Hazardous waste disposal event for Galway City households

-

November 4, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A man was convicted in his absence of repeatedly assaulting his then girlfriend at Galway District Court this week, including attacking her when she broke up with him.

Mazharul Choudhury (20) did not show up for his hearing at Galway District Court, but as the other witnesses had arrived the case proceeded in his absence.

He was convicted of two counts of assault, and one of assault causing harm, for attacking his former girlfriend in October and December of last year.

The woman who was attacked told the court that she was depressed and traumatised for months after the attacks. “I’m still not over the trauma today. I still get dreams at night of him abusing me,” she added.

The two assault charges took place on October 12 on the Newcastle Road, and St. Mary’s Road in Galway City. The more serious assault causing harm, where the victim suffered a swollen, black eye, happened at Choudhury’s address of 8 Aras na Trá, Salthill.

In the early hours of October 12, around 2am, she and Choudhury had been arguing when he began violently “squeezing my throat, almost choking me” she told the court.

When she went out to her car, he came out of the house drinking bleach, and spitting it on her car, she said.

She then tried to call a taxi, but he snatched her phone away from her. The young woman then went to walk home, but he followed her and started choking her again.

It only stopped when a man in a nearby parked car got out, causing Choudhury to flee. But he attacked her again outside her student accommodation when she got home before she was able to get away through the turnstile.

The second assault happened on December 22 at Choudhury’s apartment, after she had told him that she wanted to break up with him.

He snatched her phone out of her hand and hit her in the face during an argument, knocking her to the ground. She said that he then got a knife from the kitchen and tried to hurt himself.

Paramedics took her to hospital after she told him to call an ambulance.

The court heard that when Gardaí questioned Choudhury later, he said that he couldn’t remember the specifics, but that he knows he hurt her, and accepted the statement she had given to Gardaí.

Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor informed the court that she had repeatedly tried to reach her client, and couldn’t cross-examine the injured party without instructions.

Judge Mary Fahy convicted Choudhury of the two assaults, and issued a bench warrant for him to be brought in for sentencing.

Two week roadworks underway in Newcastle

By

-

November 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Roadworks to disrupt traffic near Portumna on Tuesday

Roadworks in the Newcastle area of Galway City got underway this morning, and will affect traffic in the area for the next two weeks.

Galway City Council is carrying out resurfacing works on the N59 Upper Newcastle from the N6 Bothar na dTreabh junction, to the N59 Thomas Hynes Rd. Junction (Westwood Junction).

Traffic management measures will be in place during the day while the roadworks are taking place.

Road users are urged to use alternative routes to avoid delays and proceed with caution during this period if they do use the road.

The works, which began this morning, are scheduled to take two weeks to complete.

Local sports clubs reminded of €5,000 Texaco support deadline

By

-

November 4, 2021

galway daily news mayo winners of texaco support grant

Sports clubs across Galway have been reminded that the deadline to apply for funding under this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative is December 31.

The scheme is open to all sports clubs in the Republic, and will give €5,000 to one club in each of the counties in the State.

The successful Galway applicant to receive a €5,000 award last year was Tuam Rugby Football Club, which used it to fund the further development of its facilities.

New applications will also be welcomed from clubs whose application may have been unsuccessful last year.

Applications will be accepted until 6pm on 31st December 2021.

Slight decrease in COVID patients at Galway hospitals

By

-

November 4, 2021

The number of COVID-19 patients in Galway’s public hospitals has decreased slightly to 33 in the latest HSE data taken yesterday evening.

Twenty-eight of the confirmed cases are receiving treatment at University Hospital Galway, while there are six patients with the disease at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Three of the COVID patients at UHG are in the intensive care unit and there are two patients receiving critical care at Portiuncula Hospital.

The number of confirmed cases in hospitals nationally decreased from 460 yesterday morning at 8am to 449 at 8pm yesterday evening.

University Hospital Galway was the hospital with the most confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours.

UHG also had one suspected COVID case when the data was taken.

Call for Ministers to meet County Council Chief Executive over ‘underfunding’

By

-

November 4, 2021

galway daily news annaghkeen pier headford algal bloom county council

Galway East TD Seán Canney has called on two government ministers to arrange a meeting with the Chief Executive of Galway County Council to hear about “the dire financial predicament the local authority is faced with.”

Deputy Canney called on Minister Dara O’Brien and Minister Peter Burke to meet with the Chief Executive as he argues the county council has been underfunded and that this has never been explained.

“It is well documented that Galway County Council has been underfunded to the amount of €28 million per annum. There is an underlying structural weakness in the baseline funding since 2015,” said the Independent TD.

“This weakness has never been explained to the local authority by the Department and the Department has failed to show the matrix used to allocate funding to the local authorities.”

Deputy Canney said that the ‘weakness’ in the funding allocation can only be addressed by a significant correction to the amount allocated to Galway County Council from central government funding.

“The Council is not able to function with severe staff shortages in all departments within the Council and services are being affected,” he added.

“This issue is ongoing for too long and it is imperative that this funding issue is sorted, otherwise there will be further reductions in services throughout the county.”

GUH Ecumenical Memorial Service to be held next week

By

-

November 3, 2021

galway daily news Galway University Hospitals holding Memorial Service

Galway University Hospitals (GUH) will hold its 12^th annual Ecumenical Memorial Service on Thursday 11 November at 7pm in the Church of Holy Family in Mervue.

The service aims to provide a spiritual space to support families in the grief they are experiencing, and to provide a supportive and empathetic environment.

It also gives an opportunity to staff to reflect and bring closure to their care of the deceased and their families.

Anne McKeown, Bereavement Liaison Officer at GUH said, said they hope that the service will support families in the grief they are experiencing as part of their loss.

She said that families and friends who have attended previous services have found it a beneficial experience.

“The committee are conscious that because of the pandemic we as a society have been unable to gather and mourn as a community,” said Anne.

“The theme for this year’s service is ‘Remembering Together’. The service will be led by hospital staff who will share a selection of readings and reflections and songs while honouring the memory of our deceased patients.”

The service will be livestreamed on https://www.churchtv.ie/mervue/ for those unable to attend.

To comply with public health guidance, they are asking that those who attend the service are fully vaccinated, wear face masks or shields at all times and sanitise their hands entering and leaving the Church.

COVID-19: 3,174 new cases reported in the State

By

-

November 3, 2021

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

The Department of Health has reported 3,174 new cases of COVID-19 in the State this afternoon.

A total of 460 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised nationally as of 8am today, of whom 86 are in ICU.

There has now been a total of 5,492 deaths related to COVID-19 notified in Ireland.

This includes 56 deaths newly notified in the past week – since last Wednesday.

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

Galway people encouraged to consider leaving ‘legacy gift’ in will

By

-

November 3, 2021

galway daily news legacy gift will galway

Renowned gardener Diarmuid Gavin has called on people in Galway to ‘grow their legacy’ as part of this year’s My Legacy Month campaign which was officially launched this week.

As the 2021 campaign ambassador, Diarmuid is encouraging people to consider leaving a legacy gift in their will to a charity that means something to them.

Commenting at the launch of the campaign, Diarmuid said that even thinking about making a will is a taboo for some.

It’s something that we don’t like to confront, he said, as it almost feels like we’re tempting fate.

“That’s why a campaign like My Legacy Month is so important – it encourages us to think about our wishes and allows us the space to consider what we want in our wills.”

He asked whether after family and friends have been taken care of, do we have room to leave a legacy gift to a charity that we admire?

“I hope that my own legacy will benefit our natural environment – a place of beauty and biodiversity, an environment which enhances my life enormously and gives me great joy,” said Diarmuid.

“This month, I would encourage people to consider what they would like their legacy to be and to have those conversations with their loved ones about considering a charity in their will.

“Legacy gifts large or small can have a huge impact and it’s important that we make it a greater part of the fabric of society.”

My Legacy Month is an annual campaign that reminds people of the importance of making a will and generates awareness about legacy giving, asking people to consider including a legacy gift in their wills for a charity they care about.

The campaign is run by the umbrella group My Legacy, which is made up of 80 Irish charities working together to make legacy-giving the norm in Ireland. Galway-based member charities of My Legacy include: Cope Galway, Croi, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Kylemore Abbey.

Further information on how to make a will and the My Legacy Month campaign is available at www.mylegacy.ie.

‘Grief café’ coming to Galway this winter

By

-

November 3, 2021

Galway-based theatre makers Joanne Webb and John Valters-Paintner are joining an Irish Hospice Foundation initiative this winter which is inviting people to come together to talk about grief.

In 2016, Irish Hospice Foundation carried out a national survey where people said they would like more places to talk about death and bereavement.

After two years of the pandemic, Galway artists are offering this sanctuary in Éan, the inventive new bakery and wine bar on Druid Lane in Galway City.

The ‘Grief Café’ in Galway will take place on November 22, 23, 29 and 30, December 13, and January 3, 10 ,17 and 24, from 11.00am until 4.00pm. An evening event will also be held in January.

“Sometimes we have no words and the process of arts, of making, help make sense. The pandemic has produced a spectrum of losses,” said Joanne Webb.

“All impactful. None too big or too small to leave their mark and worthy of marking.”

Dominic Campbell of Irish Hospice Foundation added that over the last two years Irish people came together in many ways.

“As we head into winter this collaboration with Irish Hospice Foundation supported by The Creative Ireland programme is creating beautiful spaces for those who need the arts to make sense of our losses,” he said.

The project in Galway is part of a larger nationwide IHF initiative, the Compassionate Culture Network supported by the Creative Ireland Programme whose aim is to use creative practice to establish opportunities for people to talk about loss.

State of the art surgical theatre opens at Galway University Hospitals

By

-

November 3, 2021

A mew state of the art surgical theatre has opened at Galway University Hospitals to better carry put complex vascular surgery.

This Hybrid Endovascular Theatre can be used for the treatment of complex vascular conditions such as aortic aneurysms and chronic limb threatening ischaemia.

The new theatre contains high specification imaging equipment which provides superior quality images and a large field-of-view to the surgical team.

This allows the surgical team to cleary see even the smallest blood vessels and devices during a procedure, even in motion.

The surgeon can plan, implement and confirm the success of the surgical procedure before the patient leaves the theatre.

Ms Chris Kane, General Manager of Galway University Hospitals added, “As the level 4 hospital within the Saolta University Health Care Group we treat patients from a large geographical area along the West and North West coast.”

“The development of a new theatre for specialised vascular surgery here in Galway enables our patients to benefit from new technology in order to improve their health outcomes and is an example of innovation to deliver enhanced patient-centred care.”

Professor Stewart Walsh, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, said that he was delighted to be part of the team that brought this surgical theatre to Galway.

He added that it will allow for open and key-hole surgeries to take place, with the capacity for up to 500 surgeries a year.

The hybrid system means that less radiation and X-ray dye will be needed in key-hole surgeries, reducing the risk of liver amd kidney damage.

“It is a huge step forward for vascular patients in the West of Ireland,” Professor Walsh enthused.

The vascular unit at Galway University Hospitals handles surgeries referred from across the Saolta Hospital Group, an area covering approximately 800,000 people.

It utilises a ‘hub and spoke’ model for outpatients and venous interventions, providing clinics and day theatre sessions in Roscommon University Hospital, Sligo, and Merlin Park.

Engineers appointed for Clifden Flood Relief Scheme

By

-

November 3, 2021

Galway Daily news Public information event today for Clifden Flood Relief Scheme

Plans have progressed for the development of the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme, with the appointment of engineers to develop the plan.

Galway County Council has appointed Jacobs Engineering Ireland Ltd for the first stage of developing the flood relief scheme.

They have been appointed to progress both the Engineering and Environmental elements of the scheme, which is currently at its first stage.

Clifden was hit by devastating flooding in September of 2020, where torrential rain caused the Owenglin River to rise and cause catastrophic flooding in town.

Many homes had to be evacuated in a hurry as the unprecedented rapid onset of the flooding caught everyone by surprise.

Some relief works have already been progressed in the area. A contractor was appointed last January to carry out storm water diversion works on the Low Road.

The full Flood Relief Scheme shall comprise of up to five stages, as follows:

• Stage I: Scheme Assessment, Development, and Design

• Stage II: Planning

• Stage III: Detailed Design and Procurement of Works

• Stage IV: Construction

• Stage V: Handover

Connecting Ireland must listen to rural communities – Galway TD

By

-

November 3, 2021

Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has called for the newly announced Connecting Ireland transport initiative to listen to the needs of rural communities.

Connecting Ireland, led by the National Transport Authority, is aimed at increasing public transport connectivity between cities, towns, surrounding villages and rural areas.

The Connecting Ireland initiative is planned to be implemented over five years from 2022, at an estimated cost of €57m.

Speaking following a briefing on the proposals, Deputy Kerrane said that rural communities have experienced “absolute inadequacy” when it comes to public transport links for decades.

She said that successive governments have failed to properly invest in connectivity and that although better services have been announced as part of Connecting Ireland, “the proof will be in the implementation.”

“In my own constituency of Roscommon-Galway, we are seeing services being removed rather than scaled up,” said Deputy Kerrane.

“We saw this recently with the removal of the 20/X20 Dublin to Galway bus route, and I know there are similar experiences in other rural areas.”

Deputy Kerrane highlighted a situation in Galway where “those living in Moylough and Mountbellew with appointments at nearby Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe are forced to get a bus to Galway City, and then get another bus out of Galway City to Ballinasloe.”

“There are countless examples of nonsensical gaps like this across rural communities.”

The Sinn Féin TD said that ensuring the consultation process is coherent, accessible and inclusive ‘really matters’.

“I encourage the NTA to reach out to all facets of rural communities, including engagement with local organisations representing Older People, Disabled People and Irish Rural Link.

“There must be a focus on addressing the fundamental flaws in our transport links to support workers and families with their day-to-day lives.

“Those living in these rural communities must be listened to as part of the development of this plan.”

Planning refused for extension of Athenry housing estate

By

-

November 3, 2021

Galway Daily news Planning refused for extension of Athenry housing estate

Planning permission has been refused by Galway County Council to build 14 new houses onto an Athenry housing estate.

Bellville Building & Construction submitted plans to build an additional 14 houses at the southern end of the Cluain Lara housing estate on the outskirts of Athenry.

The works would have involved removing a decommissioned wastewater treatment plant and polishing filter on the site.

The new houses were to consist of three 4-bed, detached houses; eight 3-bed, semi-detached homes; and three 3-bed, terraced dwellings.

There were fifteen submission by local residents objecting to the project made to the county council, which raised concerns about the increased traffic, but mostly about the loss of green space within the estate, to make way for yet more houses.

The council inspector’s report noted that if this development was approved there would be “no usable open amenity space” for existing and new residents in much of the Cluain Lara estate.

The only amenity space left would be a strip of land by the northern edge of the public road, which the inspector added is “heavily planted and not of a layout amenable to play/sports”.

This lack of open space for residents was one of the reasons cited by the council in refusing planning permission, saying that the plans are a “substandard quality of residential design and layout

The county council also said that, based on the information submitted it was also not satisfied that there is enough capacity in the wastewater network for the new houses, or that the developer had the required consent to connect to the existing network.

COVID-19: 3,726 new cases reported today

By

-

November 2, 2021

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

The Department of Health has reported 3,726 new cases of COVID-19 in the State today.

At 8am this morning there were 493 COVID-19 patients in hospitals nationally, of whom 91 were in ICU.

There were 26 COVID-19 patients at University Hospital Galway at 8pm on Monday evening, with four of those in the intensive care unit.

One of the eight confirmed cases at Portiuncula Hospital was also in ICU when the data was taken.

A total of 2,855 new confirmed cases were reported by health officials yesterday.

50-bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital to be built by mid-2023

By

-

November 2, 2021

Galway Daily news Contractor chosen for new 50-bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital

A new 50 bed ward block for Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe is expected to be completed by mid-2023 according to the HSE.

The Health Service Executive has been granted an extension of planning permission for the construction of the new ward block by the county council.

Enabling works began on site in August of 2020, and in the EOD application the HSE states that it is expected the development will be completed by Q2 of 2023.

The project was first granted planning permission in July of 2017, and this was to expire in August of this year. With the EOD granted by the county council, permission will now last to October 2026.

When completed, the €15 million project will deliver a two-storey, 4,038sqm ward building with 50 beds, and a link corridor to the existing hospital.

The HSE said that the extension is needed due to “financial concerns, requirement of enabling works to prepare for development, phasing works under a separate contract, and the unexpected delays such as Covid.”

The extension of planning permission for Portiuncula Hospital was granted by the county council unconditionally.

Initiative putting patients at the heart of research launches at NUIG

By

-

November 2, 2021

Galway Daily news Initiave putting patients at the heart of healthcare research launches at NUIG

A national initiative based at NUIG putting patients at the centre of decision-making on health and social care research has been launched.

Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte has today officially launched the PPI Ignite Network.

Headquartered at NUI Galway, this initiative has programme offices at seven universities across Ireland, a network of local, national and international partners and an expanding group of PPI contributors.

PPI – Public Patient Involvement – aims to produce research that is both more transparent to the public, and more relevant to the needs of patients.

“Nothing about us, without us’ resonates strongly with me and I particularly welcome the emphasis across the PPI Ignite Network on including historically marginalised groups in co-designing research.”

“Involving people who have not had a voice previously can help shape a different and healthier future for so many people in the coming decades,” Anne Rabbitte said.

The network will help to shape the direction of research by having patients and carers collaborate with researchers on what issues are important to prioritise.

The PPI Network has five years of funding now, which will be used to educate students, researchers, policymakers, and the wider public on what this involves.

It will also examine making it easier for the public to get involved in research, including reaching out to marginalised or disadvantaged groups, and create an online PPI hub to share resources, events, and experience.

Professor Seán Dinneen, Consultant Endocrinologist with the Saolta Healthcare Group, is the national lead for the PPI Ignite Network.

He said that it will “drive excellence and inspire innovation” by embedding the role of the patient involvement in research, building partnerships between research groups and community organisations.

Dr. Anne Cody of the Health Research Board said they have been championing PPI in healthcare for more than five years.

“Our work is clearly illustrating that people’s insights and life experience can inform research in ways researchers operating in isolation can’t.”

Brain Tumour Ireland thanks Galway ‘Hats Off Hero’

By

-

November 2, 2021

galway daily news brain tumour hero galway

Connemara man John Nevin is among the nominees for Brain Tumour Ireland’s ‘Hats Off Heroes’ initiative, which allows people with brain tumours to thank those around them for their support and kindness.

John was nominated as a ‘Hats Off Hero’ by his wife Mairead who was diagnosed with a large tumour on her brain earlier this year. The couple have two children, Abigail, 9, and Joshua, 7.

Mairead said that John suffers from Crohn’s disease and she would have always minded him – but in February 2021, their lives took a turn for the worse when she had a large tumour on her brain, followed by a post-op stroke.

“I was five months away from him and our two kids. John did all the school runs and minded the kids, even though he was unwell himself,” said Mairead.

“Now I’m home and he’s minding me. He helps me to wash when I’m tired, he cuts my nails and ties up my hair.

“It’s huge pressure going from being minded to being a minder. He doesn’t realise how much I appreciate all he does for me and the kids.”

The Hats Off Heroes initiative is currently running until Saturday, 6 November during Brain Tumour Awareness Week.

A shortlist of ‘Hats Off Heroes’ nominees will have their names put in a hat for a special prize draw, while a selection of the submitted stories will be highlighted on Brain Tumour Ireland’s social media channels this week.

Reacting to being nominated a ‘Hats Off Hero’, John said that it was surprise because Mairead didn’t tell him.

“But I suppose it’s a good surprise,” he said. “Mairead’s parents also helped out with minding the children when I was staying in a hotel in Dublin to be near Mairead when she was in Beaumont Hospital.”

‘Hats Off Heroes’, Chairperson of Brain Tumour Ireland Peter Cosgrove said that Mairead’s story demonstrates how invaluable everyday acts of support and kindness are to people affected by brain tumours.

“It also shines a light on the strength and resilience of people who are affected by brain tumours, as well as the impact of the illness on them, their families and loved ones,” he said.

“More than 400 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour in Ireland each year, with many contacting Brain Tumour Ireland for support when they receive their diagnosis.

“On their behalf, we feel privileged to learn about these stories and to be able to thank the ‘Hats Off Heroes’ who have helped them.”

Nominations can be made through a special online form on www.braintumourireland.com.

Also part of Brain Tumour Awareness Week, Friday 5 November is the annual Wear A Hat Day, when people across the country are invited to put on their favourite hat, take a selfie, post it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #WearAHatDay and then text BTI to 50300 to donate €4 to Brain Tumour Ireland.

The money raised will go towards funding the work of Brain Tumour Ireland in providing up-to-the-minute information, support and resources to help people affected by brain tumours in Ireland.

The best selfie will win a hat designed by Brain Tumour Awareness Week milliner partner Lina Stein, who will be choosing the winner.

Man (21) killed in Galway crash is named

By

-

November 2, 2021

The young man who died in a single-vehicle collision in Galway at the weekend has been named as Adam Galvin from Limerick.

The 21-year-old died in a crash on the N59 in the townland of Corcullen, Moycullen shortly after 2.30am on Sunday morning.

Adam was the sole occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was in his final year of study at recently-established TUS, according to the Limerick Leader.

Adam’s funeral will take place tomorrow morning, Wednesday.

34 COVID patients in Galway hospitals

By

-

November 2, 2021