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Man charged with making sexual suggestion to teenager

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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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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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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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Galway Daily news

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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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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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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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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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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galway daily news letter to editor cian mortimer people before profit galway debenhams workers strike

Sir,

COP26 – too little too late.

Thirty years ago global warming was front-page news so why has it taken our leaders this long to address these problems? Since the Paris agreement in 2015, we have seen rising emissions, rising temperatures as well as rising fossil fuel production – and it’s the vulnerable who suffer the most.

Countries in the global south contribute relatively little to climate change in terms of carbon emissions, but yet they are among the hardest hit partly because they rely heavily on rain-fed farming. Rising temperatures and sea levels – as well as rainfall anomalies, have heightened the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, so why should these vulnerable communities have to suffer the most from the mistakes of the western world?

From working in Kenya since 2002, I have seen first-hand the result of climate change with the women and girls I work with, within Brighter Communities Worldwide – from having to walk even longer distances to access water and collect firewood on a daily basis, as well as working extended hours in fields to ensure food security, due to reduced crop yields. This is having a major impact on their livelihoods and education, and so they continue to face a disproportionate impact from the climate crisis.

While we welcome the news of the additional aid funding of €2.1 million which will help address the impact of climate change in developing states.

There is no compensation for victims of climate disasters – more needs to be done now.

Yours, etc

Maria Kidney

Co-Founder Brighter Communities Worldwide

Cork, Ireland.

Taoiseach unveils plaque at NUIG in honour of Dr Anna O’Coinne

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An Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D., with (L to R) Caroline Loughnane, Secretary for Governance & Academic Affairs at NUI Galway, Gillian and Susan O'Coinne and Professor Michael Kerin, Research Director of NBCRI and Director of the Saolta University Healthcare Group, Cancer Managed Clinical Academic Network in the Lambe Institute at NUI Galway where a facility was dedicated to the late Dr Anna O’Coinne, former chairperson and honorary president of National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI).Photo Martina Regan.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has unveiled a commemorative plaque at NUI Galway in honour of Dr Anna O’Coinne, former chairperson and honorary president of National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI).

Dr O’Coinne passed away on 6 October 2020 after a lifetime of supporting breast cancer research through the NBCRI and its commitment and financial support for the Lambe Institute for Translational Research at NUI Galway.

D4347039: Pictured at the NUI Galway Honorary Conferring ceremony was Honorary Degree recipient Anna Ó Coinne, Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute (NBCRI).

The plaque marks the dedication of a special seminar and meeting room in the Lambe Institute in honour of Dr O’Coinne’s legacy and memory.

Among those who attended the event were Dr O’Coinne’s daughters Gillian and Susan, as well as President of NUI Galway Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh.

“It is a privilege to be in NUI Galway to commemorate Dr Anna O’Coinne and her life’s work and efforts that she made in the arena of breast cancer awareness, treatment and research for the benefit of women and their families across the west of Ireland,” said An Taoiseach.

President of NUI Galway Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said that Dr Anna O’Coinne’s endeavours and legacy epitomises the values of respect and excellence that we hold so dearly in NUI Galway.

“The impact of her stewardship of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute and its commitment to research at the Lambe Institute is immeasurable and as a research-led University we are indebted,” he said.

Caroline Loughnane, Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute, said: “Anna was the heart of the NBCRI and her great kindness, energy and commitment inspired so many; today we celebrate her tremendous legacy of support for breast cancer research at the Lambe Institute.

“Dr O’Coinne’s dedication and leadership over many years is a symbol of what can achieved in the field of cancer research but also acts as an inspiration to those who follow as we strive to secure better outcomes for patients and their families today.”

What is the impact of Covid-19 on the Gambling Industry in Canada?

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roulette

The gaming industry has been evolving to meet the players’ and users’ expectations, nowadays since technology has taken a huge impact on everyone’s lives, also gaming and gambling industry is using more and more technology to attract more new players and users to the industry in general.

Physical casinos and gaming centers are great places to spend time and enjoy a different selection of games and slots machines, but since the COVID-19 pandemic and everything has changed, the curfew has forced people to stay home to protect them from the disease, that’s why best canadian online casinos have to be available for the public to use and access their games since The COVID19 pandemic and the growth of gambling platforms is amazingly increasing more and more.

Online casinos have always been available in the world even before the pandemic, but they weren’t used as much as they are now, since people are at their home they can easily just check the online casino’s website and access all the games and features from anywhere in the world especially in Canada, they also can start to enjoy time with playing a variety of games provided with a wide range of bonuses and promotions, to keep the players attracted to a specific casino, and even to attract new players and users to their platform. Let’s take a look at the impact of COVID on Canadian online casinos and whether it was a positive impact or not.

Online casinos are growing rapidly

The online casino industry has been growing a lot more in Canada due to the COVID 19 pandemic. But before the pandemic, online gaming wasn’t a big part of the gaming industry in Canada, however since traditional casinos and gaming facilities started to close their doors in order to protect people from the pandemic, all the online casinos and gambling platforms headed to update their website and mobile application to stay in the business as long as they can amid covid 19 pandemic.

In Canada, players, and users from all around the country started to look for online casinos and to check their websites out. Since the online casinos are providing the players and users with a wide range of games and slots, also different bonuses and deals such as welcome bonuses, free spins and the first no deposit bonus, and a lot more, just to attract more new players and users to their platforms, to make them spend more time and to make sure that the players are having a great game experience.

Online casinos are now more popular and used in Canada than ever because of the pandemic. So we all can agree that the COVID 19 pandemic has a huge impact on the online casinos but in a good way of course, since now the online casinos are growing and becoming more powerful, but to survive in the world of entertainment the gambling platforms must try their best to stay in business and in order to do that they have to update their website regularly, provide the new players as well as the old ones with a different selection of bonuses and promotions and to make sure the players are having a great time while playing a wide range of games on their platform.

Incubation programme launched to support Digital Creative entrepreneurs

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NO REPRODUCTION FEE CREW in partnership with GMIT launch CREW LABS, a new incubator programme in Creative Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development to target early-stage Creative Digital Entrepreneurs. Pictured is Colin O Reilly Mountmellick Co Laois, Artist in Residence of the Teca Collective GMIT Creative Arts Faculty. Photo: Ray Ryan

It can be challenging to get a start in any creative industry, especially with the fast moving world of digital technologies.

To provide a helping hand for early stage start-ups in the sector, GMIT and Creative Enterprise West (CREW) are launching a new incubator programme starting early next year.

The CREW LAB incubation programme is especially designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs across creative digital industries such as TV, Film, Virtual production, Games, Animation, Content Development and more.

It is meant to serve as part of a support ecosystem needed for screen industries to thrive in the west of Ireland.

Commencing in January 2022, the course will be delivered over a 4-month period, with a combination of online classes, industry and networking activities, and one to one mentoring

Paddy Tobin, Head of School, Design & Creative Arts at GMIT, said that this incubation programme is a “unique mix” of blended learning, mentoring by industry figures, networking, and hub accommodation.

“This is an exciting time for the creative industries and here at GMIT Cluain Mhuire Campus we’re working in partnership with CREW to develop what will be a centre of excellence incubation hub for creative industries in the west.”

To accelerate the start up process, the CREW LAB Incubation programme will help budding entrepreneurs to spot market opportunities, pitch their idea, or expand an online community.

The CREW LAB Postgraduate Certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development will be delivered remotely through the GTeic and Connected Hubs network  focusing on entrepreneurs in the west of Ireland.

Gillain Buckley of the Western Development Commission said “The Western Region has a long tradition in creativity and this programme to support to support creative entrepreneurs in the region will build on this tradition and accelerate the success of this sector.”

Key partners in the programme are Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), the Western Development Commission (WDC) and Galway Film Centre (GFC) along with TG4, Gréasán na Meán Media Skillnet, Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office Galway, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Bank of Ireland.

Planning permission granted for outpatient facilities at Merlin Park Hospital

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Galway Daily news Planning permission granted for outpatient facilities at Merlin Park Hospital

Plans have been approved for the construction of two new Outpatient blocks and a car park at Merlin Park Hospital.

Galway City Council has granted planning permission to the HSE to build two new buildings on the campus of Merlin Park Hospital.

These will consist of a single-storey Adult Cystic Fibrosis Outpatients building with a floor space of 314.7sqm, as well as a 2,324.3sqm two-storey Outpatient Department building.

The planning application says that these new outpatient buildings will help reduce waiting times, and reduce the risks associated with overcrowding and infection control.

The HSE also said in the application that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for “segregation of acute and elective care” in Galway.

This development is meant to help “decongest” University Hospital Galway, in particular the Emergency Department, allowing outpatients to be cared for away from the acute hospital.

Part of the capacity of the new outpatient department building will be to replace existing facilities housed in prefab buildings.

Galway is also main referral point for Cystic Fibrosis patients across Connacht, leading to the “urgent requirement” for a dedicated CF outpatient facility to assist in long-term care.

Also included in the plans is the addition of a new car parking bay with 88 spaces in total, 25 bicycle parking spaces, and a footpath connecting the hospital campus.

Multiple submissions were received from residents along Merlin Park Lane who supported the development, but were concerned about the impact it would have on traffic along the small road.

Planning permission was granted by Galway City Council with twenty conditions attached.

The HSE must propose “traffic avoidance” measures that will be imposed at Merlin Park Lane to prevent rat running, with restrictions to be agreed on with the city council.

These measures must be in place and operational before the new buildings are occupied at Merlin Park Hospital.

A contribution of €131,950 must also be paid to the council towards the cost of providing public services in the area.

An Ecological Impact Assessment report was prepared for the development, which said that the building will be confined to grassland and existing artificial surfaces of low ecological significance, and would not affect sensitive areas.

Maintenance works to affect Spiddal and Barna water supply

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Galway Daily news Ballyconneelly water outages

Disruptions to the water supply in Spiddal and Barna are expected during the day throughout this week due to maintenance works.

Irish Water is flushing out the mains in the local water network from Monday to Friday this week.

Works are scheduled to take place daily from 9am until 4pm, from 15 November until 19 November.

This may cause water supply disruptions to homes and business in Spiddal, Barna, and surrounding areas of the county.

People affected are advised that it may take 2-3 hours after work has ended in the afternoon before their full water supply is restored.

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

Rents continue to spiral upwards across the West says local charity

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Galway Daily business Galway house prices increase 2.1%

Galway Simon Community has said that the number of people at risk of homelessness in the West is continuing to rise.

The charity says rents across the region are continuing to spiral upwards, putting significant pressure on many middle and low income households in the private rental market.

According to last week’s Daft.ie report, the surge in rents in the first half of 2021 means that the cost of renting in Connacht-Ulster is now 18.8% higher than a year ago – the strongest rate of inflation on record back to 2006.

They also reported the lowest supply on record since 2006 in Connacht/Ulster, with just 172 homes available to rent on the 1 November 2021, 71% less than the pre-Covid average.

Average rents showed a further increase on the last quarter, with average rent in Galway City and County now standing at record highs of €1,475 and €878 respectively.

Over the past five years, average rents across the West have seen dramatic increases of 53% in Galway City, 69% in Galway County, 52% in Mayo and 53% in Roscommon.

At the same time, the number of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness has increased, with one of the main drivers being the lack of affordable accommodation available within the private rental sector.

Over the last five years, there has been a 93% increase in the number of people living in emergency accommodation across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

Galway Simon Community say they have also seen an increasing number of people turning to their services for help during this time due to the lack of affordable and social housing available within the community.

Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community shared concerns about the impact of increasing rents over the coming months.

“It is clear the affordability crisis in the housing sector has reached a new peak as highlighted in the latest Daft.ie Rental Report,” Karen said.

“The private rental sector is simply out of reach for many of the people Galway Simon support, and countless others who are on middle and low incomes. With a severe lack of social housing in our community, many have nowhere else to turn.”

She said that so far this year, Galway Simon has seen a 26% increase in the number of people it is supporting compared to the same period last year.

“Our frontline staff are working hard to support as many people as possible who are in crisis.

“We are very concerned about the seemingly relentless increases in rents and the impact this will continue to have on people in our local community in the coming months.

“We must redouble our collective efforts to ensure that preventing homelessness is a top priority.

“It is essential that people have somewhere to call home to ensure their safety and wellbeing, especially during a global pandemic.”

Leaked CCTV puts the pressure on Gardaí in Ros na Rún

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Galway Daily television Leaked CCTV puts the pressure on Gardaí in Ros na Rún

The pressure is on O’Shea after Caoilfhionn posts the cctv footage of Sorcha’s assault, and Berni fears Briain will get away with it all in Ros na Rún.

The leaked CCTV footage of Briain attacking Sorcha is putting pressure on O’Shea, who wants to know who did it.

Caoilfhionn, feeling guilty that she’s put O’Shea’s job in peril, wants to confess to her, but who does she tell?

For her part Sorcha is worried that the leaked footage will endanger her court case, but is glad the village has her back.

Berni is far less pleased that people aren’t treating Briain differently, despite the fact that he raped her, and fears that he will get away with everything.

Mack is raging that Dee tried to destroy his chance of a relationship with Sonia and tried to put the pieces back together.

Vince is feeling all alone, now that Caitríona has made it clear that they are no longer  a couple. But much to his surprise he finds himself enjoying the company of another.  Who could this be?

Catch all of this and more from the latest two episodes of Ros na Rún in a double feature on TG4 at 7:30pm on Sunday.

COVID-19: Ireland reports 3,805 more cases today

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

There have been a further 3,805 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

As of this morning there were 582 people in the country hospitalised with COVID, 26 more than the previous day.

There are 107 of these patients being treated in intensive care units, one fewer than yesterday.

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

HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid cautioned on Saturday that the virus is now prolific in “most communities” and that people need to cut down on risky activities.

In Galway, Ballinasloe and the City Central local areas have both reported incidence rates higher than the national average this week.

Galway lotto player scoops €517,001 prize

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Galway Daily news Galway Lotto player scoops €54,583 in midweek madness

There was no winner of the €19 million Lotto jackpot on Saturday, but one lucky player in Galway is coming away over half a million richer.

The Galway lotto player split the Match 5 + Bonus prize with another player in Dublin, each of them going home with €517,001.

The winning lotto ticket was sold at Murphy’s Centra store in Bóthar an Chóiste in Castlegar.

The winning numbers on Saturday were 07, 20, 23, 33, 36, 44 and the bonus number was 10.

Michael Murphy who has run the Centra store in Castlegar since 2006 was overjoyed to hear the news that one of his customers had won a life-changing prize in Saturday night’s draw.

“What a win this is,” he said, adding “I am absolutely over the moon for whoever won it.

“What makes it really satisfying is that the vast majority of my customers are all local and knowing that one of them is a half a million euro richer this morning is fantastic.”

“I’m looking forward to spreading the good news today and we’ll make sure that everybody in the area checks their tickets to make sure that they claim this prize. This is absolutely brilliant!”

As no additional funds were added to the jackpot as it remains capped, the funds that would usually go to the jackpot were instead distributed to the next prize tier at which there was a winner, which worked out well for our Galway punter.

There was another bit of good news in the west on Saturday, as one player in Sligo is Ireland’s newest minted millionaire after winning the top prize of €1 million in last night’s Lotto Plus 1 draw.

The two players in Galway and Sligo are advised by the National Lottery to sign the back of their tickets and to keep them in a safe place.

Each of the three biggest winners from last night’s draw should contact the prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@lottery.ie and arrangements will be made for them to claim their prizes.

Nearly 30 cent in every €1 spent on all National Lottery games goes back to Good Causes in the areas of sport, youth, health, welfare, education, arts, heritage and the Irish Language.

In total more than €6 Billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery was established 34 years ago. In 2020 alone, €254 million was raised for local Good Causes in communities across Ireland.

COVID-19 cases rising at Portiuncula Hospital

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Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

There are 37 people in Galway being treated in hospital for COVID-19 in the latest HSE figures.

While the number of cases at UHG has remained level at 25 in recent days, Portiuncula Hospital has seen a slow but steady increase.

There were 12 confirmed cases at the Ballinasloe hospital as of 8pm on Saturday night.

Three new cases had been admitted to Portiuncula in the 24 hours prior, more than the two new cases at UHG.

There were also 10 suspected cases at Portiuncula Hospital for which test results were awaited, the second highest of any hospital in the country.

But despite this increase, the number of COVID patients in serious condition admitted to the ICU remains low.

There was just one COVID patient in the intensive care unit at Portiuncula as of Saturday night, with two more in the ICU in Galway.

Nationwide there were 557 people in the country hospitalised with COVID-19

Gort and Galway GAA clash over COVID fixture disruption

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Galway Daily sport County senior hurling final replay - All you need to know

Disagreements erupted over the county senior hurling championship semi-final this weekend, with Gort GAA Club saying that they would not be able to go ahead due to COVID.

The club, which was due to play St. Thomas’ at Kenny Park today, currently has one confirmed case of COVID-19 among the panel, in a player with an underlying heart condition.

Gort also said that they have a further three players who are showing symptoms, and informed the county that they could not go ahead.

The semi-final match had been due to take place the week before, but was rescheduled to today due to COVID issues at the time.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Galway GAA said that the club informed them that they would not be able to go ahead with the match today.

But the county said that the fixture remains in place, but asked fans not to head to Kenny Park.

“Gort GAA Club have informed Galway GAA that they will not be fulfilling their Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final fixture v St. Thomas’ tomorrow. Galway GAA CCC have reviewed all the evidence presented and have advised that the fixture stands.

“Failure to fulfil the fixture will be dealt with by Galway GAA CCC in the coming days. Patrons are asked not to attend Kenny Park, Athenry tomorrow. Refunds will be issued to ticket holders this week and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

For their part, Gort GAA said shortly after this that “above all else” the club has a duty to the families and neighbours of the players and management at this time.

“We do not wish to compromise the privilege of representing our club and community in a county semi final,” the club said on facebook.

“These are indeed the days we have all dreamed of and worked so hard for. However, we cannot, under ultimatum or otherwise, compromise on our aforementioned duty of care.”

Gort asked Galway GAA to reschedule the match to “allow the competition to be completed when it is safe to do so”, but Galway GAA’s response would seem to indicate that a forfeit will be likely.