The young man who was reported missing from his home in Athenry has been found safe and well.
Gardaí are appealing for the public’s help in locating a young man reported missing from the Athenry area.
Jason Fallon (23), missing from his home in Athenry, was last seen at approximately 5pm on Sunday, September 18.
Jason is described as being 5 foot 8 inches in height with a slim build. He has short brown hair.
Jason was last seen wearing blue jeans, brown/beige coloured top and runners.
He left home and is driving a White Volkswagen Caddy Van with a registration number of 162 D.
Jason’s family and An Garda Síochána are concerned for his welfare, and are asking the public’s help in finding him.
Anyone with information that could help locate Jason is asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Two Galway TDs have criticised the lack of a specific focus on the islands in the new LEADER programme.
Sinn Féin TDs Claire Kerrane and Mairéad Farrell have said that their are different obstacles facing island communities, and being grouped in with a county does not serve their needs.
The LEADER programme provides funding for community led projects in rural areas, divided into Local Action Groups (LAGs).
These have generally been divided up on a county basis, and offshore islands are included with the rest of the county.
Deputy Kerrane said that it is a “blow to our Island communities” that the 2023-2027 LEADER programme will not reestablish an Island-specific LAG.
“It is also frustrating that the briefing note advises that consideration was given to establishing a LAG for the Islands, but ultimately the Government decided not to go ahead.”
“We know that Island communities are placed at a competitive disadvantage for LEADER funding by being included in current sub-regional areas.”
“Including the Islands in broad groupings, usually by County, does not serve their needs and does not support local development in these communities.”
Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell said that it is deeply disappointing that the voices of islanders have not been heard on the matter.
“We know from engagement with those who work in delivery of the LEADER programme that there are different obstacles for the Islands in availing of funding and that we need to deal with them.”
Deputy Kerrane said that it is not too late for Minister Heather Humphreys to revisit the decision, and establish an island specific grouping for the upcoming programme.
A man convicted of driving without insurance for the 16th time was sentenced to four months in prison at Galway District Court.
Samir Parker (28), from Rinn Lia, Ballybrit, pleaded guilty to driving without having a valid licence or insurance by video-link.
The court heard that on May 25 of 2020, he was pulled over on Mill Street in the city at 11:40pm, at a time when he was disqualified from driving.
Another public order charge for threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour was withdrawn on the plea.
Parker could not have had valid insurance or a licence at the time, as he had been given a 10 year disqualification at Limerick City Circuit Court a few months prior to this.
The court heard that Parker had a total of 69 previous convictions, almost almost all of which were road traffic, and was currently serving an eight month sentence.
These included 15 previous convictions for driving without insurance.
Mr Parker’s solicitor said that he made a silly decision, and accepts that he has a bad record. She said that he has two children, and has the support of his mother and partner.
Judge Fahy imposed four months in prison, which was to be served after the end of his current sentence, with one month concurrent for driving without a licence; She also imposed a ten year disqualification.
The U20 Hurling Championship finals will take place this week, with the A & B1 finals going ahead over the next two days.
On Tuesday, the B1 final will take place at 7:30pm in Duggan Park with Liam Mellows v Portumna.
That’ll be followed on Wednesday by Turloughmore v Sarsfields in the U20 A final, at the same time slot and venue.
Tickets for the two games cost €10 each, while U16s go free and do not need a ticket. Purchase tickets online for the A final here, and the B1 final here.
The A Final of Turloughmore v Sarsfields will also be livestreamed for people who can’t make it in person.
Three Galway schools have joined the Creative Clusters initiative to help foster young people’s interests in art, music, drama, or more.
Created in 2018, the Creative Clusters initiative sees between three and five schools collaborating on an creative learning project.
Schools in each cluster will enjoy access to a specialist facilitator, artist or creative expertise in whatever their chosen area of interest or theme might be.
The latest expansion of the initiative seen 21 new clusters, comprising 78 schools, join the programme for the 2022-2024 school years.
The new Galway cluster is made of Athenry Boys NS, Galway Educate Together, and Eglish NS.
They will receive €3,000 funding per school over a two-year period to implement their project in the 2022–2024 school years.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said, “Creative Clusters is an excellent initiative that supports students to develop their creativity, learn to adapt and collaborate and provides them with real opportunities to express themselves in a variety of exciting new ways”.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for schools to work together on a project of their choice,” Minister Foley added, saying that she looked forward to seeing how these projects develop over the next two years.
“Schools are given complete freedom to design and develop their own project, with support from a local facilitator and their local education centre.
Galway will see a fairly strong start to the week, with sunny spells amidst mostly cloudy weather, but the rain is expected to make its return later.
Monday will be mostly overcast, but there will be some short sunny spells during the day as well, with temperatures reaching highs of 15 to 17 degrees.
The day is also expected to remain dry for the most part, with light southwest breezes, and temperatures will stay in the mid teens of 13 to 15 degrees overnight.
Tomorrow is expected to be a slight improvement on Monday, with some stronger periods of sunshine in the morning, though conditions will again mostly be cloudy.
Staying dry, highest temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees are expected on Tuesday, with a light southerly to westerly breeze.
Things will start to take a turn on Wednesday, as light rain is expected to make a return in coastal areas, while it will mostly remain dry, but cloudy inland.
Definitely getting a bit gustier on the coast also, as a moderate southerly wind is expected throughout the day, though again, lighter inland.
Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees on Wednesday, and staying in that region overnight.
Come Thursday the weather will break in a bad way, Met Eireann has forecast, with with widespread heavy rain.
Though some sunny spells are also expected later in the day as the rain dies off. Highest temperatures on Thursday of 15 to 17 degrees.
Disruption to traffic and the local water supply is expected in Craughwell today, as Irish Water is carrying out repair works on the local network.
Irish Water will be carrying out leak repair works on the water mains at Ballymore Lane from 11am to 3pm on Monday.
These will cause water outages to homes in Ballymore Lane, Slí na gCapall, Slí Uí Mhaoilíosa, Blackberry Way, and surrounding areas.
A traffic management plan will be in place for the duration of the works.
It can take up to 2-3 hours after repairs are completed before people see their full water supply restored, as the network refills.
Updates can be found on Irish Water’s supply and service website page.
After its huge success last year, the Galway Wandering Kite Festival is back to bring delightful spectacle to the skies.
The first festival was a sold out hit in Oughterard last year, and true to its name, the 2022 festival will be wandering to a new location at Omey Beach Strand, Claddaghduff this weekend.
Audiences will see the skies over Omey filled with some of the biggest kites in the world flown by some of the world’s most renowned kite-flyers.
Back on the ground there will be music, food, as well as free kite-making workshops on the day for anyone who didn’t bring one with them
Bring your deck chairs, bring your picnic blankets and soak up the atmosphere. Galway Wandering Kite Festival encourages people to have fun in the stunning setting of Galway County and to come together in creativity.
Ruth Mulhern, Tourism Officer with Galway County Council said, “This colourful festival will highlight Omey Strand as the ideal location to showcase the skills of the kite flyers.”
“We decided to roll out this festival in the shoulder season to continue to attract visitors to the region.”
“The Wild Atlantic Way is famous for its wild and windy shoreline and visitors from near and far will delight in the sight of the kites dancing across the sky in this stunning and unique location.”
Experience the joy and wonder of this exciting visual spectacular from 11.30pm until 3.30pm next Sunday, September 25.
This event is free to attend but ticketed. For further information and to register for your free ticket visit the Creative Ireland Galway County Facebook page. Event is open to ticket holders only and is weather-pending.
Planning permission is being sought to demolish a derelict building in Tuam to make way for an infill development of 11 houses and apartments.
A planning application by M Cummins has been made to the county council for construction of housing on an overgrown site on Bishop Street, Tuam.
The proposal would see a derelict building on the site knocked down. On the site, it is intended to build a terrace of three houses up front, with eight apartments arranged in duplexes to the rear.
Ten parking spaces would be located next to the apartments, with rear gardens and public open space separating it from the existing homes on either side.
An Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment was prepared due to the site’s location within an Architectural Conservation Area.
Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by November 6 of this year.
An 80 year old woman reported missing from the Loughrea area since yesterday has been found safe and well after an extensive search.
Marie Lynch was reported missing from her home since approximately 5pm on Saturday.
An extensive search has taken place over the past 24 hours, with Gardaí, Coast Guard, Civil Defence, and local volunteers searching the area.
Gardaí have confirmed this evening that she has been found safe and well.
An Garda Síochána thanked the public for their assistance in this matter.
Everyone loves a good pub quiz, and one taking place next week will also help raise money for the life saving Claddagh Watch group.
Have you ever laid awake at night among the squawks of the seagulls, the song of the soggy students, the smell of the sea and wondered – just how Galway am I?
Perhaps you’ve wondered, how am I supposed to wear a Claddagh ring? What’s with the Buckfast obsession? Has Fergie ever performed in Galway? What was the name of the fella that played Jack Taylor?
The inaugural Pure Galway Quiz will consist of all your usual table quiz rounds, except – they will be all things Galway.
Think Galway sports, history, geography, music, festivals, pubs and well… all things Galway!
Prizes on the night have been sponsored by businesses across the city and there will be a raffle on the night in aid of local charity Claddagh Watch Patrol.
This group was established to prevent deaths by accident and suicide on the river and canals of Galway City by providing nightly volunteer patrols along our waterways.
You can book your table of 4 for €40. Registration from 7pm, quiz time is 8pm. Tickets are on sale now: link here.
This quiz is presented by WOMP Events, Massimo, Galway’s Westend & This Is Galway.
Gardaí are appealing for the public’s help in locating an elderly woman missing since yesterday evening.
Marie Lynch (80) has been missing from her home in Loughrea since Saturday, September 17.
She was last seen in the Woodford area at approximately 5pm yesterday.
Marie is described as being 5’ 2” in height, of slim build with short fair hair. Marie has access to a red 151D Toyota Corolla.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information that could help locate Marie to make contact with them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Loughrea Gardaí on 091 842 870, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Galway City Council is seeking further information from JD Wetherspoon about their plans for a new pub and restaurant in the city centre.
Wetherspoons submitted a planning application back in July, seeking approval to convert the former Carbon nightclub to a pub and restaurant.
The council has requested further information from the developer on a number of topics, a lot of which has to do with potential noise from the late bar and restaurant.
An updated noise assessment was requested, with information on noise from any extraction fans or ventilation from the restaurant; It was also suggested that the courtyard plans should include additional noise absorption panels.
Wetherspoon were also asked to comment on plans to raise the height of the rear boundary wall to 5m, apparently without the consent of the adjoining property.
The council requested updated drawings with the location of stacks for extraction fumes, showing that they complied with HSE requirements on air emissions.
Further information was also sought on bi-lingual signage out front, and proposed sub-surface works in an area of archaeological significance, and to provide clarification on the total floor area of the new pub.
Finally, Wetherspoon have been asked to address a third party submission made by the neighbouring store Booley.
This submission was supportive of the plans, but sought clarity on some matter of drainage, windows, and the shop front.
Planning permission is being sought by the UK pub chain for works including demolition and refurbishment works at ground floor level including the front elevation at Eglinton Street.
The plans also include an extension to first floor level to include a roof terrace, customer toilets and staff facilities.
Modifications will be made to the existing beer garden on the ground floor, and a second one will be added on the roof terrace upstairs.
The further information was requested by Galway City Council on September 14, and a response is due within a statutory timeframe of six months.
The Galway Simon Community will be hosting a hybrid version of its regular Sleep Out this month, with people taking part across Connacht and beyond.
Sleep Out For Simon, set to take place on Friday, September 30, will see people from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and beyond, give up their bed for one night to raise awareness and vital funds for those facing homelessness in the West.
Galway Simon invites you to get your flasks of tea and hot chocolate at the ready and pack yourselves into your warmest sleeping bags, for a jam-packed night.
This year people have the choice to join one of Galway Simon’s organised Community Sleep Outs taking place across Galway city and county or to organise their own Sleep Out in a safe place of their choosing.
This could be a tent in your back garden, a community group in Galway or Mayo, or something on the far side of the world in Vancouver.
Over the last two years the Sleep Outs took place virtually due to Covid-19 and were the most diverse to date.
People partook from across the globe, from Moycullen, Westport, Castlerea, to as far as Shanghai.
One participant from last year said it was, “a great experience with my family raising money for such a good cause while also getting a greater understanding of homelessness and the fact that it can happen to anyone.”
This year’s Sleep Out has set a target of raising €100,000 for Galway Simon’s efforts to keep people off of the streets.
100% of proceeds will go directly towards Galway Simon’s Homelessness Prevention Services including their community support, youth, women and family services, ensuring the charity can safeguard these essential community services and support those in need.
Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, explained why they are relying on the community to come together and raise funds for those living with the threat of homelessness.
“The fear and trauma of having nowhere to sleep is a stark reality for some, the families and individuals who we support continue to be under extreme pressure.”
“We are asking for the help of our community so that we can continue delivering the support needed to protect the most vulnerable in our society from the threat of homelessness”.
To register for the Sleep Out for Simon today, visit here.
MADRA, the Galway dog rescue charity, are holding a fundraising event down in the Claddagh today.
The ‘Doing it for the Dogs’ fundraiser will start at 10am at Claddagh Hall, and finish at 4pm in the afternoon.
The event will help raise money for the charity through two microchipping sessions on the day from 10am-12pm and 2-4pm at a very special rate discounted of €25.
Dog owners who would like to get their pet chipped should remember to bring photo ID (drivers licence or passport) and recent proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, Revenue letter, etc).
“Our sincere thanks to Galway County Council and Galway City Council who are supporting us with funding for this part of the day,” MADRA said on facebook.
They also thanked, “Our trained volunteers who will be implanting the microchips and handling the registration process.”
On top of the microchipping, the fundraiser will also give people the opportunity to get their dog’s portrait taken, or make them a DIY toy.
MADRA has been under extreme pressure in recent months, with a surge in people surrendering their dogs.
With their own kennel full, the charity has had to pay external kennels to hold some dogs while they they and secure homes for them.
The closure of their charity shop in Furbo has also put further strain on MADRA’s finances.
Anyone who wants to support this group caring for out best friends can come along to the fundraiser to get their pet chipped, or donate at https://www.madra.ie/donate/.
A 63 year old man was sentenced to a total of nine months in prison for smashing shop windows and defecating in a taxi, among many other offences.
Michael Reilly, of Tawin, Maree, Oranmore was sentenced in relation to a multitude of criminal damage, making off without paying taxi fare, and public order offences at Galway District Court, along with breaches of COVID regulations.
He was before the court for sentencing on a guilty plea to all charges. The large number of offences cover a period from mid 2018, to as recently as August of 2022.
The largest sentence was in relation to criminal damage at Terryland Fruit & Veg on the Headford Road, where Reilly smashed nine glass windows on the storefront on July 8 of 2018, for which he received five months in prison.
In another incident at CEX on Williamsgate Street on August 1 of this year, the court heard that Reilly was being aggressive towards staff, and swinging his crutch, after previously being told to leave the area.
He was sentenced to two months for failing to follow the directions of Gardaí, with a concurrent one month sentence for threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour.
On February 7 of 2021, a taxi driver came to Mill Street Garda Station alleging that a passenger was not paying his fare. Reilly was found asleep in the car.
For this incident he received a one month sentence for criminal damage after defecating in the taxi, as well as a concurrent one sentence for not paying a €253.40 fare, and another month concurrent for stealing €8 from the taxi driver.
The final consecutive sentence Reilly received was one month in prison for threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour at Mill Street station.
On July 8 of this year, Garda Niall Walsh was in the station when he heard a man shouting shortly after 6pm. He found Reilly outside, yelling that the Gardaí were, “nothing but a pack of c***s.”
Another one month concurrent sentence was imposed for smashing the front window of the Yankee Candle store on Abbeygate Street on January 27, 2021, causing €230 worth of damages.
And a final concurrent sentence was imposed for another incident of making off without paying a taxi fare of €19.40, and another of the same offence for €40 was taken into consideration.
Reilly also received multiple fines for breaching COVID regulations by travelling without a reason during the lockdown.
A psychiatric report before the court said that Reilly did have manic episodes that could be indicative of late onset bipolar disorder.
Judge Fahy remarked that there was no prospect of the money related to the criminal damage and making off without payment being recovered.
The judge also took into consideration a vast number of incidents of being drunk in public to the extent that he was a danger to himself or others.
Mr Reilly became agitated at the end of the sentencing hearing, yelling at his solicitor and stating that he had not pleaded guilty to any of this.
Leave to appeal was granted by the court on Mr Reilly’s own bond of €400, and an independent bond of €1,000, half of which were to be lodged with the court.
A new research project from University of Galway is using state of the medical technology to improve disease management in island communities.
Modern medicine has meant that people are living longer and correspondingly there has been an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes, or hypertension.
This also means that new approaches are needed to deliver this care efficiently and effectively, as was evidenced during Covid public health restrictions, which seriously affected people’s ability to readily go to their doctor.
The Home Health project combines video consultations with remote physiological monitoring, including blood pressure, weight, blood sugar, to deliver more useful virtual care.
It uses remote sensors and artificial intelligence software as part of a suite of interventions to deliver next generation chronic disease management in the community.
The project, led by the Health Innovation Via Engineering (HIVE) Laboratory at Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, aims to improve healthcare of chronic conditions for 165 residents on Clare Island.
Dr Noreen Curtis, GP on Clare Island, said, “I am very excited with the Home Health project and anticipate that improving virtual care will augment the current services and improve overall care for the patients here.”
To overcome the digital divide, a central part of the project is the development of a new, private 5G network on the island to enable monitoring of data, which will be handled by Cisco Ireland.
Project Principal Investigator and CÚRAM-Funded Investigator Professor Derek O’Keeffe said, “Digital health is the future of medicine and data empowers the patient and allows them and their clinicians to make better medical decisions.”
This €1 million project is co-funded by Cisco Ireland and the CÚRAM medical devices research centre.
As well as CÚRAM and Cisco, the project has multiple stakeholders including the island community, HSE and the Western Development Commission.
A vengeful Andy gets his hands on Briain, Tadgh plans to stop Sonny and Crystal for goodA vengeful Andy gets his hands on Briain, Tadgh plans to stop Sonny and Crystal for good, and Caoilfhionn gets an unexpected visitor in Ros na Rún.
A vengeful Andy finally gets his hands on Briain, who will regret the day he ever crossed the man; but Briain’s ordeal is only just beginning.
Tadhg, sick to the teeth of Crystal and Sonny encroaching on his territory, decides to do something about it. What manner of scheme does he have in mind?
O’Shea’s ex-husband Eric pays Caoilfhionn an unexpected visit. But is there an ulterior motive for doing so?
David is disgusted when he learns what Andy did, but will he tell all to O’Shea?
Caitríona does not want Maeve knowing that Vince and Vanessa are in a relationship. But to her horror Maeve finds out.
Catch up on all the latest in Ros na Rún with a double feature omnibus on TG4 this Sunday at 7:30pm.
Ballinasloe and Loughrea will see €5 million invested in the development of a new fibre broadband network.
Broadband operator SIRO, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, has announced that they are rolling out their fibre network to 5,000 homes in the two towns.
Construction work on the network is due to commence in Loughrea next week, with Ballinasloe to follow next Spring.
These works will expand on the 33,000 homes and businesses in Galway City which the SIRO network is already available for.
Areas within Ballinasloe that will be connected include (but are not limited to): Townparks, Portnick, Poolboy, Dunlo, Kilgarve, Church Street, Bóthar Sáirséal, Meadowbrook, Beechlawn, Esker Hills.
Areas within Loughrea that will be connected include (but are not limited to): Portumna Road, Danesfort, Barrack Street, Abbey Street, Athenry Road, Ashlawn, Galway Road, Gort Road, Main Street, Cosmona, and The Hill.
Galway County Council Chief Executive Jim Cullen said that this is a significant investment in the two towns.
“The delivery of such infrastructure is a key economic enabler for existing business, with the potential to help increase their online presence and to trade online nationally and internationally.
“It will have positive impacts for both towns around growth, economic spin off effects & makes these towns more attractive for future investment.”
The network being built in Loughrea and Ballinasloe will be up to 10 Gigabit enabled, with residential customers able to get 1 or 2 Gigabit broadband speeds initially.
Commenting on the launch in Ballinasloe and Loughrea, SIRO CEO John Keaney said that this expansion reflects the demand for high speed broadband across Galway.
“SIRO is pleased to support this objective and to play a part in giving individuals and businesses a choice about where and how they live and work.”
“We have had positive engagement with local stakeholders on the ground in both towns and we are now excited about getting on with our roll-out and connection process in the months ahead,” added Mr. Keaney.
Rural areas around Loughrea and Ballinasloe have also been targeted under the National Broadband Plan, which is being rolled out by NBI.
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