Freedom of the City awarded to two women for heroic acts

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May 25, 2022

Galway Daily news Oranmore active travel

Galway City Community Network and the Galway County PPN are once again collaborating to host the second online meeting on active travel within the city and county next Monday.

The meeting on May 30 at 6pm aims to bring together groups and individuals who are passionate about creating a Galway city and county that is accessible for all active travel.

They imagine a place that people of all ages and abilities, including blue-badge drivers,
disabled people, people with infants and young children, walkers, joggers, people on bikes,
trikes and scooters and bus and train users can all move with ease and be treated with respect.

The groups are calling for universally accessible active travel and public transport that will benefit all residents, and that will be a vital part of a just transition and a people-centred place to live work and visit.

Galway City Community Network and Galway County PPN say they are hosting the meeting to facilitate a collective voice for active travel and public transport users.

If you wish to register for the meeting, please contact Brian at development@gccn.ie. Further information is available on the GCCN website.

Women-led business invited to apply for She’s Next grants

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May 25, 2022

galway daily news she's next programme for businesswomen in galway — Irish women entrepreneurs Izzy and Ailbhe Keane, founders of wheelchair design company Izzy Wheels with Pamela Laird (centre), founder of MOXI Loves. Photo: Conor Healy / Picture It Photography

Women-led businesses in Galway have been invited to apply for grants in Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme until the application deadline in August.

The programme supports women entrepreneurs to run, fund and grow their business, and has doubled the funding of last year’s inaugural She’s Next grant programme.

There will be five grants totalling €50,000, accompanied by a year of coaching provided by IFundWomen, the go-to funding marketplace for women-owned businesses.

Applications are now open until 16 August 2022 at IFundWomen.com/VisaIreland.

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Visa said that women who own and manage businesses face a unique set of challenges including access to capital and peer networks.

“That’s why we’re excited to help make a difference to women business-owners across Ireland today through the second She’s Next Grant Programme,” she said.

“Our research also shows women are less confident than men in growing their business which is why we’re particularly proud to offer access to coaching and support through IFundWomen as well as that injection of €10,000 in capital.”

Last years’ winners are among the women entrepreneurs getting behind the campaign, with most emphasising the importance of the coaching provided.

Aine McGurk, owner of children’s clothing brand, Dainty Bear, said that the coaching has been invaluable in raising her confidence.

Ailbhe and Izzy Keane, founder of Izzy Wheels, the innovative and eye-catching wheelchair covers business, are encouraging women to apply for the She’s Next programme.

“We are passionate about supporting and encouraging other women to start their own businesses and follow their dreams,” said Ailbhe Keane.

“That’s why we’re very happy to get behind ‘She’s Next’ as the programme really resonates with us. Whether the grant goes towards website development, social media, branding, marketing, or research, this is the extra support that women in business need right now.

“The coaching element is also wonderful to see as women can benefit from expertise and guidance to drive their business forward.”

How to apply

The She’s Next Grant Programme, in partnership with IFundWomen, is open to small businesses and organisations who are majority owned by women, operating across all industries and sectors, through a simple application process.

To enter, applicants are asked to submit details about their business and online presence at IFundWomen.com/VisaIreland.

Applications are invited under five different categories:

General awards for:

- Micro business: sole proprietorships or microbusinesses with no more than two employees
- Early-stage business: Businesses founded and incorporated within the last 24 months
- Small business: Any small business with less than 50 employees

Additional two categories for:

- Innovation: Businesses in science, technology, engineering or medicine that are focused on developing new technologies.
- Sustainability: Businesses that show recognisable achievements in sustainability efforts e.g. sustainable energy, climate resilience, environmental and social best practice, environmental and social innovation, and gender and economic inclusion.

Lifelong friends to row from New York to Galway in world record attempt

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May 25, 2022

galway daily news two men to row across atlantic ocean — Photo: Emilija Jefremova

Lifelong friends Damian Browne and Fergus Farrell will attempt to break a world record by rowing unsupported from New York to Galway next month, while raising funds for four charities.

At an event in The Oslo bar in Salthill this week, Fergus Farrell announced that they will work with the National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, Ability West, Madra and Galway Simon Community as they try to break the world record.

All four charities will band together to promote the Project Empower’s fundraising effort by asking people to sponsor each of the 5000kms of the New York to Galway Bay Row.

Those wishing to support the event and their charity partners can do so by visiting: http://www.idonate.ie/projectempower2022

Speaking at the launch, Fergus said that both he and Damian are honoured to work alongside four amazing charitable organisations.

“As daunting as the task at hand is, we genuinely can’t wait to get started, and we hope our efforts will benefit all our partners,” he said.

Former Connacht and Leinster forward Damian would become one of only a few individuals to have rowed the Atlantic both ways having crossed from San Sebastian to Antigua in 2018.

In 2018, Fergus Farrell was given a 5% chance of walking again following a workplace accident which left him completely paralysed from below the waist. Extraordinarily, one year later he walked 206 km across Ireland for charity.

There have been 52 previous attempted crossings of the Atlantic by way of unsupported row. Only 11 of these attempts were by pairs and only six of those pairs managed to complete the row.

In total only 18 of the previous attempts managed to complete the crossing. In addition to the six completed attempts by pairs there have also been successful crossings by six solo rowers, five 4s and one 5.

The pairs world record is held by Norwegians George Harboe and Frank (Gabriel) Samuelsen who were the first pair to attempt the row. They crossed from New York to the Scilly Isles in 1896 in a time of 55 days and 13 hours.

After a short break in the Scilly Isles they continued their row for another five days at sea to Le Harve in France.

Over 200 delegates travel to Galway for major media conference

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May 25, 2022

galway daily news circom conference 2022 in galway poster

Over two hundred delegates will travel to Galway from across Europe this week to take part in the 38th Annual Conference of CIRCOM Regional.

The two-day conference for regional television will feature topics such as journalism’s sustainability, reaching young audiences, and climate coverage in the news.

It will take place on 26 and 27 May in the Galmont Hotel in Galway city, and will also be streamed live online for those who are unable to attend in person.

TG4’s Director-General Alan Esslemont congratulated all those at CIRCOM who have been involved in shaping this year’s key conference topics.

“It is a truly compelling and forward-looking programme and I look forward to excellent discussions,” he said.

“As our media world globalises and becomes more homogenous, I believe that regional broadcasters and regional storytellers will move to centre-stage as guardians and exponents of the true values of public service broadcasting.”

Conference speakers include: Limerick satirist and podcaster Blindboy Boatclub, Senior News Reporter at Vice World News Sophia Smith Galer, Nergiz Nora Westerbergh; Head of Digital at Sweden’s SVT News, Máirín Ní Ghadhra; RTÉ Raidio na Gaeltachta, Páidí Ó Lionáird; Nuacht TG4, Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile formerly of Sky News and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and Tomás Ó Síocháin CEO of Western Development Commission.

As part of the conference events, journalists will take part in a 3-day digital journalism course at National University of Ireland, Galway.

The CIRCOM Regional 38th conference is supported by the BAI, Fáilte Ireland, Gréasán na Meán, Nuacht RTÉ and Creative Media Europe.

Concerns raised about July Provision in special needs schools

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May 25, 2022

Galway Daily news Additional Dog fines will have little effect without more Dog Wardens

Galway East TD Seán Canney has expressed concerns that the July Provision is not being made available to all Special Needs Schools.

The July Provision programme was set up to support kids with special educational needs, essentially extending the school year for those pupils.

Deputy Canney says that a committee has heard that 26 of 126 special schools have advised parents that they will not run the July Provision this year.

He said that the Government has also delayed issuing guidelines for the programme to schools, meaning even more schools will not provide the summer programme.

“The National Council for Special Education has highlighted the fact that home provision is not the solution as home tuition lacks any social dimension and requires further monitoring and regulation,” said the Independent TD.

“The Department of Education needs to ensure funding and resourcing are put in place. There needs to be a recognition that SNAs need to be paid at a level that reflects the work they do. Guidelines should be issued, and delays cannot be tolerated.”

He said that the Department also needs to set out plans for addressing the issue of regression for schools that do not participate in the July Programme.

“We need to support children and their families throughout the year. Special Needs children and their families have suffered enormously during the COVID lockdown and we must ensure that the July Provision is made available to all children.”

Charities urged to plan carefully if raising funds for Ukraine

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May 25, 2022

galway daily news University of Galway signs partnership with government of Ukraine

The Charities Regulator is reminding the public and registered charities in Galway to consider carefully how they support the people of Ukraine.

Registered charities and individuals are being urged to plan carefully before taking part in or organising initiatives, to ensure their efforts achieve their intended purpose.

Helen Martin, Chief Executive, Charities Regulator said that charities have a serious and significant duty of care and that they must have all required safety and safeguarding procedures in place.

“People across the country, including in Galway, continue to be moved by the plight of the people of Ukraine and understandably want to help in whatever way they can,” she said.

“Donating time or money to an established registered charity is a much more effective way of assisting people at a time of crisis than seeking to set up a charity from scratch.

“We urge the public to support registered charities with a track record of providing the kinds of practical supports and assistance that the Ukrainian people need at this time. They can check simply and quickly whether a specific charity is on the Register of Charities at Charitiesregulator.ie.”

Ms Martin also reminded registered charities that they must think and plan carefully before they undertake any new initiatives including those relating to the conflict in Ukraine.

“Any new activities must align with the charity’s stated charitable purpose and should be well thought through so that charity assets and volunteer efforts are targeted properly and effectively.”

“Where a charity is considering providing aid directly to Ukraine or neighbouring countries, for example, they should link in first with other registered charities already on the ground.

“Additionally they should check with the relevant government departments/agencies prior to undertaking any action so they fully understand all the procedures that the charity must follow.

“Risk assessments are another fundamental step in the planning process, to ensure the safety and welfare of the charity’s personnel and volunteers, as well as the Ukrainian people they are seeking to help.”

Strike action by medical scientists called off

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May 24, 2022

Tomorrow’s strike action by medical scientists has been suspended after negotiating parties agreed to attend the Labour Court tomorrow, Wednesday.

The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) took industrial action today and last Thursday over issues such as pay disparity and career development issues.

The strike action caused disruption in hospitals across the country, with a number of procedures being cancelled.

The HSE has said that hospitals will try to resume appointments and procedures as quickly as possible tomorrow, it is inevitable that some appointments will be cancelled.

Hospitals will contact patients directly to advise them on any updates or changes to arrangements for tomorrow, the HSE said.

Routine GP testing and testing services for patients already in hospital will also resume tomorrow.

TG4 to sponsor All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships for further 5 years

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May 24, 2022

Cork v Galway - TG4 Ladies Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Quarter-Final — Aine McDonagh of Galway. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile

TG4 has today announced a five-year sponsorship extension of the All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships.

The new deal is set to last until the conclusion of the 2027 season and all games in the 2022 championships will be available to viewers worldwide.

TG4 has been title sponsors of the competition since 2001, and the deal ensures that the LGFA they will work closely together in 2024 to celebrate the association’s 50^th anniversary.

This is the second major sponsorship renewal for the LGFA in 2022, after National League sponsors Lidl committed to a further four years.

TG4 has committed to screening 13 fixtures live during this year’s All-Ireland Championships, beginning on Saturday, June 11, with a double-header from the group stages of the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship.

The summer schedule will run until TG4 All-Ireland Finals day on Sunday, July 31, when the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Championship Finals will be screened exclusively live on TG4.

The Junior Final will get underway at 11.45am, the Intermediate decider will begin at 1.45pm, and the Senior Final will throw in at 4pm.

Peil na mBan Beo will be available to audiences globally on the TG4 Player and on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App.

Former Galway star Máire Ní Bhraonáin will lead TG4’s Peil na mBan Beo coverage once again for the forthcoming Championship season and the commentary team will be headed up by Brian Tyers.

They will be joined by expert panellists including former Cork stars Rena Buckley and Rhóna Ní Bhuachalla, ex-Waterford ace Michelle Ryan, former Dublin player Sinéad Finnegan, current TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year and 2021 All-Ireland Senior medallist Vikki Wall from Meath, and current Donegal player Emer Gallagher.

TG4’s coverage will be produced by Waterford-based production company, Nemeton TV.

The LGFA and TG4 have also confirmed that all other games that are not being televised in the TG4 All-Ireland Championships will be available to view via the LGFA’s live-streaming service.

Speaking on behalf of TG4, Director General Alan Esslemont said that in 2000, both Ladies Football and the Irish language were matters deemed to be of very marginal concern in Ireland.

“By standing together as partners for over twenty years, LGFA and TG4 have managed to attain remarkable national success and status, bringing change to those societal views,” he said.

“However, much work remains to be done and I believe that this five-year deal between TG4 and LGFA gives a very clear signal of our joint intent to redouble our efforts to achieve a better parity.

“For TG4 to fully achieve that parity, we need Government to address the TG4 Post-Covid funding strategy which aims to see TG4 moving from the margins of the public service media ecosystem to a place which better reflects the importance of the Irish language in today’s society in Ireland.”

Galway Against Gas protest against planned Tynagh power station

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May 24, 2022

galway daily news tynagh power station protest

Galway Against Gas has held a protest at Tynagh Power Station where a new gas power plant is planned.

Galway County Council have granted initial planning permission for the new fossil fuel plant, however an appeal against their decision has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

A spokesperson for Galway Against Gas said that building new fossil fuel infrastructure is totally at odds with what we need to do to deal with the climate emergency.

The organisation, which is an alliance of local environmental activists, believes that new infrastructure like this will ‘lock us into fossil fuel usage for at least another 25-50 years’.

“In the last week, the International Energy Agency have said nearly half of existing fossil fuel production sites need to be shut down early if global heating is to be limited to 1.5C, the internationally agreed goal for avoiding climate catastrophe,” a statement from the group said.

“This comes on the back of a warning by the UN Secretary General that investing in new fossil fuel infrastructure is ‘moral and economic madness’.

“Instead we need urgent investment in renewables, and measures to decrease the enormous energy consumption of things like data centres.”

An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanála and Galway Against Gas is awaiting the outcome, “hoping they will see sense”.

“The last planning application made for a gas plant in the state was eventually rejected, so we are hopeful. Even if this appeal is turned down, we will not give up and will exhaust every possible avenue.”

“People are experiencing an energy cost crisis at the moment. Prolonging our reliance on imported fossil fuels from unstable markets is not a viable response. We should be producing as much of our own energy from renewable sources as we possibly can.”

Galway students triumph at enterprise awards for successful business ideas

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May 24, 2022

galway daily news galway students from moutbellew at the student enterprise awards with their book know your phone — James Donoghue and Paul Mannion from Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew, second place winners in the senior category at the National Student Enterprise Finals

Two Galway students have taken second prize in the Senior category in this year’s Student Enterprise Programme for an intriguing book which helps people to use their smartphones effectively.

James Donoghue and Paul Mannion from Holy Rosary College in Mountbellew were announced as the runners-up at a ceremony in Dublin yesterday for the book titled ‘Know Your Phone’.

The student enterprise has been a rousing success so far, with sales of over €9,000.

Galway students also succeeded in the ‘Creative Business Idea’ competition, which gave students a chance to showcase their most innovative business ideas via a video pitch, without having to produce a product or service.

The winner in the Senior category was ‘Heat the Feet’ by Luis Rauner, a student at Merlin College in Galway city.

The Natasha Lynch Memorial Awards for Excellence in Social Media went to Paddy McGrath and Callum Lally of ‘LMG Sports’ from Presentation College Athenry.

This year, over 24,000 students from almost 500 secondary schools across Ireland took part in the overall programme.

An Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, who took part in the ceremony, congratulated the winners and everyone who took part in the programme.

“To be able to create an idea, turn that idea into a business and to grow that business, is a remarkable skill that will stand to you no matter what you end up doing in your career later in life,” he said.

“In Ireland we have always shown great fortitude, determination and grit in times of difficulty and if these students are anything to go by, we have not lost that ability – in fact, I’m more positive than ever about the future and the next generation.”

An Tánaiste also gave a special mention to the teachers and parents who helped the students along the way, and said that we will all benefit from their efforts.

Breda Fox, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Galway – which supported and helped to deliver the programme – said that it showcases the very best of Irish ingenuity and entrepreneurship.

“This year produced a varied selection of businesses, from agricultural products and homemade gifts to products that were built on our unique ability to tell compelling stories,” she said.

“We see every year that the National Finals are not an end point for our student entrepreneurs, but a stepping stone on the next stage of their entrepreneurial journey. From our class of 21/22 we will see some business leaders and global entrepreneurs of the future emerge.”

Since the Student Enterprise Programme began in 2003, over 300,000 students have taken part, learning key skills on how to create a business idea, start a business and grow a business.

The Student Enterprise Programme also has a new range of online resources for 2021/2022 at www.StudentEnterprise.ie.

Cyclist in serious condition following collision involving truck

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May 24, 2022

A cyclist has been hospitalised with serious injuries following a crash north of Tuam on Monday evening.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a collision involving a truck and a bicycle yesterday.

The collision occurred at Russelltown, Milltown, Tuam at approximately 5:30pm on Monday.

The cyclist, a male in his late teens, was taken to University Hospital Galway to be treated for his injuries.

He has since been transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where a garda spokesperson said that his condition is described to be serious.

The road was closed to allow for a technical examination to be conducted by Forensic Collision Investigators. This has since concluded and the road has reopened.

Gardaí in Tuam are appealing for witnesses to come forward and to those with camera footage (including dash-cam) to make it available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tuam Garda Station on 093 708 40, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

NUI Galway plans to build new Watersports Centre

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May 24, 2022

Galway Daily sports NUI Galway plans to build new Watersports Centre

NUI Galway is seeking planning permission for a new watersports centre for rowing, kayaking, and diving on the River Corrib.

The university has submitted plans to the city council for the new facility on its lands in the north campus, by the Quincentenary Bridge.

This watersports facility would comprise equipment storage facilities, changing rooms, drying room, bathrooms, reception, first aid, café, plant room, and a gym.

It would also contain and ergo training room, function room, kitchenette, mother and baby room, communications room, offices and test room.

Outside a boat storage shed would be built, along with two floating pontoons on the bank of the Corrib for boats to come and go from.

“The proposed Water Sports Centre will cater for the needs of the University Watersports Clubs of Rowing, Kayak, and Sub Aqua,” a cover report with the application states.

“The new centre is designed to provide state of the art training facilities for watersports that NUI Galway has excelled at both national and international level.”

“This Centre will build on these performances, such as the most recent success of an Olympic medal at the Tokyo games.”

This move will see the university’s watersports teams move from their current location beside the weir, to a “more secure” and safer spot for river users.

Site for new Watersports Centre next to the Alice Perry Engineering Building

Along with the specific watersports teams, it is also expected that the centre will be used by athletes in GAA, soccer, rugby, athletics, boxing, and others.

All told, an estimated 350 to 450 athletes will make use of the centre, which does include a gym, with watersports accounting for roughly 150 of these.

A pedestrian and cycling route linking in with the existing riverside walkway are also part of the landscaping plans for the site.

Also part of the landscaping for the site will be the planting of a grove of native ash, alder, birch, and oak tress by the pedestrian tunnel under the bridge, while also relocating existing trees.

There will not be any dedicated car parking for the facility, with parking contained at the existing park & ride car park. The plans do include 30 short-stay bicycle parking spaces.

A Natura Impact Statement and Ecological Impact Assessment reports were submitted with this planning application.

A decision on whether to grant planning permission is due from Galway City Council by July 7 of this year.

Road reopens after HGV fire in Galway City

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May 24, 2022

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

Gardaí and Emergency Services attended the scene of a vehicle on fire in Galway City this morning.

The fire involving a heavy goods vehicle occurred on the Leitir Burca Road on the west side of the city on Tuesday morning.

A Garda spokesperson said that there have been no injuries reported as a result of this incident.

The road was closed while emergency services dealt with the fire, but has since reopened.

“Gardaí and Emergency Services attended a vehicle fire involving a HGV on the Leitir Burca road. There are no reports of any injuries.”

“The road has since been reopened,” a Garda statement said.

Terryland Forest Park scoops Pride of Place award

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May 24, 2022

Galway Daily news Terryland Forest Park scoops Pride of Place award

Terryland Forest Park has been honoured with a prestigious Pride of Place award for the work the community does in creating this incredible space for people to enjoy.

Tuatha of Terryland Forest Park in the city was the winner of the Creative Place Initiative at the awards this month, which praised its recreational, environmental, and educational value born of the sweat of community activists.

The Forest Park project first began in 1996, and is now Ireland’s largest urban public woodland project, covering an of over 120 acres.

Inside these woods can be found a range of diverse habitats including waterways, woods, meadows, pasture and limestone outcrops.

These provide essential sanctuary and habitats for a wide range of Irish flora and fauna.

The park was founded as a partnership between Galway City Council and representatives from the community, educational, scientific, artistic and environmental sectors to act as a ‘carbon sink’, a biodiversity sanctuary, an outdoor classroom and a recreational facility for Galwegians.

The judges of the Pride of Place awards said, “This group in partnership with their Council has created a bio-diversity sanctuary, that is at once educational, scientific and artistic”.

The judges gushed over the park, calling a “terrific example of how climate change can and is being tackled” in Ireland.

The project really got underway in March of 2000, when thousands of people of all ages came to plant the first trees.

Now the woodlands boasts an estimated 100,000 trees, an is kept in wonderful condition by the ongoing work of locals.

Constant usage and improvements include tree planting, creating wildflower meadows, developing sculpture trails, introducing information signage and providing guided tours.

Brendan Smith of Terryland Forest Park Alliance said that the award, which is for the years 2021 due to COVID-19, honours the people who “kept the spirit of volunteerism alive” during the pandemic.

Writing on facebook he said “I would like to use this opportunity to sincerely thank Galway City Council for nominating our group with special recognition to Tiarnan McCusker and to all of the fantastic hardworking staff in the Parks Department”.

“Namely Stephen Walsh, Lisa Smyth, Kevin Nally, Edward Skehill, Mark Ryan, Pat Callanan and Paula Kearney as well as to the hundreds of volunteers and to the thousands of people who planted trees and flowers over the years.”

The IPB Pride of Place awards were first created in 2003 to recognise and reward the work that people do, coming together to improve their local communities.

It has since grown into the largest national competition honouring community development achievements.

Over two tonnes of rubbish collected in Eglinton Canal & Claddagh Basin

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May 24, 2022

Galway Daily news Over two tonnes of rubbish collected in Eglinton Canal & Claddagh Basin

Over two tonnes of rubbish were collected during a recent Clean Up of the Eglinton Canal and Claddagh Basin.

Galway City Council and Clean coasts held the clean-up event recently as part of the Ocean Conservancy project.

The rubbish gathered included over two tonnes of litter, and material including three bicycles and two tonne bags of glass bottles, drinking glasses and drink cans.

As part of this project the Lower Eglinton Canal and Claddagh Basin were drained and litter removed by a professional contractor.

Tiarnan McCusker, Environmental Awareness Officer with Galway City Council said, ’’ Unfortunately, there has been an environmental cost to the outdoor lifestyles adopted during the pandemic.”

“From the recent clean-up, we took out a huge amount of pint glasses, beer and wine bottles, bikes and even shopping trolleys.”

“We all need to do our bit and use the bins provided in the City and not throw anything into the watercourses. Many thanks to Clean Coasts and the Ocean Conservancy for funding this initiative.’’

Every year during Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup™, hundreds of thousands of volunteers comb lakes, rivers and beaches around the world for litter.

For over three decades, more than 12 million volunteers have collected more than 100 million kg’s of rubbish.

The project aims to tackle the amount of rubbish that ends up in our ocean, threatening ocean wildlife through ingestion and entanglement.

Dara Dever, Clean Coasts Officer with An Taisce, said that this “helps us reach an area we wouldn’t normally be able to clean.”

“This has removed a significant amount of litter from our waterways and stop it breaking down further.”

“It’s very important that we respect the city’s waterways by never dumping litter in them or leaving waste in a position where it will end up in the water.’’

Nurses union warns of retention crisis as hospital pressure continues

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May 24, 2022

Ireland’s largest nurses union has expressed concern about high trolley numbers persisting into the summer, and warned that it could exacerbate a retention crisis.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation called on the government to take action as more than 5,200 patients have been on trolleys since the start of the month.

This represents a 68% increase on the figures for the same period in 2021, the INMO says. Though the health service was more affected by COVID-19 at that time.

General Secretary of the INMO Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that is a “cause of concern” for their members that trolley numbers remain so high at the beginning of summer.

“This type of overcrowding in our hospitals cannot be allowed to continue through the summer and into the winter.”

“Our members have been working in extremely difficult conditions, and are often the ones who have to apologise to patients for the conditions in their workplaces.”

An INMO survey of busy emergency departments found that more than 30% of nurses said that it was likely or very likely that they would leave their job in the next year.

The INMO represents approximately 35,000 nurses and midwives around the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic has piled pressure on front line hospital, as they have had to deal with massively increased workloads, extra challenges created by containing a highly transmissible virus, and staff shortages due to COVID.

“As well as producing a hospital-by-hospital plan to tackle overcrowding, the Government must implement measures that have already been agreed,” Phil Ní Sheaghdha said.

These include implementing the Enhanced Nurse Salary scale and greater access to promotional posts.

The retention of nursing staff is a “major crisis coming down the line”, Phil Ní Sheaghdha warned.

Galway’s Emma Slevin claims trophy at National Gymnastics Championship

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May 24, 2022

Galway Daily sport Galway's Emma Slevin claims trophy National Gymnastics Championship — Emma Slevin at the World Gymnastics Championship in Japan.

Galway’s Emma Slevin won big at a national gymnastics competition over the weekend, taking home the trophy in her discipline.

Slevin was the winner of the Women’s Senior Artistic Series at the National Series FIG All-Around Championships 2022 last Saturday.

In fact, the Women’s Artistic Series was a blowout for Galway, as the top three medalists were Emma Slevin, Kate Molley, and Jane Heffernan, all from Renmore Gymnastics Club.

Kate Molly, Emma Slevin, and Jane Heffernan at the podium. Photo: Gymnastics Ireland

The winner of the Men’s Senior Artistic Series was Domnick Cunningham from the National Gymnastics Training Centre in Dublin.

The National Series FIG All-Around Championships 2022 took place at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin over the weekend.

This Gymnastics Ireland competitive event saw medals awarded in the disciplines of Acrobatics, Men’s Artistic, Women’s Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline and Tumbling

More than 800 athletes from around the country took part in the competition, with 1,500 spectators supporting them in the audience.

This event was a qualifying step for the upcoming ‘National Series Super Championships’ which will also be held at the National Indoor Arena on July 9 & 10.

An Bord Pleanála refuses planning permission for ‘Urban Village’

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May 23, 2022

Galway Daily news An Bord Pleanála refuses planning permission for 'Urban Village'

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for the first phase of a new ‘Urban Village’ in Galway City, a large commercial development.

The Bord rejected an appeal by 1 Kingstone Land Limited against the city council’s earlier decision to reject the plans for ‘Kingston Cross’, on the south side of the Western Distributor Road.

The proposal in this planning application was for a supermarket with undercroft car parking totalling 258 spaces and 148 bicycle spaces.

Also in this application was a retail warehouse with 136 spaces of surface car-parking, nine retail units, two medical or community use units, and a café/restaurants.

Other works in the project would have involved landscaping works, including the creation of a civic space with play and exercise areas, a covered sports courts, and a new access route off the Western Distributor Road.

The second phase of the project would have dealt with the residential aspect of Kingston Cross, primarily located at the south end of the site.

In refusing permission last July, the city council criticised the design and layout of the development, and the poor mix of facilities in an area designated as a District Centre.

The council was also highly critical of the proposed civic square, saying that it was limited in size and usage, and dominated by shops, and the public street frontage.

Serious concerns were also raised about the potential traffic hazard created by the new junction onto the Western Distributor Road, which would also interfere with plan in Galway Transport Strategy.

In its appeal against the city council’s decision, the developer rejected criticism of the design, layout and proposed linkages, saying that the council’s reasoning lacked clarity or a proper explanation.

The appeal said that the design is fully compliant with the City Development Plan, providing connectivity between Phases 1 & 2, and surrounding areas, a good and lively frontage onto the Western Distributor Road, and a good mix of smaller and larger unit types.

Criticism of the civic square was also disputed by 1 Kingston Land Limited, saying that it was sufficient in size at 2,710m², with high quality landscaping.

The developer also stated that the junction was ideally located minimise traffic impact, and that infrastructure upgrades in the area in the future would also help with this.

Galway City Council, in response to the appeal, said that it stood by its original assessment of the plans and request that the refusal of permission be upheld.

An Bord Pleanála ultimately refused planning permission on two grounds which echoed the city council’s concerns.

The Bord said that the design was deficient for its lack of smaller retail and service units, lack of community facilities, and the substandard public plaza.

The Bord also said that it was not satisfied that the project wouldn’t create a traffic hazard, or have an adverse impact on the Galway Transport Strategy by obstructing public transport, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Hospital laboratory scientists continuing strike action this week

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May 23, 2022