Taoiseach confirms delay of indoor dining return

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June 29, 2021

Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

A man was pronounced dead at hospital after being recovered from the waters of the River Corrib in Galway City yesterday.

Gardai and emergency services attended an incident at the Quincentenary Bridge at approximately 2:55pm on Monday.

A man, aged in his forties, was taken from the water by emergency services at the scene.

The man was then conveyed to University Hospital Galway, where he was later pronounced dead.

COVID-19: 305 new cases reported today

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June 28, 2021

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

Health officials have reported 305 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon in the Republic.

There are now 49 people with the virus in Irish hospitals, of whom 16 are in intensive care.

The Department of Health says that the daily case numbers may change due to future data review, validation and update.

No figures were provided for Galway today.

Galway participants needed for political internship for migrants

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June 28, 2021

galway daily news migrant councillor internship scheme

Immigrants and councillors in Galway have been urged to take part in the Migrant Councillor Internship Scheme.

The scheme, which was officially launched today by The Immigrant Council of Ireland, pairs local councillors with migrants who want to learn more about Irish politics and get involved in their local communities.

Following a successful pilot of the programme in 2018, the Immigrant Council will now run 15 local political internships across Ireland for migrants between September and December 2021.

Successful applicants will be placed with local participating councillors for one day a week – or the equivalent of seven hours spread over a number of days – for three months.

Commenting on the scheme, Teresa Buczkowska, Integration Manager at the Immigrant Council of Ireland said that for many migrants the lack of diversity and representation in key areas of Irish society is an ongoing visual reminder that we are still some distance away from being a fully inclusive society.

“The Immigrant Council is working to change this by promoting diversity and inclusion across all aspects of Irish life, especially politics,” said Teresa Buczkowska.

“With more migrant involvement in politics and in their local communities, we will see diversity in representation, and a truer reflection of the society we live in today.

“This is vital for young migrants who often tell us they don’t see themselves represented in many leadership areas in Ireland.”

Migrant Participation

Originally from Nigeria, Uruemu Adejinmi interned with Longford County Councillor Joe Flaherty in 2018. Following completion of the programme, Adejinmi was co-opted to the council where she is still serving and was recently elected as Mayor.

Commenting on the scheme, Cllr Adejinmi said: “Being part of the scheme really hammered home for me the importance of adequate representation in council meetings. Our presence at meetings is a reminder of the diversity of the population and helps ensure that our interests are considered in decision making.

“Participating on the scheme gave me a great opportunity to meet lots of people in the local community and learn firsthand what the role of a councillor involves. I would encourage any migrants with an interest in politics to consider taking part.”

Migrants living in Galway from outside the EEA who are interested in getting involved in the scheme must complete an online application form. The deadline for applications is Friday 23^rd July 2021.

An information session for migrants will take place on Wednesday, 30 June from 6pm – 7pm. Migrants interested in attending can register via the Immigrant Council website. www.immigrantcouncil.ie

An information session for councillors will then take place on Thursday 1 July from 6pm to 7pm. Councillors interested can email the Immigrant Council for further information. research_intern@immigrantcouncil.ie

Roadworks affecting traffic outside Loughrea today

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June 28, 2021

Galway Daily news Traffic disruption from roadworks

Traffic near Loughrea is being affected by a one day road closure today to enable roadworks to take place.

Galway County Council is carrying out road surfacing works on the R350 Loughrea to Bullaun road today.

In order to enable these works, the section of road being worked on will be closed until 6:30pm this evening.

Similar roadworks are being carried out on the L4303 road at Poppyhill today, with a road closure also in place until this evening.

Users of either of these roads are advised to expect delays and give themselves additional time for journeys today.

The works are being carried out by Colas Contracting Ltd on behalf of the county council.

Minister must outline how Brexit Adjustment Fund will be spent – Galway TD

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June 28, 2021

Galway Daily business €10m fund to help regional businesses adapt to COVID & Brexit

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has called on Minister Michael McGrath to outline how he plans to allocate the €1.05 billion that Ireland will receive as part of the Brexit Adjustment Fund.

The money is being allocated to countries and sectors worst-hit by Brexit, and the Government has identified their key target areas which include fisheries, enterprise supports, agri-food sector supports and retraining.

Deputy Farrell welcomed the fact that Ireland is set to receive the most sizeable amount from the €5.3 billion fund.

She also welcomed Minister Donohue saying that we are now much closer to seeing the funds disbursed in 2021.

But the Sinn Féin TD said that we are ‘still in the dark’ as to how the government plans to allocate this money.

“In January, Minister McGrath stated that ‘in the coming weeks’ he would ‘set out how we will maximise the benefit of the BAR for Ireland’, but we are still awaiting his plans,” said Deputy Farrell.

“Last week, he said that the money would go to support employment, businesses and local communities negatively affected by Brexit, including in the fishing industry. But no specifics were provided. There is no doubt that these are deserving sectors.

“With the Dáil set to go on recess shortly, the Minister should outline his plans before then, in order to give these hard-pressed sectors some certainty as they try to deal with the fallout of Brexit.”

Nightly water outages expected in Woodquay this week

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June 28, 2021

Galway Daily news Water outages in Moycullen

People living in the Woodquay area of Galway City may experience overnight water outages this week due to repair works on the local network.

Irish Water and the city Council are carrying out mains repair works at St Bridget’s Place, which are expected to take four days.

The works are scheduled to occur nightly, from 10:30pm until 3am the following morning, from Tuesday, June 29 to Friday, June 2.

These works may cause water outages or other supply disruptions to homes on St Bridget’s Place and surrounding areas of the city

People affected by this are advised that it may take 2 – 3 hours after works end each morning before their full supply returns.

Updates can be found on Irish Water’s supply and service website page, or on twitter @IWCare.

Average city house price rises by 13% in 12 months

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June 28, 2021

Galway Daily business Galway house prices increase 2.1%

House hunters in Galway will now spend an average of 13% more compared those who bought a home this time last year, a new Daft.ie report has found.

The average price of houses on the market in the city is now €313,360, a slight decrease of 2.5% on the first three months of this year.

But while house prices fell slightly in the city over the past three months, they rose by almost 10% in the county in the second quarter.

The average price of a house in the county is now €201,542 – up 11.8% since June 2020.

There were nearly 2,700 properties on the market in the Connacht – Ulster region on 1 June, down 40% from almost 4,500 on the same date a year ago.

Across the Republic, the average price has risen by 13% (nearly €33,000) over the last 12 months.

Ryan Lyons of Daft.ie said that the country desperately needs tens of thousands of new homes a year ‐ and for decades.

“Rather than cap the construction of new homes, as the government’s new Housing Need & Demand Assessment tool seeks to do, policy must do an about-face and look to boost the building of homes where they are needed,” he said.

TG4 confirms live coverage from Galway Races in July

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June 28, 2021

galway daily news tg4 live broadcast from galway races 2021 — Photo: Andrew Downes, Xposure.

Two days of racing from this year’s Galway Races Summer Festival will be broadcast live on TG4, the station has confirmed today.

The coverage on TG4 will be broadcast on 30 and 31 July and will include a packed race card with 15 races shown over the two days.

The live coverage from Ballybrit will be a welcome return to the racecourse for the Irish language broadcaster, who last aired the races in 2006.

2021 saw a concerted increase in Irish Horseracing coverage for the station, providing live racing to fans over 10 weeks from venues including Leopardstown, Punchestown, Naas, Cork, Limerick, Dundalk, Navan and Sligo.

Rásaí Beo will be presented by Seán Bán Breathnach, with analysis by Mánus Ó Conghaile and Evelyn Ní Ghriallais.

Racing journalist Daragh Ó Conchúir will be getting all the reactions from trainers, owners and jockeys outside the parade ring and race commentary will be provided by Cárthach Breathnach.

CEO of Galway Racecourse, Michael Moloney said: “We are delighted to have the team from TG4 broadcast live from Galway Racecourse on both the Friday and Saturday of our Summer Festival this year.

“In the current times, we really miss our loyal supporters here in Ballybrit that come year after year, and bring such magic to our event, so this news that they can get close to the action this Summer is very much welcomed.

“The Galway Races is a multi-generational event and such a huge part of Summer tradition and Irish culture.”

He said that in total, viewers at home throughout Ireland tuning into TG4 will get to see fifteen races live on television, and will feature The Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase, and The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap with a total prize fund in excess of €500,000 over the two days.

“The team at TG4 have always been hugely progressive and are great supporters of Irish racing and our Festival,” added Mr Moloney.

“On behalf of our fans and the Galway Race Committee, I would like to thank them for making this happen. We look forward to working with the team in TG4 both in the build up to and during race week.”

TG4’s Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha said that horse racing became an integral part of the station’s sporting output this year, and said that they are looking forward to continuing this with TG4’s free-to-air coverage from Ireland’s largest horse racing meet.

“We are particularly excited to be back in Ballybrit for the first time in 15 years, and to bring all the thrills that comes with this iconic festival to the viewers at home,” said Rónán Ó Coisdealbha.

The full TG4 Galway Races schedule
FRIDAY 30 JULY

Live coverage begins on TG4 at 3.45pm

1st race, 4pm: The James’s Gate Maiden Hurdle

2nd race, 4.30pm: The Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

3rd race, 5pm: The Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle

4th race, 5.30pm: The Guinness Handicap Hurdle

5th race, 6.05pm: The Guinness Beginners Steeplechase

6th race, 6.40pm: The Arthur Guinness Steeplechase
7th race, 7.10pm: The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase

SATURDAY 31 JULY
Live coverage begins on TG4 at 12.30pm
1st race, 12.50pm: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden
2nd race, 1.22pm: The Galway Shopping Centre Maiden
3rd race, 1.57pm: The O’Leary Insurances Handicap
4th race, 2.32pm: The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap
5th race, 3.10pm: The Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden
6th race, 3.45pm: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap
7th race, 4.20pm: The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap
8th race, 4.50pm: The McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap

Call for city council to use CPOs on vacant homes

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June 28, 2021

Galway daily news Fianna Fáil City Councillor calls for extension of eviction ban

Galway City Council should tackle the number of vacant homes around the city through the use of compulsory purchase orders, a city councillor said.

Councillor Alan Cheevers said that the council should use CPOs on vacant properties in order to add stock for people on waiting lists for housing.

“I believe it’s time to act now, and to penalize the landlords who have left houses vacant for a long period.”

“I believe it not acceptable that it is taking so long for Galway City to Compulsory Purchase some of these long term vacant properties,” Alan Cheevers said.

He cited the example of Louth County Council, which has led the country in recent years in the use of CPOs to acquire vacant properties and bring them back into use.

Councillor Cheevers also said that the site of the Corrib Great Southern Hotel, where demolition works have been delayed, could also be used for accommodation on the east side of the city if it was CPO’ed.

Demolition works were due to begin at the long derelict former hotel on the Dublin Road last December, but were delayed due to COVID-19.

COVID-19: 340 new cases reported today

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June 27, 2021

Health officials have reported 340 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon.

There are now 47 people in hospitals across the State with the disease, of whom 15 are in intensive care units.

The Department of Health says that the daily case numbers may change due to future data review and update.

No county breakdown was provided today.

Galway lotto player scoops €54,511 prize

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June 27, 2021

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

One lucky lotto player in Athenry has picked up a €54,511 bonus to help them enjoy the summer after last night’s draw.

A player in Athenry came within a hair’s breadth of winning the top prize, after securing the Match 5 + Bonus yesterday evening.

The winning lotto ticket was sold sold at Athenry Post Office on Bridge Street on Thursday, June 24.

The winning numbers on Saturday were 10, 14, 21, 22, 35, 44 and the Bonus Number was 13.

There was no winner of the overall jackpot of €4,070,616 on Saturday, which will now roll over to next week’s pot.

But there was one fresh millionaire made on Saturday, as a player in Clare scooped the top prize in the Daily millions draw.

Bench warrant issued for defiant no-show

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June 27, 2021

A bench warrant was issued this week for a man who informed Gardaí that there was no way he was going to be coming to court.

Paul Finaly (37), of Killimor, Ballinasloe, was meant to appear before Galway District Court this week on road traffic matters.

However, he failed to appear, and the court heard evidence from the Gardaí that he said he would not be coming under any circumstances.

He told Gardaí that the court could issue as many bench warrants as it wanted.

“As many as I wanted,” remarked Judge Deirdre Gearty on hearing this. “I’ll have to pace myself”.

Sergeant Cathal Rodgers, presenting for the state, said that they would be looking for a bench warrant, which the judge granted.

Galway TD calls for restoration of pension payment at 65

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June 27, 2021

Galway Daily news Lack of Island specific group in LEADER programme criticised

People who retire at the age of 65 should have their right to a full pension rate restored, Galway TD Claire Kerrane said.

Deputy Kerrance, and fellow Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly brought a private members motion to the Dáil this week calling on the government to restore the full pension rate to people who retire at 65, and also protect workers from mandatory retirement at the same age.

“These workers have worked hard all their lives, paid their taxes, paid into the system and who deserve their pension at the full rate,” Claire Kerrane said.

Currently, the age for to qualify for the state pension of €248.30 is 66 years old, and for the year in between, people who retire at 65 have to go on Jobseekers benefit, or a new payment of €203 a week introduced this year.

But even this newly created transitional payment still leaves people who retire at 65, many of whom had no choice in the matter, approximately €2,300 a year worse off.

Sinn Féin called on the government to guarantee a State Pension transition payment that matches the level of the pension payent.

Speaking in favour of the motion in the Dáil this week, Claire Kerrane highlight the cost of living in Ireland, which is significantly higher than the majority of EU countries.

“A EUROSTAT report was issued today showing that prices in Ireland for goods and services are the joint second highest in Europe and were 36% higher than the average across the EU last year.”

“We are one of the most expensive countries in Europe for food. Utility bills are 78% more expensive than the EU average. We really should leave the argument in relation to how adequate our rates are right there.”

Minister of State Damien English criticised Sinn Féin for condemning the level of payment in the Republic, while in Northern Ireland, where they are part of the government, the contributory State pension comes to £175, or about €195.

“Repeatedly, we in the South are expected to judge Sinn Féin on what they say they would do if they were in government in the South, not what they actually do when they are in government in the North.”

The motion brought forward by deputies Kerrane and O’Reill also called for the state to ban any mandatory retirement at the age of 65.

“This is about choice- workers who wish to work beyond the age of 65 must be allowed to do so,” Claire Kerrane said.

“Sinn Féin’s motion gives workers the choice at 65 to continue to work or to retire on the full pension rate, so that workers can decide. To force workers to retire at 65 is unjust.”

Galway Chamber among big winners at annual Chamber Awards

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June 27, 2021

Galway Daily business Galway Chamber among big winners at annual Chamber Awards

Galway Chamber was recently named the winner of the Best Partnership for Business Award at the national Chamber Awards 2021.

The annual awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by Zurich, recognise the outstanding work of chambers of commerce throughout the country in supporting local, regional and national business

Galway Chamber won the Best Partnership award for working with Medtronic, Laya Healthcare, Jigsaw and Yoga Mara on a mindfulness campaign.

Aengus Burns, President of Galway Chamber said that mindfulness and mental health are extremely important topics, which are deserving of greater attention.

“By sharing these resources, we hope to help grow the conversation in businesses, leading to positive change. We are delighted that this campaign is recognised at a national level by Chambers Ireland.”

The Mindfulness Month campaign which took place over five weeks last November, focused on five pillars: Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit.

The campaign aimed to open up conversations around mindfulness, self-care and mental health, while also providing a series of resources for their members.

These resources focused on practical elements such as working virtually, identifying stress and burnout as well as family supports on bullying, struggles of a working parent, the benefits of mindfulness on our physical health and spiritual tools like yoga and relaxation.

Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland Ian Talbot said, “Chambers have been incredibly active over the last year adapting to change, overcoming challenges and, most importantly, supporting their members.”

“While it has been a year like no other, our judging panel was hugely impressed with the quality of work that was delivered throughout this period.”

“Galway Chamber’s victory in the Best Partnership for Business category is richly deserved and I’m very pleased to congratulate them on their success.”

Further information on the mindfulness campaign by Galway Chamber of Commerce can be found here.

Decision must be made on indoor reopening on Monday

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June 27, 2021

galway daily news pubs reopening on july 5th in ireland

Senator Ollie Crowe has said that the Government must make a decision on the planned full reopening of pubs and restaurants by tomorrow, Monday.

Indoor dining and drinking is scheduled to resume in just over a week, allowing over 25,000 staff to return to work.

But there are now doubts about whether the reopening will go ahead as planned.

The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) explained that the eight weeks until the end of August are vital for publicans, as summer is their only hope of salvaging anything from 2021.

Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, said that the comments from Government ministers that the 5 July reopening may be delayed is causing huge upset and concern in the hospitality sector.

He said that the way that publicans are being treated is unacceptable, and that the full reopening must go ahead as we are already lagging behind mainland Europe and Britain.

“There are just eight weeks in the summer season for pubs to recoup some of the massive losses accumulated over the past 15 months, so to tell publicans they may lose any of those weeks will devastate the trade,” he said.

Mr Cribben added that pubs are busy rehiring staff and ordering stock – and that this new uncertainty places them in an impossible position.

“They need immediate confirmation that reopening on 5 July will proceed as planned,” he said.

“The fact Government will not make a final decision until Friday 2 July – just three days before reopening – illustrates how detached Ministers are from the realities of running a business. The mental stress this uncertainty is placing on our members cannot be overstated.

“The easing of restrictions and reopening of society has been a relatively smooth process that publicans support, including the resumption of outdoor trade on 7 June. It’s beyond belief we are now thinking of going backwards while the rest of Europe moves forward.

“Pubs in England reopened indoors on 17 May while pubs in Northern Ireland have been fully open for over four weeks. Denmark is allowing 40,000 spectators attend Euro 2020 matches.”

Man due before court on €140,000 cocaine seizure

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June 26, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man charged in connection

A man in his 20s is due to appear before Galway District Court this evening in connection with the seizure of €140,000 worth of cocaine in Galway City.

A house in the Newcastle Road area of the city was searched by Gardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit on Friday, June 25.

During the course of the search, they found and seized €140,000 worth of suspected cocaine, and over €2,800 in cash.

One man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and detained at Galway Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice, (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

He has now been charged and is due before a special sitting of the District Court on Saturday evening.

COVID-19: 443 new cases, 13 in the ICU

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June 26, 2021

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

There have been a further 443 new cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today.

There are 43 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Ireland, of whom 13 are in the Intensive Care Unit.

County breakdowns of the daily case numbers remain unavailable.

These numbers may change in the future after data review and validation takes place.

Concerns have been mounting that a further easing of restrictions might be pushed back by the government, in particular the resumption of indoor dining on July 5.

NPHET has raised concerns about the Delta variant taking hold in Ireland, but no firm decision has been made yet.

Light Ballet on the Shannon connects people, landscape and creativity

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June 26, 2021

Galway daily arts Light Ballet on the Shannon connects people, landscape and creativity — Light Ballet on Lough Derg. Photo Credit Emilija Jefremova

The stunning Light Ballet installation which lit up the skies of eight counties over the course of its voyage down the Shannon, came to the end of its journey in Portumna recently.

The light installation piece, which was made for the ten day Brightening Air experience, made its maiden voyage this month from June 13 – 20.

The installation piece set off from Lough Key in County Roscommon, and travelled through Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Tipperary, Clare, before finishing at Portumna on Lough Derg.

Created by Irish Light Artist Mick Murray and Lighting Designer Matthew Cregan, the installation was accompanied by a newly composed soundscape by David Kitt with words from Poet Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe

The light installation and soundscape were synchronised in real-time which allowed audiences to experience the soundscape at home, along the edgelands or those in-between places through their phones, tablets or computers.

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“Light Ballet, surpassed my expectations. The zoom calls during the day with the school children we collaborated with as part of the Light Ballet Education Project really made it for me,” said Matthew Cregan.

He said that he was pleased to show children an art form that they never new existed, and also praised Kitt’s work on the soundscape, which enhanced the art form and sat well in the landscape it passed.

“It was lovely being on the shore and hearing everyone watching and listening to the soundscape in sync with the installation.”

“Light Ballet was such a unique experience and I am grateful to have created it alongside Mick and thankful to the Arts Council for the opportunity and to our partners for their support.”

Mick Murray commented that this was a “mammoth” undertaking, and that one of their biggest goals was to connect with communities along the Shannon.

“The boating community we met along the journey was very supportive and engaged. Every time we passed someone on the river or at a lock and explained the artwork we got words of great encouragement, followed by “we saw light ballet” a few days later when we passed again.”

“They also helped spread the word and to explain how to connect with the soundscape to others, creating a great atmosphere about Light Ballet on the water and from as early on at Lough key. It was really nice to see an audience so engaged.”

In the coming weeks you will be able to watch the full Light Ballet experience online via the Culture Works website.

Replacement primary school needed for Barna – Kyne says

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June 26, 2021