A 23-year-old Claregalway man reported missing since the middle of last week has been found safe and well.
Robert Murphy had been reported missing since last Thursday, December 28 in the Galway City area.
It has been confirmed this afternoon that he has been found safe and well.
An Garda Síochána thanked the public for their assistance in this matter.
Road traffic collision figures for 2023 show that the number of road deaths increased by 19% compared to 2022, with Galway, Dublin, Mayo, Tipperary and Cork accounting for 40% of fatalities.
A total of 184 people died in 173 fatal collisions in 2023 compared to 155 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022. Of the road deaths in 2023, 13 were in Galway.
The figures were published by the Road Safety Authority on New Year’s Day following an analysis of provisional fatal collision reports from An Garda Síochána.
The majority (78%) of fatalities were male (144), and 22% (40) were female. The number of pedestrian fatalities is slightly higher than 2022 (+1).
Almost half of fatalities occurred between 8pm and 8am, compared with 35% in 2022, despite lower traffic volumes during these hours.
Over a quarter of fatalities were aged 16-25 years, compared with 16% in 2022. Almost half (46%) of fatalities occurred between Friday and Sunday, where known.
There were 34 passenger fatalities in 2023, representing 18% of the total road deaths that occurred in 2023.
Of the 184 road deaths in 2023, 69 were drivers, 44 were pedestrians, 34 were passengers, 26 were motorcyclists, 8 were cyclists and 3 were e-scooter users.
Slots and gambling have always been a big part of Irish culture and mythology. Everyone goes on about the “Luck of the Irish” and tonnes of casinos use Irish colours as their branding. If you fancy a wager on some fun online games, check out our list of the top 10 slots to gamble on in 2024:
The only way to start a list of the best slot games is with Starburst. This epic title is one of NetEnt’s finest and has low volatility with an impressive 96.09% RTP. It’s easy to play and you can even enjoy Starburst slots not on Gamstop if you’d prefer a bit of fun with fewer restrictions.
You’ll love the wild symbols in this game as they can transform a spin and make you win up to 50,000 times your bet! Almost every casino offers this game so it’s easy to find and you’ll likely find some great bonus deals for it as well.
Gonzo’s Quest is another NetEnt classic that brings a brilliant 95.97% RTP to the table. It has 20 pay lines and many ways for you to win money. The volatility is medium-high, so there’s a great chance of winning something massive.
It’s been around for over a decade yet continues to please bettors from around the country. Players love the graphics and the ease with which you get started. If you’ve never tried this slot before, demos can be played at virtually every online casino out there.
Bonanza is the only Megaways slot on this list as we’ve opted for more traditional slots instead. It has a modest return to player percentage and over 115,000 pay lines. Don’t rub your eyes, you definitely read that correctly! The sheer number of pay lines is thanks to the wonderful Megaways mechanic. In our view, it’s revolutionised online slots by giving punters an outstanding chance of winning something.
Developed by Big Time Gaming, this slot continues to be the best Megaways offering out there. Many try to take its crown, but it keeps it firmly in place.
The Ancient Egyptian theme and splendid sounds/graphics make Book of Dead an immersive video slot. It’s got a handy 96.21% RTP as well, plus loads of variances. Fans have loved this slot for many years, so much so that it’s overtaken Book of Ra as the leading “Ancient Egypt” slot on the market – which is extra funny when you consider it was created as a dupe of it!
The key feature here has to be the mini-game within the real game. If you unlock this bonus round you enter a high-stakes mode that can double your winnings or lose everything.
Mega Moolah is highly volatile and offers an 88.12% RTP. It was made by Microgaming back in 2006 and is one of the oldest games still on the market. On the face of things, old graphics and not many pay lines make you wonder why people still play this game – but it’s hiding a secret weapon!
This slot has a progressive jackpot that can go into the millions. It gets bigger and bigger until somebody has to win it. Back in October 2015, it broke a Guinness World Record for the largest jackpot payout in an online slot machine game. A man called Jon Heywood won a life-changing £13,209,300!!
You’ll find hundreds of branded slot games across various online casinos and most of them are…well…terrible. Movie or TV franchises often want games to be made with their brand slapped on for marketing purposes. So, these titles are usually very basic with no thrills at all.
However, The Goonies slot from Blueprint Gaming is one exception to this. With a 50,000 times maximum win rate, a 96% RTP and wonderful graphics, it’s a game anyone can enjoy. There’s a simplicity to it that makes it so enjoyable, plus it boasts a wealth of modifiers and bonus rounds.
Gates of Olympus is a themed slot taking inspiration from Greek mythology. It features some of the best graphics and game design we’ve ever seen – as well as loads of fun playable features. We love the multipliers here as it’s fairly easy to trigger free spin rounds. If you get lucky with those free spins you can multiply your winnings even more, earning up to 50,000 times your stake.
It’s a truly joyous online slot from the geniuses at Pragmatic Play and we love how bets can begin with as little as 20 pence.
If you love vampires and gothic themes, Immortal Romance is the only slot for you. To be honest, there aren’t many titles that copy its design, which is shocking for the igaming industry. Microgaming launched this game in 2011 and never looked back. It shot to the top of the charts and has remained there ever since.
Win up to 12,000 times your stake, unlock as many as four bonus rounds, enjoy over 200 pay lines and get an RTP of 96.86%.
Don’t be fooled by the bright graphics and cute mini chocolates on screen, this game is for serious gambling enthusiasts. Chocolates is very volatile, but that means there’s a high ceiling. So high that a lucky streak could earn you over 65,000 times your stake.
This is a fairly new game developed by BTG but it’s drawing so much attention. The bonus rounds are where the true fun begins – you’re introduced to epic multipliers that will blow your mind!
Finally, you have to play Rainbow Riches for a quintessentially Irish slots experience. Win up to £250,000 on this game as you spin the reels to try and move along a virtual road. It’s super fun and takes online slots down a new path by giving you lots of mini-games to play.
It’s a truly ancient game now – well over 15 years old – yet it holds up well to modern standards.
Check out all ten of these games if you’re after something fun to play this year. They’re widely available at all of the biggest and best online casinos.
Galway County Council will be accepting Christmas Trees for recycling at multiple locations starting from next weekend.
County households will be able to give their Christmas trees for recycling from Saturday, January 6 through to Saturday, January 13.
This free recycling service is for domestic households only.
Galway City Council is also operating Christmas tree recycling services at two depots in the city.
It’s a wet start to the new year as Galway can expect rainy conditions to prevail today and tomorrow, but improving as the week goes on.
Weather will be cloudy today with rain forecast for most of the day, turning heavy for much of the afternoon and early evening.
Highest temperatures this afternoon of 7 to 8 degrees, with light to moderate easterly winds, which will turn southwesterly and become strong and gusty as the evening progresses.
Drier conditions will prevail overnight, with some scattered showers and overnight air temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees, but the biting wind will make that feel much lower.
On Tuesday there will be continued outbreaks of rain across Galway, becoming more scattered as the day progresses.
Conditions will remain mostly cloudy, but there will be a chance for some scattered sunshine in the afternoon.
Highest afternoon temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees tomorrow, dropping to lows of 6 to 7 degrees overnight.
Light to moderate southerly or variable winds will become mainly southwest in the afternoon.
Wednesday will see conditions continuing to improve, with scattered rain mostly petering out by the afternoon and a better chance for some sunshine.
Highest temperatures of 7 to 8 degrees on Wednesday, with strong and gusty southwesterly and westerly winds becoming more moderate later in the day.
Headed into the second half of the week the weather will be fairer, with a greater chance for sunshine to be had from Thursday onwards.
However, Met Eireann is also forecasting another cold spell coming on later in the week, with subzero temperatures approaching at the weekend.
Galway City Council has rejected plans for a massive expansion of the popular Taylor’s Bar in Galway City, along with a new café and apartments.
A planning application was made by BRTW Investments for the demolition of No. 5 & 6 on Dominick Street, and renovations to No. 7, Taylor’s Bar.
The new building replacing those to be demolished was to feature a large extension to Taylor’s on the ground floor, and a licenced café on the first floor.
The upper floors of the building would have contained two penthouse apartments, one a single-bed unit and the other a two-bed penthouse.
Outbuildings in the rear yard of Taylor’s, including sheds, toilets, and a lounge building will also be demolished.
This was to make way for a two storey extension to Taylor’s with toilets, a kitchen and storerooms, as well as a new basement below the bar’s yard with more toilets and storage.
Other works were to include refurbishments to the upper floors of Taylor’s and the Beer Garden in the rear yard.
Galway City Council refused planning permission due to concerns about the scale and design of the proposed development.
The council said that the plot density ratio of the new development would exceed what it permitted in that part of the city.
The decision also said that the design and visual appearance of the proposed development would give rise to an “overbearing expression” onto the streetscape, and failed to integrate with the surrounding area.
A woman in her 80s was killed in a car crash in Boyle, Co. Roscommon on New Year’s Eve, and another man was seriously injured.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a two car crash shortly before 5pm on the N4 at Doon near Boyle on Sunday.
The driver of one of the cars, a woman in her late 80s was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the second car, a man in his 30s was taken by ambulance to Sligo University Hospital. His injuries are understood to be serious.
A technical examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators is taking place this morning and traffic diversions have been in place overnight.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are also appealing to those with camera footage, including dash-cam to make it available to them.
With a rental automobile, seeing Dubai, one of the world’s most fascinating cities, is a breeze. With a rental car, you can see more of Dubai and the rest of the UAE at your leisure and save a lot of money on cabs!
Here are some pointers on how to rent a car in Dubai to make the most of your stay in this fantastic city.
Driving in Dubai is a great way to see the sights and save money on transportation. Renting a car is a great way to make the most of your stay in Dubai. Dubai is home to many rental car agencies, meaning that both the cost and quality of vehicles are competitive globally.
To see all that Dubai has to offer, we rented many automobiles and found them to be an invaluable asset. By choosing to rent BMW X6 in Dubai or any other car that suits your needs, you can see more of the city, from the Burj Al Arab for afternoon tea to the Dubai Mall for shopping and the Burj Khalifa for sightseeing.
With a rental car in Dubai, you can quickly go to other parts of the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi with its Grand Mosque or the breathtaking Al Ain Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Finding shopping centers and attraction entrances might be challenging due to the road layouts and several lanes. Because of this, it may be challenging to follow the road signs, as you may be able to see the destination yet the road may mislead you. Using a navigation program, such as Google Maps, makes things relatively easy.
You can park at the Dubai Mall for free or pay to use the valet service. The free parking was convenient and quick, so we always used it. There are consequences for attempting to park overnight. After the first four hours, admission to the center of the Emirates, another major shopping center, costs about AED 20.
Dubai is best explored at your speed, and renting a car gives you that freedom. To have a smooth rental experience, it is essential to understand the process, pricing, and local driving rules. Get behind the wheel of a rental car in Dubai with the help of our detailed guide.
Gardaí are appealing for the public’s assistance in locating a missing Claregalway man last seen earlier this week.
28-year-old Robert Murphy from Claregalway has been missing since Thursday, December 28.
Robert is described as being approximately 5ft 10” tall with fair hair and blue eyes. He was last seen in the Galway City area.
Gardaí are asking anyone with information that could help locate Robert to come forward.
Anyone with any information on Robert’s whereabouts is asked to contact Galway Garda station on 091-538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
Toft and Silverstrand car parks in Salthill have reopened today after being shut for several days due to bad weather.
Galway City Council closed both car parks on Wednesday, December 27 as Storm Gerritt approached the city.
They have remained shut in the days since as Galway has been under a series of weather warnings carrying a risk of coastal flooding.
The city council has confirmed this afternoon that both car parks are now open.
A good piece of news for anyone heading out to spend time in Salthill this New Year’s Eve.
Galway County Council has refused planning permission for a residential development of 11 houses and apartments in Tuam.
A planning application was made to demolish a derelict building on an overgrown site on Bishop Street, Tuam.
In its place would have been built three terraced houses facing onto the road, with eight apartments arranged in duplexes to the rear.
Ten parking spaces would be located next to the apartments, with rear gardens and public open space separating it from the existing homes on either side.
Galway County Council refused planning permission due to a number of road safety issues, and concerns about water and wastewater capacity.
The council said that based on the information received the developer has “failed to adequately address the impact that the proposed vehicular access would have on the public Regional road”.
In particular, the council cited alterations to the public footpath, necessary signage and road markings.
Concerns about sightlines at the entrance off the road and turning areas within the proposed car parking were also expressed.
Finally, the council cited concerns about the lack of an up-to-date feasibility letter from Uiscde Eireann regarding public water and wastewater infrastructure.
It was a strange day for the RNLI this week when they came upon a stranded boat on Lough Derg, but instead of passengers and crew, found nothing at all.
On Saturday afternoon the lifeboat launched at the request of Valentia Coast Guard to investigate whether anyone was in trouble aboard a 20ft cruiser reported aground west of Garrykennedy Harbour.
At 3:30pm on Saturday, Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat Jean Spier launched with helm Eleanor Hooker, crew Chris Parker and Joe O’Donoghue on board.
The wind was southerly Force 5, gusting Force 7. Visibility was fair with heavy squalls.
At 3:41pm the lifeboat located the casualty vessel midway between Garrykennedy Harbour and Parker’s Point. The lifeboat navigated a safe passage to the vessel which was grounded on rocks close to the shore.
An RNLI volunteer went aboard the vessel to determine whether there was anyone on board and in need of assistance.
The vessel was empty. The RNLI crew located the boat’s registration so that the Valentia Coast Guard could make contact with the owner.
Given the location and the deteriorating weather conditions, the helm made the decision to make the vessel safe, deploy its anchor and secure its canopy, and to leave the vessel at the location. The lifeboat helm informed the Valentia Coast Guard of this decision.
Eleanor Hooker, Helm at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat users, “to check the mooring lines on your vessel to ensure they are secure, particularly in anticipation of poor weather conditions”.
Mack is finally wising up, David is a man on a romantic mission, and Maeve’s world is crumbling around her in Ros na Rún.
Mack is exploring the idea that he might have been framed for Sonia’s attack, and Tadgh is planting ideas in his head while playing devil’s advocate.
Is this the point where Mack will finally start fighting for his future, or will he meekly accept his sentence?
Caitríona and Maeve’s relationship is more turbulent than ever. Caitríona is devastated after failing to fix things over Christmas.
Réailtín decides to take matters into her own hands and goes to talk to Maeve. while Laoise also sticks her nose in. Will Maeve finally believe the truth about her father?
David is a man on a mission and prepares a romantic surprise for Annette. Meanwhile, Annette grows suspicious when she spots Caitríona wearing similar earrings to hers.
Annette’s jealousy is all-consuming and she confronts David, causing her to make a rash decision. What does this mean for the future of Annette and David’s relationship?
The pressure is growing for John Joe and money is scarce. To make matters worse he finds some leaks in the house. Noreen’s money is due to come in any day now, but the clock is ticking.
Sonny comes to him with a proposal that he cannot refuse. Is this the lifeline John Joe thinks it is?
Catch up on all the latest in Ros na Rún in a double-feature omnibus this Sunday on TG4.
Boston Scientific is seeking planning approval for two new large car parks in their Ballybrit campus.
The medical devices manufacturer has submitted plans to the city council for two new car parks with a total of 550 parking spaces, in order to allow for the redistribution of staff.
The two car parks will also have 5 percent of spaces fitted with EV chargers, and infrastructure in place to add chargers to another 5 percent.
Boston Scientific currently employs approximately 4,500 people in its Galway City campus, as well as indirectly supporting roughly 500 contractors.
The major multinational employer has expanded its operations in Galway significantly in recent years, starting in 2017 with its second building.
The most recent addition was a 3,700sqm cleanroom in Building 2, and further construction is underway on a new R&D facility.
A planning report for this application states that their current parking arrangements are centred around Building 1, which leaves many employees walking some distance from their cars to work.
Since 2010 Boston Scientific has leased 300 parking spaces on land adjacent to their campus, but planning permission was granted in 2019 for development on that land, which will result in those spaces being lost.
The planning development will also include new bicycle and motorbike shelters, a new boundary fence on the north and south east side of the campus, with a pedestrian access gate at An Pháirc Mhór.
The planning application states that this will be kept open during the day to allow local access, and secured with a code or key fob at night, which can be made available to locals who request access.
A landscape plan has also been submitted with this planning application to demonstrate measures which will be taken to minimise the visual impact of the car parks.
A decision on this planning application is due from Galway City Council by February 22, 2024.
Connacht are limbering up for their first match of 2024 in a New Year’s Day clash with Munster in the sold-out Sportsground.
Six changes have been made to the matchday 23 from the side which narrowly lost to Ulster in Kingspan Stadium just before Christmas.
Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Joe Joyce, Jarrad Butler, JJ Hanrahan and Cathal Forde all join the starting XV for Monday’s game.
The Interpro clash at the Sportsground is completely sold out, but fortunately, the game will be broadcast live on TG4.
Commenting ahead of the game, head coach Pete Wilkins said, “Every interpro is a massive occasion, but a sold-out Sportsground on New Year’s Day will make the game even more special for the 23 we have picked to represent us this week.”
Everyone involved can’t wait to get out there and deliver a big performance for our supporters.”
Caolin Blade captains the side from scrum-half, while the management team have opted for a 6:2 split on the bench.
The fit-again Oisín Dowling is included, as well as Niall Murray and Conor Oliver. Also among the replacements is club captain Jack Carty.
“Munster arrive at the Sportsground as URC champions so we are fully aware of their quality and the challenge that awaits us,” Pete Wilkins said.
“However, we have been steadily improving different aspects of our game over the last few weeks and arrive ourselves with enormous determination to turn around our recent run of results.”
With a capacity crowd expected, supporters are encouraged to travel to the ground in good time and only make their way to the stadium if they have a valid ticket. Gates will be open at 1.30pm.
CONNACHT RUGBY MATCHDAY 23 VS MUNSTER RUGBY
15:00, Monday 1st January 2024 @ The Sportsground
15. Mack Hansen (31)
14. Byron Ralston (25)
13. Cathal Forde (20)
12. Bundee Aki (130)
11. Shayne Bolton (7)
10. JJ Hanrahan (9)
9. Caolin Blade (180) (C)
1. Peter Dooley (26)
2. Dave Heffernan (187)
3. Finlay Bealham (195)
4. Darragh Murray (17)
5. Joe Joyce (8)
6. Cian Prendergast (56)
7. Shamus Hurley-Langton (28)
8. Jarrad Butler (119)
16. Dylan Tierney-Martin (31)
17. Denis Buckley (237)
18. Jack Aungier (58)
19. Niall Murray (64)
20. Oisín Dowling (50)
21. Michael McDonald (2)
22. Jack Carty (201)
23. Conor Oliver (72)
Gardaí have issued a renewed appeal for information about the arson attack at a hotel in Rosscahill two weeks ago.
The incident occurred at around 11.35pm on the evening of Saturday, 16 December 2023, causing substantial damage to the property.
An incident room has been established in relation to the investigation and numerous investigative tasks have been completed.
The investigation team from Galway Divisional Crime Unit are now being supported by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI).
The investigation team thanked the local community for the support to date, and are appealing for anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact them.
In particular, members of the community in the Rosscahill, Oughterard, and surrounding areas, who may be able to assist Gardaí, are asked to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Clifden Garda Station 095 22500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Southwest winds will be strong throughout Saturday, with heavy rain and thundery showers causing difficult driving conditions for road users.
A status yellow warning for wind and rain is currently in place in Galway, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Waterford, Mayo and Wexford.
The warning is expected to be lifted at 11pm tonight, when a wind warning will remain for Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick until Sunday evening.
Highest afternoon temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees are forecast for Connacht today, along with strong to near gale force east to southeast winds, with gales on the coast.
Met Éireann has warned that the strong winds could result in surface flooding, wave overtopping and objects being displaced.
Difficult driving conditions are also expected throughout the day, with road users being urged to take extra care while travelling.
The National Lottery has appealed once again to Lotto players in Galway to check their old tickets from the 7 October draw as a prize worth €24,224 remains unclaimed.
The Galway player shared the €48,448 Match 5+Bonus prize with a Dublin player in October after purchasing their winning Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw at Desmond Salmon on Patrick Street in Portumna.
The winning numbers in the Saturday 7 October Lotto draw were: 23, 25, 28, 32, 33, 44 and the bonus was 29.
As ticket holders have 90 days from the draw date to claim their prize, the claim deadline is fast-approaching for this Match 5 + Bonus prize and is close of business on Friday 5 January 2024.
A National Lottery spokesperson has urged all Lotto players who may have purchased their tickets in Galway for the 7th October draw to check their old tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this €24,224 prize.
“We are eager to hear from the Galway Lotto player who matched five numbers and the bonus in the Saturday 7th October draw to win €24,224 as the deadline to claim is just a week away,” the spokesperson said.
“The ticket holder purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw at Desmond Salmon on Patrick Street in Portumna, Co. Galway. We are hoping that our Lotto players in the West will check their old tickets as soon as possible as the last date to claim this prize is close of business on Friday 5th January.”
The winner should sign the back of their ticket, which is now worth €24,224, and make contact with our prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for the winner to visit Lotto HQ as soon as possible.
After turning down bids from Premier League clubs in the summer, Galway native Ryan Manning’s decision to join Southampton is so far proving to be an astute one. The 27-year-old left-sided player has featured in the majority of the Saints’ matches this season, and with his club currently competing for a place in the playoffs, it might not be long before the former Galway United player takes the step up to playing in the English Premier League.
Southampton are currently 30/1 to win the English Championship and 3/1 to be promoted. They are far from the favourites to win the division. Leicester currently holds that position at odds of 4/9. While a football bet on the Foxes gaining promotion is now just 1/12. In sports betting terms, the bookmakers are saying that Leicester look out of sight. And their lead at the top of the Championship suggests they will be hard to catch.
Behind the Foxes, Ipswich has started the season well and looks well-placed to secure the second automatic place. But the Tractor Boys are newly promoted from League One, and they may yet fall back to the chasing pack as the season goes on. In the chasing pack, Ryan Manning and his Southampton side are well placed. And with a long way still to go this season, Saints boss Russell Martin knows there is still a great chance his team can grab the second automatic place. Or at the very least, be in the end-of-season playoffs.
Russell Martin managed Ryan Manning during his spell at Swansea City in the early 2020s. The fact that Martin and Manning have previously worked together will have played a part in securing the Galway man’s signature. Russell Martin knows what he will get from Manning, and Manning knows that he already has the trust of Martin.
When Ryan Manning signed for the Saints, Russell Martin was quoted as saying they had beaten off competition from two Premier League clubs for the left-sided player’s signature. Considering Ryan Manning is yet to play in the elite division of English football, that is quite a coup for the South Coast club.
https://t.co/loCcnv7orW pic.twitter.com/DiTrKgXv4S
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 11, 2023
Even given the increased possibility of gaining promotion with the Saints, Manning must have been tempted to sign for a top-flight club. He has never tasted life on the pitch in the Premier League. But he has come close, as he was at QPR earlier in his career when the London club were in the English top flight, but he didn’t make an appearance during that season.
Ryan Manning would almost certainly have played in the Premier League had he signed for one of the interested clubs. At this stage of his career, he isn’t one for the future. He would have been a signing for the here and now.
Ryan Manning (27) in the Championship last season:
10 assists
5 goals
114 Chances Created – 1st
89.1 Crossing Grade – 1st
187 Challenges Won[via @PFF_FC] #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/35pT6zLyLs
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) July 11, 2023
Manning was the fans’ Player of the Year in the previous season at Swansea, and he left on a free, knowing he had multiple career choices. The fact that he turned down the glamour of the Premier League shows he is more interested in playing regular football, than he is sitting on a Premier League bench, making the odd substitute appearance and earning a huge wage package.
It also says that Manning has a great deal of faith in both Southampton and Russell Martin. He believes he can go to the Premier League with the Saints. And as things stand, it is so far, so good for him.
The HSE is seeing an increase in people with respiratory illnesses attending emergency departments.
This week, 538 people with flu and 282 with Covid attended emergency departments, an increase from 312 with flu and 144 with Covid last week.
The HSE has warned that increasing community infection rates will lead to increased risk of outbreaks in hospitals, nursing homes and residential care facilities, potentially affecting the most vulnerable people.
There are currently 30 outbreaks of COVID in hospitals and 24 in nursing homes, again an increase from last week.
Hospitals and community services around the country have put a sustained effort into ensuring hospitals are positioned for the traditional post-Christmas demand.
But the rise in flu and COVID infection is very steep, and the health service is urging the public to attend the ED only for major health emergencies, and to use all other options in non-emergency situations.
People should consider using services such as your local pharmacy, and HSE.ie, before going to your GP or Emergency Department if you have respiratory symptoms.
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