City Cllr calls for dedicated Garda unit to tackle anti-social behaviour

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June 18, 2020

Galway daily news Gardaí and Bank of Ireland warn of new bank card scam

Bank of Ireland customers are being warned of a new ‘smishing’ scam going around to get people’s bank card details.

The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and BoI are cautioning people never to give away

The scam involves people getting texts which appear to have come from the bank, telling them that their card has been compromised.

“The details of this fraudulent message is inserted into a message thread previously issued by the bank, therefore appearing to be a legitimate warning,” a garda spokesperson said.

“The fraudulent text states that the customer’s card has been skimmed and subsequently deactivated by the bank.”

“The person is then asked to follow a link to a false Bank of Ireland website in order to follow steps to obtain a new bank card.”

The scammers ask people to cut their card up in a certain way and post it to a specified address.

They then ask the customer to go to a fake website where they are asked to submit their PIN, phone number, and card number in order to get a new card.

With these details and with the remains of the bank card, the scammers can then access the customer’s account, make withdrawals and make online purchases.

The GNECB has given the following advice to protect your personal information from scammers.

Never click on a link in an unsolicited text
Never give away personal data like your PIN, card numbers and passwords
A financial institution would never request a customer to return a card to the bank in such circumstances

“An Garda Síochána are advising all people not to respond to such text messages, but instead to take a screenshot of the message, delete it and report it to your local Garda station.”

Watch: GMIT choir master releases another amazing production

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June 17, 2020

A few months ago, Galway Musical Director Seán Rowland produced a captivating video of GMIT’s virtual choir singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” – to widespread acclaim.

Now the award-winning choir master gone and done it again with the sequel “Search for the Hero”, his own unique arrangement which is a mash-up of M People’s “Search for the Hero” and the hit single from 90s musical comedy Sister Act “Oh Happy Day”.

100 singers from all five GMIT campuses took part in this new production – a mix of students, staff, alumni, international students, retired staff members and three guests from the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA).

Some 125 recordings in total were submitted to Seán for post-production and editing, following online practice and tutorials, over 40 more than for the last production.

“I couldn’t wait to begin GMIT Virtual Choir – The Sequel and wanted to choose a song that encompassed all that GMIT staff and students have achieved during lock down and moving to an online world!” Seán Rowland said.

“Every one of us has had to do things a little differently and I think it’s marvellous how we’ve all managed to do so, and with a smile.

“We’ve all had to search for that little hero within us and to see over 100 people participating this time around is testament to that. I hope our video spreads a little joy and continues to encourage us to keep moving forward and embracing new challenges.”

In addition to the new four-minute video, Seán has also produced a second.

“I asked our participants for any photos and videos of their achievements in recent times to suit the theme and given that I received so much extra supporting material no matter how I tried I couldn’t fit it all in without taking away from the actual performances and screen time so felt it warranted a second, more personal video with the same audio track.

“This video which complements the performance is also available on GMIT official Facebook page and other social media platforms and we hope both of these videos with this upbeat & feel-good mash up of two 90’s classics puts a smile on the face of all our viewers,” he said.

Anita Mahony, Chairperson of GMIT Voice and Healthy Campus added that with so much positive feedback from “Imagine”, she was not surprised when there was lots of interest in “GMIT Virtual Choir – The Sequel” – from staff and students with no previous involvement.

“Now we have to devote our energies into finding a way to ensure that from the start of the next academic year, GMIT staff and students still have the opportunity to reap the health benefits and positive energy that being part of a choir brings, as we face into a year of blended learning on and off campus,” said Anita.

Coronavirus: Three days with no new Galway cases

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June 17, 2020

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

There have been three more deaths of people with Covid-19 reported to the Department of Health today, along with 8 new confirmed coronavirus cases.

However the number of cases in Galway stayed flat for the third day in a row, with the city and county total remaining at 486.

There have now been 1,710 deaths due to the coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland, out of a total of 25,341 confirmed cases.

Validation of data by the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of two deaths and one previously confirmed cases, which is reflected in the national totals.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer said “The National Public Health Emergency Team will meet tomorrow to continue its review of Ireland’s ongoing response and preparedness to COVID-19.”

“NPHET’s advice in relation to rephasing of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business will be reviewed, in the context of ongoing suppression of the disease in the community and overall compliance with public health measures.”

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Monday 15 June (25,333 cases), reveals:

57% are female and 43% are male
the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
3,278 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
of those hospitalised, 417 cases have been admitted to ICU
8,144 cases are associated with healthcare workers
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,235 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,535 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,435 cases (6%)
of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 37%, close contact accounts for 60%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Dr Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health said that the country’s recovery rate from the virus is 92%.

“This and other indicators such as the reproductive number, hospital admissions and ICU admissions are stable or moving in the right direction.”

“This is good news that has been achieved through the collective efforts of every person who has followed public health advice.”

Warning notices removed from Ballyloughane and Grattan beaches

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June 17, 2020

Galway Daily news Prior warning issued for Ballyloughane and Grattan beaches

Galway City Council is removing two Prior Warning notices at Ballyloughane and Grattan beaches after water quality tests came back with good results.

The council placed the notices at the two beaches on Friday in anticipation of possible bacterial contamination due to heavy rain at the weekend.

Water samples were taken from both on Monday, the results of which have come back today.

The city council said today that it is “pleased to confirm that the samples meet the requirements for excellent water quality”.

Ballyloughane beach was one of five in Ireland declared to have ‘poor’ water quality in 2019 in the latest annual Bathing Water Quality report from the EPA released in late May.

New government can delay change but cannot stop it, says Galway TD

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June 17, 2020

Galway Daily news government accused of using money message to block opposition legislation

Responding to the announcement that a Programme for Government has been agreed, Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has said the new government can delay change, but they cannot stop it.

The Sinn Féin TD said that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael excluded her party from the government formation process in an attempt to deny change and to protect the status-quo.

The Programme for Government was widely leaked on Sunday evening before being released on Monday, and has a strong Green influence – including €360m per year for cycling and walking infrastructure.

But Deputy Farrell said the reality is that a government led by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – no matter who they are propped up by – does not represent the change that people voted for and will not deliver for workers and families.

“Their record in government together over the past four years shows us exactly what they will do if this Programme for Government is endorsed by the parties involved.

“What we need is a break from the past, not a repeat of it.”

The Galway West TD said that this means “rebuilding the economy in a fair and sustainable way, delivering affordable housing, delivering universal healthcare, making sure workers can retire at the age of sixty-five, investing in our forgotten regions and delivering the type of real change required to tackle the climate emergency.”

This, she said, will not be delivered by a Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael led government.

“To those who voted for change, I say this – do not give up. The future is still there to be won. Sinn Féin will never give up because we believe that we are within touching distance of a better Ireland. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can delay change, but they cannot stop it,” she added.

New anonymous life-saving text service launched

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June 17, 2020

galway daily news Gardaí warn of recent 'smishing' scams circulating

A free, 24-7 anonymous text service has been launched to provide support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis.

The text service, 50808, is a first of its kind for Ireland and provides everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people in need.

“Many people – particularly young people – don’t feel comfortable making that call or reaching out for help,” East Galway TD Ciarán Cannon said.

“This is a service that will offer a lifeline to people of all ages across Galway and indeed throughout the country.

“It’s been an exceptionally difficult time for our country, and this service is needed more than ever. There is no doubt the launch of 50808 by Crisis Text Line will save lives.”

The text service has been in development for some time, and Minister Cannon said that it couldn’t have launched at a more important moment.

“The service’s trained Crisis Volunteers will help people through this current crisis and will continue to provide free, 24/7 support in the long term,” he explained.

He said that this life-saving service is part of the government’s strategy to protect the mental health of all members of the public and commended his colleagues for prioritising this essential service.

“Since the initiative began its pilot in September last year, it has provided support to 3,801 people through 6,694 conversations. It is expected that ‘50808’ will support over 50,000 people each year once fully operational.

“The service uses an artificial intelligence (AI) system to analyse a texter’s initial message, scanning keywords, phrases, and even emojis to determine the level of severity. The texter’s at most imminent risk are placed at the top of the queue,” he added.

50808 has performed over 100 ‘Active Rescues’ since beginning in pilot phase in September 2019 in which the National Ambulance Service is contacted for a texter in need of emergency support.

The service allows trained Crisis Volunteers to volunteer from home. Crisis Volunteers complete a 30-hour training and have 24/7 supervision by full-time mental health professionals.

South African animation studio to create 60 new jobs in Galway

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June 17, 2020

Triggerfish, the animation studio behind Netflix’s first original animated TV series from Africa, has announced it will establish its first international studio in Galway.

The project, supported by IDA Ireland, is expected to create 60 new jobs over the next three years.

Founded in 1996, Triggerfish was instrumental in the birth of the South African animation industry, co-founding the country’s official animation association as well as an ongoing monthly screening and networking event.

The studio’s first two features, Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba, are among the five highest-grossing South African feature films of all time, with nine million cinema tickets sold globally.

This saw Triggerfish named overall Business of the Year in South Africa’s Western Cape province in 2015 – a first for an animation company.

“To keep up with demand, we started outsourcing work to Irish animators in 2019 and were quickly won over by both the quality of the work and the dedication to the craft,” said Triggerfish CEO Stuart Forrest.

“In many ways, the Irish creatives seem very similar to what we always look for in South Africa: a passion for animation, a love of story and the deeply felt ambition to create award-winning and entertaining work.”

Triggerfish is currently producing Netflix’s first original African animated TV series, Mama K’s Team 4, set in a futuristic version of Lusaka, Zambia, where four scrappy teen girls join a retired secret agent on a quest to save the world – on a budget.

The studio is also in production on their third feature film, Seal Team, an action-comedy about a brave, reckless seal who forms a rag-tag team to save his home from Great White Sharks.

In addition Triggerfish services AAA-rated and mobile games for the likes of Electronic Arts, Unity and Disney Interactive and is in development on a broad slate of original film and television projects for most of the world’s biggest studios.

Studio producer Andy Wonnacott, whose wife is Irish, will head up the Galway branch. He said that the company needs more capacity to keep up with their ambitions, and ‘Galway ticked all the boxes’ for their European base.

“It has a similar time zone to South Africa; is very well connected, with both flights and broadband connectivity; has a thriving creative community; offers loads of really fantastic business support,” he said.

“For us personally, Ireland is our second home, so it will be good to be back with family and friends.”

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD said she is delighted to see that Triggerfish have chosen to establish their first international studio in Ireland.

“Galway will be a natural fit for this creative company. They will join a burgeoning list of award-winning indigenous and foreign animation studios already based here, and will be a great addition to this thriving sector.”

IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan added: “This is a great investment for Ireland and Galway is a great choice of location, given the availability of highly skilled creative talent there.

“The 60 new roles being created is a welcome boost to the economy of Galway and the West region.

“It is a huge vote of confidence in Ireland and demonstrates our continued strong value proposition and our agile and adaptable business environment at a time of unprecedented global flux due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I wish Triggerfish every success with its operations here.”

Coronavirus: 3 COVID-19 deaths, no new Galway cases

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June 16, 2020

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

There have been three new deaths of people with COVID-19 reported to the HPSC today, along with 14 new confirmed cases.

There have now been a total of 1,709 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland, along with 25,334 confirmed cases.

There were once again no new cases confirmed in Galway today, leaving the city and county total at 486 cases.

Validation of data by the HPSC has resulted in the denotification of one previously confirmed cases, which is reflected in the national total.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Office said that as of Monday, a total 386,572 tests for the coronavirus have been conducted here.

“Over the past week, 18,758 were carried out. 146 tests were positive, giving a positivity rate of 0.8%.”

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Sunday 14 June (25,320 cases), reveals:

57% are female and 43% are male
the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
3,282 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
of those hospitalised, 418 cases have been admitted to ICU
8,139 cases are associated with healthcare workers
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,228 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,533 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,434 cases (6%)
of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 37%, close contact accounts for 60%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Young Fine Gael in Galway East to oppose coalition deal

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June 16, 2020

Galway Daily politics Young Fine Gael in Galway East to oppose coalition deal

The Galway East branch of Young Fine Gael will not be supporting a coalition government with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party when it goes to a vote.

A Programme for Government for a coalition of FG, FF, and the Greens was agreed this weekend.

It is expected to go to the membership of the different parties for a vote this week.

Branch chairperson Shane Dolphin said that as one of the constituency delegates, he will be voting against the deal when it is brought to the membership of the parties.

“This is a bad deal for Rural Ireland which contains a lot of vague and un-costed priorities for the proposed government, regarding Agriculture, taxation and climate emission targets.”

Concessions made to the “green agenda” threaten to undermine the party’s historical support among farmers he added.

“While we understand that we all must share a part in creating a more sustainable environment we fear it could undermine the viability of the agri-food sector, with a
greater reliance on state and EU subsidies rather than production and output per hectare”.

Among the environmental measures contained in the agriculture section of the Programme are a commitment to seeking reform of the CAP to reward farmers for environmental measures, and encourage investment in renewable infrastructure on farms to cut energy costs.

But it also contains strong support for the beef industry, encouraging the establishment of more producers to give farmers greater market leverage, and acknowledging the importance of suckler farms for the sector.

Young Fine Gael member and county councillor PJ Murphy also criticised the coalition deal, saying that a “disproportionate” number of concessions were made to the Greens to secure their support.

He alleges that “in many cases” this comes at the expense of the farming community “and rural Ireland in general”.

The Galway East branch of YFG is named in honour of the State’s first Minister of Agriculture, Patrick Hogan.

The parliamentary parties of the all three potential coalition partners endorsed the deal on Sunday.

In Fine Gael’s case it will now go to an electoral college vote, where the parliamentary party makes up half the vote, and the other half comes from representatives of each constituency, the executive council, and elected representatives.

Three local charities gifted donations of €1,000

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June 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway allocated €9 million for LEADER programme 2023-2027

Three charities based in Galway have been gifted donations of over €1,000 each as part of the Movement for Good awards, set up by insurance company Ecclesiastical.

Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption, Galway Cat Rescue and Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church are the local charities set to receive money, following overwhelming public support from around the county.

The awards will see a total of over €1 million given to 26 charities across the island of Ireland this summer, after members of the public were invited to nominate causes close to their hearts.

In total, 253,879 people supported the Movement for Good awards this year, with over 13,695 charitable causes from all areas of both countries receiving nominations.

The 500 winning charities across Ireland and Britain were picked at random from those nominated.

Thanking supporters in County Galway, David Lane, Managing Director of Ecclesiastical Ireland, said: “In these unprecedented times more than ever charities need all the help they can get and we, at Ecclesiastical, are eager to bring some hope to those helping our communities.

“Luckily, so many joined once again our Movement for Good.

“Irish people care deeply about good causes in their local area, and from looking at the nominations, animal welfare and community organisations seemed to hold a particularly fond place in the hearts of Galway people.

“As our core purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business. We know the difference that €1,000 can make, and this year is no exception to celebrate the incredible work that charities do in our country.”

Later this summer, a further ten charities will also be chosen by a panel of judges to receive €50,000 to be put towards the advancement of education, skills, arts, culture and heritage, as well as citizenship or community development.

From 15 June, charities are invited to apply for the substantial grant with applications being assessed against four key areas; impact and effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and care and compassion.

The successful charities will be announced from Monday 21 September 2020.

The 26 charities in Ireland to be awarded are:

· Samaritans of Ennis and Clare

· My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue Company Limited by Guarantee

· Down Syndrome Ireland

· Active Connections CLG

· Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue & Adoption

· Accessible Counselling Tullamore Company Limited by Guarantee

· Wicklow SPCA

· Canteen Ireland

· Breakthrough Cancer Research

· Seal Rescue Ireland Limited by Guarantee

· Camera Education CLG

· Protestant Aid

· Galway Cat Rescue

· Embrace Farm Company Limited by Guarantee

· Saint Nicholas Collegiate Church

· Cork Arc Cancer Support House

· Masquerade Ball Rainbow Club Company Limited by Guarantee

· Women’s Aid Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Lame and Newtownabbey

· First Housing Aid & Support Services

· Via Wings

· Journey Community Church, Antrim

· We are Made for More

· Pips Hope & Support Limited

· The Michaela Foundation

· Crossfire Trust

· Larchfield Community Development Association

Galwegians urged to apply for Town and Village Renewal Scheme

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June 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Galwegians urged to apply Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Community and voluntary groups around Galway are being encouraged to apply to the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will focus on COVID-19 issues this year.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme awards €15 million worth of grants each year for projects that will help “rejuvenate” rural villages and towns.

The scheme is delivered under the Department of Rural & Community Development’s “Rural Development Investment Programme”, and has awarded €68 million since being launched in 2016.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that the 2020 scheme is being tailored to address the challenges created by COVID-19, including a new Accelerated Measure.

“The emphasis this year will be on economic and social recovery for our towns and villages,” Seán Canney said.

“This could include public realm projects to make our communities more accessible or to promote enterprise hubs and remote working.”

“Projects could involve initiatives such as re-purposing areas to encourage street trading, online business campaigns for retailers or small scale events that would boost activity in village and town centres in a safe, attractive way.”

The Accelerated Measure being introduced for the scheme this year is for projects that can be delivered in the short term for immediate benefit.

Funding under the accelerated measure would be up to €25,000 per project, increasing to €40,000 for high-impact proposals.

All projects funded under the scheme be deliverable with a reasonable period of up to 18 months.

Deputy Canney added that in order to help interested groups with their applications, an information webinar will take place this Thursday, June 18 at noon.

The webinar is being hosted by Galway Public Participation Network. To take part please register at cmay@galwaycoco.ie.

Galway County Council is now seeking expressions of interest from community, voluntary, and business representative groups interested in the scheme.

There will be two rounds for the Accelerated Measure with deadlines for expressions of interest of Monday June 22 and Monday July 13.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the main Town and Village Renewal Scheme is Monday July 13.

Public reminded that visiting still not allowed at Galway hospitals

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June 16, 2020

The public have been reminded that visiting is still not permitted at UHG or Merlin Park University Hospital – except in exceptional circumstances.

People are being asked not to visit parents in hospital other than end-of-life situations, a spokesperson for Galway University Hospitals said.

This must be agreed with the relevant ward manager before visiting, and families should telephone the hospital to request to speak to the manager of the ward where their family member is.

They will then decide if a visit can be arranged without compromising the welfare of other patients on the ward.

The Galway hospitals have said that children in particular should not visit patients in hospital.

“We also want to remind parents of paediatric patients that only one parent can remain with their child at any time.

“This is to minimise the risk of infection among our paediatric patients and staff. It is also important that patients who are attending appointments should attend on their own other than in circumstances where patients need the support or assistance of a family member or a carer.

“We appreciate how difficult it is for our patients and their families not to be able to visit, but it is a very important infection control measure which helps us protect our patients and our staff,” a spokesperson said.

All of the hospitals in the Saolta Group have similar arrangements in place. A spokesperson for the Saolta Group added: “We recognise that the visiting restrictions may be challenging for patients and their families, however, our priority must be to protect the patients in our hospitals who are vulnerable to infection.

“We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation.”

POLL: Will you wear a face mask in shops and on public transport?

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June 16, 2020

In the past few days, the government has been advising the public to wear face masks on public transport and other areas where adequate social distancing cannot be achieved.

The World Health Organisation has said that wearing masks is likely to reduce potential exposure risk from people with COVID-19 before they develop symptoms.

Many countries have recommended the use of masks for the general public – in Spain, wearing a mask in shops, public transport and on busy streets is obligatory.

[Total_Soft_Poll id=”14″]

Major delivery of PPE to 19 Galway locations today

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June 16, 2020

COPE Galway is one of nineteen locations across Galway which will benefit from a major distribution of PPE today, as Heroes-Aid begins its nationwide distribution of protective equipment to frontline workers.

The not-for-profit organisation, which was set up at the start of the pandemic to protect and support frontline health care workers, is arranging for the direct distribution of 250,000 face masks to 200 sites across Ireland.

Heroes-Aid is also delivering 10,000 visors, 7,000 gowns and 9,000 high specification FFP2 face masks to hospitals, GPs, nursing homes, and a number of NGOs.

galway daily heroes aid ppe — Mary Leahy, CEO of Heroes-Aid and Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail, Medical Director of Heroes-Aid, at the James Joyce Statue in Dublin.

In its first three months, the organisation has made a number of significant deliveries of PPE nationwide, but today’s distribution is the largest to-date to Ireland’s frontline healthcare workers.

The PPE deliveries will also include charities with a focus on the homeless sector including Simon Community, The Peter McVerry Trust, COPE Galway, Merchant’s Quay Ireland, SafetyNet Primary Care and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Dr Maitiú Ó Tuathail, Medical Director of Heroes-Aid, said that there is still a high demand for PPE from frontline workers – in particular GPs, who are the first line of defence against Covid-19.

“These deliveries of PPE will allow our frontline workers and heroes continue to care for their patients safely,” said Dr Ó Tuathail.

“Heroes-Aid does not aim to replace HSE PPE deliveries, but to address urgent shortages and act as a bridge between deliveries.

“Our work is very much complementary to the great work being undertaken by the HSE and every cent raised to date has provided PPE to those on the frontline.”

He urged frontline workers who are in critical need of PPE to contact Heroes-Aid through its website.

In just two months, donations of €250,000 by members of the public from all over Ireland have been made to the organisation to help and protect frontline heroes.

Bravo Charlie Tango bikers are helping to deliver the PPE, along with Heroes-Aid, throughout Ireland.

Recent winners suggest Galway Plate a race to follow

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Thomas O'Brien

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June 16, 2020

Of all the Galway Races during the week-long Festival at Ballybrit every summer, the Galway Plate is the most celebrated.

A Grade A steeplechase contested as a handicap over about two-and-three-quarter miles,there are now over 150 years of equine history attached to it.

In more recent times, some of the winners of this valuable and prestigious race in its own right have gone on to make up into top-class performers over fences.

What did these Galway Plate winners go on to achieve, and what does that tell us about the importance of this feature Festival event?

Carlingford Lough

You would do well to find a major jumps race in Ireland that leading National Hunt owner JP McManus hasn’t won.

The John Kiely-trained Carlingford Lough became his third winner of the Galway Plate in four years, also leading home a 1-2-3 for the legendary gambler in the Ballybrit showpiece of 2013.

Still a novice and without a win in eight previous tries over fences, only the McManus money made bookies put him in as favourite.

Carlingford Lough progressed from the Galway Plate to later win five Grade 1 chases, including consecutive renewals of the Irish Gold Cup, as reported at www.theguardian.com/sport, and twice at the Punchestown Festival.

For one of Ireland’s more modest yards, these major successes show that big stables can be taken on if trainers like Kiely are given the right ammunition by owners. Carlingford Lough really did have a fantastic career.

Road To Riches

Noel Meade saddled Road To Riches to Galway Plate glory in 2014 for Gigginstown House Stud.

His runaway 11-length success was decisive and indicated this horse was clearly better than handicap company.

During the winter that followed, Road To Riches landed back-to-back Grade 1 success in the Champion Chase at Down Royal and the old Lexus Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival.

Irish races like these form a key part of the coverage on https://www.betfair.com/sport/horse-racing of National Hunt racing.

Road To Riches went on to place third in the Gold Cups at Cheltenham and Punchestown.

He also came sixth in the 2018 Grand National at Aintree, won by Tiger Roll, and has enjoyed a new lease of life as a hunter chaser after being sold to David Maxwell.

Balko Des Flos

Another Gigginstown horse, Balko Des Flos, enhanced their fine record in the Galway Plate with the second of three consecutive victories in the race for the owners in 2017.

Trained by Henry De Bromhead, this win topped a campaign that also had a Cheltenham Festival triumph over in the UK towards the tail end.

Balko Des Flos battled the mighty Un De Sceaux from Willie Mullins’s stable in the Ryanair Chase, discussed at www.sportsjoe.ie/horse-racing/.

That company is run by Gigginstown’s Michael O’Leary, so he ended up winning his own prize money come Cheltenham.

What these three horses show is that winning Galway Plate can be a springboard to greater success.

All of them improved on what they did at Ballybrit during a time of year that falls outside the traditional National Hunt season.

image credit: “Galway Races” (CC BY 2.0) by Barnacles Hostels

1,000 fewer people on Pandemic Unemployment in Galway this week

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June 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Details announced for reopened Pandemic Unemployment scheme

There are 1,000 fewer people in receipt of Pandemic Unemployment payments in Galway as of Monday than a week before according to the latest figures.

Data from the Department of Social Protection and Employment Affairs shows that Pandemic Unemployment payments are being made to 27,300 people in Galway this week.

Nationwide, the government is making weekly payments of €174.6 million to 498,700 people, down by almost 19,000 in the past week.

Since last week, 33,000 people have closed their claim for Pandemic Unemployment as they are returning to work, and 21,900 of those are receiving their last payment today.

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty said that the number of people making use of the special scheme continues to “gradually decline”, now dropping below half a million.

“Only a few short weeks ago, there were approximately 600,000 receiving the payment so some progress has been made but it is also clear that the return to a new normal will be gradual and incremental.

“That is why I extended the payment beyond its originally planned life cycle into August.”

“My department will continue to monitor the rate of the economy’s reopening, the continuing need for income support and the developing health situation and will develop a number of options for Government to consider before the scheme’s projected end in August.”

There are also now more than 60,600 employers taking part in the Wage Subsidy Scheme, which sees the government cover the majority of an employees wages.

This scheme is currently supporting an estimated 400,000 people, and has helped 532,000 employees since it began.

The above payments are in addition to the 225,600 people who were reported on the Live Register as of the end of May.

GMIT outlines plans for coming academic year

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June 16, 2020

Galway daily news Free GMIT food entrepreneurship course course returns

The President of GMIT Dr Orlan Flynn is encouraging people to continue their higher education, as the Institute of Technology is finalising plans to deliver the 2020/21 academic year.

GMIT students returning and prospective were told last Friday that the new academic year will commence on September 28.

In order to comply with the need for social distancing in the COVID-19 world, the year will be delivered via a mix of online classes, and onsite tutorials and practicals.

More information will be provided to students via direct email and on the university in the coming weeks.

Dr Orla Flynn said “We look forward to welcoming all our current students back to class on the 28^th September, following a brief period of induction which will appraise them of how the semester will work and prep them for the year ahead.

“Our new first years will also start on the 28^th and even in the current pandemic it will still be an exciting time for them.”

“We are doing a lot of work behind the scenes making sure our campuses will be safe; through social distancing, use of PPE where needed, and careful timetabling.”

“The on-campus experience is important but our focus is on ensuring the health and wellbeing of the entire GMIT community; most theory classes will be delivered remotely.”

The Technological Higher Education Association issued a statement today outlining the measures the measures being taken to ensure a safe return to campus at IoTs.

A guidance document with principles and guidelines for delivering a full year without endangering public health was released alongside the statement.

Among the measures being taken is that masks will be mandatory for certain activities to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

However, there will not be a wholesale shift to online teaching, acknowledging the “clear message from students in Ireland that they are committed to preserving the on-campus student experience, and we are fully supportive of that.”

The quality of the student experience is of paramount importance and we aim to protect that experience as much as possible while delivering academic programmes in a way that is safe, inclusive, supportive, and effective.

Coronavirus: No deaths and no new Galway cases

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June 15, 2020

There have been no deaths caused by the coronavirus reported to the Department of Health today, and 18 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The total death toll in Ireland due to the coronavirus pandemic remains at 1,706 people, and there have now been 25,321 cases in the state.

However, none of those new cases were reported in Galway, where the number has remained at 486 confirmed cases.

Dr. Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer, said “An analysis of cases reported in the last fourteen days tells us that the number of daily cases remains on a downward trend.

“This combined with hospitalisation and ICU trends indicates that the behaviours adopted by the general public continue to suppress the disease in the community.”

Ireland is now one week into Phase 2 of easing public health restrictions, which has seen many more people returning to work, and travel now allowed anywhere within the county.

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday 13 June (25,303 cases), reveals:

57% are female and 43% are male
the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
3,278 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
of those hospitalised, 417 cases have been admitted to ICU
8,130 cases are associated with healthcare workers
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 12,213 (48% of all cases) followed by Cork with 1,533 cases (6%) and then Kildare with 1,434 cases (6%)
of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 37%, close contact accounts for 60%, travel abroad accounts for 2%

Dr. Ronan Glynn, Deputy Chief Medical Officer said that 1.7 million people in the country are now reported to be wearing face masks in public.

This is up 6% in the past week, or an increase of roughly 300,000 people.

Dr Siobhán Ni Bhriain, HSE Integrated Care Lead added “If you go onto public transport, or into retail environments or any place where you can’t be sure a 2 metre physical distance from other people is possible, you should wear a face covering.”

“Face coverings are also strongly advised when visiting vulnerable people,” Dr Ni Bhriain concluded.

Public feedback sought on Sandy Road housing proposals

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June 15, 2020