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UHG has highest number of COVID patients in the country again

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Galway Daily news

The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 at University Hospital Galway has increased, as overall national figures fall.

There were 83 confirmed cases of COVID at University Hospital Galway as of Saturday evening, the highest number in the country.

This is an increase after hospital figures at UHG began to fall down to the mid 70s during the week.

There are a further 13 confirmed cases at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe according to the latest HSE figures.

In Galway there are a total of five COVID patients being treated in the ICU, two at Portiuncula and three at UHG.

Nationwide there are 824 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals as of 8pm Saturday, of whom 76 patients have been admitted to the ICU.

Cybersecurity to headline GMIT digital conference

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Galway daily news

Cybersecurity will be the talk of the town at the annual GMIT Digital West conference taking place next week.

Leaders in public and private sector organisations along with academics will share cybersecurity and trust stories at the online conference on Tuesday, January 25.

The past two years has seen online security come into greater public focus than ever before, in no small part due to the COVID-19 pandemic sending so many working from, communicating online in ever greater numbers, and even schools forced to operate remotely.

In the same period there has been a worrying increase in large scale cyber attacks in Ireland and around the world.

Ireland was particularly affected by a cyber attack on the HSE last May, which caused serious disruption to health services nationwide as computer systems had to be taken offline while it was fixed.

Galway was also affected by an attempted cyber attack on NUIG’s systems last September, which caused severe disruption to digital services for staff and students.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT, said “GMIT is delighted to be hosting the 5th annual Digital West conference in partnership with the Mayo Local Enterprise Office and our Atlantic Technological University partners IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT.”

“The theme of this year’s free online conference – Cybersecurity and Trust – has enormous relevance for public and private sector organisations but also for us as individuals in society.”

The free and publicly open conference will take place online on https://digitalwest.biz/ on Tuesday, January 25 from 10am until 1pm.

According to the “ENISA Threat Landscape 2021” report, statistics reveal that 68% of business leaders feel their cybersecurity risks are increasing, an that personal data was involved in more than half of cyber attacks in 2020.

Andrea Manning, Founder of Cyberpie and MC at Digital West 2022, says: “Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT problem. It affects us all.

“Whether it’s a ransomware attack that hits the payroll software that sends you your salary, the takeover of your social media accounts or the loss of customer trust due to a data breach.”

“As an industry we should be doing more to educate people about what they can do rather than what they can’t do. The panel of speakers at Digital West this year does just that.”

Dr Flynn will open the conference, and will be followed by guest speakers Dr Eoin Byrne and Eamon Larkin, Cyber Ireland; Aoife Long, Cyber Skills Education and Public Engagement Manager, MTU; Mathie Gorge, CEO at VigiTrust.

It will also feature Dr Seamus Dowling, Cybersecurity lecturerat GMIT; Paul Johnson, Cyber Forensics Manager for AGS; Colm Healy, Founder and CEO of Corrata; Louise O Sullivan, Security Services Manager; Lei Shao, Security and Risk Advisor at HEAnet; and Rebecca Springett, Titan HQ Leading Cloud Security.

 

Recruit soldiers raise money for Galway Hospice with grueling trek

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Galway Daily news Recruit soldiers raise money for Galway Hospice with grueling trek

A groups of soldiers based in Galway raised over €2,000 for Galway Hospice with a grueling march that also finished their training.

Members of the the 165th Recruit platoon of 1 CN Cois Galway completed a 20km march in full kit.

This was the finale of their fifteen weeks of recruit training for the defence forces, and also raised a total of €2,004 to support this vital local service.

Galway Hospice is the main provider of palliative care in the city and county, through at home visits and in patient care at its Renmore facilities.

It is also heavily reliant on private donations to continue providing care for the most vulnerable people in society.

The money raised by the new soldiers of the Galway infantry battalion was recently presented to Amy Coy of the hospice team by LT Col Damien Murphy, COMDT Michael McGrath, SGT Gary Canavan, and PTE Shane Cummins.

Tadhg is an unlikely saviour in Ros na Rún

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Galway Daily television Tadhg is an unlikely saviour in Ros na Rún

Tadhg makes an unlikely hero for Cóilí Jackie, Berni and Tony try to fool everyone, and John Joe tries to save his relationship in Ros na Rún.

Cóilí Jackie has a bitter pill to swallow when he can’t put together the money to buy his land from Sorcha and Sadie.

But Tadhg of all people is the one to offer a solution, which is happily accepted by them. How will Malachaí feel about this?

It’s not all roses for Tadhg, as new arrival ‘Sonny the Yank’ may cause him to rue the day this stranger set foot in the village.

Bobbi Lee receives a parting gift from Andy, now that they are officially divorced. Just what is this gift, and what effect will it have on her?

Berni, much to David’s disapproval, conspires with Tony to convince everyone they are in a relationship. Just how are they planning on pulling this ruse off?

Micheál and John Joe realize that they were both in the wrong and decide to let  bygones be bygones. But John Joe might have a harder time convincing O’Shea to take him back.

Catch up on all the latest in Ros na Rún this week in a double feature omnibus on TG4 this Sunday at 7:30pm.

Packages bound for Galway in €366,000 drugs seizure

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Galway Daily news Packages bound for Galway in €366,000 drugs seizure

Galway was among the intended destinations for €366,000 worth of drugs seized by the Revenue Commissioners this week.

On Friday, revenue officers examining parcels in Dublin seized just over 17.8 kgs of herbal cannabis, two litres of synthetic cannabinoids, 5,130 Diazepam tablets and 40 Benzodiazepine tablets.

The drugs were found concealed in parcels labelled as ‘ornaments’, ‘dolls’, ‘Christmas gifts’, ‘candles’, ‘lego’, ‘tea’ and ‘clothes’, and uncovered with the assistance of detector dogs Sam and Bailey.

The originated from diverse locations including the United States, Spain, Thailand, Lithuania, France, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Addresses in Galway were among the destinations for the drugs, as well as counties Dublin, Cavan, Limerick, Kerry, Wexford, Carlow, Sligo, Kildare, Cork and Meath.

The Revenue has stated that investigations into the seizure are ongoing.

Galway businesses can benefit by introducing cryptocurrency as a form of payment

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With cryptocurrency continuing to experience a level of growth that many industries around the world have never been able to achieve, there is perhaps no surprise that so many businesses are already looking to make the most of it, especially those in Galway.

Organizations are looking to take advantage by introducing a number of different payment methods that allow for them to be able to fully accept digital assets as a form of tender, with more and more people continuing to seek alternatives to traditional fiat currency.

One such industry that has experienced a continued evolution in regard to payment methods and has perhaps become a case study for many other sectors in the world is the iGaming industry, with crypto gambling having become an incredibly favorable and desirable activity that many have started to participate in. A lot of enthusiasts have started to turn to a crypto casino because of the benefits that they can achieve due to the ability that has been provided in regard to being able to use virtual currency for all of their wagering needs. Advantages that can be experienced are aplenty, with elements such as faster transactions that are cheaper, increased anonymity and security, as well as transparency are all available.

The iGaming industry is not the only market sector that can experience a number of benefits by introducing payment systems that accept cryptocurrency, though, with many businesses across various sectors able to reap potential rewards that can be enjoyed. Let’s take a look at some of them below:

Businesses can expand and reach more customers

One benefit that can be experienced by businesses in Galway that decide to implement payment systems that can accept crypto payments is that they will be immediately able to access a new market audience and be attractive to them.

Customers like to have a choice when making a decision about a product or service, therefore by offering an alternative payment method, the possibility of being able to acquire more business is something that can be very real.

Costs can be reduced

An instant benefit that could be experienced by a business that decides to make crypto payments available is that they could instantly reduce their costs, as they would no longer be required to pay high transaction fees that exist with other payment merchants.

Cryptocurrency transactions are notoriously cheaper, thus saving businesses money each time they are required to process a payment that has been made to them. Transactions made by virtual currency are also typically quicker to make, too!

Cross-border discrimination is eliminated

Lots of countries still face a number of barriers when it comes to fiat currency, with some not being allowed to be used for certain things or making transactions incredibly difficult to complete. However, crypto can make this a problem of the past.

There are no obstacles in the way of virtual currency, with holders who wish to use digital assets being free to do as they please with it. They can also benefit from the exchange rates that are applied globally to crypto, rather than having to miss out on those that are applied to fiat currency, as well as getting as much back for their money as possible.

Chargeback fraud is immediately reduced

A number of businesses continue to struggle with chargeback fraud as a number of consumers will look to exploit the benefits that they are given when using credit cards. A business will lose out as they will send a product once it has been paid for but the customer will then claim back on the purchase and tell their provider that they have not received it, thus inflicting the cost on the business.

The use of cryptocurrency could see the level of this type of fraud become reduced immediately, if not even eliminated in the future, as each transaction is transparent and can be traced due to the use of blockchain technology. Furthermore, each transaction made is irreversible and harder to wrongfully refund.

Customers will be protected too

Cryptocurrency has the added benefit that anybody who uses digital currency will be protected. Whether it be a business or a customer, everybody in the process will receive the same high levels of protection and security when virtual currency is used.

Customers will be protected from any potential malicious activity such as cyberattacks like identity theft and fraud, whilst businesses will be more protected from having money stolen from them.

It is clear that businesses in Galway can benefit greatly if they were to adopt cryptocurrency as a form of payment in the future. Indeed, with the continued widespread growth and adoption that is currently being experienced, it is something they might want to consider sooner rather than later.

Galway Euromillions player is €1 million richer!

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Galway Daily news Galway player scoops €50,000 Euromillions raffle prize

Galway has a new millionaire, with one lucky player scooping a €1 million Euromillions raffle prize.

There were three Irish winners who each struck gold in Friday night’s Euromillions draw with the other two located in Cork.

The National Lottery has said that the tickets were bought in shops, the location of which are expected to be revealed in the coming days.

This is to ensure that the players have a chance to absorb this life-changing news before they reveal the location, a spokesperson for the National Lottery said.

“This is a brilliant result for our players. Among the 100 guaranteed prizes of €1 million throughout the entire EuroMillions community, players in Ireland managed to win not one, but three of the €1 million prizes up for grabs!”

“In total, we had over 85,000 prize winners in the EuroMillions and Plus games last night, so we are urging everybody who played in-store and online to check their tickets carefully.”

“In addition to the three brand new millionaires in Cork (2) and Galway, another player in Waterford will be waking up €500,000 richer after they won the top prize in the EuroMillions Plus game.”

Lotto players in Galway are being urged to check their tickets, and the lucky winner should sign the back of theirs, and make contact with the National Lottery to claim their prize.

COVID-19: 6,689 PCR confirmed and 3,911 antigen test cases

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Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

There have been a further 10,600 total cases of COVID-19 from PCR and Antigen tests reported by health officials today.

The HPSC has notified a further 6,689 PCR confirmed cases, along with 3,911 people registering a positive Antigen test through the HSE portal.

As of this morning there were 836 people hospitalised with COVID in Ireland, 56 fewer than yesterday.

The number of patients being treated in intensive care units has also fallen to 78, ten fewer than on Friday.

The COVID-19 data hub provides detailed information about the disease in the community, including the rollout of the booster campaign.

Almost all public health restrictions aside from the wearing of masks and school/childcare measures have been lifted as of this morning.

Citylink adding new Loughrea and Kilrickle bus services

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Galway Daily news Extra bus and train capacity added for fans headed to Football Semi-Final

Citylink have announced that they are adding new bus services from Galway City to Loughrea and Kilrickle, which will commence next week.

The existing Loughrea route is getting two new early morning services to the city, which will depart from Loughrea at 7:25am and 8:10am on weekdays.

The entirely new Kilrickle services will have eight daily buses from the town to Galway City and Dublin each.

Galway TD Ciaran Cannon said that this is “welcomed by all” who were disappointed to see the Bus Eireann Expressway route cancelled last summer.

Bus Eireann axed the Route 20/X20 Expressway service from Galway to Dublin last July.

“This announcement by Citylink is most welcome and is reflective of the significant demand for additional services in Loughrea and Kilrickle,” Ciaran Cannon said.

“I’m deeply grateful to Citylink for stepping in here and providing badly needed services and I would encourage people to use them as often as possible.”

“If our local bus services are used extensively, they remain viable, and Citylink and other providers are always ready to create even more services if they see a demand.”

He added that the bus service for the “burgeoning” village of Kilrickle is particularly welcome, as there are many locals working and studying in Galway City.

“Members of the local community were devastated when Bus Eireann cancelled all of their services and its wonderful to see this East Galway village being put back on the map with reliable public transport provision.”

The new services will commence from Monday, January 24. The full timetables can be viewed online here. Free travel passes are accepted on all Citylink services.

Long-term car parking fees in Galway City going up

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Galway daily news Salthill car parks reopen after run of bad weather

Prices for long-term car parking in car parks operated by Galway City Council are set to increase at the end of this month.

The daily rate in long-term car parks will go up from €5 to €6.50 starting from Monday, January 31.

The three car parks affected are at College Road (Sports Ground), the Dyke Road, and Galway Cathedral Car Park

Further details about public car parking facilities in Galway City can be found at https://www.galwaycity.ie/traffic-transport-parking/parking-in-galway-city

Changes announced to COVID financial supports

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Along with the announcement of the dramatic lifting of restrictions yesterday evening, the government also announced changes to many COVID-19 supports.

Many support schemes which were due to expire have been extended because of the extra restrictions businesses endured in the latest wave of the pandemic.

The reduction in the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme has been delayed for business specifically impacted by the restrictions imposed last December.

The EWSS was due to be reduced from its current rate of €203 per employee down to €100 as of February 1.

This reduction will still apply to businesses not affected by the latest restrictions, but for those which were, such as in hospitality, they will continue to receive the full rate for an additional month.

The tax debt warehousing scheme to provide liquidity support to businesses will be extended by a month to April 30, with interest at a reduced rate of 3% thereafter until the debt is paid.

A restart payment of one week’s support will be paid to Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) recipients to assist them in reopening.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue said “The EWSS has been extremely successful in maintaining employment across the whole of our economy during this pandemic.”

“It is now time to adjust our focus towards an exit from the scheme in a structured and orderly way.

“This is important in everyone’s interests – businesses, employees, the wider body of taxpayers – as the scheme cannot continue indefinitely.”

“However, I intend to provide additional support to those businesses that were directly impacted by the most recent public health regulations.”

Late bars and nightclubs only now allowed to reopen will benefit from a continued waiver of fees for special exemption orders for late licences until April 30.

The Enhanced Illness Benefit has been extended until the end of June, and changes have also been made to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme.

The PUP will be closed to new applicants from January 22, with anyone still on the scheme moving to a payment of €208 per week from March 8.

After that, remaining PUP recipients will start transitioning to standard jobseeker terms, and if eligible, will move onto a jobseekers payment with effect from April 5.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said “The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been an absolutely vital support for workers and their families.”

“What was originally intended to be just a six week short-term payment will now last for over two years with over €9 billion in payments issued to workers.”

“The decision to lift restrictions represents a hugely positive step which will see tens of thousands of people return to work over the coming weeks as the country begins to return to normal.”

What restrictions are being lifted tomorrow morning?

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Galway Daily news Tánaiste to officially open new Tuam Community Nursing Unit next month

The government announced a stunningly dramatic change in COVID-19 public health measures today, with almost all restrictions lifting tomorrow.

From 6am on Saturday, almost all restrictions on hospitality businesses, event capacities, and COVID cert requirements will be gone.

The 8pm closing time for bars and restaurants is being removed, and nightclubs will be allowed to reopen.

In more specific measures, physical distancing requirements such as only table service, and a max of six per table, are also gone.

People will no longer be required to remain seated and in pods of six at indoor activities, and requirements for a COVID Cert and the provision of contact details will also not be needed.

All physical distancing requirements in general are being removed as of Saturday, which will have a wide ranging impact.

Sports will see full crowds returning to stadiums, and indoor events such as weddings, theatres, and more can welcome people in, as all capacity limits have been lifted.

There is currently no change in the requirement for COVID Cert for international travel. As of February 1, the Certs for primary vaccination will expire as of 270 days from vaccination.

The continuation of mask wearing will be a key foundation of the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19, and masks will continue to be required on public transport, in taxis, and at stations and airports.

They will also still be required in retail premises, and for workers in customer facing roles in the food and drinks industry.

Protective measures currently in place in schools, early learning, and childcare facilities will remain until February 28.

From next Monday, January 24 there will be a phased return to offices and workplaces.

COVID-19: 6,597 PCR and 4,564 antigen test cases reported

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

There have been a further 11,161 cases of COVID-19 overall reported by health officials today, through lab and antigen tests.

There have been 6,597 PCR-confirmed cases notified today, along with 4,564 people who registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.

As of this morning there were 892 people in the country hospitalised with COVID-19.

Of these patients, 88 are being treated at intensive care units.

In the past week there have been 159,375 lab tests done in Ireland, with 35.4% testing positive.

There have been 2,625,796 doses of booster vaccine administered as of Thursday, with 8,777 given in the past week.

The COVID-19 data hub provides detailed information about the disease in the community, including the rollout of the booster campaign.

Almost all public health restrictions are due to be lifted from 6am tomorrow morning, in the largest shift in restrictions seen since the start of the pandemic.

Man before court charged with false imprisonment

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Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A man has been charged with multiple offences including demanding money from a man with menaces, and false imprisonment of the same person.

Hamden Ariffin (37) was brought before Galway District Court on four charges, all of which are alleged to have occurred at the Glen Oaks in Galway City, and concern the same injured party.

Mr Ariffin, who also has an address on file at the Glen Oaks, Bishop O’Donnell Road, has been charged with the false imprisonment of one Billy Fox on a date between March 30 and April 1, 2020.

He has also been charged with the theft of a bank card and €170 in the same dates, and two counts of making unwarranted demands for with menaces under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, as amended by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.

These demands were allegedly for €700 and €900 from the same person in April 2020.

The DPP has directed that the case should be sent forward for trial on indictment.

He was remanded on bail to come before the District Court on February 2 for the service of a book of evidence.

Free legal aid was granted to Mr Ariffin

Planning permission sought for Headford housing estate

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Galway Daily news Planning appeal over 91 houses & apartments in Athenry

Planning permission is being sought for the construction of housing estate of 56 homes at Eallagh in Headford town.

Callanan & Walsh Construction Co. Ltd are seeking approval for a residential development on a 1.9ha site to the east of the existing Eallagh estate.

This would comprise 6 two-bedroom, terraced bungalows; 20 four-bedroom, semi-detached houses; 22 three-bedroom, semi-detached houses; and 8 three-bedroom, terraced houses.

Two new entry and exit points for pedestrians and vehicles would be created off the existing Eallagh estate access roads.

A landscaped open green area with a playground would be located in the centre of the new housing estate.

The estate will have 1.5 parking spaces per bungalow, and two parking spaces each for all of the other houses on their sites.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by February 18.

Connacht squad named to face Stade Francais

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Galway Daily sport Connacht squad named for Edinburgh trip
photo credit: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

The Connacht squad have been named for this Sunday’s away game against Stade Francais in their final pool game of the Champions Cup.

Two changes have made been made to the lineup that will be heading to France on Saturday from the side that faced Leicester last week, with props Jordan Duggan and Greg McGrath coming into the team.

They’re joined in the front row by hooker Shane Delahunt, while Oisin Dowling, Niall Murray, Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver and Jarrad Butler make up the rest of the pack.

There are four changes in the backs, with Caolin Blade, Mack Hansen, Tom Farrell and Alex Wootton all named in the starting XV.

Jack Carty again captains the side from out-half, Sammy Arnold moves from 13 to 12, and full-back Tiernan O’Halloran is retained for his 199th Connacht appearance.

Connacht also opened their Heineken Champions Cup campaign this year with an extremely impressive 36-9 victory over the French juggernaut last month.

Despite the possibility of qualifying for the knockout stages before kick-off, Connacht are putting a strong team on the field, and Head Coach Andy Friend said that they’re only thinking of the game ahead of them.

“For us we’re not thinking about results elsewhere. All we’re focused on is going to Paris, take what we learned from last week and hopefully finish our Pool stage on a high.”

“If we can do that then we can celebrate a great achievement of reaching knockout rugby in this competition.”

“With dry weather and their 4G pitch it’s looking like it’ll be a fast-tempo game, so we’ve selected a side that reflects that.”

Connacht Rugby and Stade Francais will meet at Stade Jean-Bouin this Sunday, January 23, with kick-off at 1pm Irish time.

The full Connacht squad for the coming match is:

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (198)
14. Alex Wootton (26)
13. Tom Farrell (68)
12. Sammy Arnold (27)
11. Mack Hansen (8)
10. Jack Carty (170) (C)
9. Caolin Blade (140)
1. Jordan Duggan (20)
2. Shane Delahunt (111)
3. Greg McGrath (1)
4. Oisín Dowling (15)
5. Niall Murray (25)
6. Cian Prendergast (19)
7. Conor Oliver (31)
8. Jarrad Butler (84)

Replacements
16. Dave Heffernan (154)
17. Charlie Ward *
18. Sam Illo *
19. Leva Fifita (4)
20. Paul Boyle (64)
21. Colm Reilly (6)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (44)
23. Diarmuid Kilgallen (5)

Martin Roundabout conversion to begin next week

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Galway Daily news Call for report into delays to Martin Roundabout conversion

Works on converting the Martin Roundabout to a signalised junction are due to get underway next week.

The work will convert the existing Martin roundabout to a 4-arm traffic light controlled junction, along with other upgrades.

These will include the provision of cycle lanes, bus priority measures, footpaths and associated landscaping.

Work on the conversion will start next Monday, January 24, and the construction is expected to take six months to complete.

There will be significant traffic management on the scheme, which will be performed in phases.

Galway City Council has said that traffic delays are expected during the project, but that these will be minimised as much as possible.

The redevelopment of the Martin Junction is backed by €2.7 million in funding from the Urban Regeneration Fund.

Updated traffic-management information, will be published on the Galway City Council website and social media.

Eyre Square vigil to mark 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday

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galway daily news bloody sunday
A mural in Derry shows a group of men led by Fr. Daly carrying 17-year-old Jackie Duddy, who was shot in the shoulder as he ran away from soldiers in the car park of Rossville Flats on Bloody Sunday. Three witnesses said they saw a soldier take deliberate aim at the unarmed 17-year-old as he ran.

A vigil marking the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday will take place at Eyre Square next Saturday, 29 January at 4pm.

The vigil, organised by Éirígí, will remember the victims of the British Army’s attack on civilians during a civil rights march in Derry on 30 January 1972.

Thirteen unarmed men and boys were shot dead by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday, with a 14th victim dying five months later from injuries sustained during the massacre.

Many more were injured from gunshot wounds, rubber bullets and two people were run over by Army vehicles.

British soldiers shot a total of 26 civilians during the protest against internment without trial, resulting in the highest number of deaths from a shooting incident during the conflict

Local Éirígí representative Ian Ó Dálaigh said that Bloody Sunday 1972 marked a “turning point in the conflict that had been steadily growing in the Six Counties over the previous four years.”

“It destroyed the myth that the British State was a neutral player in Ireland, that they were trying to keep the lid on a conflict between ‘warring Paddies’.

“The truth is, it was just one of many atrocities committed by British forces in Ireland.”

He said that the truth about Bloody Sunday, and about Britain’s dirty war in Ireland as a whole, has yet to be told.

“Indeed, no one has been prosecuted for the war crimes committed in Derry on January 30th, 1972.”

Ó Dálaigh invited people to join the vigil in Eyre Square at 4pm on Saturday 29 January, to show their support for the ongoing fight for justice for the 14 men and boys murdered in Derry.

Free immigration information clinics next week for migrant women

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galway daily news immigrant council clinics for women

The Immigrant Council of Ireland will host free online immigration information clinics for migrant women based in the west of Ireland next week, on Wednesday, 26 January 2022.

The clinics are available to migrant women who are victims of gender-based violence, and who may be at risk of further abuse due to their immigration status.

The aim of the clinics is to help migrant women in abusive situations better understand their immigration rights and seek independent residence status for themselves and their children.

The confidential immigration sessions will take place via Zoom in the form of 20-minute appointments with interpretation services available for certain languages, if required.

Commenting on the upcoming clinics, Jess Bolton, Legal Information Officer and Caseworker at the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said: “From our work at the Council, we know that migrant women are at increased risk of gender-based violence, because of their immigration status and that there are significant barriers to these victims accessing available supports.

“These barriers include language issues, public service providers lacking appropriate training, and an overall lack of general awareness for both migrants and service providers on what legal and immigration rights victims possess.

“We have also found that the issue has been compounded in the Covid-19 era where lockdowns have increased the need for but limited access to supports for victims of domestic violence.”

Ms Bolton said that undocumented women fear deportation and are afraid to report domestic or gender-based violence or seek safety away from their abusive environment.

“Asylum-seeking women are reluctant to seek support out of fear that it may negatively impact their international protection applications. Women on spousal dependent visas also face difficulties,” she said.

“Although they can seek independent status if experiencing domestic violence, the level of knowledge about the legal framework is low. On many occasions women are given misleading information on purpose by the abuser as a way of control.

“No one should feel forced to stay in an abusive environment because they fear for their immigration status.

“We would encourage any migrant women who are in an abusive environment to get in touch with us and schedule an appointment so that we can help in giving them the information and advice they require.”

Interested individuals can book an appointment by ringing 01-6458053 or emailing jess.bolton@immigrantcouncil.ie.

This service is made possible thanks to funding from the Lifes2good Foundation.

Galway Gardaí received 1,792 reports of domestic violence in 2021

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Galway Daily news Missing 17 year old teenager found safe and well
Gardaí in Galway received 1,792 reports of domestic violence in 2021, according to figures released to Aontú.
The figures represent an increase of 285 incidents on 2020, and an increase of 539 on 2019.
Commenting on the figures, Aontú representative for Tuam, Luke Silke, called on the government to carry out an assessment of the pandemic’s impact on domestic violence.
“There is no breakdown available to show whether or not the Gardaí were called to the same location on multiple occasions,” said Mr Silke.
“Either way, there were 1,792 incidents of domestic violence reported in Galway last year. My heart goes out to any child, woman or man who had to endure violence in their homes last year.”
Mr Silke’s message to anyone experiencing domestic violence or abuse in the home is to reach out for support.
“There are fantastic organisations out there to help people. Cope Galway have a women’s refuge in the city, and they operate a 24-hour-helpline on 091 56 59 85,” he said.
Silke added that the horrific murder of Ashling Murphy last week has started a long-overdue national conversation on gender-based violence.
“There can be no doubt that violent crime is on the rise across Ireland in recent years,” he said.
“Domestic violence needs to be discussed too. Home and family are supposed to be safe spaces, places of comfort and love.
“But for many around our country and in Co Galway, the instruction during the pandemic to stay at home was terrifying.”

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