Almost 1,000 patients on trolleys at UHG in July

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July 31, 2022

Charities in Galway have been reminded to apply for grants of €10,000 or more in the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards before the application deadline on Friday, 5 August.

The Movement for Good Awards is giving away a further €500,000 to support charity projects across the country that have a lasting impact on communities.

In June, 250 €1,000 awards were donated. A further 250 grants of €1,000 will be awarded in September 120 in December.

The larger €10,000 grant application is open to charities supporting education and skills, rural or community development, heritage, arts or culture, climate or environment, and human rights or equality.

In 2021, Dublin-based charity Common Ground and Sligo charity Kids’ Own both received a €10,000 grant to fund great projects.

This year Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland is inviting more charities to apply. The funding can be used within three years and for a blend of project and core funding costs.

Siobhán Geoghegan, Director at Common Ground, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to hear we were one of the winners of the Movement for Good Awards 2021.

“Winning €10,000 made a huge difference to the work we do locally. The grant also came at a perfect time as we had been navigating a difficult period following the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

David Lane, Managing Director for Ecclesiastical Insurance Ireland, said that through the larger grants, they are actively championing innovation, giving charities the backing they need to propel their plans forward.

“As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do.

“We hope to see a number of strong applications from Ireland between now and the 5^th of August, so we can continue to help charities at a time when they need it most.”

In June, 250 €1,000 awards were donated. A further 250 €1,000 grants will be awarded in September and a further 120 €1,000 grants will be given away in December.

For more information and an application guide which details how to apply for the larger grants visit: www.movementforgood.com/largergrants

Letter | ‘I am appalled at news coming from NUI Galway this week’

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July 31, 2022

galway daily news letter to editor cian mortimer people before profit galway debenhams workers strike

Dear Editor,

As a postgraduate representative on NUI Galway’s (soon to be University of Galway’s) Governing Authority and Academic Council, I am appalled at the news coming from the university this week.

The university has established a “new partnership to promote NUI Galway to students in Asia and beyond.”

Frankly, I am astounded at the gall of the university. In recent weeks, they have published new accommodation advice on their website, recommending Oughterard, Athenry, and Tuam as viable commuter options for students.

At the same time, there are no plans to expand student parking allocations meaning people forced to use cars will have nowhere to park them.

Weekly, my emails are full of lecturers and researchers begging for rooms or accommodation for students coming from abroad.

There are also numerous cases where students, myself included, are turning down PhD opportunities because of the lack of accommodation coupled with the poor remuneration offered.

The university’s latest on campus construction is costing €100,000 per bed, ensuring the price tag is almost €70 million.

This cost will be imposed on students as the university seeks to recoup any and all possible income from desperate students. Placing “affordable” in the title and in strategic development plans does not make it so.

As of writing, there are 22 properties to rent on Daft.ie – with half of them over €2,000 per month.

With students making up a significant amount of minimum wage labour, these prices are well outside what is possible. The housing crisis is intrinsically linked with the cost of living crisis.

Until the university and country are better positioned to facilitate these students, it is improper to offer them a ceád míle fáilte without even a place to call home.

Yours,
Criodán Ó Murchú
Postgraduate Representative
Údarás na hOllscoile

Funding to tackle social exclusion in Ballinasloe

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July 31, 2022

galway daily news ballinasloe recreational facilities

Cathaoirleach of Ballinasloe Cllr Evelyn Parsons has welcomed news that Ballinasloe Urban area will receive funding of €140,000 to support the Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) in the town.

The ECP is a new €2 million pilot programme targeting 14 small areas with the highest socio-economic deprivation.

Cllr Parsons explained that the purpose of the programme is to tackle disadvantage and social exclusion using a community development approach, by developing relationships with community stakeholders and groups.

The programme will work with other initiatives such as Community Safety Partnerships/Joint Policing Committee, Local Drug Task Forces, Youth Justice and Healthy Ireland.

This funding will also support Galway Rural Development in recruiting a Community Engagement Worker with experience of community development and local needs analysis and planning, which Cllr Parsons says is very welcome for the town.

The budget allocation is based on the level of population in each small area and Ballinasloe Urban falls into Band 3.

240 homeless adults in Galway in June

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July 30, 2022

Galway Daily news COPE Galway extremely worried at record homelessness levels

A total of 240 adults were recorded as homeless in June in Galway according to figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The data shows that from 20 to 26 June, 88 families in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon were in emergency accommodation, of which 50 were single parent families.

The families included 129 adults and 206 children.

Nationally, 7,421 adults were homeless during the week from 20 to 26 June, with 4% of the total being in Galway, Roscommon and Mayo.

Of the homeless adults in those three counties, 131 were women and 157 were men, and 51 were aged between 18 and 24.

A total of 236 of the 288 homeless adults in the West were Irish citizens.

Dublin had the highest number of homeless adults with 5,258, accounting for 71% of the national figure.

Livestreaming returns for Galway GAA club championships

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July 30, 2022

Galway Daily sport Planning refused again for Oughterard sports facilities

Livestreaming will return for this year’s senior and intermediate club hurling and football championships, with three options on offer for supporters.

Galway GAA has partnered with StreamSport.ie to offer season passes for hurling and football as well as day passes for €10.

The day passes will allow people to watch all games happening that day, while season passes for hurling and football are €120 each – working out at €5 per game.

To buy a day pass, people can click on any game of the day they wish to purchase the pass for.

The hurling season pass can be bought through a button on the livestreaming home page, and the same can be done for the football season pass.

The Brooks Group sponsored Senior Hurling Championship kicks off this weekend with two double headers being streamed live.

For more info and to purchase any of the passes, click here.

City Bin Co. sold to Thorntons Recycling

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July 30, 2022

The City Bin Co. based in Oranmore has been sold to Thorntons Recycling.

The City Bin Co. was co-founded by Gene Browne in 1997 and operates in both Galway City and Dublin, employing around 180 people across its operations.

Thorntons Recycling is owned by brothers Paul and Shane Thornton, and employs over 550 people in Ireland.

It has been operating in the waste sector here for almost 45 years and handles over 700,000 tonnes of waste material across 11 depots.

The company provides a full range of recycling and waste management services to over 80,000 household and commercial customers.

Gary Brady, CEO, Thorntons Recycling said that Thorntons intends to retain The City Bin Co. brand post-acquisition.

“We are delighted to acquire The City Bin Co. which has an excellent reputation in the waste management sector and is a well-known brand with a loyal customer base in Dublin and Galway City,” he said.

“With this investment Thorntons Recycling is making a strong commitment to delivering for Ireland’s circular economy and helping the country achieve its climate action targets.

“Our two businesses are highly complementary in terms of culture and outlook, and together we will continue to deliver a premium service to our customers and excellent career opportunities to our employees.”

Gene Browne, co-founder of The City Bin Co., said: “We’ve come a long way from one truck and two customers back in 1997. I, for one, am very proud of all that we have achieved to date.

“Through our customer service focus, we have grown our business strongly in the commercial and household markets in both Galway and Dublin, while delivering significant support to our former partners in the Middle East.

“This is the next chapter for The City Bin Co. Our brand, customer service philosophy and strong service ethos will remain the same. Regarding that ethos, I believe Thorntons are fully aligned to The City Bin Co.

“I would also like to thank our partners, CCI, who have helped us build our business over the past number of years.”

Over 6% of residential properties in Galway are vacant

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July 30, 2022

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

More than 6 percent of homes in Galway were vacant last month, fifty percent higher than the national average.

The latest GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report found that Galway had a residential vacancy rate of 6.1% in June of 2022, above the national average of 4.2%.

In Galway, 1,184 residential buildings were under construction in June 2022, and 1,400 new residential address points were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months up to that month.

There were 2,152 residential property transactions in Galway in the year up to last May, 13% of which were new dwellings. The average property price in the county was €288,197.

Commenting on the findings of the report, Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said, “The level of residential construction has increased significantly over the past twelve months as Covid-19 public health measures on the construction sector were gradually eased then removed.”

“This activity indicates a strong pipeline of residential properties that we would expect to enter the market in the months ahead.”

“The GeoDirectory Residential Buildings Report found that the number of vacant properties has also fallen in the last year, although when combined with derelict properties, there are still over 100,000 potential properties which could re-enter the market.”

The twice-annual residential buildings report, prepared by EY, found that a total of 86,708 residential buildings were classified as vacant across Ireland by GeoDirectory, a 5.9% drop when compared to the previous year.

Dublin was the county with the lowest vacancy rate in the country at 1.5%, closely followed by Kildare at 1.6%. Meath (2.5%), Waterford (2.6%) and Louth (2.6%) all recorded residential vacancy rates under the 3.0% mark.

Nationally, a total of 34,198 new residential addresses were added to the GeoDirectory database in the twelve months to June 2022.

This represents an increase of 34.1% on the total recorded between June 2020 and June 2021.

Dublin had the largest share of new address points, with 12,288 addresses added (35.9% of the total), followed by Cork (9.5%), Kildare (9.1%), Meath (6.7%) and Wicklow (5.2%).

File prepared for DPP after Galway drugs and cash seizure

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July 30, 2022

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

The two women and man arrested in connection with the seizure of drugs and cash in Galway on Thursday have all been released without charge and files are being prepared for the DPP.

Gardaí seized approximately €72,500 of cocaine and over €10,000 in cash in search operations in the Menlo and Headford Road areas.

During the course of the search of a house in the Headford Road area, €9,500 cocaine and €10,265 cash was seized.

A female in her 30s was arrested at the scene and was detained.

A second search was conducted at a residence in Menlo where cocaine worth €63,000 was recovered. A man and a woman, both in their 20s, were arrested in relation to this seizure.

The drugs and cash seized will be sent for analysis.

Missing 14 year old girl found safe and well

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July 29, 2022

A teenage girl reported missing from Galway City has been found safe and well.

Gardaí made a public appeal this evening for help in location Mia O’Neill (14), who had been missing since Thursday evening.

An Garda Síochána have now said that the young girl has been found safe and well.

Gardaí thanked the public for their assistance in this matter.

Garda appeal for missing 14 year old girl

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July 29, 2022

Galway Daily news Garda appeal for missing 14 year old girl

Gardaí are appealing for the public’s help in locating a 14 year old girl missing from Galway City.

Mia O’Neill has bee missing since the evening of Thursday, July 28, and was last seen on the Ballymoneen Road.

Mia is described as being approximately 5 foot 4 inches in height with a medium build, brown hair and green eyes.

When last seen, Mia was wearing an orange plaid shirt, Under Armour black shorts and white Nike runners with a purple Nike logo.

Anyone with information on Mia’s whereabouts are asked to contact Salthill Garda Station on 091 514720, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Galway weather: Mixed forecast over bank holiday weekend

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July 29, 2022

Galway Daily weather Falling temperatures and weekend rain mark weather for rest of the week

Met Éireann has forecast cloud, periods of rain and some brief spells of sunshine over the bank holiday weekend for Galway.

Afternoon temperatures will remain in the high teens to early 20s across the county though, with some brighter spells expected on Saturday evening and Sunday evening.

Saturday will be mostly cloudy with occasional rain or showers in the morning, along with some low cloud and mist along the coast.

It will become drier in the afternoon, with some sunshine peaking through in the evening.

The rain will return on Saturday night, becoming more persistent and widespread, however this will clear in most areas by Sunday morning.

Sunday afternoon will remain cloudy but mostly dry, before some brighter spells appear once again in the late afternoon and evening.

Met Éireann says that current indications are that Monday will be mostly dull with outbreaks of rain moving up across the country, turning heaviest in the afternoon and evening.

There could be hill mist and coastal fog too and temperatures will range 17 to 22 or 23 degrees, in light to moderate southwest breezes.

Public urged to protect EDs over August bank holiday

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July 29, 2022

galway daily news Planning application submitted for long awaited Ambulance Base in Recess — Pic: Gregory Clarke

The HSE has asked the public to help protect hospitals and emergency services over the August bank holiday weekend.

People are being asked to consider other options before attending emergency departments (EDs) or calling for an ambulance with hospitals reporting record numbers of patients attending for care and treatment.

This includes a sharp increase in the number of patients who are seen and treated in the ED and then discharged without requiring admission to hospital.

The HSE says that many of these patients could have been treated at other healthcare services such as Injury Units, GP and GP Out of Hours services and pharmacies.

Patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience very long waiting times over the coming weekend and into early next week.

People are also being asked to bear in mind that the National Ambulance Service (NAS) is extremely busy at present.

NAS prioritises calls so the most seriously ill or injured receive the quickest response.

The HSE is also encouraging people to heed advice from An Garda Síochána and slow down this bank holiday weekend.

They added that if you or someone else is seriously ill or needs urgent emergency care, do not delay going to ED or dialling 999/112 for help.

Garda operation targeting anti-social behaviour on trains

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July 29, 2022

Gardaí are conducting high visibility patrols of Galway intercity rail services today as part of an operation against anti-social behaviour.

Operation Twin Tracks is a day of action targeting anti-social behaviour on the DART, Luas, and intercity rail services.

As part of this Gardaí are patrolling eight intercity routes today in partnership with Irish Rail.

The Galway Divisional route incorporates Galway City, Oranmore, Athenry, Attymon, Woodlawn, Ballinsloe and South from Athenry, Craigwell, Ardrahan and Gort.

High visibility patrolling will operate between the hours of 3pm and 11pm on rail services in Galway and elsewhere today.

The focus is on pro engagement and a high level of visibility on the rail networks and at train stations nationwide.

A crime prevention stand will also be set up at Ceannt Station from 3pm to 8pm today, staffed Divisional Crime Prevention Officers assisted by Community Policing Units/Uniform members of An Garda Síochána.

UHG has the highest number of patients on trolleys in Ireland today

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July 29, 2022

Galway Daily news 67 people on trolleys at UHG

University Hospital Galway is the most overcrowded in the country today, with 55 patients waiting on trolleys this morning.

There were 53 people on trolleys at the UHG emergency department this morning, and another three in the wards.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe things are better, with two patients admitted without a bed today.

Figures from the INMO Trolley/Ward Watch show that there are a total of 388 patients on trolleys in Ireland’s hospitals today.

After UHG, the worst affected are St Vincent’s (39) and St James’ (33), while UH Limerick is having an unusually quiet day, with just 32 patients going without a bed.

UHG also still has the highest number of COVID patients in Ireland, tied with Beaumont at 43 cases as of Thursday evening.

More seriously, UHG also has the most COVID patients in the ICU, with four people receiving intensive care.

Portiuncula Hospital had seven COVID-19 cases as of yesterday, of whom two are being treated in the ICU.

Three arrested after €82,765 in cocaine and cash seized in Galway

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July 29, 2022

Galway Daily crime Three arrested after €82,765 in cocaine and cash seized in Galway

Three people have been arrested in connection with the seizure of €82,000 worth of cocaine and cash in Galway yesterday.

On Thursday, Gardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit searched a house in the Headford Road area of Galway City.

During the course of this search €9,500 cocaine and €10,265 cash was seized.

A woman in her 30s was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at the North Western Regional HQ.

A second search was conducted at a residence in Menlo, Galway, where cocaine worth €63,000 was recovered.

A man and a woman, both in their 20s, were arrested in relation to this seizure.

They are detained at North Western Regional HQ under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996.

The drugs and cash seized will be sent for analysis. Gardaí say that the investigation is ongoing.

Extra scholarships announced for disadvantaged students

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July 29, 2022

Galway Daily news 30 percent of University of Galway graduates got first class honours this year

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has today announced financial supports for students seeking to access higher education.

The €2 million funding announcement includes 50 bursaries of €5,000 for the most disadvantaged students including those with a disability, mature students and lone parents.

It will also include funding to support Traveller and Roma participation in higher education, and allow those on certain existing scholarships to retain the funding for additional courses including graduate entry medicine.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said that one of my key priorities since becoming Minister is to promote access to education.

He said that the Government has placed a relentless focus on promoting inclusion – but that there remains significant cohorts not represented in higher education.

“That is why we intend to launch a new National Access Plan to ensure we change the conversation about higher education and ensure it is available to all who wish to access it,” he said.

“We also must ensure we help diversify our professions too. That is why I am particularly pleased that we are allowing certain scholarship holders to continue their bursaries for graduate entry medicine courses.”

Serious assault in Galway city last night leaves young man in hospital

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July 29, 2022

Galway daily news Galway had Ireland's third highest number of road deaths in 2021

A man in his early 20s has been taken to University Hospital Galway after a serious assault in the city centre last night.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the incident at Prospect Hill near TK Maxx, just off Eyre Square, in the early hours of this morning.

The young man suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries in the assault.

So far no arrests have been made as investigations continue.

Farmers express concerns following emissions deal

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July 29, 2022

Galway Daily news Farmers stabbed in the back with TB risk letters - Fitzmaurice

The Government’s decision yesterday to demand of a reduction of 25% in greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector by 2030 has been described as a ‘potentially devastating blow’ for Irish farming and the rural economy.

The Irish Farmers Association heavily criticised the announcement, saying the deal between the three government parties is about their survival rather than the survival of rural Ireland.

The association’s president Tim Cullinan said that the Government agreed to a target without any pathway to get there or any budget to assist farmers to reduce emissions.

He said that they have ‘no idea of the economic and social impact’ of the decision on the farming sector or rural Ireland.

“Farmers across the country will be rightly worried about what this means for their future,” he said.

“The implementation plan to achieve the target will be vital. I want to make it clear that any attempt to undermine farmers livelihoods or the viability of sector, in order to achieve these targets, will be opposed vigorously by the IFA.”

Mr Cullinan said that the Government will have to come forward with real proposals and proper funding to support climate measures including on-farm renewable energy and ensure that farmers get full credit for this.

“We are still strongly of the view that the Government has not complied with the requirements in the Climate Act in relation to carbon leakage and the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane. These will have to be taken on board by the Government.”

Winners crowned for Galway Races Ladies Day Best Dressed Competition

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July 28, 2022