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Garda appeal for missing young woman from Clare

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Galway Daily news Garda appeal for young woman missing from Clare

Gardaí are appealing for the public’s assistance in locating a young woman missing from the west of Ireland for over a week.

Leanne Delaney (29) has been missing from her home in Shannon, Co. Clare, since Tuesday, October 18.

Leanne is described as being approximately 5 foot 1 inches in height and of a medium build, with black hair and blue eyes.

When last seen, she was wearing a blue tracksuit with a sparkling diamond pattern on the sleeves and white runners.

Gardaí and Leanne’s family are concerned for her welfare.

Anyone with information on Leanne’s whereabouts are asked to contact Shannon Garda Station on 061 365 900, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Gardaí warn of growing number of young people becoming money mules

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galway daily crime Over €450,000 funding to help Galway students with cost of living crisis

Gardaí are warning of a rising number of young people being used as ‘money mules’ to help launder the proceeds of crime.

A money mule is someone who allows their account to be used for the transfer of other’s stolen or illegal money.

They may or may not be aware of the crime, however, they are complicit if they recklessly allow their account to be used to launder the proceeds.

An Garda Síochána is warning third level students against becoming money mules as part of their #SafeAtCollege campaign.

Those aged 18-24, and those over 55 years of age are the most commonly targeted age groups by organised crime gangs to act as mules.

Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan of the of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) said that people may not realise the severity of what they’re getting into.

“Those who agree to allow their bank account to be used for the transfer of illegally obtained money may not necessarily realise that they are enabling very dangerous international criminal organisations and are involving themselves with these criminals.”

“It seems quite simple and at the same time quite lucrative, but the reality is that those who allow their bank account to be used are taking a huge personal risk.”

“More than that, they are in essence assisting ruthless criminals involved in human trafficking, people smuggling, terrorism, and even wars.”

Earlier this month, An Garda Síochána confirmed that over 830 money mules had been identified in Ireland in the past number of years.

The GNECB estimate that there are at least 4,000 money mules linked to their investigations who have used Irish addresses, most of them young people.

Criminals will often target vulnerable people, such as those new to the country, students, the unemployed, or people facing financial pressure.

It is also often the case that someone who has racked up a drug debt may be coerced into becoming a money mule to pay it off.

Gardaí caution that ignorance is no excuse, and the penalties include a prison sentence of up to 14 years, deportation, or being unable to open another bank account.

“An Garda Síochána is sending this warning because it isn’t the hardened criminals face on CCTV at an ATM,” Det. Supt. Cryan said.

“It isn’t their phone number or bank account details linked to the transfer of illegal gains – it’s those of the money mule”

He added that there is no easy money to be made, and if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

An Bord Pleanála refuses approval of Headford Road social housing

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Galway Daily news An Bord Pleanála refuses approval of Headford Road social housing

An Bord Pleanála has refused approval for a social housing and traveller accommodation development on the Headford Road.

The city council sought approval for a social housing apartment complex, and Traveller Accommodation units, on a site in Ballinfoyle.

The plans were for a three storey apartment building, with rooftop solar panels, and three Traveller Accommodation homes.

The apartment building was to contain a total of 21 units, with three one-bedroom apartments, 14 two-bedroom units, and 4 three-bedroom units.

Each of the Traveller Accommodation units was to be a two storey building, with four bedrooms apiece.

An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for the development, despite the land being zoned residential, as it would be overly car dependent.

The board said that “peripheral location, the lack of adequate, safe pedestrian and cycle linkages, and adequate bus connections within the built up area of the city,” would leave residents dependent on cars.

The Board also stated that the lack of alternative travel options would be against national, regional, and local policy on “compact growth and sustainable mobility”.

“The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Construction of massive Sportsground redevelopment to begin in 2023

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Galway Daily sports Construction of massive Sportsground redevelopment to begin in 2023

Construction work on the new North Stand and High Performance Centre at the Connacht Rugby Sportsground is due to begin next year.

Connacht Rugby have confirmed that it has begun the procurement process for Phase 2 of the massive redevelopment of the Sportsground.

This is expected to take approximately six months to complete, before construction work can get underway next year.

Once begun, it is expected that construction will take approximately two years to complete, with the new stand open in time for the 2025/26 season.

Work will begin with the build of the new High-Performance Centre consisting of a new indoor training pitch as well as state-of-the-art athlete and staff facilities.

Upon completion, work will then immediately begin on the new North Stand, with the capacity for over 7,000 supported, replacing the existing Clan Terrace.

It will consist of a mixture of standing, seated and hospitality options with top-class facilities for players, supporters, partners and media.

CEO of Connacht Rugby, Willie Ruane said, “This week’s commencement of the Public Procurement Process for Phase 2 continues the positive momentum of The Sportsground redevelopment project.”

“We have already seen the positive impact Phase 1 has had on our players’ and fans’ experience of The Sportsground and we are excited about what Phase 2 will further deliver in this regard over the coming years.”

He also thanked the government for its support for the project, “without which none of this would be possible.”

The redevelopment of The Sportsground began in May 2022 with Phase 1 consisting of a new synthetic playing surface and LED floodlighting system.

The pitch was completed on-schedule in September with the new floodlights to be installed next month.

In 2020, the government awarded €20 million towards the cost of the project under the Large Scale Sports infrastructure Fund.

Minister Catherine Martin said, “I want to congratulate everybody involved in bringing the project to this stage.”

“Your vision and commitment will ensure that Connacht Rugby has a new home that everybody concerned will be justifiably proud of.”

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers T.D. added, “This is another important step in the delivery of what will be a superb new facility in Galway.”

“My Department will continue to work closely with Connacht Rugby to ensure the passionate Connacht fans have this excellent new stadium open for business as quickly as possible”.

The Ireland Fund calls for applications from local not-for-profit groups

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galway daily news community fund 2022 not for profit

Applications have opened for The Ireland Funds’ Heart of the Community Fund 2022, which will provide funding to not-for-profit organisations in Galway and across the country.

The fund of at least €500,000 is open for applications from organisations in all 32 counties from 17 October to 2 November.

The first Heart of the Community Fund last year provided support to non-profit organisations in Galway including Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, Ballinasloe Social Services Ltd and the Blue Teapot Theatre Company.

The Ireland Funds will place a particular focus on supporting applications that focus on an organisation investing in its own sustainability. Awards will be offered in three tiers – €5,000, €10,000 and €20,000.

Siobhán Gallagher, Executive Director of The Ireland Funds, said they are proud to have supported Ireland’s non-profit sector, North and South, with funds of €414,000 through the Heart of the Community Fund to date.

“The generosity of The Ireland Funds donors highlights the network of people around the world that continue to support these extraordinary organisations across the island of Ireland, offering vital supports to those who need it most,” she said.

For more information on The Ireland Funds Heart of the Community Fund 2022, visit: irelandfunds.org/grants/ 

Hospital overcrowding record broken for 2022

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Galway Daily news

The number of patients on trolleys in Irish hospitals yesterday was higher than any other day this year, INMO figures show.

There were 669 people including 28 children without a bed in hospitals across the State yesterday.

University Hospital Galway was the fourth most overcrowded hospital with 45 people on trolleys, while University Hospital Limerick (80) and Cork University Hospital (72) were the worst affected.

Letterkenny University Hospital and St James’s Hospital both had 51 patients waiting for a bed.

Commenting on the figures, INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that it was extremely concerning but not surprising that there was 669 patients on trolleys yesterday.

She said that there has been a 27% increase of patients on trolleys in the last week

“A range of measures must be taken now in the short to medium term including the curtailment of all non-emergency, elective care. Capacity from the private sector must be provided immediately,” said Ms Ní Sheaghdha.

“There needs to be a laser focus on the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives.

“Hospitals must issue public statements encouraging people to consider alternative care pathways in the community and outline clearly what the real time waits are to be admitted to hospital are.”

Phil Ní Sheaghdha called on the HSE, Minister for Health and the Health and Safety Authority to take immediate action in the worst hit spots.

She said that the specialist teams for Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway must be deployed immediately.

“The health and safety of our members and the patients they are trying their best to care for must take priority. We know that they are currently operating in truly unsafe care environments.”

Woman’s coffin dropped from helicopter on way to Inis Meáin

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galway daily news mary folan coffin helicopter inis meáin

A documentary on RTÉ Radio 1 this Saturday will recall the bizarre series of events which occurred during an attempt to bury a woman on Inis Meáin in 1967.

Mary Folan emigrated to Boston in 1929 when she was 18, and had a dying wish to be buried on her native island of Inis Meáin.

But a series of unfortunate events occurred when her body was being transferred from Shannon, including the coffin falling from the helicopter into a field in Co. Clare.

A listener from Clare wrote to RTÉ in 2019 about a story that made the headlines in April 1967, and has intrigued him for most of his life.

Mary spent most of her life as a nanny for an American family before dying of cancer at the age of 56. It was her final wish to be buried at home.

The man tasked to bring Mary Folan’s remains back to Ireland and to Inis Meáin was a Cork-born Boston undertaker, Gene Sheehan.

He came up with the idea of transferring the coffin from Shannon airport to the island by helicopter.

Mr Sheehan said the helicopter arrangements were made to avoid any difficulties involved in the sea crossing to Inis Meáin.

As there were no berthing facilities on the island at the time, a transfer by sea would have meant transferring the coffin from a fishing vessel out of Galway to a currach to reach the island, which he said he was reluctant to do at that time of year.

Mary Folan’s death notice, which appeared in the Boston Globe newspaper, outlined the unusual arrangements:

“Remains will be removed to Shannon airport, Ireland, by Irish International Airlines, arriving Sunday at 9am.

“Casket being transferred to helicopter for flight to Aran Islands for Mass of Requiem and interment on Inishmaan Island.”

In Shannon, the helicopter company carried out various tests to carry the cargo – the coffin was to be placed in a sling attached to ropes which were then hooked underneath the helicopter.

It was a method of carrying cargo that the helicopter company has not used before.

On Inis Meáin the islanders, including Mary Folan’s brother and four sisters, were making preparations and awaiting the arrival of the helicopter.

A grave had been dug for the burial and the local priest was preparing for the funeral mass. White blankets held down by stones were laid out in a field beside the church to act as a landing pad.

On attempting to transport Ms Folan’s coffin, the unthinkable happened.

The coffin broke away from the sling and fell into a field near a place called Paradise, Co. Clare.

But this was only the start of things to come.

In Miss Folan’s Last Wish, Sarah Blake from RTÉ Documentary on One teamed up with Treasa Bhreathnach from Raidió na Gaeltachta to find those connected to this story, in Ireland and beyond, and reveal what happened that led to these events fifty-five years ago.

It will be first broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday 29 October at 2.00pm and will be available on all podcast platforms as well as rte.ie/podcasts  

Autism friendly evenings announced for Currys in Galway city

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galway daily news currys autism friendly day
Pictured are Niall Ruddy, CEO My Canine Companion and Nick Arnold, Senior Sales Manager at Currys Cork with Tiana the service dog

Currys has announced it will begin autism-friendly evenings in its store in Headford Road this week.

The autism-friendly hours are from 4pm until the store closes every Thursday in all 16 stores across the country.

During this time music and screen displays will be turned off to create a better shopping environment for those with additional needs.

As part of Currys’ partnership with My Canine Companion, staff have all carried out Autism Awareness and Understanding training with the Willow Tree Autism Project.

This training has been provided to both store and corporate colleagues.

Currys also introduced Pennies in stores so that customers can donate 50 cent to My Canine Companion when they are making a card or contactless transaction.

Kenny Cosgrove, Head of Retail Ireland, said: “Since beginning our partnership with My Canine Companion, the team at Currys have focused on improving the shopping experience for autistic people and their families.

“We know that public spaces with loud music and bright lights can be stressful for those with autism and so the purpose of these evenings is to support our customers by providing a calmer environment, as well as letting them know that additional assistance is available if necessary.”

The Willow Tree Autism Project has provided Currys colleagues in both stores and head office with Autism Awareness & Understanding Training.

In addition to the training, Willow Tree has provided guidance on measures that staff can implement in stores and online to create a better shopping experience.

John Laste of the Willow Tree Autism Project said: “We at the Willow Tree Autism Project were delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Currys teams throughout Ireland in our Autism Awareness and Understanding module.

“We were greeted with great enthusiasm by management and retail staff throughout the training.

“We found all of the stores we visited to be very visually inviting with large signage to guide all customers during their visits. We were so grateful to have the opportunity to train with an organisation with such an inclusive vision and an eagerness to learn. We wish Currys every success with this wonderful initiative.” 

New ‘War of Friends’ civil war exhibition at Galway City Museum

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A new exhibition will open in Galway City Museum exploring the Civil War shooting of Pádraic Ó Máille and the reprisal execution of Liam Mellows.

Entitled ‘War of Friends, 1922-23: The Civil War story of Pádraic Ó Máille and Liam Mellows’, the exhibition displays rare photographs and personal items belonging to both Ó Máille and Mellows.

Highlights include a revolver gifted by Michael Collins to Ó Maille on his wedding day and the last letter written by Liam Mellows before his execution.

Produced as part of Galway City Council’s Decade of Centenaries Programme 2022, the exhibition is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. It will run until 24 May 2023, the centenary of the end of the Irish Civil War.

In December 1922, Liam Mellows and three other Republican leaders were executed in reprisal for an attack on politicians Pádraic Ó Máille and Seán Hales.

Former military and political allies, Ó Máille had served under Mellows during the Easter Rising in Galway and both men had represented the county in the first and second Dáil.

Liam Mellows, in his last letter to his mother, Sarah, written from his cell in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin on the morning of his execution, said: “The time is short, and much that I would like to say must go unsaid.

“But you will understand; in such moments heart speaks to heart. At 3.30 this morning we (Dick Barrett, Rory O’Connor, Joe McKelvey and I) were informed that we were to be executed as reprisal.”

Its display at Galway City Museum will be the first time that it has been on public exhibition.

Galway City Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm. Admission is free.

For full details on all upcoming events and exhibitions visit galwaycitymuseum.ie

Nine people rescued from Omey Island by Clifden RNLI

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Galway daily news clifden rnli

Nine people were rescued from Omey Island on Monday by Clifden RNLI after they got stranded on the island due to poor weather conditions.

The lifeboat launched just before 4pm on Monday under the command of volunteer helm, Kenny Flaherty.

The Clifden RNLI crew made two trips back to the shore at Claddaghduff and safely returned all nine people.

There was heavy rain at the time of the rescue, however those stranded on the island were found to be well and in good spirits.

Speaking after the shout, Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, John Brittain, reminded locals and visitors to always check tide times and heights before venturing out, and to always make sure they have enough time to return safely.

“If you do get cut off by the tide, it is important to stay where you are and not attempt a return to shore on your own as that may be when the danger presents and you get into difficulty,” he said.

“Always carry a means of communication and should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Galway chosen for Night-Time Economy Advisor pilot

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Galway Daily news Iconic Galway nightclub reopening this weekend

Galway City will be getting a special advisor recruited under a pilot scheme, to help develop the night-time economy of the city.

The Night-Time Advisor Pilot initiative was announced today alongside the revamp of Ireland’s licencing laws.

The nine places selected for the pilot initiative are Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town.

Minister Catherine Martin said, “These new pilot towns and cities will now recruit new Night-Time Economy Advisors who will help drive and support a more sustainable night-time economy in their specific areas.

“They will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way.”

“I would like to thank the CCMA for their role in leading this process and I look forward to getting the Advisors in place and getting started.”

Minister Martin also committed to working with the sector and other relevant stakeholders to develop a grant process for sound-proofing of suitable venues.

This will help to support the proposed liberalisation of opening hours for nightclubs and other venues operating in the night-time economy.

Civic Reception held to honour Claregalway native Dr Ronan Glynn

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Galway Daily news Civic Reception held to honour Claregalway native Dr Ronan Glynn

A civic reception was held by the county council this week to honour Dr. Ronan Glynn for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Claregalway native served as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer from October 2018 to May of this year.

For several month during 2020, in the height of the pandemic, he also served as Acting Chief Medical Officer while Dr Tony Holohan took an absence to care for his family.

During the pandemic he was frequently the public face of the health service’s response, holding many press conferences.

The Civic Reception was held at Áras an Chontae on Monday, October 24.

It also honoured the achievements of Galway All-Ireland Senior Ladies Camogie Champions 2021 and Lackagh Comhaltas Group.

Gardaí investigating assault on two people at Spanish Arch

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

Gardaí are investigating an assault on a man and a woman in the early hours of Sunday in the Spanish Arch area.

A man in his 60s and a woman in her 20s were reportedly assaulted at approximately 1:35am on Sunday.

Gardaí say that the man and woman were injured during the assault, but did not require medical attention.

Investigations are ongoing, a statement to Galway Daily said.

 

Old Clarin College in Athenry to be demolished

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Galway Daily news Old Clarin College being demolished due to anti-social behaviour

The former Clarin College in Athenry, vacant since the school moved to a new campus, is set to be demolished.

The GRETB is seeking planning permission from the county council for the demolition of the two storey school building on the Caheroyn Road.

This will include all permanent and ancillary structures, existing footings and hardstanding within the site; as well as the removal of all disused on site drainage system and utility services.

A planning report submitted with the application states that since the site has been vacated, there have been problems with anti-social behaviour.

“Clarin College has relocated to another site in Athenry – Planning Ref no. 17-1875 – and this site is now vacant.”

“There have been a number of issues with anti-social behaviour on the site as a result, and even in one instance a small fire was lit within the existing building.”

“It is the view of the applicant – Galway Roscommon Education & Training Board (GRETB) – that the buildings are now posing an unnecessary risk and nuisance for the health & safety of its neighbours, and that the buildings require demolition to eliminate that risk.”

A report was also submitted on materials containing asbestos, in two rooms and on three rope seals to an oil tank and motor, which recommended that they should be removed under controlled conditions by specialist contractors.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway County Council by December 1 of this year.

An Pucan named among Top 10% of restaurants worldwide

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Galway Daily An Pucan

An Pucan on Forster Street in Galway has just been named in the Top 10% of restaraunts worldwide by Tripadvisor users.

As of 2021, Tripadvisor’s total number of user reviews and opinions reached approximately one billion, covering listings for restaurants, hotels, vacation rentals, and attractions.

The bar which opened in 2014 has acquired a stellar reputation for great food and service since day one.

A popular venue for tourists and locals alike An Pucan strives to use as many local suppliers as possible; collaborations such as the current cocktail of the month iStil Lemon Drop Spritz paired with Kelly’s Oysters from Clarinbridge are a prime example of this.

Tripadvisor, is the world’s largest travel guidance platform, and helps hundreds of millions of people each month, from planning to booking to taking a trip.

Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before.

With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.

Galway has become a real destination for foodies so to be able to attract customers on a regular basis you need to have a fantastic product.

Conor Moloney General Manager is delighted with the recognitions “it’s a testament to our fantastic team here in the business, particularly the kitchen staff who have had an extremely busy summer.”

He said that despite the busy summer, they have “maintained consistently high standards and a great attitude throughout, it’s a great atmosphere in the kitchen which is a testament to each member of the staff here.”

Cosy new bar in Salthill offers great food and drinks

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galway daily news Barnacles bar salthill

Barnacles Bar & Kitchen in Upper Salthill is the newest venture from long-time friends and business partners, Mark Commins and Conor Graham.

The cosy new bar builds on their incredible success at the award-winning Linnane’s Lobster Bar, as well as Flaggy Shore Oysters which they acquired in 2022.

They also operate from New Quay pier, overlooking the waters of Aughinish Bay.

Guests can expect great food and drink in a cosy pub setting, and menus that change in line with the seasons with an emphasis on local produce and seafood.

Signature dishes include roast whole west coast lobster with dulse, mint butter potatoes and Celtic salad, fish & chips, and the Barnacles Sunday roast with premium Irish beef and lamb.

Food is complemented by a wide-ranging drinks menu including prohibition-style cocktails, with many featuring spirits from nearby Micil Distillery.

Commenting on the opening, co-owner Mark Commins said that he and Conor are delighted to bring their knowledge of local seafood and suppliers to Barnacles.

“Our vast combined experience in the sector means we intend to deliver the very best hospitality,” he said.

“At Barnacles Bar & Kitchen, guests can expect delicious food, an extensive drinks menu and the warmest of welcomes.”

Barnacles Bar & Kitchen, 163 Upper Salthill, Galway, is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 midday to late. Last orders for food are at 9pm.

Book online at barnaclesbar.ie

Croí urges people to act FAST and know the signs of stroke

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galway daily news croí world stroke day event galway

Heart and stroke charity Croí is reminding the public of the importance of stroke awareness and prevention ahead of World Stroke Day on Saturday.

Croí, supported by Surmodics, will host a special virtual Q&A on the psychological impact of stroke on Thursday, October 27 at 11am.

Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at University Hospital Galway, Dr Tom Burke, will discuss the psychological impact of stroke during the Q&A event.

There will be plenty of opportunities for those in attendance to ask questions.

To register go to croi.ie/stroke call 091 544310 or via a Zoom link here.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Ireland with 2,500 stroke related deaths each year, and it is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide.

Annually, around 10,000 people in Ireland have a stroke.

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability, and it is estimated that over 80,000 people in Ireland are living in the community with disabilities, as a result of a stroke.

Know the signs and act FAST

Acting FAST increases the chances of survival as urgent treatment can begin.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, look out for the following:

Face: Has the mouth or eye drooped? Can the person smile?

Arms: Can the person raise both of their arms? Is there a weakness in one arm?

Speech: Is the speech slurred? Are they understanding what you are saying?

Time: Call 999 or 112 if you see any of these signs

Other signs to look out for include:

  • Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, leg or one side of the body
  • Difficulty finding words
  • Blurred vision including loss of sight in one or both eyes
  • Sudden confusion or memory loss
  • Dizziness, a severe headache, reduced balance, or a sudden fall

Free visual art exhibition to run for one week in Galway city

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galway daily news persona art exhibition galway city
Left to right: Martin Mcguire, Jack Walshe, Eilish Lee, James O’Connell

A free interactive visual art exhibition created by Martin Maguire in collaboration with That’s Life will run from 4 to 11 November at the Black Box Theatre in Galway.

Persona, a new contemporary photographic work using augmented reality, features That’s Life art makers with intellectual disabilities.

Participants were involved in a process to interpret specific characters from Greek mythology through costume and performance of their own making.

Over a series of interactions, individuals selected who they wished to become, which persona they wanted to adopt and how they would like the world to see and hear them in their new imagined forms.

Persona uses augmented reality to make objects appear on demand as spectators interact with the work via smart devices.

The objects are portraits of the That’s Life participants and show them in their natural state making various physical gestures and poses.

Spectators will be able to reveal in real time the alter ego/new persona chosen and designed by the individuals themselves.

When interacted with, an augmented reality overlay of this new character with costume and props appears, resulting in interactive portraits.

“The concept I developed was based around the idea of perceived identity – ‘persona’,” said creator Martin Maguire.

“I wanted to explore the many layers that exist between us and another individual. These often-opaque barriers can be populated with bias, preconceptions and assumptions.

“What is it like to truly see another human being? What is revealed when we take time to properly look and potentially see past a ‘character’ or ‘archetype’ we have assigned other people in haste?”

The project began in late 2020 when That’s Life and the Radius project invited Martin to create a new work which would collaborate directly with their participants.

In early 2021 a series of engagements began with 10 members of That’s Life involving physical movement, spoken word, drawing, costume and performance.

The idea developed into creating characters as a framework for exploration, focusing on the primordial gods.

Each participant chose one of the 10 main primordial elements to explore out of air, sky, water, earth, day, night, underworld, darkness, love and time.

Participants began their exploration physically through movement in collaboration with Sandra O’Malley from Blue Raincoat Theatre in Sligo, then continued with spoken word and drawing. Each participant was interviewed about the human experience, life, death, love and loss.

A unique drawing was created by participants that were then interpreted in textile form by costume designer and project collaborator Sharon Gilham, who created costumes that each participant would be photographed in for the work shown in the exhibition.

These layers and other audio elements are exposed by the spectator using augmented reality as they interact with the main work.

Cabinet to discuss new 6am closing time for nightclubs today

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Galway Daily news Iconic Galway nightclub reopening this weekend

Plans to change Ireland’s 200-year-old licencing laws will be discussed by Cabinet this morning, which would result in longer opening hours for pubs and nightclubs.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will look for approval for pubs to be allowed to remain open until 12.30am seven days a week, while nightclubs will be allowed to stay open until 6am.

On Sundays, pubs are currently permitted to remain open from 12.30pm to 11pm, while opening times from Monday to Thursday are generally from 10.30am to 11.30pm.

Under the new closing time for nightclubs, alcohol will not be served after 5am but people can stay in the premises until 6am.

These nightclub permits are likely to be sought by larger nightclubs, mainly in cities.

Opening hours for late bars will remain at 2.30am and a new late bar permit will be needed under the plans.

Venues remaining open late will have to apply to the courts for permits, and they will have to have CCTV along with fully accredited security staff.

Minister McEntee is expected to tell colleagues that Ireland will maintain a restrictive sale of alcohol licensing system overall.

Objections to licences will be allowed from fire services, local authorities, the HSE, local communities and the gardaí.

The new licensing laws are expected to come into effect next year.

Online payments – How it all started and what it will be in the future

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Galway Daily news Loughrea Gardaí warn of scam package delivery calls

Without a doubt, eCommerce is progressing at breakneck speed in the current world economic framework. As regards payments, there’s something of a revolution going on, and digital sales are no more just “add-ons” provided by companies smart enough to do so; they’re now a must-have if one wants to have any surviving business strategy.

Companies like Revolut casinos now make use of online payment methods for transactions, advancing easy and seamless business practices. Due to the new advancements in online payments, transactions can be finished in a matter of clicks. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at how far the e-commerce industry has come with online payments, and take a peek at where it’s going in the future.

History of Mobile Payments (A look into the past)

1997: Vending machines with SMS payments introduced by Coca-Cola. ExxonMobil introduced Speedpass, which used RFID tech for transactions.

1998: PayPal was founded.

1999: Some mobile phones were able to purchase movie tickets.

2001: Domino’s Pizza began taking orders via phones.

2004: Donations to NGOs via SMS started.

2009: Advent of Square. Mobile payment market made sales of over $69 billion.

2011: A new wallet service was introduced by Google.

2014: Apple Pay was introduced by Apple.

2015: Android Pay and Samsung Pay became available.

The Present of Online Payments

That’s a bit into the past. Now let’s take a look at what’s going on currently in the world of digital payments worldwide.

Contactless payments

As can be expected from the name, contactless payments do not require contact between the reader and the device. It allows customers to wave their devices over the reader or tap their credit cards to make payments

In comparison, contactless payments work faster than swiping or inserting cards. Organizations like Samsung, Apple, and Google have SamsungPay, ApplePay, and GooglePay respectively. All three use contactless payments.

Omnichannel commerce payment infrastructure

Since the proliferation of smartphones, the shopping trends of consumers have fast evolved. One-click commerce and in-app payments have risen in popularity as time has gone by.

By using an omnichannel payment infrastructure, traders can increase their customer satisfaction, post-sales services, and in-store sales efficiency, and reduce fraud cases.

The future of mobile payments

Now, let’s see what the future has in store for mobile payments.

Advanced security with machine learning

Security is a major factor in the development of future payment tech. Problems in advancing payment technologies could arise if security is not matching up. 

Getting the lookout for frauds from such a huge crowd of users can be a lot of work. Naturally, only specialized software and machines can handle it. 

Mobile point of sale

Users’ payment preferences aren’t the only things going mobile. Credit card payment processes are now going mobile too with Mobile-point-of-sale (mPOS) tech.

These mPOS units are wireless gadgets used to mimic traditional cash registers and sales terminals. They offer easy, space-saving, convenient, and wire-free means for regular merchants to receive payments. 

Biometrics authentication

Anything biometric refers to a calculation of physical traits like the retina, iris, fingerprints, face, voice, eye, vein infrared thermogram, or a mix of all of these traits. Biometric authentication is being fast adopted by modern banks as an advanced form of digital security. 

Social commerce

Seeing as the tech-savvy types in this generation spend a chunk of time surfing on different social media like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and so on, retailers and merchants have soon caught on. They’re starting to get across to them using social media, and offering them products.

They also make sure that they take a hold of the moment and cause users to checkout through said social media platforms instead of redirecting them to fill out a form outside the interface

Conclusion

Mobile payments have come a long way, right from the late 20th century up till this point. The advancements made over the past two and a half decades are astounding, and it promises to get even more so.

The journey is yet to see many more drastic changes, and in the coming times, we almost certainly would see mobile transactions take a new shape. One thing is for sure though, it’s going to be a thoroughly exciting ride.