Record number of COVID-19 patients at UHG for second day running

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January 1, 2021

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

People living in the areas of Barna and Moycullen may be experiencing water outages for the second day in a row due to a burst mains.

Irish Water has said that repairs are currently underway on the mains, and are expected to be completed by 5pm today.

This is the second day in a row where people living in these areas outside Galway city have been dealing with water outages, with Knocknacarra also affected by the same burst mains yesterday.

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

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

County Council urged to apply to €50 million walking and cycling fund

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January 1, 2021

Galway Daily news County Council urged to apply to €50 million walking and cycling fund

Galway County Council is being urged to apply to a new €50 million fund for the development of walking and cycling infrastructure outside of cities.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that the fund could prove a “game changer” for small towns and villages, helping the county council to both develop active travel strategies, and deliver their projects.

“Connecting residential areas with schools, workplaces and public amenities is the core vision of the scheme and to encourage people to cycle to school, to work and to public amenities”.

“We have seen an increase in walking and cycling since COVID and we need to provide the infrastructure to allow such activities to remain part of our lives”.

The fund announced by the Department of Transport in December is meant to mirror Active Travel funding from the NTA open to Dublin and regional cities like Galway.

Councils are being asked to identify convenient and direct routes for walking and cycling, including, and where necessary, aim to reallocate space from motor traffic and car parking.

Funded projects should be accessible, age-friendly and maximise comfort to people of all ages and abilities.

Among the projects that it will support are the creation of new footpaths and segregated cycle lanes, reconstructing old or damaged paths, cycle parking, improved road crossings, design work for new pedestrian and cycling bridges, and closing roads to car traffic.

The scheme will be administered by the National Transport Authority on behalf of the department, with the NTA working with eligible local authorities.

Seán Canney said “There are many towns and villages where this funding would be a game changer and I am encouraging the Council to make sure they optimise the applications process to deliver for local people of all ages.”

Coronavirus: 89 COVID-19 cases in Galway, 1,620 nationally

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December 31, 2020

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

There have been an additional 89 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Galway today by the Department of Health, out of 1,620 new cases nationally.

There have also been 12 additional COVID-19 related deaths notified today.

Galway’s figures today are the third highest in the country, behind only Dublin (498) and Limerick (203), and just ahead of Cork (73).

There have now been a total of 91,779 COVID-19 cases in Ireland, and 2,237 lives have been lost in the coronavirus pandemic.

As of 2pm today there are 490 people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Ireland, of whom 58 were admitted in the past 24 hours. There are 42 people in the ICU with COVID.

“We are once again in the mitigation stage of this pandemic. The alarming escalation in the incidence of the virus in the general population gives great cause for concern,” said Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer.

“This disease is now widespread in our communities and as a result we are asking everyone to behave as if they are a close contact.”

Dr Holohan said that close contacts of confirmed cases are no longer being advised to get tested, as that is a containment measure and “we are no longer in a containment phase”.

This is being done to support the testing system through the recent surge in cases he said.

“However, it is imperative that if you are a close contact of a confirmed case you restrict your movements and contact your GP immediately if you develop symptoms.”

Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE warned that the current pressure on the public health system is not sustainable.

“A collective response by every individual, across every county, to follow the public health advice is essential to address the recent acceleration in case numbers that we are now seeing.”

The reintroduction of full Level 5 restrictions is essential to ensuring that public services such as non-COVID related healthcare can continue, and to have the strongest impact in the shortest time, Dr Henry added.

The reproduction rate of the virus now stands at between 1.6 and 1.8, and the number of new cases is now doubling in 7 to ten days said Prof. Philip Nolan of the NPHET modelling group.

He said that as many as 700 to 1,000 could be in hospital with COVID-19 early in the New Year.

Arrest made in connection with fatal hit and run in Furbo

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December 31, 2020

A woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal hit and run traffic incident which occurred at Furbo earlier this month.

Gardaí in Galway arrested the woman on December 27, and subsequently charged her in relation to the incident.

A woman in her 50s, a native of the Aran Islands, was struck by a car on the evening of December 16 while walking by the side of the road near Pairicin’s Bar in Furbo.

She sustained serious injuries in the collision, and later died at University Hospital Galway.

The woman arrested in relation to this hit and run appeared before a special sitting of Galway District Court on the morning of Monday December 28.

She was remanded in custody with consent to bail to reappear before Galway District Court on January 4, 2020 via video link.

Preview: Connacht v Leinster Guinness PRO14

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December 31, 2020

Galway Daily sport Connacht squad confirmed for New Year's Leinster game

Tackling and taking advantage of any openings Leinster provides will be the key for Connacht in the Guinness PRO14 clash this weekend Andy Friend has said.

Connacht are headed to Dublin this Saturday for the second of the Christmas interprovincial matches, this time against the defencing champions.

Head Coach Andy Friend said that executing the basics properly are essential to any win, and that “first and foremost” they have to get tackling right.

“You have to make sure that when you go in to tackle that your body is in the right position and that you are trying to make the most dominant tackle you can. That’s where they get their nose through just slightly and then they’re off.”

“That’s no big secret, there’s nothing special to that. Just with every tackle you make, get yourself in the best position to make the most dominant tackle you can.”

Connacht’s attack strategy will have to be adaptable to and able to take advantage of “key opportunities” when they present themselves Friend said.

Team Captain Jared Butler said that the squad will need to bring an 80-minute performance if they want to be in with a chance of winning.

“We’ve been over there and played 69 minutes of good footy and not come away with a win,” the Australian said.

“And against Ulster, we played well for 40 minutes. It’s about consistency, it’s about taking the game to Leinster.”

“They are a very good team when they have things on their terms and if you’re going to let them play and just try and counter everything then you’re going to have a hard day at the office.”

“Going up there and playing with confidence is going to be really important. Playing on top of them and trying to be aggressive because — like I said — you see so many teams go up there and try and weather the storm, but it’s an 80-minute storm if you let it be.”

“You got to go there and throw caution to the wind and try things because you know that you can’t play conservative. You have to go for it and try things.”

“We’ve lost the last three weeks in a row, so I expect — and so the group as a whole — us to bounce back and bring some energy. If you can’t get up for an Interpro versus Leinster then what can you get up for?”

Connacht and Leinster will play this Saturday, with kick-off at 7:30pm.

Calls for reopening of city test centres as COVID cases rise rapidly

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December 31, 2020

Galway Daily news Calls for reopening of city test sites as COVID cases rise rapidly

A City Councillor is calling for HSE West to urgently reopen the COVID-19 testing sites at the Docks and in Renmore in Galway City.

Councillor Alan Cheevers said that with daily cases at an all time high, it is vital to increase testing capacity to the point where people can get a test immediately.

There were 112 new cases notified in Galway yesterday, the highest ever daily numbers in the county since the start of the pandemic.

The nationwide total of 1,718 COVID-19 cases seen yesterday is also the single highest daily total Ireland has had.

“I believe this new strain of virus has contributed to levels that have not been seen before in Galway so it’s vital that we get testing ramped up,” Alan Cheevers said.

“At the moment we are seeing high volumes of people at the Galway Airport testing site to get a test. This is in serious danger of being overwhelmed if the HSE don’t act now.”

Earlier this year there were multiple test centres in the city, including one at the docks which was set up by the Naval Service.

These were later discontinued by the HSE as the number of COVID-19 cases, and demand for tests, declined over the summer.

Brothers of Charity propose ambitious walking trails network for Clarinbridge

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December 31, 2020

The Brothers of Charity have submitted plans to the County Council to create a network of more than 4km of walking trails in Clarinbridge.

Planning permission is being sought for works that would involve creating or improving walking trails on the ground of Kilcornan Estate at the east end of Clarinbridge.

In total the project encompasses ten walking trails, six of which will be new creations, and the remainder of which are existing trails which will be upgraded.

The applications states that “the proposed development would enhance the character of the area, adding to the facilities that can be enjoyed by the local communities on a daily basis”.

“It is noted that due to the recent unprecedented times caused by COVID-19, communities have been using local facilities more frequently than before.”

“It is suggested that the additional walkways proposed in this development will help cater for a larger footfall than originally planned for. The existing footpaths will be upgraded and signposted.”

The different sections of the proposed network are:

Riverbank Walkway – a 606m trail which includes a raised wooden Bog Bridge, a resurfaced existing stone pathway and new section of the same, and a grassland walkway.
Cowpark Trail – A 690m long grassland walkway.
Coillte owned Woodland – two stretches of existing walkway, 756m long in total, to be resurfaced.
Farmland Trail – 623m of walking trails with a gravel surface.
An existing trail with no works to take place.
Woodland Walkway – 434m of walking trails in three sections, one of which already exists, and two to be created.
Entrance Avenue – 883m of unbound gravel walkway.

As part of the upgrade works, an number of trail benches made from 100% recycled plastic will be placed throughout the network.

The owner of Paddy Burke’s Bar & Restaurant in Clarinbridge, Brian Carr, said in a submission with the application that he is “fully behind” the proposed walking trails, and is willing to allow his property to be used to help enable them.

“I am willing to let walkers use my carpark for the village entry to the walking trail. I sincerely hope this walk way goes ahead as I feel it would be beneficial to the local community, as we have been hit badly by the new motorway.”

Submissions of support for the proposal were also submitted to the council by Colga FC and Clarinbridge GAA.

Coillte has granted permission for lands owned by the state agency to be used in the project, as has the county council itself, though this consent stipulates that it “does not constitute a view by the Council on the merits or otherwise of any planning application that you may submit”.

A Natura Impact Statement and Ecological Impact Assessment were both submitted with this application.

The application also notes that there are four Protected Structures within the subject, Kilcornan Estate and its wrought iron entrance gates, Clarinbridge Bridge, and a 16th century Roman Catholic Church.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on approving this network of walking trails by February 11.

Motorists warned of icy roads this morning

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December 31, 2020

Galway Daily weather weather warning for low temperature and ice

Motorists have been urged to be careful when making essential journeys this morning due to icy patches on roads across the county.

There are currently two trucks are blocking the N59 between Oughterard and Maam Cross, and Gardai are at the scene.

The road is especially slippery, according to AA Roadwatch.

People are being advised to avoid this route if possible.

Galway is not included in Met Éireann’s status yellow snow and ice warning, but conditions on the roads could remain dangerous for some time.

Today will be a mostly bright, cold day, with temperatures of no more than 6 degrees in the afternoon sun.

Tonight, New Year’s Eve, will be freezing yet again.

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Coronavirus: Massive spike in new cases in Galway

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December 30, 2020

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

The Department of Health has reported a total of 1,718 new cases of Covid-19 and 13 further deaths related to the disease.

112 new cases were reported in Galway today, where the 14-day incidence rate has jumped to 183.3.

358 of the new cases are in Dublin, while 164 are in Cork, 155 in Louth and 150 in Donegal.

66% of the cases are under 45 years of age and the median age is 34 years old.

455 COVID-19 patients are hospitalised as of 2pm today, of which 37 are in ICU. There have been 60 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

Speaking this evening, Dr Tony Holohan said that Ireland is no longer in a containment phase, it ‘is once again in a mitigation phase’.

“Given the current levels of transmission in the community, every individual should consider themselves potentially infectious,” said the CMO.

“It is essential that we all limit our contacts to our own household now, restrict our movements and do not give COVID-19 any further opportunities to spread.

“Everyone needs to stay at home other than for essential work or care. This is not the time to be visiting other houses.”

Level 5: School holidays extended and household visits banned

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December 30, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway Butchers served with closure order over rodent droppings

School holidays are to be extended under new plans to halt the rapid spread of Covid-19 across Ireland.

Schools will remain closed until 11 January as part of new restrictions agreed by the Cabinet today.

The Cabinet has also agreed to impose full Level 5 restrictions until the end of January.

This means all household visits will be banned, non-essential retail will close and there will be a 5km limit on travel.

Sports including golf and tennis will also be restricted, with the exception of professional or elite sports like Gaelic games and horse racing behind closed doors.

More to follow…

Fiachna Ó Braonáin debuts as new Ros na Rún character Luke

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December 30, 2020

Galway Daily television Fiachna O Braonáin debuts as new Ros na Rún character Luke

Ros na Rún and Hothouse Flowers fans got a treat last night as the renowned Irish musician and radio presenter Fiachna Ó Braonáin was revealed as the charming new character Luke.

The handsome stranger as Luke Ó Ríordáin labelled in the fictional Gaeltacht village, turned heads on arrival and not least of all with bubbly and friendly Bobbi Lee.

A friend of Niall’s visiting him in Connemara, introducing Luke to Bobbi Lee is a must for Niall. She seems a little captivated by her partner’s tall, dark, chatty friend.

Has Niall anything to be worried about over New Year and is there more to Luke’s visit than catching up with an old friend?

Fiachna Ó Braonáin is a renowned musician, with the internationally renowned Hothouse Flowers and in more recent years presents RTE Radio One’s nightly music show Late Date.

A passionate gaeilgeoir who loves Irish arts and culture, he is now also presenting an Seomra Glas on RTE’s Raidio na Gaeltachta.

Fiachna says that he is delighted to be playing Luke on Ros na Rún, calling him a “fun character, charming, yet hidden”.

“It’s brilliant to be part of such a progressive and professional cast and crew who’re delivering excellent Irish language TV drama from a wonderful set in Spiddal in the Connemara Gaeltacht, a place which is very close to my heart.”

Ros na Rún is now in its milestone 25th season on TG4, broadcasting Ireland’s premiere Irish Language drama twice a week.

Catch all the latest drama in Ros na Rún on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30pm, with a catch-up double feature on Sundays at 7:30pm.

City Council running Christmas Tree recycling service

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December 30, 2020

Galway Daily news Free Christmas Tree recycling in Galway County

Galway City Council will be operating a Christmas Tree recycling service starting from this weekend at two locations.

The service will be available at two locations, the Hunters Depot, Lough Rusheen on the Barna Road and at Merlin Woods Depot in Doughiska.

The first date for disposing of your Christmas Tree will be this Saturday, January 2 from 9am to 3pm.

After that it will be open the following week from Monday, January 4 to Saturday, January 9 at the same times.

Slight decline in Galway’s COVID-19 hospital numbers

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December 30, 2020

The number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 in Galway has declined slightly according to the latest figures, even as nationwide hospital figures continue to climb alarmingly.

As of 8pm on Tuesday there were 19 confirmed hospital cases here, all of them at University Hospital Galway HSE figures show.

There are a further seven suspected cases at UHG, and two at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.

None of Galway’s confirmed cases are in Intensive Care as of Tuesday night, but one suspected case at Portiuncula is in the ICU.

Nationwide the number of people hospitalised with COVID-19 has reached 424, with 34 of them in the ICU.

There were 67 people hospitalised in the 24 hours prior to the gathering of these figures.

The Cabinet is holding an unscheduled meeting today to consider going into a full Level 5 lockdown again, with the potential tightening of restrictions to include closure of all non-essential retail, and the reintroduction of a 5km travel limit.

This comes after an alarming spike in the number of daily cases, with a record number of 1,546 new cases reported yesterday.

€2 million allocated for new fire stations in Loughrea and Athenry

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December 30, 2020

Galway Daily news €2 million allocated for new fire stations in Loughrea and Athenry

Funding to the tune of €2 million has been allocated for the construction of new fire stations in Athenry and Loughrea.

The two Galway fire stations are among €61 million in expenditure on the national fire service approved by the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage this week.

The Athenry station is ready for construction to start immediately, while the Loughrea station has a provisional start date of April 2021 according to the Fire Service Capital Programme.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon said that he was pleased to receive the news, in particular for the station staff who do an “excellent job in difficult circumstances”.

“They will shortly have state of the art modern facilities, to continue providing vital emergency services to a massive region of East Galway.”

Galway County Council will also a receive a new fire engine, one of 35 of which there is €16 million allocated for in the capital plan.

Minister Joe O’Brien said “This year of all year’s we are all truly grateful for the work of those on the frontline and in our emergency services.”

“I’d like to thank the staff and crew of all our fire services across the country for their work this year and every year.”

Covid-19 vaccines begin in Galway!

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December 29, 2020

Staff at University Hospital Galway were among the first people in the country to receive the Covid-19 vaccine earlier today.

Lorna Quinn was the first staff member in the hospital and the Saolta Group to receive the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, as vaccinations began today in the Republic.

Lorna, who is Assistant Director of Nursing and one of the peer vaccinators who will deliver the vaccine to staff based at the hospital, received the vaccine from her UHG nursing colleague Michelle McNamara Nee.

Between today and the end of this week, over 500 staff will be vaccinated at UHG and the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination will continue over the coming weeks.

“I am delighted to get this vaccine today,” said Lorna Quinn.

“I am one of the assigned peer vaccinators who will deliver the vaccine to staff across the hospital and I am really looking forward to being part of this historic vaccination campaign.

“Information will be provided to each person who receives the vaccine explaining the process to them, including the requirement to receive a second dose of this vaccine in 3 weeks”.

Chris Kane, Hospital Manager at Galway University Hospitals, added that everyone in University Hospital Galway is delighted to see the commencement of this vaccination programme on site today.

“The COVID-19 vaccine offers us protection from COVID-19 and from the serious complications it can cause,” she said.

“Our plan is provide the vaccine in the first instance to those staff directly providing care to confirmed and suspect COVID-19 cases including the Shannon and Corrib inpatient wards, the Emergency Department and Acute Medical and Surgical Assessment Units and the ICU in the hospital.

“Over the course of next week and beyond, this will be extended to all staff in the hospital.”

Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Group which has overall responsibility for the acute hospitals and the west and north west, said that today is a really important day and they are delighted that they have commenced the roll-out of this critical vaccination programme.

“The vaccines will be delivered in stages and we will be extending the vaccination programme across each of the hospitals in the Saolta Group as the vaccine supply becomes available,” said Tony Canavan.

“This is a huge vaccination programme and our priority it to provide it to our staff as quickly as possible in the safest possible manner”.

Coronavirus: 43 new cases in Galway, 9 COVID deaths in Republic

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December 29, 2020

The Department of Health has reported 1,546 new cases of Covid-19 today, and nine further deaths related to the disease.

Forty-three of the cases are in Galway, while 444 are in Dublin, 203 in Cork, 111 in Louth, 87 in Limerick and 85 in Donegal.

757 are men and 788 are women and 66% are under 45 years of age.

“We have reached a significant milestone in our collective response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, with the launch of our national vaccination programme,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan this evening.

“To see the first recipients of the vaccine gives us hope for better times ahead, particularly for those of us who are the most vulnerable to the virus, including those over 70 and with underlying medical conditions.

“The vaccination programme will focus on the priority groups in line with the recent decisions of Government in the first instance.”

He said that as the vaccination programme rolls out, we each need to remember to remain vigilant to the ongoing risk of the spread of COVID-19 and follow the public health advice in our everyday lives.

“Following the public health advice is our only means to suppress the spread of the virus in the community,” added Dr Tony Holohan.

“You are protecting yourself and your family from this highly infectious virus every time you wash your hands, wear a face covering, keep a 2m distance, reduce your social contacts and stay at home if you feel unwell.”

Cannabis dealer spared prison sentence

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December 29, 2020

Galway Daily courts Cannabis dealer spared prison sentence

A man who admitted to dealing cannabis was spared prison on the condition that he voluntarily leave Ireland by the new year.

Filip Cuisin Fuertes (33), with a former address at Monksfield, Lower Salthill admitted to multiple charges of possession of drugs, and possession with the intent to supply.

He pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Court on November 6, and returned again for sentencing this month.

Garda Christina Galvin said that on October 24 of 2019 she was on patrol in plain clothes at Raven’s Terrace in Galway City when she saw a man conduct what she suspected was a drug deal.

After observing him for a period, during which time she saw him approaching multiple other males, she an another officer approached him.

When questioned about his activities by the Gardaí he admitted to having 28 grams of cannabis on him, and more back at his house.

Upon searching the residence, Gardaí found two bars of cannabis resin, and another 154.9 grams of the herb.

The total value of the drugs seized both on his person in Raven’s Terrace and at the Salthill residence, was €4,200.

There was also €1,060 in cash seized during the search of the house, which the state applied for permission to keep as proceeds of a crime.

Mr Conal McCarthy BL, defence barrister, said that his client, a Brazilian national, had a cannabis problem himself at the time.

He added that Mr Fuertes had been saving money to return to Brazil, where he has family including a young son he is estranged from, and already had a flight booked.

He cooperated fully with Gardaí and entered a plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity Mr McCarthy added.

Judge Rory McCabe sentenced Fuertes to two and half years in prison, but suspended the entirety of the sentence on the condition that he leave the country by the New Year, and not to try and return to Ireland for a period of five years.

COVID hospital numbers steady in Galway amid nationwide spike

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December 29, 2020

The number of COVID-19 cases in Galway hospitals has remained steady at 20 confirmed cases, even as nationwide hospitalisations have spiked dramatically.

There are a total of 19 confirmed cases at UHG and just 1 at Portiuncula Hospital as of 8pm on Monday, out of 385 nationwide.

None of the confirmed patients hospitalised in Galway are in Intensive Care as of Monday night.

There are a further four suspected COVID cases at University Hospital Galway, and two at Portiuncula.

While the number of people hospitalised in Galway has climbed significantly in the past week, the figure has levelled off in recent days, even as national figures have continued to

Gardaí appeal for help finding man missing for two weeks

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December 29, 2020