Listen: Business reaction to recommended 5% increase in the minimum wage...
The Low Pay Commission is expected to recommend the increase of the minimum wage by 5% in the next Budget. This would bring the current wage of €13.50 an hour to over €14 an hour.Cormac Cronin Owner of Bodega in Waterford city and Finbar Filan, Chair of Irish Small and Medium Businesses spoke to Damien today (Friday) on 'Déise Today' about how the increase would impact businesses in hospitality and retail across Waterford and further afield.To listen back to their conversation, click the image above...
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10:33
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10:33
Listen: Keenan family 'devastated' at lack of upgrade in Imelda case...
A Garda review into the disappearance of Imelda Keenan in Waterford City in January 1994 has concluded without an upgrade, leaving her family frustrated and heartbroken.Imelda, originally from Mountmellick, County Laois, was 22 when she was last seen on Lombard Street. She had moved to Waterford and was living with her boyfriend at the time. Despite extensive searches and decades of campaigning by her family, no trace of her has ever been found.Late last week, the Keenan family met with senior gardai for an update on the progress of the case. Gerry Keenan, Imelda’s brother, described the family’s devastation in the wake of it - when speaking on 'Deise Today' on WLR this morning (Tuesday)"We were told up in Ballybricken Garda Station by a member of the investigation team, the crime bureau team and An Garda Síochána, that unfortunately without sufficient evidence this case can't go any further and Imelda will still be classed as missing. That's not good enough for the Keenan family."Speaking on the efforts of the review team into the disappearance of Imelda Keenan - Gerry said he's not exactly sure what they did."Seriously, we don't really know what they've done. We just don't know. They took all the information away, they promised us, they promised us that they would look into Imelda's case from the beginning right up to today. They would go down every rabbit hole, leave no stone unturned, and they would come back to us as soon as possible with information."Following a fruitless decades-long campaign, the news left Gerry emotionally overwhelmed: "It's in my heart, it's in my mind 24-7. I'll never let it go away. I have a hole in my heart since we had the last meeting with Gardaí. I don't want to face people, I just want to shut everything away. The family are completely devastated with the bad news that we received last Thursday."To listen back to Gerry Keenan's full conversation with Damien Tiernan, you can click on the image above...
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21:50
Conor Haley's brave fight against a hidden heart condition...
After experiencing concerning sudden pains in his arm and chest, 17-year-old Ferrybank hurler Conor Haley went to A&E where it was discovered that he had a hole in his heart.It came as a shock to the young athlete, who had been a hurler his whole life, training at least three nights a week.Apart from occasional difficulty with running pace and a series of minor injuries, Conor had no other symptoms.Yet during keyhole surgery, doctors discovered a second hole in Conor's heart - and this would require open heart surgery to fix it!Conor had to undergo this open-heart surgery just 10 days after his keyhole surgery.Conor and his dad John joined Damien in studio this morning (Monday) on 'Déise Today' to talk about his health journey, and their efforts to raise funds for the Dillon Quirke Foundation, which works to raise awareness for Sudden Adult Death Syndrome and funds cardiac screenings for young people. To listen back to this inspiring story, click the image above!
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25:38
Local councillor John O'Leary discusses major new development plans for Kilmeaden
132 apartments, a major technology park, and a 40-megawatt solar farm are just some of the plans being proposed for the former Kilmeaden Cheese factory site in County Waterford.A planning application has been lodged with Waterford City and County Council for a ten-year permission to redevelop the 109-hectare site.It is one of the most extensive planning applications ever to come to council,second only to the north quays development plans.Fianna Fáil Councillor John O'Leary joined Damien on 'Déise Today' this morning (Friday) to speak about what he knows about the new plans and to talk about local reaction to same so far.Click on the image above to listen back to their chat...
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Waterford councillors on a potential Conor McGregor meet?!
A SPECIAL meeting of Waterford council takes place on Sept 19 next to allow prospective Presidential candidates address the council to canvass support.As was reported by WLR in recent days, it's expected controversial former MMA fighter Conor McGregor will be amongst those seeking to meet the members.Waterford Councillors Adam Wyse, Jason Murphy and Joe Kelly spoke to Damien this morning (Monday) on 'Déise Today' to address their opinions on Conor McGregor and his attempt to secure a nomination for presidency.Cllr. Wyse expresses his strong stance against allowing the controversial figure to present for a nomination, emphasising the importance of values in leadership. Cllr. Murphy echoes this sentiment while raising concerns about the legality of excluding candidates.Meanwhile, Independent councillor Joe Kelly said he believed regardless of whether people liked McGregor or not, every candidate running for election deserves to get a hearing.You can listen back to Damien talking to the councillors by clicking on the image above...
Déise Today is Waterford's flagship talk show. If it's happening in Waterford, it's being discussed on Déise Today. If you have a story to share with us, email [email protected]. Listen back here.
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