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Man arrested in €70,000 cocaine seizure in Galway

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Man arrested in €70,000 cocaine seizure in Galway

Gardaí have seized €70,000 worth of suspected cocaine and arrested one man during a search operation in Galway yesterday evening.

At approximately 10.30pm on Friday, Gardaí attached to the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit carried out a search under warrant at a premises on the Headford Road in Galway.

During the course of the search €70,000 worth of suspected cocaine, divided into separate deals, was seized.

A variety of drug paraphernalia was also seized during the search operation. The drugs will now be sent for analysis.

One man, aged in his 30s, was arrested and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 in Galway Garda Station.

Investigations are ongoing.

€3.4 million Kilrickle water scheme going to tender next month

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Ballyconneelly water outages

After decades of campaigning by locals work is expected to begin this year on bringing a group water scheme to the Kilrickle area.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that the long awaited Kilrickle Group Water Supply Scheme will go to tender early next month.

Finding a reliable water source has long been an issue holding this scheme back, but the Cappataggle water supply was finally deemed to be able to meet the extra demand, and the Cappataggle Group Water Scheme consented to share the supply.

“This is a major milestone in this long running saga,” Seán Canney said. “The community in Kilrickle have campaigned for over 30 years to have a basic utility of potable water in their homes”.

“The project will also provide a new water supply to the community in Kilcooley including a much-needed supply to Kilcooley National School”.

The €3.4 million Group Water Scheme will connect 238 houses who have never had a public water supply, as well as upgraded and connecting the 18 houses and non-domestic customers on the Kilcooley network.

The tender period will last for 6 weeks when they go out in April, which will be followed by 4 weeks of evaluating the tenders received.

Work is expected to commence on the ground this September, and it’s estimated construction on the project will take roughly six months.

“For decades there has been a campaign to bring a water supply to the communities in Kilrickle. The major issue causing delays was the lack of a reliable water source,” Sean Canney said.

“However, following intensive testing, the water source in Cappataggle was deemed suitable with adequate supply for the additional demand”.

“Cappataggle Group Water Supply acting in good faith and in a generous and community spirit agreed to share their supply with the community of Kilrickle”.

The Department of Local Government approved the project for funding when then Minister Eoghan Murphy visited the area last May.

High risk patients being contacted to receive COVID-19 vaccine at Galway racecourse

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Briain Kelly
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galway daily news Spring vaccination campaign

The work of the mass vaccination centre at Galway Racecourse in Ballybrit is continuing, with high risk patients now being identified to receive the vaccine.

Hospitals in the Saolta Group are identifying patients who fall into Category 4a and 4b, very high-risk patients who require the COVID-19 vaccine.

These patients are being contacted by text or telephone by their hospital team to inform them of the date and time of their appointment.

“Please follow the instructions and attend for your vaccination,” a statement from Saolta said. “We advise you to eat before you attend and wear a short-sleeved top that allows easy access to your upper arm for vaccination.”

The Racecourse in Ballybrit is one of 37 mass vaccination sites chosen by the government for its rollout plan for the COVID-19 vaccine, and the only one in Galway.

The centre has been up and running since the last week of February, and first focused on vaccinating healthcare staff.

The first three groups in the schedule for administering the vaccine were: People over 65 in long term residential facilities, frontline healthcare workers, and people over 70 living in the community.

Group 4, which is now been reached out to, is people aged from 16 to 69 years old who are at very high risk due to medical conditions.

There are currently three vaccines being used in Ireland, the Moderna, AstraZeneca, and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has also now been approved for use in Europe by the EU drugs regulator.

This has been touted as a game changer in the vaccination programme, as it can be stored in an ordinary fridge, and only requires a single shot. But concerns have been raised about ‘vaccine nationalism’ as some countries attempt to hoard supplies, and limit international shipping.

As of last Tuesday there were 553,161 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in Ireland, with 157,072 people fully vaccinated.

Burst mains causing water outages near Rossaveel

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Water outages in multiple areas of Galway due to burst mains

People living in the Casla area of Connemara near Ros a Mhíl will be without a water supply until Saturday evening due to a burst water mains.

Irish Water has reported a burst mains which is causing water outages for homes and businesses in Doire an Fhéich, Casla and surrounding areas.

Repair works have an estimated completion time of 7pm on Saturday evening.

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

Updates on this situation can be found on Irish Water’s Supply and Service website page.

Over the Edge returns for March open mic on zoom

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily arts Over the Edge open mic night on Thursday evening

The March Over the Edge reading and open mic night will take place remotely on Thursday, March 25 for your monthly poetry fix.

The Featured Readers this month are Sadhbh Goodwin, Bill Richardson, & Helen Ivory, and the mic will be open to all comers afterwards.

Sadhbh Goodwin is a nineteen year old poet from Galway who has been published in the Wild Words anthology for the past four years running, in VoxGalvia, and Cinders magazine, and was also featured on Headstuff.org as poem of the week.

They write in both Irish and English, and their poem “Oidhreacht” was featured on the #WEARETHEPOETS poetry jukebox in Dublin.

They have performed before in the “Over the Edge” open mic, as well as the “In my Orbit” open mic at the Galway Arts centre.

Bill Richardson is from Dublin and lives in Galway. Currently, he is the Emeritus Professor in Spanish at NUI Galway.

He previously taught Spanish at both second and third levels and has published books and articles on Spanish and Latin American literature and culture.

His poems have appeared in Vox Galvia and The Galway Review, as well as in the Stony Thursday Book No. 17. His poem “The Taking of Caravaggio” was a runner-up in the Fish Poetry Prize Competition 2020.     

Helen Ivory is a British poet and visual artist living in Norwich. Her fifth Bloodaxe collection is The Anatomical Venus (2019).

She edits the poetry webzine Ink Sweat and Tears and teaches creative writing online for the University of East Anglia/WCN.

A book of her mixed media poems Hear What the Moon Told Me is published by KFS, and chapbook Maps of the Abandoned City by SurVision.

The Over The Edge: Open Reading will take place at the usual time of 6:30pm – 8pm, March 25. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars.

Anyone interested in taking part in the open-mic should text Kevin Higgins on 087-6431748 or email over-the-edge-openreadings@hotmail.com between 6pm and 6.30pm on the evening of the reading.

Join The Over The Edge Zoom Meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7389013549. Meeting ID: 738 901 3549

Significant drop in COVID fines issued in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway Garda Division has seen 4th highest level of COVID fines

The number of one the spot fines issued for breaches of COVID-19 regulations in Galway is down massively compared with last week according to Garda figures.

The latest weekly figures from An Garda Síochána show that just 42 COVID fines have been issued in Galway in the past week.

There have been a total of 707 fines issued in the Galway Garda Division, up from 665 in the previous week’s figures.

The week prior to this there had been 145 new fines reported for various breaches of public health regulations

These on the spot fines cover a range of offences, including €100 for breaching the 5km travel limit, €500 for organising an event such as a house party, or €150 for attending one, €500 for non-essential travel to a port or airport, and €80 for not wearing a face mask when required.

Nationwide, Gardaí have issued a total of 13,019 on the spot fines for breaches of COVID-19 regulations, up 1,412 in the past week.

There have been 10,013 fines issued for breaking travel restrictions, 1,620 for attending a party or event, and 460 fines for organising a party.

More than half of these, 53 percent, have been given to people between the ages of 18 and 25. The gender breakdown of the offenders remains the same at 75 percent men to 25 percent women.

Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon said that, despite public health advice, Gardaí are continuing to see people attending house parties and other social gatherings.

“Going to such gatherings puts yourself, your loved ones, and everyone else you come into contact with after of getting COVID-19.”

“Everyone has a role to play in this. The best way of keeping safe this weekend is to stay home. If you are going out, please stay within your 5km, limit your contacts with others, maintain social distancing, and regularly wash your hands.”

Cork City has seen the largest number of fines issued by Gardaí for COVID breaches at 1,489, followed by Dublin North (1,159), Limerick (1,050), and Dublin West (857).

The Top 3 Ways to Protect Yourself from Online Casino Scams

By
Angela Mc Bride
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Top 3 Ways to Safeguard Yourself from Online Gambling Scams

Introduction

The online casino sector has seen tremendous growth in recent times. It is thus not surprising that more people have become interested in online gambling. Unfortunately, this has also attracted scammers whose goal is to take advantage of the situation to steal from players.

Online scams can include anything from stealing personal data to manipulating the house edge. If you know how scams work, you will not fall for them. To be safe, you need to do thorough research when selecting a casino. This will help you to identify any red flags that may indicate a scam.

3 red flags that indicate online scams

A slow withdrawal process

One red flag of a scam is taking too long to process withdrawals. Normally, when it comes to withdrawing from your casino account, there shouldn’t be any hassle. Reliable casinos may take a while to process withdrawals, and it’s not unusual if it goes up to a week.

However, a scam site may take months to do this. If this happens, the site probably doesn’t have sufficient funds. Although it may owe software partners some money, it shouldn’t use your funds to cover this. Other casinos may take a long time because they’re looking for an excuse not to pay you.

Lack of customer support options

This is another way of identifying a scam. Reliable online casinos often provide several ways to contact their customer support. These include direct phone calls, email, or live chat 24 hours a day. However, untrustworthy casinos do not want you to contact them in any way.

If you cannot find enough contact options, or if it’s a hassle using the provided options, then that is a big red flag. Additionally, always check online reviews. If you come across negative reviews about a website’s customer service, then it’s better to stay away from it.

Bonuses that appear too good to be true

As a new player, it’s normal to receive a generous sign-up bonus at most online casinos. However, if the bonus deal appears too good, then it is probably a scam. This can include offers that require you to deposit cash before getting your bonus, but this isn’t always the case.

Some scam sites may seem like they are going to give you your bonus eventually. However, they will intentionally conduct a complicated process that is designed to make you give up. Reliable online casinos often provide incentives that can be claimed via straightforward procedures.

Conclusion

It is wise to be cautious of anything that will compromise your finances. Always take proactive measures to safeguard yourself against any unfavourable business tactics from gambling sites. With the information above, you can easily identify signals that can indicate an untrustworthy site.

However, you should not be so scared that you avoid gambling online altogether. This is because there are lots of reliable online casino UK sites where bets can be placed safely. Do your research well, and you’ll savour your online gambling experience with more confidence, safe in the knowledge of your security.

COVID-19: 35 new cases in Galway and 10 deaths nationally

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

The Department of Health has reported 646 new cases of COVID-19 in the Republic and ten further deaths related to the disease.

A total of 35 new cases are in Galway, where the latest data shows that the 14-day incidence rate here is now 123.2 cases per 100,000 people.

The age range of the deaths reported today is 41 to 83 years while 74% of the new cases are under 45 years of age.

There are 344 COVID-19 patients in hospital according to the latest figures, with 87 people with COVID in ICU.

As of March 9th, 553,161 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the Republic, of which 396,089 people have received their first dose and 157,072 people have received their second dose.

 

NUI Galway launching free tax clinic to help students

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily business NUI Galway launching free tax clinic to help students

NUI Galway has opened Ireland’s first free tax clinic to teach students how to manage their tax affairs, including their obligations and entitlements.

The services, which will first run for a period of six weeks, will offer students practical information and support on taxes where they have concerns and queries arising from a change in their circumstances, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new clinic is being run be staff and students at the J.E Cairns Business School, as well as external financial advisors.

The service, which is online and fully confidential, is first being used to assist university students, with a view towards extending its services to community groups which are unable to access or afford tax information.

Emer Mulligan, Director of the clinic and Personal Professor in Taxation and Finance said “The backdrop to this clinic is justice. It’s about helping under-represented people.”

“The focus of the clinic is tax education and through that we will help a number of people who would not have realised they had an entitlement to certain tax credits and potentially a tax refund.”

Students seeking advice at the clinic will be asked to consider if they are aware of credits they are entitled to, including for tuition fees, flat rate allowances, medical expenses, or being a single parent or home carer.

The clinic is also helping people whose tax credits were not allocated properly, have multiple jobs, or were in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.

“Our mission is to inform and support marginalised citizens in their tax compliance in a free and confidential setting. Plans are underway to extend the service to marginalised community groups in the Galway region.”

Professor Mulligan was inspired to set up the country’s first tax clinic after learning of the success of similar initiatives in the US and Australia.

A pilot clinic was trialled at NUI Galway last year, with roughly 60 students receiving support and information.

A number of external tax advisors were involved in running the pilot, with PwC one of the first to come on board.

Florita Dolly, PwC Tax Advisor, said “This exciting new initiative seeks to make taxpayer assistance more accessible and available to marginalised communities and the wider student population.”

On top of helping students gain information about their taxes, it will also see students earn valuable real-world experience working with professional advisors.

Advisors who want to support the initiative and students seeking support can visit nuigalway.ie/taxclinic or email Dr Maggie O’Neill, Tax Clinic Coordinator taxclinic@nuigalway.ie.

County Council seeks tenders for Clifden Flood Relief Scheme

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Funding awarded for flood mitigation works in Monivea

Galway County Council is seeking tenders from engineering firms to progress work on the Clifden Flood Relief Scheme.

The has issued an Invitation to Tender to hire a Consulting Engineering firm for the Engineering and Environmental elements of the flood relief scheme.

Clifden was hit with surprise heavy flooding last September when the Owenglin river burst its banks after intense rains.

Minister of State for the Office of Public Works O’Donovan confirmed in the Dáil last November that the OPW would cover the costs of the scheme.

The full cost of developing and implementing the scheme to protect Clifden is estimated to come to €500,000.

The deadline for applications for this work is April 12.

The full flood relief project shall comprise of up to five stages:
• Stage I: Scheme Assessment, Development, and Design
• Stage II: Planning
• Stage III: Detailed Design and Procurement of Works
• Stage IV: Construction
• Stage V: Handover

COVID-19: Three days running with no cases at Portiuncula

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

Portiuncula Hospital has now gone three days in a row with no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the hospital.

In the latest figures from the HSE there are just six people hospitalised in Galway as of Thursday night, all of them at UHG,

Of the patients at University Hospital Galway, four of them are in the Intensive Care Unit.

There were a further two suspected cases at UHG, and one at Portiuncula, for which test results were being awaited.

Portiuncula is one of just three acute hospitals in the country which has no patients with COVID-19, the others being Temple Street and Crumlin in Dublin.

Nationwide there were 341 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Ireland as of 8pm Thursday, of whom 87 were in the ICU.

An additional 28 new cases were reported in Galway yesterday, out of 592 in the country.

Galway allocated €62.5 million for major infrastructure projects

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway train service disruptions this weekend

Galway city and county have been awarded €62.5 million in funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund for four major infrastructure projects.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, today announced €82.8 million in funding for seven projects in the west of Ireland under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

The bulk of these projects are in Galway, but €10.75 million has been awarded for two infrastructure projects in Castlebar, and €9.2 million for one in Roscommon town.

The largest award project in Galway is the Galway City Council Transport Connectivity Project, which has been allocated €40.3 million.

This contains multiple goals including the Ceannt Station redevelopment, A ‘transport requirement study’ on the north lands, the Galway City Cycle Network, building new access routes to Ardaun, and the provision of a pedestrian and cycling bridge on the old Clifden Railway Line abutments in the River Corrib.

The Galway Public Spaces and Streets Project has been allocated €8.64 million for public realm improvements in six areas of the city.

In Woodquay it is intended to create new pedestrian links to the city centre, main shopping areas, and transport hubs in the city. The Fishmarket regeneration will include flood defence measures, pedestrian links, and multi-use public spaces along the Corrib.

Around Galway Cathedral public realm works will include creating a new waterfront space along the Corrib, and reallocating road space to prioritise buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Traffic management measures are proposed for Eyre Square North and the City Centre to integrate with the Cross City Link bus priority measures, and to accommodate more cyclists and pedestrians.

Galway Innovation and Creativity District has been awarded €4.3 million for works that will include developing a riverside campus to improve the links between research and business, a new performance space, public realm works, campus accommodation for students and researchers

The Galway to Connemara Greenway will also be expanded through the city, and the university campus, to Moycullen, Oughterard and on to Clifden.

In Galway County, €9.28 million will go towards the Oranmore Railway Station project which aims to promote sustainable infrastructure growth around the train station.

This project has three strains, a 1km passing railway loop at the existing station; detailed design of the local centre and associated car park structure, and landscaping plan, for the lands south of the train station; and a ‘study on the design development of typologies’ to implement the Urban Framework Plan.

Minister O’Brien said that the projects supported under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund will “enhance quality of life” for many people.

“The projects are all about making these areas even more attractive places in which to live, work, visit and invest.”

“Galway’s projects will result in more sustainable transport and compact growth in the city and will provide new opportunities for residential and employment growth. These projects will also help the city transition to a low-carbon future.

“The projects for the city’s Innovation and Creativity District and for Oranmore will enable future development and opportunities in these areas.”

Ireland to Consider Land-Based Gambling?

By
Thomas O'Brien
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roulette

Ireland is renowned for its fun-loving and good-humoured culture, often gathering in rustic bars for singalongs. But beneath the echoing laughter and cheeriness is a complicated gambling industry which will surprise many. Currently, casino venues are officially banned in Ireland – but that could be changing, and Ireland may have their first legal casinos very soon.

What Are the Current Irish Gambling Options?

Irish locals and tourists can pick from a selection of venues and services that provide fun gambling services. Sports betting is one of the most common with local Premier League football fans, Irish football, horse racing and greyhound venues all popular. National lotteries are very popular too, and the Irish National lottery even generates attention in England.

The glaring void in the Irish gambling scene is the lack of formal casinos. Instead, the country has informal casinos known as private gaming clubs. These are not the same as regular casinos you find in Las Vegas because those are currently banned. Instead, players who want to enjoy these casino games often use online casinos. These online platforms boast a larger selection of games and even have Irish fan-favourites like Luck of the Irish and Rainbow Riches slot.

When Were Casinos Made Illegal?

 

Casinos were made illegal in Ireland when the gambling laws were introduced in 1956. However, a loophole in those laws has enabled some venues to operate somewhat like casinos, although officially non exist on the emerald isle.

What Is a Private Gaming Club?

Some private clubs have permission to provide betting games and table games. Most of these are slot games and poker tables or blackjack tables, but to play, you must be a club member. The loophole is that these clubs can offer membership for free. Twelve of these gaming clubs are in operation in Ireland from Dublin and Cork to Limerick and larger towns in between. These clubs also have an age restriction; all players must be above 18.

The private gaming club makes for a great night out in Cork!

In many ways, these clubs are just like casinos in everything but their name for legal purposes. But there is no doubt that the legalisation of casinos in Ireland would create more gambling opportunities, more jobs and even better venues to enjoy.

Do Casinos Have a Future in Ireland?

The Irish government has been attempting to modernise the gambling industry in Ireland for almost a decade. In the last seven years, plenty of bills have been tabled, and a new act was passed in 2019. This act will present significant changes to the industry, including:

  •   Make all gambling activities available for people over 18 across the board.
  •   Protect children from Irish gambling
  •   Create a regulation authority similar to the UK’s Gambling Commission
  •   Enhance licensing systems for online gambling
  •   Legalise land casinos

The new decade is when Ireland will finally be able to build real casinos and locals will be the primary beneficiaries!

Online shopping fraud jumped 50% in 2020

By
Briain Kelly
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The number of reported incidents of fraud related to online shopping increased by 50% between 2019 and 2020.

An Garda Síochána have said that Irish consumers lost €22 million in credit and debit card fraud incidents related to online shopping last year.

This fraud is where the buyer doesn’t receive the goods after making payments, or can receive fake or counterfeit goods that don’t match what was advertised.

The seller can also be the victim in this crime, in incidents where goods are dispatched, but no payment is received.

This has become more prevalent in the past year, as the lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 crisis have resulted in a surge of online shopping.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) is advising people to always make sure that you always shop on secure websites, and make sure that it is not cloned or fake.

Look for trust seals on website homepages, and check the url for “https” at the beginning of the web address and a padlock symbol displayed beside the URL to ensure the connection is secure.

Know the website’s policy on refunds and know your consumer rights. Where selling platforms offer an official, safe way of paying, use this rather than sending money directly to a third party – otherwise use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you.

When specifically using auction sites, be wary of people with buying things from people with little or no selling history, and also when a seller is trying to create a sense of urgency.

Definitely do not send personal or financial information via email, and avoid purchasing through social media, or where an offer came to you through social media.

The GNECB has also said that you should check the IBAN of the bank the seller wants you to send money to. If it is in a different country than where they say they are, this should be considered a red flag.

 

Positive trend continues as COVID rates fall across Galway

By
Michael Malone
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galway daily news covid rates fall in local areas

After recording the highest 14-day incidence rate in Ireland for three weeks, Galway City Central LEA’s COVID rate has fallen by over 50% since last week, to 325.8 cases per 100,000 people.

A total of 87 cases were confirmed in the local electoral area in the two weeks to March 8, down from 205 cases which were confirmed there in the last two weeks of February.

Elsewhere in the city, Galway City West now has a rate of 177.4 cases per 100,000 people and in Galway City East the rate is now 184.2 cases per 100,000 population.

In Conamara North, there were just eight cases confirmed over the two week period and in Conamara South, 15 cases were reported. This gives the Conamara LEAs rates of 46.5 and 70.3 respectively – both well below the national average.

A total of 27 cases were confirmed in Tuam, where the incidence rate is now 81.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, while it is 231.2 in Ballinasloe, 168 in Loughrea, 29.8 in Gort-Kinvara and 70.1 in Athenry-Oranmore.

The national incidence rate for the two weeks to March 8 was 161.3 cases per 100,000 people.

GMIT hotel school team wins national hospitality award

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news ATU Languages Competition for secondary schools returns for 2nd year

A team of students from GMIT’s Galway International Hotel School have been declared the winners of a prestigious national hospitality award.

The five person team were the winners of the 36th annual National Hospitality Business Management Game attended by tourism and hospitality colleges around Ireland.

The winning GMIT team members were Roisin Corrigan (Wicklow), Max Reid (Wicklow), Geraldine Ruddy (Mayo), Elaine Greene (Clare) and Abbie Daly (Monaghan).

Cáit Noone, Head of the Galway Hotel School, conveyed her congratulations to the team, mentors, and organisers.

“This event is a live competition testing students’ business acumen, knowledge and skills. We applaud the team’s success and thank them for their commitment in preparing and participating in this event when they are naturally busy with their final year studies.

“I am very grateful to mentors John Carty and Colin Gilligan and all the faculty who individually have played a role in preparing the students for the world of work and in turn this competition.”

Team Captain Roisin Corrigan said “We are ecstatic to have had the opportunity to represent GMIT and very proud to have walked away as the IHI Business Management Games winners.

“From this competition we have gained lifelong skills that we will carry with us in our future careers. We are very thankful and appreciative for the time and guidance given to us by our tutor John Carty and the support received from GMIT”.

The Galway International Hotel School is located on the Dublin Road campus, Galway city, offering courses in International Hotel and Hospitality Management, Event Management & Public Relations, International Tourism Management, Heritage Studies and Culinary and Gastronomic Sciences.

The school was the first in Ireland to award degrees in Hotel Management in 1977 and was named in the Top Ten Global Hotel Schools last summer. 

The National Hospitality Business Management Game competition, supported by Fáilte Ireland, The Russell Partnership, Irish Hotels Federation and The Doyle Collection, saw the teams complete three challenges which tested the students’ business acumen and management skills.

Challenge 1 saw the students produce a digital marketing campaign for their hotel to target the Staycation market.

In Challenge 2 the students produced a go-to market strategy to re-imagine the way their hotel delivers meetings and events. In the final Challenge students completed a hotel simulation based on re-opening their hotel post Covid-19.

Tutor to the GMIT team, lecturer John Carty said that they are very proud of what the students accomplished.

COVID-19: 28 new Galway cases and 10 deaths nationally

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

Health officials have this evening reported 592 new cases of COVID-19 and ten further deaths related to the virus, of which eight occurred this month.

Of the cases reported today, 28 are in Galway, where the 14-day incidence rate is 136.4 cases per 100,000 people. 352 cases have been confirmed in the county during the past fortnight.

A total of 253 new cases are in Dublin, 52 in Kildare, 35 in Donegal and 33 in Meath, and today’s figures takes the total number of confirmed cases in the state since the start of the pandemic to 225,179.

“Today marks one year since we reported Ireland’s first death related to COVID-19. More than 4,500 people have lost their lives with this disease,” said Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn.

“We remember them, and their families and friends, as well as the many people who remain seriously ill or who are dealing with long-term health issues because of COVID-19.

“We now have three vaccines and a fourth authorised by the European Medicines Agency today, which offers us a way out of this pandemic.

“We must continue to protect as many people as possible from the severe effects of COVID-19 and to give people a chance to become vaccinated over the next number of weeks and months.

“Your efforts to limit contacts and follow the public health advice is not in vain, it is to protect people and it directly saves lives.”

Three Galway people and companies on the latest tax defaulters list

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Galway allocated €9 million for LEADER programme 2023-2027

Three companies and individuals have been named on the latest tax defaulters list published by the Revenue Commissioners, with the combined settlements of over €1.5 million.

Thirty two settlements have been listed in the latest tax defaulters list covering the last three months of 2020, with settlements coming to €16.9 million.

The largest of the tax defaulters in Galway, and the fourth largest settlement on the list, was Oranmore based Allpro Security Services Ireland Limited, which settled with the Revenue for €895,082.

A Revenue investigation uncovered the under declaration PRSI, PAYE, USC, and Vat, with €553,210 of tax unpaid by the cleaning and security service provider.

John J Sweeney of Goreen, Gortacleva, Bushpark, listed as a Company Director and PAYE Employee owed the Revenue €597,293 after interest and penalties.

This resulted from a Revenue investigation into the under declaration of income tax totalling €296,267.

As of December 31 of last year, €567,863 of that settlement remained unpaid.

The last of the three tax defaulters in Galway was farmer Eanna Canavan of Belclare, Tuam, who paid a €42,584 settlement.

A Revenue Audit turned up the under declaration of income tax to the tune of €25,564.

There were three settlements on the latest list which were for sums exceeding €1 million, all of which remained unpaid as of the end of 2020.

John Milton, with an address at Garville Place, Rathgar in Co. Dublin owed €5,806,230 for the under-declaration of income tax.

Fuel Retailer and Wholesaler Gaboto Limited, owed the Revenue €4,343,916 for undeclared excised duties and Vat.

The company, which has an address at Trinity House, Charleston Road, Ranelagh in Dublin, is now in liquidation.

O’Reilly Graiguecullen Oil Limited, based at Graiguecullen, Co. Carlow owed €1,112,276 after interest and penalties.

This was the result of a Revenue Audit which found the Under-declaration of Corporation Tax, PAYE/PRSI/USC and Vat.

Of the 32 settlements made with the Revenue, some of all of the sums remained outstanding in six cases as of December 31.

The total in unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties which was still owed among these at the end of last year totalled €12,115,373.

Secluded country house comes with woodland gardens

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily property Secluded country home comes with woodland gardens

This detached house in the woodlands near Moycullen offers a beautiful oasis of seclusion in a large and uniquely designed home that is perfect for a family getting away from the city.

This four bedroom house at Ballinahalla, Moycullen comes with a half hectare site of green woodland surroundings, as well as ample living space indoors.

The property features an open place design that creates a wonderful sense of space that pervades through the ground floor living area.

Light and air flow freely from the moment you step in the front door, where the vaulted entrance area opens directly onto the kitchen and living rooms.

The design of the home is a truly unique blend of modernist features such as the open plan setting and geometric entryways between rooms, and traditional touches such as the exposed beams in the entrance hall and dining area.

The main living area manages to be a cosy den despite the open floor design, centring around a stone feature fireplace, and with floor to ceiling windows that can flood the room with light. 

These full length windows are also a prominent feature in the dining area, offering incredible views of the surrounding woods. The tiled kitchen features a stove and kitchen island that makes it perfect for informal dining and family gatherings.

A guest bathroom and a utility room complete the layout of the ground floor of the house. The four large bedrooms of this house are located upstairs, as is the main bathroom.

Two of the front bedrooms have access to additional living space in the form of a first floor balcony which offers a place to soak in the summer sun while looking out over the woodland scenery. Or if you’re not using the balcony at that moment, they still enjoy spectacular views and natural lighting from the veritable wall of windows.

The main bathroom is extremely spacious, with plenty of space left over even taking into consideration the shower and corner bath.

A perfect place to enjoy a bit of seclusion and privacy surrounded by the beautiful nature of the west of Ireland, this house is nonetheless just 10 minutes away from the village of Moycullen, and it’s just a short hop from there to the city.

For a family that likes to enjoy nature this is a perfect spot at the end of a secluded residential laneway. Looking past the woodlands right outside the front door, Lough Corrib is just a short distance away, and Moycullen is very much an entry point to all the beauty of Connemara beyond.

This house needs renovation and modernisation, but the combination of factors such as its secluded country location, the large amount of space to lay your own design over, and the bones of the property offering a style rarely seen in Irish houses, make it an ideal project for a family looking to settle down.

O’Donnellan & Joyce Auctioneers are offering this property for sale by private treaty, with an asking price of €260,000.

To enquire about this property, call O’Donnellan & Joyce at 091 564 212, or check out more on their website at odonnjoyce.com/residential/brochure/ballinahalla-moycullen-galway/4483743.

Connacht Rugby announce contract extensions for 21 players

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Connacht Rugby have made an omnibus player announcement today with the news that 21 player have re-signed with the club for the 2021-22 season.

The players who have recommitted to the province include 19 who are already on the professional squad.

Two additional player, Oran McNulty and Cian Prendergast, has been promoted from the Connacht Academy, as the provinces continues to nurture talent from within.

In total, 17 of the 21 players in today’s announcement came up through the Connacht Rugby academy system.

Today’s announcement includes four Irish internationals – Finlay Bealham, Jack Carty, Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan – while joint-leading Guinness PRO14 try scorer Alex Wootton has signed on a permanent contract having joined on loan from Munster last summer.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Head Coach Andy Friend said that he was delighted to see so many Connacht Rugby players returning.

“This is still a very challenging time for everyone in Irish Rugby so to have them commit to Connacht Rugby again says it all about the belief we have as a group to continue the progress we’re making.

Speaking about the new recruits, Andy Friend said that he has been very impressed with them, and that being offered a professional contract is the culmination of years of their work which has brought them “from grassroots level to where they are now”.

“Congratulations not just to them but their parents, coaches and all the other volunteers who helped them along the way.”

“We are continuing to shape the squad for next season, with further discussions ongoing, and supporters should expect more positive news in the weeks and months ahead.”

Connacht Rugby’s retention and recruitment remains ongoing and further announcements will be made in due course.

CONFIRMED NEW CONTRACTS FOR 2021-22

Finlay Bealham
Paul Boyle
Denis Buckley
Matthew Burke
Jack Carty
Shane Delahunt
Ultan Dillane
Jordan Duggan
Conor Fitzgerald
Dave Heffernan
Eoghan Masterson
Sean Masterson
Oran McNulty
Niall Murray
Conor Oliver
John Porch
Cian Prendergast
Colm Reilly
Peter Sullivan
Gavin Thornbury
Alex Wootton

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