Spike in new Galway cases, 200 cases confirmed in Republic

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August 15, 2020

Galway Daily news Weather warning for continued heavy rain in Galway

A status yellow weather warning for Galway and the entire southern half of the country with heavy rain, hail, and thunder forecast on Saturday evening.

The weather warning, which will be in place until 9pm on Saturday, warns of a risk of thunderstorms this evening.

These could cause heavy localised downpours, hail showers, and localised flooding Met Eireann has said.

The alert covers all of Munster, as well as counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Laois, Wexford, Offaly, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

A separate warning has been issued for Wexford, Cork and Waterford warning of heavy rain today and overnight.

This will be especially strong in coastal areas, with a risk of localised flooding.

The warning will be in force until 6am on Sunday morning.

Tuam Courthouse among regional priorities of the Courts Service

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August 15, 2020

Tuam Courthouse among regional priorities of the Courts Service

The Courts Service have identified the provision of a new courthouse in Tuam as one of their regional priorities to make up for deficient facilities.

The Courts Service Annual Report for 2019 lists Tuam as one of the locations where it is planned to provide “new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard”.

Tuam courthouse has been closed for over a decade, with courts taking place in various temporary locations including The Town Hall, The Old Grove building and now on the Weir Road.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that providing a permanent courthouse is “vital” to Tuam, and suggested that redeveloping the old courthouse would bring an “iconic building” back into use.

Announcements were made in recent years that the Office of Public Works was planning on refurbishing the old building.

However last year it was confirmed that this would not be going ahead due to the condition of the building, which was described as not fit for use.

The Courts Service report notes that the provision of a courthouse in Tuam is part of the Government’s National Development Plan 2018 – 2027, and that the “precise allocation and timing” of funding has yet to be determined.

Where exactly Tuam falls in the list of priorities will be determined based on further planning and costs analysis.

The Courts Service is also the owner of the site adjacent to the old courthouse, which has been suggested as a potential site for a new building.

“I am confident that the Courts Service will progress the development of this site and I acknowledge the support of former Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan in my efforts to include Tuam in the list of priorities,” Seán Canney said.

“I will be contacting the Office of Public Works and the Courts Service to push for this project to be expedited”.

Micil Distillery hands over €4,000 cheque to Galway Hospice

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August 15, 2020

galway daily micil distillery galway hospice

Micil Distillery has handed over a cheque worth €4,000 to Galway Hospice, after matching a €2,000 donation made by Allianz Insurance this week.

The donation was made after Allianz identified the local distillery as a business which has been heavily involved in assisting within the local community throughout the pandemic.

To thank Micil Distillery, the insurance firm contacted the family-owned business offering to make a donation of €2,000 in their name to a charity of their choice.

The team at Micil Distillery chose the Galway Hospice, subsequently pledging to match the donation made in the business’ name.

Speaking about the donation Pádraic Ó Griallais, the distillery’s founder and a sixth generation poitín distiller, said that they are acutely aware that there are many charitable organisations out there that are struggling because of Covid-19.

“One such organisation who have been hugely affected are the Galway Hospice, who have suffered a huge blow to their fundraising efforts this year,” said Pádraic.

“We were delighted when we were selected by Allianz to donate €2,000 to a charity of our choice.

“We decided to match the donation with another €2,000 of our own as we wanted to give back to our local community who were very supportive to us during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

He added that charities like Galway Hospice are finding it difficult to fundraise, so they decided to “give from the heart to a charity that does such critical work”.

“We wanted to acknowledge the dedication of the volunteers and staff during what has been a very challenging time.”

Speaking about how the donation shall be used, Lorraine Gallagher from Galway Hospice said: “Galway Hospice continues to care for patients during the Covid-19 crisis.

“The pandemic has severely impacted fundraising for the Hospice and funds raised will help Galway Hospice continue to provide specialist palliative care services to adults and children with life-limiting illnesses throughout Galway, as well as providing support to their families and carers. All hospice supports and services are provided free of charge, for as long as they are needed.”

Yet another yacht rescued off the coast of Galway

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August 15, 2020

Yet another yacht rescued off the coast of Galway by RNLI lifeboat

Yet another yacht in trouble off the coast of Galway was rescued by the RNLI this week, after the Aran Islands lifeboat came to the aid of a boat on Friday.

The Aran Islands all weather lifeboat was called out shortly after 9am on Friday at the request of the Coast Guard.

They had received reports of a 42ft yacht with five people aboard in trouble 20 miles to the west of Earrach Island, northwest of Kilronan harbour.

The yacht had gotten into difficulty when a rope became tangled in their propeller.

The all-weather Severn class lifeboat launched under Coxswain John O’Donnell and a full crew and headed straight for the yacht.

Weather conditions at the time of launching were good with calm seas and good visibility.

Once on scene, the volunteer crew, following all strict COVID-19 safety guidelines, assessed all aboard the yacht were not in need of any medical attention and a tow line was established between the lifeboat and the yacht.

The lifeboat then proceeded to tow the yacht safely back to Kilronan Harbour.

“The crew members responded to the call out quickly and were able to get to the yacht before it drifted any further and were able to tow her safely into Kilronan Harbour.”

“The crew train regularly to respond to a call out as quick as possible,” said Coxswain John O’Donnell

“As the good weather and summer holidays continue, we encourage everyone to always respect the water.”

“Always wear a lifejacket, always carry a means of communication and make sure everyone knows how to use it. Make sure someone on the shore knows where you are going and when you are due back.”

image credit: RNLI/Aran Islands

Macnas to bring the legend of Gilgamesh to Galway

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August 15, 2020

Macnas to bring the legend of Gilgamesh to Galway

Masters of storytelling and spectacle Macnas will bring a dramatic new interpretation of the world’s oldest story, the legend of Gilgamesh, to Galway this year.

Commissioned by Galway 2020 for the European Capital of Culture celebrations, the extraordinary adventures of Gilgamesh will start to unfold online at Macnas.com from September.

The legend of Gilgamesh is the world’s first ever hero’s journey, an epic tale which follows a young king called Gilgamesh who embarks upon a quest to seek answers to humanity’s fundamental questions about love, power, death and immortality.

Macnas will elevate its signature imaginative style, taking traditional theatre and storytelling into new outdoor, indoor and digital territories across three phases into 2021, bringing the contemporary themes of this ancient origin story to life.

“This is an amazing story about the dance of humanity, our loves, our losses, our challenges and our hopes. Gilgamesh is epic and Macnas does epic so get ready people… Gilgamesh is coming,” said Macnas Artistic Director Noeline Kavanagh.

The world of Gilgamesh will begin to reveal itself to local, national and international audiences from September on digital platforms, via www.Macnas.com and across Macnas socials, introducing the story and firmly rooting the world of the characters in the city and landscape of Galway.

In December, the magic of Macnas will see Gilgamesh journey outside the city into the wild landscape of County Galway for a very special one-off ticketed event in a rural location.

In March 2021, Macnas moves indoors as Gilgamesh, reimagined by award-winning Irish playwright Marina Carr, takes possession of the Black Box Theatre for an innovative, fierce and fantastical season (16-28 March) that will take the audience far beyond the four walls of the theatre.

With Gilgamesh Macnas is working with a team of new and existing artists and collaborators to bring this ancient story to life.

Celebrated playwright Marina Carr is joined by Tony Award-nominated designer Julian Crouch, associate designer Orla Clogher and costume designer Cherie White, with music and soundscapes from composer and sound designer Nick Powell.

As part of the project, the company will also implement a major digital programme on Macnas.com.

The Gilgamesh Experience will reveal original creative content over the coming months to include a series of specially commissioned short films from cinematographer Colm Hogan, allowing the work to be experienced by a truly global audience.

“Macnas is a formidable company that has always been exciting and ambitious, pushing the boundaries of theatre and storytelling,” said Galway 2020 CEO Patricia Philbin.

Gilgamesh is a project which challenges these possibilities even further, working in a new way and exploring new platforms.

We are excited to see it unfold across Galway and online. Audiences are in for a treat.”

image credit: Colm Hogan

Coronavirus: No deaths reported today, 67 new cases

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August 14, 2020

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

No further deaths have been reported to the NPHET today, but 67 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the Republic.

None of the sixty-seven cases confirmed today are in Galway – where the total number of cases remains 501.

The increase in today’s number of positive test results means there are now 26,995 confirmed cases of the disease in the State.

The number of people who have sadly died due to Covid remains 1,774.

Of today’s cases, 35 are men and 32 are women, while 70% are under 45 years of age.

Thirty-eight are confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case.

Eighteen cases are in Dublin, 17 in Kildare, 9 in Clare, 5 in Limerick, and the rest of the 18 cases are in Carlow, Cork, Donegal, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, Wexford, Wicklow.

Dr Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, said: “We have seen cases rising all across the country this week. We must continue to do all we can to avoid a return to where we were in March and April.

“We have also seen an increase in the average number of contacts for confirmed cases up to 6. It is crucial to keep your social contacts low to limit the spread of this disease.

“We all have a responsibility to stop this. Social distancing applies to all age groups – wherever you are this weekend, keep your distance.”

“We’re so grateful to them” – Rescued teenager thanks local heroes for saving her life

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August 14, 2020

Listen to the full interview here.

Seventeen-year-old Ellen Glynn has said that she is “so grateful” to the two fishermen who saved her life yesterday morning after she and her cousin drifted out to sea on Wednesday night.

Ellen and her cousin Sara Feeney were paddleboarding at Furbo Beach on Wednesday evening, when they found themselves being taken further and further away from the shore by the sea.

They then survived a gruelling 15 hours in the water, clinging on to a lobster pot, before being saved the next morning by local heroes Patrick and Morgan Oliver.

Sharing her incredible and inspiring story with Susan Keogh on Lunchtime Live on Newstalk, Ellen said that they had been out in the water two nights before at the same time, and that the weather was good.

“It was calm, it was warm, and we knew it wasn’t going to get dark or anything too soon, and we weren’t intending to go out for too long or to go out too deep,” she said.

“We just started paddling out and we were talking away and we looked back and we’d just gone really really far out into the water, and it had just gotten really windy and we hadn’t even noticed.

“We tried to go back but we just couldn’t make it.”

Answering a question about what was going through her head during the ordeal, Ellen said that at first, she was panic-stricken.

But the brave teenager and her cousin Sara “just decided not to panic” and “not to have any negative thoughts or anything”.

“We just tried to stay calm and positive,” she said.

The two cousins tied their paddleboards together, and when they came across the lobster pot buoys they attached the boards to them.

Talking about the rescue, she said that they were waiting and waiting, and it was pitch black by the time the first boat came.

“[The boat] was going around and we thought maybe the lights on the boat might pick up the hi-viz on our life jackets, but it didn’t.

“The boat was going around but it just didn’t see us and we were screaming at it, but it was just so windy that they couldn’t hear anything and then the helicopter came and we thought for sure that with the big lights on the helicopter we’d be seen but we were just a bit unlucky.”

She said that they took notes of the lights around, to remember and keep track of where they were so as to not drift too far.

“But then it just got really dark and all the lights went out and we just couldn’t see anything.

“We’d been paddling in place to try to stay where we were, but we just drifted out in the complete opposite direction.

When it started to get bright out it was foggy so we didn’t know where we were but then the fog kind of lifted and we could see on one side of us the Cliffs of Moher, and on the other side the Aran Islands.

“And obviously the ocean was right behind us and that’s the direction the wind was blowing us into – and the waves were really big pushing us out that way.”

Ellen said that the ordeal was made all the more difficult due to the cold water during the night.

“As soon as the sun went down, it started to get freezing, with the wind and everything, and there was thunder and lightning and lashing rain, and we were frozen.

My memory is a bit fogged now because i’m still in shock but I think we were just trying to stay calm, talking about things like: ‘oh when I get back I can’t wait to be wrapped up in a blanket etc etc’ – we couldn’t really do much strategizing when it was dark and we couldn’t see anything.”

Then Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan came across them after some smart thinking and saved the two women.

“We saw their boat away in the distance, and we started raising our paddles up in the air like crazy, trying to flag them down, and they turned and started coming towards us.

“We were just in disbelief that we were finally getting saved. We just couldn’t believe it.”

The two were given jackets and drinks, and they were brought to Inis Oírr.

“We got straight on the helicopter and on the helicopter they had these big huge fancy blankets for us, and they gave us chocolate bars and juice and everything.

Speaking about the two local heroes who saved their lives, she added: “We’re so so grateful to them – I don’t even know what would have happened to us if they hadn’t come and found us.”

Galway homes to be among first connected to National Broadband Plan

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August 14, 2020

Galway Daily news Broadband Plan to miss 2021 target by 25,000 homes - Naughten

Townlands in Co Galway are to be among the first to be connected to the National Broadband Plan Network, it has been confirmed.

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) said that work will start in Cork and Cavan by the end of August, and shortly after that, in townlands in Galway.

NBI, the company in charge of installing broadband across the county, also announced that the minimum download speed for its standard products will increase from 150Mb to 500 Megabits per second (Mbps).

NBI Executive Chairman, David McCourt, commented: “Since the global Covid-19 pandemic struck in Ireland over six months ago, many people’s lives have changed significantly and we are much more reliant on digital connectivity than ever before.

“Today’s announcement to increase our minimum speeds empowers every person, every school, every farm and every business in the Intervention Area to gain access to truly world-leading speeds and we are incredibly proud to be playing our part in bringing this to rural Ireland.”

NUI Galway urged to reduce “unacceptable” exam repeat fees

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August 14, 2020

Galway Daily news NUIG Students' Union calls for repeat exam fees to be scrapped

A Sinn Féin TD has urged NUI Galway to reverse its decision to charge students almost €300 for each repeat exam.

Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh said that any fees charge must reflect the costs involved and the changed circumstances of students.

Deputy Conway-Walsh said that she has been contacted by students and parents across the West who are angry and upset that they are being asked to pay excessive amounts to repeat exams.

She described it as “unacceptable” for the university to charge students €295 euro when it costs the University ‘only a tiny fraction of that’ to host the exam.

“It shows a complete lack of compassion for the difficult financial situation many students and their families find themselves in due to Covid-19,” said the Mayo TD.

“Repeat exams are being done remotely which means a number of the associated costs no longer apply to the holding of repeat exams. I understand the average repeat exam cost to NUIG is around €10 euro per student.

“It is unjustifiable to expect students to pay almost 300 euro to take an exam on their kitchen table. Many universities have already waived the fee for this year and I believe it is only fair that NUIG do the same and gives student and their families a break.”

Deputy Conway Walsh said that the Covid crisis has put added pressures on students and their families.

“Many students have been unable to work part-time or summer jobs as a result of Covid-19.

“Families have seen their household incomes decline as many parents were forced through no fault of their own to stop working.

“The exams students failed were held after months of lockdown and the difficulty of shifting to online learning. There is a lot of anger about the decision by NUIG to charge so much, and it is easy to understand why.”

She added that the government is hiding behind the universities, saying each institution is in charge of setting the price, so “in the absence of government leadership, NUIG need to step up and do the right thing,” she said.

Warm weather looks set to continue into weekend

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August 14, 2020

Galway Daily weather Falling temperatures and weekend rain mark weather for rest of the week

After a decent enough week, the weekend looks like it will stay warm and mostly dry in most of Galway – but Saturday will be the better of the two days.

Today, the mercury will reach up to 25 degrees in parts of the county, and it should remain dry for the most part with some spells of sunshine.

It will be warm again tonight, with overnight temperatures no lower than 14 to 16 degrees with mostly dry weather.

And the dry and warm weather looks set to continue tomorrow, Saturday, for most of Galway.

The south of the county will see showers or longer spells of rain tomorrow morning, but the rest of the county will be mostly dry, with some sunny spells.

Temperatures will remain quite high, between 21 and 24 degrees.

Sunday will bring a mix of sunny spells, clouds and scattered showers, Met Éireann’s national outlook forecasts.

It will be slightly cooler than Saturday, with temperatures in the high teens to early twenties.

School bus contractors being left without COVID-19 guidance – Naughten

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August 14, 2020

Galway Daily news Public consultation opens on Cross-City Link bus corridor

Private school bus operators are not being given guidance on COVID-19 protocols that need to be in place when schools return, a Galway TD has said.

Galway-Roscommon TD Denis Naughten said that while Bus Eireann has been providing guidance documents to their private contractors, there are other operators who have been “completely forgotten” by authorities, with schools expected to reopen in just a few weeks.

“Steps such as allocating a specific seat to each student or putting a protocol in place should a child show symptoms of Covid-19 while on a bus are being put in place for Bus Éireann contracted services”.

“But many private operators outside this system have been provided with no guidance whatsoever,” The Independent TD said.

There are private contractors who provide school bus services for 2,000 students in four counties that have been given “absolutely no advice” on COVID-19 measures he said.

“If just one of these operators were to be a vector for Covid-19 infection, the meat plant fiasco would pale into insignificance.”

Students at the post-primary level will be required to wear face coverings if they are using a school bus for transport.

But aside from this measure, the Department of Education’s plan Reopening Our Schools: The Roadmap for The Full Return to School, does not contain any specific measures or guidance related to school transport.

The plan contains a total of €375 million to help schools reopen, including for the hiring of additional teaching staff to cope with smaller class sizes, and those who cannot return to work due to being in an at risk group, as well as funding for Minor Works to amend school layouts.

“The lack of consideration for this group of students could leave schools exposed to a level of risk of Covid infection that is preventable if support is provided to these operators,” said Denis Naughten.

Deputy Naughten said that the Minister for Education and National Transport Authority need to address this as a matter of urgency.

“Not only do they need guidance and support but they also need assistance in sanitising their buses just like those that are contracted to Bus Éireann.”

Galway 2020 unveils new programme of events

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August 14, 2020

Galway daily news Call for further transparency on Galway 2020 finances

Galway 2020 has unveiled its revised programme for the Capital of Culture project starting this Autumn after being forced to cancel events from March onwards.

The new programme sticks to the original themes of Language, Landscape and Migration, with a range of liver, in-person events and digital offerings that will allow people to still experience Galway 2020 if they decide to stay safe at home.

“This year has been a huge challenge for everyone, particularly those working in our sector, who have had their livelihoods put at risk,” said Patricia Philbin, CEO of Galway 2020.

“During this time, we’ve seen the importance of culture more than ever before, to lift people’s spirits and get us through the darkest of days.”

“We have had to rethink how some elements will be presented, and unfortunately it will not be possible to deliver all of our original programme.”

“However, it is vital that we do so, both for the artists and organisations for whom this work is so important, and also for audiences, to have the opportunity to embrace their favourite art form and celebrate great art and cultural experiences again.”

People can expect in-person and live events, outdoor installations, publications, online events, outdoor performances, exhibitions and broadcasts, from Macnas, Druid, Galway International Arts Festival and many more.

The new programme will now run from September 2020 through to March 2021.

All events have been re-imagined to comply with public health guidelines for COVID-19. This means social distancing and limited

The re-imagined programme comprises hundreds of events from 28 projects, as well as 30 Small Towns Big Ideas community-based projects.

Highlights of the programme include:

The Irish language remains central to the programme, with Irish language and bi-lingual events embedded across the programme, including Aistriú, Sea Tamagotchi and Óro.
Commissioned by Galway International Arts Festival for Galway 2020, Mirror Pavilion by John Gerrard, using cutting edge digital technology, will be one of the largest outdoor installations ever to be seen in Ireland.
Druid returns to live theatre in the magic fields, woods and gardens of Coole Park in a tribute to, and an animation of, the life and works of Galway’s Augusta Lady Gregory. DruidGregory will include six of Lady Gregory’s one-act plays, performed by a company of 12 actors and musicians, and directed by Garry Hynes. This will be followed by a barnstorming 14 venue, four-week tour of Gregory’s beloved county Galway, from Portumna to Glenamaddy, Ballinasloe to Clifden, and many more communities in between. As part of the Education and Community strand, DruidGregory will also include one-off, outdoor performances of Galway writer Tom Murphy’s first play, On the Outside (written with Noel O’Donoghue).
Master storytellers Macnas will bring a dramatic new interpretation of the world’s oldest story to Galway – the legend of Gilgamesh. The extraordinary adventures of Gilgamesh will unfold across city, county and online and will see Macnas elevate its signature style and challenge the boundaries and possibilities of traditional theatre and storytelling, outdoors and indoors and at Macnas.com.
Turning our bad weather to good use, Hope it Rains | Soineann nó Doineann makes Galway the place to be because it rains and blows. The project is a beautifully curated series of installations, commissions and artistic responses to weather, with the aim of affecting cultural change in our relationship with weather. Hope It Rains invites people of all ages to join its projects to make Galway weather-proof and climate resilient.
RISE is a series of three collaborative projects from Baboro International Arts Festival for Children that will place the voice of the child at the heart of the performance, bringing to the surface the childhood experiences of joy, beauty, family, empowerment, loss and transformation.
Incredible exhibitions and commissions from TULCA Season of Visual Art, Project BAA BAA, Monument and Deeper Shades of Green and Oughterard Courthouse Arts Programme taking us on a journey around the city and the county to view work from wonderful artists both in person and online.
A modern-day fairy tale, Blue Teapot’s Into the Dark Woods entices us into rare territory, using the living realm of the woods as an extraordinary invitation into the world as experienced by someone with an intellectual disability.
Galway Moves is a series of site-specific dance performances inspired and informed by our landscape. Produced by Galway Dance Project, and devised by Dansnest, Galway Moves will celebrate community and connection bringing dance into open spaces, culminating in public performances in Galway city and county.
To the Islandis an enchanting story, beautifully illustrated, that families from Galway, Ireland and beyond will treasure. Patricia Forde’s story is about a little girl who visits the strange and mythical island of Hy Brasil, off the west coast of Ireland, but then follows her heart home to Galway. The book will be gifted to every child starting school in Galway in 2020.
Based on the ancient Irish tradition of ‘Meitheal’ the coming together for a common purpose, the Small Towns Big Ideas programme has impacted communities across Galway, focusing on over 100 community projects since its inception in 2018. The communal creativity continues into 2021 with 30 new and exciting projects and events.

Gardaí investigating Eyre Square stabbing

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August 14, 2020

Gardaí are investigating a stabbing incident that is reported to have occurred in Eyre Square, Galway City last night.

The alleged stabbing took place at approximately 10:20pm on Thursday night.

A main in his 20s suffered multiple apparent stab wounds, and was taken to University Hospital Galway.

A garda spokesperson said that his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Garda arrested a man, aged in his 40s, nearby and he was taken to Galway Garda station.

He has been detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

A knife has also been recovered by Gardaí and is subject to analysis.

Investigations are ongoing.

Coronavirus: 92 new cases today – but none are in Galway

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August 13, 2020

Ninety-two new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed by NPHET today, but no further deaths were reported.

This brings the total number of Covid cases in the Republic to 26,929 and the number of deaths remains 1,774.

Of the new cases reported today, none are in Galway – with 24 in Dublin, 24 in Kildare, eight in Limerick, six in Carlow, six in Kilkenny, five in Meath and five in Clare.

The remaining 14 cases are in Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Offaly, Waterford and Wicklow.

NPHET says that 43 are men and 48 are women, while 72% are under 45 years of age.

Speaking this evening, Dr Ronan Glynn said: “We expected that this week the daily figures we report would rise and fall. NPHET is closely monitoring all trends, patterns and changes in the data, including not just case numbers but locations, age groups, and sources of transmission.

“We are asking those in Kildare, Laois and Offaly to hold firm and stay with us in the measures introduced last weekend.

“As today’s figures show, cases are also occurring in several other counties around the country. This is still about a united, whole of country approach.

“The only way we can effectively suppress COVID-19 across Ireland in the long term is if we act together to protect each other.”

Hospital statistics

Total number of cases	26,929
Total number hospitalised	3,378
Total number admitted to ICU	441
Total number of deaths	1,516
Total number of healthcare workers	8,474
Number clusters notified	2,465
Cases associated with clusters	14,723
Median age	47

“Living with COVID-19 has undoubtedly been difficult and this pandemic has adversely impacted on people in many different ways.

“We know that what the public health advice asks you to do can be difficult, but we are asking you to stay the course with it.

“Individual actions break the chains of transmission of this virus. Avoiding crowded places, limiting your social contacts, working from home where possible, not attending house parties, keeping 2m distance, washing your hands and wearing a face covering – all of these safe behaviours matter, and all of them add up to make a significant difference,” added Dr Ronan Glynn.

Women rescued from Galway Bay drifted almost 20 miles after going missing

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August 13, 2020

Galway Daily news Late night rescue of stricken boat by Galway RNLI

Two women who were rescued from the waters of Galway Bay after a gruelling overnight experience had drifted almost 20 miles from where they went missing before they were discovered.

Local fisherman Patrick Oliver and his son Morgan found the women, aged 17 and 23, clinging to a lobster pot about two miles south west of Inis Oírr this morning.

Despite being in the water for 15 hours the two women, who are reportedly cousins from the Knocknacarra area, did not require medical attention according to an RNLI spokesperson, and walked up the pier to waiting Coast Guard personnel for a medical assessment.

It’s understood the young women have now been transferred to University Hospital Galway for further medical assessment.

They were first reported missing by a relative shortly after 10pm last night when they failed to return to Fubo beach from where they had gone paddle boarding around 9pm, after a sudden north wind blew them out to sea.

The rescue brought to an end a massive overnight search involving lifeboats from the Coast Guard Costello station, as well as the RNLI Aran Islands and Galway Lifeboat stations.

Irish Coast Guard Rescue helicopter 115 from Shannon also took part in the overnight searches, and was joined by two further Coast Guard Rescue helicopters from Sligo and Waterford today.

As the search and rescue operation continued this morning, Coast Guard lifeboats from Oranmore/Maree, Cashla Bay and Doolin also joined while the Civil Defence carried out a search along the north shore co-ordinated by the Gardai.

Local private vessels also joined in the search, with the Johnny O fishing boat ultimately rescuing the missing women, and Galway Flying Club and Aer Arann also joined the search in the air.

Barry Heskin, Galway RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said the two women kept their heads and did the right thing.

He said there were scene of jubilation at the Galway and Aran Islands stations when Patrick, who is an RNLI volunteer himself, called them with the news.

“We are absolutely delighted that it has all worked out well,” Barry said.

image credit: RNLI / Nuala McAloon

Study of mHealth in Covid-19 pandemic published by task force including NUIG Professor

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August 13, 2020

GALWAY DAILY NUI GALWAY ProFESSOR MHEALTH

NUI Galway Professor Derek O’Keeffe is one of 60 people who have examined the role of mobile health (mHealth) technologies during the coronavirus pandemic.

The task force’s study, ‘Can mHealth Technology Help Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic?’ was published in the IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology today.

The study aimed to review mHealth technologies and monitor their use to monitor the effects of the pandemic.

The Task Force identified technologies that could be used in response to the COIVD-19 pandemic and would likely be suitable for future pandemics.

They found that mHealth technologies are viable options to monitor COVID-19 patients and be used to predict symptom escalation for earlier intervention.

Professor O’Keeffe said: “Digital health technology, which has shown tremendous promise for many years, is now ready to be a major tool in helping us to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In this comprehensive study, we reviewed the full spectrum of mHealth systems and research enabling us to identify both what can be used to address COVID-19 now and also in the future.

“The research focused on all aspects of COVID-19 care from using novel technologies to help improve diagnostic triage to the physiological monitoring of field hospital patients and front line workers using wearable sensors and AI tools.

“The alarming growth of COVID-19 cases has highlighted the shortcomings of healthcare systems, governmental policies, and wider societal issues.

“Therefore in this important research work we have developed a framework to rapidly assess digital health solutions to help the public, patients and clinicians to deal with this pandemic.

“Clinically we have divided our findings into the distinct domains of preventative, acute and recovery care.

“Our approach gives authorities an evidence based toolbox to implement state of the art remote patient and frontline worker vital sign monitoring solutions.

“In addition we outline the ideal criteria and examples of both occupational and general public contact tracing solutions, such as the recent HSE COVID-19 Tracker App.”

Paolo Bonato, PhD, Director of the Spaulding Motion Analysis Lab, was the lead author on the study.

“To be able to activate a diverse group of experts with such a singular focus speaks to the commitment the entire research and science community has in addressing this pandemic. Our goal is to quickly get important findings into the hands of the clinical community so we continue to build effective interventions,” said Dr Bonato.

Missing paddle boarders found alive after overnight odyssey

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August 13, 2020

Galway Daily news Missing paddle boarders found alive after overnight odyssey

Two paddle boarders who went missing in Galway Bay overnight have been found alive after extensive searches this morning.

The two young women, aged 17 and 23 were found by a local fishing boat this morning south of Inis Oírr.

The fisherman found the women clinging to a lobster pot around 2km from the island.

They went missing last night after failing to return from paddling boarding at Furbo beach.

The Coast Guard has said that the young women have been transferred to the care of medical services, and it is understood that they will be taken to Galway for medical examination.

Two Missing Paddle Boarders located and being transferred to the care of the HSE, search is now standing down, thank you to everyone that assisted in this SAR operation.

— Irish Coast Guard (@IrishCoastGuard) August 13, 2020

The alarm was raised at approximately 10pm on Wednesday night, and searches took place overnight and again this morning.

The search and rescue operation involved units from the Coast Guard, RNLI stations at Galway and the Aran Islands, Coast Guard helicopters, and local vessels.

Plans progressing for audiology test centre in Tuam

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August 13, 2020

Galway daily news Plans progressing for audiology test centre in Tuam

Plans are in the works for the addition of an audiology testing facility at Tuam Primary Care Centre.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that he has received confirmation that the tender process for this new testing facility is progressing.

This is good news for people that currently have to travel to Galway for such tests the Independent TD said.

“Tuam Primary Care Centre should be delivering many more health facilities to serve Tuam and North Galway.”

“Health Care Services delivered locally remove stress for the service users and frees up our hospitals to deal with acute services”.

Search continues for two women missing after paddle boarding in Galway Bay

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August 13, 2020