The Tommy Marren Show On Midwest Radio

Gifted singer and harpist Brenda Grealis joined Tommy Marren in studio, to speak openly about her journey with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) - an extremely rare and severe neurological condition. Brenda spoke about how she first began experiencing symptoms, getting her diagnosis, how her condition has progressed, and the enormous impact it has had on her life, her music and her family.Image taken from Fundraiser for Peter Grealis by Caroline Murnane : Support Brenda following a life altering PERM SPS diagnosis

Tommy Marren was joined by Dara Calleary, the Minister for Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. The Minister spoke about the Households Benefits Package, a monthly payment of €35 to over 70s to cover the cost of energy and heating bills and a free TV license. The Minister also spoke about the cut to the funding for The Men's Sheds Association.

Rural Affairs correspondent for the Irish Farmers Journal, Jacqueline Hogge, spoke to Tommy Marren about the rise of cocaine use among young farmers across the country.

Tommy was joined by Gladys Hand, who spoke about her role as a carer for both her 46 year old daughter with Down Syndrome and her husband who is wheelchair bound and suffers from Dementia and Parkinson's disease. Gladys is 70 years old, and like many ageing carers across the country, she worries what will happen to her daughter, after she herself passes way. Gladys told Tommy, that the Before We Die campaign, has given her and other ageing carers a voice and hopes the campaign will be successful in raising awareness from the government.

Tommy Marren was joined by local businessman Martin Foley, from Sligo Town, who voiced his opposition to Sligo County Councils plan for a greenway along the rail line between Charlestown/Bellahy and Collooney. Martin told Tommy that in terms of infrastructure for transport, the government, dominated by politicians from Dublin and other urban centers, has forgotten about the west and rural Ireland.

Karl McCloskey, the secretary of Achill Men's Shed, spoke to Tommy Marren this morning about the funding situation for Men's Shed's.

Speaking about the rise in threats and violence to politicians, Tommy Marren was joined by listener John who expressed his fear, that soon the political violence might escalate to follow the trends in the UK and U.S. and that soon the public may not be allowed to approach politicians to share their concerns, a fundamental aspect of Irish democracy.

Join Sarah Jennings in conversation with those impacted by road collisions on every second Sunday of every month at 5.15pm . Funded by the news reporting scheme in association with Coimisiún na Meán.