Gardaí have asked the public to be weary of bank jugging thieves this Christmas as people may be in possession of larger amounts of cash in their homes.
Bank ‘jugging’ occurs where thieves look for people leaving a financial institution with a bank bag, coin box or bank envelope which looks like they may have a large amount of cash.
The customer may then be followed with the thief looking for an opportunity to steal the cash, maybe by breaking into their car or a distraction theft from the victim directly.
Three males involved in this type of theft were arrested at the end of November and subsequently charged with multiple offences before the courts.
These males are currently remanded in custody. During the course of the operation, the contents of a number of bank accounts were frozen and €110,000 in cash was recovered.
People carrying out cash banking transactions are asked to be aware of their surroundings, especially if something seems strange when entering a bank.
Gardaí are advising people to conceal bank deposit bags, coin boxes or envelopes as they enter and leave the bank and to take your bank bag or envelope with them into your next destination, and not hide it in a vehicle.
People should always vary their routes and times for cash drops and collections and consider using electronic funds transfer rather than depositing or withdrawing cash.
Anyone who feels like they are being followed is urged to call 999 and drive to a Garda station.
A new platform with free reusable materials has been created by NUI Galway for students to use in teaching and research.
The Open Educational Resources project sees academic staff and students supporting the development of textbooks, videos, lecture notes, handbooks, manuals, lesson plans, worksheets, and annotated books/memoirs.
The home-grown materials are easily accessible, free and tailored for specific courses such as medicine and health, anatomy, genetics, mathematics, language learning, history, English, media studies and Irish studies.
President Michael D Higgins has written a foreword for one – a newly annotated, digital version of Material for Victory: The Memoirs of Andrew J. Kettle.
The book is a fascinating historical work which brings to life the rich cast of characters and side stories behind the rise and fall of the Land League.
The Open Educational Resources project and grant scheme is sponsored by the NUI Galway Student Project Fund, and spearheaded by the Library, in partnership with the Students’ Union, and campus stakeholders. Students were directly involved in the creation and development of the resources.
The materials developed are estimated to result in ongoing annual savings of €45,000 per year for our student body.
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of NUI Galway, said that is great to see the Open Educational Resources project coming to fruition.
“The development of Open Educational Resources is a flagship action in our Strategic Plan, where open access to educational resources is a priority,” he said.
“This initiative also works to remove the barriers of cost accessibility which we know can impact many of our students.
“These resources allow NUI Galway to become a proactive collaborator for innovation, engagement and creativity both nationally globally, and this project has the capability of widening student participation, supporting diversity and encouraging a culture of social inclusion.”
Clodagh McGivern, Vice-President/Education Officer of NUI Galway Students’ Union, said: “Open Educational Resources have several benefits for the students of NUI Galway, for example the resources make content and educational material more accessible to students while also being a resource that can show off the innovation and talent of our University staff and students.
“Open Educational Resources are a fantastic educational tool and I’m excited for our students to experience how great they are.”
Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has said that access to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) must be made “as accessible as possible” to those impacted by the latest restrictions announced on Friday.
Deputy Kerrane said that since the PUP reopened earlier this month for those impacted by COVID restrictions, workers have faced difficulties in getting the payment, especially in the entertainment sector.
She said that the fact that the PUP is only now accessible for those whose work has been impacted since December 7 has caused difficulties for those whose work was impacted prior to this date.
“For many in the entertainment sector their work had been impacted in November when the advice at that time was for people to reduce their social contacts,” said the Sinn Féin TD.
“Many Musicians saw their December diaries wiped out. That is why I had asked Minister Humphreys to re-introduce the PUP.”
Deputy Kerrane said that those whose work has been impacted by public health advice should be able to easily access the PUP full stop and there should be no implications based on dates.
“Following the latest restrictions announced tonight we need to ensure that workers and families are supported, one week out from Christmas,” she said.
“I am calling on Minister Humphreys to ensure that any worker impacted by the restrictions can access the PUP.
“It needs to be as readily available as it was when first introduced. We need to support workers and businesses who are devastated by the latest announcement.”
Galway Harbour Company has been given approval for the demolition of large parts of a building by the docks deemed to be in unsafe condition.
Planning permission has been granted by the city council to demolition the top four storeys of the old Ice House building, while keeping the ground floor.
The five storey building was constructed in the 1960s, and used to serve as an ice making plant, but is no longer in use.
The ground floor is being retained and upgraded due to the presence of an ESB substation on site. A temporary substation will operate while demolition is taking place.
This demolition is being undertaken due to a survey of the building carried out by Tobin Engineers last May.
It found that the building was in poor structural condition internally, and though the building is not publicly accessible, the Harbour Company decided to proceed with plans to knock much of it as a matter of public safety,
Planning permission was granted by the city council with five conditions attached.
One of these requires the Harbour Company to submit details of flood protection measures for the ground floor ESB substation.
Gardaí are renewing their appeal for information to help locate a teenage girl missing from the midlands for almost a week.
Estera Pintea (17) has been missing from Tullamore, Co. Offaly since Tuesday, December 14.
Estera is described as 5’ 2” in height, of slim build with long brown hair.
When last seen she was wearing a black jacket and black Tommy Hilfiger trainers.
Gardaí and Estera’s family are concerned for her wellbeing.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda station on 057 932 7600, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has announced 65 successful applications for funding to develop sensory gardens for people with disabilities across the country.
The Minister for Disabilities said that there is so much evidence that highlights how sensory supports including sensory gardens improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, as well as provide an accessible space to enjoy.
Applications for funding were open to organisations providing services and supports to children and/or adults with disabilities, which are funded by the HSE through a Section 38 or Section 39 Service Arrangement.-
Grants range from €1,500 to over €80,000 and a list of locations and service type are attached.
“One of the great benefits for me as Minister for Disabilities has been to see first-hand the positive impact of initiatives like this, where one can experience the textures, smells and sounds of gardens that greatly enhance an entire community,” said Minister Rabbitte.
“During some of my visits to Disability Services, I have seen very good examples of sensory gardens and this funding can help increase the number of such projects around the country.”
Minister Rabbitte said that she is “very excited to see that some of the attached initiatives will include people with disabilities being involved in the design and build of their sensory garden, bringing to life the horticultural skills they have developed in day and residential services.”
“I am sure that these gardens will be greatly utilized by people with disabilities, their families, friends and the wider community.
“Such was the interest in this initiative, I look forward to running a second round in 2022.”
East Galway TD Sean Canney has described restrictions imposed on the harvesting of horticultural peat as “a fiasco” as he says imports of the same material are increasing on a weekly basis.
The Independent TD said that it is typical of a decision being made to end production of a ‘badly needed’ product in our country without an alternative plan to supply the market being put in place.
“The reality of restricting harvesting horticultural peat in Ireland before a viable alternative was in place to fill the void has raised issues around the difficult situation this policy raises for the Horticulture industry and the lack of planning in implementing Government’s Climate Action policies,” said Deputy Canney.
He said that the restrictions imposed on the harvesting of horticultural peat in Ireland has led to the importation recently of a shipment of 3,600 tonnes of horticultural peat into Ireland to meet the demand of Irish horticultural growers in the absence of any viable alternative.
“It is extremely unfortunate that Ireland is now dependent on imported horticultural peat. While the 3,600 tonnes imported last week was one of the first to come into a port south of the border, 6 such shipments for the Irish market have been brought onto the island in the last 7 weeks; and this is low demand season,” he said.
“Each shipment requires 200 trucks to deliver peat to the port in the Baltic for loading, each ship travels 3,000 km and once in Ireland a further 200 trucks are required to unload each shipment.”
The Galway TD said the negative environmental consequences of importing horticultural peat are obvious to all but a few, yet just 0.12% (just over one tenth of 1%) of total Irish peatlands were used for horticultural peat.
“As it is now an accepted fact that no viable alternatives will be available for a decade to meet the demand of the Irish Horticultural sector such shipments are likely to be a fortnightly and perhaps weekly reality for years to come.”
“The additional cost of importing horticultural peat will also have a direct impact on the price horticultural growers will have to pay for this vital ingredient and the cost the consumer will have to pay for Irish fruit and vegetables grown in imported horticultural peat.”
“Introducing a fair and workable licensing system to allow for the phasing out of horticultural peat harvesting over a transition period to 2030 to allow alternatives to be developed is the only way of ensuring that there is a secure supply of growing media during that period.”
A further 5,124 cases of COVID-19 have been reported by health officials this afternoon.
As of 8am today, 436 people with COVID-19 are hospitalised nationally, of whom 107 are in intensive care units.
The Department of Health says that estimates suggest that approximately 52% of reported cases are now due to the Omicron variant.
Dr Tony Holohan said it has taken less than two weeks for Omicron to become the dominant strain of COVID-19 here, revealing just how transmissible this variant is.
“We have slowed transmission of this disease in the past using our basic measures and responding immediately if symptomatic – it is extremely important we do everything we can to flatten the curve of this wave now to prevent unnecessary deaths, risk to the vulnerable and to protect our health service,” said Dr Tony Holohan.
“I urge anyone eligible for a booster to avail of it at the earliest opportunity.”
The West of Ireland must be prioritised for future transport spending, Galway East Sinn Fein’s Louis O’Hara has said.
His comments came following Minister Eamon Ryan’s announcement earlier this week of €91.5 million in funding to cut the Dublin-Cork rail journey by between 8 and 10 minutes.
O’Hara said that while any investment in public transport is welcome, Minister Eamon Ryan’s announcement will ‘undoubtedly be frustrating’ for the majority of people in the West of Ireland who have ‘little or no access’ to public transport.
“Earlier this year Bus Eireann’s Galway-Dublin 20-X20 service was ended and the Government still refuses to give a firm commitment on the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor,” said Mr O’Hara.
“In addition the Connecting Ireland proposals to increase connectivity for people living outside of major cities and towns fall far short of what is needed.”
He said that it is ‘very positive’ to see investment in public transport, but “if this multi-million euro spending on the Dublin to Cork rail line can be justified then so can spending on transport services in the West.
“People in the West deserve access to high quality public services such as public transport as much as people in other parts of the country, especially at a time when we are being asked to reduce our emissions.
“We shouldn’t be treated as second class citizens when it comes to public services and investment.”
“Going forward transport spending must be directed at the region that needs it most – the West of Ireland.”
The number of people who have died from COVID-19 in Galway has risen by two to 153 in the latest data from the Central Statistics Office.
The median age of the 153 deaths is 81, while the median age of the 28,555 cases recorded in Galway is 28 – still the lowest in the State.
No COVID-19 related deaths were recorded in the county in the week ending December 10, but deaths were recorded in each of the previous three weeks.
There were 31 COVID-19 related deaths recorded nationally in the week ending December 10, of which 20 were among those aged 65 years and older. A total of 21 deaths (68%) were people with an underlying condition.
Cases among those aged 14 or younger decreased by 14% on the previous week and made up 27% of all cases. Cases in the 65 to 79 years age group decreased by 24% on the week before.
Dublin (9,608) and Cork (3,329) had the highest number of new cases between 3 and 10 December.
There were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the intensive care unit at University Hospital Galway on Saturday night, while Portiuncula Hospital has just one patient with the disease receiving critical care.
It was the fourth night in a row that UHG has had no confirmed cases in ICU, as the number of people diagnosed with the disease overall in the hospital rose by one to 19.
When the data was taken at 8pm yesterday evening, Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe had just three confirmed cases.
Nationally, 422 people were hospitalised with the virus on Saturday night – down from 492 last Saturday.
Of the cases hospitalised yesterday evening, 106 were in intensive care units out of a total of 306 in ICUs across the country.
Health officials reported 7,333 further COVID cases yesterday after new restrictions were announced on Friday, which are set to come into effect tomorrow.
Walk-in vaccination clinics for people of different age groups, and healthcare workers, will continue every day in Galway up to Christmas Eve.
The Ballybrit Racecourse vaccination centre will be holding walk-in clinics daily from 8:30am each day until Friday, December 24.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly announced on Friday that the schedule for administering booster doses is being accelerated.
It was expected that the system would open to people aged 40 and over shortly after Christmas, but that has now been brought forward to Sunday, December 19.
Sunday will solely be for people aged 40 years and over to get their booster shot. But from Monday onwards, the clinics will also be for people to get their first or second vaccine dose, and for healthcare workers.
The full schedule of clinics at Ballybrit in the coming days is:
Connacht Rugby coach Andy Friend supporting COPE Galway
Galwegians will brave the cold of Galway Bay, and other waters wherever they are next week to help homelessness services.
The annual COPE Galway Christmas Swim will run from December 20-26, with a special live event on the morning of Christmas Day.
Over the past 32 years, thousands of swimmers in Galway have made it part of their Christmas ritual to wear the COPE Galway t-shirt, bring along their cheerleaders and take a dip in the bracing waters of Galway Bay to raise funds and awareness to support vulnerable individuals and families in our community.
Connacht Rugby Head Coach, Andy Friend has been “jumping in the water” ever since he and his family first witnessed the Christmas morning crowds at Blackrock four years ago.
The fact that the event is at Christmas time, he says, “brings home how, while most of us are meant to be enjoying ourselves, there are others who can’t experience that joy.”
Connacht Rugby coach Andy Friend supporting COPE Galway
“It’s great to know that the funds raised here have a direct and positive impact on the lives of people in Galway that may be suffering in a way they shouldn’t be.”
Actor Nora Jane Noone cites a consciousness of the disconnect and hardship many in our community have endured this year as a reason for her to take part in this community fundraising event.
She said that for her, “braving the cold waters of Galway Bay serves as a small reminder of the comforts and the safety many of us enjoy that others don’t have.”
Nora Jane Noone out to support the COPE Christmas Swim
Another participant, Stephanie Campion added, “The sharp cold of the ocean, the sense of community and of course, the sense of achievement afterwards all go towards our mental wellbeing too.”
The COPE Galway Christmas Swim raises essential funds that go directly towards providing for children, young people, women and men in Galway who need extra support this Christmas and throughout the year.
In 2020, COPE Galway supported 2,616 people across the city and county through their services for homelessness, domestic abuse and services for older people.
The annual Christmas Swim is keeping last year’s format of allowing people to swim wherever they are, to encourage participation from all comers.
A special live event will also take place on Christmas day from 9am to 1pm, with participants taking the classic dip into the frigid waters of Galway Bay.
For more information on the live event, or to book a timeslot to take part yourself, go to https://swim.copegalway.ie.
Lynia O’Brien from COPE, who is organising the event, said “This is such a great community event, whether you are home for the holiday or braving the cold virtually.”
“We love to see the variety of people who register to swim – veteran sea swimmers and dippers, groups and teams of friends, families, schools and colleagues.”
“It’s a special thing to be part of such a long-held Christmas tradition and a great reminder that while the day is about being with family, it’s also about remembering and supporting our community.”
David dither on whether to tell Berni she might be pregnant, Laoise gets a nasty surprise under the floor, and Caitríona gets some incriminating evidence in Ros na Rún.
David is unsure whether to tell Berni that Briain never got that vasectomy, and that she might well be pregnant.
But Annette, tired of his indecisiveness, lays down an ultimatum. If he won’t tell Berni, she will.
John Joe is helping Laoise with work on her B&B, but they get a nasty surprise when he finds asbestos under the floor.
He assures her that he can take care of it. But is that a craftsman’s promise, or due to the fact that the two of them are getting friendlier every day.
O’Shea is worried about the state of her own relationship with John Joe, and resolves to do something about it before it’s too late.
Sadie needs to return Briain’s file before Malachaí realises it is missing, but will she manage to slip it back in time?
Caitríona’s perseverance pays off when a letter written by Mo to Colm expressing unbearable guilt comes into her hands.
What will she do with the truth when she finds out just who killed Frances.
Catch up on all the latest in Ros na Rún in a double feature omnibus of this week’s episodes on TG4 this Sunday at 7:30pm.
There have been a further 7,333 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.
As of this morning there were 410 people in the country who were hospitalised with the virus.
Of these patients, 107 are being treated in intensive care units around the country.
The government announced new restrictions on Frida, including an 8pm closing time for all bars and restaurants, and a maximum of 50% capacity for indoor and outdoor events.
Indoor events may also not take place after 8pm, including entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said in a letter to the Minister for Health this week that the mortality rate from the virus is currently at approximately six deaths per day.
This may rise further with a higher case count, he added, but booster vaccines may mitigate this.
The COVID-19 data hub provides information on the key indicators of the disease in the community, including the status of the vaccine campaign.
There were 224,562 tests carried out in Ireland in the week up to Friday, with 14.4 percent returning positive results.
There have been 1,462,167 doses of booster vaccine administered in the state, including 100,816 to people who are immunocompromised.
Just under €12 million has been allocated for the progression of multiple greenway projects serving Galway in 2022.
The bulk of the funding announced this week is for different stages of the Connemara and Galway-Dublin greenways.
The single largest grant for Galway by Transport Infrastructure Ireland is €7.1 million for construction of two stretches of the Galway-Dublin Greenway.
This is for building the route from Whitelands in Kildare to Athlone Castle, and the construction of a cycleway bridge.
A further €1.5 million has been allocated for the next stage of the design of the Galway-Athlone section of the cross country route.
On the Connemara Greenway, €1.9 million will be used for building 9.43km of the route from Clifden to Recess, which is due to be completed by Q3 2022.
Feasibility and route selection of 12km between Galway and Moycullen has been allocated €600,000.
Another €550,000 will go towards similar works on 25km from Derrygimlagh – Clifden, and from Clifden – Kylemore Abbey.
And lastly the county council will receive €70,000 for initial appraisal, route selection, and feasibility studies for the Athenry to Milltown Greenway.
Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton said “The Galway to Dublin Greenway, a 330km car-free corridor between Galway and Dublin, linking the Atlantic coast to the East coast, has a particularly exciting focus in the funding being announced today.”
“Once complete, the Dublin-Galway project will provide both a local and national amenity for communities and visitors to enjoy while also supporting local business such as cafés, shops, B&Bs, camping sites and hotels.”
The Minister of State also said that she was pleased to see over €3 million going towards different sections of the Connemara Greenway next year.
“I very much look forward to cycling this route, some of which is due to be completed in the second half of next year.”
One lucky player in the West of Ireland has gotten an early Christmas present of half a million euro from Friday’s Euromillions draw.
Euromillions players in the Castlebar area of Mayo are being urged to check their tickets after one sold there won the EuroMillions Plus draw.
The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased on the day of the draw at the Dalton Service Station (Corrib Oil) on the Ring Road in Castlebar.
The winning numbers in Friday night’s EuroMillions Plus draw were: 04, 06, 12, 28, 29.
Store Manager Sean Ryan was delighted to get the call from the National Lottery with the good news, “What a surprise to get the week before Christmas. When we got the call from the National Lottery, I almost wasn’t sure if it was real or not.”
“This is the largest prize that we have ever sold so there is great excitement around the store today. We have been encouraging all of our customers who have been in this morning to check their tickets straight away as someone is €500,000 better off now.”
“We get a lot of local trade as well as people passing through for work so it really could be anyone – let’s just hope the lucky winner checks their ticket soon!”
The Mayo winner, who now has a ticket worth €500,000, is advised to sign the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place.
The winner should contact the National Lottery prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to claim their prize.
With no winner of the main jackpot, the €41,402,488 pot will now roll over to Tuesday’s Euromillions draw.
The National Lotto jackpot of €19.06 million is up for grabs once again tonight as the ongoing saga continues.
Plans have been submitted to the county council for a mixed use development in Athenry comprising 59 houses and apartments, along with commercial units, and restoring a protected structure as community centre.
Ghost Zapper Limited is seeking planning permission for 28 houses and 31 apartments at a site off Cross Street/Clarke Street in Athenry.
The plans also include two commercial units, a café, and a discount foodstore with off-licence.
The new estate would have 214 car parking spaces total, as well as 291 bicycle spaces.
The development would also involve the refurbishment of Athenry House, a protected structure, to use as a community and heritage centre.
Demolition works involved in the plans would include knocking a bungalow on the site, and a derelict outbuilding by Athenry House.
A Natural Impact Statement has been prepared for submission with this planning application.
Plans had previously been rejected by the county council in November of 2020 for a larger housing development, comprising 92 apartments and houses, at this site by Ghost Zapper.
Galway County Council is due to make decision on whether to grant planning permission for the project by February 4 of next year.
