Plans submitted to build two new cafés in Galway City

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October 15, 2023

Plans approved to build two new cafés in Galway City

Planning permission is being sought for the construction of two new cafés in Knocknacarra.

The application by Targeted Investment Opportunities ICAV is for a standalone building on the grounds of Gateway Retail Park in Knocknacarra.

This single-storey building will contain two café units, one of which will be a Costa Coffee, and the other remains unspecified.

The planning application states that having the cafés will contribute to a “broader range and mix of uses” within Gateway Retail Park.

“The proposal is intended to provide improved facilities for customers of the Knocknacarra
District Centre, as well as catering for the employee demand, thereby reducing the need for
employees to travel from the area to avail of facilities elsewhere.”

This application would supersede an already permitted development of a two-storey building with three café units on the same site.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway City Council by December 12.

Mysterious delight with Halloween Food Tour in Galway

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Briain Kelly

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October 15, 2023

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This year Galway Food Tours is celebrating Halloween in their own unique style with a mystery food tour throughout Galway city.

The Mystery Tours will run on Thursday, October 26, with the exact venues kept secret to add a little extra spice of anticipation.

At the four mystery venues, it will be a celebration of local food and of course there will be plenty of tasty tipples to whet your appetite throughout the evening.

The tour will all take place within walking distance of Galway City Centre and the Westend areas.

Starting time is 4pm from outside McCambridges on Shop Street. Book now at www.galwayfoodtours.com.

The Tour will take place over two hours. The cost is €45pp and limited to a max of 12 people.

Just last month Galway Food Tours were named among the ‘World’s Tastiest Autumn Food Experiences’ by Sunday Times Ireland.

This exclusive compilation highlighted 25 extraordinary food adventures from around the globe, highlighting Galway Food Tours’ exceptional contribution to the culinary world.

Motorcyclist killed in crash outside Ballinasloe

By

Briain Kelly

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October 15, 2023

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

A man in his 30s was killed in a crash involving a car and a motorbike near Ballinasloe on Saturday evening.

The collision occurred on the R357 Ballinasloe to Shannonbridge Road, at Cloneish, Co. Roscommon at approximately 5:15pm yesterday.

The motorcyclist, a man aged in his 30s, was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where he was pronounced deceased later in the evening.

No other injuries were reported in the colllision, An Garda Síochána have said.

The R357 Ballinasloe to Shannonbridge Road, remains closed this morning. Local diversions are in place.

A technical examination by Forensic Collision Investigators will be conducted.

Gardaí in Roscommon are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling on this road between the hours of 4:45pm and 5:30pm and has camera footage (including dash-cam), are asked to make this available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Roscommon Garda Station on 090 663 8300, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Vauban continues to shorten ahead of Melbourne Cup

By

Thomas O'Brien

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October 15, 2023

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Vauban, winner of the Triumph Hurdle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, looks certain to go off as clear favourite to win one of the world’s richest flat races.

Although the Willie Mullins trained Vauban is known best for his achievements over jumps, the popular Irishman’s stable have been building towards a tilt at The Melbourne Cup next month, and all the signs are that it’ll prove a successful move.

Like Vauban, Mullins’ biggest moments to date have come in National Hunt racing, with the Irishman boasting a record 94 victories at the Cheltenham Festival. But the multi-million dollar ‘race that stops a nation’ has proved too big a prize to ignore.

Mullins explained, “As flat racing goes, this is probably as high as we’d go, that or maybe a Gold Cup horse in Ascot or the Prix du Cadran in Paris. The nature of this race [Melbourne Cup] helps us – and there’s the small matter of eight million Australian dollars too!”

Vauban’s reintroduction to flat racing couldn’t have gone much better, winning the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot to secure his spot in the Melbourne Cup, before following it up with another victory at Naas in August.

Even then, Vauban could still be backed at 7/1 for victory at Flemington Park, but a generous Melbourne Cup handicap has seen his odds cut further, and Mullins’ assistant David Casey is more than happy with how his horse has settled after the long flight over, saying, “He travelled well. Delighted with him. It was great that he won at Ascot and backed it up when he won in Naas – we’re here and we’re delighted to be taking part and obviously hopefully with a horse that can be competitive.”

If Casey is understandably trying to play down Vauban’s chances, racing broadcaster Matt Chapman is far more bullish, claiming, “It’s quite possible there’s no point even running the race…the Australian handicappers may well be looking like absolute bananas on the first Tuesday in November”.

Bookmakers are echoing Chapman’s optimism, with betting site melbourne-cup.online confirming Vauban is now no bigger than 7/2 to claim the Melbourne Cup, while stablemate Absurde could make it an even better night for the Mullins camp, and is a live contender at 16/1.

Selected Melbourne Cup odds* according to melbourne-cup.online :

Vauban – 7/2

Gold Trip – 7/1

Without a Fight – 8/1

Soulcombe – 9/1

Breakup – 14/1

Lunar Flare – 16/1

Absurde – 16/1

*Odds correct at 12pm on 23rd October 2023

Journey for Ger raises over €80,000 for Galway Hospice

By

Briain Kelly

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October 14, 2023

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More than €80,000 was raised for Galway Hospice in a memorial walk & run from Mayo to Galway which took place over the summer.

The Journey for Ger event raised a total of €82,450 which was handed over to Galway Hospice last week.

Ger McMahon was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2022, fighting it with treatment and surgery before passing people last March.

Thanks to the community palliative care offered by Galway Hospice, Ger was able to spend his final days at home in Kilkerrin, passing away surrounded by loved ones.

His family and friends worked together with Kilkerrin Community Development to organise a fundraiser walk from Knock Shrine back to his home in Kilkerrin.

Nearly 1,000 people took part in some stage of the event, braving the soaking summer weather on July 15.

Donations continued to pour in long after the walk had been completed, with more than €75,000 raised by August, and finally reaching that figure which was paid over to Galway Hospice.

“We would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported Journey For Ger, which raised a fantastic €82,450.97 for Galway Hospice, in memory of Ger McMahon.”

“We could not provide our care without the incredible support from our community,” Galway Hospice said on facebook.

The events organisers said that the amount raised “totally exceeded our expectations” and thanked everyone who took part.

“We have a hard working committee, but also a very supportive community that got behind us and supported us every step of the way. To everyone who contributed in any way, thank you!”

“A special thanks to Mary Nash, CEO of Galway Hospice and Aisling Kearney, Social Worker with Galway Hospice for coming out to Kilkerrin for the evening, speaking about some of the work the Hospice does and assuring us that the money raised will go towards very deserving causes within the Hospice.

“We know that there’s one very proud man looking down on his family, friends and community and we know that the Journey For Ger story will be spoken about for years to come, all in memory of Ger McMahon.”

Two Galway Hotels listed among best in Ireland by Conde Nast Traveller

By

Briain Kelly

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October 14, 2023

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Glenlo Abbey Hotel 2 — Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate named among the best in Ireland. Photo: Glenlo Abbey Hotel via facebook.

Two Galway hotels have been named as among the best in Ireland by the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.

The g Hotel & Spa and Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate have been named among the Top 12 Hotels in Ireland.

These 12 hotels were picked out in the 2023 Readers Choice Awards for Conde Nast Traveler.

The Glenlo Abbey placed 9th on the list, with a score of 95.32 out of 100. The g Hotel came in 11th place, scoring 94.69.

The g Hotel was praised for its incredible glamour after a recent makeover, while retaining a local style in Conde Nast.

“Think Elizabeth David and Princess Margaret with just a teaspoon of Sputnik, which is to say postwar whimsy with strong classical roots.”

“Though the hotel overlooks a busy access road leading into one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, all is forgiven once you’re actually inside and a succession of funky public rooms strung together on the ground floor create a powerful frisson of visual excitement”.

“One salon is all cotton-candy pink, while the main one is taupe with a ceiling dense with Tom Dixon lamps and peat bricks burning in the grate.”

The magazine also gushed about the incredible comfort of the hotel rooms, calling them a wonderful place to hole up on a rainy weekend.

The top hotel in Ireland according to the readers of Conde Nast Traveler is The Westbury in Dublin.

Five day road closure in downtown Galway City next week

By

Briain Kelly

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October 14, 2023

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Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

Claddagh Quay in central Galway City will be closing for five days next week while infrastructure works are being carried out.

The city council is closing Claddagh Quay from the junction with Father Griffin Road to the junction with Priory Road.

The reason for the road closure is to allow for the installation of a new manhole in the roadway, and to divert the pipe into a new sewer.

The road will be shut from 7am on Monday, October 16 until 7pm on Friday, October 19.

A temporary diversion route will be in place via Fairhill Road Lower and Priory Road during this time, and localised access will be maintained.

Advance diversion signage will be in place prior to work commencing.

Just 11 new Gardaí assigned to North-Western Region for newly sworn group

By

Briain Kelly

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October 14, 2023

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Galway Daily news Just 11 new Gardaí assigned to North-Western Region for newly sworn group

The North-Western Region which is headquartered in Galway has received less than a tenth of the newly sworn Gardaí allocated this week.

There have been 11 new Garda officers allocated to the North-Western Region out of a class of 126 attested on Friday.

These newly attested 126 members of An Garda Síochána were recruited as part of the 2022 recruitment campaign.

This bring the number of Gardaí sworn in this year to 237, with a further 328 recruits still in training.

With inter-divisional transfers, a further five Gardaí have been assigned to the North-Western Region in this batch.

The new Gardaí commenced their Garda training in February 2023, and have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner Drew Harris welcoming the new Garda probationers said, “Thank you to our new Gardaí for choosing a career in An Garda Síochána.”

“I know you will have had plenty of other opportunities available to you. But, instead, you chose to serve the people of Ireland.”

“To put them first. To put them at the heart of your professional career. Because that is what Gardaí do. The decision you have made will make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The lion’s share of the new class was assigned to the Dublin Region, 89 officers, with a further 18 for the Eastern Region, and 8 to the Southern Region.

Commissioner Harris further added, “Being a Garda is an honourable profession. Those who are given this great responsibility by the people of this country must in turn behave honourably. And those who do not must be called out.”

“It cannot be swept under the carpet or dealt with in a way where the perpetrator is protected over the victim.”

“Never forget who we serve. Remember the solemn oath you have sworn. As Gardaí our duty is plain and simple, it is to serve the people of Ireland.”

Galway priest suspended by Vatican for liberal views features in TG4 documentary

By

Briain Kelly

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October 14, 2023

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Galway priest suspended by Vatican for liberal views in TG4 documentary

The life of a Galway Redemptorist priest who was suspended by the Vatican for his support of many liberal positions is the subject of a TG4 documentary.

Misneach: Tony Flannery is a personal insight to the life of Redemptorist priest Tony Flannery who was suspended from public ministry by the Vatican in 2012 for expressing his support for women’s ordination, optional clerical celibacy, same sex marriage and his liberal views on homosexuality.

Ordained in 1974, Tony Flannery is a well-known priest and missionary and native of Attymon, Co. Galway.

Eleven years ago, in 2012, he was summoned to Rome by the Superior General of the Redemptorists to find his writing in Reality magazine had been the subject of complaint to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

He was handed an unsigned piece of paper, which instructed that he be suspended from ministry. What followed was a long process, the result of which means that to this day, Tony is forbidden to speak in any Catholic Church property.

Tony has never known who his accusers were and has been given no right to appeal this decision.

Despite being offered a chance to return to ministry if he were to sign a statement renouncing his views and agree with the Church’s moral teachings and their stance of female ordination – Tony has not waivered.

Featuring heartfelt contributions from Tony’s friends and family, Misneach: Tony Flannery gives a voice to a priest who has been side-lined by the church he has devoted his life to.

The documentary by Midas Productions will air on TG4 next Wednesday, October 18 at 9:30pm

Traffic disruption expected from five day N67 roadworks

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Galway Daily news Traffic disruption expected from five day N67 roadworks

Traffic disruption is expected from five days of roadworks taking place on the N67 in Oranmore next week.

Galway County Council is carrying out roadworks on the inbound lanes of the N67 dual carriageway between the Oranbeg Roundabout and Maldron Hotel Roundabout.

Works are due to commence next Monday, October 16, and take five days to complete.

A traffic management plan, including lane closures, will be in place in order to facilitate these roadworks.

As a consequence, road users travelling in the area are advised to expect delays, and to give additional time for journeys.

Sunny skies and temperatures below 0 for Galway this weekend

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Galway Daily weather highest ever april temperatures

Temperatures are expected to drop sharply this weekend, dropping below 0 degrees in places, before picking up again next week.

Met Eireann is forecasting sunny skies for this weekend, but don’t expect summer weather as it’s going to be a brisk one.

Friday evening will see a mix of sunny skies and cloudy spells, with the possibility of some light showers in coastal areas.

Temperatures will fall to lows of 7 – 10 degrees overnight, with moderate northwesterly winds, strongest in coastal areas.

Saturday will be a cool day with bright sunny spells, and a very small possibility of some scattered showers.

Temperatures on Saturday will range from lows of 6 – 8 degrees in the morning to high points of 10 – 11 degrees later in the afternoon.

Light to moderate northwesterly winds tomorrow, which again will be at their freshest in coastal areas.

Headed into Sunday is when the mercury is really going to drop, particularly inland, with temperatures falling as low as -1 degrees in places that morning.

Things will improve somewhat later in the afternoon, with temperatures reaching highs of 10 – 11 degrees.

Sunday won’t be as bright as the previous day, with sunny spells amid longer period of cloud cover.

However, the weather will remain dry, and Met Eireann is forecasting only very light variable winds.

Next week will also start off brisk, before temperatures begin to creep back to the mid teens by midweek.

Ros na Rún – Mack’s day in court finally arrives

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Ros na Rún - Mack's day in court finally arrives

Mack’s big day in court arrives, Sorcha comes clean to Sadie and the two are at each others throats, and Laoise and Mícheál big day approaches in Ros na Rún.

Sadie is still under Malachaí’s thumb and blames Cóilí Jackie for locking Malachaí in the shed.

Sorcha’s guilt grows and she confesses to Sadie. The rift between the two erupts when Malachaí fires Sadie, but Sorcha strikes a nerve in their argument.

Mack is up in court and terrified. What’s worse, he doesn’t have a lawyer, and Garda Diana is the trying to give him advice. How will Mack plead?

Tensions between Diana and Tomás continue. She is allowed back to work but is being kept under close watch. Not that it stops her from planning with Frankie. But planning what?

Laoise accidentally hires Máire to sing at her wedding, while Bobbie Lee is gunning for fame and also auditions for the chance to sing on the big day.

John Joe and O’Shea are under pressure to find a home for themselves, and end getting frustrated with each. Not that Tadgh is helping with the constant ribbing.

Catch up on two episodes of Ros na Rún this week in a double feature omnibus this Sunday on TG4.

€500,000 Galway Euromillions winner couldn’t believe it was real

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Galway Daily news Lotto player wins €17 million jackpot

The Galway lotto player who won €500,000 in last week’s Euromillions draw had a hard time believing what he was seeing was real at first.

The lucky Galway player was one of two big winners from last Friday’s draw who collected their prizes this week.

The players from Galway and Tipperary won €500,000 each in the EuroMillions Plus draw.

The Galway player who won on the same night after purchasing their ticket online was delighted to make the trip to Lotto HQ to collect their cheque.

The West of Ireland player spotted their win in the National Lottery app but admitted that it took some time to fully comprehend.

“I could see the €500,000 there in front of me when I logged into my account on the app but I don’t think it fully registered with me immediately.”

“You don’t expect to win an amount like that or to just see it pop up. As much as you hear of people winning, you just don’t think it’ll be you.”

“I was questioning whether it was real or not at first and then I heard on the news that there was a Galway winner and that confirmed it for me.”

“It took a while for the shock to wear off to be honest but now that I am sitting here in the Winners’ Room, it finally seems more real.”

The lucky player said that he’s looking forward to putting the money to good use, and carrying out a few home renovation.

I am looking forward to putting the funds to good use to do a few home renovations.”

The Tipperary winner, who scooped their €500,000 prize after purchasing their ticket at Tobin’s Newsagency on the Main Street in Ballingarry, revealed that it took a while to even react to the news.

“It was the next morning before I even found out that my ticket was a winner. I was scanning a few tickets on my phone at the time and there was nothing on most of them.”

“Then I got a €4 prize on one and then I scanned this ticket and saw the message ‘You’ve won Big’. I was a bit taken aback by that.”

“Initially I was thinking it could be something like €2,000 which I would have been delighted with but then I checked my numbers and realised just how much I had actually won.”

“I froze there on the spot with my family around me who didn’t know what was going on. I told them that I got the ‘You’ve won Big’ message so they were waiting for me to tell them what I had won.”

“When I finally got the words out, I think they were even more excited than me sitting there in shock.”

Tonight’s EuroMillions jackpot is set to roll towards an estimated €55 million.

Portiuncula Hospital launches Postnatal care pilot programme

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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PUH Maternity — A new pilot service has been launched by the Maternity Department at Portiuncula University Hospital to further enhance midwifery care in the postnatal period. At the launch in PUH, from left: Mairead Hannon, Staff Midwife; Vanessa Joyce, Staff Midwife; Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery; Diane Fitzgerald, Staff Midwife and Rebecca Colohan, Clinical Midwife Manager.

A new pilot service, which will further enhance midwifery care, has been launched by the Maternity Department at Portiuncula University Hospital.

The new programme provides extra postnatal clinics for women five and ten days after they have given birth.

The 45 minute clinics will take place in Loughrea, Ballinasloe, or Athlone depending on where the women live, and will provide a full mother and baby check, along with any additional referrals needed.

In addition, a midwife is available two hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide postnatal support over the phone to the women.

The pilot programme is on top of the service currently being provided by GPs and Public Health Nursing.

“The aim of the service is to provide enhanced postnatal care, early signposting for additional services, breastfeeding support and reduce postnatal admission,” said Rebecca Colohan, Clinical Midwife Manager at PUH.

“The idea for this service was developed following a patient engagement survey where feedback revealed the need for improved postnatal midwifery care.”

The hospital secured funding for two additional midwives, with additional administrative support, from the HSE in order to roll out this new service.

Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery at the hospital added, “This service is a core component of the National Maternity Strategy’s Model of Care of establishing a community midwifery service, as an outreach service from the hospital.”

“Working alongside our Public Health Nursing colleagues and GPs, it will assist us in providing women with integrated care as close to home as possible.”

“We will be monitoring the success of the pilot closely and adapting it as required to meet the needs of the women using our service.”

New dates for rescheduled Rachmaninov anniversary concerts

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Galway Daily arts New dates for Rachmaninov anniversary concers

New dates have been announced for two concerts celebrating the 150th anniversary of acclaimed composer and pianist Rachmaninov.

Elégie: Rachmaninov – A Heart in Exile was due to take place last month as the opening of Music for Galway’s annual concert season.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the two musical events had to be postponed.

Music for Galway has now confirmed two new dates for the concerts, which will take place next week in Galway City and Athenry.

Wednesday, October 18 – 7.30pm | The Hardiman Ballroom, Galway
Thursday, October 19 – 8.00pm | Raheen Woods Hotel, Athenry

“I am a ghost forever wandering the world” These are the words of Rachmaninov who spent the second part of his life in self-imposed political exile – mainly in America – having been forced from his homeland in 1918 by consequences of the Russian Revolution.

At the age of 44, he left Moscow for Sweden on an open sleigh, accompanied by his wife and two daughters and carrying nothing but a suitcase. He was never to return – but he left his heart forever in Russia.

UK pianist Lucy Parham and actor Simon Russell Beale will tell the extraordinary story of his life through both music and words.

Acknowledged as one of Britain’s finest pianists, Lucy Parham applies her sensitivity and imagination not only to concertos and recitals, but also to portraits in words and music.

These are often narrated by acclaimed actors, in this case Simon Russell Beale, bringing to like the works of such composers as Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Clara Schumann and Debussy.

Since her Royal Festival Hall concerto debut at the age of 16, she has played throughout the UK as concerto soloist with most of the major British orchestras and is a frequent recitalist at the Wigmore Hall.

Sir Simon Russel Beale is an English actor know for television, film, and theatre. He gained prominence for his roles in Persuasion (1995), Hamlet (1996), My Week with Marilyn (2011), Mary Queen of Scots (2018), and more.

Beale started his acting career at the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. He has received ten Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning three awards for his performances in Volpone (1996), Candide (2000), and Uncle Vanya (2003).

He has received numerous accolades including two BAFTA Awards, three Olivier Awards, and a Tony Award. For his services to drama, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019

Ticket prices are Standard €20; Concession €18; Social Inclusion €6; MfG Friends €16 and can be booked from www.musicforgalway.ie or 091 705962.

Young man seriously injured in Galway City crash

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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A man in his 20s is receiving treatment for serious injuries following a crash in Galway City Centre on Thursday night.

Gardaí are investigating the traffic collision which occurred on Lombard Street in Galway City

The crash happened at approximately 10:20pm on Thursday night.

A man in his 20s is currently receiving treatment for serious injuries at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Lombard Street remains closed to traffic this morning after the collision.

A technical examination of the scene will take place later today.

SIPTU Radiographers disappointed with management response to staffing crisis

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Radiographers with SIPTU at Galway University Hospitals have expressed their disappointment at the response to issues they have raised.

Last week UHG and Merlin Park Hospital Radiographers voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in response to a staffing crisis and wage issues.

A meeting was held with management on Thursday, with SIPTU saying that they came away disappointed with the lack of solid proposals to address the crisis.

The vote for industrial action was a result of months of understaffing which have seen radiographers facing a significant extra workload according to the union.

The dispute centres around staffing levels, increased workload, alleged non-payment of wage arrears, out of hours arrangements and non-adherence to national agreements

SIPTU Sector Organiser John McCamley said, “There is a growing sense that HSE management is not willing to engage meaningfully to resolve this dispute and that the window to find a resolution is closing fast.”

“SIPTU members are disappointed that no concrete proposals have come from management to resolve the dispute and are frustrated regarding the additional workload placed on radiographers as a result of inadequate staffing.”

“SIPTU representatives are seeking commitments from management that it will address wage arrears as a matter of urgency and deal with patient safety issues in the provision of proper out of hours arrangements.”

Disruptions to Galway – Dublin train services this weekend

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Galway Daily news New timetable adds stops on Galway train services

Rail travel between Galway and Dublin will be disrupted this weekend due to engineering works taking place.

Irish Rail is carrying out line improvement works on the tracks between Portarlington and Athlone on Saturday, October 14.

As a result of this, some regularly scheduled train services will end prematurely, or will be cancelled.

A number of trains between Ceannt Station and Heuston Station will also have bus transfers in place for a portion of their journey.

The train services affected this Saturday are:

17:10 Heuston to Athlone will operate to Portarlington only
17:30 Heuston to Galway will operate to Portarlington only, bus transfers direct from Portarlington to Athlone, second bus transfer from Portarlington to Tullamore, Clara and Athlone, second train departing at 19:45hrs from Athlone to Galway
18:30 Heuston to Galway is cancelled
19:35 Heuston to Galway will operate to Portarlington only, bus transfers direct from Portarlington to Athlone, second bus transfer from Portarlington to Tullamore and Athlone, second train departing at 21:40hrs from Athlone to Galway
17:20 Galway to Heuston will operate to Athlone only, bus transfers direct from Athlone to Portarlington, second bus transfer from Athlone to Tullamore and Portarlington, second train departing at 19:45hrs from Portarlington to Heuston
19:20 Galway to Heuston will operate to Athlone only, bus transfers direct from Athlone to Portarlington, second bus transfer from Athlone to Clara, Tullamore and Portarlington, second train departing at 22:15hrs from Portarlington to Heuston

There will also be disruption to travel on the same Heuston line which is bound for Mayo on Saturday.

18:15 Heuston to Westport will operate to Portarlington only, bus transfers direct from Portarlington to Athlone, second bus transfer from Portarlington to Tullamore and Athlone, second train departing at 20:45hrs from Athlone to Westport
18:20 Westport to Heuston will operate to Athlone only, bus transfers direct from Athlone to Portarlington, second bus transfer from Athlone to Clara, Tullamore and Portarlington, second train departing at 21:35hrs from Portarlington to Heuston
20:32 Ballina to Manulla Junction is deferred to 21:35hrs
21:05 Manulla Junction to Ballina is deferred to 22:12hrs

Galway restauranteur JP McMahon says minimum wage increase will increase costs

By

Briain Kelly

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October 13, 2023

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Famous Galway Restauranteur JP McMahon has said that the increase in the minimum wage coming in next year will affect prices.

It was announced in Budget 2024 that from January, the minimum wage for people aged 20 and over will increase by €1.40.

That will bring the minimum wage for them up to €12.70 per hour, while remaining at €11.30 per hour below 20 years old.

McMahon stated on X, formerly known as twitter, that he hopes people understand that this will result in costs going up.

“This is not a judgement on the minimum wage but a reality that the only way a restaurant makes money is selling food and wine.”

“Perhaps people can stop posting their receipts from Spain now though I presume when they get charged €4.50+ for a latte they may realize the connection between wages and food in cafes and restaurants.”

“It’s incredibly difficult to run a restaurant in Ireland these days due to associated costs: rent, wages, vat, tax, insurance, energy, etc.”

Mr McMahon also said that he has no problem paying staff, but he gets annoyed with people giving out about restaurants and cafés ‘ripping people off’.

“We seem to want it both ways in Ireland. High wages and cheap food,” the restauranteur added.

Speaking on Newstalk, he also cautioned that the increase in costs could see restaurants turning to lower quality food.

University of Galway students line-out for Rugby World Cup

By

Briain Kelly

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October 12, 2023

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University of Galway has capitalised on the Rugby World Cup to further cement its ENLIGHT partnership with University of Bordeaux.

The University rugby team lined out as part of the exchange, including playing a challenge match with Rugby Club of Gradignan and training at their home ground, Ornon Stadium as well as a conference-discussion on inter-culturalism in sports with the two clubs and the Olympic Sports Committee.

Professor Becky Whay, Vice President International at University of Galway said, “We are extremely proud of our place in the ENLIGHT partnership – even moreso, we are delighted to see such a relationship with Bordeaux develop in such an organic way, with students and players engaging with one another.”

“We hope it is a symbol of the much broader partnerships which can develop between the two cities and universities, as well as at a more local level with Galway and Gradignan.”

The University of Galway trip was facilitated through a collaboration between Renaud Delbru, a graduate and former staff member of the University, and co-founder of University of Galway spin-out Siren, and the Gradignan town hall, particularly Councilwoman Claire Rivenc of IUT Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux.

Mike O’Mahony, University of Galway Rugby Club, said: “The exchange was an excellent example of seizing an opportunity to build relations and partnerships, thanks both to the Rugby World Cup and also University of Galway’s involvement in ENLIGHT.”

“We have something to build on and we hope we can use these links to learn from our French partners as well, on and off the field.”

The University of Galway players spent four days in Gradignan and also met the local mayor and joined the local rugby school at the Rugby Club of Gradignan, where they met the youngest players involved in the sport.

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