Portiuncula Hospital postponing elective surgeries

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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

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

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

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

The Galway senior hurling team facing Offaly this afternoon in the Walsh Cup has been confirmed.

Galway and Offaly will meet at Duggan Park in Ballinasloe for the first round of the competition.

The fully sold out match, which will also be livestreamed, starts at 2pm on Sunday afternoon.

The full Galway senior hurling side for today’s game is:

1. Darach Fahy (Ardrahan)
2. Stephen Barrett (Liam Mellows)
3. Jack Fitzpatrick (Killimordaly)
4. Declan Cronin (Cappataggle)
5. Sean Bleahene (Ahascragh Fohenagh)
6. Gearoid McInerney (Oranmore Maree)
7. Conor Walsh (Turloughmore)
8. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh)
9. Ronan Murphy (Tommy Larkins)
10. John Fleming (Meelick Eyrecourt)
11. Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins)
12. Cianan Fahy (Ardrahan)
13. Greg Thomas (Castlegar)
14. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly)
15. Donal O’Shea (Salthill Knocknacarra)
16. Mark Fahy (Turloughmore)
17. Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea)
18. Sean Neary (Castlegar)
19. Caiman Killeen (Loughrea)
20. Adam Clarke (Craughwell)
21. Diarmuid Kilcommins (Annaghdown)
22. Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge)

INMO calls on HSE to take extra measures to protect nurses

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January 8, 2022

galway daily news inmo nurses safety hse

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has called on the HSE to take extra measures to protect the nursing and midwifery workforce.

INMO General Secretary, Phil Ní Sheaghdha, said that it is a very different January in the health service this year, as there are huge increases in the number of patients on trolleys and a high number of nurses and midwives on COVID-related leave.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that yesterday, over 353 patients were on trolleys – a 100% increase on the number of patients on trolleys compared to this day last year.

“Our nursing and midwifery rosters are depleted,” he said, which is causing difficulties in filling rosters.

“According to our own calculations based on figures provided by the HSE, 7.29% of nurses are on COVID-related leave at present.

“We know that COVID outbreaks are higher in healthcare settings compared to any other setting.

“The HSE must take meaningful, long-lasting action to protect our nursing and midwifery workforce. That includes curtailing non-emergency activity until the end of January at least and making improvements to air quality in our hospitals.”

He said that while they welcome the calls from the HSE Chief Executive for hospitals to curtail all non-emergency care for the next two weeks, they believe that this should be extended until the end of January at least to give nurses and midwives some chance of being able to carry out their work safely.

“Air quality in our hospitals continues to be a huge problem while overcrowding continues to be allowed,” he said.

“We believe that as an employer, the HSE has an obligation to provide proper air filtration units such as HEPA filters across our hospitals, especially in overcrowded Emergency Departments and waiting areas.

“It has been especially difficult for nurses and midwives over the last three weeks in particular, they are working in extremely difficult circumstances. The HSE as an employer must do everything it can to protect this workforce, who are the most exposed to this virus day in and day out.”

Golfgate trial to continue next month at Galway District Court

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January 8, 2022

Galway Daily courts Man charged with possessing images of child sex abuse — credit: Robert Linsdell CC BY 2.0 'The Courthouse, Courthouse Square, Galway'

The trial surrounding the events of the Oireachtas Golf Society ‘golfgate’ dinner will conclude in early February.

The prosecution had yet to conclude presenting its case after two days of hearing before a specially convened sitting of Galway District Court this week.

Galway TD Noel Grealish, former Senator Donie Cassidy, and hoteliers John and James Sweeney are charged with organising or allowing to be organised an event that breached health regulations at the Station House Hotel on August 19, 2020.

Judge Mary Fahy said that the next block of dates available to her are on February 3-4, when the case will resume.

Eoghan Cole BL for the state said that he expects that there will be lengthy legal presentations made to the court after the prosecution concludes its case.

The court ended on Friday during the evidence of Inspector Peter Conlon, who oversaw the investigation as the then Acting Superintendent for the Salthill-Clifden area.

He had yet to finish presenting his evidence, and Mr Cole said that it is also expected that there will be significant cross-examination once he does so.

He said that he became aware of the event of the golf society event on August 21, and heard that it may have been in breach of COVID regulations.

Two other Gardaí had attended the Station House Hotel and received information about the event from John and James Sweeney.

Inspector Conlon said that he sought further information about the event from them, but that the response was that, based on legal advice, they would not be providing further information.

He also wrote to Noel Grealish and Donie Cassidy in September seeking further information regarding potential breaches of the Health Act.

Mr Cassidy wrote back to Inspector Conlon on October 15 outlining the events of the evening. He said that he had met with the hotel management before that the event, and contacted the Irish Hotels Federation to clarify the regulations.

A week prior to the event he and Noel Grealish had travelled to the hotel to view the venue to ensure it was suitable, he said in the correspondence.

The correspondence with Inspector Conlon also included lengthy information about the tightening of restrictions on gatherings while this event was ongoing, and advice issued by the IHF regarding it.

This broadly stated that due to the time-lag between government announcements and the proper introduction of new restrictions, the protocol with the department of tourism was that the status quo should remain until updated guidance is issued.

Mr. Cole said that there was no suggestion that the reduced capacity of six people in at gatherings applied to this event.

Mr. Grealish made a statement to Gardaí saying that he had been the outgoing captain of the club when he travelled with Mr. Cassidy to Ballyconneely to plan his captain’s day event.

Afterwards he said that the two of them went to the Station House hotel, where Cassidy planned to hold his president’s day event.

Mr. Grealish said in his statement that he had no responsibility in relation to organising this event, and had no dealings with hotel management.

On the morning of August 19 he said that he raised concerns with Mr Cassidy about the newly announced restrictions.

Mr. Cassidy spoke with the IHF, and informed him that the current measures remained in place until new restrictions have been properly introduced and guidance issued.

Earlier in the day the court heard from Supreme Court Justice Séamus Woulfe, who spoke at length about “ambiguities” in the hastily put together regulations, for which guidelines went into detail.

Fine Gael Senator Gerry Buttimer and former Senator Lorraine Higgins also gave evidence. The court also heard from multiple staff at the Station House hotel about the events of that evening.

Galway United re-signs Ronan Manning for 2022

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January 8, 2022

galway daily news galway united ronan manning

Galway United have announced that Ronan Manning has re-signed for the 2022 season, after a promising start to last season was cut short due to injury.

Manning, who has now fully recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, said that he is delighted to be resigning at Eamon Deacy Park.

Speaking to Galway United’s media team, Manning said: “Obviously last year didn’t go the way I wanted to go with injury and stuff like that.

“I just got through the rehab and surgery went well, I’m looking forward to getting back into it next year.”

The creative number 10 originally signed for Galway United in 2017, joining the Academy U19s.

He then joined Athlone Town for the 2019 season and 2020 was Ronan’s breakthrough season, contributing goals and assists for Athlone before returning home to Galway United for the 2021 season.

Watch Ronan Manning’s interview with Galway United TV below

COVID-19: 26,122 cases reported this afternoon

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January 8, 2022

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

Health officials have reported 26,122 further cases of COVID-19 in the Republic – the highest number of daily cases since the start of the pandemic.

As of 8am today, 917 people with COVID-19 are hospitalised, of whom 83 are in intensive care units.

There were six fewer confirmed COVID cases receiving treatment at Galway’s public hospitals on Friday evening compared to Thursday, the latest HSE data shows.

The number of people with the virus at University Hospital Galway stood at 48 on Friday at 8pm (-5), while Portiuncula Hospital had seven confirmed cases (-1).

Seven patients were receiving treatment in intensive care units in Galway – five at UHG and two at Portiuncula Hospital.

The Department of Health says that given the current high incidence, the daily case number is based on positive SARS-CoV-2 results uploaded to the HSE COVID Care Tracker the preceding day and that these data are provisional.

Rising inflation having major impact on families, says Galway TD

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January 8, 2022

galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

Rising inflation at record levels is having a major impact on workers and families, a Galway TD had warned.

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane was commenting on figures released this week which showed inflation across the euro area rising to 5% in December.

Deputy Kerrane said that in the Cost of Living survey she published in November, the majority (55%) of the 14,500 respondents were working full time and struggling to cover basic essentials.

“Many households have also seen their income drop due to Covid-19 while outgoings remained the same. This is putting huge pressure on people’s finances,” the Sinn Féin TD said.

“We have seen little urgency from the Government to support households. I had brought forward a Dáil Motion last February, almost a year ago, seeking action on household utility debt yet, it took the Government until December last to take action on the energy costs crisis.”

Deputy Kerrane said that in that time, the situation has ‘spiralled out of control for households’, and said there were over 35 price hikes from energy providers last year alone.

She said that Government inaction is not good enough, and that It’s time to deliver “the change that ordinary workers and families need to get a break from spiralling costs.”

Decrease in Covid-19 cases at Galway hospitals

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January 8, 2022

There were six fewer confirmed COVID cases receiving treatment at Galway’s public hospitals on Friday evening compared to Thursday, the latest HSE data shows.

The number of people with the virus at University Hospital Galway stood at 48 on Friday at 8pm (-5), while Portiuncula Hospital had seven confirmed cases (-1).

Seven patients were receiving treatment in intensive care units in Galway – five at UHG and two at Portiuncula Hospital.

The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 nationally also decreased on Friday, from 936 at 8am to 865 at 8am.

The ICU figures for Ireland went from 89 on Thursday evening to 83 on Friday.

Health officials reported 21,926 further confirmed cases of COVID-19 yesterday afternoon.

Government must get serious about safety in schools – PBP

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January 8, 2022

A People Before Profit representative in Galway has said the Government ‘must get serious’ about safety in schools – so that they can remain open.

Adrian Curran said children need to be in school and that education is vital to a child’s development.

He said that the long periods of time that our schools have been shut has put a huge strain on families and has taken a toll on young people who are missing out on this most important cornerstone of their development.

“So why then does our government not do all they can to ensure that schools can remain open?” asked Mr Curran.

“Since the start of this pandemic, parents, pupils and teachers have been calling on the government to put the safety measures in place that would allow the schools to operate safely and remain open, so that students can continue their education with minimum disruption.”

He said that one of the key calls has been for HEPA filters to be provided for every classroom – a relatively inexpensive measure that nonetheless provides considerable protection against transmission of COVID-19.

“But the government has failed to do even this. Instead, schools have been forced to either buy their own filters or leave windows and doors wide open, resulting in students and teachers working in freezing conditions.

“Hardly conducive to a young person’s education, not to mention the teachers and other school staff.

“Other basic measures that have repeatedly been requested include contact tracing in schools carried out by the HSE, serial screening and testing for students and staff, full vaccination made available (on an opt-in basis) for 5-12 year olds before returning to school, boosters offered immediately to 12-18 year olds, and remote learning made available to give medically vulnerable children and families a choice.”

Curran said that if the government was really serious about keeping schools open, they would put these measures in place.

“But instead, they are letting the situation get wildly out of control – all but ensuring the schools will eventually have to close,” he said.

“Many vulnerable families and children have had no choice but to keep their kids at home, due to the total lack of safety in schools.

“These children have been completely isolated from their peers, and deprived by this government of their basic human right to an education. It is unforgivable.”

COVID-19: 21,926 cases reported today

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January 7, 2022

There have been a further 21,926 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there were 936 people hospitalised with the disease in Ireland, a slight decline on the same time yesterday.

Of these patients 84 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan have encouraged parents and guardians to have their children vaccinated.

From Saturday, January 8 all children aged 5 to 11 years old will be able to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Over the Christmas period we reported the highest daily numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases,” Minister Donnelly said.

“As we wait for more evidence to emerge on the severity of infection with the Omicron variant, it is important that we continue to encourage all of those eligible for vaccination to come forward.”

He added that that vaccination offers and extra level of protection for everyone, and that it is important that parents discuss the vaccine with their children.

“As a parent of children in this age group myself, I know that children have many questions about COVID-19 and about this vaccine, and it is important to ensure they can access the information material the HSE have made available.”

Dr Holohan added that while most children in this age group infected will only get a mild form of the disease, some may become severely ill.

“Vaccines are doing an excellent job of preventing severe illness and disease in those who are fully vaccinated. This is good news.”

Getting a child vaccinated is a decision between parents and children, Dr Holohan said, and encouraged to engage with the health advice on the HSE website.

The COVID-19 data hub provides information about the disease in the community, including details on the booster vaccine campaign.

All visiting restricted at Portiuncula Hospital due to COVID-19

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January 7, 2022

All visiting at Portiuncula University Hospital is being restricted from today, Friday, due to a rising number of COVID-19 infections in the community.

Visiting will be only be allowed in exceptional circumstances, on compassionate grounds, and visits must be arranged in advance by calling the nurse in charge of the ward.

The nominated support person or visitor must complete a COVID-19 screening checklist and follow the public health guidance, including wearing a FFP2 surgical face mask (when requested) or surgical face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly.

In line with national guidance on visiting, visitors will be asked to produce their EU Digital COVID Certificate or HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record – or other proof of immunity – when they arrive.

There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners, in line with national guidance.

Setback for 250 bed Westside student accommodation plans

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January 7, 2022