No increase in COVID cases in the ICU

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January 11, 2022

galway daily news sian o riada tg4 tv — Tens of thousands tuned in to documentary Seán Ó Riada, Mo Sheanathair, which aired on TG4 over the Christmas period

TG4 ratings increased 25% during Christmas 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, according to official TAM Ireland/Nielsen figures.

From Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day, TG4 had an average daily share of 2.8% compared to 2.2% in 2020, and the station reached a total of 1.87 million people over the period.

The average daily reach was 632,700 and on New Year’s Day, TG4 had its highest audience share of 4.3%.

New Year’s Eve, St. Stephen’s Day and Christmas Day also performed well with audience shares of 3.2%, 3.3% and 2.7% respectively.

The most watched programme was Rugbaí Beo on New Year’s Day, where Connacht V Munster at the Sportsgrounds in Galway was watched by 118,000 people.

A celebration of the best of Joe Dolan, Seo é Joe Dolan on New Year’s Eve was watched by 109,000 people, and Opry Philomena @ 60 on December 28 was watched by 72,000.

New documentaries during Christmas proved popular with viewers, with The Christmas Day documentary Peter O’Toole – Réalta & Rógaire attracting 70,000 viewers.

Sixty thousand people tuned in to watch Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, granddaughter of Seán Ó Riada, in Seán Ó Riada Mo Sheanathair, learn more about the iconic musician who passed away 50 years ago, and a tribute to Cork Ladies Football Manager Éamonn Ryan: An Máistir who passed away in 2020, was viewed by 51,000 people.

COVID-19: 23,909 further cases reported

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January 10, 2022

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

A further 23,909 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported by health officials this afternoon.

As of 8am today, 1,063 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised across the Republic, of whom 89 are in intensive care units.

Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer, said it is essential for everyone to protect themselves and others from infection.

“Every small action to limit the spread of this disease is vital, as we continue to experience a large volume of patients in hospital, up a third on this time last week,” said the CMO.

Dr Holohan asked people to remember that behind each hospital statistic and ICU figure is an individual, with family and friends, and a team of healthcare workers providing care to them in very difficult circumstances.

“The best way we can continue to support our health service and protect each other is to continue to follow the public health advice as best we can – staying home and isolating if we have symptoms, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, opening windows, wearing facemasks and working from home where possible,” he said.

Five days left to recycle Christmas trees in Galway towns and villages

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January 10, 2022

christmas tree lights at University Hospital Galway DAILY

People have five more days to recylcle their Christmas trees for free at a number of locations across Co. Galway.

Galway County Council’s recycling service will run until this Saturday, January 15 at thirteen locations in the county, and the service is free of charge.

A Christmas tree recycling service run by Galway City Council will run until tomorrow, Tuesday from 9am to 3pm at Hunters Depot on the Barna Road and Merlin Woods Depot in Doughiska.

Households in the county can bring their trees to the following locations until Saturday:

Athenry: Public Car Park beside Kenny Park
Ballinasloe: Canal Drive, Ballinasloe
Clifden: Beach Road
An Cheathrú Rua: Halla Éinne
Gort: Lough Cutra Quarry, Bunnasrah, Gort
Loughrea: Fairgreen, Courthouse Road
Mountbellew: Black Quarry, Mountbellew – Ballinasloe Road (Near 50km speed limit sign)
Oughterard: Car Park, Oughterard
Maigh Cuilinn: Behind the bringbanks on Mountain Road
Portumna: Beside bringbanks, Castle Avenue
Tuam: Civic Amenity Site, Athenry Road
Headford: Council Yard beside Mart
Oranmore: Oranmore Community Centre beside GAA Pitch

“Evidence of less severity” says HSE chief in message of hope

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January 10, 2022

galway daily news Just one COVID patient in the ICU at University Hospital Galway

The HSE’s chief executive, Paul Reid, has said that there is evidence that the Omicron variant is less severe, and that there is room for optimism despite current pressures on the health service.

He said that hospitals are under stress – but that booster vaccines are giving greater protection and that the public’s actions are mitigating the impact of this wave.

While over 1,000 people are now hospitalised with the virus, he said that cases in intensive care units cases holding stable.

He pointed out however that nobody is hospitalised for mild illness.

University Hospital Galway confirmed earlier today that 400 staff are unavailable due to COVID-19 and that it is dealing with outbreaks on two wards.

The hospital has the second highest number of COVID cases in the State following a recent surge.

There are 68 confirmed cases at UHG as of Sunday night, according to the latest figures from the HSE.

This is twice as many cases as there were at University Hospital Galway a week ago.

New alcohol prices will increase importation from the North, says PBP Galway

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January 10, 2022

Galway daily news Call for Airbnb hosts to guard against house parties

People Before Profit has reiterated its opposition to the government’s recent introduction of minimum unit pricing of alcohol.

The price increases came into effect last week and affects the prices of the cheapest off licence sales of beers, wine and spirits.

According to People Before Profit Galway representative Adrian Curran, it is a “desperate measure” which will redistribute wealth from working class people to retailers.

“It is an attempt to fulfil a Fine Gael manifesto promise from 2011 to protect publicans from low alcohol prices elsewhere.”

Curran said that this policy will push up the cost of living for young people and workers who consume lower cost alcohol, whilst having no impact on more expensive beverages.

Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol will see a minimum cost limit of €0.10 per gram for all alcoholic beverages.

The minimum price for a 12.5% bottle of wine, for example, will rise to €7.40, whilst the minimum price for a slab of Budweiser cans will rise to €40.76.

As an alternative, the PBP Galway representative suggested that the government should “create a public health education campaign to reduce alcohol consumption.”

“Prohibition does not work, regardless of its intentions,” he said.

“Pricing people out of alcohol will see an increase in the importation of alcohol from the North, and a rise in those turning to harder substances.

“It may even see some forego food, clothes and other essentials in order to purchase alcohol at its new, higher price.”

400 UHG staff off work due to COVID

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January 10, 2022

University Hospital Galway has said that people coming to its Emergency Department are currently experiencing long waiting times.

The hospital apologised for the delays and said that the increase in the number of patients with COVID-19 admitted over the last week has contributed to the delays.

More than 400 staff are also unavailable for work due to COVID-19, which is also having an impact on waiting times at the hospital.

There are currently two COVID-19 outbreaks on two wards, with four further wards now being used to care for patients with the disease.

A total of 71 patients with COVID-19 are being treated at UHG with three patients receiving care in the intensive care unit.

The pressure on bed capacity means that patients are facing long waiting times to be admitted from the Emergency Department to a bed on a ward.

The hospital acknowledges that these delays are very difficult for patients and their families, and apologises for the inconvenience and distress these delays cause.

As a result of the ongoing pressures, all routine surgeries and some scheduled surgeries are being postponed.

A number of outpatient appointments are also being postponed in order to redeploy staff to areas where there are staff shortages. Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure or appointment is postponed.

The hospital says that it is committed to treating everyone who presents at the ED; people who are seriously injured or ill are assessed and treated as a priority and those who do not require urgent care may be waiting longer.

As part of the hospital’s COVID-19 measures, we ask that patients wait in the ED alone to help maintain social distancing. A companion will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances.

For minor injuries, the Injury Unit in Roscommon University Hospital is open from 8am to 8pm every day to treat a range of injuries in both adults and children over five years of age.

Planning application lodged for N17 realignment scheme

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January 10, 2022

Galway Daily news Planning application lodged for N17 realignment scheme

The N17 Milltown to Gortnagunned road realignment scheme has taken a major step forward, with a planning application lodged for the project.

Galway County Council lodged a planning application for the scheme with An Bord Pleanála on December 31.

The realignment scheme consists of roughly 3km of rural road between Milltown village and Gortnagunned, which will tie into an already upgraded stretch of the N17 at its northern end.

Aside from improving the width of the road, other works in the N17 realignment scheme will involve improvements to eight T-junctions, 36 direct access connections, replacing the drainage system leading into the River Clare, and protecting or diverting existing utility services.

An Bord Pleanála ruled in May of last year that a Natura Impact Statement was required for the project due to the potential for impacts on the Lough Corrib Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation.

A compulsory purchase order application for the realignment scheme has also been made to An Bord Pleanála.

Both of these are due to be decided by the higher planning authority by June 22.

No dice for cameras on Lynch’s Castle

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January 10, 2022

Approval has been rejected for AIB to install security cameras on the front of the historic Lynch’s Castle facing out on to Shop Street.

AIB sought approval for nine cameras in total around the medieval premises in the city centre. In a split decision, planning approval was granted for some, but not the most sensitively located cameras.

The City Council granted permission for the two new cameras on the Abbeygate Street side, as well as for five new or replacement cameras on the rear elevation at roof level.

However, permission was refused for two new cameras on the Shop Street side of the historic building, due to the effect it would have on the historic building.

The application stated that Gardaí had recommended to AIB that, as a financial institute, they should have external cameras for security.

The Galway City Council Heritage Officer Dr. Jim Higgins said that installing cameras on the front façade of Lynch’s Castle is “completely unacceptable” from a heritage standpoint.

It had been proposed that the two cameras would be attached through fixings in the mortar joints, rather than the stone fabric of the wall, with cables to go through the modern timber frames of the windows.

The council said that the two dome style cameras on Shop Street would “have a seriously detrimental impact on the setting and character and appearance of the protected structure and recorded monument and City Core Architectural Area.”

“The proposal would therefore materially contravene policies 8.1 and 8.2 of the Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Lynch’s Castle is a four storey medieval fortified townhouse in stunningly good condition, which dates back to the 16th century.

It was built by the powerful Lynch family, one of the original 14 Tribes of Galway, and is a highly protected monument in the city.

UHG has second highest number of COVID cases in Ireland

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January 10, 2022

University Hospital Galway has the second highest number of COVID cases in the country following a recent surge.

There were 68 confirmed cases at UHG as of Sunday night in the latest figures from the HSE released this morning.

This is twice as many cases as there were at University Hospital Galway a week ago.

This has so far not been matched by a corresponding surge in patients admitted to intensive care.

There are six COVID-19 cases in the Intensive care unit at UHG, unchanged in the past week.

At Portiuncula Hospital there were a further 10 confirmed cases, one of whom is in the ICU.

There were 1,004 cases in hospital nationwide, fuel first time since last February when hospital numbers have passed 1,0000.

Among these nationwide figures, there are 82 COVID patients in the ICU.

Health officials reported a further 21,384 confirmed cases in the country yesterday.

Portiuncula Hospital postponing elective surgeries

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January 10, 2022

Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

Portiuncula Hospital is postponing a number of elective surgeries from today due to the rising impact of COVID on services.

In a statement issued this morning the Saolta Group said that rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the community, and staff absences due to the virus, are having a significant effect on services.

“In light of this, from today, Monday January 10th 2022, PUH is postponing a number of elective procedures for the coming week in order to redeploy staff to support essential emergency care.”

“Patients are being contacted directly if their appointment is being postponed.”

All day surgeries and endoscopy procedures have been postponed. Ambulatory gynaecology and other non-theatre day cases are proceeding but remain under review.

Patients should confirm that their case is proceeding on the day before it is scheduled using the contact details provided on their appointment notification.

Time sensitive, urgent cases will proceed when it is safe to do them and patients will be contacted if they are to attend Portiuncula Hospital.

Puppies found dumped by the roadside just before Christmas

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January 10, 2022

Galway Daily new box of puppies abandoned by the road over Christmas — Lurcher puppies abandoned by the roadside before Christmas. Photo: Galway SPCA

In a heartbreaking seasonal tale, a group of four lurcher puppies were found dumped by the roadside in a carboard box just before Christmas.

Galway SPCA says that the four girls were around five weeks old when they were found, and handed over to them cold, weak, and hungry.

The puppies had rough start to their road to recovery, refusing to eat anything their first night with the charity.

“They had extremely weak legs and could barely stand ,they also developed chesty coughs and spent nearly a week ejecting worms from their tiny bodies,” Galway SPCA said on facebook.

Fortunately Lira, Kuna, Dollar, and Rupee have begun the new year on a path to better health, with the help of round the clock care from these dedicated animal lovers.

1 of 4

In the days since then, Galway SPCA has given updates on the progress of the girls, sharing a picture of Rupee cosied up by a radiator in the cold week we just had.

“Baby Rupee is tonight snuggled up cosy and warm alongside her 3 sisters .. Safe from the cold, wind and rain”.

“A far cry from the flimsy cardboard box they were dumped in just before Christmas at only 6 weeks old.”

The puppies have are now undergoing their vaccinations, and Galway SPCA hopes to begin the search for homes for them in the coming weeks.

To help support the work that Galway SPCA does to help abused and abandoned animals of all ages and shapes, donate at https://www.gspca.ie/how-you-can-help/donate.

Galway United signs Spanish striker Manu Dimas

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January 10, 2022

Galway Daily sport Galway United signs Spanish striker Manu Dimas

Galway United is recruiting new talent from far afield with the signing of Spanish born striker Manu Dimas.

The 29 year old Dimas joins the Tribesmen following a brief spell at Spanish Tercera Division side CF Union Viera.

Dimas, who hails from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is a well seasoned addition to the Galway side, having played with multiple Spanish clubs and bringing UEFA European competition experience to the table.

His track record includes playing for the well renowned Las Palmas in Spain, along with UD Vecindario, Estrella CF, La Rode CF, CD Guijuelo, and CD Marino, as well as a short spell Metapan in El Salvador last year.

Dimas, who arrived in Galway over the weekend, said that he’s happy to be here and told the United media team that he can’t wait to get started.

“Yes, speaking with the coach, he told me that the last season we were about to be promoted, and that the objective this year was to achieve that promotion.”

“So yes what motivates be to be here is to win and yes to achieve the objective, getting to the Premier Division.”

“Being a striker as I am, I can’t wait to score goals and to start playing. I’m a striker, but I care about the team, and mainly I want the team to win.”

Dimas has some hefty competition experience himself, having played in the 2019 UEFA Europa League qualifying and the 2020 Champions League qualifying with Gibraltarian outfit Europa FC.

Fresh pot of funding for peatlands conservation and revitalisation

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January 9, 2022

Galway Daily news Galway site chosen for €8.5 million rewilding project

A fresh pot of funding is available for community projects that will enhance bogs and peatlands around the country this year.

The Peatlands Community Engagement Scheme has been allocated €500,000 to distribute this year, more than twice what was available in 2021.

The scheme, administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, seeks to encourage local communities, schools, and other interested groups to undertake projects that will conserve and revitalise raised and blanket bogs, and fens.

The scheme has a particular focus on protected bogs, and encouraging public engagement with and awareness of our natural heritage and environment.

Among the projects approved under the scheme last year was €20,000 to Galway’s Living Bog, Mountbellew for a looped walkway and interpretive facilities at a community building close to Carrownagappul Bog.

Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said “I’m delighted to announce the largest allocation of funding to date for this scheme.”

“Ireland’s peatlands which include raised bogs, blanket bogs or fens are special and unique places and play an important role in contributing to our biodiversity, sense of place and well-being.”

“I thank the community groups who have participated in this scheme so far and encourage all schools, peatland community and voluntary groups to check out the funding available this year.”

Successful applicants of 2022 funding will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 75% of the project eligible costs, up to €25,000.

Closing date for submission of applications is 4pm, Friday, February 11.

Weather Forecast: Upswing in temperatures for the coming week

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January 9, 2022

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

After a week that saw many places experience their first real frost of the winter, and even snow, weather conditions are forecast to improve next week.

Met Eireann is predicting a general upswing in temperatures compared to last week, with very little rain expected over the coming week as well.

Tonight will see some patchy outbreaks of rain and drizzle, with lowest temperatures of 6 or 7 degrees, though that will pick up overnight.

Monday morning will start cloudy and damp, but patches of light drizzle will give way fairly early in the day, though the skies will remain overcast.

Highest temperatures of 11 to 12 degrees tomorrow, with moderate southwesterly winds, easing up and veering westerly as the day goes on.

Tuesday will be bright and clear according to Met Eireann, but temperatures will vary wildly across the county.

The mercury will drop as low as 1 degree in some inland areas, though some coastal areas will get temperatures as high as 10 degrees.

Wednesday will start brisk and overcast, but some sunny spells are also expected during the afternoon, with temperatures reaching highs of 9 or 10 degrees and a light to moderate mostly southerly wind.

Weather conditions will remain good on Thursday, but some areas are currently expected to see rain return by next weekend.

Want to Learn How Beneficial Finding a Payment Provider Can Be? Here’s an Easy Guide

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Angela Mc Bride

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January 9, 2022

The apparent growth of E-commerce over time infused the growth of payment landscapes throughout the world. People are now looking for seamless and efficient payment methods that they can access at all times and wherever they are in the world.

For this reason, developers had to come up with more modern solutions and adapt the technology to the rising needs of numerous customers. Since the E-commerce global sales account for approximately 16% of all sales in retail and are likely to hit an astounding $4.2 billion, the shop owners in E-commerce have to meet all the responsibilities and accustom their pace with the fast-rising industry of E-commerce.

Since this industry has set the bar so high, making a wrong decision can have catastrophic consequences for a business that makes it. As many transactions are involved, choosing the right payment provider plays an essential role in the world of E-commerce.

For example, with sumup.ie, you can get a contactless payment provider. If you’re wondering why a payment provider is necessary if you’re in any way connected to the E-commerce industry, we’ve got just the list that will wash all dilemmas away.

Reasons why you should always opt for a payment provider

A payment provider gateway in E-commerce is a software application that works to secure your credit card information from a particular website to the payment method of a credit card involved in your payment processing in E-commerce.

These online transactions are fast and straightforward to the naked eye, but a complex group of processes works together to enable such easy fund movings. Establishing the connection from the seller to the buyer looks like a walk in the park, but the technologies behind that connection are filled with elaborate processes.

What makes that connection possible is the payment provider gateway. The payment provider you choose will approve all funds you want to send to the seller and carry it out securely and safely so that nobody can abuse your info and financial transactions. If you’re now wondering how these payment processes work through the payment provider, we can explain it to you in a couple of easy steps.

Step – the customer first places an order on a website and fills in the credit card info;
Step – the web browser next encodes this data;
Step – the payment provider gateway sends transaction data to the designated payment processor;
Step -The payment processor then connects to the affiliation of the card and sends the transaction data;
Step – The bank of the issued credit card approves or denies this transaction;
Step – The processor sends the approval or denial to the payment provider gateway;
Step – The gateway processes the payment if it is approved;
Step – The transaction is “cleared” after completion.

Final thoughts

By now, you should have concluded that the E-commerce industry couldn’t work without payment provider gateways. They establish an easy connection between the seller and the buyer and are the best solution to making payments fast in the world of E-commerce.

COVID-19: 21,384 cases reported today

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January 9, 2022

There have been a further 21,384 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by health officials today.

As of this morning there 984 people hospitalised with the virus, an increase of 67 in the past day.

There are 83 COVID patients being treated in the ICU, unchanged in the past 24 hours.

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

There have been 282,069 lab tests carried out in the past seven days, with 50.8% of those testing positive.

As of Saturday a total of 2,382,753 booster vaccine doses had been administered in Ireland, including 103,713 to medically compromised individuals.

Popular city restaurant gets green light for expansion

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January 9, 2022

Galway Daily news Popular city restaurant gets green light for expansion

Galway City Council has granted planning permission for an extension to the popular Galway Plate restaurant on the outskirts of the city.

Plans have been approved for a single storey extension to the front of the restaurant located on the Tuam Road.

The extension, which will have a floor space of 109sqm, will be used to provide additional seating area for the restaurant.

The initial designs were revised at the request of the council to set the new front 2m further back from the Tuam Road, to accommodate future plans for the road under the Transport Strategy.

No additional car parking is needed, as the existing parking space exceeds what is required under the City Development Plan for the expanded floor space.

Planning permission was granted by the city council with seven standard conditions attached.

Step siblings feel more than familial love in Ros na Rún

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January 9, 2022

Galway Daily television Step siblings feel more than familial love in Ros na Rún

Step siblings feel closer than family, Berni’s big decision may be taken out of her hands, and Micheál considers a romantic leap in Ros na Rún.

Michelle and Greg may be stepbrother and sister, but it is clear there is more than familial love between the two. Will something happen between these two?

Bobbi Lee thinks Micheál needs to think of putting a ring on Laoise’s finger, if he wants to keep a hold of her, but will he pop the big question.

Berni having made an appointment to abort her unborn baby, then decides to cancel it.

Has Berni decided to keep the baby or has ‘mother nature’ made that decision for her?

Caitríona is far from happy to see Vince and Greg spending time together, and worries Greg may tell Vince about their liaison.

And Niall helps Rónán realise why he has been struggling with reading and writing.

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

Galway v Offaly senior hurling squad confirmed

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January 9, 2022