Two arrested for armed robbery due before court

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November 17, 2021

Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

A street in Loughrea town will be closed to traffic for three days this week due to roadworks taking place.

Galway County Council is carrying out resurfacing works on Dolphin Street from Wednesday to Friday, November 17-19.

In order to facilitate these roadworks the road will be closed from 7:45am to 6:30pm each day.

“As a consequence, users of this road are requested to expect delays and as such should allow additional time for their journeys,” the council said on facebook.

“Galway County Council would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works.”

COVID-19: Health officials report 4,407 cases

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November 16, 2021

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

There have been a further 4,407 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there were 614 people in the country in hospital with COVID-19, with 114 admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said that there have been almost 55,000 cases in Ireland over the past fortnight.

“The only time we have had more cases in a 14-day period was in January this year, and, unfortunately, we do expect this figure to increase in the coming days.”

He said that this level of cases is “unsustainable” and that everyone should act as though they are close contacts, with a high risk of transmitting the virus.

“We are more likely to contract COVID-19 from someone we know – a friend, a work colleague, a teammate – than a stranger passing by in a shop or on the bus. Please prioritise who you need to meet.”

“Over two million people are now eligible for a booster vaccine, including everyone over 50 and those aged over 16 with underlying medical conditions.”

“Given the risk to you from the current force of infection in the community, it is really important that you minimise, as much as possible, your social contacts, while waiting for your booster.”

The government has today announced fresh restrictions amid the growing number of cases and hospitalisations.

From Thursday people are advised to revert back to working from home unless completely necessary.

Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will have a strict closing time of midnight, and COVID passes will be required for cinemas and theatres.

Effective immediately, household close contacts, who are fully vaccinated and display no symptoms, will still be required to restrict their movements until they have 3 negative antigen test results within 5 days.

The COVID-19 data hub provides information on the key indicators of the disease in the community, including the rollout of the vaccine campaign.

Witnesses sought after three arrested in Galway over armed robbery

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily news Missing 17 year old teenager found safe and well

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward after three men were arrested in Galway in connection with an armed robbery.

The men aged 19, 20, and 26 years old were arrested in Galway on Monday, after an armed robbery at a store in Offaly that morning.

At approximately 6.40a.m. yesterday morning three men entered a convenience store in Ferbane armed with a number of weapons and forced the two female staff members to hand over a quantity of cigarettes, alcohol and cash.

The men left the scene in a dark coloured vehicle. Neither of the staff members required medical attention after the incident.

The three men remain detained at Garda stations across the midlands today under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have information in relation to this armed robbery to come forward.

Any person who may have witnessed any unusual activity on Main Street, Ferbane, Co. Offaly yesterday morning between 6.15a.m. and 7a.m. is asked to contact Gardaí.

Gardaí are also appealing to anyone with camera footage (including dash cam) to make it available to them.

From Galway to Nicaragua – world experiences at Over the Edge

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily arts Over the Edge open mic night on Thursday evening

Readers from Galway and much further afield with bring their experiences to the mic art the November Over the Edge open reading and mic this week.

Over the Edge returns this Thursday, November 18 at 6:30pm, sticking with the online Zoom format for people to tune in and enjoy the show.

The featured readers this month are a good mix, with local woman Sacha Hutchinson, Estelle Birdy from Louth, and coming from further afield is Gioconda Belli from Nicaragua.

There will be the usual Open Mic after the featured readers for anyone, newcomer or old hand, to take to the virtual stage and try out their work for a hungry audience.

Gioconda Belli is a poet and novelist, one who has led an active and eventful political life in her country as a feminist and defender of human rights.

Although she was part of the struggle to topple Somoza’s regime and the Sandinista Revolution (1979), she split from the new sandinismo of Daniel Ortega in 1993.

Galway Daily news From Galway to Nicaragua - world experiences at Over the Edge — Gioconda Belli

She writes both poetry and novels, for which she has won many awards, including four children’s books and a memoir of her guerrilla years: The Country Under my Skin.

Gioconda’s poetry has won the Mariano Fiallos Gil prize, the Casa de las Americas Prize, Generacion del 27 Prize, and more, and her first novel The Inhabited Woman (1988) became a literary and commercial success and was awarded the Best Political Novel of the Year and the Anna Seghers award in Germany in 1989.

Sacha Hutchinson is an eye doctor working in Galway, and a long time fan of Over the Edge.

Her poetry has appeared in Ropes 2018 and multiple editions of Skylight 47, the 2019 autumn edition of The Curlew, and many more.

She was shortlisted for Poetry for Patience 2018 and 2019, and for the Over the Edge New Writer of the Year in 2019.

Estelle Birdy describes herself as “Louth and proud” but is a long-time resident of Dublin’s Liberties.

The UCD graduate has seen her work reviews and non-fiction appear in the Sunday Independent, the Irish Times and others, and her work has won or been shortlisted in Dalkey Creates, Penfro Book Festival, Verve Poetry Festival and IWC Novel Fair competitions.

Estelle’s debut novel Ravelling, which has been described as “Fast-paced, funny and eye-popping, descending from Trainspotting, White Teeth and Milkman in its portrayal of urban life in the twenty-first century” is forthcoming from Lilliput Press.

Anyone interested in taking part in the open-mic should text Kevin Higgins on 087-6431748 or or register their interest by messaging the Over The Edge Facebook page.

To join in the cultural gathering this week join the Over the Edge Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7389013549. Meeting ID: 738 901 3549.

Water outages in northwest Galway City and Moycullen

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily news overnight water outages

Homes and businesses in the northwest of Galway City and suburbs may experience water outages until later this evening due to a burst mains.

Irish Water is dealing with a burst water mains at Oranswell, near Bushypark in Galway City, which was first reported shortly before 10am this morning.

This is causing water outages in Bushypark, Oranswell, Moycullen and surrounding areas of the county.

Repair works are currently expected to be completed by 5pm on Tuesday evening.

A traffic management plan will be in place for the duration of these works.

People affected by this are advised that it may take 2-3 hours after repairs are completed before their full water supply is restored.

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

€800 million Mother and Baby Homes redress scheme announced

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily news Redress Scheme for Tuam Mother and Baby Home survivors opening March 20

The government has today announced compensation plans for tens of thousands of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme was announced by Minister Roderic O’Gorman today in the Action Plan for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes.

The Tuam Home in Galway has been at the centre of the outcry surrounding the terrible suffering and death endured by women and children at these homes.

In total 978 children died at the Tuam Home between 1921 and 1961, more than 10% of the total in all the Mother and Baby Homes investigated.

It’s estimated that roughly 34,000 people will be eligible for compensation under the scheme announced today, at a projected cost of €800 million.

The scheme will open for applications in late 2022 after legislation has been passed enabling it.

All mothers who stayed at one of these institutions will be eligible for the scheme, with the level of payment increasing by the amount of time they spent there.

Children who were in a Mother and Baby Home for six months of more, and who did not receive anything under the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (RIRS) will also be eligible for payments, which will similarly go up based on the length of their stay.

The final two elements of compensation are work-related payments for women who were in certain homes for more than three months, and did commercial work there.

An enhanced medical card will be available to everybody who was resident in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution for six months or more.

The enhanced medical card is expected to be open to approximately 19,000 people.

Mother and Baby Homes survivors

Minister O’Gorman published An Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions today, which contains details of the redress scheme, to support commitments made by the government last January.

The legislation required to establish the Scheme will be developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Minister of O’Gorman said that the proposed scheme “extends well beyond” the recommendations of the Commission of Investigation.

“It represents a significant milestone in the State’s acknowledgment of its past failures and of the needless suffering experienced by so many of its citizens.”

“I want to thank the survivors and their families who participated in the consultation process for the Scheme, both in Ireland and abroad. The depth of feeling shone through and is reflected in the proposals published today.”

He added that redress can mean different things for different people, whether it is an apology and memorialisation, access to records, or other supports.

“We are progressing legislation to enable access to birth certificates and early life information, and to allow for interventions at the site in Tuam.”

Proof of residency is the sole qualification of the redress scheme. There is no requirement to prove abuse, or sow medical records.

Though the government has said that in certain limited circumstances, sworn affidavits may be required.

Those survivors and former residents now living overseas will qualify for a payment on the same terms as individuals living in Ireland, and will have the choice to receive an enhanced medical card or a once-off payment in lieu of the card as a contribution towards their individual health needs.

Concerns about progress on flood relief measures for Portumna

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily news Viable solution identified for Gort Lowlands flood relief scheme

Independent TD Seán Canney has raised concerns that flood relief measures for Portumna have not yet progressed.

The measures were first identified in the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP) published in May 2018.

The proposed scheme would provide protection to 22 properties at a preliminary total project budget of €3.65m.

“I have received confirmation from the Minister for the Office of Public Works that his office and Galway County Council will work closely to ensure that it will be commenced as soon as possible within the lifetime of the NDP 2021-2030,” said the Galway East TD.

The proposed measures include the construction of new flood defences – over 430m of flood wall and approximately 870m of flood embankment.

Also included in the measures are the installation of a simple flood-forecasting unit, raised road level over a length of 20m along the north of Portumna Harbour, and a vertical sector gate to act as a barrier to flooding across the entrance to Portumna Harbour.

The structure would consist of a set of gates which could be closed after a flood warning, and open during normal conditions to allow the passage of boats, Deputy Canney says.

“Portumna suffered from flooding over many years, and it is imperative that this project is fast tracked to provide comfort and peace of mind for the residents and business affected by the recent flood events.

“A Project Brief needs to be developed as a matter of urgency as is the appointment of Consultants to progress a Flood Relief Scheme for Portumna.

“The project will require environmental assessment, public consultation, refinement and preparation for planning / exhibition stage prior to any construction commencing on the ground, this process will take time and I am calling for this project to progress as a matter of urgency.”

New portacabin donated to UHG for storing toys & gifts

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November 16, 2021

galway daily news portacabin donated to university hospital galway uhg donation — From left: Amanda Peoples, Clinical Nurse Manager 2, Paediatric Unit; Paul Carey, Managing Director, Carey Building Contractors; Anne Matthews, Clinical Nurse Manager 3, Paediatric Unit and John Forde, Maintenance Manager, Galway University Hospitals.

The Paediatric Unit at UHG has extended a warm thank you to Carey Building Contractors for the donation of a new portacabin which is being used to store toys and gifts donated to the unit throughout the year.

UHG receives many donations of toys every year for the children who are in hospital, and until now the hospital had been without a dedicated storage area for the toys.

“Every Christmas we give toys to the children who are in hospital during the holidays and we keep other toys in our play room for use by patients all year round,” said Anne Matthews, Clinical Nurse Manager 3 in the Paediatric Unit.

They also distribute toys to other areas in the hospital where children are cared for including the outpatient department, emergency department and theatre department.

“The remainder of the toys go into storage and are gifted throughout the year to mark a special occasion for a child in hospital.”

Anne Matthews said that the new storage facility is ‘greatly appreciated’, and thanked Paul Carey and everyone at Carey Building Contractors on behalf of all the staff in the unit.

She also thanked Walsh Crane Hire for providing the crane lift free of charge.

Sign up for Festive Fashion Friday to support Galway Hospice!

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November 16, 2021

galway daily news galway hospice fashion Friday fundraiser

People across Galway will have the chance to support Galway Hospice this Christmas by taking part in Festive Fashion Friday next month.

On Friday 17 December, individuals, schools and workplaces across the county will dress in their favourite festive outfits to support the hospice.

Two fantastic prizes are up for grabs this year, with workplaces in with a chance of winning a meal for 15 workmates at The Gaslight Restaurant in the Hardiman Hotel.

Schools are also in with a chance of winning an ice cream van visit for their entire school!

People are invited to wear whatever they want on Festive Fashion Friday, such as a Christmas jumper, festive earrings or a seasonal tie.

The funds raised will go towards caring for over 1,000 patients and their families learning to live with a life-limiting illness in 2022.

Registration is open now at Festive Fashion Friday – Galway Hospice Foundation or alternatively, people can register by calling the fundraising team on 091 770868.

Those who register will be entered in the draw to win an amazing prize for their workplace or school.

Galway Hospice thanked the Hardiman Hotel Galway and Americano Ice cream Tuam for sponsoring.

Galway pupils learn about climate change during Science Week

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November 16, 2021

galway daily news students learning about climate change — Scoil Chroi Iosa 6th class students enjoying the Climate Change Workshop

Over 200 students from six schools in Galway and Mayo took part in climate change workshops as part of Science Week.

Pupils from Trinity NS in Tuam, Scoil Chroí Íosa in Galway City and Claddagh National School were among the 784 students to participate in the workshops nationally.

Developed by Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) with the EPA, the workshops taught pupils about their carbon footprint, and they completed an energy audit of their classrooms, allowing them to evaluate the human impact of their class.

The students also learned that Irish people have amongst the highest greenhouse gas emissions levels per person in the developed world.

“The education of young people on the importance of climate action and the environmental impact of daily activities needs to be a priority,” said Niamh Hatchell of the EPA Communications Office.

“The EPA is delighted to partner with Junior Achievement Ireland during science week in order to create environmental awareness among primary school children participating in JA programmes in schools around the country.”

She said that the workshops are fun and an inventive way of engaging with these important issues at primary school level.

The EPA Climate Change and You workshop is just one of many opportunities afforded to students, thanks to the EPA’s support of JAI since 2016.

In that time 184 EPA volunteers have reached 4,603 young people through Junior Achievement (JA) programmes designed to encourage young people to remain in education and help them to develop the skills they need to succeed in a changing world.

Helen Raftery, CEO of JAI, said that the educational value of students working with role models and getting the chance to learn from them is well-established.

“Thanks to the EPA, almost 800 students had an exciting opportunity to experience environmental issues brought to life in a real and meaningful way,” she said.

“We are grateful to both our partner schools and the 23 EPA volunteers that helped us to communicate these important messages to young people all over the country.”

Man charged with making sexual suggestion to teenager

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man sent to trial charged with pulling knife on Garda

A man in his 50s appeared before Galway District Court this week charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a teenager.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly made a sexual suggestion to a 15 year old working in a store last December, appeared before Judge Mary Fahy this week.

He has been charged with attempting to engage in a sexual act with a child under 17 years of age.

The DPP directed that the case should be prosecuted at the District Court level, but Judge Mary Fahy asked to hear an indication of what is alleged before accepting jurisdiction.

It will be alleged that he followed the youth into a storeroom of the shop, where customers aren’t allowed, and made a sexual suggestion to them.

Judge Fahy accepted jurisdiction, and adjourned the case to next come before the court on March 14 of next year.

Missing teenage girl found safe

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November 16, 2021

Galway Daily news Gardaí and family concerned for missing teenager believed to be in Galway

A missing 16 year old girl who it was believed may have been in Galway has been found safe.

Louise Little of Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford had been missing since Friday, November.

It was believed that she may have been in the Ballinasloe area of Galway.

Gardaí now say that she has been found safe and well.

An Garda Síochána thanked the public for their assistance in this matter.

How likely are blackouts this Winter?

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November 16, 2021

galway daily news Over 1,000 Galway homes without electricity as Storm Jocelyn approaches

A lot of talk has been given over lately to the security of our electricity supply, but just how likely are we to face blackouts this winter?

At Galway Science and Technology Festival this Tuesday, a special online talk on Tuesday seeks to answer this and all of your energy fears.

Dr, Rory Monaghan, an Energy Systems Engineer at NUI Galway will lead a panel discussion on the probability of power blackouts, how they might affect rural or urban areas, and how this ties to Ireland’s larger energy future.

In the 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑰𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅: 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆? event on Tuesday evening, he argues that Ireland is not being ambitious enough to tackle our energy crisis.

Members of the panel include Neil Walker, Head of Energy at Ibec, Alastair McKinstry of the Green Party, Dr. Hannah Daly expert in sustainable energy and the economy at UCC, Hannah Aris NUIG Student Energy Society.

Topics covered include:

How imminent are blackouts? Eirgrid are already issuing amber alerts, red alerts and power alerts to follow
Energy security. What is it and how insecure is Ireland?
Who will be most affected, urban centres or rural communities?
What is energy poverty? Homeowners with solar panels will be more secure. Renters, older people and students will experience heating and power loss.
What are smart grids and can they save us?
Ireland is investing in natural gas, will diverting funding into this temporary measure ultimately delay our long term energy independence?

The online event will take place at 7pm on Tuesday, November 16. Register here to join in.

Three men arrested in connection with armed robbery

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November 15, 2021

Three men were arrested in Galway today in connection with an armed robbery at a store on Monday morning.

At approximately 6.40am on Monday morning three men entered a convenience store in Ferbane, Co. Offaly armed with a number of weapons.

The robbers forced two female staff members to hand over a quantity of cigarettes, alcohol and cash.

The men left the scene in a dark coloured vehicle. Neither of the staff members required medical attention after the armed robbery.

In follow up searches today, all three men, aged 19, 20 and 26 years old, were arrested in Galway.

They are all currently detained under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act, 2007 in Garda stations across the midlands of the country.

Gardai say that the investigation is ongoing.

COVID-19: 4,570 new cases reported today

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November 15, 2021

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

The Department of Health has reported 4,570 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon.

As of 8am today, 622 people with COVID-19 are hospitalised, of whom 117 are in intensive care units.

Health officials have said that the daily case numbers may change due to future data validation.

People of Galway asked to stand with GOAL this Christmas

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November 15, 2021

galway daily news GOAL charity appeal christmas — Pictured are (l to r) Irish Rugby International Jenny Murphy, Shamrock Rovers’ Captain Ronan Finn, award-winning writer Paul Howard, Irish Paralympic athlete Greta Streimikyte, and Senior Dublin ladies' footballer Sinead Ahearn. Photo: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland

Irish humanitarian aid agency GOAL has launched this year’s hugely popular Christmas fundraiser, the GOAL Mile.

The annual event sees people across Ireland and abroad over the Christmas holidays to run, jog or walk a mile in support of vulnerable communities across 14 countries where GOAL works in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

This year’s GOAL Mile is supported by AIB in the first of an exciting new three-year partnership, announced just last month.

The event this year is also the first time that both in-person and virtual GOAL Miles are taking place following the move online due to the pandemic.

Prior to COVID, over 170 GOAL Miles were organised across Ireland, with approximately 50,000 people raising over €250,000in 2019.

GOAL’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, Eamon Sharkey, sees the option of physical or virtual GOAL Miles as an opportunity to connect even more people with their communities, the Irish diaspora and GOAL’s work this Christmas.

“We are so excited to re-connect with people in-person this Christmas. For many people, it will have been two years since they were last with family, friends and neighbours, and we hope the GOAL Mile can play a part in bringing people together as we come out of such a challenging period,” he said.

“Of course, there are many people around the world who still can’t be at home or take part in physical events this Christmas. That is why we are delighted to also be encouraging virtual GOAL Miles once again.

“Last year people from every corner of the world took part to make it a truly global event, and we would love to see that become a part of the longstanding tradition of the GOAL Mile.”

GOAL CEO Siobhan Walsh hopes to reach more communities throughout Ireland and across the globe with the GOAL Mile.

“Hundreds of communities across Ireland already know and love the GOAL Mile,” said Ms. Walsh.

“They show incredible compassion for communities in need across the world that this event supports. GOAL helped more than 14 million people in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America last year. We could not have achieved this without the continued support of the Irish people.”

“We look forward to AIB’s 9,000+ staff and wide customer base standing with GOAL as we continue our mission to help communities to respond to and recover from humanitarian crises.”

Registration is now open at www.goalmile.org.

Judge hits out at begging “racket” in Galway City

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November 15, 2021

galway daily courts Man charged with violent threats and arson

A District Court judge had strong words for the professional begging “racket” that she said is operating in Galway City.

Multiple individuals were before Galway District Court charged with begging recently, some of whom were convicted, and other received bench warrants after not showing up.

Judge Mary Fahy said that it is obvious that these are professional beggars, though they may also be vulnerable individuals.

33 year old Laurentiu Neculau, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to begging at Wolfe Tome Bridge on July 30 of last year.

He appeared in court with the assistance of a Romanian interpreter to translate for him.

Judge Fahy said that we hear “anecdotally” of being being dropped off in the city by car to beg, and being collected in the evening.

These would make use of people who have no previous criminal convictions, she added.

“In other words, they’re professional beggars,” Judge Fahy said.

“We can say they’re vulnerable, but they are colluding with these people by agreeing to work for them.

Judge Fahy imposed a one month prison sentence on Neculau, and suspended it for two years.

Two other Romian nationals, Sebastian (37) and Viorica (32) Zavache, with no addresses, were also due to appear before the court on begging chargers, but did not show up.

Bench warrants were issued for the arrest of both accused.

“Thse are not just random people who are down on their luck, it’s a racket, Judge Fahy said.

Canney welcomes progress on single campus national school in Gort

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November 15, 2021

Galway Daily news Additional Dog fines will have little effect without more Dog Wardens

East Galway TD Seán Canney has said that he has been informed by the Minister for Education that progress is being made on the proposed single campus national school in Gort.

The Minister confirmed that the Developed Design Stage 2a is progressing and that a report has recently been submitted to the Department for review and approval.

Deputy Canney said that following approval by the Department of the Developed Design, the project will then progress to Detailed Design which includes planning permission, fire certification, tender stage and appointment of the building contractor.

“The project will accommodate 12 classrooms and a two class SEN base with associated special education teach rooms, staff rooms, toilet facilities and associates siteworks,” he said.

“Currently, Gort National School is spread across two sites in the town centre and at the edge of the town.”

The Independent TD said that it is important that the momentum is kept up, and he urged the Minister and Department officials to expedite the review and approval of the Stage 2a design so that the project can progress to details design and tender as quickly as possible.

“I will continue to liaise with the Minister to ensure it progresses in a timely manner for the benefit of Gort National School,” he added.

Letter: There is no compensation for victims of climate disasters

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November 15, 2021