Gardaí warn of burglaries on the rise in long winter nights

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November 15, 2022

galway daily news earth prize students in kildare — Pictured are 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students from Naas CBS with Peter McGarry. Pic Orla Murray/Coalesce

The Earth Prize has returned for its second year with young people aged between 13 and 19 across Galway being urged to sign up.

The initiative was created by The Earth Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded by Kildare native Peter McGarry.

The father of four was inspired by his own children’s enthusiasm for the environment, in particular seeing his daughter taking part in the school strikes for climate.

Combining this passion with his experience in global financial markets McGarry established The Earth Prize to create a force for positive environmental change.

The competition rewards teams whose projects have potential to address the environmental problems facing societies across the globe, with the winning team receiving a €100,000 prize to be split between the team members and their school, while the three runner-up teams receive €25,000.

The competition also provides students with access to 40 mentors from top universities, and with exclusive video-based learning content covering key environmental topics and featuring nine young international environmental entrepreneurs.

Teachers are also in with a chance to be recognized as the Educator of the Year with an award of €10,000.

Speaking about the inspiration for The Earth Prize, Peter McGarry, Founder of The Earth Foundation said it can be easy to feel a sense of resignation about climate change and that there is nothing we can do, especially for young people who can have so little control over the decisions being made around them.

But he said that he saw the passion young people have for the environment during the school strikes and in talking to his own daughter.

“I knew that through mentoring and access to the right resources, we could take that enthusiasm and channel it to come up with sustainability solutions that can make a difference.

“The Earth Prize is all about giving young people access to those resources so they can have a positive impact on the world around them.”

Last year, 516 schools across 114 countries and territories took part in the competition.

The winning team in Vietnam came up with a fully biodegradable sanitary pad made out of dragon fruit peels – the ‘Adorbsy pad’ – which should degrade in only 6 to 8 months, as opposed to the widely used plastic ones which take up to 800 years to decompose.

Students in Ireland have until 30 November to sign up at theearthprize.org.

National Pink Training event to be held in Galway this weekend

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November 15, 2022

galway daily news pink training students union

The national Pink Training student conference will be hosted by University of Galway Students’ Union this weekend.

The weekend will include talks, workshops and plenary sessions run by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

Pink Training is Europe’s largest LGBT+ Conference, which sees over 300 student delegates attend a weekend of residential training.

During the weekend University of Galway SU will be re-launching An Foclóir Aiteach (The Queer Dictionary).

The updated dictionary is filled with LGBT+ terminology as Gaeilge to reflect developments in Irish society and language.

The Students’ Union Vice President for the Irish Language Barry Ó Siochrú has been spearheading this initiative.

Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla explained that Pink Training is about all things LGBT+, as well as activism, mental health, campaigning, leadership, and the diversity of our community.

He said that they are excited to be hosting Pink Training for the USI again this year in Galway.

“The weekend promotes inclusivity and is also a huge amount of fun – we are really looking forward to it,” he said.

Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer said that An Foclóir Aiteach is a great resource for all students to make them feel included and seen as Gaeilge.

“This is another way of breaking down barriers and promoting diversity which is a key message of Pink training and indeed the student movement.”

Galway City seeks to become European Net Zero Pilot City

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November 15, 2022

galway daily news net zero galway city councillors — Left to Right (at front) Councillor Clodagh Higgins, Mayor of Galway City, Patricia Philbin, Director of Service, Galway City Council Left to Right (at back) Patrick Greene, Director of Service, Galway City Council; Kieran Cunnane, Galway Energy Co operative; James Coyne, Westside resource Centre; Damien Redington, Acting Senior Executive Engineer, Galway City Council; Shane Garvey, Galway Harbour Company; Jimmy Fahy, Atlantic Technological Institute Galway-Mayo; John Daly, Northern & Western Regional Assembly

Galway City Council has launched an application to the European Commission to become a Net Zero Pilot City – bringing €1.5million in funding to reduce carbon emissions.

If successful, Galway will be one of 30 ‘Pilot Cities’ in Europe, working to reduce carbon across a two-year pilot programme.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to reach a legally binding target of net-zero emissions no later than 2050, and a cut of 51% by 2030.

The city council’s goal as part of the Pilot Cities application is to vastly reduce carbon emissions, focusing on the built environment, and specifically on the retrofit of buildings.

The pilot will focus on addressing barriers to rapid retrofitting in Galway, including lack of skilled contractors; high upfront cost of retrofitting; lack of awareness of existing incentives; long administrative & bureaucratic processes; and apathy of residents to retrofit.

Speaking about the initiative, Mayor of Galway, Cllr Clodagh Higgins, said the key goal of the pilot project in Galway City is to increase the number of retrofitted buildings.

“The pilot proposes a ‘Retrofit Accelerator Programme’ to upskill contractors, incorporate learnings from post-retrofit performance management, and support behavioural change to increase people’s engagement around retrofitting,” said Mayor Higgins.

Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, said that in the Baseline Emissions Inventory (BEI) carried out by the Council, emissions from residential buildings constituted 34% of the overall emissions in Galway City in 2018.

“In response to this, Galway is already taking part in the National Building Retrofit Pathfinder Programme and has partnered with SEAI to provide various funding schemes to facilitate retrofit implementation,” he said.

“However, this pilot project would help us accelerate this work, and to place Galway in a leadership role on the path to decarbonisation.

“It will also mean more efficient homes, and lower costs for householders.”

Damian Browne launches inaugural Galway Sick Kids Foundation Gala Ball

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November 15, 2022

galway daily news galway sick kids gala ball — Galway Sick Kids Foundation committee members Yvonne Carpenter, Deirdre Bennett, Therese Allen, Colm Kennelly, Mayor of Galway Cllr Clodagh Higgins, extreme adventurer Damien Browne, Nyree Hill, John Reilly, chairman, Knocknacarra Football Club with Emma Barry, Iarla Bourke, Daithi O'Flaherty, Tiernan Bourke, Ruby and Ben Meaney from Knocknacarra Football Club. Photo: Brian Harding.

Record-breaking rower Damian Browne has officially launched a new event to raise vital funds for the paediatric unit at University Hospital Galway.

The adventurer, who was the first person to row from New York to Galway, showed his support at the launch of the first Galway Sick Kids Foundation Gala Ball.

The ball will take place at the Galway Bay Hotel on Saturday, 4 February next year.

With his feet firmly back on solid ground after his voyage across the Atlantic for Project Empower, Damian Browne said he was ‘delighted to support such a worthy cause’.

At 6ft 5in, the former rugby player joked that he was happy to share his ‘considerable weight’ to launch the event.

“The organisers work selflessly and tirelessly for the community,” he said.

“They work to support children who are in such a vulnerable situation. This is such a worthy cause, and I am delighted to be able to support it.”

The Galway Sick Kids Foundation supports children and their families from Galway, Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Mayo, and North Clare who are attending the paediatric unit of UHG.

Among their recent initiatives is the installation of a self-contained cubbie sensory hub, providing a calm and relaxing environment for children with sensory issues.

And they provided a wheelchair friendly swing in the playground by Galway company, Creative Solutions.

Chairperson of the Galway Sick Kids Foundation, Colm Kennelly, said that the first gala ball is an important chance to raise vital funds and to showcase the work of the charity.

“We are a small committee and together have raised over €100,000 since the charity began five years ago,” he said.

“One of our greatest achievements to date has been the installation of the cubbie sensory hub at the hospital.

“It has been described as a gamechanger by the medical team as it is a sanctuary for children, especially those with sensory issues, where they can relax and feel calm.”

For John Reilly, Chairperson of the Knocknacarra Football Club, the Galway Sick Kids Foundation is the perfect partnership for the organisation, given their shared focus on community.

Speaking at the launch of the gala ball, Mr Reilly explained how it is a ‘natural fit based on our ethos to serve the people and children of the locality’.

He noted how the reach of the charity goes far beyond the boundaries of the county.

“The paediatric unit serves everyone from Doolin to Donegal,” he said. “It’s not just for Galway, it is for the west and northwest of Ireland.

“We have 1,200 children in our club, and what I love about this charity, is the immediacy with which any funds raised go straight to the unit.

“These are personal items that really make a difference to the children and to the running of the unit. We feel very privileged to be a partnered with the charity. And we are all looking forward to the ball in 2023.”

Also at the launch, Mayor of Galway City, Cllr Clodagh Higgins praised the work undertaken by the charity which ‘touches the hearts of so many homes’.

The inaugural Galway Sick Kids Foundation Gala Ball takes place on Saturday, February 4 at the Galway Bay Hotel.

MCs on the night will be Galway Bay FM’s Mollie and Ollie, with music from the Ignite Gospel Choir, rousing classic hits and covers from Galway band Pyramid and late-night entertainment from DJ Doc.

Tickets cost €85 and include a four-course meal and wine.

Tickets can be purchased at Colm’s Life Pharmacy, Salthill, and the Treasure Chest on Shop Street Galway.

Tickets can also be purchased by phoning Michelle on 087 9550841.

University of Galway presents Tarpey scholarships to two students

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November 14, 2022

GALWAY DAILY news tarpey bursary at nui galway

University of Galway recently presented the Tarpey Scholarships to students, Sara Hontz and Tara Lavelle.

The scholarships are part of the Hazel and Tanya Memorial Fund, which was set up by the Tarpey family in memory of their daughters who tragically died from a rare genetic autoimmune disease.

The Tarpey family have honoured the memory of their daughters by establishing a scholarship that presents two annual research student scholarships in University of Galway, one each in the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Pictured above at the presentation of the scholarships were (back row left to right) Nicola Rees – University of Galway Foundation; Professor Sean Dinneen – School of Medicine, University of Galway; Dr Patricia Healy, School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Galway; (front row left to right) Tim Tarpey, Sara Hontz, School of Medicine Award winner, Tara Lavelle, School of Nursing & Midwifery Award winner and Ruth Tarpey.

UHG welcomes world-renowned surgeon

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November 14, 2022

galway daily news surgeons at university hospital galway — Dr Alan Soo, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Professor Diego González Rivas

World pioneering surgeon, Professor Diego González Rivas, was welcomed to University Hospital Galway last week.

During his visit, Professor González Rivas delivered a lecture to colleagues across the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery entitled ‘The Journey of Uniportal Thoracic Surgery from VATS to Robotics’.

He also performed two complex cases alongside the cardiothoracic team in UHG.

Prof González Rivas is a world-renowned surgeon who has pioneered multiple innovative techniques over the years.

He was the first surgeon in the world to perform the single-port VATS technique. The single-port VATS surgical technique is innovative at world level, since it enables the removal of more complex tumours through a single incision.

He also has over 15 years’ experience in performing major single-port lung surgery in patients without intubation and with spontaneous breathing.

He is the creator of the minimally invasive thoracic surgery unit in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain, and is the director of the uniportal VATS training programme at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital which is the biggest thoracic centre in the world.

He is also a leader in the field of robotic surgery, performing single-port resections using an articulated robotic arm, without the need of an assistant and has developed single port robotic lung resection surgery (URATS) performing the first case in September 2021.

Speaking about his visit to UHG, Prof González Rivas said he really enjoyed the hospitality of the Galway team.

He said there is an excellent team performing excellent surgery and he would like to be back for further collaboration.

Welcoming the surgeon to the hospital, Mr Alan Soo, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Clinical Lead for the Saolta University Health Care Group said they were delighted to host Prof González Rivas at UHG.

“Events such as these give us the opportunity to showcase the surgical capabilities of the unit.

“It also promotes collaboration and exchange of technique/ideas not limited to just surgery but anesthesia and nursing. These events promote shared learning among teams and inspire people to work together to develop a better health service.”

SHAG Week launched by University of Galway SU

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November 14, 2022

University of Galway Students’ Union has launched its programme of events to mark Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance (SHAG) Week which begins next Monday.

Events across the week will look at key issues impacting on the Sexual Health and Wellbeing of students including Healthy Relationships, Sexual Positivity, and STI Awareness.

The workshop on promoting sexual positivity explores definitions of sex and sexuality whilst encouraging participants to broaden their understanding of each.

This will all be done in a safe and encouraging learning environment to encourage students to express themselves.

The ever popular Sex Toy Bingo will return to Sult as a fundraiser for the SU charities.

There will also be free STI Clinics at the Student Health Unit and Sexual Health West will also be holding a rapid HIV testing clinic with no appointment necessary.

Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla said: “We hope that our SHAG week events will encourage our students to take a responsible attitude to sexual health and healthy relationships.

“We still have a long way to go in Irish society in terms of breaking down the taboo of talking about sex. We want our students to be educated about their sexual safety.”

Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer said there are some great workshops and events coming up for SHAG Week.

“Our Sex Toy Bingo event is a sell out every year and this year will be no different,” she said.

“We would encourage all our students to get involved and to remember that we distribute free condoms all year round from three locations on campus – not just during SHAG Week.”

New Carraroe to Clifden bus service to launch this week

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November 14, 2022

Galway Daily news Public consultation opens on Cross-City Link bus corridor

TFI Local Link Galway will launch its new route 432 Carraroe to Clifden this Wednesday, 16 November.

The new seven days a week service will run three return services daily, covering Carraroe, Costelloe, Screebe, Derryrush, Kilkeran, Carna, Leheenagh, Roundstone, Ballyconeely and Clifden, creating a new connection between Roundstone and Costelloe.

The service will also provide commuters with a new peak-time service that interchanges with direct services to Galway, and improved connectivity to regional bus services from Costelloe.

This new route is funded by the National Transport Authority as part of the Transport for Ireland Network.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton said she is very aware of the need to connect people and places, especially in rural areas.

“High quality, accessible, affordable and safe services for all can play a crucial role in ensuring a modal shift from private to public transport,” said Minister Naughton.

“Public transport is not only an environmentally friendly option but also socially inclusive and economically accessible. This new service is especially timely as we head into winter with rising fuel and other costs.”

Large number of patients on trolleys at Portiuncula Hospital today

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November 14, 2022

Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe continues to be very overcrowded today, with a large number of patients on trolleys.

There are 31 patients in Portiuncula without a bed today, INMO figures show, a very high level for the hospital.

Of these, there are 19 patients on trolleys in the emergency departments, and 12 waiting for a bed in the wards.

This is the fourth highest level of overcrowding in all of Ireland’s hospitals today, and worse than UHG.

At University Hospital Galway there are 22 patients waiting for a bed, 21 in the ED and one in the wards.

There are a total of 564 patients on trolleys on Irish hospitals today, INMO Trolley/Ward Watch figures show.

Moving on After Ending an Online Relationship

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Angela Mc Bride

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November 14, 2022

A few things leave us heartbroken and disillusioned in our lives and the most common issue is a relationship that goes sour. Heartbreak makes it difficult to move on.

There are ways to move on expeditiously. Avoid wallowing in self-pity and rejuvenate as soon as possible. There are decent places to help you move on, including the perfect site for marriage and some offline approaches.

Begin with Self-Worth

Understand that whatever happened could be your fault, but it probably is not. Playing the blame game is unproductive. It is better to move on quickly. Finding common ground is crucial to prevent animosity. Here are tried and tested ways of maintaining sobriety after a breakup.

1. Limit Communication

If your ex tries to reach out there might be a need for closure. This is necessary regarding clearing the air. Tread carefully and limit conversations. Set boundaries concerning what is said and time spent talking. It means communicating only when necessary. Get the closure you need after one conversation and move on. Taking longer means one or both partners seeks reconciliation. If that is the case, tread carefully and consider why the breakup occurred in the first place.

2. Alone Time

Create ample room for quality time for you. It helps clear the fog. This is something particularly hard for someone who was in love to manifest. For example, having just broken up, it is likely you think of them daily as if still together. Taking some alone time lets you put things into perspective. With this alone time one should practice number 1 above religiously: limit conversations to absolute necessity. With time, it will all make sense to you and your ex-partner.

3. Miserable Company

The phrase misery loves company is pertinent here. Friends who love getting you drunk should be dumped immediately. They would love you to stick around as they share their calamities too. This is not good as it likely will not help you move on quickly. Wallowing in self-pity never helped anyone. Make time to be with family instead. If they are judgmental it is okay. It is better than lurking in bars where you might pick fights, or find the wrong hookups.

4. Go Fishing

Well, you could go fishing, literally, or go find some more fish in the sea. The world is your oyster at this point and there are plenty of women out there waiting to make your acquaintance. Try mutual friends who might know of someone fitting your dating preferences. Of course, the best approach would be a modern dating platform.

Registering on these platforms is a breeze. It will likely take you a few minutes to be up and running. Create a profile that shouts your needs as verbally and visually as possible. Be sure to make a better impression this time around. Maybe you set up a bogus profile the last time around and thus ended in a useless relationship. Online dating platforms work if adequate effort is put in at the beginning.

Bottom Line

Make the room a new flame in your life using the right friends, perhaps family, and indeed online dating sites. It takes two to tango so spend less time regretting anything and more time learning from mistakes. Because you are likely to have a busy schedule, it doesn’t mean you cannot find a new soulmate quickly. Register for online dating today and get your groove back immediately.

A few things leave us heartbroken and disillusioned in our lives and the most common issue is a relationship that goes sour. Heartbreak makes it difficult to move on.

There are ways to move on expeditiously. Avoid wallowing in self-pity and rejuvenate as soon as possible. There are decent places to help you move on, including the perfect site for marriage and some offline approaches.

Begin with Self-Worth

Understand that whatever happened could be your fault, but it probably is not. Playing the blame game is unproductive. It is better to move on quickly. Finding common ground is crucial to prevent animosity. Here are tried and tested ways of maintaining sobriety after a breakup.

1. Limit Communication

If your ex tries to reach out there might be a need for closure. This is necessary regarding clearing the air. Tread carefully and limit conversations. Set boundaries concerning what is said and time spent talking. It means communicating only when necessary. Get the closure you need after one conversation and move on. Taking longer means one or both partners seeks reconciliation. If that is the case, tread carefully and consider why the breakup occurred in the first place.

2. Alone Time

Create ample room for quality time for you. It helps clear the fog. This is something particularly hard for someone who was in love to manifest. For example, having just broken up, it is likely you think of them daily as if still together. Taking some alone time lets you put things into perspective. With this alone time one should practice number 1 above religiously: limit conversations to absolute necessity. With time, it will all make sense to you and your ex-partner.

3. Miserable Company

The phrase misery loves company is pertinent here. Friends who love getting you drunk should be dumped immediately. They would love you to stick around as they share their calamities too. This is not good as it likely will not help you move on quickly. Wallowing in self-pity never helped anyone. Make time to be with family instead. If they are judgmental it is okay. It is better than lurking in bars where you might pick fights, or find the wrong hookups.

4. Go Fishing

Well, you could go fishing, literally, or go find some more fish in the sea. The world is your oyster at this point and there are plenty of women out there waiting to make your acquaintance. Try mutual friends who might know of someone fitting your dating preferences. Of course, the best approach would be a modern dating platform.

Registering on these platforms is a breeze. It will likely take you a few minutes to be up and running. Create a profile that shouts your needs as verbally and visually as possible. Be sure to make a better impression this time around. Maybe you set up a bogus profile the last time around and thus ended in a useless relationship. Online dating platforms work if adequate effort is put in at the beginning.

Bottom Line

Make the room a new flame in your life using the right friends, perhaps family, and indeed online dating sites. It takes two to tango so spend less time regretting anything and more time learning from mistakes. Because you are likely to have a busy schedule, it doesn’t mean you cannot find a new soulmate quickly. Register for online dating today and get your groove back immediately.

€10 million to help community and voluntary groups with energy bills

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November 14, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway sports clubs share in €2.5 million energy costs support

The government has launched a €10 million fund to help community and voluntary groups with their energy bills.

The scheme has been created due to increased energy costs, which are affecting many organisations.

It will open for applications next Monday, November 21, and grants will be paid as early as the end of this year.

Minister Heather Humphreys said, “This new scheme recognises the pressures that our community and voluntary groups are under due to rising energy costs.”

“This is a sector that we care deeply about and are committed to support them through this difficult winter.”

“Through this €10 million fund, financial support will be provided to these groups from the end of 2022.”

“Our community and voluntary sector plays a vital role in supporting strong and resilient communities, and thriving towns and villages and it is essential that we continue to support them in carrying out their invaluable work.”

This funding is meant for organisations which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS).

Full details of the scheme are now available via Pobal here.

How is climate change affecting pathogens in coastal waters?

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November 14, 2022

Galway Daily news How is climate change affecting pathogens in coastal waters? — Aerial view of powerful breaking ocean waves of the Atlantic. Blue skies and nice weather as the great big wave spot mullaghmore breaks.

The University of Galway is taking part in a €10 million research project to look at the health risks of climate change in coastal waters.

The BlueAdapt project is specifically looking at the impact of climate change on pathogens in coastal waters, and the health risks that come with it.

University of Galway is one of twelve institutions in ten European countries taking part in the project.

BlueAdapt brings together a team of researchers, including microbiologists, epidemiologists, economists, climate scientists and policy specialists in order to investigate the complex interactions between climate change, pathogen dynamics and human health.

Professor Dearbhaile Morris at University of Galway, said, “Our coastal waters are important for tourism, fishing and recreational activities.”

“Through BlueAdapt we hope to assess how bacteria and viruses in our coastal waters respond to different climate change scenarios and understand better the potential impacts for human health.”

Dr Sinead Duane, Lecturer in Marketing J.E School of Business and Economics at University of Galway added that how people interact with coastal waters needs to be understood.

“Through the development of behaviourally enhanced smartphone app technology, Blue Adapt will deepen our understanding of coastal water users behaviours and attitudes to exposure pollution events.”

“This information will help develop targeted interventions in the future. This app will capture how users respond to warnings of pollution events in real time.”

BlueAdapt is a partnership between University of Galway, the Basque Centre for Climate Change, University of Exeter, Charles University, University of Warsaw, Deltares, CMCC, EuroHealthNet, Bangor University, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, University of the Basque Country and ThenTryThis.

Exhibition celebrating 100 years of An Garda Síochána

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November 14, 2022

Galway Daily news Exhibition celebrating 100 years of An Garda Síochána

An exhibit celebrating 100 years of history of An Garda Síochána will be open in Oughterard next weekend.

The exhibit has been created by the Oughterard Culture & Heritage Group for the Centenary celebration of An Garda Síochána.

It contains information on the history of the force over the past hundred years, as well as immaculate examples of past uniforms, badges, and other equipment.

1 of 2

The exhibition was opened at Oughterard Courthouse last weekend by Superintendent Damian Flanagan, at an event attended by a number of local retired and serving Gardai.

It will remain open for another three days next weekend, Friday – Sunday, November 18 – 20.

The exhibit is free to enter during the following times:

Friday, November 18: 12pm – 8pm
Saturday, November 19: 11am – 5pm
Sunday, November 20: 11am – 5pm.

Petition against Beach Bye-Laws garners almost 5,000 signatures

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November 14, 2022

Petition against Beach Bye-Laws garners almost 5,000 signatures

A petition against the county council’s new draft Beach Bye-Laws has reached almost 5,000 signatures.

A public consultation is currently underway on the draft bye-laws, which has received a huge volume of submissions from the public.

The bye-laws govern what activities can take place on beaches in the county, and governs penalties for breaking them.

A petition was started by Patrick Dunne objecting to provisions in the Bye-Laws prohibiting watersports in the proximity of bathers.

They also give the council the authority to designate any area of a beach where the use of “surf boards and/or kite boards and/or sail boards and/or canoes and kayaks and/or
dinghies and/or stand-up paddle boards and/or water bikes” is banned.

His petition states that these bye-laws will create a “unnecessary conflict” between swimmers and people engaging in other watersports.

“Galway is known for its beautiful coastline along the wild Atlantic way and is renowned among visitors and tourists alike for its beaches, sunsets, friendly locals and wild weather.”

“We are lucky enough to get prevailing South-Westerly winds which make Galway the perfect spot for wind sports.”

“And some Wind sports are amongst the fastest growing sports in the world at present and are great for peoples physical and mental health.”

“As an avid watersports enthusiast who has grown up in Galway I strongly oppose these draft bye laws prohibiting water sports and aiming to criminalise the prohibited sports.”

“The water should be available for everyone, and Galway County Council should be doing everything it can to promote watersports and boost tourism by using an all-inclusive approach.”

“Other countries relish the opportunity to have water sports on their doorstep and support the local water community with competitions which gain national and international coverage, promoting the area, boosting tourism and allowing people access to new and exciting sports.”

He said that a consultation between the county council and national governing bodies for these watersports would be welcomed.

The council has extended the deadline for submissions on the draft Beach Bye-Laws to November 25.

Spanish firm acquire majority stake in National Broadband Ireland

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November 13, 2022

Galway Daily news Work underway to deliver fibre broadband for 2,500 homes in East Galway

Spanish investment management firm Asterion Industrial Partners has acquired a majority share in the company delivering the National Broadband Plan.

The government gave their consent to Asterion acquiring an 80% stake in National Broadband Ireland back in July, and that has gone through this week.

To date, the National Broadband Plan has created connections for fibre broadband at 91,000 homes and businesses in Ireland.

In Galway, there are approximately 40,000 premises which will be connected under the NBP, which includes homes, farms, commercial businesses and schools.

Under the plan, County Galway will see an investment of €153M in the new high speed fibre network.

The most recent development at the beginning of this month saw construction commence on rolling out the network to just over 1,000 premises in Inverin.

Croi welcomes launch of National Stroke Strategy

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November 13, 2022

Croi welcomes launch of National Stroke Strategy

Galway’s Croí heart & stroke charity has welcomed the launch of the National Stroke Strategy by the Health Service Executive.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in middle to higher income countries and the leading cause of acquired neurological disability in Ireland.

Approximately 5,800 adults were admitted to hospitals with a stroke in 2020.

This figure does not include the estimated 1,500-2,000 people admitted or evaluated urgently for a suspected / threatened stroke or a transient ischaemic attack.

The National Stroke Strategy focuses on Prevention, Acute Care and Cure, Rehabilitation, and Education & Research.

Laura Walsh, Croí’s Community Stroke Support Specialist, said that action is needed, with the HSE predicting a 59% increase in the total number of strokes by 2035.

“It is important that this strategy is now implemented to improve stroke prevention, improve access to acute treatment and rehab and improve support for survivors and caregivers”

Prof Rónán Collins, Clinical Lead for the HSE National Clinical Programme for Stroke said, “Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in our population and a major cost to our health service when outcomes are poor.”

“Much improvement in services and outcomes has occurred since the inception of the National Clinical Programme for Stroke.”

“But the nature of our changing demography, development of new stroke treatments and technologies, and the need for healthcare staff and public engagement on the issue of stroke are a significant challenge over the next decade.”

To view the strategy document, see https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/cspd/ncps/stroke/.

Lack of sewerage infrastructure impeding housing Galway TD says

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November 13, 2022

Galway Daily news Lack of sewerage infrastructure impeding housing Galway TD says

A lack of public sewerage infrastructure is standing in the way of building new housing, Galway TD Sean Canney has said.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Canney said that there are many areas where people cannot get planning permission to build housing, due to a lack of wastewater treatment capacity.

He said that funding needs to be put in place to build out on this infrastructure in order to help address the housing crisis.

He said that during his time on the county council starting in 2005, there were multiple wastewater treatment plants which were meant to be built, but never came to fruition.

“Corofin, Abbeyknockmoy, Craughwell and the municipal wastewater treatment east of Galway city were on this list. None of them are anywhere at this stage.”

“There is a plethora of towns and villages where we could have people living but they cannot get permission to build houses because there is no wastewater treatment plant. These are the facts.”

“We talk about a housing crisis and emergency. It is all waffle if we do not do something about it,” Sean Canney said.

“It is important that we stop talking about it and put the necessary funding in place. We must direct Irish Water to do what needs to be done in this country.”

He added that the wastewater treatment plant in Athenry was recently expanded, but that it hasn’t made a difference yet, because estates have still not been connected to the public network.

A treatment plant on the east side of Galway City is also essential to the future development of the city, Sean Canney said.

“If we are serious about not having a ring road around Galway, let us build the city where we can have access to it. However, we cannot do it if we do not have the services.”

“It is very frustrating for public representatives because what we get is a load of feasibility studies and business costs analyses and reports and if you want to slow down, you ask for clarification and basically you end up doing nothing.”

Elective procedures postponed amid extreme pressure at Portiuncula Hospital

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November 13, 2022

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe is very overcrowded today, with the hospital warning of pressure on beds and long waiting times.

In a statement to Galway Daily, Saolta said the high number of people admitted for ongoing treatment today is causing pressure at the Emergency Department.

“This is resulting in significant delays being experienced by patients in the Emergency Department who are waiting for a bed to become available on a ward.”

“There are currently a very high number of patients on trolleys in ED awaiting admission to in-patient beds.”

Elective procedures are being postponed due to the pressure at the hospital, and patients affected are being contacted directly.

“All available beds are in use. Every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.”

“The hospital acknowledges that these delays and postponements are very difficult for patients and their families and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.”

The Emergency Department at Portiuncula is prioritising those who are seriously injured or ill, and other people may be waiting longer.

The Hospital is asking people only to come to the ED if it is an emergency, and to attend their GP or out of hours service in the first instance if at all possible.

The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open from 8am to 8pm to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.

Man in his 50s arrested in €14,500 drugs raid

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November 13, 2022