Public meetings to take place this week in city on GH2 hydrogen hub

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June 21, 2022

galway daily news astrophotography — The Milky Way over Finavarra by Gavin Sheehan, Co. Clare

Five Galway astrophotographers have been chosen for the next stage of the prestigious ‘Reach for the Stars’ astrophotography competition.

The competition is run by the run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) aims to find the best astrophotography taken in Ireland over the past year.

Sullyvan Morfoisse, from Claddaghduff, Co. Galway has been shortlisted in the ‘Out of this World’ category.

Felix Sproll from Galway City and Josh Matthews from Moyard have been shortlisted with two photographs each in the ‘Back on Earth’ category, while Aisling McGuire from Moyard and Enda O’Loughlin from Loughrea have also been shortlisted in this category.

While a high-profile judging panel will select the overall winning entries in the coming weeks, an online vote was launched today, so members of the public can also have their say.

All shortlisted images can now be viewed on the ‘Reach for the Stars’ website, where members of the public can also cast their vote for their favourite image.

Over 160 images were submitted to the competition in total this year, with 40 selected for the shortlist and public vote.

There are two categories in the competition: ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Back on Earth’. The ‘Out of this World’ category features images depicting elements of astronomical interest.

The ‘Back on Earth’ category features astro-landscape images that depict an element of astronomical interest and elements such as nature, cityscapes, land or water.

Professor Peter Gallagher of DIAS said he is delighted to return for a second year of judging for the competition.

“The standard of entries has been excellent again this year,” he said.

“It’s amazing what the photographers have been able to capture, from stars and galaxies that are millions of light years away to stunning scenery back on earth.”

Professor Gallagher said that they hope the people of Galway will get involved again this year in the public vote and cast their vote for their favourite image.

Votes for the Public Choice Award are restricted to one vote per person, and voting will close at midnight on Sunday, 3 July 2022.

Pedestrian injured after being knocked down in Salthill

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June 21, 2022

Emergency services were called to Lower Salthill yesterday afternoon after a man was knocked down.

The injured man (40) was taken to University Hospital Galway following the incident which took place just before 4pm.

A section of the road in Lower Salthill past O’Connor’s pub was closed to traffic for a few hours as it was examined by Garda FCIs.

The road has since fully reopened to traffic. Witnesses are asked to contact Salthill Garda Station 091 514 720.

Decisive action needed to reduce building home costs says local TD

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June 21, 2022

Galway Daily news House prices in Galway City fell in first three months of 2023

Real and decisive action must be taken by the government to reduce the cost of building a home, a local TD has said.

Deputy Seán Canney said it is pointless to criticise President Michael D. Higgins who spoke about the crisis recently, and that the government should focus on reducing the costs that are within their control.

The Independent TD said that right now, anyone who builds their own home faces costs in excess of €20,000 before they put a spade in the ground.

The biggest costs are taxes, legal costs, development levies, waste, sewerage connection costs and ESB connection charges.

Canney said that a VAT Refund Scheme would shave 13.50% off the cost of a house, saving a first-time buyer €36,000 on a €300,000 house.

“Abolish the development levies paid to the Local Authorities and fund the Local Authorities directly from central exchequer funds. This would save first time purchasers up to €3,500,” the Galway East TD added.

“Set a maximum fee for Irish Water for sewerage and water connection which again can be up to €20,000 per house.

“This is a penal charge and the Government need to cap this charge at a maximum of €1,500 for sewerage and €1,500 for water.

“If Government are serious, they need to take appropriate action to arrest the biggest housing crisis facing our young people.”

Farmer Michael and Friends return to Town Hall Theatre this weekend for epic show!

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June 20, 2022

galway daily news farmer michael show town hall theatre poster by sir stevo timothy

Sir Stevo Timothy is making a return to the Town Hall Theatre in Galway city this Saturday 25 June with his alter ego Farmer Michael and his long-suffering wife Kathleen.

The Galway comedian started doing sketches in his car six years ago, and Farmer Michael became a viral hit overnight.

His videos have since been watched over half a billion times and shared by the largest sites on the internet.

Within two years of starting, Stevo did his first Vicar Street gig, the Mecca of comedy in Ireland, and sold out multiple nights across Ireland and Britain.

He then branched out into football, politics and pop culture sketches which led to even more notoriety.

His ‘Evernton’ sketches have made him a cult hero of his beloved Everton Football Club.

Some references in the sketches have become iconic and have featured on t-shirts, in memes and even songs.

His videos have been featured in online platforms such as LadBible, Benchwarmers, WorldStar hip hop, JOE.ie, The Daily Edge as well as mentions from international superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Marylon Wayans.

From depression and Donald Trump to gun control and Leo Varadkar, Farmer Michael tackles topical news with a satirical eye.

Get your tickets for Farmer Michael and Friends HERE!

Bittersweet moment for 93-year-old Galway man on return to Ashford Castle

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June 20, 2022

gslway daily news 93 year old man playing gold at ashford castle in galway

It was a bittersweet moment for 93-year-old Sean Murphy when he returned to Ashford Castle recently for the first time since 2020 after the passing of his late wife.

Sean was happy to be back on the 350-acre estate with his family, swinging back into action on the golf course following the pandemic.

Born on June 5, 1929 to parents Francis and Delia Murphy in Eyrecourt in East Galway, Sean was one of seven children, two of whom are still alive.

Rita, aged 97, lives in Birmingham and Bridget, aged 84, lives just five minutes away from the Castle.

Sean moved to Birmingham at the age of 16 and became a bus driver.

It was there that he met the love of his life, Pauline, when he stepped in to cover a friend’s bus route, and she hopped on the bus that he was driving.

During their marriage they visited Ireland and the castle on many occasions, as it held a special place in their hearts with many fond memories.

While living in Birmingham, Sean was conscripted to the British Army, spending two years in service and three in the reserves in which he was trained to transport centurion tanks in Trieste.

Galway-based transgender man shares experience of being trans in the West

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June 20, 2022

galway daily news trans equality together event

A young transgender man living in Galway has shared his experience of being a trans person in the West of Ireland at the recent launch of a new coalition, Trans Equality Together.

Tiernan Arnup (25) grew up in Co. Clare and now works for the regional LGBTQ+ charity organisation AMACH! Galway, which is a member of Trans Equality Together.

Speaking at the launch, Tiernan Arnup spoke about struggling to access services, support and information because he is trans.

He said that he has put off going to the doctor, the bank and the dentist, as he fears not being accepted, respected or understood.

“It is not necessarily easier elsewhere in the country, but often, when I do seek support, information and help to navigate these new challenges, I am almost always directed and redirected to the same Dublin-based services,” said Tiernan.

Tiernan said that while it is wonderful that these services exist, they don’t necessarily understand what it is to be trans in the West and rural Ireland.

“It is so important that there is a sectoral response to establish a body specially dedicated to trans rights and in this, that it is a body which takes a truly national approach to its mission; to ask what is it to be trans in Connemara; what is it to be trans in Dublin, in Donegal,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for education as much as it is for progression.”

Led by Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), Belong To and LGBT Ireland, Trans Equality Together says its objective is to create an Ireland where trans people are ‘equal, safe and valued’.

They want to promote positive attitudes towards trans and non-binary people in the West of Ireland and advocate for policy and legislative changes that will improve the lives of trans people and create a equal society for all.

They also aim to counter the negative and false messages about trans people that have been circulating in recent years.

Sara Phillips, Chair of TENI and Co-Director of Trans Equality Together, said that the aim of Trans Equality Together is to bring together the diverse array of organisations that work with the trans community directly and those that are allies.

The aim is to demonstrate to politicians, policymakers and the wider public the breadth of support that exists for trans rights and the challenges that we, as a community, are facing right now,” said Sara.

Moninne Griffith, CEO of Belong To and Co-Director of Trans Equality Together, said that trans people in Ireland are a tiny minority of the population whose voices have rarely been heard in national discourse.

“They have been marginalised, denied access to healthcare, and demonised in the press.

“Trans Equality Together will work to create an Ireland where trans people are equal, safe and valued.

“We want to promote positive attitudes towards trans people, counter the negative and false messages that have been circulating in recent years, and work to achieve policy and legal changes – particularly in relation to gender recognition and healthcare – that will really improve the lives of trans people.

“We do not want to see the sort of divisive rhetoric and villainisation of trans people taking hold in Ireland that we have witnessed in other countries.”

City Council invites interest in tourist info centre at Eyre Square kiosk

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June 20, 2022

Galway City Council has invited tourism businesses to express interest in developing and running a tourist information centre/ ticket booth at the kiosk at Eyre Square.

The council says that proposals should benefit Galway and have a positive impact on the overall economic and tourism development of the city.

The operators will need to provide investment and show that they will be able to manage the facility under a rental agreement.

The terms of the rental agreement will reflect the level of investment that they are able to invest.

Expressions of interest must include a written proposal outlining a business plan, details of
previous experience, an estimate of the level of investment, and candidates should have experience of working on at least two tourism projects in the recent past.

The kiosk will be in use during the Galway International Arts Festival from 11 to 24 July, and the Christmas market from 18 November to 31 December (dates TBC).

The kiosk will have to be vacated for these periods and the operator should show how they can work with festivals and events.

The screen located at the kiosk will also remain under the control of GCC and access must be provided when required.

Expressions of interest are to be received by Galway City Council by email to candc@galwaycity.ie on or before 15 July 2022.

The contact will be issued for an initial 11 months with the option for two additional years.

Evaluation Criteria

The following evaluation criteria will be utilised by Galway City Council in assessing expressions of interests received in relation to this site:

Contribution to tourism and economic development of the area – 15%
Previous Experience – 15%
Project Proposal – 45%
Financial Proposal – 25%

Queries

All queries in relation to this questionnaire must be sent by email only to Ruairi.lehmann@galwaycity.ie. Responses will be circulated to all candidates who have expressed an interest.

The identity of the person making a query will not be disclosed when circulating the response.

All queries must be submitted before close of business on 1 July 2022 to enable responses to be issued to all interested candidates prior to the deadline date for the receipt of applications.

Winner of Galway Hospice car raffle collects keys to brand new Toyota Yaris!

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June 20, 2022

galway daily news galway hospice car raffle winner 2022 — Pictured are Catherine Clancy, winner of the brand-new car supplied by Parson’s Garage Tuam, with Mary Nash, CEO, Galway Hospice

Catherine Clancy from Oughterard has collected the keys of her brand-new Toyota Yaris at Galway Hospice after winning the first prize in the hospice’s car raffle.

The second prize, which was a family holiday for four to France sponsored by Keller Travel Ballinasloe, went to Joanne Flaherty from Ballybane.

The third prize of afternoon tea at the G Hotel two was won by Regina Birrane from Knocknacarra and the seller’s prize of €250 cash was won by Kay Grealish from Oranmore.

This year’s car raffle was launched in April and has raised vital funds which will be used to keep services running at the hospice.

The Hospice described support for the car raffle as ‘truly overwhelming’, and they extended their gratitude to everyone in Galway and beyond who supported the fundraiser by purchasing tickets.

galway car raffle winner with hospice ceo — L to R: Charlene Hurley, Director of Fundraising and Communications, Galway Hospice; Mary Nash, CEO, Galway Hospice; Catherine Clancy, prize winner; and Francis Tyrrell, Parson’s Garage Tuam who supplied the car

Match tickets for All-Ireland Hurling semi-final on sale today

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June 20, 2022

Galway Daily sport County senior hurling final replay - All you need to know

Tickets for the All-Ireland Hurling semi-final between Galway and Limerick will go on sale on Monday afternoon.

Galway and Limerick will play at Croke Park the weekend after next, on Sunday, July 3 at 3:30pm.

General match tickets will go on sale at 3pm on Monday afternoon, and will be available here.

Clubs will receive an allocation for distribution to club members, and season ticket holders will already have been contacted directly by Croke Park.

Galway secured their place in the semi-final by edging out Cork at Semple Stadium last Saturday.

The Tribesmen secured an early lead with a pair of goals in the first half, and though Cork made a furious comeback in the second half, they were unable to close the gap before the final whistle.

The Minor Hurlers unfortunately weren’t as fortunate in their own semi-final on Sunday, narrowly losing out to Tipperary in a high scoring game, 3-24 to 3-20.

Council approves plans for Athenry sewer network upgrade

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June 20, 2022

Galway Daily news €13 million Athenry sewer upgrades

Galway County Council has granted planning permission for a major upgrade to the sewer network serving Athenry town.

Irish Water intends to decommission and replace a large amount of sewerage pipes in town, as well as the Caheroyn pumping station.

A Natura Impact Assessment was submitted with the planning application, and an Archaeological Assessment of the area was also later carried out at the request of the council.

Athenry is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Ireland, with much of the original walls still intact, and other protected sites such as the castle and Dominican Abbey.

Planning permission was ultimately granted by the county council with 13 conditions attached, including strict archaeological monitoring of the works.

Test excavations must also be carried out before work begins, at locations to be chosen by a suitably qualified architect.

Sewer Network upgrades

The project will involve decommissioning the existing combined sewer overflow at North Gate street in the town centre, and replacing the sewers from the Cuirt Ard/Caheroyan Road junction to the Caheroyan Pumping Station.

That pumping station is to be decommissioned and completely removed, and a new station will be built adjacent to Pairc na hAbhainn housing estate.

New sewers starting at North Gate will be laid to the new pumping station, as will a new sewer from the site of the decommissioned station, both of which will cross the River Clarin.

A rising main will go from the new pumping station to the Athenry Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The “package wastewater treatment plant” currently on the site of the new pumping station will be removed, and a new sewer laid from the small estate in Raheen, passing through Presentation College and Clarin College sites to connect to the Athenry Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

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June 20, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Galway has more than doubled since the start of the month, but ICU admissions have remained steady.

The were a total of 36 people hospitalised with COVID in Galway as of Sunday evening, with 21 at UHG and another 15 cases at Portiuncula Hospital.

This is more than twice the number at the start of June, when there were 13 cases at UHG and just three in Ballinasloe.

Portiuncula Hospital in particular has also seen a significant weekly increase, with cases more than doubling from six a week ago, to 15 now.

Hospitals across the country have seen a growing surge in cases over the past three weeks, with the number of COVID-19 patients growing from 180 at the start of the month, to 593 as of yesterday.

Fortunately, there has not been a corresponding surge in patients admitted to the ICU in serious condition.

The overall number of COVID patients in the ICU has only gone up from 18 to 23 over the course of June.

In Galway, there are two cases in the intensive care unit at University Hospital Galway, and none at Portiuncula Hospital.

Charity cycle to aid mother of three stroke victim’s recovery

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June 20, 2022

Galway Daily life & style Connacht players to visit clubs for Care4Claire charity cycle

A charity cycle from Galway to Sligo will raise money for the ongoing recovery and support of a mother of the three who suffered a life changing stroke.

Connacht Rugby is organising the provincial-wide charity cycle in aid of 35 year old Claire Carpenter, which will take place in August.

The 218km Care4Claire cycle from The Sportsground to Sligo RFC will involve both Connacht staff members and club volunteers, all with the aim of raising much-needed funds.

On February 10, Claire suffered a stroke at her home in Coolaney, Co. Sligo after days of feeling unwell.

After being rushed to the ICU unit of Beaumont Hospital she was placed in an induced coma for over a week following a life-saving operation.

Claire is now thankfully on the road to recovery, however significant funds need to be raised to allow her to continue her rehabilitation in Dun Laoghaire, and eventually lead an independent life at home.

Claire’s partner Ross Mannion is a Rugby Participation Officer with Connacht Rugby, and the couple have three children Luke (14), Anna (10) and Zach (7).

The pair were in the process of organising their wedding this summer which was already twice postponed due to COVID. Their wedding has again been postponed while they focus on Claire’s health and wellbeing.

Shortly after her stroke, a GoFundMe page was set up to support Claire and her family through her recovery, with over €90,000 raised to date.

The aim of this charity cycle is to increase that number even further, and give Claire, Ross and their children the help they need and deserve.

The cycle will begin at The Sportsground in Galway in the early hours of Saturday 13th August and will finish at Sligo RFC.

The route will take in all five counties with stops in Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Frenchpark, Carrick-on-Shannon, and finally Ross and Claire’s home in Coolaney, before the final stretch to Sligo RFC.

Taking part in the cycle will be representatives from clubs around Connacht, as well as a number of Connacht Rugby staff members including Andy Friend and Eric Elwood.

Man before court over €151,000 cannabis seizure

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June 20, 2022

Galway Daily news Man in court on €151,000 cannabis seizure

A man in due before the court this morning in connection with the seizure of €151,000 worth of cannabis over the weekend.

On Sunday morning, Gardaí from the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit carried out a search at a home in the Cappataggle area.

During the course of the search, Gardaí seized cannabis plants with a potential value of €144,000 and cannabis herb worth €6,600.

A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested at the scene and taken to the Galway Divisional Headquarters in Renmore.

He has since been charged, and is due to appear before Galway District Court later this morning.

All of the drugs seized are being sent for further analysis. Gardaí said in a statement that the investigation is ongoing.

NUIG honours award-winning composer and conductor Eímear Noone

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June 19, 2022

galway daily news Eímear Noone beingconferred with an honorary Doctor of Music by NUI Galway — Award-winning Irish composer and conductor Eímear Noone was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Music by NUI Galway. Pictured with her son Eliam. Photograph by Aengus McMahon

World renowned composer and conductor Eímear Noone has been awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway.

The award-winning artist was conferred a Doctor of Music honoris causa at the university’s summer conferring on Tuesday.

Almost 300 NUI Galway students were conferred at the ceremony with the largest cohort including more than 180 doctors, who received their Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and Bachelor of Obstetrics degrees.

Eímear Noone said that she was ‘delighted’ about the honorary doctorate, saying that “it’s particularly poignant that it’s the same year that the first students of the university’s Bachelor of Music are graduating from NUI Galway.”

“To be honoured in my own home county, in Galway, is so meaningful and overwhelming,” she said.

“If I was to offer any advice to the graduates of today, it’s this – take the ‘don’t be bold’ that we are told as kids, and turn it on its head, and go out there and be bold.”

A world-renowned conductor and award-winning composer, Eímear Noone is based out of Los Angeles and Dublin.

Originally from Kilconnell, she made history in 2020 when she became the first woman to conduct the orchestra at the Oscars.

Eímear Noone has also composed extensively for film and video games.

The honorary conferring took place at a special graduation celebration for more than 150 former students who completed studies in 2021 and whose winter conferring was postponed, along with graduates who completed studies in 2020 and were conferred in absentia due to public health restrictions during the pandemic.

Dr Sarah Crowley from Millstreet, Co. Cork, Dr Audrey Bicknell from Canada, and Dr Chloe Gacquin from Roscommon Town, who were conferred with an Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) from NUI Galway. Photo – Aengus McMahon.

Dr Cristian Deliv from Galway City and Dr Ellen Dempsey from Tralee, Co. Kerry who were conferred with an Honours Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Obstetrics (MB, BCh, BAO) from NUI Galway. Photo: Aengus McMahon.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, congratulated each of the graduates on their hard work and achievement in challenging times.

“We in NUI Galway are determined that this University will continue to play its full part in developing graduates who make a profound difference in the world and for the world, and shape the future needs of our society,” he said.

“I would also like to extend my congratulations to Eímear Noone. We are delighted to be able to recognise her outstanding contribution to the world of music and gaming.”

Twelve Final Medical Medals were presented to seven graduates for their outstanding academic performance in the studies, with Dr Róisín Thornton from Corcullen, Co. Galway receiving five medals.

Every year the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences presents the medals to students who receive the highest grade in each subject area.

Galway forecast: Sunny start to week in store for West

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June 19, 2022

It will be a sunny start to the week across Galway with temperatures set to reach 22 or 23 degrees in parts of the county.

But the decent weather will be short-lived, with a return to showers and more cloudy conditions on Tuesday.

Top temperatures of 19 to 23 Celsius are forecast for tomorrow, Monday, and it will be warmest in the east of the county.

It will be slightly cooler near the coasts though, where winds will be moderate at times.

On Monday night, cloud will build from the northwest with outbreaks of rain moving southeastwards over most of the country.

It will be a mild night with temperatures generally not falling into single digits.

On Tuesday there will be scattered outbreaks of rain in the morning, gradually clearing southeastwards.

The rest of the day will be much cloudier than Monday, but there may be some brighter spells in Connemara.

Wednesday is set to be a dry day for many areas with a mix of sunny spells and cloudy periods.

There could be some isolated showers too, especially in the morning and early afternoon.

Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid teens for most of this week, with more clouds forecast for Thursday and Friday.

A weather front is also currently predicted to move in from the Atlantic during Friday and on Friday night bringing some rain.

This front will bring cooler, unsettled weather with showers next weekend.

Fascinating documentary ‘Nazi sa Gaeltacht’ on TG4 this week

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June 19, 2022

A fascinating documentary on TG4 this week will explore what a member of the German Nazi party was doing in the Donegal Gaeltacht in 1937 in the run-up to World War II.

Veteran investigative journalist Kevin Magee uncovers the real double life of Irish language scholar Dr Ludwig Mühlhausen in Nazi sa Ghaeltacht this Wednesday, 22 June at 9.30pm on TG4.

In the one-hour documentary, Kevin follows Mühlhausen’s journey – who said he was in the Gaeltacht to collect folklore, but secretly gathering information which would be exploited by the Third Reich.

Professor Mühlhausen perfected his knowledge of the Irish language in the tiny Irish speaking hamlet of Teileann and used it to broadcast German propaganda into Ireland during World War II.

In a remarkable journey Kevin traces the professor’s footsteps back to Berlin and reveals the shocking truth about the German scholar who became the Gaelic Lord Haw Haw and a decorated SS officer.

Kevin had heard stories of a Nazi spy who operated in Teileann in South Donegal ever since he himself started visiting the area over 40 years ago.

Like Kevin, Mühlhausen had also gone there to perfect his Irish, but the locals were always suspicious of the German’s real reasons for visiting.

Mühlhausen made no secret of the fact he was a committed Nazi and openly expressed his despair at how the locals weren’t enterprising, lacked German efficiency and didn’t exploit the land and sea around them as he thought they should.

“I wanted to find out if the story of the Nazi in the Gaeltacht was true, so I began investigating, talking to locals, asking questions and examining a whole variety of sources. Piece by piece I was able to pull this remarkable story together,” said Kevin.

“When I began my journey, I had no idea I would discover just how committed Mühlhausen was to the entire Nazi project. The plot reads like a World War Two thriller, except this story is for real.

“One of the first things he did in Teileann after he’d found somewhere to stay was hang a large picture of Hitler on his bedroom wall. He took photographs everywhere he went and measured the depth of Teileann Bay by dropping lead weights into the tide.

“Locals later speculated he was scouting the place out as a potential landing site for Nazi U-boats.”

Two years after his visit, the same local people who had facilitated his stay in Teileann, were amazed to hear him broadcasting Nazi propaganda in Irish from a radio station in Berlin, urging the Irish to keep their neutrality and reminding them of atrocities the English had carried out in Ireland.

He begins his journey at the Slieve League cliffs in Donegal, travels to the Military Archives in Dublin where he uncovers a secret file the Irish intelligence service compiled on Mühlhausen during the war.

From there the trail takes him to Berlin where he uncovers previously unseen documents that reveal the German’s efforts to shape a Nazi plan for Ireland. The deeper Kevin gets into the investigation, the more extraordinary and sinister the story becomes.

Even at the end, with the Nazis defeated and Mühlhausen in a prisoner of war camp, he made one last desperate plea for help.

Dunkellin flood relief completion welcomed by local TD

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June 19, 2022

East Galway TD Seán Canney has said that he was ‘delighted’ to attend the handover of the Dunkellin Flood Relief Scheme to Galway County Council this week.

The project was debated in the Dáil as far back as the 1940s, and has been on a long journey to this day.

The Independent TD said that he was happy to progress this project at a crucial time when he was Minister in the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Deputy Canney commended all the landowners, Galway County Council and the OPW for helping to bring this project to fruition.

“I was delighted to meet some of the local people who expressed such relief and joy that this project is complete, and their homes are now safe and secure from flooding into the future,” he said.

“I will continue to work on other schemes including the Gort Lowlands Scheme and the Portumna Flood Relief Scheme to ensure that they are also caried out without undue delays.”

11 local children have no secondary school place for September says local TD

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June 18, 2022

Galway Daily news Disappointment that no occupational injury benefits coming for Long Covid sufferers

Local TD Denis Naughten has called for the Government to immediately address a situation where 11 local children are set to leave primary school in the next two weeks without knowing where they will be going to secondary school in September.

Deputy Naughten said that Minister Josepha Madigan assured him four weeks ago that these local children would have access to an autism-specific class.

But he said that their parents have yet to receive any details of where they will be going to school.

“Where parents have been told that the school place is up to 100km away, they have been provided with no details of how their child is to get to school and who is going to pay the astronomical fuel bill these families are now facing,” explained the Roscommon-Galway TD.

“The lack of secondary school places for children with autism in Athlone and South Roscommon will force 11 students to travel up to 150,000 km over the next school year because of the failure to provide autism classes in schools any nearer than Glenamaddy in County Galway.”

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Naughten said that these children should be entitled to an education in their own town along with their schoolmates and their brothers and sisters.

“I don’t think it is too much to ask,” he said.

NUIG Students’ Union raises €11,000 for two charities

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June 18, 2022