COVID-19: 13 deaths nationally and 32 new Galway cases reported

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February 27, 2021

Tuam Courthouse among regional priorities of the Courts Service

It could be nine more years before the new courthouse in Tuam becomes a reality, East Galway TD Seán Canney has said.

The Independent TD called on the government to ‘up its game’ to deliver the courthouse after he was informed by the Minister for Justice that it could be as late as 2030 before it is delivered.

Meanwhile, he said, the existing building has fallen into complete dereliction and is ‘an eyesore in the town’.

“The new courthouse is included in the National Development Plan and this plan is now being extended to 2030,” said Seán Canney TD.

“The Minister confirmed in a written response that the Tuam project will now be delivered in the latter part of the revised timeframe.

“This is not acceptable, and I am calling on the Minister to expedite this project. The Court Services purchased an adjoining site almost 20 years ago, this building is now derelict along with the Courthouse building.”

Deputy Canney added that he understands that the OPW is to prepare a draft design of the new building following pre-planning discussions with Galway County Council planners.

But he said that this happened two years ago and that nothing has happened since.

“I am now calling on the Department to get on with the project. This site is available, the site is derelict and there is no reason not to bring forward this project without any further delay.

“Tuam needs a modern Court facility and this site needs to be rejuvenated to remove the unsightly dereliction that is an eyesore on the Dublin Road.”

Galway United confirms return of Stephen Walsh

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February 27, 2021

Galway United sport Galway United confirms return of Stephen Walsh

Galway United has confirmed that Stephen Walsh is returning to Eamonn Deacy Park in the club’s latest signing announcement.

The 30-year old has made over 200 appearances for United from the time when he first appeared for the club in 2010.

The former Mervue United defender was a staple of the Tribesmen squad that helped bring Galway United to the Premier Division in 2014.

In 2017 he signed on with Longford Town, and later that year also had a brief spell with Athlone.

But the call of Galway proved too strong to resist, and Walsh re-signed with United ahead of the 2018 campaign and would spend a further two seasons playing for his hometown club, including captaining his side in 2019.

This coming season will be his eight wearing the Maroon jersey in the League of Ireland, after playing junior football with Galway Hibernians last year.

Walsh said that he was delighted to be back playing with his hometown club, and that this was not a challenging decision.

“When John contacted me and offered me the chance to play with Galway again it was an easy decision for me to make, and I’m thankful to John and the backroom team for offering me this opportunity.”

“I have had some great times playing with Galway already such as winning promotion with the club in the 2014/15 League of Ireland season and I hope to create many more great memories with the Galway supporters and my teammates under the Friday night lights at Eamonn Deacy Park.”

“However, a huge thank you must go to my boss Sean Cullinane at Marvoy Office Supplies and my family who have been very supportive in my return to full-time football.”

“Here’s to a big year ahead and hopefully we get to see the fans back soon at Eamonn Deacy Park, particularly Paddy Grant who is a lifelong Galway United supporter and friend.”

Gardaí starting house checks to ensure self-quarantine of new arrivals

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February 27, 2021

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

Gardaí will be carrying out house checks from this weekend on people who have entered the state to ensure that they are complying with the mandatory self-quarantine.

The house checks are being focused on people who have been reported to An Garda Síochána as not engaging with the Department of Health monitoring process.

To date, detectives in GNIB have already conducted house calls in relation to people who entered the State without the required PCR tests.

Failure to comply with the relevant public health regulation – SI No 44 of 2021 under the Health Act 1947 – is an offence and the passenger may be subject to prosecution,

The punishment for failing to quarantine can be a fine not exceeding €2,500, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.

Where Gardaí determine there has been a breach a file will be submitted to the DPP for directions in each case.

Under current restrictions all passengers coming into Ireland must complete a passenger locator form, and have a negative result for COVID-19 from a PCR test carried out in the 72 hours prior to arriving.

People arriving from a designated list of high-risk countries must quarantine at home for a period of 14 days, regardless of whether or not they get a negative result from a second test.

The Dáil has voted in favour of legislation to introduce mandatory hotel quarantine for people arriving from high-risk countries.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that while Gardaí will be involved in this system in a limited form, it would not be appropriate to station officers at hotels.

COVID-19: Cases in the ICU fall to six in Galway

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February 27, 2021

galway daily news Just one COVID patient in the ICU at University Hospital Galway

There are just six COVID-19 patients in Intensive Care in Galway’s hospitals in the latest daily figures from the HSE.

As of Friday evening there were five confirmed cases in the ICU at University Hospital Galway, down from seven the day before, and one critically ill patient at Portiuncula.

Overall there were 20 COVID-19 patients in Galway’s hospitals, 13 at University Hospital Galway and seven in Ballinasloe.

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

Nationwide there were 528 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Ireland as of Friday evening, of whom 135 were in the ICU.

Galway reported a further 69 new cases yesterday, almost 10 percent of the 776 cases seen nationwide.

Two lifeboats and a helicopter launched after emergency beacon accident

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February 27, 2021

Galway Daily news Two lifeboats and a helicopter launched after emergency beacon accident — Clifden RNLI have become the first lifeboat station on the west coast of Ireland to receive the Shannon class lifeboat. The new 25-knot lifeboat significantly reduces response times for the Galway lifeboat crew and reaches casualties faster. The first planned outing for the new lifeboat is to visit the nearby island communities where the lifeboat can be called out for medical evacuations. Pic: Michael Mc Laughlin

Two RNLI lifeboats from Clifden and a Coast Guard helicopter spent several fruitless hours on a false alarm search and rescue operation after an emergency beacon was accidentally activated.

The Clifden RNLI station launched both of their lifeboats at 9:28am on Friday after an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) was activated, indicating an emergency situation in the water west of Turbot Island.

An EPIRB is an emergency radio beacon used to indicate the position of boats and aircraft in distress for search and rescue services.

The lifeboats made their way to the scene immediately, and a Coast Guard helicopter was also tasked to the operation.

The lifeboat crews conducted a thorough search for approximately two and a half hours, but nothing was found.

During the search, information was relayed to the crews that the EPIRB may have been accidentally activated at a property on a nearby empty island.

The crew conducted a shoreline search on the island. The search was subsequently called off and the lifeboats were stood down at 12.19pm.

Speaking following the call out, John Brittain, Clifden RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager said “While we were quite concerned when the pagers went off this morning, we are glad that all is well and that no one was in danger.”

“This was a false alarm in the sense that an EPIRB was accidentally activated, but we would always much rather launch and search to ensure everything is ok, than not launch at all.”

“I would like to commend our volunteers and our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard for their team work in today’s search.

“We would encourage anyone who gets into difficulty or sees someone else in trouble, to dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

image credit: Michael Mc Laughlin

‘Marchathon’ Step Challenge launched by NUIGSU

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February 27, 2021

galway daily news nuigsu marchathon challenge

NUI Galway Students’ Union has launched the Marchathon Step Challenge for staff and students at the University, with 30 teams having registered so far to take part in the challenge.

Starting this Monday March 1, it aims to encourage students and staff to build up to 10,000 steps per day by the end of the challenge on 28 March.

Participants also have the chance of winning great prizes from the National Transport Authority – by just walking!

Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey said that it’s great to see students and staff coming together as a community for a project like this, even if we are apart.

“Getting in a short, socially distanced, walk each day can transform your health, body and mind – plus it’s free!” he said.

“We are privileged to have some beautiful walks on campus which can easily be enjoyed on a break from studying or working from home.”

Students’ Union Education Officer Emma Sweeney added, “Just 40 minutes of walking three times a week has been shown to protect the brain region associated with planning and memory.

“Joining a team will help our NUIG community to feel less socially isolated. It’s also a great chance to turn exercise into a daily habit and there’s the added bonus that you can win prizes just by taking part!”

Explore the forgotten west in Sea Tamagotchi: Foclóir Farraige

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February 27, 2021

Explore the forgotten west in Sea Tamagotchi: Foclóir Farraige — OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Writer and documentary maker Manchán Magan roamed the sea-roads and coastal trails of the Atlantic coast of Ireland in the company of local folklorists, fisherman and linguists, seeking and collecting forgotten sea words and maritime terms.

The result of this voyage through communities connected with the ocean along the west coast is Sea Tamagotchi: Foclóir Farraige.

This is a collection of fascinating and insightful sound files created from the many hours of tape Manchán had gathered from conversations and encounters on his coastal travels.

Sea Tamagotchi was commissioned by Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and allowed Manchán to visit elderly boatmen and families connected to the sea, gathering a rich harvest of maritime words that are gradually fading from consciousness.

Speaking on the importance of the project Manchán said “It’s amazing how a single word can give insight into so much, a mind-set, a way of life, a fishing practice, a weather pattern, navigation system or some of the psychological aspects of life along the shore.

“The loss of even one of these words wipes out something precious – an insight or hard-won knowledge that is gone forever.

“The coastal people who created the words depended for their survival on the natural resources of their surroundings and so each word has an intensity and profundity that is rare now.”

Reflecting on the legacy of this project, Marilyn Gaughan-Reddan, Head of Programme, Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture said “Through his practice as an artist, Manchán has become synonymous with the collection and harvesting of Irish words, capturing the richness and the beauty of our language and our place.

“We have been honoured to share Manchán’s journey along the west coast in the collection of these words and are delighted to share this project online forever archiving his beautiful collection for posterity.”

In an effort to protect and prevent these words and their knowledge being lost, they are being archived at Manchan.com in short videos and audio clips to illustrate and animate some of the more significant words.

In addition, in partnership with Redfoxpress of Achill Island a richly illustrated handmade book with some of the most evocative words gathered will be published.

For more information about this incredibly unique slice-of-life undertaking visit www.instagram.com/manchanmagan.

More than 120 COVID-19 fines issued in Galway in a week

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February 27, 2021

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

More than 120 fines for breaches of COVID-19 regulations have been issued by Gardaí in Galway in the past week.

As of Thursday, February 25 there had been COVID-19 520 fines issued in the Galway Garda Division, up from 493 the Friday before.

These fines cover a range of offences including breaching travel restrictions, attending or organising a prohibited event, or failing to wear a mask where required.

Nationwide, Gardaí have issued 9,800 fines for offences across the range of all COVID-19 regulations.

These include 7,566 €100 fines for non-essential travel, 277 fines of €500 for organising a house party, and 1,109 people have been fined €100 for attending one.

There have been 187 people issued an €80 fine for not wearing a face covering where required, and back in travel Gardaí have issued 341 people a €500 fine specifically for non-essential journeys to ports or airports.

People issued with a COVID-19 related fine have 28 days to pay the fine, and if they fail to do so, a court summons will be issued.

Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security John Twomey said, “The vast majority of people are complying with the public health regulations.

“This is vital in bringing down the COVID-19 infection rate. We know it has meant major sacrifices for people and we thank them for their great efforts.”

“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.”

“We all have a role to play in tackling the spread of COVID-19. This is an individual and collective responsibility. Unfortunately, there appears to be some people who don’t believe it is their responsibility.”

“Having such an attitude puts themselves, their loved ones and anyone they come into contact with at risk of getting a virus that has killed more than 4,000 of our fellow citizens.”

Galway lotto player steps forward to claim €46,234 prize

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February 27, 2021

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

The Galway Lotto player who won €46,234 before Christmas has stepped forward to claim their prize with just two weeks to spare.

The fortunate player has been sitting on a hell of a prize after matching five numbers and the bonus number in the lotto draw on December 12.

An appeal was made for thus person to come forward this week, as the 90 day deadline to claim their prize was coming up fast.

The National Lottery has confirmed that the lucky owner of the ticket sold in Knocknacarra has now made contact with them.

There were two winners of the Lotto Match 5 + Bonus prize of €92,468 on Saturday, December 12.

The winning ticket from Galway which had been unclaimed was sold at Clybaun Stores on the Clybaun Road in Knocknacarra in Galway on the day of the draw.

A spokesperson for the National Lottery said: “We can confirm that the Match 5 + Bonus winner from Galway has made contact to claim their prize of €46,234 from the Lotto draw on 12th December.

“We were absolutely delighted to hear from the winner as the last date to claim the prize was getting close.”

“We are now making arrangements for the lucky winner to make their claim in the coming days.”

COVID-19: 29 deaths nationwide, 69 new cases in Galway

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February 26, 2021

A total of 776 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ireland this evening along with 29 further deaths related to the virus, taking the overall Covid death toll in the Republic to 4,300.

Of the deaths reported this evening, 17 are from February, while the youngest person to die was 29 years old.

In Galway there are 69 new cases of COVID-19, remaining the county with the second highest 14-day incidence rate with 328.2 cases per 100,000 people in two weeks.

278 new cases are in Dublin, 57 in Meath, 52 in Kildare and 48 in Donegal today and the median age of all newly reported cases is 34.

The national incidence rate is now 223, with 10,619 new cases reported by health officials over the past two weeks.

As of 23 February, 238,841 people have received their first dose of the COVID vaccine and 134,439 people have received their second dose.

County Council approves plans for new Inishbofin museum

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February 26, 2021

Galway Daily news Planning appeal over 91 houses & apartments in Athenry

Galway County Council has granted planning permission for a new museum on Inishbofin to replace the aging building by the pier.

Marie Coyne submitted plans a museum with a display area, photographic exhibition room, restoration workshop, archive storage and gift shop with coffee dock at Middlequarter, Inishbofin.

The Inishbofin Heritage Museum was established in 1998 in what was originally a marine storage building adjacent to the old pier.

Among the collections curated there are items that show a slice of island life as it used to be, with fishing, farming, and trades tools from traditional island homes on display.

It also houses a significant archive of photographic and written material related to island life on Inishbofin.

The new premises is needed as the old building is but undersized for the amount of material is houses, and is not in a fit state to protect the items the application stated.

“The small building the applicant is currently using is totally inadequate and undersized for the large collection of valuable objects that have been donated and in some cases saved from destruction.”

“Objects are as diverse as cannons, marine objects, musket balls, manuscripts, 18th century manuscripts, farming implements, early 19th century photographs of inhabitants of both islands, hand written archives”.

The site has also been flooded and damaged by storms repeatedly in recent years, threatening the integrity of the collected items.

No public submissions were made to Galway County Council concerning this development.

Planning permission was granted for the new museum by the council with eight conditions attached.

Tree and shrub species native to the area must be planted at the site perimeter in the first planting season after construction starts.

Any existing trees, hedgerows, or stone walls on the site must be retained, except for the provision of access to the site.

Mortgage holders left behind by government – Farrell

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February 26, 2021

galway daily mairead farrell td sinn fein nurses midwives pay

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has criticised the government for not providing relief for mortgage holders, despite the European regulator allowing for the reactivation of Covid-19 payment breaks since December 2.

The local TD said that borrowers are feeling the financial strain of Level 5 restrictions, with a Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland survey finding that over 20% of its members are struggling to meet their mortgage payments.

“On 2nd December, the European Banking Authority reactivated its Covid-19 payment break guidelines to provide support and relief to borrowers,” said Deputy Farrell.

“This would have allowed the government and the banks to put in place payment break extensions for the duration of the latest round of public health restrictions, with an application deadline of 31 March.”

The Sinn Féin TD said that this would have allowed banks to provide payment breaks without charging additional interest or impacting the credit records of borrowers.

“However, the government have refused to secure or even seek this extension for mortgage-holders and SMEs,” she said.

“This is despite so many workers and families being under significant financial pressure due to Level 5 restrictions.

“A survey from the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland has found that over 20 percent of its members are struggling to meet their mortgage payments and 39 percent are struggling to repay their business loans.

“The reintroduction of targeted Covid-19 payment breaks would provide real relief to such borrowers, but they are being denied this relief by a slow and unresponsive government.”

Three COVID-19 deaths recorded in Galway last week

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February 26, 2021

galway daily news cso covid deaths galway

Three people died in Galway from COVID-19 between 12 February and 19 February, taking the overall number of Covid deaths here since the start of the pandemic to 95.

This was a significant decrease in deaths compared to previous weeks – the first week in February saw a total of 24 Covid deaths in Galway, while 12 people died from the disease in the last week of January.

The median age of the 95 deaths that have been recorded in Galway is 81, which the joint-second lowest median age of any county in the state.

Galway also continues to have the lowest median age of confirmed cases in the country at 33 – five years younger than the national average.

Across the Republic there were 146 COVID-19 related deaths in the week ending 19 February, 88% of which were among people aged over 65 years.

More than one third of the deaths recorded during the seven day period occurred in Dublin.

There were 229 health care workers diagnosed with the virus in the week ending 19 February, the lowest weekly figure since the last week in October.

Man sent for trial on multiple sexual assault charges

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February 26, 2021

galway daily courts Man charged with violent threats and arson

A man has been sent for trial at Galway Circuit Court for a large number of sexual assault charges.

The 63 year old, who cannot be named at this time, has been charged with 23 counts of sexual assault alleged to have taken place between 1996 and 2001.

The DPP has directed that the case should be prosecuted by trial on indictment, and also consented to the case being sent forward on a signed guilty plea, should that arise.

A book of evidence was served by Detective Roisín Ni Cathain on the accused at Galway District Court this week.

Judge Mary Fahy ordered that the case should be returned for trial at Galway Circuit Court in its next sitting starting on April 13.

The accused man was return for trial on bail.

Free legal aid was granted for solicitor Brian Gilmartin and one junior counsel.

COVID-19: Less than 20 cases in Galway hospitals as numbers fall

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February 26, 2021

There are fewer than 20 patients being treated for COVID-19 in Galway’s hospitals according to the latest HSE figures, as numbers have continued to fall.

As of 8pm on Thursday there were just 13 confirmed cases at University Hospital Galway, and another six at Portiuncula Hospital, down from 20 at UHG the day before, but staying level in Ballinasloe.

The number of critically ill patients in Intensive Care has remained steady however, with seven cases in the ICU at UHG, and one at Portiuncula.

There were a further four suspected cases at each of the two hospitals, for which test results were being awaited.

Nationwide there were 585 people hospitalised with COVID-19 as of Thursday evening, of whom 140 were in the ICU.

Galway reported just 26 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, out of 613 nationwide.

However, the 14-day incidence rate in Galway remains at 315.4 cases per 100,000 people, the third highest level in the country.

The latest breakdown of cases by Local Electoral Area also shows that Galway City Central has the highest incidence rate in the country.

The incidence rate in Galway City Central 1,292 cases per 100,000 people, more than five times higher than the national average.

These figures come after Galway experienced a severe spike in cases last week, frequently reporting the second highest level of daily cases in the country.

Damaged level crossing delaying Galway trains

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February 26, 2021

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

Small delays are expected for trains travelling into and out of Galway today due to a damaged level crossing.

Irish Rail reported this morning that a level crossing at Athenry has been damaged.

This may add a delay of approximately 15 minutes to trains into and out of Galway today.

Due to a level crossing having being damaged at Athenry. Services to/from Galway may be subject to delays of approximately 15 minutes – MH

— Iarnród Éireann #StaySafe (@IrishRail) February 26, 2021

Far more significant disruptions are expected to rail services in Galway tomorrow and Sunday due to line improvement works.

A large number of trains have been cancelled, delayed, or will be operating as bus transfers for much of the journey this weekend due to engineering works.

Power outages hit over 600 homes and businesses across Galway City

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February 26, 2021

Galway Daily news SHundreds of homes remain without power in Galway after severe weather

More than 600 homes and business in Galway City are without electricity this morning due to multiple power outages in different areas.

Five separate faults are causing power outages affecting 669 properties across the north, east, and centre of Galway City according to the ESB.

A fault at the substation in the Ballybane Industrial Estate is currently affecting the electricity to 353 properties, down from thousands earlier this morning.

This outage is expected to be repaired very shortly, with the ESB estimating that the issue will be corrected around 11am.

Two faults are causing outages to 197 homes and business in the Doughiska area, where power is currently expected to be returned around 2pm.

And lastly a fault on the Headford Road is causing issues in the city centre, where 119 properties are without electricity. This is expected to be fixed by 2pm also.

Up to date information on the outages can be found on he ESB’s Powercheck website.

Water outages in Gort today after mains burst last night

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February 26, 2021

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

People living in the Gort area may continue to experience water outages today due to a burst water main that was reported late last night.

Irish water first reported the burst mains on the Loughrea Road, Gort shortly before midnight on Thursday.

Repairs to the burst mains today may cause water outages or other supply disruptions to homes and businesses along the Loughrea Road, and surrounding areas.

No estimated time of completion for these repairs has been given by Irish Water as of yet.

People affected by these are advised that it may take 2 – 3 hours after work is completed for their full water supply to be restored.

Updates on this situation can be found on Irish Water’s Supply and Service website page, or by contacting Irish Water’s twitter account @IWCare.

Major disruptions to Galway-Dublin train services this weekend

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February 26, 2021