Home Blog Page 574

Coronavirus: One further death as hospitalisations continue to rise

By
Michael Malone
-
0
Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

One further death related to Covid-19 has been reported by health officials this evening, as well as 765 new confirmed cases of the disease.

Of the cases reported today by the Department of Health, 18 are in Galway, while 291 new cases are in Dublin, 63 in Cork, 59 in Monaghan, 49 in Louth and 43 in Meath.

70% of the cases are under 45 years of age and the median age is 33 years old.

As of 2pm today 359 people with Covid-19 are hospitalised across the Republic, of which 30 are in ICU.

Speaking this evening, the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan urged people to come forward for testing if they feel unwell.

“Know the symptoms of Covid-19, and do not delay in phoning your GP for advice. Self-isolate in your room if you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath or change in sense of taste/smell,” he said.

“If you are a household contact of a confirmed case, restrict your movements until your household member receives a negative test result.

“In addition to staying at home except for essential reasons, these important individual actions will help to stop the exponential spread of Covid-19 in our communities and in turn protect the most vulnerable, our healthcare system and those who work on frontlines.

He added: “The data we are reporting today are lower than days up to 26 December. This however results from factors related to the time of the year, such as the lower rates of attendance and referrals and presentation for testing for several days over Christmas.

“We look at many metrics when monitoring the disease severity of COVID-19. Today we are reporting that we have now exceeded the cumulative number of people hospitalised in this third wave than in the second.

“Hospitalisations have increased sharply in the last two days. This is a concerning trend which reflects the sharp increase incidence we saw in the last 10 days.

Galway weather warning issued for third day running

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily weather Wind Warning in effect as crappy day ahead for Galway

Yet another weather warning has been issued for Galway and the west coast today, with heavy winds now forecast to continue into Tuesday morning.

Met Eireann has issued a Status Yellow wind warning for counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Kerry.

Today and tonight northwesterly winds will reach mean speeds of 50 to 65km/h with gusts of 90 to 110km/h, strongest on coasts.

This covers the period from 2pm today, immediately after the expiration of the Storm Bella warnings, and will last until 7am on Tuesday morning Met Eireann has said.

This is the third day in a row where Galway has been almost continuously covered by at least one weather warning as Storm Bella made its way across Ireland over the weekend.

There were up to 2,000 properties without electricity last night as the winds caused damage across the county, though these outages have now been repaired.

Searches continue for missing man reported entering Corrib

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Searches continue for missing man reported entering Corrib

Searches are continuing today for a missing person who was reported entering the water of the Corrib River before Christmas.

A man was reported entering the Corrib at the Wolfe Tone Bridge on the afternoon of December 20th a Garda spokesperson said.

A search operation involving the Gardaí, Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Civil Defence is ongoing.

Voluntary organisations such as the Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit, Tipperary Search and Rescue, and Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery are also assisting in the search for the missing man.

The Boyne Fishermen’s Rescue and Recovery carried out multiple dives along the Corrib on Sunday, and Tipperary SAR assisted in searches.

Oranmore Maree Coastal Search Unit is also continuing its efforts today, with fresh search efforts starting from the Galway Bay Sailing Club in Renville this morning.

Galway Chamber celebrating local businesses’ resilience with annual awards

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily business Galway Chamber celebrating local businesses' resilience with annual awards

Galway Chamber is celebrating the resilience and innovation displayed by businesses here after an extremely challenging year in the 2020 Business Awards.

Businesses in Galway and beyond have had to adapt to unprecedented circumstances in 2020, with repeated closures for many, and even those who were allowed and able to stay open had to find new ways to doing operating to adapt to COVID-19.

Entries for the annual Business Awards will remain open until January 22, after which three businesses will be shortlisted in each category.

The Galway Chamber Overall Business of the Year Award will be selected from among the category award winners.

Two categories in the competition are open to non-members of Galway Chamber, the Best Emerging Enterprise and Best Innovation awards, while the rest are for members of the Chamber only.

Members should nominate their own company, with an online application process that asks them to briefly explain their business, how they support the local economy, and why they think they are deserving of the award.

Businesses can be nominated for a maximum of two categories, and separate applications must be made for each category.

The categories open to Galway businesses are:

Chris Coughlan Award for Best Emerging Enterprise

Sponsored by: WestBIC and Galway Technology Centre

This category aims to award emerging entrepreneurs that have the potential to grow their companies into successful organisations which will be innovative and create employment. 

Specific measures taken into consideration will be: 
• Employment created 
• Achievements to date 
• Future plan

Best Customer Service

Sponsored by: Galway Chamber

This award will be given to the business that can best demonstrate that it consistently delivers superior service to its customers. Entrants must be able to explain what their service is and demonstrate their commitment to customer service excellence within their particular service provided.

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:
• Evidence of service quality and customer care programme
• Responsiveness to customer issues
• Demonstration of innovation and creativity

Marketing Excellence

Sponsored by: Galway City Council

This award will be given to the company that have delivered a unique marketing initiative which successfully promoted their businesses and impacted on turnover, growth and/or footfall.

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:
• Evidence of specific campaigns
• The innovation and creativity of the campaign materials and strategy
• The engagement and interactivity with the target audience, existing and potential and use of digital media

Best Small to Medium Enterprise

Sponsored by: AIB

Less than 200 employees

This award will be given to the Company that is striving to create world class products and services, setting the highest benchmarks and optimising opportunities in their marketplace. 

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:
• Evidence of performance and achievement in the last 12 months.
• Demonstration of innovation and creativity
• Positive impact in areas such as job creation and supporting local community. 

Best Business Innovation

Sponsored by: EY

This award will be given to a business that can best demonstrate growth and diversity in a challenging business environment.  

Specific measures taken into consideration will be: 
• Evidence of the business adaptation due to the pandemic
• Examples of new markets, products or services
• The positive impact these changes had on the business

Sustainability Award

Sponsored by: Shannon Airport

This award will be given to the company that can either best demonstrate that sustainability is at the core of the company’s values and best practices.

Specific measures taken into consideration will be:
• Importance of Sustainability within the organisation
• Contribution that the Sustainability practices make to the economy and society
• Mainstream nature of the Sustainability activity within the organisation

President’s Award

Sponsored by: PWC

This award will be given to an individual who has made a contribution to the business life of Galway that is outstanding in every way. 

The recipient of this Award is chosen by the President of Galway Chamber in consultation with his officer board. 

Overall Business of the Year

Sponsored by: Shannon Group

The overall award winner will be selected from the category winners.

The overall award will be given to the company that distinguished itself among the other category winners as being outstanding in its field and making a significant contribution to the economic life of Galway through its commitment to responsible business practices in all its endeavours, its innovation, its creativity and its integrity in dealing with people. 

Power outages still affecting almost 500 homes after storm

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Storm Isha: Over 6,000 properties without power in Galway this morning

Just under 500 homes in County Galway are still experiencing power outages after high winds brought by Storm Bella caused damage last night.

Claregalway remains the worst affected area of Galway, with four faults causing outages to 367 premises this morning.

There are 57 properties experiencing power outages in Athenry, 39 in Cloon, 36 in Oranmore, and 27 in Curran.

During the worst of the weather last night there were almost 2,000 homes and businesses across Galway which experienced electricity outages due to winds from the storm.

A Status Yellow wind warning remains in force in Galway today, lasting until 2pm this afternoon.

GMIT Virtual Choir commemorates late colleague with ‘O Holy Night’

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily arts & culture GMIT Virtual Choir commemorates late colleague with 'O Holy Night'

The GMIT choir released their latest virtual hit over Christmas, with a rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ dedicated to the memory of a late colleague.

The video brings together over 70 staff and student voices in this beautiful hymnal arrangement, showing the choristers dressed in black & silver interspersed with clips of members with their families and friends preparing for the festivities.

The production has been dedicated to the memory of the much loved colleague and chorister at GMIT Trish Carrick, who passed away in November due to cervical cancer.

Musical Director Seán Rowland says “It had been the choir’s intention to dedicate this song to Trish while she was unwell, but now instead it has been dedicated to her memory.”

“We would ask you to consider making a donation to Galway Hospice who took such good care of Trish and were a support to her family during her final weeks.”

This is the fifth release from the GMIT virtual choir since the start of lockdown, with the dozens of performers recording their individual pieces at home, and sending them in to Seán Rowland to mix together.

Just last month, students recorded the Avicii hit single “Hey Brother” which marked the Class of 2020’s Virtual Conferrings, and which has been viewed over 100,000 times.

Seán Rowland said “‘O Holy Night’ is one of my all-time favourite Christmas Carols and the staff and students have performed this beautiful piece incredibly well.

Despite working from home, Rowland said that he has never felt as close to the choir as he he did when producing this video, getting to hear “both individually and collectively” the effort that everyone put in.

The video is now available to view online on GMIT’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

Anita Mahony, Co-Chair of GMIT Healthy Campus, said “This new release is beautiful and very moving to us as we think of Trish who, long before our choir was established, used to sing at remembrances services for late staff and students, and at our annual Ash Wednesday masses. She will be deeply missed”.

“I’d like to thank our amazing Choir Director Seán Rowland who has given so generously of his time and talents this past year, uplifting us all during the lockdowns.”

Extension of planning permission sought for 61 houses in Oranmore

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Green light for new apartment complex in Rahoon

An extension of planning permission is being sought for the construction of 61 houses at the southern end of Oranmore.

Receivers Declan Taite & Brendan Hanratty of Duff & Phelps are seeking an additional fove years from the county council for the development of this housing estate at Oranhill, Oranmore.

The site of this residential development is currently in receivership, but a sale has been agreed according to the EOD application before the council.

A sale of the site was originally agreed in late 2019 according to the application, but due to “numerous legal issues and technical issues with compliance” it did not proceed at the time.

Subject to the “finalisation of legal issues”, and the council’s decision on whether to grant an EOD, the developers now hope to start work on the houses in 2021.

The current planning permission dates from July 2016, when An Bord Pleanála upheld the county council’s initial approval after an appeal, and is due to expire in November 2021.

The housing development is now expected to be completed by mid-2023, but the developer is seeking a 5 year extension of the planning permission “to provide for maximum flexibility in these uncertain times”.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this EOD application by January 30 of 2021.

Storm Bella: Almost 2,000 homes in Galway without electricity tonight

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news SHundreds of homes remain without power in Galway after severe weather

There are almost 2,000 homes without electricity in Galway tonight due to more than twenty faults and outages caused by high winds associated with Storm Bella.

Galway is under a status yellow wind warning tonight, as Met Eireann is predicting that Storm Bella could bring gusts of up to 110km/hr to the west coast for the second night in a row.

The largest number of electricity problems in Galway tonight are in Claregalway, where nine separate power outages have left 759 premises without electricity.

in Kilcolgan there are a further 438 homes experiencing power outages, and 220 premises in Headford are without electricity.

There are 156 homes in the Athenry area experiencing outages, along with 140 in Cloon, 47 in Gort, and 36 in Oranmore.

This weather warning will remain in place in Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry until 2pm on Monday.

Coronavirus: 744 cases reported as hospitalisations increase across Ireland

By
Michael Malone
-
0
Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

The Department of Health has reported 4 new deaths related to Covid-19 and 744 further cases of the disease.

Of the 744 people who were notified of their positive coronavirus test yesterday, 21 are in Galway, while 246 are in Dublin, 131 in Cork, 51 in Limerick, 40 in Wexford and 33 in Donegal.

As of 8am today, 324 people with Covid-19 are hospitalised, of which 26 are in ICU.

“We have seen a significant increase in the number of hospitalisations in the last two weeks from less than 190 to 324 today,” said Dr Tony Holohan, speaking this evening.

“This indicates a deteriorating disease trajectory nationally and is a significant reminder of the severity of this disease.”

Dr Tony Holohan added that there are higher levels of disease circulating in the community than today’s reported numbers reflect, because fewer tests were carried out over Christmas Day and yesterday.

The Chief Medical Officer said that he expects further increases in cases over the coming days.

 

Expansion plans for Craughwell National School move forward

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Expansion plans for Craughwell National School move forward

Construction work on extending and completely refurbishing Craughwell National School is expected to start in the second half of next year.

Plans are progressing for the development of a two storey extension of the national school, which will contain eight new classrooms.

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon said that he has been informed by Minister with responsibility for the OPW Patrick Donovan TD that tenders have been invited for the project.

They are expected back by February 19, and it is hoped that construction work will begin in the third quarter of 2021.

The project will also involve a complete refurbishment of the existing school building.

“There’s no going back now,” Ciaran Cannon said, adding “This is very positive news for a great school community.”

Storm Bella: Fresh weather warning issued for this evening

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily weather Rough weekend forecast as weather warning issued by Met Eireann

New weather alerts have been issued for the west coast of Ireland by Met Eireann for a second day of rough conditions due to Storm Bella.

A Status Yellow wind warning will be in effect in Galway from 6pm this evening until 2pm on Monday afternoon.

On Sunday evening through to tomorrow, northwesterly winds associated with Storm Bella will reach mean speeds of 50 – 65km/h with gusts of 90 – 110km/h.

Winds will be stronger in exposed areas and on higher ground. With the combination of strong winds, high waves and forecasted storm surge, there is a risk of coastal flooding.

The wind warning covers counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork and Kerry.

The alert for this evening follows on from two warnings for heavy winds and rain associated with Storm Bella which expired in the early hours of the morning.

Counties in the midlands and northwest of Ireland wintry showers today and tonight, with the risk of icy stretches on untreated surfaces.

The Snow/Ice warning for counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Longford, Louth, Leitrim, Roscommon and Sligo will be in place until 7am on Monday.

Public appeal renewed on fatal Furbo hit and run

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news

Gardaí in Galway have renewed their appeal for information on a hit and run traffic collision where a woman lost her life earlier this month.

A woman in her mid-50s died following a hit and run near Pairicin’s Bar in Furbo on December 16.

She was struck by a car headed in the Barna direction while walking towards Spiddal after being dropped in the area at approximately 6:30pm.

Gardaí are looking for a maroon 2004-2007 Toyota Corolla, which has been identified as the vehicle involved in the collision.

Inspector Brian Ryan of Salthill Garda Station said, “An Garda Síochána is appealing to the driver of this vehicle to please come forward and make contact with Gardaí in Salthill.”

“We would like to renew our appeal to members of the public who may have information to please come forward.”

“We would also appeal to members of the Eastern European community who live and work in the locality to contact us if they have any information.”

“In particular An Garda Síochána is aware that this maroon coloured car sustained damage in the collision.”

“It is possible that this car may have been taken to a mechanic for repairs, the car may have been offered for sale, or parts may have been requested from local mechanics in recent days.”

Anyone who may have information related to this hit an run is asked to contact Salthill Garda Station at 091-514720, or the Garda Confidential line on 1800-666-111.

Coronavirus: 1,296 COVID cases and 6 deaths today

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Galway hospitals see COVID cases double in recent weeks

There have been 1,296 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported by the Department of Health today, along with six additional deaths associated with the disease.

There have now been a total of 85,394 confirmed cases in the Republic of Ireland, and 2,200 COVID related deaths in the state.

“For the second day in a row we are reporting more than a thousand confirmed cases,” said Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer.

“Within a few short weeks of easing measures at the beginning of December, we have now returned to the very high levels of COVID-19 circulating in the community that we have not seen since the peak of Wave Two of this disease. This is very concerning”.

“While today is a positive day with the arrival of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty), it does not mean that we can relax our adherence to public health measures.”

“We must continue to stay at home, avoid social contact where possible, avoid visiting friends and family and not have visitors to our homes.”

“Our adherence to public health advice will remain our best defence against this disease and help us protect our vulnerable loved ones from the effects of COVID-19.”

While the first doses of the vaccine have begin arriving in Ireland, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that it will likely be May or June before mass vaccinations will be possible due to the low initial volume of doses available.

Letter | A reason to hope – Oxfam Ireland

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Letter | A reason to hope - Oxfam Ireland

As we look towards 2021, we at Oxfam Ireland would like to acknowledge the generosity of the people of Galway throughout one of the most challenging years we have faced as a global community.

Against the backdrop of a worldwide pandemic, you still found ways to support our work – through generous donations, campaigning, volunteering, or visiting your local Oxfam shop. We want you to know that you have played an important role in our mission to end the injustice of poverty – as well as our response to Covid-19 across the world – and for that, we thank you.

Sadly, this year has significantly set back some of the progress we have made together across the world. For the first time in 22 years, extreme poverty has increased and with that the number of people struggling to survive.

An estimated 270 million children, women and men will go to sleep hungry each night as the new year begins; while, increased unemployment, particularly in informal sectors, and the increased need for additional care duties due to lockdowns and school closures will continue to hit women and girls hardest, once again.

The climate emergency continues at pace and this year also saw an increase in severe weather events and natural disasters – increasing risks and hardship for already vulnerable communities and businesses.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is our interconnectedness as people, our relationship to the living world, and how fragile our systems are when confronted by something outside of our control.

We promise to keep working hard to tackle the inequalities and injustices that drive poverty across the world, to be there to help people build back better when disaster strikes and to support people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive.

But we couldn’t make this promise without you – our supporters. You give us reason to hope.

Wishing the people of Galway a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Yours sincerely,

Jim Clarken
Chief Executive of Oxfam Ireland

 

Storm Bella: Met Eireann issues second weather warning

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway daily news Galway Daily news Status Orange weather warning issued for Storm Isha

A second weather warning has been issued for Storm Bella on St. Stephen’s Day, and Met Eireann has expanded their alert to cover all of Ireland.

Heavy wind and rain are expected on St. Stephen’s Day from late afternoon and lasting into the early hours of Sunday morning.

Westerly winds associated with Storm Bella will reach mean speeds of 50 – 65km/hr with gusts up to 110km/hr, even stronger at times on the west coast.

With the combination of strong winds, high waves and forecasted storm surge, there is also a risk of coastal flooding along the west coast.

Heavy rains associated with Bella are also forecast move southwards over Ireland throughout the day.

These rains may cause localised flooding in some areas Met Eireann has said.

The alerts for Storm Bella will be in effect from 3pm on Saturday until 4am on Sunday morning.

Coronavirus: Over 1,000 cases as English virus strain detected in Ireland

By
Michael Malone
-
0
Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

The Department of Health has reported 1,025 new cases of Covid-19 and two further deaths related to the disease.

The UK variant of COVID-19 has also been detected in the country, with NPHET urging people to stay at home, avoid social contact and avoid all forms of non-essential travel.

Commenting on the new strain of the virus, Dr Tony Holohan said that further testing in the coming days and weeks will establish the extent to which it is present here.

“It is particularly important that those who have arrived from the UK strictly self-isolate for a full 14 days following arrival,” he said.

“They should not interact with others, visit others, socialise or go shopping. The HSE is making arrangements to test recent arrivals from the UK. Full details of advice and procedures are available at www.hse.ie.”

There has now been a total of 84,098 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Republic of Ireland and 2,194 COVID-19 related deaths.

43 year old man arrested in Galway on European Arrest Warrant

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

A man arrested in Galway wanted in the UK was one of nine people brought before the courts on a European Arrest Warrant this week.

The 43 year old man arrested in Galway is wanted in the United Kingdom for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Gardaí attached to the Garda Extradition Unit and Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations executed nine European Arrest Warrants around the country this week.

The warrants, seven of which are for offences in the UK and two of which relate to charges in Poland, were executed between Monday and Wednesday, December 21 – 23.

Detective Superintendent Michael J. Mullen of the Garda Extradition Unit remarked that, “the significant arrests over the last two days, coordinated by detectives attached to Organised and Serious Crime, supported by local members across the country, represents our ongoing commitment to ensuring persons wanted on international arrest warrants are brought to justice”.

All nine have appeared before the High Court and are currently remanded to reappear before the Court again on January 8, 2021.

The nine warrants relate to the following:

  •  The arrest of a 52 year old male in Wexford wanted for fraud offences in Poland.
  • The arrest of a 43 year old male in Galway wanted for perjury and perverting the course of justice in the UK.
  • The arrest of a 35 year old female in Mullingar wanted for immigration offences in the UK.
  • The arrest of a 63 year old male in Longford wanted for sexual offences in the UK.
  • The arrest of a 39 year old male in Naas, Kildare wanted for false imprisonment and drugs offences in Poland.
  • The arrest of a 28 year old male in Dublin wanted for assault and drugs offences in the UK.
  • The arrest of a 32 year old male in Dublin wanted for participation in a criminal organisation and fraud offences in the UK.
  • The arrest of a 42 year old female in Dundalk, Louth wanted for drugs offences in the UK.
  • The arrest of a 46 year old male in Dublin wanted for hi-jacking, assault and criminal damage in the UK.

Weather warning issued as Storm Bella approaches

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Storm Amy

Galway has been issued with a status yellow weather warning, along with all of the west coast, as Storm Bella is to bring rough conditions this weekend.

On Saturday afternoon, evening and night, westerly winds associated with Storm Bella will reach mean speeds of 50-65km/hr with gusts of up to 110km/hr.

There will also be a risk of coastal flooding due to the confluence of strong winds, high waves, and a forecasted storm surge.

The current status yellow weather warning applies to all of Connacht, as well as counties Donegal, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

It will be in effect from midday on Saturday until 6am on Sunday morning.

Further updates will be issued as necessary Met Eireann has said.

Coronavirus: 8 deaths today and 43 COVID-19 cases in Galway

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news 25 percent drop in COVID cases in Galway hospitals

There have been eight additional deaths related to COVID-19 and 922 new cases reported by the Department of Health today.

Of the cases notified today, 43 are in Galway. The 14-day incidence rate here has now climbed to 86.4 cases per 100,000 population.

Galway had the fifth highest level of new cases reported today, behind Dublin (337), Cork (73), Limerick (70), and Wexford (56).

“Unfortunately, none of the indicators of this disease are showing encouraging signs. Ireland now has the fastest growing incidence rate in the European Union,” said Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer.

“This Christmas, the best present you can give your loved ones is to strictly adhere to the public health advice.”

There have now been 2,192 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, and a total of 83,073 confirmed cases in the pandemic.

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

As of 8am this morning there are 255 people in hospital with COVID-19 in Ireland, of whom 22 are in the ICU. There have been 37 additional hospitalisations in the past 24 hours.

“Make your Christmas safe, meaningful and memorable for the right reasons. Stay home, stay safe and stay well,” Dr Holohan added.

“Limit contact as much as you can and ensure you and your loved ones have a happy and safe Christmas.”

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

EU treaty rights for UK citizens in Ireland post-Brexit

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news EU treaty rights for UK citizens in Ireland post-Brexit

From December 31 the long running Brexit saga will come to a halt one way or another, as the 12 month transition period comes to an end.

While their will be many areas of relations and business between Ireland and Britain that will change as a result of Brexit, the ability of UK nationals and their family members to travel to, live and work in Ireland will not be affected.

UK nationals will continue to have the same rights under the Common Travel Area to live, work, study and more in Ireland that they currently have.

For non-EEA family members of UK nationals who are currently living in Ireland, the only change in their residence status will be a requirement to get updated paperwork to reflect the changed status under which they are claiming those rights.

To date family members of EU nationals who are exercising EU Treaty Rights in Ireland pursuant to the EU Free Movement Directive have been granted a residence card as the family member of a UK/EU citizen exercising EU Treaty Rights.

Non-EEA nationals who are the family members of UK citizens exercising EU treaty rights in Ireland and who currently hold a valid residence card, will now have get a new card stating that their rights of residence are acquired through the EU Free Movement Directive pursuant to the Withdrawal Agreement.

They have until December 31 to apply for the new permit in an online application process which can be found here.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee also announced this week that the Department of Justice is introducing a new preclearance/visa scheme for the non-EEA family members of UK Nationals seeking to come to Ireland from January 1 2021.

“This Scheme only applies where the UK citizen has come to live in Ireland after 31 December 2020 or, if living in Ireland before 31 December 2020, is not a beneficiary of the Citizens Rights provisions under the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and European Union.”

Sinnott Immigration Solicitors and Consultants are Irelands leading Immigration experts with offices in Dublin and Cork.

If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact their Immigration Department today on 00353 1 406 2862 or info@sinnott.ie”

1...573574575...1,068Page 574 of 1,068