video on Twitter, it's Highland Hub on Facebook. And by the way, if you want to use WhatsApp, it's the same as the text number, the WhatsApp number for Highland Radio here is the same as the text. It's 08 660 25000. It is a Monday morning. It is the 27th of March. And let's begin our customary look at the papers this morning by taking a look at the Donegal News mass exodus of staff. More than 170 staff resigned from Donegal HSC last year. Louise Doyle writes that almost two staff a day under the age of 50 resigned from the Donegal HSC. The majority of resignations were tendered by letter Kenny University Hospital employees. These figures are secured by the Donegal News under freedom of information legislation. So 173 staff leave the organization in 2022. Also, site work to start on 50 million sewage scheme. Iske Aaron staff will be on site in Remelton this week, preparing to start work on a 50 million euro scheme there. It's been a long awaited one. We have the Derry News this morning as well. SDLP seeking redress scheme for homeowners affected by defective concrete blocks. A considerable number of homes across Derry, Tyrone and Fermanagh are affected by defective blocks. That's according to Daniel McCrossen MLA. The other papers this morning, the Irish independent home prices up again as interest rates hikes fail to curtail demand. Worsening house supply is adding to the crisis facing first time buyers. Latest house price index shows that story by Mark Keenan there. Also DNA is not proof of who killed baby John. That's according to the slitter representing the couple arrested on suspicion of murder in the Kerry babies case. He's questioned the validity of their detention and said he expects them to be exonerated. There was of course an awful lot on that story on the weekend papers as well. And if those of us of a certain age will well remember that whole Kerry babies controversy back in the early 1980s and it was fascinating to read over the papers at the weekend and then read all the coverage. I mean I would have been in college when all that happened back in the early 80s and it certainly was it was not a very auspicious time for this country. Let's just say that for the moment. A lot of things happened in and around about sort of that period that you know we cannot look back on with any sense of pride that this country did the right thing. The Irish Times this morning results of DNA tests awaited in Kerry babies case. It's a couple arrested last week strongly tonight killing baby John again. That's a quote from their solicitor overhaul of planning system not workable claims lobby more planners and financial support are required for changes says Institute. Serious concern in flooding body over restriction access to judicial review story there by Arthur Beasley on the front of the Irish Times. Also a lovely picture of Bosco Hogan after being presented with the Special Tribute Award at the 25th Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards. They took place at the T.U. Dublin Grange Gorman complex there and a Bosco Hogan just just one of the great actors of our time. There's absolutely no doubt about that. Now let's take a look at the Irish Sun this morning. Blue Monday Nation at Fever pitch as euros campaign begins. The nation has hit Fever pitch as the boys in green prepare to kick off their Euro 2024 qualification battle tonight against Le Bleu Ireland take on World Cup finalists France at Dublin's sold out of Eva Stadium. 50,000 fans will rally Evan Ferguson and the lads to beat a killian Mbappe and company Ireland to go into the match as massive underdogs. But a super van has told the Irish Sun a surprise could well be on the cards. Killian Mbappe playing at the Eva Stadium. It's a fascinating prospect. What are Ireland's chances? Look, I'm no expert. There is always a chance. There is always a chance whether it's a good one. Well, that's another story altogether. The Irish Daily Mirror this morning. Kerry babies probe again couple totally innocent. A solicitor for the couple arrested on suspicion of murdering baby John insists they are completely innocent. The man and woman were released without charge last week in relation to the 1984 County Kerry tragedy. Porco Collin lawyer said there is no case to meet and he's called for a quick decision on whether his clients are to face charges. Now he does make an interesting point actually about DNA because I mean it may be it may be now and I say it may be because I'm no expert on these things. It may be the DNA may be able to prove parentage or non parentage as the case may be in that that too is also completely up in the air. But even if DNA were to prove parentage that that is a far far step from saying it then goes on to prove exactly what happened to baby John. And let's always remember let's always remember that at the root of this story at the absolute root of this story is a baby that was found on a beach with multiple stab wounds. And the question is what happened that baby. And until we can answer that question with everyone's satisfaction, then it is outstanding. Also on the front of the Irish Daily Star this morning, a baby John probe couple innocent. It's the same story. And deluded Dwyer is still saying I'm not a killer. Deluded Graham Dwyer is still insisting he's innocent of the murder of Elena O'Hara sources say he claims he was not having an affair with Elaine before killing her and was trying to help her. The claims have emerged after Dwyer lost his appeal against his conviction for murder on Friday. And the front of the Irish Daily Mail this morning again, it's the same story. Kerry baby's latest solicitor questions validity of baby John arrests, concerns raised over garter actions in probe. Now it's interesting that that they're sort of billing this as the Kerry baby's latest because that was pretty much the headline on every Sunday paper yesterday as well. And the same solicitor questioning the validity of the arrests and making his own as as he has clearly done. He's he's he's been quite public in his belief of the situation. So that's, that's another one for consideration there. So that's the way things are looking on the papers this morning. It is as we say a Monday morning. It's the start of a brand new week. What are going to be the big issues of the week? Well, perhaps you can play your part in actually determining what those issues are. As we said, if you want to text us, it's 08 660 25,000. You can also make contact with us via text. And as we said, what's up with 660 25,000? Call us 07 491 25,000. We can also be contacted via social media if you want to get in touch on Twitter. It's at Highland Radio on Facebook. It's Highland Hub. Email us on comments at Highland Radio.com. It's approaching 12 minutes past nine. We'll take a short break. The county's number one talk show, the nine till noon show on Highland Radio. Not sure where to start with your smart meter? Sign up to a home electric plus smart meter price plan from Electric Ireland to see how much energy or appliances are actually using track your usage monthly, daily, or even hourly and get tips and advice on how to use less. It's a smart start to controlling your energy usage to sign up, search Electric Ireland home electric plus smart meter and online account required features available after four months. Tees and sees apply. See electric Ireland. I am Lorraine Keane and I hate feeling tired and hormonal yet. That's exactly how I felt when my Perry Manopoulos started in my late thirties for nutritional support. 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The signs on the side of the road. It says potholes ahead, remove dentures, tighten brass straps and it's been a lot of comment on social media. I kind of good giggle it when I saw myself on social media over the weekend to be absolutely honest and the tagline on some of the coverage is if you don't laugh at Donnie Gold's potholes, then you'll probably cry. Now I'm joined on the line by David, who is well familiar with the roads. This sign refers to David. Good morning. Good morning. Very well indeed. David, it's a funny sign. We all got a good laugh out of it, but at the back of the laugh is a very, very serious issue. It is. It is. And I think it's kind of sad where we are today in modern society where something designed to be a joke is something that actually highlights something that really, really does need to be addressed. In terms of the potholes in the area, as we said, you are a regular traveller in that area. You know those potholes. You know those roads only too well. Yeah, well, putting myself and the wife, we do the school runs over there. So, you know, you're over it in the morning and then you're going back over it in the morning and then back in the evening time too. So, this would be a traveller four times a day. Yeah. Look, it's been about three months now, maybe even worse. I know it's been before Christmas anyway. Yeah. There have been attempts made to fix it, but like it's, you know, every time it's free. Every time it's about the snow, it just goes back to where it was and then some of those roads can be three, four inches deep in places, you know. Yeah. And in terms, sorry, in terms of the actual quality, is it just deteriorated in the past while or has this been a gradual deterioration over a long period? Well, look, you can say it was a case that, you know, it's been neglected or something. You know, I do think the local authorities are doing all they can to maintain it up to a point when you get the snow in the frost, etc. You know, obviously it increases the, increases the wear and tear in the road causes to break up, but I think they're slow to react and repairing it, whether that's down to budget or whatever. I'm not sure. I don't want to say. Well, actually, we have someone in the other line who can perhaps throw some light on that, Councillor Patrick McGowan. Good morning. Good morning, though. Patrick, you're you're listening to what David is saying. I'm sure you're all too familiar with the issues on on on these roads and the issues David's referring to. Yeah, perfectly on this road. Now, I've said to Caroline there that that stretch ends another stretch up at the Coromones with 50 meters there. They wouldn't have been on the road program last year now because we agree of the year in advance, but they're we either MD meeting there two weeks ago and that's not there's been brought forward. Now just cut some of the roads and put them sections and that certainly deteriorated a lot. There's Christmas without heavy frost or a certain part storm that does. In the meantime, what they've been doing is they have been using that stuff. What they call this deferred set. They use it in the winter time. You'll see it in the back of the pickups and they could sit there a couple of days and throw it into the ground. They just flatten it, but that's just a happen. That's the thing they can and he can imagine any workmen going out throwing that in the ground. It's very frustrating for them to do that because this time of year, they generally don't use hot tarn chips because of the frost and cold in the rain. But look, I I know David seven there. Everybody up there said and the problem is as well. A lot of people use that as a money bypass of the town. So it's an awful lot of traffic focusing a very, very narrow road on that bridge. Like I'm like even this morning, I've been on them again. They just need to keep. It is frustrating and no one people tell you if they're paying no tax and entitled a certain standard of a road like him, you know, there's no excuse for it. It just needs to hurry up and get it done. Now we do know that there's very important works about to be done in in Balbuffet and Snorri by Irish Water and that's going to be getting underway very, very shortly indeed with that in mind is that potentially going to put now even more traffic on the road that even more people are going to be trying to use it as a money bypass. I was a little bit about it, but you're right. Yeah, there's going to be a lot more right using that road and the other side roads as well to try and avoid the time cost of this traffic jams and Balbuffet and Snorri right now before the work starts. So where's all this extra traffic in that? Now there are going to be on a one way system, which means keep the traffic moving with people for straight strivers and sitting on long queues and not knowing what's happened. So hopefully this one way system will work on Aberdeen the town. But as you say, both going round loads bridge and round railing places to get something that they what they intend to do and doing in loads by just get a contractor on and that put down that asphalt but make, you know, the proper finish, not not that everyone and they need to do that before some of those heavy traffic someone because it doesn't very it is very heavy traffic at the moment. Now there's no doubt like and people are rightly complaining now there's no doubt about this. As you said, it is being included on the roads program following that discussion that took place at the Lyford Stranoller MD meeting just just under a fortnight ago. How long is it going to take for that to be actually translated into work on the ground? Well we're told that they're looking for a contractor to do it just and then get them contractors, even any of them type of works, you know, stretches that are hard enough to get like, you know, but look, it can't set as it does now like whatever even if they have to come on and temporary resurface it and then which for the contractor but it needs to be and it actually has to be hot and chips and then the third set does the third set my way up a side road of all those we make as they all care might work with me not but down there it will not work it would just be gone within an hour. David, are you taking any comfort from what a councillor Patrick McGon is saying to us there? I am but the main thing is that it gets done but the problem is like do we have to put up a funny sign on every road that needs attention?  Yeah, well I think in fairness to the council I mean I think in fairness to the council I would say that that decision and as it happens I was actually I did attend that meeting virtually the councillor McGon is talking about and they were discussing this in the council almost a fortnight ago so I think in fairness it wasn't necessarily just the sign that made this happen but the sign is an outward expression of the frustration of the community and it does have to be taken seriously. Well it's a sign that has us on the radio this morning. That is a very fair point, that is a very fair point. Do we have to put the sign up on every bad road we have in the county? Yeah, that's a very fair point indeed. Councillor Patrick McGon I want to give the final word to you from the point that you've done ago County councillor you've heard what's been said as I said we all got a good laugh from the sign but it's a sign that points to a very very serious problem and it's a problem that if action isn't taken soon it's going to get worse. Absolutely and you know from all the time I'm in the council the same thing and even before that it's always about the roads and people rightly tell you they're paying tax and they expect a certain standard of a road you know I don't know what's the climate here and on the go that we have wet sort of three quarters of the year but the roads just don't seem to last as long we have question the quality of the material and that even on the main roads you can break and up like but I pass on the messages as I have the roads regularly all round and I go looking out on the roads and the on-field engineers and overseers and management and it's down to management and management need to make sure that we're doing best practice and they also need to ensure that there's a fair spread of money and that is a big issue and you would have heard that time and time again don't. Well there's a plenary meeting of council taking place in live for today I'm sure you're going to be speaking to various engineers and officials in live for a while there this morning and this afternoon and I'm sure this is going to get mentioned and be one of the topics we'll be talking about. Yeah well I just don't wait for meetings either like I've been ringing them every single day because the car holes drivers won't wait for meetings either it needs to be done like and the do's say look it's not down to workers workers are doing their best they know that's the fair it doesn't last it's a chance that they'll stay in their home but it's on these very busy locations certainly there was 100% right and there's a few other sections around that area that are bad and we did change the road program there's just a couple a couple of weeks ago. Yeah. Terrier since this time last year. Yeah one caller is saying nobody uses that road as a bypass it's the road you have to drive to get to the town if you live there so says one caller another caller is saying ask Patrick about the roads around convoyers there going to be any work done on those roads. Yeah there's a couple look what there's there's probably with our area spoken of the three or four districts and there's probably three four five roads of each district and really you know what I said that people have said from a long time so people come along go to your councillors and engineers and keep keep ringing on about it and I would always as long as the worst roads and each area are done the worst roads and each area not not picking a road for any other reason and that's and we have to keep them just use whatever money we have used it as best we can. And again a caller says I'm a cyclist under-honour I would usually go up to the scenic area of Cavern Upper Killy Gordon the roads around there are a disgrace particularly the Glen's road up toward the staple there's water and muck coming down the road and flowing in front of someone's house it's a disgrace in this day and age that's the road I'm sure you're very familiar with. Yeah yeah I do yeah certainly again the busier roads will always get priority some of them are quieter roads but they in there but look they are just as well the main thing is to spend the money to have wisely and keep lobbying for more money. Councillor Patrick McGowan thank you very much indeed for speaking to us this morning and David thank you for for bringing this to our attention as well this morning a good morning to you both and we hope that we will see work thank you we will hopefully see worked on on that road sooner rather than later but the council is on the case. And at this point in time I suppose we can ask no more than that just got a comment in from a caller comment came in with regards to yesterday made a group of teen boys 1314 I was heading out in a show and they were throwing rocks and stones onto the road in front of cars on the way back again I met them close to the school this is in the initial area one of them and intentionally ran to get stones and threw them up into the air in front of my car luckily none of them hit can parents please warn their children of the danger of doing stupid things like this just to be cool in front of their mates and the leading question says if there's a next time I will take their photo and post it on social media and it's it is potentially a very, very serious issue that set from a caller there it happened in the south initial area rocks and stones being thrown on the road in front of cars and into the air as well. Another person attention the residents of knock art please be aware my son and his friends were playing football in the green area of the estate in letter Kenny they were kicking the ball and ended up on ending up on the road. A passerby who lives near kicked the ball back to the kids from the road he then proceeded to walk over to them and started videoing them. And it's it's a lot of people disturbed that this it may well be that it's a totally innocent thing but it's you know it's an issue and I think anyone who is having contact with children however innocently it may be it's something you have to bear in mind that there's concerns now maybe it may have been someone who said isn't that nice a good old game of football taking place. Let's take a video because it'll be a nice thing to have but you know in this day and age we have to be really really careful about interactions like that. And it's always a little bit concerning when you hear of you know video being taken of children particularly when consent isn't asked of parents I know certainly I've been involved in various things in terms of theater and sport and so on. And the rules around videoing are very very strict and if you've ever gone even to something like a community games or something or a swimming meet with children I mean you'll it'll be made quite clear to you exactly what the rules are with regards to videoing it and we do have to keep those things in mind. Interesting story in one of the papers today it says politicians are so lazy in the Dahl gym fewer politicians than ever are using the Dahl gym as figures revealed visits slumped to their lowest level last year TDs and senators worked out in the taxpayer funded facility just one hundred and nineteen times the well-equipped facility was fully open last year after covid restrictions were lifted but representatives seemed reluctant to visit however the numbers are going down between July and September just fourteen sessions were recorded by elected representatives now in fairness between July and September the doll isn't sitting so it isn't as though we have a load of public representatives in the Dahl between July and September so in fairness I mean they're not going to be there on a day to day basis and I'm sure they'll all be following their own fitness regimes at home now and we're going to take a very quick break back in a moment and we'll be speaking about a very important issue the reform of the carers allowance watch the show live now on YouTube Facebook and at Highland radio dot com Highland radio wants to send you on the holiday of a lifetime five grand spending money get your tickets now and Highland radio dot com answer the question and start packing draw takes place Thursday 6th of April on the nine tone show start planning your ultimate getaway only on Highland radio does a big freeze on the way and it's good news for anyone thinking about changing their home energy because Caller are putting their prices on ice with a two year price freeze when you switch to Caller LPG a cleaner alternative to oil Caller gas is ideal for cooking hot water and heating your home so switch today at Caller gas dot IE and very soon the only thing feeling the chill will be your bill terms and conditions of line the top line annual spring sale ends this Thursday 30th of March high quality hardware tools and outdoor products for your home or garden projects visit your local top line store for great products at great prices shop or spring sale ends this Thursday top line here to help happy to advise could it get any better as a senior citizen no sitting in traffic trying to get to work heading off on midweek breaks out for a bite to eat whenever it suits and now that bite to eat costs even less at Kelly's diner in Etter Kenny with 15% off after three every weekday when you spend 15 euro meet up for a chat and a bite to eat Monday to Friday with an extra 15% off the menu for all senior citizens at Kelly's diner mountain top Etter Kenny this is the 90 Nuncho on Highland radio a very important issue in this county and indeed everywhere is that of the carers allowance we've had many conversations about the need for that allowance to be reformed and emotion is being placed in front of the all Aaron by Sligoletrum and South Donegal TD Marion Harkin and W. Harkin I'm delighted to say joins us this morning on Zoom at W. Harkin. Good morning. Good morning to you and your listeners. Donal. Marion, this is an important issue. We've had many conversations about carers allowance over the years and I'm sure it's one of the issues you are lobbied about constantly by constituents and indeed by others. The time is right to bring this motion. Well, I suppose in way it's way past time because if you go back to 2008 the income disregard for carers allowance and what that means is the amount of money that you could earn and still get the full carers allowance was equal to the average weekly income in any household and back in 2006 the I think anything of all government promised that they would keep it in line with the weekly earnings from 2008 to 2000 and 22 there was no increase in the income disregard. So in other words those on the average household income which is a modest enough income were not able to get the full carers allowance. Now to be fair to Minister Humphreys in 2022 she did increase that income disregard about one third of the way. So my motion which was not imposed by the Minister which is significant meant that I asked for a specific issue to be dealt with and that is that in the next budget that is the budget that we'd see in five, six months time that the income disregard the amount of money you could earn before your carers allowance was cost would be the same as the average household income as the CSO has obviously calculated it to be and that at the moment is 900 euro for a couple and 450 for a single person. You're also looking for individualized means testing basically saying that look there are people that will have individual circumstances and you cannot make decisions based solely on the amount of money that is coming into a household and the amount of household income there has got to be more in the equation than just figures because this is about much more than money. Oh it is about much more than money. I mean the various whether it's the CSO or other service the Irish Health Survey calculate there's around half a million parents in the country but don't know just 92,000 of those get carers allowance and included in that are about 43,000 who get half rate carers. So you can see that the numbers who get carers allowance is quite small to begin with and as I said about half of those get half rate carers and it's also worth mentioning that about 67,000 young carers that is carers under 18 get no carers allowance. So that puts it into context and some of your listeners out there might think that look carers allowance isn't that hard to get you put in a few hours here a few hours there you get carers allowance. Absolutely not. Carers allowance is one of the most difficult payments to get in the sense that there's a lot of conditions but the main ones are that you must be providing full-time care which is a minimum of 35 hours per week but the real issue is that the person you provide care to has to be assessed as needing full-time and continuous care because they are a danger to themselves. So you and I know what that means if somebody needs that level of care because they would be a danger to themselves without care you're actually talking about 247 care and that's what needs to be provided for 236 euro per week if a person is under 66 and cares for one person but on top of all the requirements and I've only named one of them but that's the most important there's a means test so that means that a very considerable number of carers who care full-time actually don't get carers allowance at all or get part of it what they call a reduced rate and when you speak of individualization what that means is that the person themselves the person who is caring who is doing that care work that they will be assessed on their own income not on the income of somebody they live with because the truth is that the carers allowance of 236 euro per week is taken up almost entirely by extra caring costs whether it's extra heating or transport it's not even as if somebody gets that money it's just extra income to keep the show on the road you made a very important point there and we've actually just had a comment in a thing that sort of shows this perfectly Carter says my partner has cared for her mother for years always got carers allowance but when we got married last year she got cut off what's ironic is her mother now needs 24 hour care but there is no help as a young couple we can't continue on one wedge coming into the house she is saving the state by caring for her mother at home not giving her support to do so is just ridiculous two points there the point you made about a woman who was receiving carers allowance is now cut off because she is married and her husband's income has been brought into this as a factor but the really important line here and it's the one we hear so often it's one of the biggest cliches in the debate about carers allowance but a lot of the time the reason cliches are cliches is because they are true and it's the people who are caring for relatives at home are saving the state money absolutely and what happened in that situation was that before the person got married they were assessed on their own income but after they got married they were assessed on household income and what that means is that the person who cares very often has nothing no income that they can call their own as it were and in many households you know income is shared and but in others it is not and sometimes the carer as well as caring and as you say saving the state that money and I come to that in a moment as well as caring they have no income in their own right and are totally dependent on the person they are sharing that household with whether you know that partner their wife their husband whatever it might be and the citizens assembly and the committee the Dall-Arrakthus committee on general policy has after studying the issue asked government to look at individualisation in fact to have an individualised approach to carers payment because you see the issue comes from the fact that when it was brought in 33 years ago it was seen basically as a payment to women because at that time almost 100% of carers were women it's now 77% so that's changing but it's still predominantly women so it was seen as a payment to women if you like to stay at home and to care for to take on all the care duties but that's completely changed now the way we live has completely changed so therefore we need to individualise carers payments in other words that the person who gets the payment is assessed on their own income and when it comes to saving the state money this figure would be in the upper range and because it would mean that you would cost care at 20 euro an hour and most carers would be paid somewhere between 15 some carers are paid 1250 or some even lower and you know but 1250 to 1750 an hour about one billion a year so I mean that's a massive sum of money if the state were to pay for care but the truth is the vast majority of families want to manage to care in their own home the vast majority of people want to stay in their own home until the very last second that they don't have to and to be fair to Minister Humphreysh the first Minister in 14 years that did increase the income disregard but it's not... she went one third of the way you know in that gap in terms of care and there's an interesting one's come in because it almost asks the question how do you define what care is? I mean very often if it's an elderly parent or an elderly relative it's very straightforward if it's someone that has special needs it's very straightforward but the court says we've been refused carers allowance yet they accept our child is in need of care because of health issues our child might be in school just one day in a month now that means as a mother I cannot keep down a job because I have got to be at home to look after my child now do I deserve a carer allowance because I have to do that or because even though the state accepts that she is ill they don't accept that she qualifies for care in that context so there seems to be an issue here as to what the definition of care and what the criteria under which a carer's allowance is granted actually are. Yes your listener is absolutely right because I mentioned there are a number of restrictions and I only detailed one of them because if I were to go through them all we'd be here until the 10 o'clock news and but one of the other restrictions is that the person you care for must be over the age of 16 so that means if you are looking at somebody under 16 and I think in your situation or the situation sorry the caller who called in that that would be the case and that person is not entitled to care as allowance I mean if that person wants to get on to me or to any of their local reps to see are there any other payments or assistance they might be entitled to we certainly check it but it is another example of how restrictive the payment is number one because the conditions are quite strict and I mean I don't mind the conditions being strict from the point of view that the person actually is providing you know 35 hours care per week because then you know people who might be providing just a few hours here and a few hours there would end up getting a similar payment to people who provide care 24-7 and that that would be essentially that wouldn't be a basic thing so I don't mind that aspect but what I do mind is the fact that over a certain income like the first person who texted once they got married they were assessed on household income payers allowance gone and the other lady who contacted you or the other person I'm not sure man or woman who is looking after their child with special needs full-time who might attend school once a month is not entitled to any payment because that child is under 16 there's also the issue of the adequacy of the payment and that needs to be reviewed so you see I suppose from when I started out in the European Parliament and I chaired the carers interest group with Cathy Sinett and now in the doll where I'm one of the court chairs of the carers interest group again I do see that the whole caring has changed society has changed and the way we live our lives and one of the things I would always say from then until now that if we didn't have family carers if we didn't have people who were prepared to do what your caller is doing for their child with special needs or your previous caller is doing for their mother or I'm sure a hundred other callers who could or a thousand who could call your station today and tell their story if they weren't doing that then you know the healthcare system would collapse because those people would need the state to provide healthcare and if we you know the social welfare system would collapse because of the assistance those people would need so we do need a change in how we view caring caring is not a women's issue caring is a societal issue and to be fair the minister has moved a bit but she didn't actually oppose my motion of increasing the carers income disregard in this budget so whether that means she go all of the way or part of the way I'm not sure but at least it does indicate that there's a proper recognition within this government that we carers have fallen so far behind and I'm finding a comment because I'm sure you want to finish up on this is when we look back at the bank crash in 2008 and there's been many, many comments on it but one of the matters that really never got got that much traction was the fact that family carers suffered because so many people were outside the income levels for carers allowance because we never increased the amount of money that they could earn and get carers allowance in line with inflation in line with average household income and at the very, very minimum we need to right that wrong now but what we also need to look at is what the government's response is going to be it's one thing for the minister and the government not to oppose a motion it's another thing entirely for the minister and the government to actually apply that motion and we've seen so often motions will be brought forward by opposition figures and the government won't oppose it it'll go through and nothing will then happen do you believe that Heather Humphries has both the interest and it would appear from what you're saying she does appear to have the interest but does she have the political clout and the support of her cabinet colleagues to actually go from being a minister who doesn't oppose a motion to being a minister who actively and you know deliberately puts that motion and its spirit and its words into practice well that remains to be seen to be fair the minister did say in response because I listened very carefully that carers would be a priority for her in the next budget I have spoken to her about it and I know she has a full understanding but as you say the real question is when push comes to shove will she be able to deliver for carers just and it's important to say this this isn't bringing them a step up from where they were this will be just simply bringing them back to the level at which they were at in 2008 and that's really important to say will she be able to get the funding I don't know but she has said it would be her priority so we have to wait and see what she deliver and to be honest with you I could have asked for more I could have asked for no means test and many carers would feel there shouldn't be but what I asked for was something that in the current situation I believe she can deliver on because she has already taken the first step there's two more to take I believe she can take them in the next budget and then once we get to that level we need to look at we spoke about it earlier individualising carers the income disregard for carers so that it's not the family income that's taken into consideration and looking at the adequacy of carers allowance because the government's own reports not any independent reports but the government commissioned a report on the actual cost of caring and that varies between about 144 for the most basic to about 300 euro extra per week carers allowance is 236 so that means it doesn't even cover the cost of caring nevermind pay the carer for any work they do but look the one thing I can say is that between from when I started out on this in the European Parliament with Cathy Senate many years ago to now there has been a greater recognition of the invaluable work that carers do but recognition is one thing and nice words are another but actually supporting them with a decent level of carers allowance and with proper respite care so that people get a break we still have major progress to make on this I'm hoping that the next budget will be the next step on that journey and as was pointed out over the course of Covid many times claps and recognition don't pay the bills Marianne Harkin thank you very much indeed for speaking to us this morning that's Deputy Marianne Harkin there's Laugolietrum and South Donegal TD it's 13 minutes to 10 o'clock gonna take a short break back after these one of Donegal's best loved family attractions Oakfield Park reopens for the season this Wednesday March to 29th with acres of parkland woodlands, lakes, streams and Ireland's longest miniature gauge railway this Easter have a day of fun like no other at Oakfield follow the clues to find the missing treasure and meet all your favourite characters along the way the Easter Express will take you through the enchanted forest to grandmother's cottage to start the hunt there's Egg and Spoon Races a puppet show at Disco in the Dome and so much more 12 to 6 daily from Friday April the 7th to Sunday the 10th less than 5% of tickets remain book now at oakfieldpark.com Armaculla jewelers in Letterkenny are synonymous with fine jewelry, quality watches and gift ware with stores at Main Street Letterkenny and the Letterkenny Shopping Centre or online at armaculla.com you can choose from their quality product range and a relaxed atmosphere and their sales staff will be happy to help you make the right choice whatever the occasion Armaculla jewelers making moments magical for generations Join me, Marty Freelis and every Friday night from 8 for Rockin' Hits on Highland Radio in association with Arena 7 Letterkenny if you're celebrating a birthday or a work night out Arena 7 Entertainment Complex has it all check out arena7.ie Highland Radio weather updates with Ireland West Airport Sala, Nines, The Beatles you can now fly to Liverpool 8 times a week with Ryanair this summer Ireland West Airport don't just take off, take it easy OK, thank you very much indeed Michelle just to give me one moment I was caught slightly on the hub waiting for that weather forecast there so let's just click in here and grab this weather forecast I am so organised it's only wonderful OK, weather forecast mainly dry and bright to start with sunny spells the early frost and mist patches will and should have well cleared by now cloud gradually increasing though through the day a few showers possible later on particularly in far western areas it'll stay bright with sunny spells highest temperatures 7 to 10 degrees celsius light to moderate south easterly winds increasing moderate to fresh tonight we'll start mainly dry with cloud thickening from the west a band of rain that will move right across the region in overnight lows of 3 to 6 degrees it won't be quite as cold tonight as it was last night now let's talk about cycling and it came up briefly in the discussion we had earlier on about those roads the middle road and swan run balabafe but if we're joined on zoom I'm delighted to say by Nile Fox now I think it's Nile rather than Nile Nile joins us, Nile good morning thanks for having me on I take it it's Nile not Nile Nile is Irish for Nile oh that's what you'll take either it's always difficult my uncle is Nile OK that's fair enough we'll stick with Nile you are involved with many advocacy bodies but you're in particularly involved in cycle safety and you're involved in cycle safety for very personal education yes I think I've been on the show before with Greg a few years ago and I'm based well I'm complicated I'm from Dublin but I'm based in Waterford but lived in Cork for a good while so I've been all over the place I suppose road safety affects every part of the country and my sister was killed cycling to work by delivery lorry in Dublin city 2016 so it's about six and a half years ago now it's it's kind of always strange as the years add up in one way it seems very recent and other times it doesn't like any bereavement I guess so I suppose since then I've been involved in different campaigns with the road safety authority and various groups as well like Dublin Cycling Campaign Cork Cycling Campaign and that but I suppose at the moment it's something that it's across the board across the country that's why I'm trying to reach out to people in all parts of our counties be rural or urban areas and it's to do with policing and cycling and it's to do with having the same approach throughout the country to we say reporting of for example the Davis overtaken of cyclists and things like that I am on the road and just before I go further on that the legislation coming in 2019 you know as like similar to what we did call then the minimum pass and distance that's what people more know with us but the official title is dangerous overtaken of a cyclist or a cyclist but that's not a punishment for drivers I always try and get that across and my view with all road safety measures and the different laws that are in and rules on the roads they're not meant as a punishment yes they're meant as a deterrent but they're really meant to keep all of us safe on the roads and the rhetoric I'm sure it's the same in Donegal as it is in other parts of the country is sometimes it can be like cyclists versus motorists the reality is that most adult drivers also drive and have drivers license and pay motor tax and all the rest of it so it's not really that argument like we should really see everyone has sons and daughters or people who cycle we're all humans on the road but it's to create fairness and I suppose the positives thing has been in the last couple of years I should just explain a little bit just on the difficulties that people are reporting I suppose have been in touch with me and others about have been people who've got who've been near missed basically like who've had been nearly knocked off their bikes and things like that and I suppose they're reporting of us to guards in different parts of the country even in the same areas has resulted has got different responses so you have we say a guard in one particular station very ofay with the new law and what's involved and the reporting of it and he or she will do is no problem any of other guards who seem to fob them off and I understand why because I don't agree with it but I can understand on human level why sometimes the guard will think that oh well maybe should there was nobody hurt in this incident so do you really want to have to go through XYZ but the idea is to prevent crashes on the roads and improve behaviors so it is important that even if somebody hasn't been physically injured that the guards understand that the law actually doesn't require that just to be really boring because I haven't written down I'm going to read it out just very briefly this is actually what the law says a driver shall not overtake or attempt to overtake and so would endanger or cause inconvenience to a petal scientist so therefore it doesn't necessarily require somebody to be actually hit or to be physical contact it's the endangerment and it's the possibility of a crash and what it requires is for the motorist to look at the situation on the road and to make an informed decision based on their observation and based on the situation now you are setting up a group, you are doing this with the backing of guard that you are seeking cycling liaison officers within road policing units and you are urging cyclists and cycling groups to actually become involved in that process, tell us briefly about that because we are coming up close to a break before news I'll just give the email to contact me first it's easy to remember neilfoxcork at gmail.com so neilfoxcork at gmail.com and I'm appealing to all cyclists especially just the regular commuters to get in touch because we're going to have a couple of meetings with the assistant guarder commissioner and other guard, just hybrid meetings so it will only take an hour out of your day and it will only be once or twice and that's to develop then the assistant guarder commissioner to bring up her own and have a body within the guard with specially designated to cycling and cycling safely because I think it's really important I think we'll improve relations and keep our roads a bit safe or so in the backing of the AGSI on this and they are behind you I actually brought the idea to them first before I requested to meet the assistant commissioner has been quite helpful on it and I would hope that once it's trashed out that it will become a real body and it might only be required for a couple of years hopefully it won't be required long term but it's just to get everybody on board and also improve cycling behaviour on the roads because I really believe that if the average cyclist believes that the guards have their back that they're more likely to obey maybe some of the rules that they feel are an inconvenience to them as well so it's improved every situation and just as well, while I'm on there just as well to say parking along the roads can be quite dangerous we tend to do that sometimes on rural roads as well we just pull in and we think we're only going to be a few minutes to that be it on rural roads or urban roads or in cycle lanes obviously but even outside of the official cycle lanes and that can cause crashes you know because it means that a bike has to go out into the middle of the road sometimes and there might be a vision but just to be conscious of all our events on the roads absolutely it's been a pleasure, Neil Fox Cork at gmail.com and people who can get you there and join that cycling engagement group for the moment thanks for speaking to us this morning it's been our pleasure and that's the first hour of the 9-2 noon show done and dusted for this morning going to take a short break coming up in a few moments we will have news with Donna Marie Daherty but before all that we'll just take the short break and then we'll be back with another episode of exceptional service it's time to give them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for the Highland Radio Customer Service Awards in association with PGM Ireland our customer service awards celebrate the businesses that go above and beyond to provide exceptional service this award is a great way to show your appreciation for the businesses that make a difference in your life to nominate your favourite business simply visit highlandvideo.com to help this business the winning business will receive recognition at our special awards ceremony on the 28th of May plus they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have made a positive impact on their customers so don't wait any longer nominate your favourite business today it only takes a few minutes by going to highlandradial.com nominations close on Friday the 7th of April Foilside at the Centre of More for your Euro with great value gifts so it's worth making the journey wherever you live with convenient parking late night and all your favourite brands you're better off shopping at Foilside see foilside.co.uk it's a Tuesday you're off but you're not off you're in town to pick up their kit or do a big shop and you'd love a bite to eat somewhere but it's only Tuesday well there's no need to feel guilty about stopping off at Kelly's Diner the venue is packed with tasty choices at great value with fast friendly service and loads of parking you can treat yourself any day of the week at the award-winning Kelly's Diner Mount and Top, Leather Kenney Live on air online and on the Highland Radio app this is Highland Radio News I'm Marie Doherty with the news at 10 o'clock a sign to warn motorists in Balbuffet of Potholes has gained traction on social media over the weekend it's located on the Mill Road David O'Driscoll, a local who uses the road daily says slow repairs are the cause of the damage you can say it was a case that it's been neglected or something I do think the local authorities are doing all they can to maintain it up to a point when you get the snow in the frost it increases the wear and tear in the road and causes it to break up but I think they're slow to react to carrying it Donegal Mountain Rescue responded to a missing person report in the Blue Stack Mountains over the weekend the walker was located safe and well the DMRT are now appealing for hill walkers to ensure they stick together while trekking Tom Douglas reports On Saturday afternoon at 1.35pm Donegal Mountain Rescue received a call out from AGS Galloway for a missing person on Kernween Mountain in the Blue Stacks it was established that one member had gone missing after their stop for lunch multiple attempts were made to contact the missing person but to no avail on arrival the DMRT fast response team began to sweep the area in groups a lone walker was spotted descending the hill and it was established this was their missing walker the rest of the group were contacted and told to make their descent the DMRT says a simple misunderstanding occurred and the person who called in the team did the right thing the group is again appealing to hill walkers to ensure mobile phones are fully charged as this will enable a faster rescue should an emergency arise it's also said moving as a group and accounting for all members before changing location is essential Around 600 people attended the first meeting of the reopened Lifford Greyhound stadium last night the old facility closed back in August 2019 however a new consortium has taken over the track and the official Galloway opening will take place next Sunday the reopening is a big boost for the local economy that's according to general manager Seamus White in terms of the employment for the local area this generates approximately 70 jobs for the local area as well so it's bringing something back to the heart of Lifford and the feedback in that respect as well has been great and this is just the local crowd just wait until next week we've got a televised meeting it's going to be on SIS and RPG TV so I imagine the crowd will be at least doubled if not a lot more next week so the feedback tonight was wonderful the government is being told its reforms of the planning system will not work much of the delay in building new homes is attributed to the huge black backlog in planning systems a new bill is being put forward to overhaul the judicial review process but the Irish Planning Institute says more focus should be put on ensuring plans are sound in the first place Sean O'Leary from the IPA says reform is badly needed but it cannot be rushed well we are concerned about it but what we've seen in the draft bill some of us hasn't been drafted it would appear with the input of practitioners certainly we and other people have had concerns that we haven't been involved in drafts in the detail of it and already there is a deficit for example of about 540 professionals in the planning system the Irish Refugee Council says an all government action is needed to deal with the refugee crisis in a new report the organisation says it saw a sharp rise in demand for its services last year soaring by 267% on the year before it's also raising concerns about deterioration in the rights of those seeking international protection in Ireland and says that 355 refugees are currently homeless as they were not provided with accommodation by the state and finally a further 13 million euro is being allocated to refurbish ice ores in rural parts of Ireland old banks and guard stations could be transformed under the new town and village renewal scheme funding local authorities can apply for up to half a million euro to buy up to three properties to redevelop into community spaces almost 150 million euro has been allocated to more than 1600 projects under the scheme since it's launch in 2016 and now for weather mainly dry and bright to start today with sunny spells and the early frost and mist patches clearing cloud will gradually increase later in the day highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees and light to moderate southeasterly winds increasing to moderate to fresh that's all for now, we'll be back again with the news headlines at 11 o'clock and until then, good morning the obituary notices this Monday morning, March 27th the death has taken place of Filomena Morrison 22 Coulniquilla Remelton remains will repose at her home from 3 p.m. today funeral mass on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's church Rathmullen burial afterwards in Rathmullen cemetery funeral mass can be viewed live on MCN media family time from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. and on the morning of the funeral the death has occurred in London, England of Joe Long formerly of Minna Cariga funeral mass will take place in London on Wednesday a memorial mass will be celebrated in the church of Mary Immaculate on Wednesday at 10 a.m. the mass will be streamed live via the parish of Mary Immaculate the death has taken place of Hugh Hoodie Fisher Molavea Portnou reposing at his late residence funeral from there at 10.15 a.m. tomorrow morning to St. Connell's church for 11 a.m. with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery family time please 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. the funeral Hugh's funeral mass can be viewed live on Shovland's funeral home Facebook page the death has taken place of Michael Joseph Strain 223 Ross Sully Old Town Lettercanny Michael's remains were reposed in the Eternal Light Chapel of Rest Mountaintop Lettercanny from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today funeral from there tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m. to 11 p.m. to 11 p.m. followed by interment in Cornwall Cemetery funeral mass can be viewed live on ChurchServices.tv the death has occurred of Molly Bourne, Nick Gallin Raraia New Mills and formerly of Minaria, Kelly Gordon remains reposing at her late residence funeral mass tomorrow at 1 p.m. in St. Unions Cathedral in Lettercanny with burial afterwards in the family plot in Cornwall Cemetery family flowers only Molly's funeral mass can be viewed live at ChurchServices.tv the death has taken place of Mary Ellen Worske Worske's shop, The Mall Remelton reposing at the family home Milford Road Remelton today from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. family time on the morning funeral Rosary both nights at 9 p.m. funeral mass tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's Church Remelton followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery funeral mass can be viewed live on ChurchServices.tv the death has taken place of Margaret McGonigal Neeta Hardy, O'Gara Villas Moville her remains are reposing at her late residence funeral arrangements are to be confirmed later family time please from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. family flowers only donations in lieu of desired to St. Vincent de Paul, Moville, care of any family member the death has occurred of Ailish Sweeney, Ney Conaghan 54 Ardo Donald Letter Kenny reposing at her late residence with Rosary each night at 9 p.m. funeral from there this morning going to St. Union's Cathedral for 11 a.m. Requiem Mass which can be viewed live on ChurchServices.tv followed by burial in the family plot in Conwall Cemetery family time please on the morning of the funeral family flowers only please and donations in lieu if wished to Mary's Males care of Pasco Blake funeral director the death has occurred of Rosie Catterson, Neeta Hardy Mount Hall, Crossroads Kelly Gordon reposing at the family home funeral from the family home this morning at 10.30 a.m. for Requiem Mass at 11 in St. Patrick's Church Crossroads, Kelly Gordon and herment afterwards in the adjoining Churchyard family time please from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. the death has taken place in St. Celia's London England of Mary Duffy McCoy formerly lower Main Street Letter Kenny funeral mass to celebrate Mary's life will take place in St. Joseph's Catholic Church Bromley London at 12 and in today and will be streamed live on the parish YouTube channel for more details including any family health guidelines for weeks and funerals please go to HighlandRadio.com beef is from Irish farms and all fish is MSC certified which is just a long way of saying we're always improving the sourcing of our ingredients because when you change a little you change a loss this is the 90 noon show on Highland Radio with Donald Kavana a very good morning to you it is the second hour of the show 10 past 10 let's take a look at some of your comments in the first hour we were speaking to Deputy Marion Harkin about her motion that's coming before the doll to aim prove the carers allowance caller says because I received my pension I was caught to half rate carers my husband has Alzheimer's I am a full-time carer one caller was asking with regards to children with special needs because a caller said earlier that they don't qualify for carers allowance because their child was quite ill Deputy Harkin said the children under 16 carers don't qualify for carers allowance but they can get other allowances another caller then says yes you can get allowances for children under 16 as long as you qualify for domiciliary carers allowance but the advice I would give to anyone wondering about that is contact either your local TD or indeed contact the citizens advice information center or go online and get some advice on that because there is funding and that's what Deputy Harkin said look if anyone make contact with herself or with their own local TD and they'll explore what options are available in that position caller says I traveled 20 miles a day to care for my sick aging parents including hospital visits traveling to chemists to get prescriptions food etc got nothing from the state was told I had to reside with them and that that's the situation that many people do find themselves in another caller says if a carer does not live with the person they care for they can't claim fuel allowance for themselves another caller says carers should get the minimum wage as the allowance isn't enough for them to get it as a job and got the minimum wage then things might be better another caller says carline says work seven days a week I get a reduced rate I work part time because I have children and I have to feed them and look after them and can't be stated how tiring this is and carline then goes on to say it's true that partners money should not be brought into this whatsoever and saying that if you have to take someone on an appointment to Dublin from Dublin from the UK well you know 110 euro won't even cover the cost of that trip never mind expenses over the course of the rest of the week or whatever other issues we spoke in the first hour with regards to those potholes on the Mill Road in the vicinity of Balabafe and the fact that a sign went up at the weekend humorous sign fasten your brass wraps take out your dentures potholes ahead a funny sign to get this issue caller says it's all a matter of priority where the money is spent on there have been some money gone on white elephants in Donnie Gull the Blaney Bridge being mentioned again yet on the rest of Fannin's roads I've seen more tar in a packet of cigarettes the authority needs to cater for the needs of all road users not just a few now the mobile community college potential good news this morning we're told with regards to a a new college building now we've heard so much about mobile community college over the years and there have been issues with it hopefully there are indications and all we can say is indications at the moment that those issues may be on the verge of being resolved if that is the case that is excellent and we will hopefully get confirmation on that but it is something we're looking into and hopefully we'll get more clarity on that question it's 14 minutes past 10 we're going to take a short break Bingo numbers and all that coming up back after these so if you're playing Highland Radio NCBI Bingo remember just grab your pens, grab your books and in just a moment we'll be handing you over to you guys it's Monday the 27th of March you're playing on the green sheet the reference number is s1 it's game number 13 the numbers are 60 52 71 26 40 37 33 44 24 and finally 75 phone your claim to 9104833 before 8 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 Hi, Adam Harris here from As I Am Ireland's National Autism Charity Sunday 2nd of April is World Autism Day and we're asking you to put on your walking shoes and join us for our same chance walk for autism in Belmont Domain in Greystones the same chance walk is a great way to show your support by helping to raise much needed funds for our work with autistic children families and adults we all deserve the same chance in life but autistic people face barriers that others don't please help us to remove these barriers join us on the 2nd of April sign up today at asiam.ie save hundreds of euros on custom charges shopping online with Space Hub Dairy we provide a full virtual office address mail box service for all your business and personal use save your business hundreds possibly thousands on custom charges with Space Hub Dairy call 048-7187-8077 for more details Highland Radio time checks with Expressway travel route 32 from Leta Kenny to Dublin Expressway bringing you the time at 16 minutes past 10 o'clock during the paper review we spoke about the Kerry Babies case I did say that I am of an age that I was in college and 1920 when this became the biggest story in the country and it's a story that certainly has stayed with me and has stayed with many many people I think for the decades since when you look back on the whole Kerry Babies story and say how did that happen it was just a very very strange time in Ireland socially as well as that particular story it has to be said there were some other rather horrendous stories broke around that same period in the early 80s as well but Tom English is a sociology professor in University College in Dublin he now joins us on Zoom Tom a very good morning to you good morning just to follow up on that I was in the States when the Kerry Babies story broke and I was writing about things like the power of the Catholic Church and I was particularly interested in the way about sexual repression so I came at this story in relation because I thought it was weird an extramarital affair in which a woman was deliberately not using contraceptives and I thought this is a very interesting story and it explains to me or shone a light on me and how kind of weird and different Irish society was from the States which I had experienced if you like a much more openly sexual society and I began to think about it and then I began to study it and then I realised it was about so much more it wasn't just about in a way the Catholic Church plays a part but because of the abortion referendum etc but that's in the background and they don't actually get involved in any kind of moral condemnation of Joanne Hayes but I began to realise it was about a story about Ireland and one of the things as a sociologist you can get people and you can just kind of bewilder them with theories and facts but it's much better to tell a story and in the same way when I grew up in the 1950s there were these stories about the Holocaust and I had no idea and then slowly but surely I realised that the Holocaust was the biggest story to have happened in your 20th century in the world but I think without making any kind of injudicious comparisons but the reason why we come back to the Kerry babies because it was a watershed things happened then that have not happened since when I explained to my daughter and she just kind of grows and she's now in her 30s and she was born in 1988 and she just can't get her head around and so I think there is this kind of thing of her where saying to young people you've got to understand that if you want to understand what happened in Ireland in the 1980s it is to understand this weird wild incomprehensible story about what happened to Jordan Hayes I have colleagues here in the newsroom who were not born when that happened I am substantially the oldest person in this department and as I say I was in college when all this was happening so I was very aware of it and I was trying to explain to one of my colleagues there on Friday when all this started to break on Friday I said yeah here's what happened I said in a nutshell as far as I recall it in a nutshell this baby's body was found horribly mutilated on a beach in County Kerry Gar thee sat down and made a list of all the pregnant women in the area and tried to figure out which of those pregnant women might have been the child's mother eventually they focused on a young lady called Joanne Hayes about 80 kilometres, 50 miles away as it would have been at the time she was pregnant, she was unmarried she had given birth to a baby but someone, a garther if I recall came up with a theory of if I'm pronouncing it right super fecundity and the theory was that she had become she had had sex with two men in quick succession and gave birth to twins by two different fathers well yeah that was developed in the tribunal what happened to them when they were looking around again, when people say it was a witch hunt the idea that there was a local gar thee started to do this investigation they went out looking for a woman who had been pregnant and there was no longer pregnant given birth and there was a local gar thee and then they decided hey we're not moving anywhere so they bring down the murder squad the murder squad were the aliche these were the people who were interrogating the provisionals and Republicans and they wouldn't talk and they had developed ways and means of getting hardened criminals, hardened Republicans to talk, to confess just so happens that three of these guys are from Kerry so they see this as a this idea of a baby being stabbed to death as a blot on the Kerry you know kind of reputation and honour so they decide we'll go down and we'll sort this out so they go down and they hear about Joanne Hayes they go out to the farm and they find Joanne Hayes and you know they bring her in and have rest of the family and within 24 hours they've all confessed to having stabbed this baby to having dunked the baby in the sea the baby gets washed up in carousel avine and you know all done and dusted and off they go and the only problem then was they eventually persuaded her sister to Joanne was in custody and the guards go out and they find a baby on the farm oh right so then they decided that the baby had she had twins because it could not be possible that she had confessed and our family had confessed to a crime that they didn't commit because that would have been a blur on the reputation of the guards so they decided okay here what we're going to do now is we have to come up with the theory the theory as you said is that Joanne Hayes had sex with two different men that's okay no problem she gave birth to twins ah problem the twins are a different blood group what the twins are a different blood group so what does that mean well that means that she must have had to have given birth to twins she must have had sex with two different men one of the babies is a blood group and the other one is a blood well she has to have done this within 48 hours oh so she's going around she's madly in love with this guy Jeremiah Locke she's engaged in a kind of competition to have more children with him than he is having with his wife which is one of the reasons I got interested in the case and then the guards came up with what happened was that she had twins with two different men and so she was kind of this wanton woman who was going around Kerry having sex with anybody and everybody she could find of course the DPP you kind of said okay this is dodgy and withdrew the case when it came to and again it was only because of two things one was the investigative reporters the media that they picked up and the second thing we must remember if the twins had been of the same blood group then Joanne Hayes would have been incarcerated and she would have and the whole family would have lived with this shame so it was pure chance that it was different but it wasn't pure chance that the media not the state but the media came in and said something's gone wrong here why was this case withdrawn and that was those two things were pivotal this story to emerge which is still for me in the latter half how Aaron changed in the latter half of the 20th century the Kerry babies shines a huge light on how different Aaron is today compared to what it was then but it shows how long it took because Joanne Hayes formally received a formal apology and a settlement of 2.5 million from the state not a year after this not two years after this not ten years after this but in 2020 effectively more than almost 40 years after the events Joanne Hayes finally got an apology and recompense for what she went through there's many different stories you can tell about this one is I go on about the honour and respect the honour and respect of the guards and the respect of the family and but for me I spent a lot of my life trying to understand what the Catholic Church did to me now the Catholic Church has done many wonderful things but it made me and a lot of other generations sexually repressed and now I'm in my 70s and I'm trying to understand what that was about but this is not just a case a question about what the Catholic Church it's also a question in a weird way about what the state you know we don't have a theory of the state we go on about what the church did to us but in a way what happened in there was the guards came down extracted a confession then the state set up a tribunal well the tribunal was in a way another form of witch hunt he had all these men gathered in this courtroom interrogating this woman as if she was some kind of witch and then the state in the sense of the judiciary Judge Kevin Lynch writes a report which says that the guards gilded the lily they were kind of exaggerated whereas the Hayes family were wanton liars and now what's happening to my mind is that after all this time there is not just about a vindication of what happened to the Joanne Hayes but there's also that the state is trying to if you like clear up its mess and I think there is I don't know what's happening at the moment but you haven't put so much time and effort into pursuing this case and as everybody is saying now about getting justice for baby John this is the carousel avine baby well be about that but it's also about the state saying yes we messed up and now we are repairing the damage so in a way whatever happened becomes a scapegoat for the state to say yes as a state we messed up we messed up from not just the guards the judiciary but also the government in the way that it didn't as you said apologize quickly enough but even the truth of it is though even if what's happening at the moment even if this fresh investigation and we'll park the people who have been arrested for this moment in time because we we've got to park that but the Garde now do have we are led to believe good clear DNA samples from baby John they have scientific samples DNA that was not available to them at the time even if they do establish the parentage of baby John even if they can absolutely establish that woman A and man B are the parents of baby John that is still a million miles away from in any way coming to a theory of how did baby John meet his death because you cannot extrapolate well they're the parents therefore you cannot make that leap you still do not know and dare I say the horrible thing is we're going to have to rely on confessions in the original case because I don't think there's any any if you like even good circumstantial evidence I mean let alone there's something that would prove beyond reasonable doubt which you need in the criminal court case is highly unlikely so all of this is in a way is about trying to tie up loose ends there were so many loose ends to the carry babies and this is an attempt if you like to square the circle I'm not sure I mean I'm not sure if that can be done and I'm not sure if it will serve any great purpose at this stage I do feel the only thing I think is is that once again it raises for Joanne Hayes who has had to live with this it raises oh my god here I go again I know is there any chance and I think that that's an unintended consequence which is I do feel that in another way that it justifies that all the time she said I wasn't I wasn't and now we've moved the case away from her over to Cara Syveen and what happened in that time and I sometimes ask myself why why is this all happening and I think you just go back to the point that you said earlier one of the things is that if the state could have said I'm sorry we see this in medical negligence cases you know they drag on for years and just nobody said sorry and I mean for me one of the things there was one of the detectives in the carry babies before the DNA stuff came out said I you know repeatedly said on public radio on the airwaves that he was convinced that Joanne Hayes so that hurt continued on for a long time afterwards every time it came up and so I don't think there was any peace and quiet for Joanne Hayes and that's one of the unfortunate things that happens when you become like you're living and then suddenly all hell breaks loose and we know she has been an intensely private person over the years and she has she has not did you get to speak to her your own book was truth power and lies in terms of your writing did you get to speak to the people at the center of this did you get to speak to Joanne Hayes I didn't and she was and I got you know Pat Mann her solicitor and again I spent 10 years you know obsessed with this and of course I would have loved there are loose ends still you know what happened in the family farm that night I never there's a lot of speculation and of course only Joanne Hayes knows but and I and I admire her because I'm sure she could have got a lot of money as well as you know for telling her side the story there's still there's still documentaries being made about the Kerry babies I mean there has been priorities that there's others in the pipeline so you know this story you know whether it becomes a film or whether it becomes a it'll go wrong for definite and and yes none of the guards would talk I mean this is the you know one of the things I am about this how tight knit the guards were you know there they won for all for one they all told the same story they all went into the tribunal you know man after man and said the exact same things and it was a fabrication then something happened that this family confessed to crimes in detail in my my new details you know with with fantastic fantastical journeys made you know to tie up the loose ends you know and and it was all a fabrication and to say that and just as Lynch to say that that the Hayes family made up these stories to satisfy the guards there's nothing got to do with intimidation nothing and that then the guards none of them would come out and say this is what happened in that station that night so there is there is always this this sense of and cover up of of you know the honor and reputation of the guards and that nobody has broken the silence yeah this is a one of the you know the things that happens in a legal situation when we live in a legal society you know that nobody can confess and say sorry this is what happened I'd be honest and we are now at the point we are now at the point where you know what happened in that room it was almost 40 years ago and it happened it happened in 1984 that's 36 36 odd years ago now I don't know and the people that were in the room at the time but I mean one would presume that at least some of the the guard the who may have been involved in that may have passed away since then I think it's probably a fair assumption to make that at least some may have passed away if that's the case we've sometimes seen in tribunals in the past that you effectively and forgive the bluntness which I say this you blame it on the dead guy and there was a certain element of that where the senior lead detectives in the case blamed you know the head Courtney and said that you know he wanted to go out and search in the field and if they had found the baby in the field the whole thing would have been dropped but because so there's because internal blame I wanted to do it no but it was his fault etc but it it is that that sense of there was some somebody in Kerry knew what happened to that baby now you know might not be in the parents as you say it might be somebody else but somebody else in there did stab that baby 28 time broke its neck and they have been willing to stand idly by where all of this shame and all of this hurt was caused to John Hayes that's where there is a guilt is that somebody has left John Hayes out to dry they never said even anonymously wrote and said you know I am this is you know or whatever but I mean of course it and when I started to do this case and I somebody said to me there are so many skeletons and so many cupboards in Ireland that people will not talk to and they will not talk to you about them and they will not tell you the truth about what happened and I think that's why we don't get apologies because an apology suggests that you were guilty or that you did something wrong so all the time we can't say sorry or it took the state so long to say look I'm sorry Joanne Tom English your own book is Truth, Power and Lies as I said it is you know for people who are new to this it's a very important part in our history and maybe an understanding of what happened back then and hopefully if it is possible to get closer on what happened back then would be even better but understanding of what happened in the 80s and before that is maybe a key part of understanding who we are as a society and maybe where we came from as a society and it's something that we can't just put to one side and pretend it didn't happen because the Kerry babies happened Grinard happened and Anne Lovett happened and there are many things like that that happened and they are a part of our history and it's a complex and complicated history and books like your own hopefully help us make some sort of sense of it but for the moment Tom English thank you very much indeed for speaking to us this morning thank you that's Tom English there that's what this true power in lies now a caller has asked with DNA etc can the baby's mother be identified now that potentially maybe the case and that's what Garthier trying to do at the moment but as we said in our conversation with Tom there we cannot make that leap and say if we identify who the parents are and let's be honest we can't just say can the baby's mother be identified now let's say can the baby's parents be identified now because there was a man involved in this as well and God knows and it was interesting when Tom said at the tribunal man after man after man walked in and I think that's a very telling phrase because this was a story in which a myriad of men in various uniforms all ganged up to blame something on one woman and I think we cannot lose sight of that truth stay in at the four star Crown Plaza Hotel in Glasgow we are bringing with us some of the biggest country stars including myself David James Declan Ernie and Robert Mazzel to name a few you will enjoy luxury travel to Glasgow three nights dinner bed and breakfast with music and entertainment each evening join us on the Highland Fling to Glasgow this May for only 575 euro per person to book Call Highland Radio today on 074 9125 the book and is advisable single supplement applies go full needle for the perfect Easter dinner our board be approved deluxe Irish stuffed carburetic of lamb 1799 per kilo and a bottle of our award winning Santa Milion Grand Cru from Bordeaux was 1499 a 799 in stores March 30th go on, go full needle this Easter get the facts be drink aware, visit drinkaware.ie overtime is natural for your hearing not to be as clear as it once was the good news is technology may offer different solutions Sabrina Robb here from Donegal Hearing Clinic we provide peace of mind with hearing issues that affect people of all ages contact us for a consultation at Donegal Hearing Clinic on 074 91 88470 or visit DonegalHearingClinic.ie life sounds brilliant with Donegal Hearing Clinic letter Kenny and Bunkrana are you ready to experience something extraordinary cultural germs in Croatia ancient temples in Asia art in Italy anything and everything is possible with travel department pick a destination and a date and we'll take care of everything flights, accommodation, excursions expert local guides and all that planning for guided group tours to dream destinations book today at traveldepartment.com and check out our special offers I've shown an operated for over 25 years travel department let's see more it's the 9 till noon show on Highland Radio if you listen to news and indeed listen to the show over the past number of months you'll be aware that there are serious questions with regards to the future of the local health center in Lecimac award we know that the GP who previously worked in the health center in Lecimac award is now based in Lenties and people from Lecimac award have got to travel to Lenties to avail of that service a petition has now been started in Lecimac award to get this situation resolved I'm joined on the line by Brenda Burns a member of the Lecimac award health center action group Brenda good morning good morning Donald how are you? very well indeed thanks it's great to speak to you this morning we know that this has been an issue for a while the HSC took a decision because of concerns over the state of the building in November that it was no longer fit for use the big question now of course is when will we see it renovated made fit for purpose and bring a local GP back to Lecimac award again well that's exactly it the health center was closed on the 18th November temporary closure report carried out last summer deemed the center to be unsuitable there was a few grounds mentioned in that report that made it unsuitable and so the letter was sent to patients in early November that the health center at Lecimac award was closed from the last day would be the 18th November temporary closure and that they were keeping the the situation under review and there's been very little communication since just that the situation is under review it's a vital service in our community now the HSC are telling you and indeed they're telling us as well that there are what they're calling significant deficits and significant investments will be required to bring the building in line with current standards now there is no indication yet coming as to when that significant investment is going to be made available and when those significant deficits are going to be addressed the worry I'm sure is going to be that this is going to be put on the long finger stay on the long finger and it could be a substantial period of time before we actually see anything happen here yeah indeed that is a huge worry for the community in Lecimac award there is a fantastic GP service being operated out of the primary care center in Glenties by Dr. Charlie McManus however our health center in Lecimac award is a vital service that the health center would be opened we have a GP services as they operate again that that service is restored to Lecimac award I can't remember time ever when we didn't have a GP in the health center Lecimac award yeah we haven't seen that report yet we are hoping to be able to access that report shortly and in conjunction with the profession we will decide where to go from there but I think the petition has we have over 400 signatures at the moment and there is a real hunger for that service to be restored to Lecimac award but yes there is definitely a fear at the moment we are working with the HSE we hope to work with them in the future to try and either refurbish the health center that is there or identify a new site for a new health center but whichever is the option that we would have the health center restored to Lecimac award and that Dr Charlie McManus would operate out of the health center in Lecimac in terms of the ultimate decisions as you say the HSE locally being supportive and no one doubts the bona fide of the HSE on the ground in Donegal the question of course is very often these decisions aren't made by people on the ground who know Lecimac award these decisions are made by effectively bean hunters in Dublin absolutely and that's why the public meeting was called because we I'm just one of a very large community and we wanted to see what the public support was that meeting was very well attended and you know obviously there is an absolute hunger there for issues with as I say a fantastic service being provided by Charlie and his staff absolutely amazing but that involves travelling for others that is who would have been able to access the service and Lecimac award the health center by walking to it or travelling to it would have been a lot easier now either having maybe some people having to pay for transport and we just don't have that vital service in terms of you know even emergencies we don't have that vital service in the village which we have I mean I always remember there being a GP in situ in that health center but yes I think the idea of the petition and let them see that Lecimac award we really really really need this vital service restored to the area and the petition was just the first step and getting that service restored but we very much are looking forward to working with the HEC to restore the health center that is there already and that petition is available in local shops around the area you're also looking at developing an online presence and steps are being taken to actually put that into action yeah we have Facebook page launched Lecimac award action group and Lecimac award health center action group sorry and yeah we've just basically that's for information because I think information is key in situations like this and a letter did issue to patients back in November and since then we there has been there has been we all accept that these things don't move quickly they move slowly and but just I suppose in keeping especially more vulnerable members of the community up to date with what is actually happening because as well as being a vital resource and a vital service to the area there's also rural communities need these sort of services to be retained in the community because rural society depends on these like we had the Lecimac award nine years ago we had to try to keep our post office so it's keeping these services and as I say primary care centres are fantastic services have been provided it's absolutely amazing but it's not in Lecimac award and that's where we need it to be from transport point of view and from even you know as I say from an emergency point of view we need that to be in the village Brenda Burns of the Lecimac award health center action group thanks for speaking to us this morning the petition as we said available in local shops go online as well on Facebook Lecimac award health action group get involved if you're in the area with them Brenda we'll be speaking again in the future I have no doubt but in the meantime thank you very much indeed thanks again Donald thanks for your time our pleasure that's Brenda there in Lecimac award just a few of your comments before we go to a break we were speaking earlier with regards to cyclists and Cora says Ray cyclists holding up traffic by riding to abreast on the road what my partner and I do now is we walk to abreast in cycle lanes let's see how they like it whatever looking at the actually just on cyclists cyclists should so some respect for drivers a lot of the time they're cycling to abreast and drivers can't get by as a driver living in a rural area what are the rules in the sense of how many cyclists can cycle side by side quite often they come around the corner there are two or three cyclists together side by side and that's an issue that's been raised by a few people and it does bear maybe mentioning that sometimes cycling issues in Dublin are different to cycling issues in rural areas in rural areas there is one issue in an urban area like Dublin it can be a very different issue indeed but that is it it's a fair point now I and MO have just given us the figures for their trolley watch numbers of people awaiting beds this morning as of 8 o'clock this morning there were 44 admitted patients at Lettuce County University Hospital without beds of those 15 were on trolleys in the emergency department and 29 were elsewhere in the hospital in inappropriate settings be it trolleys, be it unattended beds, be it chairs whatever so 44 the number of people in Lettuce University Hospital without beds this morning take a short break back after this all vehicles come with great offers on finance and PCP options book a test drive today by calling DMG Motors on 074 97 21 396 or visit dmgmotors.ie choose your new 231 SEAT with confidence with a visit to DMG Motors Clairode, Donegal Town Do you need a little extra help staying in your home? At Bluebird Care we offer a wide variety of Q mark approved personalised home care services 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 07 491 295 62 and bring care home Green Shoes at Market Square letter Kenny are proud to announce that they're now stocking Riker footwear Riker blend fashionable styles with incredible comfort striking the perfect balance between fashion and practicality all Riker shoes are made using unique anti-stress and anti-shock technology to provide the essential support and comfort the brand is known for try any of the new season Riker shoes now at Green Shoes Market Square letter Kenny or call any of their four offices for more information or to make an appointment Inichon Credit Union and Moff supporting local farmers Inichon Credit Union is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland Highland Radio 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 don't just take off take it easy with sunny spells and early frost and mist patches will be well cleared by now cloud gradually increasing through the day with a few showers possible particularly in western parts and that's pretty much here folks staying bright with sunny spells the further east you go top temperatures today 7 to 8 to 10 degrees celsius light to moderate southeasterly winds and they'll increase moderate to fresh that's the situation with the weather on this Monday morning now footage emerged showing a family of eight being evicted without notice from rented accommodation just days before St Patrick's Day the Brazilian Portuguese couple evicted from their Donegal home were told that their children could be taken from them their father would be arrested for a burglary he was accused of stealing and taking drugs by a group of men who came unannounced to evict them after dark now we're joined on the line by a councillor Sinead McGuire of Vanaguil who is also in the interest in this Councillor McGuire good morning good morning you've taken an interest in this issue you're based in Slago yourself Sinead this was a horrendous incident by Ola Cans yes it is I in contact with the family because they're now being sheltered in Slago and that's how I got involved with it but as you've rightly said in the House in Bundor completely illegally there was no notice given whatsoever they had signed a contract actually for three years but were not given a copy of that contract they as you say two men came in the back door two men came in the front door at the same time this is a family with six children all under the age of nine years old I cannot believe and I cannot imagine how incredibly frightening and intimidating it must have been for them the mother took the children upstairs and kept them in the bedroom while the four men packed up all of their belongings into black refuge bags and put them outside on the road in the rain while the landlord proceeded to change the lock on the house so that they would no longer have the key they were threatened that the water and electricity would be turned off there were numerous allegations and threats thrown at them which is ironic given the completely unlawful nature of what was happening to them Is there any legal action been taking on this because as you say not only is this morally reprehensible by all accounts but it also is given that there is an eviction ban in place in this country at least until March 31st was illegal everything about it though is illegal don't let it really doesn't relate to the eviction ban this is the landlord who decided to take matters into his own hands completely he didn't provide them with a contract he didn't give them notice there's supposed to be a court process if you want to take back your property that wasn't done the guard the year supposed to be notified that that wasn't done he would have a right to appeal to the RTB but that could take a year to get a resolution and there is a maximum fine of 30,000 euros for that but that's really cold comfort to a family of eight who now find themselves homeless Does that then go on into question what the efficacy of the legislation we have is at the moment because we certainly we can speak on the radio of how this was wrong this was terrible, this was awful but the fact is it happened at this point in time are in emergency shelter and are not in what they thought was their home No, absolutely not initially don't know when I looked at this I thought that perhaps that we needed greater guard the input but I've subsequently discovered that there is a policy document on repossession and evictions which sets out very clearly the steps that the guard the are supposed to take in these cases now unfortunately in this case there were two separate calls put into the guard and these people they're not native to Ireland they're Brazilian and Portuguese couple they're not familiar with our laws this incredible event happened to them and their first instinct was to call the guards but the guards didn't intervene although this policy document does ask them to carry out a risk assessment it asks them to look at the legality of the repossession it asks them to consider human rights concerns that are involved and most particularly in this case it refers to where there are children and vulnerable people but they need to be considered particularly given their lack of ability to understand the process and procedures so unfortunately while that policy is in place and it refers to five different acts that would be covered in this sort of what was absolutely illegal event there was very little actual care given to the family Is this an indictment then of a system which claims to be geared toward caring for people but ultimately appears to be on the face of it in this instance at the very least utterly and completely ineffective On this case, yes I think this is unfortunately it's very timely and we are now looking at a period where we have an eviction ban being lifted and I would just hate to think that landlords thought that this sort of behaviour was acceptable or would be tolerated by any of the authorities it's completely unlawful and it should not be tolerated and we need to protect people from this sort of incredible the video I'm not sure if you've seen it but it really is shocking to see a family literally put out on the street in the dark, in the rain their belongings put into black bags they were told that a hotel room was booked for them that was nonsense, there was no hotel room booked for them their belongings were actually withheld from them for a couple of days before they got them back and as I said there are six children here Donald going down as far as 11 months old it's just unconscionable that somebody the three, four grown men thought that this was okay to do this to a family well we'll have to wait and see what the legal repercussions will be and what supports and what comforts are given to this family but certainly at this point in time it's an ongoing story but councillor thank you very much indeed for speaking to us this morning what's your view on this you can contact us text us 086625000 what's that message us on that number as well or you can call us the number here on Highland it's 07491 25000, going to take a short break we'll have the 11 o'clock headlines after these the prices you love get the very latest inspiration for your great outdoors level up your sports gear with the very biggest brands with verys choice across fashion, home, toys, gifts, beauty and electricals you can choose the brands you love and we will deliver them for free shop now at very.ie free delivery excludes large items connect hearing is open for free hearing tests our audiologist is available Monday to Friday for wax removal services clinic in the courtyard shopping center. We also offer a home visit for those who aren't able to visit us. Our hearing is our social sense. Are you finding hearing more of a challenge? Call Ursula today on 07491 13296 to make an appointment. Good hearing helps us to connect to our family, friends and loved ones. Connect hearing, connecting you to life. Are you still struggling with slow and unreliable broadband? Imagine is connecting thousands of homes to high-speed broadband in your area right now. So why wait? With Imagine rated excellent by Trust Pilot, you'll soon be working from home with ease, streaming your favorite shows and sports uninterrupted. Join the thousands of connected homes and businesses today at imagine.ie. Serve as subject to availability, terms and conditions apply. There's loads of great options for dinner and drinks. The main question is, what do we do first? Create moments to remember. Find great value breaks at visitardsandnorthbound.com slash offers. This is The Lancelot News Show on Highland Radio. It's 11 o'clock, time for headlines and we say good morning to Donna Marie Doherty. Thanks Donal, good morning. Chairperson of the Micah Action Group says government have a decision to make regarding changing the cycle of not listening to homeowners affected by defective blocks. Lisa Hohn says government has recently received a number of submissions regarding draft regulations from homeowners and that 84% of homeowners surveyed are going to vote in the nexus election based on the outcome of the 100% redress campaign. A sign to warn motorists of potholes in Balboffay has gained traction on social media over the weekend. David O'Driscoll, who uses the road daily, says slow repairs are the cause of the damage. Cahirlock of the Liffords-Tranorleau Renusable District, Patrick McGown, responded saying there is an urgency to get the road included on the road program and that ongoing temporary fixes are frustrating for locals and workmen alike. On Saturday afternoon past, Donegal Mountain Rescue received a call out for a missing person on the Canowheen Mountain in the Blue Stacks Mountain Range. The walker was located safe and well. However, the rescue group are appealing to hill walkers to ensure that mobile phones are fully charged as it will enable a faster rescue should an emergency arise. 44 patients in letter Kenny University Hospital are waiting on beds, that's according to this morning IMNO figures. 15 of those are in the emergency department while the remaining 29 are in wards elsewhere. There are 709 people on trolleys nationwide which according to IMNO General Secretary Phil Nysheda cannot continue.  The old facility closed back in August 2019, however a new consortium has taken over the track and the official gala opening will take place next Sunday. The reopening is a big boost for the local economy which is according to general manager Seamus White. That's all for now, Donal will be back again with more news headlines at 12 o'clock. Think you know Disney Plus. Think again. Stream everything from comfort classics like Ratatouille. Anyone can cook. Yeah, anyone can. That doesn't mean that anyone should. To sizzling hop dramas like The Bear. Time to try the new sandwich. What do you think? It's redundant and white despite being heard, heard, heard. Think you know Disney Plus. Think again. 18 plus subscripts are required. T's and C's apply. It's the third hour of the 92-inch-o here on Highland Radio. Donal with you on tail 12 midday. The carers were told they would get a contributory stamp a few years ago. This was promised by Lee of Radker when it was announced they would get the 1,000 euro bonus. Nothing's been done since the stamp hasn't materialized. No mention of it now either. Carers saved the state an estimated 20 billion euro per year. So says a caller. Right, the DL debate tonight will be having much discussion and I'm sure a lot of discussion about what's been happening behind the scenes in Donegal, GAA as well as what's been happening on the pitch. The main headline that's happened on the pitch in the past number of days, unfortunately, is that Donegal has, let's be honest, as expected, been relegated to Division Two of the National League. We're joined on the line by Brendan Deveney, the presenter of the DL debate. Brendan, good morning to you. Good morning to you, Don. Brendan, it's going to be a compelling listen tonight, but maybe not the conversation we wanted to be having. Yes. Well, first of all, Don Oshin's sitting in for me tonight. I'm taking my wee nephew Ethan up to Ireland with France. So I did a wee sit-in for Oshin yesterday. My first ever commentary, Don, not the vivid game to do it on, but anyway, I helped Oshin out yesterday so he's going to sit in. But I have interviews lined up for him with the likes of Paddy McBurdy, our captain, and with Aiden O'Rourke. And we also got a long interview with Peter Campbell of the Democrat, just to sum up the mood and the result of the minute and the management, and where we go from here. And Oshin will review our interviews this evening across all the action of the weekend. Now, fair play to Paddy McBurdy. Actually, he's come out very strongly over the past 24 hours saying, look, we're not where we want to be, but we're united as a team. We're working together as a team. We stand proud as a team and we go forward as a team.  Yeah. And listen, I suppose Paddy maybe picked me up in the question and you'll hear it later, Don. And when I said to him about being together and he says that group of players is together, it wasn't the dressing room that I'm talking about being together. It meant, practically, on the pitch and as a formation and as a team. Listen, every team now don't play for the counter-attacking system. The drop player's back. They play, you try and take your man-man to van, but then you protect the space and then you break forward. And more than that, you break, you defend us in the player team and you move forward as an entire team. It was neither of that happened last week or this week, Don La Nuts. Well, I'm afraid. And listen, Paddy's captain, a massive respect for the man. I hated even asking him those types of questions yesterday, but leading into Don La Nuts at the minute. You know, if we had one area of our pitch correct or if we had something to work on, but at the minute, you know, everything is an issue with us. I mean, we were hammered again yesterday, 21-9. We were hammered last week. And there's been a couple of halves throughout the league. Well, we did play a bit of football, but it's just as we go down the end of it. Now, we have injuries and people missing and people pulled out in that yesterday and it was people making debuts. There's a lot of new players there, Don. But you just think of the down people must be sitting looking at those last two performances. This is a brilliant time to play Donny Gull. But then again, as you say, it's down in the brilliant round of the championship. That's just a few short weeks away at this stage. Now, obviously, it's not the preparation Donny Gull wants, but it's the preparation Donny Gull has had. I mean, do you see any chance that Donny Gull can regroup, reunite and go into that down game with at least more confidence than they may have had in the past couple of weeks and with more drive and with more spirit that maybe we can look and say, a lot of people are going to think that down game is now a foregone conclusion. Perhaps it isn't. Certainly it isn't, Don. Listen, I'm a Donny Gull fan. Obviously, I play for them and I support them and I know what the lads go through. And I'm why positive though. I'm why you'd probably be able to use criticising negative football and what players express themselves and go and attack and open up and play and savage pride with Donny Gull. But listen, I have to be realistic as well as someone that goes and analyzes the games. If we sail on the championship, I guess, we'll be hammered down or beat us for a start and if we go on with the good stages playing that we do now, we'll be absolutely annihilated. I mean, there was common line changes yesterday. They were playing in second year, really. And they toyed with us, you know. So how do we pull that together? This is one of the biggest jobs I've ever seen. They go, don't get me wrong. We went bad at times and got it gone. It was bad performances and games. But there was always enough kind of players. I mean, I thought if we get the right management, get it right together again, we can compete. Like, at the moment, we're not competing at all. And whether the management even stay on now is questionable. I mean, Paddy Carrister up the way and Aiden took over as the manager. And I know there's only a matter of days in between times but he said himself he wasn't going to stay on unless he got a reaction. Well, he definitely didn't get that reaction yesterday.  So whether he stays in charge or not is still a big question mark. I don't think he's talking to him. So what happens if you're going to go on like an under championship? There's questions everywhere going on. And that's outside of all the other turmoil.  But I'm talking to people. I'm looking for something to grab a hold of, to build under a championship.   And he'll be so many, Paddy. I mean, if we could get him fit, that would be a huge starting point. But you know, he had a real bad injury here. There is no doubt that 2023 is going to be a watershed for GAA in Donegal in the same sense that there was a watershed when Jim McGuinness took over. And it became quite clear when Jim McGuinness took over that he was looking for a new direction. And he said to the team, if you come with me, I will take you places you can only dream of up to now. Is there a thing that can we make this into a positive in that? OK, Donegal is down at the moment. But you've got your Patrick McBurdy there. You've got that spirit there. You've got people there who want to play for the jersey. You've still got that huge pride in Donegal. That huge pride in Donegal GAA that if we can get the right management team in and the right vision for the coming months. OK, maybe 2023 is the year we've put down as the educational one. It's the year that we don't have the success. But hey, better things can happen in 24. I guess, and I totally agree, Donal. And I always would look to that side of things. It's just if you look now to the media time, because we're not sure who's going to be in charge and because I'll ask, particularly, I mean, we're relegated on three points. Well, because of the last couple of performances, but so we're not, you're kind of looking to say, right, where are we going or what's happening? And many of us don't need to go back to last year. We're not so fine on last year. We thought you could have won and also championship. So people think of what has happened now and it's been a catalog of things that have led to it. And of course, we had the academy in the background. But you'll get the bonus single out. You mentioned previous managers there, you know, for serious thing and abuse last year. Would you like the bonus sitting back thinking, look at the job that I was doing. If people got to be careful, and I think people are over critical at times, but at the minute, we're at a new web and it's also affecting now some of the finances that's coming in and out, because a lot of the backers put money in the team, but they've got to see the right things happen. So there's a whole, I suppose, knock-on effect to the team at the minute. But I do think so out for the players that are caught up in the middle of this. But certainly, we need something now. We need, I think we need someone experienced to come in to set up, we need to try and beat down somewhere about the 11, 10, 12, 10 mark. And people will be saying, that's blanket defense. But until we get our defense right, every team has bought the defense first. We've got to get our defense right, and then counter-attack. That's basically what everybody's doing. But neither side of our team are doing that tactically. So that's the first job. And there's a talk of a training camp costing big money and Johnson housing us. You know, actually, we have a center of excellence over there. Let's stay in the Donegal, okay? Let's cut out that expense. Let's get the basics right on the pitch first. Let's get these players back tuned on the Donegal because I felt that bad from yesterday. And even when we're on the attack, protecting the second half, guys at the ball, they're kind of looking around each other now. So what's almost enough though, we need to start from scratch again. Go back to the complete basics of football and let's build this team up and the championship. Brendan, the deal debate tonight. As you said, Oshin presenting standing in for yourself. You're heading down to Ireland, France. And hopefully, you have a good night down there tonight and hope yourself and your nephew will enjoy it. We'd be listening, obviously. There might be more blank at the fence. There might be more blank at the fence. There may have to be, well... Well, Ireland tonight. Well, and Bapi would take a better... Bapi would be a good corner forward every day. He would. I'll tell you something though. If they can keep him Bapi quiet, they'll be doing a good job tonight. They've only been... No, no, no, no. Brendan, a pleasure of always. Thank you very much indeed. Thanks, sir. Take care. That's Brendan. Brendan and his guests, well, Brendan would be speaking to Aiden O'Rourke, to Patrick McBrady, to Peter Campbell, that segment pre-recorded. It'll be Oshin. That will be presenting DL Debate tonight. And it's in association, of course, with Sarah's kitchen at Sister Sarah's in Letter Kenny. Always compelling listening the DL Debate. Now, let's take a couple of your comments. Collar says, I was given a credit note from a business. I have it about eight months. I went back to the business recently and asked when I could get a refund as the service isn't available. They can't give me a timeline for the service to be reinstated. I got nowhere. This week, I decided to use the credit note for another service that business provides only to be told the note is out of date, but there is no date marked on my note. My understanding is that a credit note is valid for two years and a voucher for five. Does this business have a legal obligation to stand over my credit note? My uneducated and unlawfully view would be absolutely yes. But take advice on that, possibly, the consumer's association, maybe somewhere to go for advice on that call. But certainly, it seems to me and I'm told by Carlin, we indeed have passed that question on to them ourselves as well. I just want to give you a mention to the fact that the well-known England-based Donnie Gollman, Brendan Tiny Vaughan, will be bringing his tractor raffle to Chrysler on Good Friday, April 7th. Brendan has come up with a novel idea to raise funds to assist with the funding for the emergency services who assisted during the Chrysler tragedy. He's known to many for his wonderful photography of the Donnie Goll and Irish community, both here and indeed across the water in London as well. He's sourced a massive Ferguson 135. He plans to raffle it in the coming months, hopefully raising quite a lot of money. Tickets will be priced at €10, or indeed £10 sterling. And he hopes to bring the tractor to various locations in Donnie Goll and London and he'll be in Chrysler with it at midday on Good Friday. And always great to see good work like that being done and people like Brendan Vaughan are doing good work like that all of the time. Now, we're going to take a quick break after that. Back with more discussion. The county's number one talk show, The Nine Till Noon Show on Highland Radio. Hop into Easter entertaining with Dunn Stores. Mix and match three for two on a range of anti-Pastian party favourites like flaky mini-volivans, quiches, tarts and charcuterie platters. Plus, it's two for €8 on an array of indulgent cheeses like creamy French brie and bold blue stilton. You'll be a happy bunny when you save even more with our 10 or 50 grocery voucher. Dunn Stores, always better value. Terms and conditions apply. Voucher can be used to next grocery shop with 50 or more or more. The sign place Callahan's Burt have a job opportunity for a full-time graphic designer. Working Monday to Friday, the graphic designer will work as an integral part of our team assisting with the design, manufacturing and production of graphics and signage projects. At the sign place Callahan's Burt, we specialise in the production of internal and external signage as well as vehicle graphics, advertising material, banners and logos. Experience preferred. Please send CVs to info at thesignplace.ie. Do you have training requirements within your company? SafeTech are running a number of part funded programmes including electro and butt fusion welding, first aid, water hygiene, company safety officer, confined spaces, food hygiene, construction site supervisor, various plant, UK construction cards and much more. Contact SafeTech today on safetech.ie. 16 minutes past 11 o'clock. Earlier we spoke about the road at Mill Road in Balabafe and the potholes and so on. And a long discussion with that during which we had a contribution from a councillor Patrick McGowan who chairs the Gleford-Sternord Invisible District joined on the line by Joe who wants to make a comment. Joe, good morning to you. Good morning, Donald. Yeah, you know that road you believe and you believe there are issues which have contributed to the stated sentence moment? Exactly, Donald. I mean, that road has been quite a vulnerable state for years and years but and it occasionally you do get potholes in it but around last autumn time they cut down all the broadleaf trees that were lining that road and since then it's been and just like it's been a step change it's unbelievably worse and it's been bad now since Christmas they fill it in occasionally with some loose gravel and it's washed away within 24 hours. Now I know councillor McGowan did say that the hope is that they'll be able to to do a more permanent filling in of the potholes actually using proper tar and proper surfacing and that that should be longer lasting. But your your belief is to getting rid of those trees that they were effectively sheltering the area from the frost and now that they're gone the area is now wide open to the elements and that's having an impact. Yeah, I mean, I mean you can see this right around the county that you know there are you know trees that are along the roads all over the county are getting cut down and you know it's very hard to predict what the effects of that will be sometimes and I mean it's clear to me that you know the state of this road is not like it has been any other winter it is it is it is vastly different it there's no comparison I mean it it does get potholes and they you know they do fill them in and usually it let you know it could last you know maybe three four or five weeks but now it's not lasting at all and you know and it's never been it's never gotten this bad before and I mean it's it's a complete step change and I mean that's I mean that's a very visible difference between this year and previous years we have been given that commitment as Councillor McGowan outlined from Donegal County Council that the road is now on its roads program that it will be doing a more permanent job on that road to address those potholes that we've had a situation up to now as you've pointed out where it's been basically a patch up job here and there but those patch up jobs don't work so a more permanent job hopefully will lead to a more permanent improved surface on the road are you happy with that commitment um yeah I mean it's certainly an improvement but I mean I would I would like to see some joined up thinking from from the forestry or the council whoever is is cutting down trees you know willy nilly all over the place well I mean those trees were there for decades and there was never never a problem never a problem I mean I don't know what improvement has been gained from it I mean I can't I mean I mean I understand probably some insurance issue but I mean if you're in problems with problem with insurance you legislate for that you don't cut down trees you know they're changing the wrong variable here but I mean if they can improve the roads yeah that'd be great but it doesn't seem to be any thought to the consequences of of what they're doing when they cut down these trees along the road yeah Joe a point well made thank you very much indeed for making it that's Joe there on that mill road there in Balaba Faye Joe thank you and we will be waiting to see what happens there hopefully we'll get some proper improvement on that particular stretch want to mention there's an Autism Awareness coffee morning taking place at the Autism Family Support Centre it's on Convent Road letter Kenny in Donegal 1A Convent Road it's on Sunday the 2nd of April from 11 a.m until 1 p.m so 11 a.m until 1 p.m on this coming Sunday April 2nd the Autism Family Support Group inviting you to a coffee morning to celebrate and raise awareness of Autism on World Autism Day 2023 we've got a message from a family and it's one which is it's a difficult read but it's an important one I just want to share this with you our teenager was always full of happiness competence and confidence was part of a group of friends when a couple of ringleaders started being mean in a very passive and sly way so others didn't see what they were doing as a result our teenager became totally isolated our happy child has become withdrawn does not want to leave their room is extremely upset all the time anxiety has become a huge issue we as parents have no idea how to support our child and our child has refused to go for any counselling and that's a call that has come in to us from someone who is very concerned and understandably so is there any advice you can offer is there any perspective you can give on this child was happy and outgoing a so-called friend has begun to act in a mean and passive way the child as a result has become withdrawn and at the moment is refusing to do any counselling sessions if you have any perspective on that by all means please do get in touch now I want to change the direction completely and talk about mink we know that there were some mink farms in the county and legislation has been brought into place to close those farms down and stop farming mink for fur one of the problems over the years has been we understand a number of mink have escaped from those farms and are in the wild John joins us on the line John good morning to you good morning to you John, indeed it's our pleasure John it's an important issue you have been having issues with ducks and chickens and you believe problems you're having are linked with mink yeah yeah like that there it's just one of the things there that I put a lot of thought and everything into the last couple of years and all we wanted to have was you know a couple of chickens and ducks and everything we done the sensing to the high standard that we could possibly do and everything is that there even clothing, building a shed and everything to lock them up at night everything and then of course Friday night Saturday morning we went out and we were cleaned out all the chickens and I mean it was a fox or something like that they're from what I believe is that they take one or kill one but that was just a slot you know it's hard to deal with you know don't and are you based near where would have those mink farms would have been located I'm actually between Annigarh and Lohanhorn from the past area yeah and like as I said in that there wasn't a thing that was thought of overnight was a lot of planning put into place and a lot of sensing put up like and everything and you think you lock them up at night and everything you think to yourself you know you're watching them during the day and you know you're you're doing all that you can you know and the next thing you get wake up at night it's not great like it's heartbreaking I'm sure you've been speaking with friends and neighbours in the area have other people been having issues as well that's right yes they have yes and like some of the stories they're like it's horrendous like and you know I was that's the reason I ran today you know like because we talked a lot about it and that and we don't know where to go from there like and we weren't selling eggs or anything like that they would be giving them to neighbours and everything it was a bad thing you know and like it's one of them things there like everybody you know nowadays they it's a nice thing to think that you can rear them you know and I mean to be wiped out overnight like that there it's free think to yourself see like what can you do what's the all the precautions can you do or is as the council they're like are are the putting up things there that he he can actually trap them or what happens to them afterwards but definitely they like say what the devastation that those don't it wasn't a fact like yeah it had to be the mink can you know I mean are there mink wild in the area do you believe and have we had issues like this before I do believe they are yeah yeah because I do believe and from talking to different ones now since that they're yeah a lot of people have spotted them personally and everything and even the later gold island they believe that they were spotted and everything you know and and it was a thing that I didn't know too much about like a till I heard about you know years back or whatever a lot of years back that they had been once in the area and like what's been done about them are they still out there and I'm just trying to put it out there to the lessoners maybe some of the lessoners out there would have the same problem or I'm not sure and sometimes the problem can be identifying actually who has responsibility for this I'm just thinking off the top of my head yeah maybe national parks and wildlife would have some role to play now I'm not I'm not sure if their role extends say beyond Lenvey National Park or government lands but I'm not sure if they would have a and the other thing of course is that mink is not is technically mink is not a wild animal that we understand there are some in the wild because they've escaped from