Galway musician to perform at TradFest Temple Bar 2023

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January 5, 2023

Galway Daily credit unions sport Television broadcast deal sidelines GAA fans says Rabbitte

Bags of excrement were thrown at Galway TDs Anne Rabbitte (FF) and Ciaran Cannon (FG) yesterday in what has been described as an “outrageous and horrendous” act.

The Galway East TDs were targeted by a protestor with two bags of faeces following a meeting in Gort on Wednesday evening.

Ciaran Cannon TD said last night that it is unknown whether the excrement is from a human or animal.

He labelled the protestor “an idiot” following the incident.

“All part of the job you might say, but I can understand why fewer people want this job,” Deputy Cannon wrote on Twitter.

TDs and councillors from across the country expressed their shock and disgust in posts on social media.

Galway West Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell said that she was sorry to hear of the incident, while her party colleague Kathleen Funchion TD said that it was ‘so wrong’.

Local senator Gerard Craughwell also expressed his shock, saying: “We don’t always agree, but thuggish behaviour like this is totally unacceptable.”

Charlie Flanagan TD said: “Sorry to learn of your shocking experience. Unacceptable. Best regards.”

Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford Mary Butler also said that it was ‘unacceptable’.

“So sorry Ciaran that you and Anne were subjected to this appalling abuse,” she said.

Over 70 on trolleys in Galway today as INMO calls for crisis response

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily news 67 people on trolleys at UHG

There are more than 70 people on trolleys or without a bed in Galway’s hospitals today, as the INMO is calling for the government to treat hospital overcrowding as a crisis.

At University Hospital Galway there were 51 patients waiting for a bed today, with 34 on trolleys in the Emergency Department, and a further 17 in the wards.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are a further 24 patients without a bed, nine of them in the ED and 15 in the wards.

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that the government should stop just telling people to avoid hospitals, and focus on providing emergency supports until the end of February.

“It is time for the Government to call this what it clearly is – an out and out crisis. A crisis warrants an extraordinary response from Government and the HSE.”

Nationwide there are 838 patients in Irish hospitals without a bed today, INMO figures show.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that nurses and other frontline staff are often the ones left apologising to patients and their families on behalf of the state for chaotic conditions.

The INMO is calling for the cessation of all non-urgent medical activity, along with a time limited mask mandate.

“Our members are treating patients in the most undignified conditions. This is not the type of care they should be providing in a country that has the resources to provide additional capacity and support.”

“Nurses and other healthcare staff cannot continue to weather this storm without adequate support and protection from their employer”.

She warned that working conditions like these will result in more staff wanting to leave the health service, something it doesn’t need at this time.

University of Galway information event for mature students

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily news NUIG construction €15 million over budget, 45 months late

University of Galway’s Access Centre will hold its annual information evening focusing on the needs of mature students and adult learners who may be considering full-time or part-time studies for the 2023-24 academic year.

The information evening will take place on Wednesday, 11 January, from 6.30pm to 9pm on campus in the Institute for Lifecourse and Society, Upper Newcastle Road, Galway.

The event is designed particularly for those aged 23 or over who want to find out more about study options at University of Galway.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of current mature students and course experts to help them decide which options best suit their personal circumstances and professional development needs.

Kathleen Hartigan, Access Centre’s Mature Students Officer, said: “We are delighted this year to be back in person with this event and to give prospective students a feel for what university is like with our scheduled talks, and the opportunity to speak to current students face to face.

“This event provides them with the necessary information to help them choose the best educational option for them at University of Galway.”

Staff from University of Galway’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses, along with representatives from the University’s Student Services will also be available to guide attendees on the range of course options and supports that are offered.

Academic staff will also be presented to answer specific queries on degrees and progression.

Members of the Access Centre team will be available to answer questions on pre-university courses in terms of Access Programmes and Disability Support for those who may have a long-term health condition (physical or mental), or a specific learning difficulty, might require guidance.

The University’s Career Development Centre will deliver a presentation focusing on what course of study will best suit individual circumstances and career pathways.

Further information and registration is available at www.nuigalway.ie/mature

Water outages expected until late Wednesday in Oranmore

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily news Water outages expected in Loughrea tomorrow

Homes and businesses in Oranmore may experience water outages until very late on Wednesday night due to a burst mains.

Irish Water is carrying out repairs to a burst mains on the Claregalway Road in Oranmore today.

This may cause supply disruptions to properties on the Claregalway Road, as well as surrounding areas in Oranmore.

The repair works now have an estimated time of completion of 11:55pm on Wednesday night.

A traffic management plan will be in place while repairs are taking place.

It may take 2 – 3 hours after repairs are completed before people see their full water supply restored.

CMO urges vigilance ahead of schools reopening as flu, RSV, and COVID circulate

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January 4, 2023

Galway daily news Public health alert for possible Measles exposure at UHG emergency department

The Chief Medical Officer is urging parents to keep their kids home from school or childcare if they have symptoms of illness, as winter viruses circulate.

Professor Breda Smyth is urging parents to continue to be mindful of others when their children are sick, with the reopening of schools and childcare facilities this week.

The health service is currently reporting high levels of flu and COVID-19, and though cases of RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) are declining, they remain worrisome.

Between them, the three respiratory viruses saw more than 1,200 people hospitalised in Ireland last week.

This is placing significant pressure on healthcare resources, particularly hospital Emergency Departments and GP services.

“As schools and childcare facilities re-open after the Christmas break, I am urging parents to be vigilant for symptoms of respiratory viruses in children,” Prof Smyth said.

“If your child has any new-onset ‘flu-like symptoms such as congestion, cough, runny nose or high temperature, parents should continue to be mindful of others and, if possible, keep their children at home from school or childcare facilities.”

“Children should be kept at home for at least 48 hours after their symptoms have fully or substantially resolved.”

She added that the vast majority of respiratory illnesses can be treated with over the counter medication, but that parents should seek medical attention if it is needed.

Parents are also being urged to consider getting the flu vaccine for their kids, which takes two weeks to become effective.

This is a nasal spray vaccine, not an injection, and is free for children from your GP or pharmacist.

“I would also encourage people to keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines and please make an appointment for a booster if you are eligible.”

Connacht squad named for Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Connacht Rugby have announced the full 37-player extended training squad for the upcoming Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

The Interpro Championship kicks-off for Connacht this weekend with an away game against Leinster at Energia Park this Saturday.

Head Coach Lyndon Jones says he can’t wait for the Championship to get going, and that

“Thanks to the ongoing work of our Women’s Emerging Talent programme we have seen a number of exciting young players come through the ranks in the 15 months since our last competitive game.”

A number of those rising talents have been named to the 37 player squad pool annonunced today, he added.

“We’ve a few players unavailable through injury, while Beibhinn Parsons and Anna McGann are on the IRFU Sevens programme, but I feel we’ve still put together a really strong squad”.

He added that the strength of the squad is a testament to the hard work being done by the province, and local clubs, in growing the Women’s game.

The squad are back on the road the following week with a trip to Kingspan Stadium to face Ulster on Saturday, January 14 with another 2.30pm start.

But a big one for Connacht fans will be the home game at the Sportsground against Munster taking place on January 21, tickets for which are available online.

Coach Jones said encouraged people to come out and support the women’s squad on the 21st, as it’s the only home game of the Championship.

“It would be well deserved for these players after all their efforts and commitment the past few months,” he said.

CONNACHT RUGBY WOMEN 2022-23

Forwards (22)
Katelyn Bourke
Lily Brady
Grace Browne-Moran
Dearbhla Canty
Hannah Coen
Emma Fabby
Laura Feely
Orla Fenton
Emily Gavin
Stacy Hanley
Maria Kelleher
Jessica Loftus
Eva McCormack
Sonia McDermott
Elizabeth McNicholas
Lisa-Marie Murphy
Niamh O’Grady
Grainne O’Loughlin
Alana Roche
Fiona Scally
Mollie Starr
Karly Tierney

Backs (15)
Clara Barrett
Finola Collins
Mairead Coyne
Meabh Deely
Orla Dixon
Nicole Fowley
Maria Gorham
Olivia Haverty
Mary Healy
Laoise McGonagle
Eabha Nic Dhonnacha
Sarah O’Connell
Ava Ryder
Shannon Touhey
Kayla Waldron

Management
Lyndon Jones – Head Coach
Jill O’Malley – Team Manager
Craig Hansberry – Forwards Coach
Emer O’Dowd – Assistant Coach
Diarmuid Codyre – Assistant Coach
Jim Herring – Video Analysis
Ann Caffrey – Strength & Conditioning
Andy Moran – Physio

Lidl appeal rejection of Portumna supermarket plans

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily news Lidl appeal rejection of Portumna supermarket plans

Lidl is appealing to An Bord Pleanála against the county council’s rejection of plans for a new supermarket in Portumna.

Planning permission was refused for the construction of a single storey supermarket on a site between Clonfert Avenue and Dominic Street in Portumna, in late November.

In refusing planning permission the county council said that one of the two proposed vehicular entrances, onto Dominic Street, would create a road traffic hazard.

The council said that it had insufficient sightlines, and that the additional turning onto and off the road would interfere with the free flow of traffic.

The second reason given for refusing planning permission was that the proposed layout failed to mesh with the urban form of the nearby town centre, and Architectural Conservation Area streets of Portumna.

The prosed supermarket would have a total floor space of 2,275m², and 1,409m² of retail space, with pedestrian and vehicle access onto both roads it faces.

A planning report submitted with the application states that it is expected to create 25 permanent jobs when open, and in excess of €1.5 million worth of wages during the construction phase.

The report also states that developing a new physical retail store in Portumna would help stop money going to other catchment areas, or online food shopping.

It also states that additional retail offerings are needed to accommodate future population growth in the town and surrounds.

In their appeal against the council’s decision, Lidl states that there is no substantiated basis to the council’s position on the access point onto Dominic Street.

As regards the second reason, the appeal states that there is no uniform pattern in the urban form of the area, with varied land uses, as well as building line, height, materials, and scale.

The appeal was lodged with the higher planning authority on December 21, and a decision is due on the case by May 4 of this year.

Average house prices in Galway City reached over €350,000 in 2022

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily business Galway house prices increase 2.1%

Average house prices in Galway rose by more than 6% over the course of 2022, but began to fall in the last three months of the year.

As of Q4 of 2022, the average cost of a house in Galway County was €259,281, a 6.1% increase over the previous year.

In Galway the city the rise was more dramatic, with an 8% year-on-year rise in house prices to an average of €350,541.

However, both Galway County and Galway City recorded a slight decline in prices of 0.5% and 0.8% respectively in the final quarter of the year.

The national average for house prices by the end of the year was €309,941, an increase of 6.1% on 2021. But there was also a nationwide decline in prices in the final three months of the year.

Economist Ronan Lyons, who compiled the Daft.ie Irish House Price Report, said that this is the first time in two years that there has been any decline in the cost of housing.

“During the 2010s, a pattern emerged of what the academic literature calls a ‘cold’ market in the final three months of the year.”

“In each year from 2014 to 2018, encouraged by the calendar-year basis of the mortgage market rules and their exemptions, prices rose in each of the first three quarters but fell in the final one.”

“This seasonality was noticeably absent from the market between the middle of 2020 and the middle of 2022, when prices rose for eight consecutive quarters ‐ the longest run of increases going back to the start of the Daft.ie Sales Report in 2006.”

He attributed this to a slow but steady increase in the supply of housing, but warned that availability is still closer to the low point of the pandemic than pre-pandemic levels.

“Coupled with another 6% increase in the average listed prices, this suggests that, at least over the course of 2022, demand has remained strong.”

“But what will 2023 bring? There are reasons to think that demand has started to cool off, following an unprecedented couple of years.”

!On the one hand, interest rates have risen. One mortgage market provider started the year with fixed rates below 2% but will enter the new year with rates for the same product of almost double that.”

“This mathematically filters through to affordability and the maximum loan a provider will lend,” Ronan Lyons said.

He added that 2023 may see Ireland come the close to achieving balance in the property market, as supply recovers and demand becomes more uncertain.

City Cllr Owen Hanley resigns following allegations

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily news City Cllr Owen Hanley resigns following allegations

City Councillor Owen Hanley has announced that he is resigning following “serious allegations” made about him.

The Social Democrats Councillor announced his resignation on Facebook, stating that he believed it is the correct thing to do.

He said that these are “very serious matters and will obviously take a considerable length of time to be investigated fully” by the appropriate authorities.

He also said that he does not intend to make any further comment on the matter.

Owen Hanley was first elected to the city council in 2019 at the age of 23, the youngest member sitting on the council.

He was also the first member of the Social Democrats ever to be elected to the city council.

Public meeting to discuss approval of Gort BioGas plant

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January 4, 2023

Galway Daily news Public meeting to discuss approval of Gort BioGas plant — Photo Credit: Vasyatka

A public meeting will take place in Gort later today to discuss the highly controversial BioGas plant, which has been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála.

The Gort Bio Gas Concern Group, which has long opposed the project, is holding the public meeting to discuss the recent planning approval.

The Bord approved the plans by Sustainable Bio-Energy Limited for for the biogas plant on the outskirts of Gort, overturning the county council’s decision.

The council has twice refused approval for the BioGas plant, raising concerns about traffic hazards, that the area is not suited for industrial development of this scale, and potential environmental impacts.

The proposed biogas plant in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack would be used to treat farm waste in order to produce fertiliser and energy.

However, this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála in 2020, which decided to grant permission for the Biogas plant subject to 22 conditions.

The project has seen heavy local opposition, with hundreds of objections submitted to the council when it was considering these applications.

The public meeting being organised by the Gort Bio Gas Concern Group will take place at Sullivan’s Hotel in Gort at 7:30pm on Wednesday.

77 people on trolleys in Galway hospitals in record day for overcrowding nationally

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January 3, 2023

Seventy-seven patients were waiting on trolleys in Galway’s public hospitals today in what has been a record day for overcrowding in hospitals nationally.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation recorded 931 people on trolleys at 11am today – the highest level of overcrowding since the union began recording trolley figures in 2006.

A total of 52 patients were on trolleys today at University Hospital Galway, and Portiuncula University Hospital had a further 25 people waiting for a bed.

The INMO said that in light of today’s stark figures, ‘immediate and serious’ intervention is needed from the government.

The union said that politicians do not need to describe how we got here – but that they need to explain what exactly the plan is from today until the end of February.

“Just telling people to avoid hospitals is not a plan or indeed safe. The public need to know exactly what type of care they can expect over the next six weeks.”

The INMO also said its members are ‘extremely disillusioned’ by the current set of circumstances they are working in.

“We are not seeing unsustainable overcrowding confined to a handful of hospitals, each hospital is facing significant overcrowding challenges, a trend which has continued to escalate since late summer.

“Our members are treating patients in inhumane and often unsafe conditions.”

They called on the government to make difficult decisions, including “the return of mandated mask-wearing in congregated settings.”

“We know that one of the main pressure points in our health service is the rise of respiratory infections. Asking people to return to mask-wearing in busy congregated settings is a simple measure.”

Student maintenance grant increases from today

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January 2, 2023

Galway Daily news Fewer than 4,000 remain on pandemic unemployment in Galway

Students maintenance grants will increase from today as part of changes agreed in Budget 2023.

The Special and Band 1 maintenance grant rates increase by 14%, and all other maintenance grant rates by 10%.

Students will see their rates increase proportionally, with students in the 2023/2024 academic year seeing the full benefit of the rate increase.

The increases come on top of other measures introduced to help students as part of Budget 2023.

In December, eligible PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate students who receive the special rate of grant were paid the equivalent to one extra monthly maintenance grant payment.

Speaking today, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said that the grant is important for thousands of students and their families across the country.

“It is my job as Minister to ensure every person, regardless of their background, has the same opportunity to access further and higher education,” he said.

“That is why we reduced the contribution fee by €1,000 for all undergraduate students eligible for free fees, and effective from today we are increasing all student maintenance grant payments by at least 10%.”

Diaspora links key to 2023 Global Invitation Initiative says local senator

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January 2, 2023

Galway Daily education Funding for reopening schools must "immediately" available Galway Senator says

Reconnecting with our diaspora will be an essential strand of a new tourism project which will be tasked with attracting international tourists to Ireland, local senator Aisling Dolan has said.

Senator Dolan said the Global Invitation Programme will aim to stimulate international demand and features as a recommendation of the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-2023.

She said that it is crucial that we engage with families and people with Irish connections living abroad.

“There is a wealth of goodwill for Ireland and now is the time to ask for that boost for 2023,” Senator Dolan explained.

The Fine Gael senator said the Irish tourism sector continues to emerge from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but this year will be the third anniversary of the pandemic, and to that end, plans to boost the sector’s recovery continue.

“€5 million was allocated to the conceptual development process of the Global Invitation Programme in 2022, with a further €15 million being allocated in Budget 2023 for the Programme and international marketing,” she said.

“The Global Invitation Programme will highlight what Ireland has become renowned for all over the world; the warmth of our welcome, the beauty of our landscape and the richness of our culture.

“Reaching out to our diaspora should underpin this new programme – particularly when one considers that many Irish people now living overseas have not yet had the opportunity to visit home since the pandemic first started.”

868 Ukrainian students now enrolled in Galway schools

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January 2, 2023

There are now 868 Ukrainian students enrolled in schools across Galway, according to the latest figures from the Department of Education.

Of those, 555 are in primary schools and 313 pupils are in post-primary schools in the county.

Nationally, 8,823 Ukrainians are now enrolled in primary schools while 4,930 pupils have enrolled in secondary schools.

Regional Education and Language Teams across Ireland are ensuring that information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.

Information for parents in Ukrainian and Russian on accessing school places is available on gov.ie/Ukraine.

Enrolments by County as of 22 December

County	Primary	Post-primary
Carlow	109	61
Cavan	213	87
Clare	570	332
Cork	872	482
Donegal	752	405
Dublin	1216	674
Galway	555	313
Kerry	879	494
Kildare	137	83
Kilkenny	155	108
Laois	112	77
Leitrim	191	110
Limerick	284	178
Longford	57	56
Louth	212	174
Mayo	485	252
Meath	270	115
Monaghan	56	25
Offaly	96	35
Roscommon	145	48
Sligo	142	127
Tipperary	162	110
Waterford	248	131
Westmeath	179	79
Wexford	433	204
Wicklow	293	170
Total	8,823	4,930

Mountbellew chosen for People’s Transition Project

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January 2, 2023

galway daily news grd mountbellew project — Aoife Noone of Noone Cyber Services and Smart Villages Mountbellew, Steve Dolan of Galway Rural Development, and secretary of Smart Villages Mountbellew Marilyn Fleming

People in Mountbellew have been invited to the Malthouse Bar in Mountbellew this Thursday at 7.30pm to discuss the town being chosen as Galway’s location for a community-led development project for climate justice.

The ‘People’s Transition, led by TASC, will help the Mountbellew community benefit from the transition to a zero-carbon society and leverage opportunities along the way.

In making the announcement, senior researcher of climate justice at TASC, Kieran Harrahill, said: “Having engaged with Galway Rural Development and the Smart Villages Mountbellew teams, we’re already delighted with the chosen location for Co. Galway and we are confident we can make a real difference together.”

He said that if climate action is to be enduring, then it must be inclusive and equitable.

“The People’s Transition aims to design climate solutions that give local communities, like those here in Mountbellew, ownership of assets of transition and thus enhance public support for climate action by tackling inequality and delivering on real opportunities for growth.”

Steve Dolan, CEO of Galway Rural Development, said that they are indebted to Kieran and the TASC think tank team for wanting to build on the great work going on in Mountbellew at the moment through Smart Villages.

“Together we share the values of wanting to reduce inequality and wanting to leverage climate action as an enabler of local development,” said Mr Dolan.

Marilyn Fleming, secretary of Smart Villages Mountbellew, said: “This is welcome news. Mountbellew People’s Transition will begin immediately.

“The intention will be to listen to, and learn from, the community’s needs and abilities and then design a number of solutions that will benefit the community and its main development priorities.”

“In terms of timing for the phases of the project, namely mapping, dialogue and solutions; the initial three months will involve desk-based research analysis.

“And in the new year, dialogue will begin in terms of speaking with people in interviews and focus groups, while the last phase will be developing solutions. We are excited about the potential in 2023 and beyond.”

Chilly start to the New Year with heavy rain further ahead

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January 1, 2023

Galway Daily weather Weather warning as further snow showers forecast

The new year promises to start off chilly tonight and Monday in Galway, before heavy rain develops early next week.

New Year’s Day is going to have a nippy tail on it according to Met Eireann’s forecast, with temperatures reaching lows of 1 – 3 degrees in Galway this evening and tonight.

A Status Yellow weather warning for Ice and Fog will be in place overnight, with Met Eireann warning of hazardous driving conditions.

It will however, at least rain dry, with some patches of sunshine in the late afternoon in places, and only a light variable wind.

Monday will be a very chilly start to the week, with temperatures below 0 degrees in the morning in many places, with patches of ice and fog.

A cloudy start to the morning will give way to clear sunny skies in the afternoon, with temperatures also picking up to highs of 4 – 7 degrees.

A light variable breeze in the morning will gain strength throughout the day, becoming strong southeasterly winds by night time.

Rain will also start to develop overnight on Monday, heading into a much more miserable Tuesday.

Tuesday will see persistent rain throughout the day, turning very heavy at times, with no let up from morning to night.

That said, it will at least be warmer, with highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees for much of the day.

However, moderate to strong variable winds forecast by Met Eireann mean that the day will likely still carry a sharp bite.

Headed into Wednesday, the rain will die off by mid morning, and the bulk of the day will see partly cloudy skies, with some sunny spells also.

That said, Wednesday promises to be a windy one, with persistent moderate to fresh winds, strongest in coastal areas.

Temperatures on Wednesday will average 9 – 11 degrees throughout the day, Met Eireann has forecast.

For the latter half of the week, more heavy rain is expected on Thursday, with better conditions on Friday before a wet and unsettled weekend.

Weather warning for hazardous conditions tonight

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January 1, 2023

Galway Daily news Met Eireann issues Fog warning as motorists advised to exercise caution

Met Eireann has issued a weather warning for Fog and Ice in Galway tonight, creating hazardous driving conditions.

The status yellow warning for all of Ireland will be in place from 11pm on Sunday night until 11am on Monday morning.

During that time icy stretches, along with freezing fog, may create hazardous road conditions.

New income thresholds for social housing come into effect

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January 1, 2023

Galway Daily news Galway City Council has announced plans for a social housing development of 84 apartments and houses in Knocknacarra.

New income eligibility thresholds for social housing and housing supports have come into effect from today.

From January 1, the income threshold for social housing has been raised to €40,000 in Galway City, and €35,000 in Galway County.

“It’s been over a decade since any changes have been made to the income eligibility thresholds and under Housing for All a commitment was made to review the eligibility limits,” Minister Darragh O’Brien said.

“The new income limits are now in place across the country and all Local Authorities will have updated their own application forms and systems.”

The €5,000 increase to the threshold for council housing and housing assistance was announced by the government at the start of December.

Galway County has also previously benefited from another €5,000 rise announced a few months prior to that.

Minister O’Brien added that work is ongoing on developing a revised model for income eligibility, and that this is expected to be completed this year.

Plans to open new Padel Tennis courts in Oranmore

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January 1, 2023