Galway people encouraged to shop local this Christmas

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November 19, 2021

galway daily news Vaccine booster clinic continuing today for people in their 50s

A walk-in vaccination centre will open in Ballinasloe tomorrow, Saturday, from 10am until 3pm.

The centre at St. Brigid’s Hospital campus will be offering both first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 12 and over.

Booster vaccines will not be offered at the clinic and children aged 12 to 15 must attend with their parent or guardian.

The clinic in Ballinasloe is one of 14 walk-in centres operating across the country tomorrow.

Three new Aldi stores announced for Galway as part of major expansion drive

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November 19, 2021

Galway Daily news Aldi chooses Portumna store to trial new 100% recycled plastic bags

Three new Aldi stores will open in Co. Galway as part of the supermarket chain’s €320 million expansion drive aimed at further growing its share of the Irish grocery market.

New stores in Athenry, Tuam and on Monivea Road, Ballybrit are among 30 new Aldi stores which will open across the country.

Aldi says that it plans to increase its investment in Ireland by more than 75% over the next three years compared to 2019-2021.

The new stores will provide additional trading opportunities for the 330 Irish producers that the chain now partners with.

Commenting, Niall O’Connor, Group Managing Director at Aldi Ireland, said that the new stores will bring ‘unbeatable prices, value and employment’ to more towns, villages and city suburbs.

“This investment builds on the €1.6 billion we have already invested in Ireland and is a clear sign of our ambition, and the demand that exists for Aldi to be in more locations across Ireland,” said Mr O’Connor.

“It’s also great news for Irish food and drink producers, who will have more opportunity to trade with Aldi. We will spend over €1 billion with Irish producers this year, an increase of almost 20% on 2020.”

First Christmas lights to be switched on tomorrow in Loughrea

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November 19, 2021

galway daily news loughrea lights up — Pictured are Sean McDonald and Ronan Dervan of the Loughrea Community Lights Group, together with Claire Conroy of Galway Rural Development. GRD have provided LEADER grants of more than €275k toward lighting-up Galway towns this Christmas.

Loughrea will kick off the festive season tomorrow when it becomes the first town in Galway to switch on its Christmas lights at 5pm.

A total of €275,000 has been allocated by Galway Rural Development to groups in major county towns over the past year to spread joy with their illuminations.

Five towns in Galway were awarded large allocations – Athenry, Ballinasloe, Gort, Loughrea, and Portumna, where the lights ceremonies have become Christmas traditions.

“This year, as we mark the beginning of the festive season in the different towns with the ‘switching on’ of the lights, we in GRD are keener than ever to do what we can to support our businesses and communities,” said CEO of Galway Rural Development, Steve Dolan.

“We have been through a difficult period but the new illuminations will help us all enjoy the magic of Christmas and be optimistic about the future.”

Senior Manager of GRD’s LEADER team Conor Carty thanked the community lights’ committees saying that “special praise is due to the groups who have purchased the most advanced LED Christmas lights available as these use up to 80% less energy.

“Small changes can make all the difference in reducing our environmental footprint, especially over Christmas when the potential for waste is higher.”

The Christmas Lights projects by GRD forms part of its ‘smart and competitive’ approach to supporting county towns, specifically in terms of replacing obsolete equipment and reducing energy consumption.

The environmental focus and building rural areas is central to the ‘Smart Villages’ and ‘Our Rural Future’ ethos being pursued by GRD into 2022.

Mother and Baby Home redress scheme is “mean-spirited” says SF rep

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November 19, 2021

galway daily news Advisory Board members sought for Tuam Mother and Baby Home excavation

Galway East Sinn Féin’s Louis O’Hara has described the proposed Mother and Baby Home redress scheme as “mean-spirited and insulting to survivors”.

O’Hara said that children who spent less than six months in a home after being stolen from their mothers are not entitled to any redress or an enhanced medical card, while mothers have been told that their suffering could only be worth €5,000.

“This six-month rule is totally arbitrary as every minute spent in these awful places was a minute too long, and it does not reflect the fact that it only took the religious orders a moment to make a decision that would fundamentally affect the entire future of a young child.

“It is essential that the religious orders who played a key role in the running of these institutions, shady adoptions and the unexplained deaths in Tuam are held accountable for their actions.”

He said that they must be required to make a substantial contribution towards the costs of the scheme and the Government needs to be more proactive in securing this.

“It is not good enough that the Minister for Children has only recently written to religious institutions requesting a contribution.

“The Government must now engage with survivors without delay and amend this scheme to ensure that it delivers adequate redress to all survivors.”

Palace Fields in Tuam awarded Green Flag status

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November 19, 2021

Galway Daily Palace Fields awarded Green Flag status

The beautiful Palace Fields park in Tuam town has received a Green Flag environmental award for the first time this week.

The Green Flag Awards are judged every year by a peer jury of green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement.

In Ireland, the international awards are managed by An Taisce, which chose 103 sites for the prize this year, comprising 84 formal public Green Flag Park sites, along with 19 volunteer run Green Community Sites.

Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Councillor Peter Keaveney welcomed this award, saying “Our public spaces are key to improving the quality of life for people living in Co. Galway. They also serve to make our communities more attractive to visitors, and in so doing help boost tourism.”

“Providing a space where people can safely enjoy the outdoors has been very important this year and I want to congratulate everyone in Galway County Council and Tuam Tidy Towns on this prestigious award for the Palace Grounds.”

This year, the environmental award was given to more than 2,300 different sites around the world in 16 different countries, though the bulk by far are located in the UK.

This year participating countries, alongside the Republic of Ireland, included Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Man convicted of causing crash by running red light

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November 19, 2021

A young man who caused a serious crash after running a red light was fined and disqualified from driving this week.

Joshua Shiel (25), of Dun an Oir, Loughrea was convicted of dangerous driving at Galway District Court for a late night crash on Bothar na dTreabh back on August 22 of last year.

The crash happened at 11:15pm that night at the Briarhill junction on the N6 Bothar na dTreabh.

The injured party, Stephanie Bell, was coming from the direction of Carnmore when she said she stopped at the lights at the Briarhill junction, waiting to go onto the Monivea Road.

When the light turned green for her, she said that she moved ahead, and only briefly saw something on her right before there was a huge bang that sent her car spinning round.

Her Toyota Yarris was spun completely around by the crash, and left facing back towards Carnmore, while Shiel’s went partially up onto the traffic island in the middle of the road.

After the crash, someone came over to her car and opened the driver side door with difficulty. She told the court that he just said to her “that was your fault”, and walked away.

Joshua Shiel gave evidence that the light turned green as he was approaching the junction. He said that he saw a car pulling out from another side, and tried to swerve to avoid it, but was only partially successful.

Ms Bell was the sole occupant of her car, and there were three other passengers in the other car, one of whom had to be taken to hospital by ambulance.

He said that he had come into Galway to pick up his girlfriend and her friends after he finished work in Ballinasloe that evening.

He said that he did go over to the injured party’s car after the crash to see if she was okay, and then after went back to his car as his girlfriend was unconscious.

He claimed that he told the injured party that she ran the light after she said that she didn’t know what had happened.

An independent witness told the court that he was waiting at a red light on the junction when a Volkswagen Golf came up from behind him in the next lane and drove through the red light, striking another car in its driver side front wing.

This was disputed by the defendant, who said that he was in the right hand lane to go straight ahead towards the motorway roundabout, the same lane the witness said that he was in.

The man who saw the crash said that he helped the injured party out of her car afterwards, and got her phone so she call gardaí, and then waited for them with her.

Inspector Finbarr Philpott said in cross-examination that none of the other people in his car said that the lights were green in their statements.

Another witness was coming from the direction of the Clayton Hotel after finishing work, but he said that he didn’t see the crash happen, only the aftermath.

Garda James Traynor told the court that he was called to the scene of a collision at around 11:30pm. He spoke with the two drivers and witnesses present.

The drivers of both cars showed no signs of intoxication and passed roadside breath tests he said. The driver of the Toyota Yarris was “visibly shocked and shaken” he said.

Judge Mary Fahy said that there was a “total conflict of evidence” from the two sides, but that she had to consider that there was an independent witness.

She also noted the force of the impact, which left the victims car “spun round” on the road, and that there was “obviously an ingredient of speed” in the collision.

Judge Fahy convicted Shiel and fined him €500 for dangerous driving. He was also disqualified from driving for two years, and ordered to pay witness expenses.

Leave was granted by the court to appeal the verdict.

Return to Galway Bay for COPE Christmas Swim

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November 19, 2021

Galway Daily news Return to Galway Bay for COPE Christmas Swim

The annual COPE Galway Christmas Swim is adapting with the times this year, keeping the online format that drew people from around the world, but also making its triumphant return to Galway Bay.

This year’s swim is a hybrid event taking place during Christmas week from 20-26 December and includes a “live event” on Christmas morning.

On December 25, swimmers will brave the icy waters of Galway Bay at Blackrock in Salthill from 9am to 1pm.

For others who can’t make it their that date, or who want to take part from around Ireland or abroad, they can swim where they are in Christmas week.

“Last year, Galwegians at home and abroad adapted to Covid restrictions and swam at their own location to raise funds for our services, resulting in a really engaging virtual event,” said event organiser Lynia O’Brien.

“This year, whether you brave the cold with colleagues, friends or family, whether you join us on Christmas Day or do it your way during the week, anywhere in the world, you can make a huge impact this Christmas.”

The 2021 event will have extra safety measures for the Christmas Day event, including the introduction of time slots.

The new swim website and registration portal gives options to register as an individual, family or a group. It allows you to set up a group and invite friends and family to join your team.

For over three decades, people connected to Galway have demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas by raising vital funds for those who need it through the services that COPE Galway provide.

Since the inaugural swim, the event has grown from strength to strength, bringing thousands of families and friends to Salthill every year.

Lynia continues, “When I think back to the brave, passionate group of COPE Galway staff who took the plunge into icy waters 32 years ago, I am sure they never guessed that they would inspire one of Galway’s most cherished Christmas traditions.”

COPE Galway supports people across Galway city and county at a most vulnerable time in their lives; families and individuals faced with the realities of homelessness, women and children experiencing domestic abuse and older people who may be isolated and in need of nutritional support.

Though the Christmas Swim event has changed with the times, now adapting to a virtual alternative during the pandemic, the community spirit has not faltered and the heart of Galway continues to have an impact from all over the world.

More information about the event, including how to register and take part, is available online here: copegalway.ie/events/christmas-swim.

Gardaí renew appeal for missing Galway man with new information

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November 18, 2021

Galway Daily news Searches continue for missing Galway man

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for missing Galway City man Stephen Cunningham, with new information on where he has been sighted.

The 32 year old was reported missing from the Ballybrit area of Galway since November 2.

Stephen is described as being approximately 6′ 2″ in height with a thin build, blue eyes, sandy/blond hair and may have a beard/unshaven.

Gardaí say that based on investigations to date, he has been seen at Gannons Filling Station, Belclare, Westport on November 5, and then at Dunnes Stores, Briar Hill, Galway on the 6th.

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Both sightings were captured on cctv. Stephen was wearing a waist length cream/ beige hooded jacket, blue jeans and beige shoes.

On November 10, Stephen’s car, Silver Volkswagen Passat, 08G3521, was found at Bunnakill, Maam Cross, Galway, it is believed this car may have been parked in this location since November 7.

An Garda Síochána continue to carry out extensive multi-agency searches in this area. They and Stephen’s family are concerned for his welfare.

An Garda Síochána are appealing to landowners in the Bunnakill, Maam Cross area to check any sheds, outhouses or other remote buildings on their land.

Any person with any information on Stephen’s whereabouts are asked to contact Galway Garda Station on 091 538000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

COVID-19: 4,650 new cases reported today

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November 18, 2021

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

There have been a further 4,650 confirmed case of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning the number of people hospitalised with COVID had gone up to 643, nine higher than yesterday.

Of these patients 118 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan said that approximately 1 in 6 people in the country COVID-like symptoms in the past week.

“The single most important action you can take if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 is to self-isolate and arrange a PCR test – not an antigen test.”

“If you want to avoid passing COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses on to your friends, family or work colleagues, rapidly self-isolating as soon as your symptoms begin is the most important thing you can do.”

Antigen tests will pay a larger role in the public health response to the pandemic under new plans, with primary school children’s families to be provided tests if a child in their pod tests positive.

New restrictions were introduced this week in response to rising cases, with midnight closing times for late-night venues, and people advised to work from home once again.

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

Call for govt to ensure Covid Illness Benefit is processed quickly

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November 18, 2021

galway daily news claire kerrane at dáil child maintenance

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has called on the government to ensure that the COVID related Illness Benefit is processed in a timely manner, after new public health measures were announced.

Close contacts of positive cases within households, who are fully vaccinated and showing no symptoms, will now have to restrict their movements for five days.

The Galway TD said that because of this, supports such as the Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit will receive higher demand from those who cannot go to work as a result of these updated guidelines.

Speaking yesterday, Deputy Kerrane said that these changes will affect people’s ability to go to work.

“Requiring close household contacts of someone with Covid-19 to isolate for at least 5 days will have a serious knock on effect to people’s weekly incomes and so, it is essential that people can easily apply for and receive the Covid related Illness Benefit payment.

“Minister Humphreys must ensure that the staff and resources are in place to deal with an expected increase in claims for this income support.”

The Sinn Féin TD has requested figures from the Department on the current average timeframes for processing of Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit applications.

She said that considering entire households are affected, this could see numbers for this payment in the tens of thousands and more.

“It is also crucial that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is made available for those working in sectors impacted by new and evolving public health advice.”

Tuam mother named Galway Family Carer of the Year

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November 18, 2021

galway daily news family carer of the year tuam

Family Carers Ireland has announced Martina Hynes from Tuam as this year’s Netwatch Galway Family Carer of the Year.

Martina cares for her 9-year-old son Joseph who has a rare genetic disorder and epilepsy.

She was nominated by her friend Noreen who said that she ‘goes above and beyond’ for Joseph and her husband Dermot who works Sunday to Friday in Dublin.

Martina is said to always be there to support her friends, helps out at the local inclusion rugby club, and that nothing is too much for her.

The annual awards by Family Carers shine a light on the remarkable contribution of Ireland’s forgotten frontline who go the extra mile every day in caring for loved ones with additional needs.

More than 500,000 people in Ireland provide unpaid care in the home for children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health, or addiction.

The 19 million hours of unpaid care provided each week by family carers would cost the state €20bn a year to replace.

The pandemic has been a challenging time for all of society but especially for family carers and those they care for who saw essential services and supports severely impacted.

The blanket withdrawal of supports such as homecare, respite, personal assistance hours and residential care during lockdown forced many to care alone, around the clock. When Ireland shut down, family carers stepped up in support of their loved ones.

Galway Mayo Carer Supports Manager Michelle Moriarty said that now more than ever, “family carers deserve to be recognised for their enormous contribution to our society.”

“Their unyielding commitment to care for their loved ones at home, particularly during the Covid-19 crisis, has been nothing short of remarkable and this sacrifice often comes at a cost to their physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.”

She said that the awards are about paying tribute to all of Ireland’s 500,000 family carers and shining a light on the immense work that they do, day in, day out, often with little or no help from the State.

“Their essential contribution to our national healthcare system needs to be properly acknowledged and supported.”

Colin Hayes, Netwatch Head of Business, Ireland & UK said: “This is our third year partnering with Family Carers Ireland, and yet again we are blown away by the level of sacrifice, care and commitment shown by each and every carer.

“It’s an honour to be part of this and hope that our involvement can help in even a small way to highlight this charity and support the needs of its members.”

Galway University Hospitals limit visitors due to COVID outbreak

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November 18, 2021

Access for visitors at Galway University Hospitals has been limited to one person per patient between 6pm and 7pm each day, as a result of a COVID outbreak and rising cases in the community.

Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds and these visits should be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward, the

Hospital Manager at Galway University Hospitals, Ms Chris Kane appealed for the public’s support in relation to the visiting arrangements at the hospital.

She said that the number of people visiting the hospital has increased gradually over the past few months, and that “we now face a situation where we must quickly reduce the footfall in the hospital both to protect the patients and staff but also to protect visitors.”

“Any person who accesses a hospital may unintentionally introduce the virus so we are trying to limit the number of people who access the hospital as far as reasonably practical.”

Ms Kane said that the new visiting arrangements will not change at the weekend and that children are not permitted to visit the hospital unless agreed in advance, on compassionate grounds, with the ward manager.

The arrangements apply to visiting University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital.

“We request that the nominated support person (visitor) wears a face mask at all times and that it is worn correctly,” Ms Kane said.

“Also, the visitor should use the hand gel on arrival and frequently throughout the visit. Ideally the visitor should be vaccinated as this helps us to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19.

“If you are a nominated support person (visitor) for a patient in the hospital, we ask that you do not visit the hospital if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

“There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners.

“We are grateful to the public for their ongoing co-operation in ensuring we can facilitate visiting in a safe manner to protect both patients and visitors.”

Gort GAA expresses gratitude for St. Thomas’ generous spirit

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November 18, 2021

Gort GAA have expressed their gratitude to St. Thomas’ for their generosity in allowing the senior hurling semi-final to be rescheduled to this week.

Gort and their staunch rivals are due to play in the semi-finals of the Brooks this Sunday after a tense standoff that could have seen the match go to St. Thomas by default.

This will be the third fixture for the semi-final after two previous times weren’t able to go ahead due to COVID in the Gort camp.

The original date for the match of November 7 was cancelled and rescheduled for last weekend with the consent of Galway GAA.

But before the match was due to go ahead in Kenny Park last weekend, Gort said that they still had a positive case in a player with an underlying heart condition, and three more showing symptoms.

Consequently, the club said that they would not be able to make the fixture.

Things looked serious when Galway GAA said that they had “reviewed all the evidence presented and have advised that the fixture stands”.

Fortunately, the very same day St. Thomas’ made a proposal for the match to be rescheduled, which was accepted by the county board.

Following St. Tomas’ offer, Galway GAA said that they were “happy to facilitate” the proposal, and thanked the club for their “generous gesture” that allowed the championship to move ahead.

Gort GAA also said that they sincerely appreciate the offer for a rescheduled fixture from St. Thomas’.

“We understand the difficult situation both clubs were in and the effects on officers, management and most importantly players.”

“St. Thomas’ ensured the integrity of the competition was kept intact. We look forward to a good sporting game this weekend.”

The Senior Hurling Semi-Final will take place this Sunday at 1:30pm this Sunday. The county emphasised that all previously purchased tickets have been refunded, and are not valid.

The winner of this match will go on to play Clarinbridge in the Brooks Cup final.

Hospital staff in the west supporting global childhood vaccination drive

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November 18, 2021

Galway Daily news Hospital staff in the west supporting global childhood vaccination drive

Hospital staff across the west of Ireland are supporting UNICEF’s vaccination campaign to eliminate polio globally in the ‘Get a Vaccine, Give a Vaccine’ campaign.

For every member of staff at the Saolta Group who gets the flu vaccine this winter season, the groups will make a donation to vaccinate a child against polio.

This supports UNICEF in their work towards global polio eradication which includes Pakistan and Afghanistan, the last two countries where the wild polio virus continues to spread and cause paralysis among children.

Paul Hooton, Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery at Saolta, and lead for the rollout of the staff flu vaccination campaign, said that they are delighted to take part in this initiative once again.

“I strongly encourage all members of staff to get their flu vaccine early so that they are protected as soon as possible. The flu vaccine provides protection for our staff, our patients and our families.”

The past year has brought home the importance of vaccination in protecting people from “serious and potentially deadly” diseases, he added.

UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power said that this support is crucial at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has “heavily disrupted” childhood vaccination efforts in the developing world.

“UNICEF provides 45% of the world’s vaccines for children under five. We do this because no child should die from a vaccine preventable disease.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put existing childhood vaccination programmes at risk, and now we desperately need to get children the critical protection they need from life-threatening diseases like polio,” he said.

“UNICEF Ireland’s ‘Get a Vaccine, Give a Vaccine’ campaign gives healthcare staff the best chance of maintaining full health this flu season, as we work on through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“And, by supporting this programme, you can ensure that children in need receive life-saving vaccines. It’s a win-win,” he added.

Green light for expansion of Ros a Mhíl harbour

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November 18, 2021

Galway Daily news Extension of planning sought to complete Deep Water Quay at Ros a Mhíl

Galway County Council has given the go ahead for the next phase of works on the expansion of Ros a Mhíl harbour to create more space for smaller boats.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been granted planning permission for work on a new harbour area north of the existing facilities.

The full development, when completed, will create 77 berths, of which 63 will be standard berths for boats up to 8m in length, and 14 will be heavy duty berths for 8-11m vessels.

The small craft harbour will be made from floating pontoon units designed to rise and fall with the tide, and restrained with steel piles driven into the seabed.

In total, the Department plans to dredge or blast approximately 18,400m³ of soft material and bedrock, with an area of foreshore to be permanently reclaimed to protect the access road.

Improvement will also be made to the local access road, and 40 additional car parking spaces will be added to account for increased traffic.

This application is for Phase 3 of the project, consisting of the approach road, car park, footpath, and floating pontoons. Phase 1 has already been completed, and Phase 2 is under construction.

The new harbour is needed, the Department said in the application, as the two existing small boat harbours, used for a mixed of pleasure craft and small fishing boats, are at full capacity.

Planning permission was granted by the county council for the project with nine conditions attached.

A qualified underwater archaeologist must be appointed to monitor the dredging works, with the authority to stop dredging if material of interest is found.

Details of a proposed “dwarf wall” separating the car park from the Marina must also be submitted to the council before work begins.

A decision had originally been due from the county council by the end of April last, but further information was requested about the potential environmental impacts of the harbour project, animal surveys, and traffic management plans.

Fundraiser launched for Oranmore mum diagnosed with cancer

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November 18, 2021

galway daily news oranmore mother cancer fundraiser

A fundraiser has been set up to support an Oranmore mother who was recently diagnosed with liver and colon cancer.

Diana Mazionyte, a mother of two young children, says that the diagnosis in October came as a shock and has completely turned her life around.

Diana says that funds raised through her GoFundMe campaign will go towards much-needed treatments to fight the disease. Over €9,000 has been raised in the fundraiser so far.

“To treat the cancer, I am taking on both alternative and conventional approaches,” she said.

“Some of the alternative treatments include oxygen/ozone therapies, infra-red sauna therapy, intravenous vitamin C treatments, mistletoe therapy, herbal treatments, healthy diet choices, supplements, and certain medications.”

“These are not ‘one time’ treatments, therefore repeat therapies are a must to keep the disease at bay and maybe to completely recover from it. But time will show how it goes.”

Some of the other treatments that Diana is considering can only be accessed abroad, and she says that she and her family are very appreciative of any help or contribution – no matter how big or small.

“My aim is that my children would still have a mom, and that I could successfully fight the disease before it rapidly spreads. Please, help me in this difficult time to have some hope.”

Diana’s GoFundMe campaign can be found here.

Reservoir maintenance to affect Glenamaddy and surrounds’ water supply

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November 18, 2021

Galway Daily news Water outages in Moycullen

Glenamaddy and surrounding areas of the county may be without water until Thursday evening due to reservoir works.

Irish Water and the county council are carrying out maintenance works at the Kiltullagh Reservoir today.

This may cause outages or disrupt the water supply to Derreen, Carrowntubber, Kiltullagh, Glenamaddy and surrounding areas.

The works are scheduled to last from 9am until 5pm on Thursday.

People affected by this are advised that it may take 2-3 hours after works are completed before their full supply is restored as the network refills.

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

File for DPP on Eyre Square firework incident where woman seriously injured

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November 18, 2021

A file will go to the DPP in relation to the firework incident in Eyre Square in which a young woman was seriously injured.

A 19 year old woman was seriously injured after being struck in the face by a firework in Eyre Square the early hours of the morning on Friday, October 22.

Gardaí arrested a man in his 20s in connection with this incident on Wednesday, and he has since been released without charge.

“The man in his 20s arrested yesterday, Wednesday 17th November 2021, in relation to an incident in Eyre Square, Galway on the 22nd October 2021 has been released without charge,” Gardaí said.

“A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

A fundraiser was set up on gofundme in the aftermath of this incident to cover the costs of medical treatments for her injuries, which has raised over €35,000.

A message from the young woman’s father in late October said “We would like to thank you all sincerely for your kindness and support for our daughter.”

“She is beginning her road to recovery and healing a little day by day. Her bravery, courage and dignity is an example to us all. We are truly overwhelmed by your support, thank you again.”

Galway winners at ReelLIFE SCIENCE video awards

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November 18, 2021