North West Today

Our special Friday Focus guest this week is Sligo legend Teresa Flaherty, who has raised money for numerous charities throughout her life, and has travelled to all parts of the world in doing so. Now approaching her 84th birthday, Teresa looks back on her life of fun, friendship, helping others and staying positive See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael is a member of the Men's Cancer Support group in Sligo and has used the bus which transports cancer patients from the NW for treatment at Galway Hospital. He has called on the authorities to amend the timetable and amount of stops the bus makes so that more cancer patients along the way can avail of the service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The increase in the amount of motorists speeding along the Pearse Road in Sligo is an issue that needs to be tackled urgently before someone is killed or seriously injured. That's according to one resident in the area, John, who says speed vans aren't working and what's required is speed cameras See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thefts from a number of parked cars at Sea Road in Sligo, burglaries in Kiltyclogher, Drumshanbo, from a Sligo pub, and bogus calls claiming to be from the Garda Fraud Investigation Unit are all detailed on this week's On the Beat. With Garda Sergeant Cara Kiernan, Crime Prevention Officer in Sligo/Leitrim See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paddy Joe Burke, Ballymote resident, Roscommon native, retired barber, GAA fanatic and philosopher has just published his memoir - Kindness has a Long Memory.  Why has he done it and what's it all about? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mary Cullen and Ciara Mageean were rivals on the athetics track, but good friends and colleagues off it. The Sligo international athlete pays an emotional tribute to Ciara who passed away yesterday and reveals that Ciara once told her that she was her role model See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Friday Panel discuss their difference of opinion on the Sligo Greenway, patients leaving hospital emergency departments without being treated, remova of  The Triple Lock, that controversial grandparents 'consent' video, the legacy of Charlie Haughey and Halloween antics. Guests are councillors Arthur Gibbons and Seamus Kilgannon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist and Broadcaster Vincent Browne talks about the life and times of former Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, as outlined in his new book, Charles Haughey: Glory, Greed and Guns. While emphasing the importance of Ray MacSharry in Haughey's career - he says MacSharry called the shots in the 1987 Fianna Fail Government See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celine Kilcoyne has collected letters from over 300 people along with 87 online signatures calling for the provision of a fit-for-purpose bus for the transport of cancer patients from the North West to Galway for treatment. Celine, who worked at the previous breast clinic in Sligo Hospital, says she was dismayed to hear of continuing issues with the existing service and says the custom-built bus n...

Gurteen resident Tony Murray outlines why he and other local residents are opposed to the development of an 180 metre-high turbine in the locality. The residents claim there has been insufficient public consultation on the matter and the company behind the plan are not locally-based See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An assault at a hotel in Sligo, an ongoing missing person appeal, masked robbers in Carrick on Shannon and theft from a Sligo café are among the items on this week's On the Beat Garda slot. With Garda John Morgan of Drumshanbo Garda Station See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Irish Army Colonel, Andrew Kilfeather of Ballygawley in Co Sligo insists the controversial removal of the Triple Lock governing overseas deployment of Irish troops will not impact on Ireland's status of netralilty. He claims this is a domestic issue designed to give our troops the opportunity to serve overseas and will not lead to an EU military alliance See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...

Dr Karen Harris, who is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Sligo University Hospital has expressed concern at the high numbers of patients who are leaving hospital Emergency Departments without their treatment being completed. The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine is calling for Government action to address the issue which it says shows the system is not working for patients See omnystud...

Brian Gill of Callan Tansey Solicitors guides us through the whole area of our Protected Disclosure Law, or Whistleblowing, as it's more commonly known See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The erection of a 15 foot-high headstone at Sligo Cemetery, residential parking permits, the public sector strike, the controversial 'grandparent' consent video, the raising of property tax, clocks going  back and fireworks are all discussed on The Friday Panel. Which itself, produced fireworks, courtesy of Dympna Mannion and Albert Higgins See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's been widespread criticism of the erection of a 15 foot-high headstone memorial at Sligo Cemetery and questions as to how it was allowed to proceed, when the regulations say 5 foot is the maximum allowed for a triple grave plot. The matter was discussed on today's Friday Panel, with Dynmpna Mannion saying it was personally very upsetting for her and others who visit the cemetery on a regula...

The controversy over permission being granted for the development of the Sligo Greenway along the route of the Western Rail Corridor has been raised with both An Taoiseach and the CEO of Irish Rail Mary Considine. Both have commented on claims that An Taoiseach directly intervened to have Irish Rail change its mind in allowing the Greenway to proceed See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

An assault in Bundoran, a road traffic incident in Bundoran, a burglary in Donegal Town and a robbery in Sligo are among the appeals on this week's On The Beat - with Garda Sergeant Paul White of Ballyshannon Garda Station See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The co-founder of the popular White Hag Brewery based in Ballymote has called for the introduction of a reduction in excise duty for independent pubs on beer they buy from craft breweries. Bob Coggins says such a move would represent a huge boost to small businesses and keep local businesses going See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Minister for Justice has been criticised by a Donegal solicitor for claiming that court cases involving allegations of rape were "deliberately affected" yesterday in the legal aid dispute. As the dispute drags on, criminal defence solicitor Rory O'Brien insists the Minister must enter into talks as the legal system is in chaos See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were two more road accidents yesterday on the N17 road in South Sligo. It has led to more calls for the urgent upgrading of the road to make it safer. Tommy Banks was the man who erected two signs on the road last year, reminding motorists that 27 people have been killed on a 25km stretch of the road See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's Friday Panel clash on the issue of the Sligo Greenway being developed along the Western Rail Corridor, while they also discuss the public sector strike, the Waterford arson tragedy, appropriate music in churches, and the late Fr John Carroll. Guests are former Minister John Perry and Cllr Marie Casserly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There were hot and heavy exchanges on the North West Today show between Sligo Fianna Fail Cllr Donal Gilroy and presenter Niall Delaney over claims that the property tax in the county is to rise by 25% in the coming year. Cllr Gilroy branded those who made such statements as liars, offered to pay  their property tax himself if such a rise happened, and demanded an apology from the programme p...

Junior Minister Marian Harkin has defended her decision not to meet any of the public sector workers out on strike action yesterday as part of the ongoing pay dispute. She says she fully understands the concerns of worker unions and her way of suppporting the workers was coming on local radio to outline such support, and is hopeful of a resolution to the dispute See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Some of those public sector workers out on picket lines this morning give their views on why strike action was necessary, including Alan Sayers, Pat Fallon and Caitriona McGoldrick, while former President of the INMO, Martina Harkin Kelly, declares her support for her colleagues See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.