Gardaí have launched a nationwide roads policing operation targeting anyone driving under the influence this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to every motorist to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Ahead of the national holiday, drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.

Gardaí are advising people going out over the weekend to leave their cars at home and arrange a designated driver, pre-book a taxi or arrange a lift, or use public transport where possible.

In the 10 weeks since the beginning of the year, 33 people have been killed in fatal road traffic collisions on the roads in Ireland.

An extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation which will take place throughout this St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend got underway at 7am Thursday morning, and will run until 7am on Tuesday, March 18.

Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.

Gardaí will be focussed on targeting the four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions:

1. Intoxicated driving
2. Speeding
3. Using your mobile phone
4. Not wearing a seatbelt.

Bank Holiday Weekends are the busiest periods on Irish roads, and the potential to be involved in a serious or fatal road traffic collision is therefore higher during this time.

As Ireland’s national public holiday, people will be planning to gather together to attend the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities and celebrations due to take place nationwide throughout the weekend.

Gardaí will be placing a particular emphasis on detecting those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs this weekend.

Chief Superintendent, Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said, “On every day of 2024, Gardaí arrested at least one driver every hour for driving while intoxicated.”

“While drug driving is a major concern, the vast majority of the thousands of people detected and arrested for intoxicated driving during the past year were under the influence of alcohol.”

“This weekend will be a big social one for lots of people and we are here to keep the public safe, but we also need everyone’s help to achieve this. Under no circumstances should you get into your car and drive if you have consumed drink or drugs.”

“That decision can either take your life, go on to define it or lead to someone else losing theirs.”

Michael Rowland, Director of Research, Standards and Assurance at the Road Safety Authority said, “Intoxicated driving significantly increases your crash risk. It also carries a serious penalty of a driving disqualification and fine.

“We know that the vast majority of drivers in Ireland plan ahead when socialising – arranging lifts, taxis or taking public transport, and we want to commend and thank them for this.

“Our 2024 survey of 1,000 drivers in Ireland however, indicates that a minority, one in ten, still report driving after drinking in the last 12 months.

“Last year, four people died and 12 were seriously injured in road traffic collisions over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend.

“We are asking all road users to take care when out and about this weekend, make plans to avoid intoxicated driving, and to speak up if you see anyone about to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

One dedicated volunteer with the Arans Islands lifeboat crew is taking his place at the helm after more than a decade and a half of dedicated service.

Noel Seoighe has been volunteering with the Aran Islands RNLI for over 15 years, showing his dedication to the lifesaving work they do.

He began his journey with the RNLI as a crew member, and just last year, he qualified as an all-weather lifeboat navigator.

Last week, Noel was evaluated by Sean Ginnelly, Coastal Lifeboat Trainer. To pass out, Noel had a series of assessments both on and offshore, including search and rescue, navigation command and emergency procedures.

“It’s very rewarding to be part of such a vital service that helps people,” Noel said. “My uncles were part of the crew in the 70’s and 80’s, so it’s great to be able to play my part.”

When thinking back about his 15 years with the RNLI and all the stories and relationships he has gained, he’s reminded of how his life had almost started out on the lifeboat.

“Dr Marion Broderick reminded me that mom was rushed out on the lifeboat on Christmas Eve many years ago to give birth to me. Dr Broderick’s husband, Máirtín Fitzpatrick, was part of the crew that night.”

“It’s cool that I got to work on the lifeboat with Máirtín in my earlier years as a crew member.”

Noel will be on call as coxswain with the Aran Islands lifeboat crew in the upcoming weeks, and we wish him the best of luck in his new role.

Children all over the world are being denied an education because of the effects of the climate crisis, says Trócaire as it launched its annual Trócaire Box appeal for Lent in Galway.

More than 242 million students in 85 countries had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events in 2024.

These included heatwaves, tropical cyclones, storms, floods and droughts, exacerbating an existing learning challenge in developing countries where children already face barriers to education.

Caoimhe de Barra, Trócaire’s CEO, says this issue is having a profoundly negative impact on children’s futures. “The communities and families we work with are increasingly affected by erratic weather patterns caused by climate change.”

“The deep injustice of this is that those who have done least to cause the climate crisis, and who have the least capacity to absorb and recover from its impact, or adapt in response, are suffering most severely from its impacts.”

“As many of these rural communities rely on growing and selling crops to earn an income, the loss of livelihood has knock-on effects for families. This is why we are urging the people of Co. Galway to support the Trócaire Box appeal this Lent.”

In 2023/24 Trócaire supported 2.2 million people across 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

Trócaire’s climate and environmental justice work supported 288,200 people in countries including Guatemala, Honduras, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Malawi, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Syria.

“Climate disasters disproportionately harm young girls’ education. 12-year-old Miriam from Guatemala, Central America, features on this year’s Trócaire Box with her family. Her mother and father, Ilma and Julio, grow cardamon and corn to earn money for the family.”

“They used to plant crops twice a year but now only plant once because of the extreme weather conditions. A drought devastated their crops which meant they had no income.”

“Miriam was due to go to secondary school, an hours drive away, but her parents now cannot afford the €5 a week for the bus that would take her there,” said Caoimhe de Barra.

“In developing countries, storms and droughts are wiping out livelihoods and often mean that children have to leave school permanently so they can work to help support their families. Countries where people are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change are also regions where children already receive fewer years of schooling. The effects of climate change have had a disproportionate and disastrous impact on children’s education in some of the world’s most fragile countries.”

Climate change could push up to 130 million people into extreme poverty by the end of the decade, Trócaire has warned, wiping out gains made in developing lower-income countries.

The charity is supporting marginalised rural communities in less developed countries to not only sustain their livelihoods but to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

“This Lent we are asking the people of Galway to help us support communities like Miriam’s as they mitigate and adapt to the effects of the climate crisis so that they can continue farming, protect their homes from flooding, make a fair living from their crops, send their children to school and become more resilient,” said Caoimhe.

The iconic Trócaire Box – which has been synonymous with Lent in Ireland for over 50 years – has been distributed to thousands of homes, schools and churches across Co. Galway. Donations can also be made online at trocaire.org or by calling 1800 408 408.

World Kidney Day, which takes place on March 13, marks a global campaign aimed at raising awareness around kidney disease.

This year’s theme, ‘Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health’, highlights the importance of recognising kidney disease risk factors as well as early detection and intervention in preventing and managing the disease.

This year, to mark World Kidney Day, Portiuncula University Hospital’s kidney clinic will hold an information awareness stand in the outpatient department on Thursday, March 13 from 9am to 12 noon.

Clinical staff will be in attendance to answer any questions you have and to raise awareness of high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, which are the leading causes of kidney disease in Ireland.

Dr Paul O’Hara, Consultant General Physician and Nephrologist at Portiuncula University Hospital, said, “World Kidney Day gives us an opportunity to stop and think about kidney disease, raise awareness of it and encourage everyone to actively know what their own kidney health measures are.”

“Education is a key part of managing any chronic illness and kidney disease is no different. If you are over 50 or in the high risk category, it is important to get screened for CKD.”

The risk factors associated with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Long term use of over the counter medications
• Heart disease
• Family history of kidney disease.

Since it opened four years ago, the hospital’s kidney clinic under the remit of Dr Paul O’Hara has been providing care to patients with kidney conditions across the hospital’s catchment area of East Galway and Roscommon.

The kidney clinic treats a wide range of kidney conditions, with referrals from both the hospital and GPs.

Between 2023 and 2024 the kidney clinic saw a 15% increase in new referrals, reviewed almost 600 patients and saw a 62% increase in patients with kidney disease receiving infusion-based therapies.

Patients receiving haemodialysis and those undergoing kidney transplants are cared for at Merlin Park University Hospital.

Last month, the existing kidney day ward was relocated to the new 50-bed ward block to provide additional capacity in a new clinical space, significantly enhancing patient care to the highest standards.

Between 2023 and 2024, the kidney day ward saw an 81% increase in people attending, with over 1,300 patient interactions. It allows for medical and nursing assessments, investigations and education on an ambulatory and outpatient basis.

Furthermore, it provides an ambulatory care pathway from the emergency department, allowing for rapid assessment of conditions for those who do not require hospitalisation.

Dr O’Hara said, “This new clinical space is a welcome addition and is very much an integral part of the department’s ability to deliver kidney care.”

Figures released by Galway University Hospitals (GUH) for 2024 demonstrate a sustained increase in activity and a reduction in waiting lists.

Despite an incredibly busy year GUH has said that significant progress has been made in reducing wait lists. 

In total, there were 316,279 outpatient appointments (new and return) in GUH last year, an increase of 7,223 on the previous year.

Despite these challenges, OPD wait lists decreased by 16% with a 42% decrease in those waiting more than 15 months.

The overall number of patients waiting more than three years across all specialties, including outpatients, inpatients and day cases, reduced significantly by 54%.

Galway University Hospitals, however, continued to see high attendance across 2024, with a particular rise in older patients who were admitted for care.

In the Emergency Department, the hospital saw an increase in older people (aged 75 and over) both attending the ED and requiring admission to hospital last year, these figures increased by 10% and 8% respectively in 2024.

Total attendance at the emergency department last year reached 80,726, a 7% increase from 2023.  

However, despite the challenges of increased attendances, particularly in caring for our older population who can have complex care needs, the hospital achieved a 4% reduction in the number of patients waiting on trolleys each day at 8am.

Welcoming the reduction in waiting lists, Hospital Manager Chris Kane added, “It is good to see a reduction in the OPD waiting lists and that the initiatives we introduced have been positive. We hope to make further progress in 2025.

“We will continue to work with our community colleagues to ensure timely discharge of patients who can continue their care at home or in the community, allowing us to focus on patients’ urgent care needs.”

Ann Cosgrove, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Galway and Roscommon commended staff across the hospital for their ongoing work in reducing wait lists and improving the patient journey through the hospital.

“Galway University Hospitals remains incredibly busy, both in terms of those attending for acute care and for our patients awaiting follow up procedures.”

“We continue to focus on providing the best access to care we can and will work hard to capitalise on these improvements. Working closely with community services will allow us to ensure our patients are receiving the best care in the right location.”

A young man has died following a three car crash near Barna on Sunday night, with the road remaining closed this morning.

Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to a collision involving three cars on the R336 at approximately 11:25pm last night.

The driver of one of the cars, a man in his 20s, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body was removed from the scene to the mortuary at University Hospital Galway, where a post-mortem examination is due to take place.

There were no other injuries reported as a result of this collision An Garda Síochána has said.

The road between Bearna (Barna) and Na Forbacha (Furbo) remains closed this morning to facilitate an examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Local diversions are in place, and motorists are encouraged to take the N59 route.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area at the time are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bóthar na Trá (Salthill) Garda Station on 091 514 720, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Galway City Council workers will protest outside City Hall next Monday against the move to the proposed Crown Square site in Mervue.

Forsa trade union has said that if the council moves to the Crown Square site, it will make it more difficult for people living in the city to access services, while also generating more traffic.

The union has organised a lunchtime protest at the council premises on Monday (10th March @1.30pm), ahead of a meeting of the council at 3pm.

In a recent survey of members, Fórsa said the view of council staff is that the proposed relocation is not in the best interests of service users and has criticised the lack of consultation with staff and other stakeholders about the move.

Three quarters of the staff surveyed confirmed the move would make them consider applying for posts outside of the council.

Fórsa official Padraig Mulligan said, “Galway City Council has made a very serious error of judgement by pushing ahead with a move that nobody wants.”

“It failed to consult its own staff, it failed to consult its own councillors in any meaningful way, and it is failing the people of Galway City by ignoring their needs.”

Fórsa said that the move would “hollow out our city centre and force staff and service users onto heavily congested roads to access services in a business park with limited public transport.”

The survey of members at the council found that two-thirds of staff said the move would increase their journey time to work.

Almost half of the council staff said their journey time would increase by 30 minutes to an hour, while a similar number confirmed it would increase their commute costs and necessitate a change to how they travelled to work, most of whom said they would need to drive a car to work.

Mr Mulligan described these findings as evidence of council management’s failure to consider the climate action implications of the move, because the inevitable increase in private traffic would increase emissions in the city.

A man in his 50s has died following a traffic collision involving a bus near Claregalway on Friday afternoon.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision on the N83 (formerly the N17) at Claregalway, Co. Galway.

The collision between a pedestrian and a bus occurred at approximately 2:10pm yesterday.

The pedestrian, a male aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A technical examination of the scene has been conducted by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and the road has fully reopened.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who were on the N83 at Cahergowan, Claregalway, between 1:50pm and 2:20pm on Friday 7th March and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Oranmore Garda Station on 091 388030, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Researchers at University of Galway are leading a new €10 million project to develop paludiculture demonstration sites in Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands.

Paludiculture is sustainable agriculture and forestry on wet peatlands. It combines land use and crop production with the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The four year Horizon Europe project, Palus Demos, is part of a European drive to help farmers diversify profitably while meeting climate goals.

Palus Demos researchers will explore new agricultural business models, develop markets for paludiculture products and increase employment while benefiting the environment and aligning with the European Green Deal.

The project brings together 26 international partners, including farmers, public research bodies, NGOs, commercial farms and industry to stimulate the market and provide policy recommendations to address potential challenges.

Palus Demos is the latest in a network of European-funded paludiculture projects. Support for the practice is growing, as wet farming presents significant opportunities for farmers to diversify into higher yield crop and biomass production.

Paludiculture products for the horticultural, construction and textile industries offer sustainable alternatives to materials such as peat and synthetic fibres.

The majority of Europe’s peatlands have been drained for agricultural use. Draining dries the peat, resulting in rapid decomposition and the release of carbon.

By managing the water table closer to the surface, the aim is to reduce emissions while allowing for commercially viable crops.

There are an estimated 1.5 million hectares of peatland in Ireland alone. Thus, turning a proportion of these lands over to paludiculture is an efficient way to meet our carbon targets.

Palus Demos researchers will test the scalability of a range of high value crops such as sphagnum moss, typha, blueberries and cranberries.

Palus Demos co-ordinator Niall Ó Brolcháin, University of Galway said: “It is great to take part in a European project that demonstrates new farming practices and should offer better incomes to farmers and rural communities while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the environment at the same time. We need to stop preaching at farmers while tying them up in red tape and to start presenting them with realistic, new, high value opportunities”.

One person was arrested and multiple weapons seized in connection with an investigation into violent disorder in Ballinasloe earlier this year.

Gardaí raided four properties in Ballinasloe this week as part of an investigation of violent disorder in St Michael’s Square, Ballinasloe, on January 14.

The raids were conducted by Gardaí from Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Oranmore, with the assistance of the Armed Support Unit.

During the raids, they found and seized a number of weapons including slash hooks, machetes and knives.

A man (aged in his 20s) was arrested and detained at a Garda Station in Co Galway under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

He was subsequently released without charge pending the submission of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Senior officials and Elected Members from Galway City and County Councils and Galway Chamber of Commerce met today to discuss major regional infrastructure priorities.

The meeting on Wednesday morning at the Galmont Hotel addressed opportunities for leveraging government support for key strategic priorities for Galway and the wider North-Western Region.

The joint briefing and workshop event follows an opening meeting held in October 2024 and featured presentations from the Chief Executives of the three organisations on the priority lists prepared for the recently published Programme for Government.

Shared priorities include the N6 Galway City Ring Road, East Galway Main Drainage Scheme, Galway City Flood Defence Scheme, BusConnects Galway, the upgrade of the N-59 from Clifden to Maam Cross and a Masterplan for the Galway Metropolitan Corridor, including the Athenry to the City environs (Oranmore) Strategic Economic Corridor.

The Cathaoirleach of Galway County, Mayor of Galway City and President of Galway Chamber were in attendance along with Elected Members and Officers from the local authority’s Corporate Policy Groups (CPG) and Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) and representatives of Galway Chamber.

Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach of Galway County said, “I welcome this joint briefing and look forward to ensuring that the priorities as agreed are promoted and delivered upon within the lifetime of this new government.”

“I am also committed to hosting a follow up event in the county to track progress and ensure ongoing updates are provided.”

Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Peter Keane commented, “As Ireland’s fourth largest city, Galway is a key driver for socio-economic development along the Atlantic Economic Corridor, with close ties and significant overlapping priorities with Galway County.”

“This briefing makes explicit our shared ambitions and initiates a process of seeking government investment to realise these priorities for the people of Galway City and County.”

Cáit Noone, President of Galway Chamber stated, “Galway Chamber welcomes the strong commitment shown by Galway City and County Councils in working together to advance these critical infrastructure priorities.”

“A thriving Galway depends on strategic investment, and it is essential that we maintain momentum to secure the necessary government support.”

“By uniting the business community, local authorities, and elected representatives, we can ensure that Galway remains a competitive and dynamic place to do business, driving economic growth and opportunity for the entire region.”

Deirdre Mac Loughlin, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Galway Chamber, added, “As a Chamber, our role is to advocate for our members and the wider business community, holding local and national government accountable to ensure the delivery of key infrastructure priorities for Galway.”

“A strong, competitive city depends on investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and strategic development—needs that are central to our members’ ability to grow and thrive.”

“To secure Galway’s future, we must take a collaborative approach, ensuring clear visibility and driving timely delivery on these critical projects.”