Second rejection of controversial Doughiska development from An Bord Pleanála

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June 24, 2021

galway daily news seán canney welcomes western rail corridor report

A Galway East TD has welcomed the publication of the Bradley Report on the feasibility of the Western Rail Corridor Phase 2 and Phase 3.

Seán Canney said that the report sets out the capital cost of €154 million and demonstrates a cost benefit greater than 1.0 which meets the public spending code.

“The long-term benefits of the railway are also clearly demonstrated in this report for towns such as Tuam,” said the Independent TD.

“This project will set the tone for Regional Development and Climate Action as this project brings economic benefits. This project is shovel ready and could be up and running by 2025.”

Deputy Canney says that he trusts the Government will take this study seriously which was researched by Dr John Bradley, a researcher at the ERSI.

“The Government need to ensure delivery of this project by including it in the National Development Plan,” he added.

“It is essential infrastructure in order to deliver the aspirations of the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) including balanced development.

“Towns like Tuam, Athenry and Claremorris will benefit enormously with the development of public transport, rail freight and tourism potential for the region.

“The project ticks all the Climate Action boxes by removing cars and lorries from our roads and providing connectivity between our towns and cities including Westport, Ballina, Claremorris, Tuam, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford.”

Farrell condemns lack of affordable rental apartments in Crown Square

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June 24, 2021

galway daily mairead farrell td sinn fein nurses midwives pay

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has condemned the lack of affordable rental apartments in the proposed development for 345 apartments as Crown Square in Mervue.

Deputy Farrell said that it is absolutely shocking that not a single one of the 345 units will be affordable rental.

“For all the government’s waffle about the housing crisis being it’s number one priority, the situation continues to get worse,” said the Sinn Féin TD and Mervue resident.

“Rents continue to rise, cuckoo funds continue to flock here, and more upward pressure is applied to rents in a vicious circle. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear from constituents fearful that their children won’t be able to live in the area they are from.

“Those fears are well founded. They cannot afford the rents and they cannot afford to buy. The situation that is set to play out in Crown Square is being repeated all over the country.”

Deputy Farrell said that there are developments which have yet to lay a brick, but have already been sold to cuckoo funds – and that we know how these cuckoo funds operate.

She said that they are investing in property not to support the public good, but as an asset of speculation.

“They are duty bound to their shareholders to seek the highest possible return. That return is based on maximising the rental yield that they can get, which they then return to their shareholders in the form of a distribution.

“And often when they cannot find a tenant to pay these extortionate rents, they are quite happy to let the property sit idle.”

Galway man accused of rape sent forward for trial

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June 23, 2021

Glway Daily courts Man brought before court on large number of rape charges

A Galway man accused of sexual offences, including rape, has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court.

The man in his late 20s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Galway District Court today.

He faces three alleged charges, two of rape and one of aggravated sexual assault, all against the same female victim.

The offences are alleged to have occurred at an address in Galway City in late 2019.

A book of evidence was served on the accused today, and he was returned for trial to the present sitting of the Central Criminal Court.

The accused man was remanded on the same bail conditions as on previous court dates.

COVID-19: Health officials report 348 new cases today

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June 23, 2021

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

The Department of Health has reported 348 new cases of COVID-19 this afternoon.

There are 41 people in hospitals in the Republic with the virus, of whom 13 are in intensive care.

Health officials say that the daily case numbers could be changed due to data validation and review.

No county breakdown was provided by the department today.

Galway native creates inspiring self-help workbook

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June 23, 2021

galway daily news pathfinder programme sexlf-help book cancer survivor

Clodagh Blighe from Galway City has written an inspiring self-help workbook designed to help guide people who find themselves at a crossroads in their lives.

The HR Professional and business coach from Knocknacarra began writing Pathfinder Programme during her cancer journey and completed it as a lockdown project to mark her third anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.

The book is packed with fantastic tools, techniques and templates to help people embark on a transformational journey of self-discovery, inspiration and hope.

Pathfinder Program is available from the National Breast Cancer Research Institute Website www.breastcancerresearch.ie/shop for €15 plus €2.50 postage and packaging.

All of the profits from the sales of Pathfinder Programme will go to the research team at the National Breast Cancer Research Institute at the Lambe Institute, NUI Galway.

The research is led by Prof. Michael Kerin who looked after Clodagh during her breast cancer journey.

Galway pizzeria named in list of best pizzas in… Europe!

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June 23, 2021

galway daily news pizza galway dough bros best pizza restaurant

It is a well-known fact that most of the best pizzas in the world can be found in Italy, but a pizzeria here in Galway has been included in an extensive list of the 50 best pizzas in all of Europe.

The Dough Bros in Galway City is included at number 27 in the new guide of the best pizzerias in the continent by well-known travel website Big 7 Travel.

The pizzeria on Middle Street is famous in the city for its Neapolitan-style pizza, topped with Italian and local Irish salami and cheese.

They have mastered the art of woodfired pizza in the restaurant – and they even expanded during the pandemic to offer DIY pizza kits for those craving their pizza fix at home.

Unsurprisingly, the number one spot on the list was reserved for a pizzeria in Naples – the home of pizza itself.

Pizzeria Da Michele is popular with locals and tourists, and while there are sometimes queues, they are well worth the wait.

Watch | St. Pat’s Virtual Open Day tour with stunning aerial footage of city

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June 23, 2021

galway daily news st.pats virtual open day tour galway city

St. Pat’s in the City Centre’s new virtual open day tour is beautifully shot, featuring aerial footage of the city centre and the school’s pupils litter picking and visiting sights across the city.

Watch below

NUIG marks World Refugee Day by announcing 12 Scholarship places

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June 23, 2021

2 - (L-R) Bulelani Mfaco and Simba Tshoga join NUI Galway student Precious Jubane attend a vigil at the Quad, NUI Galway, to mark World Refugee Day. — (L-R) UCD PhD student Bulelani Mfaco and GMIT student Simba Tshoga join NUI Galway student Precious Jubane at a vigil at the Quad, NUI Galway, to mark World Refugee Day. Photo: Aengus McMahon.

Twelve scholarships for the upcoming academic year have been announced by NUI Galway for International Protection Applicants, refugees, vulnerable immigrant groups and Irish Travellers.

The announcement by the University coincided with World Refugee Day which was held on Sunday.

Over the weekend, NUI Galway’s Quadrangle building was lit with the blue of the United Nations in solidarity with those seeking international protection around the world.

Student Precious Jubane along with Imelda Byrne, Head of Access Centre, NUI Galway and Aidan Harte, Coordinator NUI Galway University of Sanctuary. Photo: Aengus McMahon.

President of NUI Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said: “At the heart of NUI Galway’s values are respect and openness, and the University is proud to be in a position to support students through our University of Sanctuary scholarship programme.

“The University’s role for the public good can be seen in many strands of our work: it is particularly and profoundly meaningful when we provide opportunities for some of the more vulnerable sections of society and for people who are striving to excel.”

NUI Galway’s Youth Academy will also offer a number of free places on their July summer camps to international protection applicants, refugees, vulnerable immigrant groups and Irish Travellers to mark World Refugee Day.

The weekly summer camps will run from 12-16 July, and 19-23 July. To book a place on the summer camps, or for more information please email youthacademy@nuigalway.ie

The 12 scholarship applications for International Protection Applicants, refugees, vulnerable immigrant groups and Irish Travellers opened on Monday at 9am, and information can be found at http://www.nuigalway.ie/sanctuary/scholarships/

Road closure for one day roadworks north of Loughrea

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June 23, 2021

A road closure will in place until Wednesday evening to enable roadworks taking place on a local road north of Loughrea.

Galway County Council is carrying out road surfacing works on the L4301 road between Mullagh Cross and Cloonlahan Brodge today.

The road will be closed to traffic today until 6:30pm in order to facilitate these roadworks.

As a consequence, motorists in the area are advised to expect delays, and to give themselves additional time for journeys.

Galway writer fends off competition at Dalkey Literary awards

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June 23, 2021

Galway writer Elaine Feeney has been honoured as one of the big winners at this year’s Dalkey Literary Awards for her debut novel As You Were.

Feeney won the best Emerging Writer Award at the 2021 awards at the Dalkey Literary Festival, not only getting the acclaim, but a €10,000 prize.

As You Were tells the story of tough, driven, funny young property developer Sineád Hynes, who is hiding a terrible secret.

No-one knows her secret, not her fellow patients in a failing hospital, and certainly not her family. She has confided only in Google and a shiny magpie.

Across the ward, Margaret Rose is running her chaotic family from her rose-gold Nokia.

In the neighbouring bed, Jane, rarely but piercingly lucid, is searching for a decent bra and for someone to listen. Sinéad needs them both.

As You Were is about intimate histories, institutional failures, the kindness of strangers, and the darkly present past of modern Ireland.

It is about women’s stories and women’s struggles. It is about seizing the moment to be free

The judges panel described As You Were as a “turbulent firestorm of a book, with a pulsing, rhythmic narrative voice”.

They praised the compellingly characters, pitch perfect dialogue, calling the book “tender, nuanced, forensically controlled and thrillingly unrestrained.”

Feeney, who teaches at NUI Galway and St Jarlath’s College in Tuam, has already published three collections of poetry, Where’s Katie?, The Radio was Gospel, Rise, and a drama piece, WRoNGHEADED.

As for this recognition granted to her fiction debut with the Best Emerging Writer award, she said that it is a huge honour, and that she was thrilled to br part of such an amazing shortlist of writers.

“Though no one forces anyone to write a book, it’s often a long journey, my journey was filled with self-doubt, and at times obsession – so it’s reassuring to have my work recognised by the judges.

“An award like Dalkey can really help an artist buy some time to be creative, to take time to work on your art, (and not feel guilty about it) so I’m very grateful.”

Feeney was one of six writers shortlisted for best Emerging Writer at the awards.

The overall winner of Novel of the Year went to Maggie O’Farrell for her book Hamnet.

‘Shovel ready’ Newcastle community centre project needs funding – Grealish

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June 23, 2021

Galway Daily news Galway TD Newcastle community centre

Galway TD Noel Grealish has said that a much needed community centre for the Newcastle area of Galway City is ready to go if funded, and asked the government to commit to funding for such construction projects.

Speaking in the Dáil, Noel Grealish said that the site for the proposed Newcastle Community Centre is shovel ready, as a community led committee already raised the money for purchasing the site, and subsequently secured planning permission.

There has been €200,000 raised for the project by the local community already, Deputy Grealish said, and Galway City Council has committed another €900,000. This comes to almost a third of the €3.8 million estimated price tag of the poject.

“There has long been a need for such a facility in the Newcastle and neighbouring Dangan areas, especially since the only hotel in the area, a focal point for the community, closed in recent years.”

He added that Newcastle is a “maturing area” with one third of the population in the area listed as over 60 years old in the last census.

“People in the area need a facility like this within easy reach of their homes. They need somewhere to meet up with their neighbours, enjoy social activities or take further educational courses will become more pronounced as the population matures further.”

“All that is needed is adequate funding for this project. Those involved have ambitious plans to contribute to the health and wellness of the local community, as well as providing educational opportunities and accommodating sporting activity.”

With the money raised by the local community, and the commitment from Galway City Council, that leaves a shortfall of €2.9 million for the facility to serve the community of 6,000 people.

Deputy Grealish asked Taoiseach Michéal Martin to commit to establishing a community centre fund to provide capital support for building projects like this.

Beyond the initial cost of construction, Noel Grealish said that the local community is committed to ensuring the long term viability of the community centre by using it to also generate income which will cover the operating costs.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar acknowledged that there has “never really been” a dedicated capital fund for community centres nationwide.

While the €4.5 million community enhancement fund launched in May of this year is open to all community groups, the Taoiseach said that the “scale of allocation” in this fund is unlikely to be enough for this project.

He added that a review of the national development plan, being carried out by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath, is examining the introduction of a dedicated programme for large scale grants for community centre projects.

The Taoiseach also said that he would speak with Ministers Heather Humphreys and Darragh O’Brien to see what could be done in conjunction with the city council in the meantime.

“I will certainly pursue that with the Ministers involved to see whether, in conjunction with the local authority, we can do more to make sure that what is a shovel-ready project can actually be brought to fruition.”

Plans for digital hub in long vacant Loughrea property

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June 22, 2021

Galway Daily news Plans for digital hub in long vacant Loughrea property

Planning permission is being sought from Galway County Council to convert a vacant premises in Loughrea town centre into a café and digital enterprise hub.

The ground floor premises on Station Road in Loughrea, which are part of the three storey Railway House building, have been vacant for almost 13 years due to a lack of interest from retailers.

Approval is now being sought from the county council to change its permitted usage from retail to a ‘Community Digital Hub’, which will include a café, high speed broadband access, podcast studio, virtual conferencing rooms, event space, stage & exhibition area, digital work stations, and business mentoring/training spaces.

Galway County Council refused approval for plans to convert this space to serviced offices in March of this year, saying that allowing it would result in too much office space at this location.

Owner Padraig Sweeney has now partnered with UK company Comworks to develop the location as a digital enterprise hub, similar to one which they opened in Cork.

The application states that this will be a “community space, designed to support enterprise, innovation and entrepreneurship in Loughrea and the greater east Galway area”.

The plan is to create a “high tech community environment, increasing the standard of meeting facilities & virtual conferencing facilities available to the public.”

“Business mentoring, incubation services and early supports are provided for start-ups and established businesses, connecting directly with the local enterprise office, Enterprise Ireland and our own support system”.

The application also states that it will provide a space for third level students who have difficulty accessing high speed broadband, regularly host skilling events, and provide easier access to modern facilities for people in the area with responsibilities such as children or caring for a family member.

A decision from the council is due on this fresh planning application by July 14.

COVID-19: 294 new cases reported today

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June 22, 2021

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

The Department of Health has reported 294 new cases of COVID-19 this evening.

There are now just 39 people with COVID-19 in hospitals in the State. Of those, a third are in intensive care.

Health officials have said that the daily case numbers could change due to data validation.

No figures were provided for Galway today.

Family of long missing Barbara Walsh want to lay their mother to rest

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June 22, 2021

Galway Daily news Family of long missing Barbara Walsh want to lay their mother to rest

The family of Barbara Walsh, who went missing in Carna 36 years ago today, have appealed for anyone who may know something to come forward so that they can lay their mother to rest.

Gardaí today made a renewed appeal for information regarding the disappearance of Barbara Walsh, who was last seen at her home in Rusheenamanagh, Carna in the early hours of June 22, 1985.

In particular An Garda Síochána are appealing to the wider Carna community for their assistance, and believe that individuals in this Gaeltacht community have information which may provide Barbara’s family with some answers.

On Friday June 21, 1985 Barbara held a party at her house in Rusheenamanagh in Carna. She was last seen at her home at 4am on June 22, 1985. Her family have not seen or heard from her since.

An Garda Síochána in Galway have been working closely with Barbara’s family over the years. Her children, siblings and extended family want to know what happened to her.

Detective Sergeant Colm Mac Donnachadha said that this is still a live investigation, and that they believe people in the community may have information that would be of assistance.

“Carna is a close-knit Gaeltacht community and we believe there are people in this community who may have information that can help our investigation.”

“We are appealing to the people in the community surrounding Rusheenamanagh to come forward with any piece of information however small and allow An Garda Síochána to evaluate its importance in unlocking this mystery”.

“We are conscious that we now live in a very different era to 1985 and now with that passage of time, people may feel more comfortable sharing information with us.”

Barbara’s daughter Jacqueline Walsh said “We know our mother did not leave us on the morning of June 22, 1985. Not knowing what has happened to her all these years has taken a significant toll on us all as a family.”

“We just want to know where she is so we can bring her home, and lay her to rest,” she added.

“We are appealing to anyone who has information – now is the time to come forward. We want our mother back, we want to know what happened on June 22, 1985, and we want that information to come to light, no matter what that might mean.”

Gardaí conducted a full review of the case in 2015, and a series of searches in the area around her home were carried out at the time with the assistance of the Garda Technical Bureau, a cadaver dog from the UK, and also a forensic anthropologist.

An Garda Síochána have also liaised with Interpol during the course of the investigation, and have not found any information that would indicate Barbara left the jurisdiction.

Gardaí say they will continue to act on any information received in order to find answers for Barbara’s family, who are desperate to finally find their mother.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 250 025, Salthill Garda Station on 091-514720, any Garda Station, the confidential line 1800 666 111.

Challenge CC members to take on 555km cycle race for Down Syndrome Galway

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June 22, 2021

DONATE to the fundraiser for Down Syndrome Galway HERE!

MainPhoto — Eoin McGrath & Sean Duignan from Challenge Cycling Club with Alfie Newcombe and Eimear O'Connell.

Several members of the Challenge Cycling Club based in Oranmore are preparing to take on the gruelling Donegal Atlantic Way Ultra Race in aid of Down Syndrome Galway.

The annual race takes place on 2 July this year and involves covering over 555 kilometres non-stop in 24 hours.

Challenge CC chairperson Eoin McGrath along with Sean Duignan and other club members will take part in the race after the club announced it will partner with Down Syndrome Galway as their charity for the rest of 2021.

Donations are now being accepted through the official idonate fundraising page.

Eoin McGrath said that in recent months they have been made aware of the impact COVID-19 has had on some local charities and the struggles they face as they re-emerge from lockdown.

“Down Syndrome Galway is a small organisation providing vital services for children and young adults with Down Syndrome,” said Mr McGrath.

“They have a centre in Claregalway and have been forced to close their doors during lockdown.

“Having recently visited the Claregalway base and met some of the children and parents, I can see first-hand the great work done.”

Down Syndrome Galway provides information, support and friendship to people with Down syndrome and their families across Galway, working towards an improved quality of life for people with Down Syndrome.

The charity receives no state funding and relies solely on donations and fundraising events to keep its centres up and running.

The centres provide a range of vital services including occupational therapy, adult education courses, speech and language, mother and toddler groups, social groups for ages, and cinema nights.

The charity’s chairperson in Claregalway said: “To provide our vital services we rely solely on fundraising and all our normal events have not been able to go ahead.

“Our members have adapted and come up with new ideas and having a group like Challenge Cycling Club partner with us is fantastic.

“We are indebted to them and look forward to working with them.”

Pandemic unemployment numbers fall again in Galway

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June 22, 2021

Galway Daily news Four Galway community groups awarded funding for special transport vehicles

Another 1,465 people in Galway have come off the pandemic unemployment payment in the past week.

This week’s figures from the Department of Social Protection show 13,218 people in Galway in receipt of PUP, down from 14,683 last week.

Nationwide, the government is making €72 million in payments to just over 244,000 people still out of work due to COVID-19. In addition, approximately €1 million is being paid in PUP arrears this week.

From July 1, the PUP scheme will be closed to new entrants, and people who lose their job after that point will instead be directed to jobseekers or other pre-pandemic unemployment schemes.

It is currently expected that the pandemic unemployment payment scheme will be gradually wound down from September, with a reduction in rates starting from September 7.

Commenting on today’s figures, Minister Heather Humphreys said that this is the first time this year that the number of people on PUP has fallen below 250,000, and the lowest number since last October.

“This clearly demonstrates that Ireland is re-opening its economy successfully and I want to pay tribute to both workers and employers for the role they are playing.”

“It is very encouraging to see businesses re-open and employees returning to work, in particular in the accommodation and food services sector.”

While the accommodation and food services sector still has the largest share of people on PUP at 64,675, it also saw the largest decline in the past week, with 12,705 fewer people receiving the payment compared to last week.

This is followed by Wholesale and Retail Trade with 2,429 fewer people receiving the payment compared to last week, and the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector, which saw a decline of 1,285.

The PUP figures published today are in addition to the 171,699 people who were on the Live Register at the end of May.

Dublin remains the county with the highest number of people who are receiving the pandemic unemployment payment this week at 87,416, followed by Cork (22,532) and Galway.

Four Galway students to visit Austria for prestigious International Summer Academy

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June 22, 2021

Screenshot 2021-06-21 21.22.24 — NUI Galway students Emma Urquhart and Aoife Prendergast from Galway

Four NUI Galway students are preparing to visit Austria next month to participate in the International Summer Academy in Engineering for Women.

Computer Science student, Emma Urquuhart from Co. Galway, and Engineering students, Niamh Hennigan from Co. Clare, Aoife Roche from Co. Wexford, and Aoife Prendergast from Co. Galway, were awarded scholarships to attend the academy last year – but their plans were put on hold due to the global pandemic.

NUI Galway has put in place rigorous travel arrangements, meaning the students are able to travel to the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria in July to attend the academy.

The Academy, offered to only 30 female students from 15 different countries, is a two-and-a-half-week programme combining theory with hands-on practical experience in engineering, informatics and natural sciences.

Mary Dempsey, Vice Dean in the College of Science and Engineering at NUI Galway, said that while students have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in adapting to remote learning over the last 15 months, peer learning opportunities have been limited.

“Following a rigorous outgoing mobility assessment process, Emma, Aoife, Niamh and Aoife will be the first Science and Engineering students from NUI Galway to travel abroad for study since 2020,” said Mary Dempsey.

“They will have an opportunity to work with other students in STEM fields, broaden their technical and scientific knowledge and once again experience learning in a collegiate environment.”

Computer Science student, Emma Urquuhart said: “We are really looking forward to embarking on our trip to Upper Austria to participate in the Summer Academy.

“After our initial applications to the Academy was accepted, we completed outward mobility assessments in NUI Galway to ensure that we are prepared for our first foreign excursion since the beginning of the pandemic.

“We are eager to embrace this opportunity to broaden our knowledge of our respective fields of study, and hope to learn about how different areas of engineering can complement each other through the teamwork projects and variety of workshops we will be partaking in.

“The unique cultural experience will undoubtedly be a highlight of the trip for us. We are excited to explore the region of Wels, make friends from different countries and gain new perspectives on engineering on the global scale.

“We appreciate the support of the scholarships and are very grateful to NUI Galway for granting us this wonderful opportunity.”

Call for increased funding for Local Improvement Scheme

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June 22, 2021

galway daily news road sean canney call for funding country road in galway

A Galway TD has called on the Government to increase the amount of funding for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) to deal with the volume of applications received.

Independent TD Seán Canney said that Galway County Council have a total of 237 valid applications with a total estimated cost of €10.8 million.

“This year the Council allocation is €876,952 which equates to 28 roads being facilitated out the 237 applications. This funding represents less than 10% of the amount needed,” the East Galway TD said.

He said that the LIS scheme is a very good system of surfacing roads that are not in charge of the Council and in many cases these roads are valuable local amenities servicing land and bogs.

“They also act as a facility for safe walking and cycling as part of the active travel programme.

“I am calling on the Department of Transport to support the scheme as initiated by the Department of Rural and Community Development of making additional funding available for this scheme to meet the demand.”

Four-day work week trial launched today

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June 22, 2021