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27% of people in West would consider moving house if they could work remotely

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Twenty-seven percent of people in the West would consider moving house if they could work remotely, a new CSO survey has revealed.

The survey, carried out in November, also found that almost 70% of people unable to work due to long-standing health problems would consider employment if it could be done remotely.

Just 3% of remote workers whose main mode of transport to work prior to the pandemic was a car are making more trips by car on days they work remotely.

Almost two in 10 workers (18%) would like to work from a remote work hub or a combination of home and a remote work hub when pandemic restrictions end

Three in four (75%) respondents who were engaged on home duties would also consider employment if it could be done remotely.

Statistician Dermot Kinane said that since the start of the pandemic, the work conditions of those in employment in Ireland has changed dramatically with access to workplaces restricted as part of public health measures.

“This is why the CSO has produced ‘Our Lives Online: Remote Work’, which is the second publication to be produced from this Pulse survey as part of the CSO ‘Take Part’ campaign,” he said.

“Respondents were asked a series of questions about their current and future working arrangements and the impact remote work has had on their work-life balance.

“The results show how conditions have changed with eight in 10 (80%) of those in employment having worked remotely at some point since the start of the pandemic from just under one in four (23%) having worked remotely at some point before then.”

The online survey was available between 2 November and 16 November 2021 and received 10,797 responses from those aged 18 years and older living in the Republic.

Two men arrested after drugs seizure in Galway city

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Galway Daily news

Gardaí arrested two men on Wednesday evening after €85,500 worth of drugs and cash were seized in Galway city on Tuesday.

Shortly after 8pm on Tuesday Gardaí carried out a search under warrant at a house in the Ballybane area of the city.

During the course of this search €53,475 worth of suspected cocaine, €25,000 in cash, €2,900 worth of suspected cannabis herb, and €4,200 worth of suspected MDMA were detected and seized.

Two men in their late teens were arrested this evening in connection with the seizure.

They are currently detained at North Western Regional Garda Headquarters in Murrough Co Galway under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996.

Man charged with murder of Ashling Murphy

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

A man has appeared in court this evening charged with the murder of 23-year-olf Ashling Murphy.

Jozef Puska (31) with an address at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Tullamore, was brought before a special sitting of Tullamore District Court at 8.15pm.

He was remanded in custody for a week and will appear at Clover Hill District Court on 26 January.

Puska, a Slovakian national, was taken from Dublin to Tullamore Garda station on Tuesday morning for questioning and had been detained there under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The legislation allowed for the man to be questioned for up to 24 hours without charge, and Gardaí used almost all of that time before charging the suspect this evening.

The second man who was arrested has been released without charge from Garda custody today, and a file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

COVID-19: 6,843 PCR confirmed cases reported today

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

The Department of Health has reported 6,843 further PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic this afternoon.

In addition, 5,295 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal yesterday.

There has been a total of 6,087 deaths related to COVID-19 notified in Ireland, including 52 deaths newly notified since last Wednesday.

As of 8am today, 910 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised nationally, of whom 90 are in ICU.

Govt urged to engage with unions and organisations representing employment services workers

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galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

A Roscommon-Galway TD has called on the Government to urgently engage with trade unions and organisations representing those working in employment services.

Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane says that SIPTU and FÓRSA have requested a meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss the long-running dispute with the Department of Social Protection over the future provision of Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs.

This follows their statement that the Department of Social Protection has refused to engage in an exploratory talks process as proposed by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Deputy Kerrane said that she shares the disbelief of many about the lack of engagement with unions and organisations representing staff working in employment services.

“Despite the importance of employment services, we have seen the government’s determination to proceed with selling off these crucial services and supports,” she said.

“I have called on the Minister to halt the process of tendering employment services many times, but she chose not to listen.

“She refused to listen to the staff, the unions, the cross-party Committee on Social Protection, the Public Accounts Committee and the will of the Members of the Dáil, who unanimously supported our recent Dáil Motion to protect the current not-for-profit community based model.”

Deputy Kerrane called on the Minister to listen to those working in LES and Job Clubs throughout the entire tender process, but she decided to ignore their concerns.

“We are now in a position where many of the staff providing these community-based services face losing their jobs.

“Last week I again called on the Minister to engage with unions and representative organisations regarding potential job losses and the future of employment services. Yet another call that has so far been unanswered,” said the Roscommon-Galway TD.

Call for govt to extend €1,000 Covid bonus to family carers

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galway daily news €3 million for funding community facilities in Galway

Family Carers Ireland has called on the Government to extend the €1,000 Covid bonus to all full time family carers.

The tax-free Covid Recognition Payment for frontline health and ambulance workers was announced by the Government today.

But Family Carers Ireland said that the role carers have played during the pandemic, as well as the impact it has had on their own mental and financial wellbeing, continues to be ignored.

The charity’s Head of Communications, Catherine Cox, said that frontline workers have worked incredibly hard to keep the health system running under severe pressure from Covid, and that they deserve this recognition.

“What strikes me most is that this is yet again another missed opportunity to show family carers, once and for all, that the Government recognises their value and contribution in society and acknowledge them as the forgotten frontline workers that they are,” said Ms Cox.

“In normal times, family carers provide extraordinary levels of care to loved ones, putting the needs of others before their own.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, they played a hugely significant role in lessening the spread of the virus and supporting the Irish healthcare system by keeping vulnerable family and friends safe at home and out of hospital.

“They did this at a time when essential supports and services were withdrawn or severely curtailed. When the country shut down, they stepped up and kept their loved ones safe at home.”

Ms Cox said that family carers were overlooked when it came to the provision of PPE, priority testing and vaccination.

“They continue to suffer burnout and serious ill-health caused by the stress and strain of their care work,” she said.

Safety measures to be installed at busy junction on Dublin Road

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galway daily news sean canney

Galway County Council is planning to carry out safety works on the Dublin Road at the junction with the Purcell Stockwell road.

East Galway TD Seán Canney said that the works will be carried out in the coming months.

He said that the plans are an effort to increase safety by provide footpaths and adjust railings in order to make the junction and general area safer for all.

“This junction can be very congested at school times and any improvements to the junction are to be welcomed,” said Deputy Canney.

“There are a number of national school’s access points at this location, and it is imperative that safety is a priority especially young children trying to access the schools.”

Call for Council to extend Ballinasloe running track opening hours

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galway daily news ballinasloe running track

Galway County Councillor Evelyn Parsons has called for the running track in Dunlo, Ballinasloe to have its opening hours extended, following the murder of Ashling Murphy.

Cllr Parsons called on the Council to allow the track to remain open from 7am to 9pm and for it to open on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

She said that the track’s hours of operation are too restrictive and do not cater adequately to meet the needs of the running and walking community.

“I have been approached by girls and women in my community of Ballinasloe who no longer feel safe jogging alone on trails or roads before or after work/ school as was their practice,” she said.

“The track is an excellent facility, well-used, well-lit, passively surveilled and with the possibility of CCTV security if the corporate will is there to take meaningful measures to combat heightened fears regarding Violence Against Women.”

Cllr Parsons said that in the interests of female safety and indeed for all users, she has written to Galway County Council strongly urging them to facilitate these extended hours.

Planning permission refused for Oughterard sports facilities

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Galway Daily sport Planning permission refused for Oughterard sports facilities

Planning permission has been refused for new sports facilities in Oughterard due to the pressure it would place on the local road.

Oughterard Sports & Recreational Partnership sought approval for a new grass multi-sport playing pitch on lands at the Pier Road, Lemonfield, along with other facilities.

The project would also involve the provision of flood lighting for the new pitch, and to the existing rugby pitch on the site.

Other facilities would have included goal posts and ball stop nets to all pitches, three multi-purpose hard surface ball courts, and an astroturf amenity area with fencing.

A facilities building with meeting rooms, toilets, showers, administration and ancillary facilities was also included in the plans, along with a 58 spaces of car parking.

The existing entrance was to be widened, and an internal access road created.

Multiple letters of support for the project were received, such as from Oughterard Angling Club and Lough Corrib Cruises, who both welcomed the extra parking potential, as well as Oughterard RFC, Discover Oughterard tourism committee, Clann Family Resource Centre, and the Scouts.

Galway County Council ultimately refused permission for the development, saying that it would “negatively impact on the free flow of traffic” on the local road.

This would be due to the “volume and type” of traffic expected, and the narrow width of the road, creating a safety hazard.

In additional information submitted by the application, the council had been asked to consider a split decision, which would allow work associated with the existing pitch, which would not create additional traffic.

Second man arrested in Ashling Murphy murder investigation

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Galway Daily news Ashling Murphy funeral

A second man has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy.

The man in his 30s is currently detained in the Eastern Region under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939.

He is being questioned in relation to potential withholding of information contrary to The Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998.

Ashling Murphy was murdered while out running along the Grand Canal in Tullamore last Wednesday, January 12.

The other man in his 30s arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday continues to be questioned today at Tullamore Garda Station.

COVID-19 cases begin to fall at UHG

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The number of COVID-19 patients at University Hospital Galway has begun to fall again, after reaching the highest level in the country for the past week.

There were 74 confirmed cases at UHG as of Tuesday evening, four fewer than the previous day, and down from a high point of 84 over the weekend.

It has also dropped down below UH Limerick (84) as the hospital with the most cases in the country.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are 13 confirmed cases, three fewer than the day before, but still two more than the previous week.

Portiuncula Hospital also has more COVID patients in serious condition than UHG, with three in the ICU at Ballinasloe, compared with one in Galway.

The number of COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care has fallen dramatically from six at UHG a week ago, but increased from one to three at Portiuncula in the same period.

Nationwide there were 906 confirmed cases in Irish hospitals as of yesterday evening, of whom 93 are in the ICU.

Man arrested in Galway in organised crime investigation

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Galway Daily news

A man in his mid-20s was arrested in Galway yesterday as part of an investigation into organised crime activity.

Sligo Gardai arrested the man on Tuesday, and he is currently detained at Sligo Garda Station.

He is being detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.

This is the second arrest into organised crime activity by Sligo Gardai, following another last week.

In that instance, a man in his 30s was arrested at Dublin Airport last Tuesday, January 11.

He has since appeared before Sligo District Court on Monday, January 17.

Am Garda Síochána have stated that the investigation is ongoing.

Gang assault elderly man during vicious burglary

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

An elderly man was the victim of a vicious assault during  a burglary by a gang of men in the west of Ireland yesterday.

At approximately 7pm on Tuesday, a number of men forced their way into a property on the N59, Skreen, Co. Sligo.

Once inside they attacked a 70 year old man who was present. A sum of cash was also stolen during  the burglary.

The elderly victim was brought to Sligo University Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are keen to speak to anyone who was in the Skreen / Dromard area, from 4-8pm yesterday who may have witnessed anything to come forward.

They are particularly keen that anyone who may have camera footage from this area at this time (including dash-cam) to make this available to investigating Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sligo Garda station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

€19 million Lotto jackpot winner in the west comes forward

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Galway Daily news Galway Lotto player scoops €54,583 in midweek madness

The winner of the largest ever Lotto jackpot in Irish history has made contact to claim their prize, as the store where the winning ticket has been sold has been revealed.

The €19.06 million ticket was sold to one lucky person in the west of Ireland at Laura’s XL store in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Speaking at today’s announcement, shop owner Laura Scriney spoke of the excitement she felt on receiving the news from the National Lottery that her store had now taken on such an historic title.

“The entire county really has been buzzing with chatter about the Lotto jackpot since the weekend with everyone wondering where exactly the winning ticket was sold.”

“When I heard that our store was the lucky location, I was in a complete state of shock. I knew that it was a Castlebar shop but finding out was completely overwhelming!”

“I am only in business since 2019 so this is certainly a big moment for me and my family. Saturday night was such a huge draw and one that’s been the talk of the town for the week now so we are absolutely over the moon to have played a part in this.”

“The winner truly is the luckiest player in Ireland now and we wish them all the very best with their win,” she said.

The staggering Lotoo jackpot, which has been rolling over since June 2021, and was capped in October, went to a single winner last Saturday.

After going unclaimed for so long, the rules were changed to allow for a must-win draw that would have seen the pot go to someone, one way or another.

The National Lottery has said that arrangements are now being made for the lucky winner to claim their life-changing prize.

COVID-19: 11,683 additional cases reported

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

A further 11,683 cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today from PCR and Antigen tests.

There have been 5,767 PCR-confirmed cases notified by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

A further 5,916 registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.

As of this morning there were 979 people in the country hospitalised with COVID, of whom 93 are in the ICU.

The cabinet is reportedly considering meeting this week to approve the lifting of public health restrictions.

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

Gardaí investigating after car stolen in home burglary

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Galway Daily news

Gardaí are investigating after a car was stolen from outside of a house in Knocknacarra after a burglary last last Wednesday.

This is one of several home burglaries in Galway City and Ballinasloe over the past week, for which Gardaí are currently appealing for information.

In the early hours of Wednesday, January 12 a house at An Clarin, Ballymoneen Road, Knocknacarra between midnight and 1:30am.

During the course of the burglary a set of car keys were taken from the property and used to take a black Nissan Quasqai parked outside.

“The Gardaí in Salthill are anxious to speak with anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the Ballymoneen Road area on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning or anyone with any information in relation to the burglary or the movements of the stolen black Nissan Quasqai,” a statement from An Garda Síochána said.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Salthill Garda Station on 091-514720.”

In another incident over the weekend, a burglar was interrupted while breaking into a house on the Headford Road.

At approximately 8:30pm on the night of Friday, January 14, a male person was disturbed while breaking into a house at Gort na Coiribe, and fled in the direction of the Headford Road.

“This male is described as being in his 20’s, about 5ft 10 to 6ft in height and wearing a long dark jacket, black tracksuit pants with a brown woolen hat and a red scarf.”

“Anyone who may have been in the Headford Road area around 8.30 pm on Friday evening and may have seen the male described or anyone who may have any information that could help with the investigation is asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091-538000.

And finally, Ballinasloe Gardaí are investigating a burglary at Moher which occurred on Saturday evening last, resulting in the theft of deeply personally important jewellery.

At approximately 6:10pm on January 15 a house at Moher, Ballinasloe was broken into, resulting in damage to the property.

During the course of the burglary a solitaire diamond ring with a gold band along with a gold ring with an Opal stone were stolen.

“Four males travelling in a dark coloured saloon car were observed close to the property around the time of the break in and the vehicle was subsequently observed driving away from the area at high speed in the direction of the M6 motorway.”

“These rings hold a great deal of sentimental value to the owner and Gardaí in Ballinasloe are appealing anyone who may have seen any the four males or the vehicle described acting suspiciously in the Moher area on Saturday evening or anyone with any information in relation to the stolen rings to contact them at Ballinasloe Garda Station on 09096-31890.”

Free GMIT food entrepreneurship course returns

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Galway daily news Free GMIT food entrepreneurship course course returns

A popular and free food entrepreneurship upskilling course at GMIT will be returning this month.

The Certificate in Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship course at GMIT is part of the Springboard initiative by the Higher Education Authority.

he free part-time course is delivered by high-profile entrepreneurs such as Brendan Allen, Castlemine Farms, with input and contributions from course graduates including Ami Madden of Valhalla Meats.

First delivered in GMIT in 2016, the course is designed for Agri-Food sector workers such as local and regional food producers, rural farmers, food entrepreneurs and the wider agricultural community, where entrepreneurial training has not typically been prioritised.

It provides participants with the knowledge and work-based skills required to foster and develop their food ideas into successful businesses, encouraging participants to consider food entrepreneurship as a career.

Dr Lisa Ryan at GMIT said “This course has been developed by a combination of qualified staff in Food Science and Nutrition together with a panel of food entrepreneurs and promotes work-based learning.”

“Interacting with food entrepreneurs provides participants with the opportunity to network with like-minded people, be inspired by their success and learn the reality of setting up and growing a food business.”

“The industry leaders provide mentoring and support to participants throughout the course. Our graduates of the course found the experiential learning environment and interaction with industry an extremely beneficial and rewarding experience.”

This course is part of the Springboard initiative, which offers free or subsidised upskilling courses for people who have been unemployed or or are seeking to improve their prospects in modern industries.

The Certificate in Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship course commences at GMIT’s Galway campus on Monday, January 31.

It is completely free for those who meet the eligibility criteria, and costs €300 for those in employment.

Applications must be made online through www.springboardcourses.ie, where information can also be found on the eligibility criteria.

Applications for the course must be made no later than Tuesday, January 25.

Successful applicants will have access to high level support and mentoring throughout the course together with the opportunity of gaining practical support for business start-ups that will emerge from the programme.

Moving away from the traditional style of teaching, this course will take a practice-based, real-world, collaborative approach in its delivery methods.

Breaking: Man arrested on suspicion of murder in Ashling Murphy case

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

Gardaí investigating the death of Ashling Murphy have today arrested a man on suspicion of murder in connection with the case.

The 23 year old teacher was killed while out running along the canal bank at Cappincur, Tullamore at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, January 12.

A man in his 30s has today been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the case.

He is currently detained in Tullamore Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

An Garda Síochána said that they have no further comment at this time.

It’s understood that the investigation has focused on a man being treated for multiple injuries at a hospital in Dublin.

Gardaí have also appealed for anyone in Tullamore with information on a man dressed in a black tracksuit top with no hood, black tracksuit bottoms with a large white stripe or white writing on the side, and black runners to come forward.

Gardaí are eager to speak to anyone who noticed this man loitering at any location or involved in any activity which drew their attention that day.

Anyone who gave a lift to this man, or saw him walking in the Tullamore area, is asked to make contact with Gardaí.

Gardaí have appealed to any person in the general Tullamore area on the 12 January 2022 with any form of video footage to contact them.

Residential vacancy rate above average in Galway

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Galway Daily news housing allocation scheme Gaeltacht

The residential vacancy rate in Galway was more than a third higher than the national average in the last three months of the year

The latest report from GeoDirectory and EY Residential Buildings Report shows that Galway had a 6.2% residential vacancy rate in Q4 2021, compared with a 4.4% national average.

There were 855 new residential addresses in Galway registered by GeoDirectory last year, down 20% on 2020, and a further 853 residential buildings under construction in the final quarter of the year.

The average property price in Galway was €270,671 in the year leading up to last October. In Galway City that rose to €312,462.

On top of those properties that are fit for people to live in, there were 1,946 residential addresses classified as derelict in Galway in the latest report.

Dara Keogh, CEO of GeoDirectory said, “Covid-19 has proved to be a substantial speed-bump for the delivery of housing supply in Ireland.”

“The knock-on impact of the closure of construction sites in early 2021 can be seen in the relatively low number of new address points added to the GeoDirectory database, which was down 17.4% on the previous year.”

Nationally there were 18,047 new address points recorded in Ireland in 2021, with over a quarter located in Dublin (29.6%), a year-on-year decrease of 26% in the capital.

At 48.9%, almost half of the total of new addresses were found in the Greater Dublin Area of Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.

In Galway there was a 23.8% reduction in construction activity last year, the sharpest contraction seen anywhere in the country.

Despite this, Dara Keogh said that there is a positive outlook overall, with 19,495 buildings recorded as being under construction in Q4 2021 nationwide.

This is the highest quarterly figure seen since GeoDirectory and EY began compiling this report in 2014.

Annette Hughes, Director at EY said “The level of housing supply coming onto the market in 2021 was well short of what was needed to meet demand.”

“While the data around residential construction activity in the latter half of 2021 is extremely encouraging, there is still exceptionally high levels of demand in the housing market.”

“This is evident from the significant increase in the average house price, up 9.4% nationally, with price increases recorded in every county”.

Plans for boutique hotel in Galway city centre

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Galway Daily news Plans for boutique hotel in Galway city centre

Plans have been submitted to demolish derelict buildings in the centre of Galway City, and build a boutique hotel in their place.

Hanoview Ltd is seeking planning permission to demolish No. 26, a commercial building, and No. 34, a house to its rear, on Nun’s Island.

In their place the developer plans to build a three storey over part-basement boutique hotel, with 34 guest bedrooms.

Previous plans for an apartment building on the site were abandoned after consultation with the city council.

Of the 34 bedroom, it is intended that 17 will be “pod” style compact rooms, to make more economic use of the site.

The planning application documentation states, “this type of room is more economical to build and service, and with lower charges is very popular with business people and sight-seeing tourists who do not intend to spend a lot of time in their rooms.”

The hotel will contain a compact lounge and breakfast room for residents, neither of which will be open to the public.

The entrance to the hotel will be off Nun’s Island Street. The hotel will also feature a central courtyard garden, and riverside garden for guests.

The application states that car parking on the site would be  “unnecessary and undesirable”, but an area has been set aside for bicycle parking.

Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by February 23 of this year.