Galway GAA prepares for return of underage football

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May 2, 2021

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for Galway ahead of unseasonably wet and windy weather on Monday.

Southwesterly winds, veering northerly throughout the day will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65 km/h with gusts up to 100 km/h, particularly in coastal areas and on higher ground.

Heavy rain along with the strong winds will lead to spot flooding with a risk of wave overtopping in coastal areas.

Met Éireann’s warning will come into effect tonight at 3am, and continue until 10pm tomorrow, Monday.

Clare, Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Sligo, Waterford, and Wexford are also affected by the status yellow warning.

An Bord Pleanála upholds approval for Oranmore Primary Care Centre

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May 2, 2021

Galway Daily news No progress in Oranmore Primary Care Centre standoff

An Bord Pleanála has upheld approval for the construction of a Primary Care Centre in Oranmore.

Sarsfield S.a.r.l plans to building a primary care centre ranging from two to four storeys in height on a 1.08ha site towards the southern end of Oranmore.

The centre will include a GP suite, public pharmacy, public physiotherapy suite, as well as an ambulance deployment point which will be accessible 24/7.

The PCC will be used to provide a wide range of community healthcare services including public health and schools nursing, physiotherapy, dental services, mental health teams, occupational therapy, and more.

“There is currently no health centre for the Oranmore Primary Care Team, which provides care to a population of 14,282, based on the 2016 census, this includes patients living in Craughwell, Clarinbridge, Adrahan,” a cover letter for the proposal stated.

“The health professionals in the teams to be accommodated are currently based in the East of Galway City and Ardrahan.”

Planning permission was granted by Galway County Council for the primary care centre last November.

That decision was appeal to A Bord Pleanála by the Management Company of the neighbouring Clochog estate, and by a resident of the same.

The appeal raised concerns about the increase in traffic through the estate this development would result in, as vehicle access to the site will be via the existing estate access road.

With 105 car parking spaces in the plans for the PCC, Clochog Management Company said that the increased traffic levels would pose a road safety hazard.

The county council had previously refused planning permission for a primary care centre at this location due to concerns about increased traffic levels, and the suitability of the junction of the private estate road and Main Street.

Included in this application are proposed upgrades to the junction meant to improve sightlines for vehicles.

An Bord Pleanála ultimately upheld planning permission for the develop with 16 revised conditions attached.

Saolta group encourages people to pursue midwife career

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May 2, 2021

Marking this year’s International Day of the Midwife next week, the Saolta Group is asking those interested in medicine to consider a career as a midwife.

Tracy Sugrue, Midwife in University Hospital Galway said that her career has been a “unique and humbling” experience that allows you to be a part of a very special time in parents’ lives.

“The Midwife is a constant presence through a mother’s maternity care from the booking visit, right up to mother and infant being discharged home.”

Working in the postnatal ward, “we get that special opportunity to guide and assist couples to transition into parenthood in the initial period after birth. This equips parents with knowledge and skills going forward in this special time as a family.

“Midwifery is an every evolving profession and this gives all grades of Midwives opportunities to expand skills and professionalism in many areas throughout their career.”

A midwife is central to preparing women and their families for the delivery of their new baby and is a vital presence during all stage of pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period.

As a career, midwifery is diverse and progressive, with options available in clinical, management, education and research roles.

Throughout their training, midwives can gain experience and skills across different specialist areas, such as gynaecology, neonatal, theatre and even home births.

Angela Dunne, Director of Midwifery for the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme explains why the career is a great choice for a student considering their options, or someone who might be seeking a career change.

“While many midwives start their career as a nurse and then chose the path of midwifery, students starting off today can specialise from the start and choose to study and train as a midwife.”

“Whatever pathway is taken, midwives can continue to learn and build their skills in what is truly a rewarding and joyful career. The HSE needs more midwives and there are a range of courses and job opportunities available in hospitals and communities across the country.”

“Midwives provide care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout the birth and during the period after a baby’s birth. Midwifery services are increasingly moving from the hospital to the community.

There are now many opportunities for midwives to develop their career as the role of midwives continue to expand, these include clinical specialist roles and advanced midwifery specialist roles.

“Midwifery as a career is very rewarding, dynamic and self-fulfilling and we would encourage students thinking about their career options to consider midwifery.”

Call for new public toilets at outdoor city amenities

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May 2, 2021

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

Calls have been made for the city council to provide new public toilets at amenities and areas which have seen a spike in usage during the pandemic.

City Councillor Alan Cheevers said that many residents have raised the issue with him of providing public toilets at Merlin Woods and Merlin Allotments in recent months.

“The amount of people in the community using these amenities has substantially increased since the start of the pandemic, and I believe will continue to do so.”

He added that there is a demand for more public toilets at locations throughout the city, including the city centre.

“I think we also need work [to] start soon on the new toilets and changing facilities at Ballyloughane beach,” Alan Cheevers said.

“Money has already been allocated for them in this year’s budget, and a time frame needs to be established when we will see a start and finish of these facilities once restrictions lift.”

Staying Safe When Betting Online

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Angela Mc Bride

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May 2, 2021

When placing wagers online, one key factor to take into consideration is safety. No matter what games you are playing or how much you are betting, to ensure an enjoyable, secure experience, playing at a reputable casino is a must! Asides from your data, it’s your bankroll that is at stake!

Benefits of online gaming

Online gaming boasts numerous benefits, the biggest being convenience. Those who enjoy gambling on the regular can do so from the comfort of their abode at a time that suits them – this could be in between meetings, in the evenings or at the weekends. One of the biggest attractions of online venues is that they never close! Another benefit? The social aspect. Whether gaming with friends, playing as part of a team or indulging in a live casino experience, there are numerous ways you can connect with like-minded people when playing games at an online casino. Of course, to ensure these benefits outweigh the risks, it’s important to stay safe online.

Time and money management

Asides from ensuring you have a device in which to play and an active Internet connection, there are a few other factors to consider when gaming online. These include brushing up on your time and money management skills. This is especially the case for those who wish to enjoy in this pastime regularly. Setting budgets and knowing when to cease gameplay could make all the difference between losing an affordable amount and losing more than you can afford.

Safety online

Perhaps the most important consideration is safety. Many gamblers just beginning their online casino journey often hesitate to sign up to a certain site because they’re unsure of whether the ‘said site’ is safe. To put your mind at ease, providing you choose a reputable and licensed casino, you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.

Next up, is to choose a payment method that you are comfortable with. Some people like to use their debit card for online transactions, whereas other use e-wallet services like Paypal. Another popular payment method is Paysafecard. Paysafecard is a very safe deposit method to use at a casino, as you don’t have to share any sensitive information with the casino as you make your payment.

What to look for in a reputable casino

Reputable casinos are regulated or licensed by government bodies. Spotting a regulated casino is easy, as they must display the relevant certifications on their website. This is usually in the form of a logo showcased at the footer of the site. It’s important to note that all casinos are legitimate, and choosing the wrong site to play upon could result in a breach of data. Instead of signing up to the first casino site you set eyes on, read reviews! Going forward, this is something the Irish government intend to crack down on. Amendments to the Gaming and Lotteries Act were recently passed to include an overhaul of the current gambling legislation.

Take advantage of player incentives

Many of today’s contemporary casinos offer numerous player incentives in the shape of attractive bonuses and promotions. Whether you’re new to casino gaming or a pro looking to try a new game or casino site, these incentives are an asset. The likes of no-deposit bonuses invite players to try certain games wagering with the casino’s money as opposed to their own. This is a great way for players to ‘try before they buy’ and gives them an idea of how secure the website is before depositing money of their own.

It’s important to note that popular, reputable gambling sites offer various bonuses and promotions. If the casino you are considering offers few player incentives or too many, this should be a warning sign that it’s not legit! Overly generous incentives are often scams.

COVID-19: Three deaths and 569 new cases reported today

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May 1, 2021

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

There have been another three deaths related COVID-19 reported by health officials today, along with 569 new cases.

No county figures have been provided by the Department today. The median age of today’s cases is 26 years old, and 78% of victims are under the age of 45.

As of 8am today there were 123 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Ireland, of whom 41 are in the ICU.

There have now been a total of 4,906 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, and 249,437 confirmed cases in the state.

Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of two previously confirmed cases.

The COVID-19 data hub provides up-to-date information on the key indicators of the disease in the community.

As of last Thursday there had been have been 1,527,844 doses of vaccine administered in Ireland, with 430,102 people fully vaccinated.

Man faces trial on drugs and money laundering offences

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May 1, 2021

Galway Daily courts Man charged with possessing images of child sex abuse — credit: Robert Linsdell CC BY 2.0 'The Courthouse, Courthouse Square, Galway'

A 29 year old man has been indicted on multiple drug dealing and money laundering offences connected to over €175,000 in alleged proceeds of crime.

Umair Shahid, of Fana Bui, Ballymoneen Road, Galway City recently appeared before Galway District Court.

He faces seven charges including the alleged possession of cocaine for selling or supplying it, and possession of the same, at his home address and at an apartment in Mincloon, Rahoon on January 19 of 2020.

Shahid has also been charged with two money laundering offences on the same day, for possessing or handling money totalling €179,000 which is believed to be the proceeds of crime.

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that the case should proceed by trial on indictment at the Circuit level.

Evidence was given to the District Court of the service of a book of evidence on the accused that morning.

Judge Mary Fahy made an order returning the case to the next sitting of Galway Circuit Court for criminal business starting on June 8 of this year.

Free legal aid was awarded to Shahid for his solicitor and one junior counsel. Judge Fahy said that she would leave it to the Circuit Court to address any application for the legal aid to be extended to cover senior counsel.

Night time water restrictions introduced for Inis Oirr

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May 1, 2021

Galway Daily news Water outages in Moycullen

Nightly water restrictions are being imposed on Inis Oirr island starting from next Monday due to a drop in reservoir levels.

From next Monday, May 3, water restrictions will be imposed on the island from 11pm to 7am each night.

Tim O’Connor, Irish Water’s Asset Operations Lead for Galway is mindful of the impact that these restrictions can have on customers but stresses their importance.

“These restrictions are necessary to ensure a continuous daily water supply is available for residents and businesses on Inis Oirr. The timing of these restrictions will mean minimal disruption to customers on the island.”

“We are asking customers to be mindful of how they use water. However it is important to continue to follow the HSE COVID-19 guidance on hand washing.”

Most COVID patients in Galway hospitals receiving care in ICU

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May 1, 2021

There are seven people with COVID-19 at University Hospital Galway as of 8pm yesterday evening, with five of those receiving care in the intensive care unit.

Meanwhile at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe there are two people being treated for COVID-19. Both confirmed COVID cases at Portiuncula are in ICU.

Across the hospitals in Galway, there are eight general beds available – all of which are at UHG. There are no ICU beds available at UHG as of 8pm on Friday, and two at Portiuncula.

The latest data shows that the Mater Hospital in Dublin has the most COVID-19 patients in the country with 13, followed by Tallaght and St. James’ which both have 12 and 11 confirmed cases respectively.

A total of 122 people with COVID-19 were in hospitals across the state when the data was taken at 8pm yesterday.

Go Wild this summer with thrilling treetop treks

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May 1, 2021

Galway Daily life & style Go Wild this summer — Widlands Adventure Centre reopening from May 1

While we’re waiting for life to slowly return to normal over the summer months, there are still outdoors activities which can be enjoyed, such as zoos, pet farms, and adventure centres.

Wildlands Adventure Centre just outside Galway City is reopening its doors this weekend to offer people a range of outdoors activities both thrilling and serene.

Overlooking the beautiful Ballyquirke lake, its lake shore and woodlands walks along with the wide open spaces offer a fantastic alternative to the familiar outdoor walks we’ve made to with over the past year.

For people who want a little more than just a relaxing walk, the new Zip ‘n’ Trek course is just the thing, soaring 15m above the ground.

This 1km long course offers four different circuits of varying heights and challenge levels, featuring a climbing tower, free fall jumps, and 10 different zip lines up to 100m long.

To keep the fun going, head for the three-tier, 16-metre high tower standing proud in the heart of the adventure centre course.

Challenging you to even more aerial trekking activities with a 15-metre Tarzan Swing, a 13-metre “freefall” and climbing walls… everything you need to appease your inner thrill-seeker and get your pulse pumping.

It would be an understatement to say that Wildlands was first completed at an inopportune time. Originally due to open its doors in Spring of 2020, the adventure centre finally opened last Autumn.

After giving visitors a taste of the attractions on offer last year, Wildlands is now getting into the swing of a full reopening for some summer fun.

Reopening on Saturday, May 1, Wildlands has an array of outdoors activities including the Zip ‘n’ Trek, Zip ‘n’ Trek Junior, Archery, Disc Golf, Bushcraft.

For younger kids there are arts & crafts sessions, along with the Mini Explorers programme taking them on a guided adventure through Wildlands wooded areas, with sessions including den building, campfire, night line course, sensory sessions, games and discovering nature.

More activities are planned to roll out over the summer of 2021 such as the Off Road Explorer (Mini 4×4), and the Olive Tree Kitchen restaurant at Wildlands also remains open for takeout.

Clichéd But Fun: The Five Best Irish-themed Slot Games

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Angela Mc Bride

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May 1, 2021

As anyone from Ireland knows, our country is full of redheaded people wearing emerald-green hats, chasing leprechauns to the end of rainbows to find pots of gold. OK, that might not be quite true. But those types of clichéd Irish elements at least help to keep the magic and mystery of Ireland alive. Furthermore, they are perfectly suited as the themes for slot games. Here is a look at five of the best Irish-themed slots that are just as fun as they are clichéd.

Irish Coins

The Irish Coins slot game contains pretty much everything you would expect to find in an Irish-themed slot. The background behind the reels is made up of Ireland’s green rolling hills, the hint of a rainbow, and gold coins, framed by a Celtic design. The twenty-payline game also features a traditional-looking lucky leprechaun as one of the reel symbols. The other symbols include other marvellous clichés of the Emerald Isle: a four-leaf clover, a toadstool, and a redheaded woman. A wishing well and a clover-clad coin also appear as non-standard symbols. You can enjoy playing Irish Coins at Casumo online casino. Also, casumo free spins and wilds help to make Irish Coins even more enjoyable.

Irish Eyes

Another great slot brimming with Irish clichés is Irish Eyes. The five-reel, twenty-five-payline game includes similar symbols to the Irish Coins game: a woman with red hair and a piercing stare, a colourful rainbow, a big pot of gold, and a cheeky leprechaun. Meanwhile, traditional playing card symbols make up the low-value symbols. Irish Eyes features wilds, scatter symbols, and free spins. It is also accompanied by traditional Irish music. So, if you feel like it, you can do a jig while playing this fun but clichéd slot game.

9 Pots of Gold

Why try to find one pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when you can search for nine? With the twenty-fixed-payline game 9 Pots of Gold, you can enjoy high-paying wilds, free spins, and multipliers. The game is played on a traditional five-by-three-grid, set against an emerald-green backdrop. Symbols include shamrocks, harps, and leprechaun hats. There is also some head-nodding, foot-tapping Irish folk music to enjoy as you play. So, find out if you have the luck of the Irish by playing 9 Pots of Gold.

Finn and the Swirly Spin

This slot game manages to take traditional Irish themes and combine them with unique gameplay for a very engaging slot game. The cartoony design also helps to make Finn and the Swirly Spin a lot of fun. The game does not follow the traditional slot format. Instead, it takes place on a five-by-five grid in which wins can occur horizontally or vertically, so any three-in-a-row combination of symbols can create a win, regardless of where it happens on the screen. The main character of the game is Finn and the symbols include acorns, wooden hearts, stone spades, and horseshoes.

Celtic Courage

Although Celtic Courage is still full of Irish clichés, it manages to go above and beyond other Irish-themed slots. That is largely due to the magnificent detailed artwork of mythical Celtic warriors, each of which shapeshifts into animals when you win. There is more of a story behind Celtic Courage than other slot games too. It is up to you to help a red-haired Celtic princess and her warriors who transform into animals to reclaim their freedom. The five-reel, twenty-payline game features wilds, scatters, and free spins. The symbols include the warrior princess herself, a hooded warrior, a cloaked warrior, and a warrior with the head of a lion. The enticing background harp music helps to enhance the game’s Celtic feel even more.

Penneys to offer shopping by appointment before fully reopening

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May 1, 2021

galway daily news Planning permission for expansion of Galway City Penneys

Penneys has announced it will offer shopping by appointment as a temporary measure in all of its Irish stores in the week before it reopens fully.

The announcement follows yesterday’s Cabinet agreement on the easing of restrictions which includes click and collect from 10 May and retail fully reopening on 17 May.

In a statement the Irish retailer said that the Penneys team is delighted to begin preparations to welcome customers back to its stores.

“We welcome the government’s decision to introduce shopping by appointment as a first step having already launched this service successfully in some of our European markets,” the statement said.

“We will be offering shopping by appointment in every Irish store ahead of our full reopening on 17 May and have begun working through the logistics, starting with bringing our amazing store teams back to work.”

Full details and opening hours will be announced next week.

Disruption expected to Galway rail travel this weekend

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May 1, 2021

Galway Daily news New timetable adds stops on Galway train services — file photo

People travelling by rail between Dublin and Galway this weekend are advised to expect some disruption to the usual timetable.

Line Improvement works taking place between Heuston & Sallins as well Portarlington & Athlone will result in a number of service alterations and some cancellations.

Multiple rail services on the Galway-Heuston line will be operating as bus transfers between Dublin and Athlone due to these works.

While less prevalent than bus transfers, several regularly scheduled trains from Galway to Dublin and vice versa have been cancelled this Saturday and Sunday.

In order to see the full list of train services which have been affected by these works, consult Irish Rail’s website at irishrail.ie/en-ie/news/irishrail-engineering-works.

People intending to travel this weekend are reminded that under the current Level 5 conditions, only essential intercounty travel is permitted.

Intercity train tickets must be booked in advance, as services are operating at 25% capacity, and face masks must be work on the train.

The best casinos in Galway

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Angela Mc Bride

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May 1, 2021

Galway might be best known for its many bars and restaurants – but like the rest of Ireland, the city has a thriving live casino culture with a few top notch establishments.

The first casino to spring up in Galway was The Eglington Casino & Card Club which opened its doors in 2007. The casino, located in the city centre, is known for its classic Texas Hold’em and Omaha in cash games and tournaments, as well as having tables of Blackjack, Roulette, Oasis Poker and 3 Card Poker.

The establishment boasts a restaurant serving a range of snacks, along with hot, soft and alcoholic drinks – all on the house while customers enjoy playing.

The Eglinton Poker Club has also set a high standard of poker playing and many club members have gone on to win huge prizes in national and international events.

Caesar’s Casino, Salthill

A short distance away in Salthill, Caesar’s Casino is well-known for its 200+ seat state-of-the-art Bingo Hall which is, in normal times, open seven nights a week from 7.00pm providing both book and electronic bingo.

In Caesar’s Amusement Arcade, there is a variety of gaming to suit all tastes. The arcade is host to roulettes, slots, video poker and new games are added regularly.

Customers can enjoy free tea, coffee and biscuits whilst watching the widescreen TVs showing all major sports events – and free wifi is of course provided.

Online casinos

But while the best casinos in Galway and across Ireland are closed due to public health restrictions, many players are taking to online gaming which has seen a surge in popularity over the past year.

While casino doors remain closed to the public, people are visiting sites like BettingGuide.com to find the best online casinos in Ireland through guides, lists and comparisons.

Choosing the perfect online casino can be easy or difficult, depending on each individual player.

Some things players will want to consider are the visual appeal of the site, its community, quick entertainment options and of course streaming options.

Since the start of the pandemic, fantastic new sites have been springing up across the internet and older more well-known sites have become ever more popular.

For those who are relatively new to the online world of gaming, Safe-Casinos.ie make choosing the perfect online casino that little bit easier for those in search of some top-quality entertainment or looking to make a bit of money.

However, it’s important for players to be aware of responsible gambling practices, and services like GamStop play a crucial role in this regard. GamStop allows users to self-exclude from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain, providing a valuable tool for those seeking to manage their gambling habits effectively. For players looking for alternatives outside the GamStop network, the Donbet casino review offers insight into a promising option. Donbet Casino is an independent online gambling platform not tied to GamStop, making it accessible to those who have self-excluded. It falls under the Santeda Group, known for its reputable operations and secure gaming environment, providing a safe space for gaming with a variety of classic casino games and engaging mini-games.

As sites become more popular among those who would generally attend live casinos in normal times, the demographics that are now enjoying online are expanding rapidly.

People from all different backgrounds are now enjoying mobile gaming and online casinos, partly due to the pandemic – and partly because their rise across the world was in a way inevitable.

And with live casinos like Caesar’s and The Eglinton Casino preparing to reopen in the coming months as the pandemic hopefully becomes a distant memory, online casinos are expected to continue to grow in popularity, alongside their established counterparts in cities across Ireland.

City Council to bring ‘School Zones’ markings to all city schools

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April 30, 2021

Galway Daily news City Council to bring 'School Zones' markings to all city schools — Shool Zones St Patricks NS in Galway Cuty

The reaction to the new pilot ‘School Zones’ in Galway City has been overwhelmingly positive, and the council plans to introduce these same safety measures at every school in the city over time.

The ‘School Zones’ pilot project has seen road markings in the form of brightly coloured spots introduced at 15 schools around the city.

The aim of the project is to make it clear to motorists that they are entering a school area, to slow down and to be extra aware of children.

The first of these School Zones measures are funded by the National Transport Authority through the Stimulus Fund 2020.

A tender is being prepared by the city council for full School Zones designs for all schools in the local authority area.

The 15 schools in Galway City chosen for the project first are:

Scoil Iognáid, Raleigh Row (School Streets pilot)
Scoil Bhríde, Shantalla
Radharc na Mara, Mervue
Scoil Chaitríona Junior & Senior, Renmore
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Knocknacarra
Scoil Naomh Iosef, Rahoon
Scoil Croi Iosa/ Presentation NS, Newcastle Road
St Patricks NS, Lombard Street
Scoil an Linbh Iosa/ Mercy NS, Francis Street
Parochial NS, Waterside
Scoil Náisiúnta Róis, Rosary Lane
Coláiste Iognáid S.J., Sea Road
Knocknacarra Educate Together NS, An Cimín Mór
Cuan na Gaillimhe CNS, An Cimín Mór

These schools were chosen on the basis of the road at the front of the school being ‘taken in charge’ by Galway City Council, with pavement intact so the spots/ markings could be installed as a Stimulus measure.

This is one of two projects the council has been trialling in recent months in order to make the school run safer.

The other is the ‘School Streets’ programme, which involves pedestrianising the street near a school during certain times in the morning and afternoon to make it safer to drop off and pick up kids.

Over 500 weddings in Galway in 2020 despite pandemic

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April 30, 2021

galway daily news bride and groom at wedding marriage in galway

More than 500 weddings took place in Galway in 2020 despite lockdown restrictions forcing many couples to postpone plans for their big day.

New data from the CSO shows that a total of 526 couples married in Galway in 2020 even though ceremonies were limited to a small number of guests for much of the year.

Nationally, the number of marriages that were recorded last year fell by over a half, with just 9,523 marriages recorded in 2020 compared to over 20,000 in 2019.

The average age of grooms in opposite-sex marriages across Ireland was 37.8 and 35.7 for brides, while the average age in same-sex marriages was 40 for both men and women.

The groom was older than the bride in 61.9% of marriages last year and over 50% of grooms were over the age of 35 on their wedding day.

Of the 526 marriages recorded in Galway, 507 were opposite-sex marriages and 19 were same-sex marriages.

Religious ceremonies accounted for just over half of all marriages across the Republic. There were 3,295 (34.6%) Catholic marriage ceremonies and 114 (1.2%) Church of Ireland ceremonies.

Of the 109 opposite-sex marriages in Galway City, 61 couples opted for Catholic ceremonies. There were 19 civil marriages, one Church of Ireland wedding and no Presbyterian ceremonies.

In the Galway county, 159 opposite-sex ceremonies were Catholic and 202 were civil marriages.

Civil marriage ceremonies accounted for 228 same-sex marriages (72.6%) across the State, followed by The Humanist Association of Ireland with 38 or 12.1% of ceremonies.

COVID-19: 28 Galway cases and 4 deaths reported today

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April 30, 2021

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

Another 28 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Galway by health officials today, out of 545 cases nationwide.

There have also been an additional four deaths related to COVID-19 notified by nphet today.

The 14-day incidence rate in Galway is now 88.7 cases per 100,000 people, with 229 cases reported here in the past two weeks.

The median age of the cases reported today is 29 years old, and 77% of the cases are in people under the age of 45.

As of 8am this morning there are 139 people in Ireland hospitalised with COVID-19, of whom 44 are in the ICU. There have been 8 patients admitted to hospital in the past 24 hours.

There were 1,487,043 doses of vaccine administered in Ireland as of Wednesday, April 28, with 419,665 now fully vaccinated.

Gardaí and RSA tell drivers to put down their phones

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April 30, 2021

Galway Daily news Gardaí and RSA tell drivers to put down their phones

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority are appealing for drivers to put their phones away while on the road this Bank Holiday weekend.

In the past five years, there have been 66 people in Ireland either killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions on the May bank Holiday weekend.

New research from the RSA shows that as many as 1 in 10 people admit to texting while driving, and a survey last year showed that that 9% of motorists admit to driving and talking on a handheld mobile phone and 9% of motorists regularly check mobile apps while behind the wheel.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton said that research shows that using a using a handheld phone while driving increases your risk of a crash fourfold.

“Despite the warnings, the threat of penalty points, the constant reminders of the dangers, some people are still refusing to heed the message.

“With the loosening of travel restrictions and the opening of outdoor sports facilities and visitor attractions, more people will be on the road this Bank Holiday Weekend.

“Many of whom will still be getting used to being behind the wheel of a car again. The message is simple, put the phone away while driving and take extra care on the roads this May Bank Holiday weekend.”

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA said “If you take your eyes off the road for just one second, a car moving at 50km/h will travel 14 metres – that’s approximately four car lengths.”

“That is 14 metres where a driver is not paying attention to the road. Taking a call, sending a text or checking your apps while driving is dangerous behaviour which could result in catastrophic consequences for you or some other road user.”

“So put the phone away, it is not worth the risk. Nothing is that urgent that it cannot wait until you are safely parked up. If you know someone is driving, avoid phoning them, it can wait until later.”

“With the Bank Holiday approaching we are asking motorists to get into the habit of putting your phone away before setting off on a journey – either turn your mobile phone off, switch it to airplane mode, put it on silent or simply put it out of sight.”

Eight people have lost their lives in crashes over the May Bank Holiday weekend between 2016-2020, and another 58 have been seriously injured.

To day in 2021, a total of 39 people have died on Irish roads, 14 less than the same period last year.

Galway United v Cobh Ramblers: Preview

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April 30, 2021