City Council green lights expansion of Forster Court Hotel

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April 5, 2021

Galway Daily business Western Development Commission invests €2 million in Galway medtech company

Galway medtech company Atlantic Therapeutics has received a significant boost this year as the Western Development Commission invested €2 million in the expanding company.

This is the largest ever investment made by the WDC, and is matched by private funding from returning investors Seroba Life Sciences, Earlybird, LSP, Andera Partners and Atlantic Bridge, all existing partners of Atlantic Therapeutics.

The financing will support the expansion of the company’s commercialization activities in the core US and UK markets for their non-invasive, wearable treatment for urinary incontinence.

Atlantic Therapeutics CEO, Susan Trent said that they are “thrilled” to have the support of the WDC, and that she looks forward to working with them on realising the “incredible potential” of the brand.

“This significant investment is a major vote of confidence in the potential and ambition of our company, and demonstrates our deep commitment to the West of Ireland.”

“We are extremely proud to be bringing the first-in-world INNOVO technology to several key global markets from our base in Galway, one of the leading medical device hubs in the world.”

Also known as bladder weakness, urinary incontinence is a stigmatised condition that impacts one in three women worldwide, having a profoundly negative impact on quality and enjoyment of life.

Atlantic Therapeutics’ INNOVO brand features a wearable device that utilises neuromuscular electrical stimulation to stimulate the pelvic floor against bladder weakness.

The €2 million investment in Atlantic Therapeutics is the 35th in the field of healthcare and life sciences made by the Wester Development Commission.

To date, the WDC’s €75 million Investment Fund has backed more than 200 SMEs, micro-enterprises, social enterprises and community projects across the west of Ireland.

Gillian Buckley, Investment Manager at the WDC, said that this has helped support the region’s position as a start-up for homegrown medtech companies, building its reputation globally.

“The WDC is an impact investor so we seek not only a financial return on investment but also seek a socio-economic impact.

“Atlantic Therapeutics offers both, it will support high quality jobs in Galway and Mayo as well as addressing a significant women’s healthcare issue.”

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO of the WDC said the INNOVO product is “an opportunity to improve the quality of life for a huge number of women worldwide.”

“More broadly, it continues to underline the strength of Galway as a global medtech hub, driving innovation and entrepreneurship and building resilience across the region.”

COVID-19: Three deaths and 457 new cases reported nationally

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April 4, 2021

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

Health officials have this afternoon reported three further deaths related to COVID-19 and 457 new cases.

There has now been a total of 238,148 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic as well as 4,718 COVID-related deaths.

As of April 1, 893,375 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the country. Of those, 636,963 people have received their first dose and 256,412 people have received a second dose.

Eight people with COVID-19 were in University Hospital Galway yesterday evening, and a further five confirmed cases were receiving care at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

Seven patients in total were in ICU across the Galway hospitals as of last night; five of whom were in the critical care unit at UHG with two at Portiuncula.

At 11am this morning, 58 people diagnosed with the disease were in ICUs across the State. A total of 252 COVID patients are hospitalised, according to the latest figures.

Council approves city centre office development

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April 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Council approves city centre office development

Galway City Council has granted planning approval for a large scale office development in the city centre.

The O’Malley Group (Homes and Development) Ltd has received planning permission for an expansion of the Hynes Building on Augustine Street, and the construction of a new office building nearby.

This project will involve the addition of two new floors to the Hynes Building of office space, currently three stories in height, as well an extension of the ground floor which houses Galway City Library.

The project will involve the demolition of the building known as the St. Clare’s Walk building, and the construction of a new six storey office building complete with a junior library in its place.

The city council attached 15 conditions to its approval. Before any work commences the developer must pay a €117,500 contribution to the council towards the cost of transportation facilities in the area.

A contribution of €65,884 must also be paid to the council towards the cost of services which facilitate the office development.

The city council had previously rejected plans by the O’Malley group for the addition of three new floors to the Hynes Building, and the construction of a seven story office building in place of the current St. Clare’s Walk building.

The council refused permission then due to the scale of the proposal, which would have had an “overbearing” effect on the surrounding streetscape. An Bord Pleanála upheld the council’s decision after an appeal by the O’Malley Group.

The proposal was objected to by MetLife, the lease holders of the existing office space in the Hynes Building, on the grounds that they have not granted consent to the project.

The building work around the office space would interfere with their business interests and pose and health and safety hazard to staff coming and going from the building the objection stated.

The O’Malley Group, in its response to this objection, said that work would not be taking place in the section of the building currently occupied.

MetLife said that this response has “over-simplified” the nature of the work which will take place, which would “surround every aspect of MetLife’s offices”.

City Heritage Officer Dr Jim Higgins also expressed concern about the proposal, saying that it doesn’t take into consideration the “medieval core” of Galway City, and archaeological potential in the area.

“Any sub-surface work in the areas of proposed demolition must require an archaeological
assessment and on site licenced archaeological monitoring resolution and reporting. The documentation provided does not include a Conservation Architects report either. ”

He also said that the addition of new floors to the Hynes Building would create a “post-modern facade” to half of a building which was deliberately given a “pseudo 19th century” design when it was built in the 1980’s.

“The remodelling of half of the long building would make one half look ridiculous as well as out of character with the architecture of the streetscape with sharply contrasting finishes, materials, proportions and architectural styles.”

“Consideration should be given to planting a matching row of trees along the rest of the footpath taking in the entire length of the Hynes Buildings.”

A report from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports, and Media said that the flat roof of the Hynes Building holds Herring Gull nests from between March and August, and that any proposed works should not interfere with breeding birds.

But when the council asked the O’Malley Group for Further Information in response to this, they said that the entire flat roof is already covered by netting and that there is no possibility of birds nesting there.

A planning report for the project said that it is needed as the current St. Clare’s Walk building is “dated in terms of its appearance and efficiency” and would take significant investment to bring it to a useful modern condition.

“The demolition and reinstatement of a new state of the art office in its place would provide additional office space within the commercial core of the city, achieving an increased density of development that proves a more sustainable approach to the development of a city centre site.”

“The proposal will also see significant investment in the library, an important public amenity asset in the city centre,” the application stated.

The O’Malley Group also said that the reduced scale and redesigned proposal for the additional floors on the Hynes Building overcome the council’s original reasons for refusing planning permission.

Galway Theatre Festival launches exciting new programme for Festival 2021

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April 4, 2021

Galway Theatre Festival has launched its exciting programme of events for Festival 2021, taking place from April 30 until May 9.

The programme involves theatre, works-in-progress, workshops and talks, all of which will be streaming live into sitting rooms, home offices and bedrooms across the country.

Where and how we create, present and experience theatre and performance has changed dramatically in the past 12 months, and this year’s festival explores this new relationship with creativity and space.

Some of the artists from the cancelled 2020 Festival are back, with re-imagined productions of their shows – from the award-winning audio play, GirlPlay by the Rampant Collective to Dragon, Fizz and Chips Theatre’s musical theatre piece about toxic masculinity and Tinder.

Oxbo Theatre will lead a workshop about the making of theatre based on a true story, based on the making of their play Waterford Crystal.

Also programmed is new work created for, in, and about our experiences of the pandemic, like Spontaneous Theatre People’s Sweet Rock Cáll, a multi-lingual, multi-media international improv theatre piece, exploring what happens when truth, technology and hackers collide.

Take a break in your day and carve out a 15-minute oasis of art with Embodying Glass, a music and dance theatre collaboration between Contempo Quartet, Galway Music Residency and dancer/actor Jérémie Cyr-Cooke, responding to the music of Phillip Glass

The Made In Galway strand will focus on work currently under development, allowing audiences to become part of the devising process, with three very different and exciting new works.

Eileen Gibbons invites readers to get involved, to participate, to read, to perform, to comment or simply to observe, in The Common Good.

Beluga Theatre and international collaborators Hyemin Han and Bright Ong, present Borders, an exploration of borders in our lives, visible and invisible, in a work-in-progress piece for audiences ages 8+.

Meanwhile, one man’s struggle with alcohol forms the basis of Kevin Murphy’s work-in-progress Shakes.

Mona, a GTF commission, is a work-in-progress by Mairead Ni Chronin and James Riordan, a meditation on the changing nature of business, our passion for human connection, and how our actions as consumers are transforming our shopping experiences and informing where we might go next.

GTF’s Galway 2020 project InterAction returns in part, with two artists presenting the next phase of their digital work.

Genre ReWork by Tara Jaye Burke is an interactive blog based experience questioning our relationship with technology and media as consumers, while Eszter Nemethi invites audience members, and theatre practitioners to discuss what it means to be an audience member in our own homes, with Asking the Audience.

There will be plenty of opportunity for audiences to get involved in workshops and talks, from a hands-on Lighting Design workshop, to a panel discussion on theatre as Gaeilge.

Choosing to work in the arts and be a creative professional is choosing a life of adventure, unpredictability, fulfilment, risk and chaos. Psychologist and musician with The Blizzards, Louize Carroll will lead a session about creativity, vulnerability and how to better look after our mental health.

Despite the restrictions on travel, Cathal McGuire will bring an international element to the programme, in Writing for Objects, a conversation with Canadian theatre maker Francis Monty.

GTF is delighted to announce its new Dramaturgy Programme, funded by the Arts Council. This year, three Festival dramaturgs – Claire Mullane, Sarah Hoover and Marina Ní Dhubhain will work with the artists programmed in Festival 2021.

The Festival Dramaturgs will receive mentorship from Gavin Kostick, Literary Manager with Fishamble: The New Play Company and will each be paired with a Mentor – established directors and dramaturgs working throughout the country. The Mentors are: Maisie Lee, Davey Kelleher and Pamela McQueen.

In the opening event of the Festival, Discovering Dramaturgy the Festival Dramaturgs and Mentor Dramaturgs will discuss this new project, and their work with the 2021 festival artists.

As part of the dramaturgy programme, Gavin Kostick will lead Dramaturgy Masterclasses, a wonderful opportunity to learn from an internationally acclaimed, award-winning playwright.

All of the work in the 2021 programme has been imagined and reimagined with the audience in mind – distanced physically from each other, but eager and hungry for creativity and connection nonetheless.

For the full Festival line-up and online ticket sales check out www.galwaytheatrefestival.com

Tickets on sale on www.tht.ie

Glór Tíre to resume this week on TG4 following COVID incident

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April 4, 2021

The search for the next big country music star on TG4’s Glór Tíre will resume on Tuesday April 6 at 9:30pm, following a temporary postponement due to a Covid-19 incident.

The series which began in January was due to air the finals in March.

The final contestants left in the competition are Emma Donohue from Ballinasloe who is mentored by Mike Denver, David Connor from Claremorris in Co. Mayo, Mary Hoey from Cullyhana in Armagh, and Tilly Dawson-Stanley from Glasson, Westmeath.

Voting was suspended but all votes that have been cast to date will be valid once the competition recommences.

Chantelle Padden, a former contestant of Glór Tíre who recently took part in the tenth series of The Voice UK will be performing live on the semi-final show on April 6.

Chantelle, from Belmullet, Co. Mayo was the only Irish singer picked of the final 60 contestants selected from 100,000 people who applied to take part in The Voice UK following seven auditions to be in the final 60.

Glór Tíre currently in its seventeenth season is presented by Aoife Ni Thuairisg and Seamús Ó Scanláin, with help from the judges John Creedon, Caitríona Ní Shúilleabháin and Jó Ní Chéide who advise and and guide the contestants.

Viewers can cast their votes for their favourite singer by downloading the Glór Tíre app in the app store or on google playstore.

People asked to donate unwanted laptops to Tech2students initiative

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April 4, 2021

galway daily news laptop working from home remote working sun freedom

The Tech2students initiative, which allows people to donate unwanted laptops to students in DEIS schools, is now fully up and running in Galway.

Tech2students was set up in April 2020 by Trinity Access and Camara Ireland in response to the digital divide experienced by students in DEIS schools and Phase 1 raised over €300,000, delivering over 1,000 devices.

People in Galway can now donate their unwanted laptops to the Galway Chamber offices in Commerce House, Merchant’s Road, every Tuesday from 9.30am to 4pm.

For people who live outside of the 5km radius, the Tech2students team of volunteers can send postage labels which means that people can donate their devices using free postage.

The tech2students initiative in Galway is a collaborative effort between the University of Sanctuary initiative at NUI Galway and key community partners including the Galway Chamber, the Insight Institute for Data Analytics, Trinity Access, An Post, Camara Education Ireland and the Galway City Partnership.

Aidan Harte, coordinator of NUI Galway’s University of Sanctuary initiative, said that it is great that they are finally up and running in Galway.

“The technological inequalities exposed by the pandemic are being addressed in some way by what we are doing, and with donations of unwanted devices we can challenge technological inequality while simultaneously promoting recycling and the circular economy,” said Aidan.

For more information, to donate, or to request laptops, people can email tech2students@nuigalway.ie

Sample Cyprus with your ears in From Europe with Love

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April 4, 2021

Galway Daily news Sample Cyprus with your ears in From Europe with Love

The latest in the From Europe with Love concert series will take part to the sunny shores of Cyprus in the Mediterranean Sea.

“Akou na Deis” is a Cypriot saying meaning “Listen to Look”. We can’t experience Cyprus in person these days, but perhaps we can see with our ears during this special lunchtime concert.

Galway Music Residency is holding the latest in its From Europe with Love string quartet series online next Friday, April 9 at 1pm.

Galway’s own ConTempo Quartet will showcase the best of Cypriot music with works from composers Solon Michaelides, Andy Skordis, and Evagoras Karageorgis.

The concert will also present the World Premiere of a new work Epiclisi, composed specially for this concert by Giorgos Papageorgiou. This new composition is a response to the suffering of children in the Syrian conflict.

From Europe with Love is a three year programme from Galway Music Residency which aims to let audiences experience a taste of the music from all 27 EU member countries.

The April event will be introduced by Penelope Soteriou a past board member of Galway Music Residency now living in London.

Though a live audience is not possible, the lunchtime concert will be broadcast online from the beautiful Oughterard Courthouse. Sign up to Galway Music Residency’s mailing list to receive this concert via email: http://eepurl.com/dFwixf.

Cllr calls for Galway County Council to oppose LDA Bill

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April 4, 2021

galway daily news evelyn parsons lda bill galway county council

Cllr Dr Evelyn Parsons has called on Galway County Council to make a formal submission to the Minister for Housing opposing the Land Development Agency Bill 2021.

The Bill to set up the agency contains a number of clauses which would divest councillors of their veto on land transfers relating to the new agency, the Independent councillor said.

“The proposed removal of the Section 183 reserved function of Elected Members in relation to the disposal of local authority held land to the LDA as provided for in Part 7 Section 56 of the bill is unacceptable and an affront to Local Democracy.

“As advocates for the empowerment of local government, we can never support or accept any diminution in the reserved functions and powers of elected Councillors.”

Cllr Parsons said that she also has concerns regarding the potential long-term implications for local authorities in delivering social and affordable housing on local authority held land due to the extensive remit of the LDA.

“I believe that this is a major battle in our ongoing fight to preserve the local democratic function in the face of ever-increasing centralism.

She said that the Bill would effectively legalise a land grab and hand local assets over to centralised quangos, developers, and the Land Development Agency without recourse to local oversight.

“Is this déjà vu? Where did we hear plans such as those before?’’ Cllr Parsons asked.

The councillor said that what is needed is for central government to own up to their failure to provide realistic financial and practical supports for local authorities to do their job of identifying local housing needs and building social and affordable housing on local public lands.

“What is the point in a disempowering our local government structure? There’s great will at Council level to push on and solve the housing crisis for our communities.

“The council should retain local oversight and remain the main driver of public housing, both social and affordable, but Councils cannot operate these goals without proper commitment from central government and adequate funding.”

Cllr Parsons added that she had yet to meet a councillor who was in favour of the removal of section 183 and she gathered that this opposition was widespread from her discussion with members of Councillors National representative bodies.

Weather warning issued ahead of widespread fog

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April 3, 2021

galway daily weather fog met éireann galway temperatures forecast

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for fog which will come into effect in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The warning comes into effect at 4am on Easter Sunday, and will remain in place for six hours until 10am.

The weather experts warn that widespread fog will lead to impaired visibility and motorists are urged to be careful if travelling on the roads.

Counties Donegal, Mayo, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon are also affected by the status yellow alert.

The fog will clear quickly in the morning and showers are possible in parts of the county in the afternoon.

In the evening more outbreaks of light rain will spread from the north and drift southwards through the early part of the night.

Highest temperatures will be between 9 and 12 degrees Celsius in light to moderate northwesterly breezes.

COVID-19: 511 new cases nationwide and 2 deaths reported today

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April 3, 2021

There have been two additional deaths related to COVID-19 and 511 new cases nationwide reported by NPHET today.

A county breakdown of where the cases occurred was not published today.

There have now been a total of 37,695 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, and 4,715 deaths related to the disease in the state.

Validation of data at the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of 3 confirmed cases.

As of last Wednesday, March 31 there had been 865,460 doses of vaccine administered in Ireland, with 246,457 people fully vaccinated.

The COVID-19 data hub provides information on the key indicators of the virus in the community

Sorcha’s misplaces drugs and puts her promotion in jeopardy in Ros na Rún

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April 3, 2021

Galway Daily television Sorcha's misplaces drugs and puts her promotion in jeopardy in Ros na Rún

The relationship drama keeps up at full speed in Ros na Rún, while Sorcha’s promotion is in jeopardy as she

Pádraig and Dan get a taste of relief when it becomes clear that Sam is clueless to their relationship. But Dan isn’t satisfied with this outcome, and thinks they should be honest with Sam, putting Pádraig on the spot.

Bobbi Lee gets a threatening letter from Andy, but decides to keep it to herself out of concern for Niall’s safety.

Mo, feeling sorry for Caitríona, offers to help her in any way she can. She immediately takes Mo up on the offer, as she’s keen to continue with her documentary on Frances death, while Mo is decidedly less enthusiastic.

Sorcha’s day goes from bad to worse when she realises she may have left drugs in Mack’s hackney, and is left desperately wondering if Mack will find her drugs.

Niall excitedly plans his proposal, and looks forward to surprising the love of his life. Will the best laid plans go awry, or will love triumph?

Catch up on all the drama from Ros na Rún this week in a double feature omnibus this Sunday on TG4 at 8:30pm.

Replacement of aging water mains in Renmore hit delays

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April 3, 2021

Galway Daily news Water outages in Moycullen

The replacement of leaky water mains in the Renmore area of Galway city which were expected to be completed last month have been delayed to issues which cropped up when work began.

Irish Water is replacing 120m of old watermain on the Old Dublin Road near the Moneenageisha Junction that were prone to frequent bursts and leakage.

These works were due to be completed by the end of March, but have now been given a fresh date of the end of April when Irish Water expects work to be completed.

The planned approach for the project has been changed due to “unfavourable ground conditions” which became apparent last month Irish Water has said.

It is now planned that a section of the road will be cut open to install a new water pipe and ensure successful delivery of the works.

These works are now due to be completed by the end of April and will be undertaken in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions while also minimising impacts to customers in the area.

Some traffic management measures will be in place while work is underway, with local and emergency access maintained at all times.

Night time working between the hours of 6pm and 12am will also be required to ensure the safety of the workforce and road users due to existing heavy traffic flows at this junction.

Student duo raise over €1,700 for Galway Simon Community

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April 3, 2021

Galway Daily news Student duo raise over €1,700 for Galway Simon Community

Two NUIG students raised over €1,700 for the Galway Simon Community last year changing plans on the fly to move planned fundraisers online.

Felix O Murchadha and John Flannery wanted to do something to support those facing homelessness in Galway, and hit on the idea of providing free haircuts and grooming to men supported by the Simon Community’s services.

A number of fundraising events were planned for the ‘Helping Haircuts’ initiative from February onwards last year, but sadly these plans were thrown into chaos by COVID-19.

Despite the fact that the event couldn’t go ahead in person, the duo were not discouraged, and continued to raise funds and spread awareness through the year online, via social media and a fundraising page.

Last December, they also ran a fundraising campaign called ‘Suit up for Simon’ called on people to get suited up in formal wear for dinner at home with their housemates or families, post about it, and make a donation.

To date the ‘Helping Haircuts’ initiative has raised €1,729 for the Galway Simon Community’s Health & Well-being Fund, exceeding their original target of €1,500.

Amy Lavelle, Community & Youth Partnerships Coordinator at Galway Simon Community linked in closely with Felix and John throughout the year and praised them for their hard work.

“We are deeply grateful to have been the chosen charity for this brilliant initiative and we can’t thank the students enough for creating ‘Helping Haircuts’ to raise much needed funds for our frontline services.

“Their motivation to raise awareness and funds in support of those facing homelessness in these difficult times has been truly inspiring”, Amy said.

The Galway Simon Community has continued to support people in emergency accommodation or at risk of homelessness throughout the COVID-19 crisis,

The economic hardships caused by the pandemic has resulted in a greater demand for their services than ever, at a time when it has also been more difficult to raise funds.

Galway TD highlights “worrying trend” of increased drug driving detections

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April 3, 2021

Galway Daily news 33 Almost 200 people arrested for drug and drunk driving over Bank Holiday weekend

The increase in the number of drug driving incidents detected this year is a “worrying trend” Galway TD Hildegarde Naughton has said, but also represents increased efforts by the Gardaí to catch offenders.

There has been an 11% increase in the number of people caught drug driving in the first three months of 2021 compared with last year the Road Safety Authority has said.

Figures from An Garda Síochána show that there have been 997 incidents of drug driving detected nationwide up to March 31 of this year, a significant increase on 899 incidents in the same period last year.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton, said “the significant increase in the number of specimens being analysed by the MBRS certainly reflects the increased levels of detections being made for drug driving by An Garda Síochána.”

“While this is a worrying trend, I believe it is down to a greater focus by the Gardaí on this type of dangerous behaviour. This greater focus is very welcome.”

“Drivers need to understand that since the introduction of roadside testing for drugs in 2017, the Gardaí have the tools to tackle this problem. There is simply no hiding drug driving anymore.”

2020 saw Gardaí testing far more drivers for driving under the influence of drugs other than alcohol.

There was a 37% increase in the number of drivers having blood or urine sent for drug testing in 2020 compared with 2019.

Of the 4,435 blood and urine specimens tested for drugs, almost three-quarters (72%) were found to be positive for at least one drug.

Cannabis remains the most prevalent drug detected, with 3 in 5 tests returning a positive result for the drug.

Analysis also shows increased detection of cocaine use, with between 30% – 40% of specimens provided testing positive for cocaine.

Professor Denis Cusack, Head of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety said: “The high level of enforcement seen last year has continued into 2021.”

“Similar increased numbers of specimens are being received by the Bureau for drugs analysis in the first three months of this year compared to the same time period in 2020.”

Along with the high numbers of people caught driving under the influence of cannabis and cocaine, he also highlighted that 20% of samples last year tested positive for Benzodiazepines, which include many prescribable anti-anxiety medications.

“If taking prescription medication, drivers need to follow the advice of their prescribing doctor and dispensing pharmacist and must be aware of the level of potential impairment, even temporary, that the medication may cause.”

“This is particularly important if the dosage or brand of that medication is altered. If you are in any doubt, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your concerns.”

Homelessness has not gone away, says COPE Galway

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April 3, 2021

Galway Daily news COPE Galway extremely worried at record homelessness levels

COPE Galway has asked that people in Galway do not forget the plight of people who are homeless and without a place to call home as we continue to live with the pandemic.

On the night of the Spring Equinox, the local charity accommodated 171 adults and 168 children in emergency accommodation.

COPE Galway’s most recent ‘point in time snapshot’ census on March 21 reports that 79 single people and 65 families were supported by COPE Galway.

They were accommodated in emergency accommodation hostels, a Family Hub, own door self-contained units for families and B&Bs.

On that date a further 40 single people were accommodated by COPE Galway in a range of transitional community based shared houses in Galway.

In addition, the Rent Index produced by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has detailed that the standardised rent for Quarter 4 of 2020 in Galway City was €1,166, representing a 2% increase on this time last year.

Galway County experienced a 5% increase on the same period, with the figure standing at €1,106.

“Both sets of figures are going in the wrong direction and are not unrelated,” said Martin O’Connor of COPE Galway.

“We are particularly concerned about the growing number of single people who are relying on emergency accommodation here in Galway, many for extended periods of time.

“This is in part down to the fact that rent levels are beyond what many can afford.

“Fortunately we have seen a drop in the numbers of families in emergency accommodation but are concerned that when the current moratorium of evictions ceases, those on notices to quit from the private rental sector and who are desperately trying to rent new homes simply won’t be able to afford do so.”

Mr O’Connor said that additional social housing is needed urgently as the most important response to this situation, but he said that there is a question mark over how Government plans to meet their ambitious build target for 2021.

“The 2021 national target for housing delivery through building is 9,500. This is part of the overall 2016 to 2021 target at 34,210 of which 22,977 have been delivered.

“While it is clear that the overall five year target won’t be met it is vital that this year’s target is achieved.”

Galway women to feature in upcoming TG4 series

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April 3, 2021

galway daily news tg4 new series — Sorcha & Seoirsín

Turas Bóthair is back for a fourth series, rejoining some familiar old faces as well as some new additions.

The series, which kicks off on TG4, on Thursday April 15, allows viewers to eavesdrop on what people are really talking about by kitting out cars with cameras.

The series puts its finger on the pulse of the Irish psyche, giving us a unique slice of what is normally hidden behind closed doors.

As well as an array of engaging drivers and their passengers, it features moments of joy and sadness, comedy and tragedy, love and loss, friendship and romance, and regret.

Among the Galway characters in the new series are university students Sorcha and Seoirshín, and sisters Úna and Nóra.

Drivers and passengers share their personal stories and views on love, relationships, sex, drag queens, drugs, illness, death, scams, Greta Thunberg and the environment, childhood obesity, World War 3, 2020 and the first lockdown.

Turas Bóthair was filmed on location in Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Galway, Waterford, Derry and Antrim.

Gardaí appeal to people to reduce contacts over Easter

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April 2, 2021

galway daily news Further arrests made in connection with car park brawl

An Garda Síochána has urged people in the county to reduce their social contacts over Easter Weekend and during the holidays to help prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Gardaí say that they have observed overwhelming compliance with the current lockdown restrictions.

And they have urged the public to maintain this high level of compliance by staying home and reducing social contacts which will keep people safe.

The current restrictions do not allow for people to travel from their home except for a reasonable excuse or necessary journey.

An Garda Síochána has reminded people that travelling to holiday homes, family gatherings or religious services are not provided for as a ‘reasonable excuse’.

Anyone found to be in breach of the non-essential travel regulations can be subject to a fine of €100.

Gardaí also appealed to the public not to arrange or attend house parties or gatherings over this weekend.

These events put not just those attending, but everyone they meet afterwards, at risk of catching COVID-19, they said.

Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon said that an Garda Síochána is acutely aware the impact of Covid-19 is having on the communities that we live in.

“Public Health regulations are in place for the protection of the most vulnerable in our society,” said Anne Marie.

“I appeal to everyone to make that extra effort this Easter weekend to comply with the Regulations, which remain in place. Your actions this weekend could protect a loved family member or dear friend.

“We are here to help and support our communities and the most vulnerable citizens. If you know of someone or suspect someone needs support during this time, please contact your local Garda station.”

An Garda Síochána also reminded people that travel restrictions do not apply in the case of domestic violence or to escape a risk of harm, whether to the person or to another person.

An Garda Síochána continues to remind anyone who may have been the victim of an incident of sexual or domestic crime irrespective of whether they have been in breach of any public health regulations, for instance by attending a house party, that Gardaí are there to assist and support you, and people are urged to report all such incidents.

COVID-19: Eight deaths and 21 Galway cases reported today

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April 2, 2021

Another 8 deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported by NPHET today, along with 591 new confirmed cases.

There have been 21 new cases reported in Galway today, bringing the 14-day incidence rate down to 100.8 per 100,000 people. There have been 260 cases reported here in the past two weeks.

Four of the deaths notified today occurred in March, and the other four happened in February.

The average age of those who died was 74 years old, and the victims ranged in age from 51 – 94 years old.

There have been 4,713 deaths related to COVID-19 in Ireland to date, and a total of 237,187 confirmed cases in the state.

As of 8am this morning there were 264 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Ireland, of whom 62 are in the ICU. Another 18 people have been hospitalised in the past 24 hours.

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

Council approves spectator stand and facelift for Oranmore Community Centre pitch

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April 2, 2021