Plans for new Primary Care Centre in Spiddal

As a modern-day entertainment option, people are turning to the huge amount of casinos online to satisfy their gaming needs. Many of these types of casino products can be sampled with ease on a mobile phone throughout the day as people follow the latest rugby news and update their social media statuses. It’s easy to jump between a casino gaming product as and when it suits, with roulette being one of the most popular options of the lot.

Other commonly utilised games which many casino players favour include the likes of poker, blackjack and baccarat, but those types of games generally require extensive knowledge to succeed in and some strategic play. Roulette, on the other hand, is a more simple casino product that has been enjoyed offline for centuries. It’s a seemingly timeless casino product that has managed to thrive despite a number of other casino titles coming to the fore, too. But what are the main appealing aspects of online roulette and why is it still one of the most popular online casino games around? Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons below.

There is always a place at the table

When comparing online roulette to roulette at a land-based casino resort, one of the key differences is that you’re always guaranteed a place at the table, as many online casinos offer a large amount of roulette games. On the other hand, with roulette being one of the most popular casino products, it can be hard to get a place at a table in a brick-and-mortar casino. Online roulette provides a guaranteed gaming option, it’s easy to place bets, and you don’t have to worry about a crowded table or drinks being spilled. Instead, you can relax at home safe in the knowledge that you’re likely to have an uninterrupted gaming session.

Different types of roulette games on offer

Another reason why playing online roulette is the go-to option for many is due to the sheer amount of roulette games that many of the reputable online casino providers host. Popular options include American roulette, double ball roulette, multi-wheel roulette, and European roulette, where Live Quantum Roulette – which is played on a standard European Roulette wheel – is an excellent product, particularly for casino gamers who prefer a full complement of betting options. These different variations help keep roulette’s all-around offering fresh and appealing, while also giving roulette gamers the opportunity to win in more ways than one.

An authentic experience

(Image via https://twitter.com/JastDemetris)

Given the fact that many live roulette games include a host who spins the wheel, playing roulette online represents an authentic alternative for people who perhaps don’t regularly frequent land-based casinos. Throw in the high-resolution cameras from multiple angles, the sound effects, and the ability to talk with the host in some instances, and it’s clear why playing classic table games like roulette online is in constant demand.

Rewards and bonuses

Yet another key reason as to why online roulette is booming is down to the rewards and bonuses which many loyal and new customers are offered. Brick-and-mortar casinos don’t offer their players anything in return on the whole (unless you count a free drink), whereas online providers offer deposit bonuses, sign-up bonuses, and a whole lot more. These types of enticing offers are why many online casino games are thriving right now, particularly as people spend more time gaming online.

Conclusion

As an all-round gaming package, playing online roulette represents one of the best casino gaming experiences you can have. It’s simple to grasp, fun and entertaining to play, and roulette games offer a great deal of value to casino gamers overall.

Berni makes a tough decision on Ros na Rún

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January 1, 2022

Galway Daily television Berni makes a tough decision on Ros na Rún

Berni faces a tough decision, but knows what she wants, Caitríona has a spring in her step, and Sorcha is badly shaken by gunfire in Ros na Rún.

Berni visits a doctor who confirms to her that she is indeed pregnant, much to her distress.

He tells her there are many places that she can go for support, but Berni knows what she wants to do.

Caitríona, after spending the night with Greg, has a spring in her step, but Michelle thinks that she should know better at her age, much to Caitríona’s indignation.

John Joe lands in hot water when it looks like he’s been engaging in some hanky-panky in the back seat of his car, but it’s not with who you might think.

Sorcha is uncomfortable walking the land with Malachaí, for fear Cóilí Jackie will see her, though he tells her that it belongs to her and Sadie by right.

Malachaí tells her that she shouldn’t fear Cóilí Jackie any more, but gunshots soon have them both quaking in their boots. That said, is Malachaí even on their side?

Catch up on all the latest from this week’s episodes of Ros na Rún in a double feature omnibus on TG4 this Sunday.

Boosters available for over 16s from Sunday

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily news Parents advised to keep on top of school immunisation programme

Booster vaccines will be available for everyone over the age of 16 from Sunday, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

People can book a vaccine centre appointment from tonight or contact their GP or pharmacist.

Martin said that boosters are our “best protection against Omicron” and pleaded with the public to get the booster when they can.

Walk-in vaccination clinics will continue uninterrupted in Galway through the New Year period.

The hours for walk-in vaccination clinics at Ballybrit Racecourse over New Year’s are:

Saturday 1 January, 9.30am to 7pm
Sunday 2 January, 8.30am to 7pm
Monday 3 January, 8.30am to 1.30pm
Tuesday 4 January, 1.30pm to 7pm

Irish language status now on par with other official EU languages

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily business Coronavirus: EU approves Ireland's €200m business support scheme

The Irish language’s status in European istitutions will be on a par with other official languages of the EU from midnight tonight.

The Irish language was given official and working status on 1 January 2007 – but a shortage of translation staff has restricted the amount of material translated into Irish.

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers, said that the end of the derogation of the language’s status in the EU is a ‘crucial step’ in the development and future of Irish.

“Irish is now on a par with other official and working EU languages and this will strengthen the relationship between citizens and European administrative systems,” said Minister Chambers.

“Together with the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 signed by the President of Ireland last week, the role of the Irish language in national and European systems of administration has now been significantly strengthened.”

Minister Chambers said that the European institutions and the staff of his Department deserve ‘a great deal of credit’ for putting in place the appropriate structures and initiatives to achieve this goal.

“It was an ambitious project, but thanks to the close cooperation between the EU institutions, the Irish Government and stakeholders under the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative among many other initiatives and projects, the European institutions are now ready to translate the full suite of content into Irish along with other official and working languages of the EU.”

Irish was a treaty language when Ireland became a Member State in 1973, which meant that only EU treaties were translated into Irish.

The Irish Government applied in 2005 for Irish to become an official and working language and it was granted this status on 1 January 2007.

Due to the shortage of translation staff and Irish language technological resources at the time, the scope of the status was derogated and the number of documents to be translated into Irish were limited.

In support of those applying for language posts with the EU in the future, NUI Galway is now providing support material in Irish as it relates to the European Union’s EPSO recruitment tests.

Surgeries postponed, visiting restricted at UHG due to COVID outbreak at hospital

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December 31, 2021

Visiting at Galway University Hospitals will be limited to compassionate grounds from New Year’s Day due to a COVID outbreak at UHG.

The outbreak at the hospital is having a significant impact on services, with a number of elective procedures being postponed so staff can support essential emergency care.

Patients are being contacted directly if their procedure is being postponed. All routine inpatient surgeries scheduled for next week have also been postponed.

Visiting will now be by appointment only, and hospital staff will confirm appointments and times with the nominated support person or visitor.

The nominated support person/visitor must complete a COVID screening checklist and follow the public health guidance, including wearing a FFP2 surgical face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly whilst visiting.

Visitors will also be asked to produce their EU Digital COVID Certificate or HSE Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity at the hospital Entrance.

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

Visiting to the maternity department for nominated support partners will be facilitated once a day for a 1 hour period between 5pm and 8pm.

Partners can continue to attend for all deliveries, inductions, scans and emergency presentations. All visits must be preapproved by the ward/unit manager.

The visiting restriction will remain in place for one week and the situation will be monitored continually in the meantime.

Time sensitive, urgent cases will proceed when it is safe to do them and patients will be contacted if they are to attend. The situation is being kept under constant review.

Out-patient services are proceeding. Ambulatory gynaecology, some endoscopy 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.

Over 20,000 cases reported again today

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December 31, 2021

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

Health officials have reported over 20,000 cases of COVID-19 again today, as the number of people hospitalised with the disease continues to rise.

The Department of Health reported 20,110 cases and as of this morning, 682 people with the disease are hospitalised, of whom 86 are in intensive care units.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, said that he knows many people have cancelled or postponed planned social and family events, not just for New Years Eve, but right throughout the Christmas period.

“The occasions in life we most look forward to have been changed utterly by this pandemic,” he said.

“However, these collective efforts are necessary to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our health service.”

Dr Holohan said that it is timely today to remember all of those who continue to contribute so much to our response to COVID-19, particularly the individual and collective efforts of our frontline healthcare workers who are now facing into a third year of pandemic response.

“In the most challenging of circumstances, they continue to work to protect public health and to maintain access to services across all parts of our health service,” he said.

“In the delivery of both COVID and non-COVID services, patients and their families have benefitted from their empathy, skill, and care.

“January will likely be a difficult time and I would like to thank all of our health care workers most sincerely for their efforts.”

Garda advice on preventing home burglaries over New Year’s

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily news Garda advice on preventing home burglaries over New Year's

Gardaí have issued advise for people who may be away from home over the New Year’s holidays on how to protect their home from burglaries.

There have been an alarming number of burglaries at homes in Galway over the Christmas period, striking quickly when people are out.

Galway Senator Ollie Crowe said that 14 homes in the Carnmore and Claregalway areas were broken into in the space of just ten days.

Gardaí advise that if leaving your home unoccupied, to take the following steps:

Leave on some lights or using timer switches to give the impression someone is at home.
Ask a trusted neighbour or family member to conduct frequent checks of the property.
Ensure all doors and windows are locked the house alarm is set.
Keep all gates and outbuildings closed and locked.
Safely store away ladders, tools, wheelie bins etc.
Don’t post status updates while you’re still away on social media.

People can also help to look out for their neighbours who are away by keeping your eyes open, and reporting any suspicious persons or vehicles to An Garda Siochana.

For further information check the Garda website: https://www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/securing-your-home/

High winds forecast for Galway as weather warning issued

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December 31, 2021

Galway daily weather Met Eireann weather warning in force for Galway today

Galway is expected to get battered by strong winds on Friday night, with a status yellow weather warning issued by Met Eireann.

Southerly winds veering southwesterly, will reach mean speeds of 50-65km/hr tonight, with gusts of up to 100km/hr overnight.

Winds will be strongest in coastal areas and high ground, and there is a possibility of local wave overtopping, Met Eireann has warned.

The wind warning for Galway and Mayo will be in effect from 8pm tonight, until 8am on Saturday morning.

A marine weather warning for winds reaching gale force 8 or strong gale force 9 tonight on all Irish coastal waters has also been issued.

Despite the wind warning, conditions in Galway are expected to be mostly dry today, with some scattered showers, and temperatures of 12 to 13 degrees.

There will be more light intermittent rain on New Year’s Day, but also sunny spells in the late morning and early afternoon.

Two changes to Connacht lineup for Munster interpro

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Connacht Rugby have announced their matchday lineup for this weekend’s URC interpro against Munster, with two changes from the side that faces Leicester.

Connacht will be facing Munster at home in the Sportsground this Saturday, January 1 at 5:15pm.

Connacht Head Coach Andy Friend said that this is a very important game if they want to finish in the top 4 of the URC.

“We’ve no game in the competition for a month after this weekend so it’d be great to have another win under our belt, albeit it against a very strong Munster team.”

Connacht’s last game was two weeks ago against the Leicester Tigers, after a planned St. Stephen’s Day matchup against Ulster couldn’t go ahead due to COVID on the Ulster side.

In this week’s squad, top try-scorer Mack Hansen making a welcome return from injury to start on the wing for the first time in a month.

The other change is in the second row where Oisín Dowling comes into the starting side.

The rest of the starting XV is unchanged, meaning Hansen forms a back three with winger John Porch and full-back Tiernan O’Halloran, while internationals Kieran Marmion, captain Jack Carty, Bundee Aki and Sammy Arnold make up the half-back and centre pairings respectively.

The front row is again made up of Matthew Burke, Dave Heffernan and Finlay Bealham, and Ultan Dillane partners Dowling in the second row. Flankers Cian Prendergast and Conor Oliver and number 8 Jarrad Butler make up the rest of the starting team.

Included on the bench is Academy scrum-half Matthew Devine, with the Ballinasloe RFC man named in a Pro matchday squad for the first time.

“The last four games between the teams have been decided by a single score, so we’ve to make sure we’re on top of our game for the full 80 minutes and take our chances when they come,” Andy Friend said.

The full Connacht matchday 23 for the coming game is:

15. Tiernan O’Halloran (196)
14. John Porch (46)
13. Sammy Arnold (25)
12. Bundee Aki (113)
11. Mack Hansen (7)
10. Jack Carty (168) (C)
9. Kieran Marmion (195)
1. Matthew Burke (32)
2. Dave Heffernan (153)
3. Finlay Bealham (167)
4. Ultan Dillane (122)
5. Oisín Dowling (13)
6. Cian Prendergast (17)
7. Conor Oliver (29)
8. Jarrad Butler (82)

Replacements
16. Shane Delahunt (109)
17. Tietie Tuimauga (1)
18. Dominic Robertson-McCoy (70)
19. Eoghan Masterson (116)
20. Abraham Papali’i (17)
21. Matthew Devine *
22. Conor Fitzgerald (43)
23. Tom Farrell (66)

Christmas Tree recycling service with Galway City Council

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily news Free Christmas Tree recycling in Galway County

It’s always important to remember to get rid of the Christmas Tree before it turns brown and sheds everything, and not to just dump it when you do so.

To make it easier for city householders to dispose of their trees, Galway City Council will be running a Christmas Tree recycling service over two days this month.

The service will run over a week in January:

Tuesday, January 4 to Saturday, January 8 from 09am – 3pm
Monday, January 10 and Tuesday, January 11 from 9am – 3pm

People can bring their trees for recycling at either Hunters Depot Lough Rusheen on the Barna Road and at Merlin Woods Depot in Doughiska.

This recycling service is meant for domestic city householders only.

All-Ireland winner John O’Mahony announced as Salthill-Knocknacarra manager

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily sport All-Ireland winner John O'Mahony announced as Salthill-Knocknacarra manager

Former Galway manager and two time All-Ireland winner John O’Mahony has been announced as the manager of the Salthill-Knocknacarra senior football team for the coming year.

The 68 year old has a strong pedigree, having previously managed the Galway, Mayo, and Leitrim county sides.

He is best known in Galway for leading the senior footballers to two All-Ireland victories in 1998 and 2001, and was in charge when Leitrim claimed the Connacht title in 1994.

It’s expected that O’Mahony will announce the rest of his senior management team at Salthill-Knocknacarra in the coming days.

Alan Mulholland, Club Chairman, said “The Club are delighted that someone of John’s standing and record both within and outside Galway Football will be working with our Senior Football team and we wish him and his management team every success in 2022.”

For his part John O’Mahony added that he was looking forward to working with the club’s senior team in the coming season.

“I will be working with the Football Committee to finalise the Senior Football Management team over the coming days.”

Galway Garda Division has seen 4th highest level of COVID fines

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway Garda Division has seen 4th highest level of COVID fines

Galway has had the fourth highest level of fines issued for COVID offences since the start of the pandemic according to a Policing Authority report.

This report, the 16th by the Policing Authority on the Gardaí’s response to the pandemic, covers a period from April 8, 2020 to November 29 of this year.

During that time there were 1,338 fines issued in the Galway Garda Division, exceeded only by DMR North (3,447), Cork City (2,144) and DMR West (1,475).

The Dublin Metropolitan Region as a whole accounted for 7,344 fines, almost a third of the national total of 23,112 to date.

Since the time of the last such report by the Policing Authority on July 9 there have been an additional 882 Fixed Charge Notices issued, despite the fact that most restrictions ended by or shortly after July.

The report notes that, “a large proportion of the additional fines imposed have been applied retrospectively to the period before July”.

International Travel restrictions ended on July 17, and penalties for organising or attending events on August 2. The only measures for which Fixed Charge Notices can still be issued is for refusing to wear a mask.

To date, 47% of fines issued under COVID regulations, while 53% are unpaid and “either have or will” result in court summonses, the Policing Authority states.

“In earlier editions of these reports the Authority noted its reservations about the increasing use of fines, the unfair burden of such fines on the less well-off and the pressures that the non-payment of fines might place on the Courts system if they are pursued through the Courts.”

Th Policing Authority also noted its ongoing concern about the welfare of Gardaí, with issues related to verbal and physical abuse from some members of the public, such as “weaponising” coughing or spitting.

Indeed, while still lower the first days of the pandemic the number of incidents of Garda personnel being coughed or spat on has increased again in recent months.

There were 24 such incidents around the country recorded in November alone, up from 11 last August, and 9 in March of this year.

Expansion plans submitted for popular Galway hotel

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December 31, 2021

Galway Daily news Public Consultation opens on Draft Loughrea Local Area Plan

The popular Loughrea Hotel & Spa is seeking approval for a significant expansion, adding a new guest wing and car parking.

Planning permission is being sought by Atlantic Troy Ltd for a new building next to the existing hotel & spa.

Forming part of a larger hotel complex, this will add 18 new guest suites to the business.

The plans also include a new car park around the building connected to the existing parking, with 65 spaces total, as well as a new entrance onto the Athenry Road.

The developer is also seeking to retain permission for the demolition of a derelict cottage currently on the site.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by January 28.

COVID-19: Over 20,000 cases reported today

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December 30, 2021

There have been a further 20,554 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by health officials today, once again the highest ever daily total.

As of this morning there were 619 people hospitalised with the virus, an increase of 51 on yesterday’s figures.

Of these patients 88 are being treated in the ICU, itself a decline of five on the day before.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said “For the fourth time this week, we are reporting Ireland’s highest ever number of confirmed cases of COVID-19”.

“The most effective way to minimise the risk of any of us transmitting this virus to others is to avoid mixing indoors with people from other households”.

“I know this is not the advice any one of us wants to hear, particularly in advance of New Year celebrations. However, given the current profile of the disease, it is essential that all of us continue to keep our social contacts as low as possible in the days ahead.”

In the past 24 hours there have been 148 people who were either admitted to hospital with the disease, or had it detected while already in hospital.

The Omicron variant now accounts for more than 90% of cases detected the CMO said.

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy CMO, added that Omicron is far more contagious than any previous variants, and as a result, incidence rates are higher than at any previous point in the pandemic.

“Because of this, many people, despite being boosted and having taken other measures to protect themselves, will be infected with SARS-CoV-2.”

“However, their booster will protect the vast majority from serious illness or hospitalisation, and it will help to protect our health service and critical care capacity.”

More than 2 million people have received a booster shot to date, and Dr Glynn said that rates of hospitalisation would likely be far higher than what we are currently seeing without that.

Weather warning for heavy rain and flood risk in effect

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December 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Weather warning for continued heavy rain in Galway

Galway is at risk of localised flooding from heavy rain this evening, with a status yellow weather warning now in effect.

The weather warning for heavy rain across Galway and Mayo will be in place until 1am on Friday morning.

“Heavy rain over a relatively short period of time may lead to localised flooding. Highest accumulations expected in the west of these counties,” Met Eireann said.

Between 12mm and 13mm of rain are forecast to fall in Galway overnight during the time of this alert.

Cork and Kerry have also been under a status yellow alert for heavy rain since 11am this morning, which will remain until 5am tomorrow.

Friday and Saturday are expected to give a slightly better start to the weekend in Galway, with rain forecast to taper off over the course of the morning.

Tomorrow will be mostly dry and cloudy, with some patches of drizzle, but sunny spells also. Highest temperatures of 12 to 13 degrees.

Conditions off the coast of Galway are expected to be tumultuous on Friday morning as well, with a gale warning for southwest to westerly winds reaching gale force 8 or strong gale force 9 from Mizen Head to Loop Head to Rossan Point.

Saturday will see more spells of rain, turning persistent at times, but also some clear sunny skies during the late morning and early afternoon.

But Met Eireann is forecasting that the persistent rain will return on Sunday and Monday, for a nice Irish welcome to the new year.

Booster vaccine clinics to continue at Ballybrit over New Year’s

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December 30, 2021

Walk-in vaccination clinics for people to get their booster shots will continue uninterrupted in Galway through the New Year period.

Ballybrit Vaccination centre will be running walk-in clinics for people aged 30 and over, as well as healthcare workers, to receive their booster shot every day this week.

Clinics will also be open for people who have yet to get their initial vaccine to receive Dose 1 & 2.

The HSE has currently published opening hours for clinics which will continue uninterrupted up to Tuesday, January 4.

There will be no difference in the opening hours of the walk-in clinics based on the group or whether they are coming for a booster or initial dose.

Booster vaccines became available for over 30s this week, and will be open to all 16 – 29 year-olds from January 10.

The hours for walk-in vaccination clinics at Ballybrit Racecourse over New Year’s are:

Friday 31 December, 12pm to 4.30pm
Saturday 1 January, 9.30am to 7pm
Sunday 2 January, 8.30am to 7pm
Monday 3 January, 8.30am to 1.30pm
Tuesday 4 January, 1.30pm to 7pm

Three young men sentenced for unprovoked nightclub assault

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December 30, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

Three young men were warned that they only reason they didn’t get a jail sentence for an unprovoked assault in a nightclub was because it was their first offence.

Darren Doyle (24), Brendan Regan (23), and Evan Star (22) were all sentenced to community service by Judge Rory McCabe at Galway Circuit Court.

The three had each pleaded guilty to assault for their part in attacking Shane O’Sullivan (28) more than two years ago.

The assault happened at Ringo’s nightclub in Loughrea on the night of February 3 of 2019.

Garda David Carey told the court that cctv footage from the club showed the, apparently unprovoked, assault happening in the smoking room of the club, before being broken up by staff.

Mr Conal McCarthy BL, prosecuting said that Mr O’Sullivan, who did not know the men who attacked him, was assaulted out of nowhere after an argument.

Mr O’Sullivan attended the doctor four days after the incident, saying that he had pain and loss of hearing after being hit in the head.

A medical report showed that he had a perforated eardrum, along with bruising and abrasions to his skull. He was referred to hospital for severe headaches and episodes of dizziness.

A year later he still suffered from headaches that could last for several hours, another medical report said, though these later became shorter and less frequent.

Staff at the club got the names of all three young men, and they voluntarily attended Loughrea Garda station after a complain was made.

After their initial interviews Evan Star and Darren Doyle, from Mountshannon and Whitegate in Co. Clare respectively, later said that they wished to cooperate, and made full admissions.

All three entered pleas at the earliest opportunity after the matter was sent to the Circuit Court, the defence said.

None of the three accused had any previous criminal convictions, and the court heard that they have not come to any further garda attention since.

The three paid €1,200 in compensation to Mr O’Sullivan after the assault, which was handed over by Mr Regan, who has an address at Ballinakill, Kylebrack.

A further €7,500 from the three was present as an expression of remorse on this occasion.

The three young men had written letters of apology to the injured party, and expressed their remorse and shame at what they had done.

The probation service assessed all three as being at a low risk of future reoffending.

Written evidence of the impact this had on the victim was read to the court, in which he said that he has suffered some loss of hearing.

He still gets flashbacks he added, and feels nervous when he is out and sees a group of men on the streets.

Judge Rory McCabe said that there “must be a question mark” over how three came to this, adding “blame the drink?”.

He urged them to consider how they resorted to such violence, saying they should “look in the mirror and see where their lives are going”.

The judge ordered them to perform 240 hours community service in lieu of a nine month sentence, saying that the only reason they weren’t getting prison sentences was because it was their first offence.

INMO calls for curtailment of all but urgent care amid hospital crisis

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December 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation is calling for all but “urgent emergency care” to be curtailed amid a mounting hospital crisis.

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe was one of three hospitals singled out by the INMO as being in “crisis mode” due to high levels of A&E attendance.

The INMO is calling for an urgent Plan B from the HSE to tackle the “escalating” crisis in the health system due to emergency department overcrowding, elective procedures, and the latest COVID wave.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the INMO, said that from experience they that the 287 patients on trolleys this morning is likely to treble in early January.

“Our public health service is too small to try provide emergency care, COVID care and carry out elective treatments. Urgent elective work must be prioritised through the private hospital system”.

“We know from the INMO TrolleyWatch figures that Regional Hospital Mullingar, Letterkenny University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital have been acting in crisis mode in the last 48 hours because of high numbers of people presenting to their respective emergency departments.”

There have been 20 patients on trolleys without a bed at Portiuncula over the past two days, the fourth highest level in the country both times.

Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that there is always a spike in attendance at emergency departments between Christmas and the New Year, but that there are more factors to take into account this year.

“In the context of COVID, particularly with the highly transmissible Omicron variant, it is wholly irresponsible that we still do not have a Plan B in place for our scaling up capacity within our acute hospital system.”

“We need private hospitals on the pitch so our health service can act as one at this extremely difficult time.”

COVID-19 is also taking its toll on hospital staff, she added, with high levels of absences due to leave related to the virus.

“Anecdotally we are being told that many hospitals are having problems completing rotas,” Phil Ní Sheaghdha said.

“Our creaking health service is currently being held together by the goodwill of nurses and midwives who are cancelling annual leave and staying beyond their rostered time to ensure that wards are staffed.”

Call for tougher sentencing after spree of home burglaries

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December 30, 2021