Deadline extended for Local Property Tax returns

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November 5, 2021

Galway Daily news Fewer than 4,000 remain on pandemic unemployment in Galway

There was another steep decline in the number of people in Galway receiving pandemic unemployment this week, with fewer than 4,000 people here still in receipt of the payment.

There are 3,906 people in Galway who received PUP this week, a drop of 819 people since October 19, the last date for which figures are available.

Nationwide there are just under 78,000 people receiving the pandemic unemployment, a fall of more than 15,000 compared with October 19, when the equivalent figure was 93,399.

The greatest reduction over the past two weeks has been in the Accommodation and Food Services sector, as it has been since early June.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said that the pandemic continues to pose “significant challenges” across society heading into the winter months.

She encouraged people to explore the idea of continuing to work from home where possible, or adopting a “blended” work style.

“If we have learned one thing about this virus, it’s that it is unpredictable and we cannot at any stage let our guard down.”

“And so in the weeks ahead, let’s all remember the importance of staying at home and self-isolating if we are showing any symptoms.”

The payment week for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment runs from Friday to Thursday and payments are paid on the following Tuesday.

Individuals who have closed their PUP account by Monday, November 1 as they have returned to work, will receive their final payment on Tuesday, November 9.

Gardaí warn of online shopping fraud as holiday season approaches

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November 5, 2021

Galway Daily news Gardaí warn of online shopping fraud as holiday season approaches

An Gardaí Síochána and Europol are working together to promote safe online shopping and prevent fraud in the run up to the holiday season.

As part of Europol’s eCommerce Action 2021, Gardaí are providing shoppers and retailers alike with fraud prevention advice.

More and more businesses are using the internet as their main avenue of sales, and online shopping is going to be particularly busy as we approach Christmas and the Black Friday sales period.

However, the online marketplace also provides opportunities for fraud by people who can use the anonymous nature of the internet to rip off consumers, or retailers who don’t have the necessary safeguards in place.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lordan of the GNECB said that he welcomes the Europol initiative, and would urge everyone to be extra careful when conducting online transactions.

“Pay heed to the valuable advices offered on the Europol website to help avoid the many pitfalls involved,” he said.

For the Online Shopper

The Golden Rules of Online Shopping

Understand risks involved – do some research – use brands and shops that are familiar to you
Check to ensure the website is genuine – type the address yourself and check the spelling
Check the seller’s reviews and ratings
Be careful how you pay – always use the websites recommended payment site – if none, use credit cards when purchasing as most cards have strong customer protection policy
Save all documents related to online purchases
If you don’t make a purchase, don’t leave identity or card details behind
Never send card details by email, text or other messaging methods
Don’t send money to someone you don’t know – check first

#BuySafePaySafe

For the Online Retailer / eCommerce Merchant

Know your product – Some products are risker than others ie. easily resaleable small items may present a higher fraud risk
Know your customer – If you accept card payments for high value goods you would really want to know who you are selling to – wouldn’t you?
Establish a safe means of payment– Your card processor can advise when choosing a safe means of payment
Use a reliable delivery service – Use a delivery service which you can be assured will offer professional handling of your merchandise

Further advice and details can be found here.

Investment funds banned from buying houses in Galway City development

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November 5, 2021

Galway Daily news Investment funds banned from buying houses in Galway City development

Investment funds have been barred by An Bord Pleanála from buying any of the 67 houses that make up more than half of a new Galway City housing development.

Planning permission was granted by the Bord Alber Developments Ltd plans for 102 homes on land south of the Old Dublin Road in Galway City.

The Strategic Housing Development consists of 65 houses and 35 apartments, along with a creche and retail outlet, on a greenfield site at Rosshill.

Condition No.6 of the planning permission “restricts all houses permitted, to first occupation by individual purchasers i.e. those not being a corporate entity, and or by those eligible for the occupation of social or affordable housing, including cost rental housing.”

The 4.7ha site is a greenfield plot, accessible from the Rosshill road, which is bordered by multiple one-off housing developments, and a 16 unit estate recently completed to the north-east.

Part of the site was formerly a pitch and put golf course, but this closed down in the early 2000s, and the land is now agricultural grazing land.

It is proposed that a “linear park” will be created along the northern edge of the site, with a public green area with trees and a walking route running the length of it, to a larger green area at the southwest of the site.

The density of the estate, at 36 units per hectare exceeded the Galway City Development Plan 2017-2023 rules, but a material contravention of the plan was granted.

The Bord said that granting a material contravention of the development plan was justified based on government policy of increasing the population outside of the capital.

Departmental guidelines also promote densities of 30 to 50 homes per hectare in outer suburban areas such as this.

Alber Developments has proposed providing ten units, three apartments and seven houses, to the city council for affordable or social housing, as a requirement of Part V planning regulations.

There were 40 public submissions received by the Bord in relation to this project, raising concerns about the density of the development for the site, lack of transport infrastructure, environmental concerns, and land ownership issues.

Galway City Council also recommended that the housing development be refused planning permission.

The Chief Executive’s Report from the council said that the density and poorly configured communal open space of the proposal were out of character for the “sylvan site” and low density residential areas around it.

The report also said that it would be premature due to the lack of pedestrian, cycling, and public transport infrastructure in the area.

Planning permission was ultimately granted by An Bord Pleanála with thirty-three conditions attached.

Construction must take place on a phased basis, and none of the homes are to be occupied before the realigned junction at the Rosshill Road and footpath connections are complete.

The developer was also ordered to remove a rooftop garden from plans for one of the apartment building, and instead to place a communal space where a 14 space car park was intended.

Mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement must be implemented in full, and a landscaping scheme for the site must also be agreed on with the council.

A minimum of 10% of all communal parking spaces must have electric vehicle charging points, with ducting laid for all other spaces so charging points can be installed at a later date.

A cash deposit or insurance bond must also be given to the council for the protection on and adjoining the site, and to replace any that may die.

Girl’s Rugby – ‘Give it a Try’ at Monivea RFC

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November 5, 2021

Monivea RFC are starting a new initiative for Girls’ Rugby, and are inviting girls to come and give it a try on the pitch this weekend.

Girls aged 7 to 17 are invited to come down to a fun morning of rugby drills at Monivea RFC this Saturday, November 6.

The event will take place under the guidance of Women’s Rugby Development Officer, Emer O’Dowd from 10am – 11am that morning.

Monivea Rugby Football Club, nestled between the village and Monivea Woods, has a membership of 300 and growing drawn from the areas of Athenry, Tuam, and even Ballinasloe.

The Club itself has a long association with the IRFU and Connacht Branch. This girl’s rugby initiative is supported by the province and the national women’s team.

Next year will be an important milestone for Monivea RFC, as the club celebrates its 50th anniversary.

During that half century the club’s first and second teams have racked up nine Junior League titles, five Junior Cups, two Ard na Cregg Cups, and a Pat Cawley Cup.

Event Venue: Monivea RFC, Castlegrounds Monivea, Co Galway. H65 XA56

COVID-19: 3,024 cases reported today

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November 4, 2021

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

There have been a further 3,024 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today today.

As of this morning there were 458 people in the country hospitalised with COVID.

Of these patients, 90 have been admitted to intensive care units for treatment.

These daily case numbers may change in the future after data is validated and reviewed.

The Department of Health also said today that a “technical issue” affected the processing of cases on CIDR on Tuesday, resulting in an “artificially low” number of cases being reported then, and an elevated count reported yesterday.

Today’s figures are based on SARS-CoV-2 results uploaded to the COVID Care Tracker.

“The technical issue has been resolved and daily case reporting through CIDR will recommence in the coming days,” the Department said.

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

Loophole makes Sex Offenders Register meaningless Galway TD says

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November 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Disappointment that no occupational injury benefits coming for Long Covid sufferers

Failures in Irish law make the Sex Offenders Registry “meaningless” at keeping track of convicted offenders Galway TD Denis Naughten has said.

Deputy Naughten said that, since 2009, there has been a failure to update the notification requirements for the Register, with dangerous implications for vulnerable children.

Under the Sex Offenders Act of 2001, people placed on the sex offenders register have seven days to inform Gardaí of their address, and any change to it, or their place of residence if arriving in the state.

This also applies to people from abroad on their own national registry who are arriving in Ireland.

This time period leaves Ireland open to abuse to abuse by convicted offenders who can travel to and within the country without alerting Gardaí, Denis Naughten said.

Gardaí detected 76 breaches of the Act in the 12 months up to October of this year.

In 2009, then Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said that he planned to reduce that seven day period down to three days to bring Ireland’s law in line with neighbouring jurisdictions.

Denis Naughten said this loophole has still not been closed, and that while the notification requirement applies “in theory” to people convicted in other jurisdictions, it relies on them being flagged at passport control.

“There have already been a number of instances where dangerous sex offenders wanted by the police in either Northern Ireland or Britain were subsequently located in the Republic.”

He said that the 2001 Act urgently needs to be reformed, and that the sex offenders register is “currently meaningless” without that reform.

“The failure to close this loophole could have catastrophic implications for vulnerable children, particularly with up to 500 convicted sex offenders having gone missing in the UK.”

In response to a question by Deputy Naughten, Minister of State and Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton said that the Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2018 has completed drafting, and will be presented for approval to publish in the coming weeks.

“As the Deputy will be aware, the purpose of the Bill is to enhance current systems for the assessment and management of convicted sex offenders and to put those systems on a statutory footing.”

This bill would reduce that seven day period within which convicted offenders must notify their name and address, down to three days.

Flu vaccine more accessible than ever says Kyne

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November 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway Senator condemns "rotten, corrupt" saga at Inland Fisheries Ireland

Employers should avail of changes in the Finance Bill to provide flu vaccinations and other health checks to their employees this winter, Galway Senator Seán Kyne has said.

Senator Kyne said that with the Finance Bill, the law is being changed to make it easier and less expensive for employers and businesses to provide the flu vaccine and other health checks to their workers.

“Section 7 of the Bill, which begins its legislative journey this week, will formally exempt the cost of the flu vaccine and other health and well-being benefits from benefit-in-kind taxes,” said Senator Kyne.

“In effect, this means it will be less expensive for an employer to provide all employees with the flu vaccine inhouse or to re-imburse workers with the cost of getting the vaccine from their local GP or pharmacy.”

The Fine Gael Senator said that over the past year, we have all seen first-hand the importance of vaccines and how they prevent serious illness and ultimately save lives.

He said that every year in Ireland, people – particularly older people or those with underlying illnesses – fall seriously ill and in some cases die because of the flu.

“This simple provision in the Finance Bill, which Minister Paschal Donohoe will be leading through the Dáil and Seanad, lowers the cost of providing the flu vaccine and also applies to Covid-19 testing,” said Senator Kyne.

“At a time when Covid-19 remains a life-threatening challenge for our country, this change will make obtaining the flu vaccine more accessible than ever for workers.

“I urge employers and businesses to provide the flu vaccine for their workers. I would also urge workers to avail of the flu vaccine and by doing so, save lives this winter.”

Dangerous Avian Flu strain H5N1 detected in Oranmore bird

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November 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Contagious strain of Avian Flu H5N1 confirmed in Oranmore bird — Peregrine Falcon. Photo Credit: Becky Matsubara from El Sobrante, California, CC BY 2.0

The highly dangerouts avian flu strain H5N1 strain has been detected in a wild bird in Oranmore the Department of Agriculture has said.

The peregrine falcon in Oranmore was submitted for testing to Limerick Regional Veterinary Laboratory as part of the Department’s wild bird AI surveillance programme.

The Department of Agriculture said that Ireland is in a high-risk period, lasting from October to April, for migratory birds to introduce highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) to the country.

This happens as will birds return to overwinter from areas where HPAI is widespread.

The Department has reiterated that strict bio-security measures are necessary to prevent avian flu from getting into poultry and captive bird flocks.

Flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office.

This specific subtype, H5N1, can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds.

H5N1 has been confirmed in wild birds, poultry and captive birds in Great Britain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia, Poland and Denmark since mid-October.

Human infection is extremely rare and no human infections with this virus have been reported in Europe this year.

Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs are safe to eat.

Hazardous waste disposal event for Galway City households

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November 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Hazardous waste disposal event for city households

Galway City Council is organising a day for households in the city to dispose of hazardous waste such as paints or old medicines.

The hazardous waste disposal day will take place the weekend after next, on Saturday, November 13.

The event will take place at Ballybrit Racecourse from 8:30am until 3:30pm that afternoon.

Only the following items will be accepted at the collection:

Paint, paint cans
Adhesives
Old medicines
Pesticides, Insecticides, Herbicides
Aerosols

For paint can, a maximum of ten 10L paint bucket containers will be accepted.

Anyone who wants to get rid of the old cans and bottles clogging up their sheds or cupboards needs to register beforehand online here: http://www.galwaycity.ie/haz-waste, and pay the €10 admittance fee.

No cash will be accepted at the entrance, and this is open to Galway City household residents only.

Man convicted of assaulting girlfriend

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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

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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

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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

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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November 3, 2021