Storm Barra: City Council closing roads & car parks, dispensing sandbags

-

December 6, 2021

Galway Daily news Storm Barra: Tuam parks closing due to risk of falling trees — Palace Fields, Tuam won the Green Flag for the first time in 2021.

Galway County Council has announced that two parks in Tuam are closing from this evening due to Storm Barra.

Knockma Park and Palace Grounds in Tuam will close this evening, and remain shut until the storm passes.

This is due to the possibility of falling trees from high winds, and the danger they could pose to people nearby.

“Members of the public are advised not to visit either park until safe to do so,” the county council said on facebook.

Galway will be under a Status Orange wind warning from 6am on Tuesday until 6am Wednesday, as Storm Barra is set to batter all of Ireland.

Met Eireann have warned that there is a significant risk of downed trees due to high winds, which always pose a risk to motorists, and can cause power outages.

Galway-based artist features in new TG4 series

By

-

December 6, 2021

Galway City based visual artist Shane O’Malley is featured in a new series of short films depicting the artistic process of some of Ireland’s hidden creatives.

The Samhlú Croí Cruthaitheach films are produced by Galway based Heavy Man Films and are available on the TG4 player.

Shane’s work explores colour, forms and symbols through painting. It is a meeting point of a studio practice and mural art painted in public spaces.

Shane, who is originally from Meath, began painting graffiti in 2001 drawn to the act of writing his name, which was creative in one way while destructive in another.

Drawing and painting created the habit of processing through the act of making. Shane’s artwork has explored personal themes that developed into bodies of work – ‘Madness vs Reality’ (2014), ‘Duality’ (2017) and ‘Order and Chaos’ (2018).

Through the work, Shane explored the balance and tension in contrasting colours, the order found in complementary colours and harmonious tints.

Shane is drawn to both the meditative slow process of painting with a brush in the studio and the faster act of spray painting and making art in public spaces.

He has painted graffiti and murals around Ireland and Europe. His artwork is now held in private collections in Ireland, the UK, Norway and the US.

BBC journalist appointed honorary professor of international journalism by NUIG

By

-

December 6, 2021

BBC correspondent Orla Guerin has been appointed Honorary Professor of International Journalism by NUI Galway.

Ms Guerin will take up her appointment in January 2022 while continuing her work with the BBC.

As part of her new honorary role, the award-winning correspondent will mentor students on the MA International Journalism and Human Rights programme at NUI Galway, focusing on foreign news reporting and television journalism.

“Now more than ever we need trusted sources of news and we need impartial eye-witness reporting,” said Ms Guerin.

“That’s why people turn to public service broadcasters like the BBC. I am happy to join with NUI Galway, which is preparing the next generation of journalists who will take on that responsibility.”

Tom Felle, Head of the Discipline of Journalism and Communication at NUI Galway, said that Ms Guerin would bring a wealth of international experience with her when lecturing.

“We are absolutely delighted that Orla has agreed to join our faculty as an Honorary Professor. NUI Galway has a long tradition of training journalists who have gone on to report for news organisations worldwide, and we have a strong human rights ethos,” said Tom Felle.

“Students will now be able to learn from one of the world’s foremost foreign correspondents, who will bring an unrivalled richness of knowledge into the classroom.”

Orla Guerin is the BBC’s International Correspondent, based in Istanbul, Turkey. She is one of the world’s foremost journalists and foreign correspondents and the holder of eight honorary degrees and doctorates, including one awarded by NUI Galway in 2019.

Ms Guerin was awarded an honorary MBE for services to broadcasting in 2005, and has won major broadcasting awards in the UK, USA, France, Italy and the USA.

She was recently awarded the prestigious Bayeux War Correspondents’ Television Prize for the second time. She won the Royal Television Society Journalist of the year award in 2018.

The honorary appointment runs for four years, beginning on 1 January 2022. It is not remunerated.

NUI Galway runs undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in journalism and global media, including the new MA International Journalism and Human Rights, where students can take modules from NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights, in addition to studying journalism.

The students benefit from learning about the significant global challenges facing humanity including war and conflict, climate action and humanitarian issues such as migration.

NUI Galway’s journalism faculty are international experts on media and democracy issues, with Head of Discipline Tom Felle currently working with the UN migration agency, IOM, on a global project to tackle disinformation on migration as well as the development of a pilot curriculum for teaching digital literacy and migration studies in journalism schools in a number of developing countries.

Galway schools awarded €3 million for digital infrastructure

By

-

December 6, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway schools awarded €3 million for digital infrastructure

Schools in Galway have been awarded just under €3 million in grant funding to bridge the gap in digital infrastructure.

The funding announced by Minister Norma Foley today is aimed at improving the information and computer technology quality at schools where students would otherwise be at an educational disadvantage.

The Department of Education has approved €50 million in grants for this purpose under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

In Galway €1,997,662 has been awarded to 230 primary schools, with another €939,651 in grants for 46 secondary level institutes.

Minister Norma Foley said that all young people must be prepared to “learn, work and live” in a digital world.

“School communities made incredible strides in digital teaching and learning during the pandemic. An enormous effort was made by teachers and students, and a huge amount has been learned.”

“We know also that for some students a lack of infrastructure impeded their ability to engage with remote learning. This digital divide will also impact their capacity to engage fully with digital technology and development of digital skills.”

Under the project being announced today, funding will be paid directly to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme.

As this programme is meant to address the digital divide putting many students at a disadvantage, Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme schools will receive twice the funding of non-DEIS.

This grant programme is meant to work in tandem with the implementation of the National Broadband Plan, which aims to deliver high speed connections to all primary schools by 2023.

The amount of grant funding is based on enrollment, with €10,000-€74,519 for DEIS primary schools, and €5,000-€37,360 for non-DEIS institutes.

At the secondary level, €16,000-€74,519 is available to those in the DEIS programme, and €8,000-€37,260 for those that aren’t.

Storm Barra: City Council weather response team planning for impact

By

-

December 6, 2021

Galway Daily weather Storm Barra: City Council weather response team planning for impact

Preparations and planning have been taking place in Galway City for Storm Barra, with meetings of the council’s Weather Response Team today.

Met Eireann has issued a severe Status Orange weather warning for Galway on Tuesday, as Storm Barra is set to hammer the west and south in particular.

The OPW storm surge forecast for Galway Bay indicates that there will be a strong risk of overtopping, flooding, and water damage during Tuesday.

The high winds also bring with a strong risk of downed trees and flying debris, posing a risk to motorists and power lines, with outages expected as a result.

Met Eireann’s Orange wind alert states “On Tuesday and Tuesday night, due to Storm Barra, southerly winds, later becoming to northwesterly, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130 Km/hr, possibly higher in coastal areas. Disruption to power and travel are likely.”

“High waves, high tides, heavy rain and storm surge will lead to wave overtopping and a significant possibility of coastal flooding”.

The Inter-Agency Co-ordination group of the council and emergency agencies services on Monday morning under the city’s severe weather plan.

The group, which comprises Galway City Council, An Garda Síochána, Galway Fire and Rescue Service, Galway Civil Defence and the HSE will meet again this afternoon.

This will follow a further meeting of the National Emergency Co-ordination Centre at 2:30pm.

Public notification of all contingency arrangements for Storm Barra will be outlined in detail by the council this afternoon.

This will include arrangements for the deployment and collection of sandbags, potential road closures, car park closures, public advisories, and other relevant information.

A Status Red Marine Warning has also been issued for coastal waters off Galway and much of the south of Ireland.

During Tuesday winds are expected to reach violent storm force 11 from Roche’s Point to Valentia to Erris Head.

Water outages in Ballinasloe after serious mains burst

By

-

December 6, 2021

Galway Daily news Water outages expected in Loughrea tomorrow

Large numbers of homes in Ballinasloe are experiencing water outages today due to a major burst mains in town.

Irish Water reported a burst water mains on the north side of Ballinasloe around 11:15am this morning.

This is causing water outages to Creagh, Glentaun, Hawthorn, Ballinasloe and surrounding areas today.

Repairs works are underway, and are currently expected to be completed by 6pm on Monday.

Updates can be found on Irish Water’s supply and service website page.

Outages are also expected in north Galway until 4pm this afternoon due to a power outage.

A planned power outage by the ESB will disrupt water to homes and businesses on the Ballymoe Public Water Supply.

Galway’s famed fishmongers get canned!

By

-

December 6, 2021

Galway Daily food Galway's famed fishmongers get canned!

Shopping has gone through a digital revolution in the past two years, with more businesses turning online to bring customers fresh food.

One of Ireland’s busiest fishmongers is moving beyond offering customers the fresh catch of the day, to bringing them greater variety of unique flavours from around the world.

Stefan Griesbach, the founder and proprietor of Galway’ Gannet Fishmongers, and business partner Vincent Corrigan have launched Fishtins.com, an online tinned fish shop introducing Ireland to a growing selection of some of the oldest traditional and world most famous canneries.

These include the names such as the Pointe de Penmarch (1920) in Brittany, Pollastrini (1889) in Italy, Olasagasti and Agromar in Cantabria Spain, Conservas Norte in Portugal, La Brujula from Galicia, or El Capricho.

Parisian born Stefan, who has over 30 years seafood experience, and Long Island born ex chef and sea angler Corrigan have already worked together on Eat More Fish, an online delivery service bringing Gannet’s fresh catch to thousands of doorsteps.

Long hours, hard work and empty stomachs, they began rooting and looting their own store for healthy lunch options and eating the few fish tins selection.

“As lockdown went on, we began craving more variety and started trawling the internet for alternative fish tins,” explains Stefan

“So many species, flavours, producers… and unique designs… We wanted them all, and our tins collection started growing bigger and bigger.”

Fish canning started 150 years ago to preserve perishable foods, long before the introduction of artificial flavourings, food preservatives, and wasteful packaging.

Like good Wine, quality fish tins get even tastier as they age. Fish tins are packed with Proteins, essential oils and other nutrients so offer a really simple and tasty way to eat more healthily.

“Frigate Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Albacore tuna, Blue fin, Bigeye or Yellowfin Tuna … Not every Tuna tastes the same,” says Vincent.

“Some of our everyday Tuna tins are perfect for a quick pescatarian office lunch, but others are so exceptional they deserve to be opened as a special moment. Wait till you taste some of our Cantabrian anchovies or pickled Galician mussels” adds Stefan.

COVID-19: Just three patients in the ICU in Galway

By

-

December 6, 2021

There are just three COVID-19 patients hospitalised in Galway who are being treated in the intensive care unit.

As of Sunday evening there were two cases in the ICU at University Hospital Galway, and one at Portiuncula Hospital.

The two hospitals are dealing with 25 COVID patients in total, 20 at UHG and five at Portiuncula.

This is half the number of cases that were hospitalised in Ballinasloe a week previous, and two fewer in Galway.

Nationwide there were 518 people hospitalised with the virus on Sunday night, of whom 110 are being treated in the ICU.

Council rejects off-licence plans for student accommodation

By

-

December 6, 2021

Galway Daily news Council rejects off-licence plans for student accommodation

Galway City Council has poured cold water for plans to add an off-licence to the Westwood Student Accommodation complex in Dangan.

Planning permission was sought to amend the use of the café/retail unit at the ground floor of Block A in the development to include part off-licence usage.

The 369 bed student accommodation complex was built by at the site of the former Westwood Hotel in Dangan after it was demolished.

The overall project was first approved by An Bord Pleanála in 2018, and a redesign of the café layout the following year.

The planning application states that customers at the retail unit frequently request alcohol sales, and have to go to other outlets over a kilometre away.

In refusing permission, the city council said that giving any of the café/retail space over to an off-licence would affect its ability to deliver an amenity of an “adequate size” for students and the community.

The council also said that the developer failed to show that this wouldn’t result in increased set-down and pick-up traffic from the N59, a location where “no drop off facilities exist and where an improved bus and cycle corridor is planned”.

“The development could therefore endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard and would frustrate investment in future road improvements.”

The council also said that the plans contravened two conditions of the planning permission for the café/retail on its signage and layout.

Two individual objections, and one from the Hazel Park Residents Association were submitted concerning this application.

Locals expressed concern about the reduced size of the café, which was to be a partial replacement for the lost amenity of the hotel.

The objection also worried about the possibility of increased anti-social behaviour, and parking issues which they say have arisen from delivery vehicles and customers.

Storm Barra: Gusts of up to 130km/hr forecast as Status Orange warning issued

By

-

December 5, 2021

Galway Daily news Storm Bram road closures

The weather warning for Storm Barra in Galway has been upgraded to status orange, as 130km/hr gusts are expected on Tuesday.

The Status Orange wind warning has been issued for Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Galway, while the rest of the country remains under a yellow alert.

“On Tuesday and Tuesday night, due to Storm Barra, southerly winds, later becoming to northwesterly, will reach mean speeds of 65 to 80 km/hr with severe or damaging gusts of up to 130 Km/ hr, possibly higher in coastal areas.”

Met Eireann has warned that power outages and disruption due to fallen trees is likely, as is coastal flooding.

“High waves, high tides, heavy rain and storm surge will lead to wave overtopping and a significant possibility of coastal flooding.”

The Status Orange weather warning will be in place from 6am Tuesday until 6am Wednesday.

An orange marine warning for storm force winds has also been issued for the west coast of Ireland on Tuesday.

Man who assaulted girlfriend over bag of cocaine sentenced

By

-

December 5, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A cocaine dealer who assaulted his then girlfriend in a argument over a bag of drugs was sentenced to prison at Galway District Court.

Paul Economopoulos (28), of 69 Cloghran, Tuam was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to a variety of drugs offences, theft, and assault on different dates in Galway City.

The first offence incident occurred on November 9 of 2019, when Garda Shaun Garvey saw a car in Woodquay whose occupants were acting suspiciously.

He stopped the car at around 9:40pm that night, and on searching the vehicle found three bags of cocaine, with a total value of €210.

Garda Garvey stopped Economopoulos again on the Old Monivea Road on January 5 of last year. During a search of his car, the Garda found two bags and a lunchbox with €560 worth of cocaine in the boot of the car.

Garda Garvey said that he seemed to be under the influence of something, and he failed a roadside drug test. A blood sample also tested positive for cocaine.

The final incident before the court happened just two days after this, when Garda Christopher Dowry was called to reports of an assault at the Glen Oaks Hotel on January 9.

He met a woman who said that her boyfriend, Mr, Econompoulos, had assaulted her and stolen her phone. She gave the garda a bag of cocaine which she said was his, which had a street value of €1,587.

The couple, who had been in a relationship around three months a that point, had started arguing that evening over a video related to the drugs.

She took the bag of cocaine, which was when he assaulted her, the court heard. A night porter came into the room at one point, and found Econompoulos on top of the woman.

This was when he got up and took her phone before leaving the room. The phone was not recovered.

Solicitor for the defence Mr. John Martin said that his client had gotten involved in drugs around three years ago, and “it got very bad, very quickly”, though he added that Economopoulos says that he is clean now.

Judge Mary Fahy asked if his former girlfriend, the woman who was assaulted, wished to give a victim impact statement.

Garda Dowry said that when he spoke with the woman she was very anxious, and relieved when he told her that she wouldn’t have to come to court if she didn’t want to.

Judge Fahy sentenced Mr. Economopoulos to seven month consecutive sentences for each of the two charges of possession of drugs with the intent to sell or supply, as well as another two months for the assault charge.

Concurrent sentences were given to him for the drug possession charges, stealing the phone, and drug driving.

He was also suspended from driving for two years for the drug driving, as Judge Fahy noted that the car was being used to commit a “serious crime” at the time.

Leave was granted to appeal the sentence, with a requirement for an independent surety of €800, half of which had to be lodged with the court.

NUI Galway adopts JAM Cards for people with additional needs

By

-

December 5, 2021

galway daily news jamcard initiative at nui galway — President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh with Niamh McGrath, NUI Galway Students’ Union Disability Rights Officer, and Imelda Byrne, Head of the NUI Galway Access Centre

NUI Galway has announced the introduction of the JAM Card© initiative on campus for people with additional needs.

To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities yesterday, the University is adopting the support system and providing staff training to assist those who may find it difficult to communicate or get easily overwhelmed in busy public areas.

JAM Card© was created by NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people who have autism, acquired brain injury, a learning difficulty, or any hidden disability, which may mean that they need ‘Just a Minute’ to allow them to complete their business.

The initiative is being led by NUI Galway’s Access Centre and has the backing of Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte.

Minister Rabbitte said that she is delighted to see NUI Galway take “such a proactive step to support people with disabilities and additional needs and encourage those who work and use the campus to adopt the JAM Card©.”

“Ensuring that disability services are first and fore-most person-centred is a priority for Government and NUI Galway’s JAM Card© is another innovative way to improving and meet people’s needs,” said Minister Rabbitte.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh launched the introduction of the JAM Card© on campus.

“Respect and openness are core values at NUI Galway and the adoption of the JAM Card© is symbolic of the increasing focus we place on the need to be more inclusive and go the extra mile for others,” Professor Ó hÓgartaigh said.

Head of the Access Centre Imelda Byrne said that it is important for the University community that to live by its values and that they are ‘more than words’.

“We hope that by adopting the JAM Card© initiative on campus we can help people and at the same time increase disability awareness, representation, and visibility across campus,” said Imelda Byrne.

“I encourage as many staff across the campus as possible to engage with the training and learn the hugely beneficial tools and confidence it provides to support those who may need Just a Minute.”

Storm Barra: Status Orange marine warning for the west coast

By

-

December 5, 2021

Galway Daily weather Storm Debi - Status Red Storm Warning for Galway coasts

A Status Orange Storm Warning has been issued for waters on the west coast of Ireland for the arrival of Storm Barra next week.

Met Eireann warns that southerly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 to storm force 10 on Atlantic coastal waters Tuesday.

This warning is for the Atlantic Coast from Mizen Head to Erris Head to Fair Head, and will be in effect for all of Tuesday.

The remainder of Irish coastal waters and the Irish Sea are under a status yellow gale warning for Tuesday as well.

A weather warning for heavy winds across all of Ireland during Storm Barra has also been issued from 6am Tuesday until the same time Wednesday morning.

The worst of the winds are expected in western coastal counties, with “severe and damaging gusts” possible according to Met Eireann.

There will high waves at sea and a significant possibility of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.

COVID-19: 5,156 cases reported today

By

-

December 5, 2021

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

There have been a further 5,156 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there were 503 people in the country hospitalised with the virus.

Of these patients, 110 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

The COVID-19 data hub provides details about the disease in the community, including the progress of the vaccine campaign.

In the past week there has been a 14.6% positivity rate in the 222,895 tests carried out.

There have been a total of 913,670 vaccine booster shots administered in Ireland so far, including 87,906 people who are immunocompromised.

Weather warning issued as Storm Barra to hammer the west

By

-

December 5, 2021

Met Eireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for Galway and all of Ireland next week, as Storm Barra is to sweep across the country.

Through Tuesday and for a time on Wednesday, an Atlantic depression named Storm Barra will bring very strong winds and spells of heavy rain across Ireland.

Winds will be strongest in western coastal counties with severe or damaging gusts possible, Met Eireann has said.

Heavy rain will bring localised flooding. There will also be high waves at sea and a significant possibility of coastal flooding on south and west coasts.

This status yellow weather warning for dangerous winds will be in effect for 24 hours starting from 6am on Tuesday.

A marine Gale Warning has also been issued by Met Eireann for all Irish coasts on Tuesday.

Throughout the day southerly winds veering westerly will reach gale force 8 or higher on all Irish coastal waters and on the Irish Sea.

Met Eireann has said that further weather warnings will follow as the situation is monitored.

Galway and the coast of Munster are forecast to get the worst of the wind and rain, with power outages and travel disruption also expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Oranmore construction manufacturer bought by Kildare company

By

-

December 5, 2021

Galway Daily business Oranmore construction manufacturer bought by Kildare company

The Oranmore based concrete structures manufacturer Oran Precast has been bought by Kildare company Kilsaran.

The two companies are both manufacturers of precast concrete products for the constructions industry.

Oran Precast was founded in 1981, and has been based out of its factory at Deerpark, Oranmore since then.

Derek Duffy, Managing Director of Oran Precast, said that they are very proud of how the company has evolved to become one of Ireland’s biggest precast manufacturers, supplying projects at home, and in the UK.

“I would like to thank the dedicated team in Oran Precast who have established the business to what it is today. I look forward to future growth of our combined business, Kilsaran Precast over the coming months and years.”

Oran Precast’s current management team will remain with Derek Duffy becoming the Managing Director of Kilsaran Precast and John Dooley becoming the Commercial Director for the combined entity.

David & Derry McKeown, CO-CEO’s of Kilsaran, said this investment, “Allows us to provide a complete precast solution for our customers and comes at a time when there is a significant shift in the construction market towards offsite construction.”

“We look forward to working with our new colleagues in Oran Precast as we integrate the two businesses for further growth and investment.”

It’s Lights, Camera, Action for Caitríona’s documentary in Ros na Rún

By

-

December 5, 2021

Galway Daily television Could a documentary expose a killer Ros na Rún?

The cameras are rolling for Caitríona’s documentary, Briain is shunned on all sides, and Laoise discovers the stress of running a b&b in Ros na Rún.

Briain soon realises what people think of him in Ros na Rún when Charlie no longer wants to work with him, and his classes in the Ionad Pobail are cancelled.

Berni is still shook from her own meeting with Briain, but Luke thinks he has something that might help.

It’s lights, camera, action for Caitríona’s directorial debut as the camera’s roll for her documentary on Frances’ death. Will disaster strike production?

Colm is left with little choice but to leave baby Harry with Peatsaí. Will Peatsaí prove he is more than capable of taking care of a child?

Laoise dips her toe into the b&b business, but is driven nearly up the wall by a house full of guests. Micheál encourages her to keep it open despite pressure from multiple sides.

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

Met Eireann warns of stormy conditions for Galway next week

By

-

December 5, 2021

The west coast is forecast to be in for a battering next week, as a weather advisory has been issued for stormy conditions over two days.

Met Eireann has forecasted that an Atlantic depression will bring rough conditions on Tuesday and Wednesay, with a risk of flooding due to wind and rain.

Galway is at risk of coastal flooding due to a mix of the rain, spring tides, and high waves, along with much of the south-west.

A weather advisory has been issued for Tuesday and Wednesday by Met Eireann, with further updates expected on Sunday.

“A deep Atlantic depression will bring very wet and windy weather across Ireland through Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds will be strong in all areas at times and will reach gale force in coastal areas. Severe and damaging gusts are likely.

“At the moment the strongest winds are expected to be in western coastal counties of Munster with storm force winds possible at times later on Tuesday.”

“The strengthening winds will be accompanied by a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday, followed by heavy showers through Tuesday night and Wednesday. Some of the showers may be of sleet or snow on high ground.”

Due to spring tides, very high waves and large surge levels, coastal flooding may occur along Munster and south Connacht coasts.”

Galway and Munster are currently expected to get the strongest winds from the stormy weather, with gales and strong gales predicted on the coast.

The strong winds, with even more damaging gusts, are likely to cause power outages, as well as disrupt travel due to fallen trees and debris.

Localised flooding, and poor road conditions due to hail or sleet, are also expected to cause some travel disruptions.

Before that Galway is expected for be mostly dry on Sunday, with some sunny spells in the afternoon.

Rain will develop on Sunday night, with some sleet also possible alongside strengthening southerly winds. Highest temperatures on Sunday of eight to nine degrees.

On Monday there will be scattered rain throughout the day, with strong westerly winds in the afternoon, but slacking off headed into the night.

Micil Distillery launches extensive new drinks portfolio

By

-

December 4, 2021