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COVID-19: 1,545 cases reported today

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

There have been another 1,545 new cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

Nationwide 335 people are in hospital with the disease, and 56 of those are being treated in the ICU.

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, said that the incidence rate of COVID-19 cases is declining across the country.

The five day average of new cases is 1,407, and the number of hospitalisations and ICU admissions has also stabilised.

“Incidence of COVID-19 in adolescents and young adults is falling significantly and we are seeing early encouraging signs that the rate of infection plateauing in children of school going age.”

This is something that will continue to be monitored by NPHET in the coming weeks Tony Holohan added.

“Vaccination continues to offer the best protection against the most severe effects of COVID-19 including hospitalisation and death.”

“Anyone yet to avail of vaccination is strongly encouraged to do so. Local vaccination sites are available on HSE.ie“.

Michelle learns of Fiach’s blackmail and stealing in Ros na Rún

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Briain Kelly
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Ros na Rún

Tadhg lets loose on Colm over Frances death, Michelle finds out about Fiach’s lies, and Emma tries to take advantage in Ros na Rún.

Tadhg, believing that Colm doesn’t care about Mo or Frances’ death, comes to pay him a visit, while Colm tries to explain how heartbroken he is.

He has just gotten a letter from Mo, only to find she wants to be left alone. Will Colm obey Mo’s instructions, or will Tadhg make it academic by going to the police?

Michelle finds out that Fiach blackmailed Rory, and that he and Caoilfhionn stole money while paying poker in Canada.

Emma, not knowing what Michelle has learned, but seeing that not all is well between her and Fiach, plans to take advantage of the situation.

Catch up on all the latest in Ros na Rún this Thursday at 8:30pm on TG4, or get all the week’s drama in the double billing omnibus each Sunday.

GMIT sees spike in demand for STEM courses, significant points increases

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news ATU Languages Competition for secondary schools returns for 2nd year

GMIT has seen a significant increase in demand for STEM related course this year with points increasing for almost 60% of their honours degree programmes compared with 2020.

By far the most dramatic points increase the IoT has seen this year is in the B. Sc. (Hons) in Furniture Design, Making and Technology, which jumped 205 points.

Other level 8 courses across the GMIT campuses have seen their requirements go up by between 10 and 80 points.

Dr Michael Hannon, GMIT Registrar, said, “This year, we are delighted to see extraordinary demand for programmes in our Schools of Science, Engineering and Design & Creative Arts.”

“It has been a challenging year for everyone, especially for Leaving Certificate students who had the choice of sitting exams or opting for calculated grades or a combination of both.”

“Despite the challenges, the CAO system works and continues to be a fair, equitable and transparent system of distributing access to programmes nationally.”

However, he added that he is also of the opinion that the system of giving option to students is not working, and that different arrangements should be considered next year.

The spike in point requirement at GMIT this year comes in spite of the fact that 150 additional places for their courses that were added by Minister Simon Harris this year.

“We acknowledge that there will be many disappointed students who will not get their first preference to attend GMIT. However, we have healthy waiting lists that will allow us to make additional offers in Round 2,” Dr Hannon added.

While demand for STEM related courses has spiked, there has been a slump in demand for courses related to the hospitality sector.

A highly respected, hospitality focused part of GMIT is the International Hotel School, which offers courses in culinary arts, tourism, hospitality, and more.

Dr. Hannon said that the decline in demand for hospitality related courses is understandable in light of the impact of COVID-19.

“No doubt the sector will bounce back and we will continue to work with our national and international partners in this industry to promote the excellent career opportunities for students and graduates.”

New 1st year students at GMIT will be starting on campus from September 27 this year, later than normal due to the later Leaving Cert results.

Pupils invited to enter inaugural An Post Brain Busters programme

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily news brain busters programme for students by an post

Students in 5th and 6th class in primary schools and up to Junior Cert in secondary schools have been invited to enter the inaugural An Post Brain Busters programme.

The new programme takes a ‘gamification’ approach to literacy and numeracy, inspired by the excitement of escape room challenges.

Students must successfully complete a series of numeracy and literacy challenges to get the chance to represent their school at the national final in April 2022.  

The concept, tasks and materials have been developed by teachers in collaboration with mathematician Dr Finn MacLeod, scientist Dr Niamh Shaw and author Oisín McGann. 

Award-winning communicator, writer and explorer of space activities Dr Niamh said that An Post Brain Busters is designed to encourage curiosity and gives school goers the opportunity to put their problem-solving skills to the test.

“As children return to the classroom after so much disruption, collaborative, enjoyable activities which develop interest and instil pride in numeracy and literacy are key to the development of their academic interests and of Ireland’s impressive STEAM talent pipeline,” she said.

Managing Director of An Post Retail, Debbie Byrne, said that by making numeracy and literacy part of the everyday experience, they are also demonstrating the purpose of An Post – to act for the common good, improving the quality of life now and for generations to come.

“An Post’s Green Light strategy challenges all parts of our business to take bigger, braver steps in pursuit of our Sustainability goals, most particularly Climate Action, Decent Work and Sustainable Cities & Communities,” she said.

“And in turn we are challenging future generations to embrace Literacy and Numeracy in a practical way that will help them to support and enhance their communities and the wider world.”

National Broadband Ireland to host information events in Ballinasloe

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news Broadband Plan to miss 2021 target by 25,000 homes - Naughten

National Broadband Ireland will host pop-up information events in Ballinasloe on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 September from 10am to 4pm to give people a chance to learn more about the National Broadband Plan.

The events, taking place at Tesco Superstore Menlo, will clarify when high-speed fibre broadband is coming to Galway, and how people can get connected.

A team will be on-hand at the pop-up events to register people for updates on the rollout in their area.

Peter Hendrick, CEO of National Broadband Ireland, said: “National Broadband Ireland is excited about the opportunity to engage directly with the people of Galway and give them information about when high-speed broadband will be available, let them know how they can connect to the NBI network and how they can register for progress updates specific to their Eircode.”

NBI currently has construction underway to bring fibre to 3,307 premises in the townlands in the Ballinasloe Intervention Area, which includes Clontuskert, Ahascragh, Kilconnell, Liscapple, Aughrim, Carnakelly, Fohenagh, Riversdale, Dowras, Kiltormer, and Rosmore among others, all of which are already eligible to order services on the new high-speed fibre broadband network.

Once these premises are available to order these customers can choose their broadband services from a retail service provider of their choice.

Slight decrease in COVID patients at Galway hospitals

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news

There has been a slight decrease in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at Galway’s public hospitals in the latest data from the HSE.

On Tuesday evening, there were 25 people with COVID receiving care at University Hospital Galway and just one person with the disease at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Five of the 25 people with COVID-19 at UHG were in the intensive care unit at 8pm yesterday.

Nationally there were 334 confirmed cases in hospital on Tuesday evening.

The HSE data shows that there were two ICU beds available at UHG and none at Portiuncula Hospital, while there are 12 general beds available at UHG.

Points increase for almost all courses at NUI Galway

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news Galway universities awarded over €2 million for new research equipment

Points have risen for 65 of the 69 programmes at NUI Galway this year, with almost half of the courses at the University recording an increase of more than 50 points.

Offers were made to 3,859 prospective students yesterday as part of Round One of the CAO process, and NUI Galway expects another record intake of around 3,500 first year students.

Five programmes saw an increase of more than 80 points this year: Arts with Creative Writing, Arts with Journalism, Computer Science & Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Podiatry.

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of NUI Galway, congratulated the class of 2021, which he said demonstrated ‘remarkable resilience amid the significant challenges’ of the pandemic and its impact on education.

“Our focus in NUI Galway is on safely and sustainably optimising the experience for students, on campus, for the academic year ahead,” said Professor Ó hÓgartaigh.

“The health, wellbeing and safety of our staff, students and the wider Galway community is our top priority.”

The University’s President said that he wants to extend a warm welcome to those students who take up the offer to come to NUI Galway and to learn for themselves the importance that is placed on the values of respect, openness, excellence and sustainability.

“Huge work and effort has gone into planning and preparing for the new academic year and ensuring our campus operates within the public health guidelines and we are asking everyone in our university community to put a renewed emphasis on personal responsibility for the public good.”

Professor Pól Ó Dochartaigh, Deputy President and Registrar of NUI Galway and Chair of the CAO, said that the registration team at NUI Galway is once again doing its utmost to accommodate as many students as possible in what has been a challenging year.

“Just as in 2020, we are pulling out all the stops,” he said.

Extremely heavy overcrowding at UHG today

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news

The Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway has reported that it is extremely busy today.

The Saolta Hospital Group has said this morning that there are a large number of people admitted to the Emergency Department who are without a bed today.

Figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation show that there were 45 patients on trolleys at UHG this morning.

That makes it the second most overcrowded hospital in the country today, only behind UHL where there are a staggering 69 patients without beds.

UHG also has to deal with 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the hospital, the fourth highest level in the country.

In a statement this morning, Saolta said that there is “ongoing pressure” on bed availability at the hospital.

“We regret that patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital.”

Saolta urged people to only  come to the A&E in Galway if they are experiencing a real emergency.

“If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or the Westdoc GP Out of Hours service, in the first instance.”

“We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times.”

In line with COVID-19 safety protocols, people attending the ED are asked to do so alone, and wear a face mask at all times.

People will only be allowed a companion to wait with them at the hospital under exceptional circumstances.

Weather warning issued for thunderstorms and flooding

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily weather Status Orange thunderstorm warning in effect for Galway

Met Eireann has now issued a weather warning for heavy downpours and thunderstorms across Ireland today and tomorrow.

Scattered heavy downpours are expected in some areas today, lasting through the night and into Wednesday.

Localised flooding is also possible where the rain is heaviest, Met Eireann has warned.

The status yellow warning, which covers all of Ireland, is in effect immediately, an will last until midday on Thursday.

In Galway, the worst of the rain and thunderstorms are forecast for tonight and Thursday morning, with the chance of some sunny spells in parts today.

Heavy rain and thunder to follow stunning sunshine

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily weather Mixed bag for Easter weekend weather as sunny start gives way to rain

Galway enjoyed some of the highest temperatures in Ireland yesterday, but the weather is expected to take a sharp turn for the worse today.

From 4 to 5 in the afternoon on Tuesday, the Athenry weather station recorded 27 degree temps, summer sun only exceeded on the south coast and in parts of the midlands.

The highest temperatures in the country seen yesterday were at Valentia, where a shocking 27.9 degrees in the early afternoon.

Unfortunately the weather for Galway is expected to take a turn today according to Met Eireann, with early overcast skies and sunny spells giving way to heavy rain.

Patches of light rain in the morning will get heavier as the evening progresses, with thunder and lightning forecast for tonight.

Temperatures today will reach highs of 22 degrees in the mid afternoon, with a light to moderate variable wind throughout the day.

Heading into Thursday things don’t look much better, with heavy rain in the early hours gradually getting lighter as the day persists.

There will be some patches of sun from behind the clouds tomorrow also, and there will also be a risk of mist or fog in coastal areas.

Walk-in vaccination clinics continue in Galway this week

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Parents advised to keep on top of school immunisation programme

Walk-in vaccination clinics for people to get the COVID-19 vaccine without needing an appointment are continuing in Galway this weekend.

There will be further walk-in clinics running at the Ballybrit Racecourse vaccination centre from Friday through to Sunday this week.

These clinics are open to anyone aged 12 years or older, to receive either their first or second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The clinics running on Friday and Sunday in Galway will only be for the Pfizer vaccine, while the Saturday clinic will solely be administering dose 2 of Moderna.

For the Pfizer vaccine the second dose can only be administered at least 21 days after the first dose, or 28 days in the case of Moderna.

For people aged from 12 to 15, parental consent is required for them to be vaccinated, so anyone coming to the clinic will have to bring a parent or guardian with them.

The schedule of walk-in clinics running in Galway this week is:

  • Friday 10 September: 1pm to 7pm. Pfizer dose 1 and 2
  • Saturday 11 September: 8.30 am to 12.30pm. Moderna dose 2 only
  • Sunday 12 September: 8.30am to 4pm. Pfizer dose 1 and 2

COVID-19: 1,470 new cases reported today

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

Health officials have confirmed that there are 1,470 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic.

As of 8am today, 367 people with the disease are in hospitals across the country, 59 of whom are in ICU.

The latest HSE data shows that the number of COVID-19 patients at University Hospital Galway has remained steady after declining from a high point over the weekend.

There were 26 confirmed cases at UHG as of Monday night, the same number as the day before.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are two confirmed cases, with neither of them receiving care in ICU.

Galway students receive CAO offers today

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily news student receives cao offer

Just over 3,000 students in Galway have received their first round CAO offers this afternoon, with points for many courses reaching a record high due to grade inflation.

A total of 82,175 offers were made to 55,221 CAO applicants nationally, made up of 49,358 Level 8 course offers and 32,817 Level 7 or 6 offers.

Fifty percent of the Level 8 offers are for applicants’ first preference course, and 39,063 (79%) are for one of their top three preferences.

Students must accept their offers by 3pm on Monday, September 13 and second round offers will be then available on the CAO website from 10am on September 20.

Eileen Keleghan, CAO Communications Officer, has asked applicants to carefully consider any offers received in this round.

“One of the common queries that we receive at the offers stage is around order of preference,” she said.

“Applicants who receive a lower preference offer can accept this offer and it will not prevent them from receiving an offer of a course higher up on their courses list in a later round should a place become available and they are deemed eligible.”

Eileen Keleghan said that who have received an offer in this round should also consider the current offer carefully as it may be the only one they will receive.

Minister Simon Harris reminded students this afternoon that there are many different pathways available as they prepare to take the next steps in life.

“Education is a lifelong journey and there is a huge range of options for you to develop knowledge and skills, and achieve your full potential,” he said.

“PLC courses and apprenticeships are just some of the options available, and I really want to encourage students to take some time to consider the pathway that suits you. Take a minute, breathe and look around.

“There is far more out there for you than you think, and it’s important to remember that there are other ways to achieve your goals – more than 11,000 people got CAO offers this year through alternate entry routes like further education. Look at www.fetchcourses.ie and see what interests you.”

Tough winter ahead at UHG, says Saolta CEO

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news tony canavan saying there will be problems at uhg

The CEO of Saolta Hospital Group’s Tony Canavan has said that there are big problems ahead for University Hospital Galway, and that more needs to be done to address them.

In an interview on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Tuesday, Tony Canavan said that the issues highlighted by Councillor Dáithí Ó Cualáin last week were accurate, and that there is no doubt but that this winter will be very difficult.

“Yesterday we had 23 people in the hospital with COVID-19, four in ICU. There was a large crowd attending A&E, and also a large amount of people on trolleys in A&E awaiting beds,” he said.

He said that they were working to tackle the issues, but that there would be no extra beds in UHG this year.

“We can’t put in more beds this winter in Galway, but there’s no doubt but that more beds are needed. We have a plan to build a new hospital in Merlin Park, but that’s a medium-term plan and we won’t have it this winter.”

“We won’t be able to put more beds in Galway this winter and that’s a big problem.

“We’re not sure that we won’t be able to do something temporary for next year, we’re looking at that. We hope to be able to do more, we have to do more.”

Tony Canavan also said that from the start of the summer, the numbers in the emergency department have been going up and up and that more people have attended A&E than in 2019.

“If we have problems like that already in the autumn, certainly we will have much bigger problems in the winter, there’s no doubt about it.”

Two Galway projects awarded funding to protect Salmon and Trout habitats

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news The rivers closed to Salmon and Sea Trout fishing in 2022

Two projects in Galway which aim to protect trout and salmon rivers habitats have been awarded more than €110,00 in funding.

Inland Fisheries Ireland is funding a total of €770,000 in 17 projects in eleven counties under the ‘Habitats and Conservation Scheme 2021’.

In the Corrib Catchment area, €82,000 has been allocated for enhancement works on drained channels of the Cloondahamper and Sinking Rivers on the Clare River, to improve the available habitat for salmon and sea trout at all life stages.

Another €30,000 will go towards creating a river management plan for the Dawros Catchment in Connemara.

This will have specific goals of identifying and prioritising rehabilitation measures which will benefit salmon and sea trout habitat and conservation.

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said that this projects are a strong example of “proactive conservation” of animals’ habitats.

“The scheme will support angling clubs, commercial fishermen and fishery owners in improving habitats, water quality and fish passage at a local grassroots level.”

“The works and studies supported by the scheme will also result in wider benefits for the environment,” Minister Ryan added.

The funding comes from two separate programmes run by Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund and the Midland Fisheries Fund.

Eligible angling clubs, commercial fishermen and fishery owners were invited to apply for financial assistance to support fisheries conservation projects in their local areas.

Suzanne Campion, Head of Business Development with Inland Fisheries Ireland said: “Protecting and conserving fish species, like Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout, is critical to the overall health of our eco-system.

She added that there are multiple threats to native fish, including invasive species, climate change, and water pollution, all of which are having a “damaging impact” on habitats.

Funding for the two schemes comes from the sale of licences and permits for angling and commercial fishing.

Exciting new festival to take place in Claregalway this month

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily news galway festival in claregalway

A new festival is set to take place in Claregalway this month featuring artists such as Lisa Hannigan, Tolü Makay, Wallis Bird, Nealo, Daithí, Jape, and DJ Sally Cinnamon.

Meet Me at the Castle will see all artists performing on Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 September in the grounds of Claregalway Castle from 2pm until 10.30pm.

In line with Government guidelines for the event’s capacity percentage, people will have to show their Digital Covid Certificate to attend.

Those with tickets to Hibernacle’s Meet me at the Castle will be able to explore the grounds of Claregalway Castle from 2pm until 10.30pm, where they will get to watch their favourite artists perform in new, unexpected ways and witness some magical collaborations.

They will also enjoy food and drink from local suppliers and dance to music provided by one of Ireland’s top DJs Sally Cinnamon, check out the early afternoon collaborative workshops where the artists will share songs and stories, then allow Hibernacle’s shuttle busses to bring them back to the centre of Galway.

The festival is the latest in a series of events by Hibernacle, the brainchild of three experienced and diverse event organisers: Úna Molloy, Pearse Doherty and Peter Kelly.

The first Hibernacle, a collaborative pilgrimage which took place in Doolin, Co. Clare during the week before Christmas brought musicians together for a restorative retreat during the height of the pandemic.

More recent Hibernacle events include Meet Me In The Garden, a series of collaborative shows at The Chestnut in Birr, Co. Offaly, and All Boats Rise – A month-long voyage by barge along the inland waterways of Ireland with folk duo Ye Vagabonds.

Water outages across west side of Galway City and suburbs today

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Water outages expected in Loughrea tomorrow

Homes and businesses across much of the west side of Galway City and nearby villages will experience water outages or supply disruptions today due to a burst water main.

Irish Water and the City Council are carrying out repairs to a major burst water main on the Siobhan McKenna Road.

The burst mains, which supplies the Clifton Hill and Tonabrucky reservoirs, was first reported by Irish Water shortly after 11:30pm last night.

The bust mains and repair works are disrupting the water supply to University Road, Lower Salthill, Salthill, and Knocknacarra in the city, as well as Barna and Moycullen villages.

Irish Water said that it is currently expected that the repair works will be completed by 4pm today.

“The repairs are being conducted as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to the area and restore water for all customers,” said Tim O’Connor of Irish Water.

“We understand the inconvenience unplanned outages can have on customers and we appreciate your patience as we work to return the water supply to homes and businesses as quickly as possible.”

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

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

COVID patient numbers steady at UHG

By
Briain Kelly
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0

The number of COVID-19 patients at University Hospital Galway has remained steady after declining from a high point over the weekend.

There were 26 confirmed cases at UHG as of Monday night, the same number as the day before but a significant decline from more than a week where there were over 30 cases at the hospital on any day.

Four of the patients at UHG are in the intensive care unit in serious condition, also unchanged from the day prior.

At Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are two confirmed cases, neither of which is in the ICU.

Nationwide there were 361 people in Ireland hospitalised with COVID-19 as of last night, of whom 59 are in the ICU.

Man due before court on €34,000 cannabis seizure

By
Briain Kelly
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galway daily courts Man charged with violent threats and arson

A man is due to appear before the courts this morning in connection with a €34,000 cannabis seizure in Galway City yesterday.

Gardaí seized 1.7kg of cannabis after searching a house in the Headford Road area on Monday.

The search was the result of a multi-agency operation involving Revenue Customs Service personnel, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit.

A man in his late 30s was arrested at the scene and detained overnight.

He has since been charged and is due to appear before Galway District Court at 10:30am this morning.

Man arrested after €34,000 cannabis seizure

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Man arrested after €34,000 cannabis seizure

One man has been arrested in connection with the seizure of €34,000 worth of cannabis by Gardaí in Galway City today.

As a result of a multi-agency operation, a house in the Headford Road area of the city was searched under warrant today.

During the course of this operation 1.7Kg of suspected cannabis herb with an estimated value of €34,000 was seized.

The operation involved personnel attached to the Revenue Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit.

A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene as a result of this drugs seizure.

He is presently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at the North Western Regional HQ in Murrough.

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