyone but women are a fair target so asks a listener we've just done that this is an interesting one now and I must confess I would not be one of these people a study has found 40% of people believe that they're the best driver they know because one new study says 40% of adults think they're the best driver they know the research also found 42% worry about driving in the dark especially on foreign or unfamiliar roads the poll conducted by one poll on behalf of a booking company found the typical person has taken about seven road trips in their lifetime 61% of respondents claim they would only go on a road trip if they didn't have to drive now I am not the best driver I know I can tell you that from the off and if we ever go on a long trip I can also tell you that it is my wife who will be far more likely to be the driver than me and that is the absolute honest truth of it dry January was in but vegan you worry was out according to our spending habits contour that monitors such things has reported record-breaking sales in non-alcohol drink with 7.6% of Irish households purchasing alcohol-free beverages last month in contrast the impact of a vegan jury was much more muted with households spending 481,000 euro less on frozen vegetable options and vegetarian options compared with this time last year that's interesting now I find this whole thing with your non-alcoholic drink I have to say in my experience the taste of non-alcoholic drink has improved so much in the past couple of years and I think really in the past I would say in the past three years the taste of whatever it's there must have been some form of breakthrough somewhere with non-alcoholic lagers in particular and I know there's non-alcoholic stout at the moment that was heavily advertised in the rugby at the weekend and that is getting rave reviews too but certainly the non-alcoholic lagers in one instance there's one major brand and I honestly cannot tell the difference between the alcoholic version versus the non-alcoholic version and you know it's a surprise but that is the situation and I think that's partly true and I there is one wheat beer I drink actually and I tend to actually buy the non-alcoholic version rather than the alcoholic version because the non-alcoholic version is absolutely lovely and I'm actually choosing it over the alcoholic version not because I will be driving because I won't be because I will be most likely sitting down having it while watching Midsummer Murders on TV but the reality of it is it actually tastes better than its alcoholic counterpart and that's really great to see I will say that's the 9 to 9 show for now it's been a pleasure as always thank you very much indeed thanks to all our contributors especially thanks to Karan Orr who took your calls who produced and who as always kept me on the straight and narrow John Bresnan is next coming up around the North West but for myself Donald Kavana have a very good day If you're buying new tyres contact Auto Fast Fit in Lederkemi get great grip and great brands at prices to suit every budget towbars also supplied and fitted for cars and commercial vehicles