Coronavirus: New Covid-19 cases drop below 100 for the first time since March

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May 16, 2020

To donate, click here.

In just two weeks, Stevo Timothy will take to his bike to cycle 5km in a challenge that has caught the attention of people at home and abroad.

The Galway comedian’s fundraiser has raised almost €30,000 so far for the Irish Wheelchair Association – as donations continue to flood in.

Stevo suffered a motorbike accident in 2005 which broke his neck and his back. Because of paraplegia, he says this 5km cycle will be a challenge.

He has been documenting his training journey on social media, and has received widespread support and encouragement, including from well-known figures such as ex-football player Joey Barton and former boxer Ricky Hatton.

Thank you so much @Joey7Barton. I appreciate that so much. Let’s keep this going a raise a gape of money for @IrishWheelchair Association.
Donate to our @gofundme here:https://t.co/L1Y1Ud25Zi pic.twitter.com/syOgHosR0b

— Sir Stevo Timothy (@SirStevoTimothy) April 28, 2020

Stevo has given interviews to the national and local media talking about the fundraising campaign, which originally aimed to raise €5,000.

It has now raised a total of €29,500 – and is showing no sign of slowing down.

“The Irish Wheelchair Association employees are among the many heroic frontline healthcare staff who are courageously committed to reaching the most vulnerable during this very difficult time,” said Stevo, on his official fundraising page.

“Their assisted living workers are visiting people’s homes, helping them to live independently and to carry out vital everyday tasks such as personal care, cooking and household chores.

“Their community outreach team is providing social support for people who may be alone or isolated during social distancing measures.

“They are delivering care packages to those, who need it most, setting up Skype accounts to connect people with their families, hosting virtual tea parties and online dance classes and taking the time to make sure people feel less alone.

“Their small acts of kindness like daily phonecalls, friendly visits and even singing songs from across the street, make all the difference to their service users who are very isolated during COVID-19.”

This man makes me proud to be Irish, please consider donating if you can it’s for a great cause keep up the amazing work Stevo! https://t.co/c8rw8ntAz3

— Gavinhausen RULES ASS (@GavinMoloney4) May 15, 2020

Wires Crossed tightrope walking marathon postponed to 2021

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May 16, 2020

Galway Daily arts & culture Wires Crossed tightrope walk marathon postponed to 2021

The much anticipated Wires Crossed event which would have seen hundreds of people tightrope walk across the Corrib this August has been called off, for this year at least.

Galway Community Circus, which has been organising Wires Crossed, said this weekend that the tightrope walk will not go ahead due to the restrictions on event licences and public health considerations.

Ulla Hokkanen, Creative Director of Galway Community Circus, said that they hope to bring this “celebration of circus and all that it represents” back to the public in 2021.

The 24-hour marathon of funambulism promises not only to be an incredible spectacle, but is also meant to highlight mental health in the community.

The decision not to proceed this year was made in consultation with Galway 2020 as it was a cornerstone of the programme of events for the European Capital of Culture.

The entire Capital of Culture project is in the process of being severely pared back, but the government has committed funding to bringing forward as many events as possible later this year and into 2021.

There had already been speculation earlier this year that Wires Crossed could fall afoul of insurance issues plaguing the Community Circus.

With over 400 participants from multiple countries meant to tightrope walk across the Corrib over 24 hours, Irish acrobats could have been startling in their absence.

Galway Community Circus has seen the cost of its insurance balloon from €4,500 to €23,890 since 2016, and the only quote the have gotten would not cover any aerial acrobatics or any activity more than 1.5m off the ground.

This would have meant that 150 Irish people meant to take part in August would not have been able to carry out the necessary training this summer.

Hopefully the extra time allowed by this postponement will enable this other crisis to be resolved as well, so when Wires Crossed does go ahead, it can do so in all its intended glory.

The full statement from Galway Community Circus reads:

The Wires Crossed team and partners have been working hard behind the scenes to continue our journey with the art of funambulism (tightwire walking). Like all organisations, we will need to re-build after the COVID-19 crisis. The passion, commitment and resilience of our community is a huge asset in this task.

In consultation with Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and our other European partners, we have reached the decision to postpone the Wires Crossed festival and river crossing planned for August 2020. The restriction on event licences and matters of public health were the key factors in this decision.

Along with our budding funambulists, our artists, and our team, we will continue our journey together to bring you a celebration of circus and all that it represents in 2021. We are in discussions with our partners and funders about the exact timing of this and as soon as we have any news, we will share it with you all.

We would like to thank our supporters and funding bodies; Galway 2020, The Arts Council of Ireland, Erasmus+, Creative Europe, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Finnish Institute London, Embassy of Finland Dublin, Science Foundation Ireland and our valuable sponsors for your continued support.

In the true nature of overcoming, facing our fears and accepting where we are, we will re-emerge for training on the wires, and step by step we will continue our journey, as the vibrant and resilient community that we are.

We can’t wait to see you all soon.

Ulla Hokkanen

Executive Creative Director,
Galway Community Circus

image credit: Galway Community Circus

Galway City Council confirms which key services will reopen on Monday

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May 16, 2020

Galway City Council’s roadmap can be viewed here.

Galway Daily news Open call for applicants to Galway City Creative Communities Grant

Galway City Council has today announced a roadplan confirming the key services which will reopen to the public on Monday when Phase 1 of the government’s plan to ease restrictions starts.

During phase 1, groups of four people will be allowed to meet outside while social distancing as the country starts to reopen.

As a result, a number of amenity areas and outdoor facilities which have been closed or restricted up until now, will begin to re-open.

Galway City Council’s roadplan confirms that graveyards will reopen, but with limited opening hours. They will remain restricted to 10 people during funerals and burials and graveyard masses are still paused.

People will once again be allowed to go to the beach – during the lockdown they were restricted to daily exercise.

Carparks at beaches will remain closed except at Silverstrand.

Salthill Park and Cappagh Park will have restricted opening hours, subject to grass cutting. The same rules will apply to other parks except Woodlands, which will be open during the first week of Phase 1.

Galway City Museum won’t reopen until 20 July. The pool at Leisureland will also open on this date, but the gym will remain shut until 10 August.

City Wide Junction Safety Improvements and mobility improvements will also recommence on Monday once social distancing can be achieved. Grass cutting will restart, as will Local Improvement Works – also where social distancing can be achieved.

Traveller Accommodation Maintenance will remain restricted to urgent and essential maintenance calls.

Indoor facilities, community centres, changing rooms, boxing clubs will all remain closed until Phase 5, which is expected to begin in August.

Playgrounds will also stay closed – and will remain closed until 29 June, when Phase 3 starts.

Works scheduled to restart in Phase 1 include upgrades to Kirwan Roundabout, N6 Bothar na dTreabh resurfacing at Ballybrit, Headford Road resurfacing, Bus Shelter upgrade works, Road Resurfacing Programme Works and Dominic Street footpath works.

City Mobility Team

A City Mobility Team (CMT) has also been established by Galway City Council to deal with ‘new patterns of travel’ and social distancing requirements as restrictions are eased.

The council expects the numbers of people accessing the city to increase and this must be addressed in the context of social distancing requirements which are likely to remain in place for some time.

The scope of the CMT will be to consider measures and supports required due to COVID-19, to support businesses and residents and to get the maximum use out of public road space and other public places.

The CMT will consider measures such as wider footpaths, safer cycling facilities, traffic restrictions and supporting businesses who may need the use of public space for social distancing purposes,.

Concerns, issues and suggestions in relation the use of public space in relation to COVID-19 issues can be referred to the City Mobility Team for discussion and consideration.

Coronavirus: Connolly condemns lack of support for artists

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May 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Respite services at Merlin Park to be restored by August

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly has criticised the lack of support the government is providing for the arts and artists in the Covid-19 crisis, and called on it to engage with representatives of the sector.

Deputy Connolly said that successive governments have had “inconsistent” attitudes towards the arts, between what they say, and the actual financial support provided to artists.

“We treasure the arts on a national and international basis but then practically we give them very little.”

Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Connolly accused Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan of “spin”

The government announced a €1 million scheme to support Irish and Irish based artists in April.

The scheme, which will be administered by the Arts Council of Ireland, will award grants of €3,000 to individual artists to create works during this pandemic.

The scale of the government’s response has come under criticism, with the National Campaign for the Arts saying it is “dismayed” by the lack of vision shown in relation to the arts.

It said that while this is a “small investment” in individual artists, does not apply to many kinds of artistic practice, and other measures such as like ‘Shining a Light’ have little to do with professional arts practice and do not address the real damage that has been done to the sector by this crisis.

Galway, where the arts are a huge cultural and economic part of life, has suffered from large parts of the annual International Arts Festival and Capital of Culture programme which will not be able to go ahead this year.

Deputy Connolly compared the amount of funding being put forward by the Irish government with Scotland’s response, where £12.5 million is being invested in the arts sector across three funds.

In comparison, a figure of €12 billion was put forward to support small businesses by Minister Health Humphreys as essential.

“Yet we look at the arts and talk about a tiny amount of money. We are not giving recognition to the importance of arts to the economy, not to mention anything else.

“It is ironic that one of the bestsellers at the moment is The Plague by Albert Camus from 1947. That tells us something, does it not?

“It is a bestseller at the moment. We resort to art, including literature and music, all of the time. This has all been said,” Catherine Connolly said.

The Independent TD asked Minister Madigan to meet with the NCFA, which represents approximately 23,000 artists.

“It is not looking for charity or even for a handout. These artists are looking to survive so that we can continue to thrive because of our artists.”

Cafes, small shops and other Galway businesses urged to apply for restart grants

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May 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Dozens of Galway City community groups awarded €272,708 in grant funding

Cafes, hairdressers, clothes shops and other small businesses across Gawlay have been urged to apply for the new €250m Restart Grant.

The grants will help micro and small businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures.

They will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, with a minimum payment of €2,000 and a maximum payment of €10,000.

Minister Ciaran Cannon has urged businesses in the county to apply.

“The Grant will be available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less, which were closed or impacted by at least a 25% reduction in turnover out to 30 June 2020,” he explained.

“It is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers and the grants will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, with a minimum payment of €2,000 and a maximum payment of €10,000.”

Applications for the Restart Grant can be made online to Galway County Council from Friday 22 May.

Galway TD warns of imminent childcare capacity crisis causing chaos

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Paul Kelly

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May 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Budget 2022: Childcare providers say not enough done to address costs

Galway TD Anne Rabbitte has warned of an imminent capacity crisis that could potentially effect the childcare sector as the year progresses and the country gradually reopens.

Speaking before the Dáil the Fianna Fáil spokesperson for Children and Youth Affairs addressed the challenges faced by childcare businesses like créches and Montessori’s as the country reopens following the lifting of restrictions.

Deputy Rabbitte described how the childcare sector was experiencing “dire capacity constraints pre-Covid”.

She warned how these issues will be exacerbated as créches reopen to all workers from July 20th.

The Galway East TD called for clarity regarding how créches will be effected as a result of the government’s road map.

Currently, under the government’s plans créches will initially open for children of all workers on a gradually increasing phased basis (one day per week) and slowly increasing thereafter.

Deputy Rabbitte questioned what parents would do for the remainder of the week if they are back in their workplaces.

In addition, she highlighted her concern at the possibility of créches reducing capacity to facilitate social distancing.

This would result in countless parents being left without a space in their créche.

“For example, you could have a créche who normally has space for 100 children, but that’s now reduced to 50 due to social distancing”.

The Galway TD questioned how the wage support scheme would work if créches could not open fully.

“For such services who reopen with a reduced capacity, will the Department continue to pay for their pre-Covid capacity or the new, reduced capacity,” Anne Rabbitte said.

This may result in a situation where créches will be receiving substantially less income resulting in various créches being in a financially unfeasible position.

All of this may give rise to the closures of a number of créches throughout Galway.

Deputy Rabbitte called for transparency regarding the advice that is currently being given by the Department and NPHET’s.

“Transparency is key and providers, staff and parents need to know what plans the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have”.

She concluded by requesting the government to provide appropriate supports to prevent more services closing.

Livestreaming poetry open mic night keeps art community strong in quarantine

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May 16, 2020

Galway Daily arts Over the Edge returns after summer break

Keeping the arts community in Galway alive has been a difficult task, and the Barn Yard is rising to the task with its online poetry open mic next week.

Bard Yard combines a poetry open mic with the performance of a featured artist. Poets sign up to read one poem, and an established performer – usually a musician – performs a set in the middle.

Next Wednesday, May 18 the open mic night will stream on Facebook Live from 8pm.

This is the third online open mic since the Barn Yard was originally scheduled to premiere at the Róisín Dubh in March, but has gone online since the COVID-19 regulations were put in place.

“We were faced with the task of not only launching a new kind of open mic, but also with figuring out how to make it successful online,” says Claire VanValkenburg, co-host and organiser.

“It was designed to showcase the centuries old relationship between poetry and music.”

This month’s artist is Bríd Kenny who released her debut EP, “Doorway” in March.

All-Connacht Poetry Slam Champion Conor Quinlan is Bard Yard’s other co-host.

“I think the arts are really important right now, and creating spaces for artists to share their work will help everyone during this difficult time,” says Quinlan.

The Bard Yard was created to support artists in Galway, and to diversify open mics, VanValkenburg adfd.

“I go to poetry events, and each piece drips so heavily with emotion I find myself falling behind and struggling to give each artist my full attention,” she explains.

“It’s really beautiful because it celebrates that time-honored tradition between poetry and music, but also it gives my brain a break and allows me to enjoy all the artists with my full attention.”

When the pubs open, Bard Yard will take place upstairs at the Róisín Dubh on the third Wednesday of every month.

But for now, you can tune in on Facebook live at Facebook.com/bardyardgalway. Catch the next show on May 20, at 8pm.

Galway Mountain Rescue goes two months without an emergency

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May 16, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway Mountain Rescue goes two months without an emergency

Galway Mountain Rescue hasn’t been called out to an emergency for two months in a row after people took to heart a plea from the voluntary service not to endanger emergency responders by staying out of the mountains for the duration of the current crisis.

Back in late March Galway Mountain Rescue warned people to avoid walking in the mountains of Galway during the Covid-19 pandemic, as there would be reduced rescue services available in order to protect their volunteers.

Warnings that only people seriously injured or otherwise trapped would have GMR volunteers dispatched have clearly had an effect, as not a single emergency response was needed for all of April, after a similarly quiet March.

“At the beginning of April, we reported that we did not have to respond to a single emergency incident throughout the month of March,” a post on the Galway Mountain Rescue facebook page from May 7 stated.

“Thanks to everyone’s continued adherence to the Government’s public safety guidelines, we are delighted to announce that our boots have remained mud-free for a second consecutive month!”

Remaining ready to respond to emergency situations while obeying the HSE’s distancing restrictions has required a “huge effort” from their volunteers.

Unable to meet up in person, rescue team members have taken to running virtual training sessions on skills from Search Management to Navigation in order to keep themselves in readiness.

This, along with a purchase of vital PPE, has allowed them to remain ready to be called out 24/7.

“Unfortunately, the public health emergency is not over and the risk remains as high now as it has ever been.”

“We still need your cooperation/ influence to ensure that those tempted to venture out hold off until it is safe to do so.”

At the beginning of April, we reported that we did not have to respond to a single emergency incident throughout the…

Posted by Galway Mountain Rescue Team on Thursday, May 7, 2020

Galway Mountain Rescue’s plea for people to stay out of the mountains to avoid potentially passing on the coronavirus to their volunteers mirrors a call made by the RNLI and Irish Coast Guard.

These two groups have made, and since renewed, a joint appeal for people not to use the sea for recreation or exercise during the Covid-19 crisis in order to keep responders safe.

Coronavirus: 16 new Covid-19 deaths, small number of new Galway cases

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May 15, 2020

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

An additional 16 deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported to the Department of Health today, along with 126 new confirmed cases in the state.

The national death toll in the Covid-19 crisis now stands at 1,518, while the total number of cases in the state has reached 23,956.

This marks a slight jump in daily fatalities after two successive days where the number had fallen to 10.

In Galway an additional three new cases of Covid-19 have been reported today, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the county to 405.

Earlier today the Taoiseach announced that the Cabinet has signed off on plans to begin easing lockdown restrictions from next Monday, May 18 based on advice from the NPHET.

Taoiseach Varadkar said that the progress in containing the pandemic “gives us hope” but that there remains a long way to go yet.

The coronavirus is a “fire in retreat”, but people must remain vigilant to ensure it is beaten he said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said “As we ease restrictions that were implemented in recent weeks, the core message remains the same, ‘stay at home’ where possible and follow public health behaviours to limit the spread; hand washing, respiratory etiquette and physical distancing.”

“I urge everyone to remember how easily this virus can spread, how quickly we could lose the progress that the country has worked so hard to achieve.”

The data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Wednesday 13th May (23,627 cases), reveals:

57% are female and 42% are male
the median age of confirmed cases is 48 years
3,062 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
of those hospitalised, 387 cases have been admitted to ICU
7,427 cases are associated with healthcare workers
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 11,557 (49% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,352 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,256 cases (5%)

Dr Siobhan Ni Bhriain, Consultant Psychiatrist and HSE Integrated Care Lead, said: “These past weeks have been particularly difficult for those who have been cocooning from family, friends and society.

“Today, I hope new measures will bring some relief to this group and that they know we as a society are supporting them wherever possible, including by adopting safe behaviours in physical distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.”

Coronavirus: Taoiseach confirms Phase 1 of lockdown easing to begin Monday

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May 15, 2020

Galway Daily news no confidence leo varadkar fine gael dáil What is in Phase 3 of the accelerated plan to end the lockdown?

Phase 1 of easing the lockdown restrictions will go ahead as planned on Monday, with new health advice for the changing circumstances, including wearing face coverings.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that lockdown restrictions will begin to ease from Monday in an announcement made this afternoon after the Cabinet signed off on plans earlier today.

The Cabinet made its decision based on advice from the NPHET, after which the Taoiseach informed the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland

“This gives us reason to hope, but it is not a cause for celebration. We have a long way to go yet.”

“There will be bumps in the road and we have to keep our guard up,” the Taoiseach said.

This is only the first part of slow and measured lifting of restrictions which will continue throughout the summer, with some more retail outlets and commercial services allowed to reopen from May 18.

Monday will also see a limited return of people being allowed to meet with others from outside their household, but with strict social distancing requirements.

People are still advised to remain home as much as possible, only leaving to travel to and from work; attend medical appointments; for vital family reasons; shopping, including expanded retail, personal, and commercial services; or for farming or food production reasons.

The nationwide travel limit lockdown restriction to 5km from your home, outside of the reasons listed above, remains in place.

When people are outside of the house in situations where social distancing is not possible, such as on crowded public transport, they are advised to wear a face covering.

This is however, hygiene advice similar to regular handwashing and proper sneezing/coughing etiquette, and not a legal requirement.

Work and Social outlets

Anyone who can continue to work from home is advised to do so, and where people have to return to the workplace, employers must have preparations in place to limit the interaction of workers and encourage social distancing.

Retail outlets covered by these new arrangements include:

1. Retail outlets that are primarily outdoor (for example, garden centres, farmer’s markets, hardware stores and so on) may reopen

2. Retail outlets, in addition to those that are currently open.

These include:

opticians and optometrists, outlets providing hearing test services, selling hearing aids and appliances
retailers involved in the sale, supply and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities
hardware stores, builders’ merchants and stores that provide hardware products necessary for home and business maintenance, sanitation and farm equipment, supplies and tools essential for gardening / farming /agriculture
retail sale of office products and services for individuals working from home and for businesses
retailers providing electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services for home and businesses

Outside of work, groups of up to four people from different households will be able to meet outside from Monday, so long as they remain at least 2m apart.

Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites such as parks, beaches, mountain walks, heritage and cultural sites can reopen from Monday, May 18.

As can outdoor sports facilities such as pitches, tennis courts and golf courses, with strict social distancing in place.

The government’s roadmap for lifting the nationwide lockdown restrictions will continue over five phases this summer, with phase 5 not beginning until August 10.

All of this is dependent on infections and deaths from Covid-19 continuing to follow the trend of declining.

“Nothing is guaranteed. The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus unless we push it back every day.”

“Coronavirus is a ‘fire in retreat; but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark, quench every ember.”

“We are all bound together in this great national effort and we must rely on each other if we are to succeed.”

Can people over 70 return to playing golf?

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May 15, 2020

galway daily sport Golf Ireland welcomes announcement courses can reopen from Tuesday

As restrictions brought in to tackle COVID-19 begin to ease, many people who have been staying at home are keen to get back to playing a range of sports.

However, the present advice for people over 70 who want to start golfing again is that they should not do so.

People who have been ‘cocooning’ until now may leave home for exercise, but are advised to continue to avoid contact with people, even on a socially distanced basis.

This is advisory rather than mandatory though, meaning it is up to each person to decide whether they wish to participate in certain sports.

Sport Ireland has also said that people should not travel beyond 5km to play tennis and golf when facilities reopen on Monday.

East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon said: “As we begin to ease life in Galway back towards normality from this coming Monday 18 May, there has been some discussion on whether those who have been cocooning so far and who enjoy golfing should return to local golf courses.”

Minister Cannon highlighted the advice for people over 70 who want to return to playing tennis and golf, and said that he understands that this is difficult for those who play these sports.

“I appreciate how difficult this advice may be for people in the county who enjoy these sports and have been held back from engaging in them up to now, but I appeal to people to remember that this advice has been issued with people’s very best interests in mind,” said Minister Cannon.

Weekend weather: Cloudy with scattered rain

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May 15, 2020

Galway Daily weather Wet start to the New Year but brighter colder weather coming our way

Galway isn’t forecast to enjoy another weekend of sunny, summer style weather this weekend, as people can expected cloudy conditions and scattered rain.

Tonight will see a few sunny spells with light cloud cover, with the weather staying mostly dry.

Temperatures will average 13 to 15 degrees for most of the day, with a light variable breeze turning moderate and northwesterly into the evening.

Saturday morning will start cool, but still warmer than earlier this week, with temperatures in the region of 7 to 8 degrees

Don’t expect to get much walking in the sun as it will be cloudy throughout the day, but mostly dry save for some scattered showers Met Eireann is predicting.

Highest temperatures on Saturday will be around 12 or 13 degrees, with a light westerly wind.

Expect more of the same on Sunday, with conditions staying cloudy and little sun peeking through, while rain showers will become more persistent from mid-morning.

The rain is expected to become heavier headed into Sunday evening and night.

Temperatures on Sunday will reach highs of 10 to 13 degrees, with a moderate southwesterly wind throughout the day.

Galway City Council throws support behind plan to save our bees

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May 15, 2020

galway daily news bees Marine institute goes green to help bees and wildflowers

Galway City Council has become the latest local authority to support the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan which aims to improve biodiversity across the island by helping pollinators.

Almost one third of Ireland’s 99 different types of bees are threatened by extinction because of the drastic reduction in the amount of flowers and safe nesting sites across the country.

The action plan is calling everyone, from farmers and local authorities to schools and gardeners, to come together to create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive.

The plan is supported by over 90 organisations across the island – and the majority of councils are already taking actions to support pollinators on public land.

Many are also working with local community groups, residents’ associations and schools to help raise awareness of the All-Ireland plan.

By becoming a formal partner, Galway City Council has agreed to support the plan and take it into consideration when deciding policies and making management decisions where possible.

It has also agreed to carry out one action to help pollinators in the first year after signing up and to carry out at least three more positive actions within the following five years.

Employers being given Covid-19 test result to pass along to staff Naughten claims

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May 15, 2020

Galway Daily news Disappointment that no occupational injury benefits coming for Long Covid sufferers

Galway TD Denis Naughten has claimed that the testing and contact tracing system for Covid-19 has such “gross failures” that employers are being given their employees’ test results to pass along.

Speaking in the Dáil during time for questions for Health Minister Simon Harris on Covid-19, Deputy Naughten said that it is still taking weeks for people to receive test results.

“These delays in contacting those tested and following up on their close contacts is dictating how clusters of infection are being managed.”

Deputy Naughten was criticising the government’s response to clusters of infections in nursing homes and meat plants, saying that delays in testing and tracing had made the situation worse.

“We have been informed as public representatives by the HSE that people are being given their results within a day of there return from the laboratory and those who are positive are being contacted by a health professional.

“This is not happening and negative results are being long fingered for days and possibly weeks,” Denis Naughten said.

“In fact the system is so bad that employers are being provided with a list of test results directly and they are the ones informing employees as to whether they are positive or negative for Covid-19.”

“So will the Minister now confirm that medical data is being shared with employers before employees and explain to me why this is happening?”

Minister Harris responded by saying that Ireland is going beyond the efforts of many countries by providing community testing, rather than just testing people in hospitals.

The Minister said that Ireland will have the capacity to perform 100,000 tests for Covid-19 from next week, but acknowledged that there is an issue with turnaround times for test results.

“The Deputy is right though about the need to further tighten up turnaround times, absolutely he is. It was a challenge in relation to capacity, it’s now a challenge in relation to turnaround times.”

The NPHET aims to have a turnaround time for positive test results of three days from next week Minister Harris said, while adding that while this covers the majority of people, about 10% will be more complicated.

The Minister said that he does not have any information about employers and their employees’ test results, but that he would be happy to receive them.

Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said that the potential sharing of medical information about test with employers before going to the people tested is of “fundamental concern to the public” and needed to be addressed.

Minister Harris responded that as he did not have the particulars of the incidents alleged by Deputy Naughten, he would not comment on them.

Harrowing report into child abuse in Scouts “another dark chapter” in our history

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May 15, 2020

galway daily news boy scouts scouting abuse

Yesterday’s independent report into historical child abuse in scouting organisations has been described as ‘another dark chapter’ in Ireland’s history by a Galway East TD.

Ian Elliott’s Historical Sexual Abuse in Scouting report, released yesterday by Scouting Ireland, revealed that ‘individuals who had a sexual interest in young people rose to positions of power and influence’.

Scouting Ireland made a full “organisational apology” to survivors of past child sexual abuse.

Commenting on the report, East Galway TD Anne Rabbitte said that we’ve seen once again the safety and wellbeing of children ‘ignored in the most disgusting of ways’ and that it is yet ‘another dark chapter’ in our history.

Deputy Rabbitte extended her thoughts to the victims of abuse during their time involved with the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland and the Scout Association of Ireland.

“The victims need the full support of the State. My Party will be writing to the Ceann Comhairle asking that this report be debated in the Dáil at the next opportunity.

“It is important the full report is absorbed and debated by Dáil Éireann and steps agreed to support the victims of these historical abusive acts,” said Deputy Rabbitte.

The Fianna Fáil TD added that the ‘significant limitations’ encountered by Ian Elliott means the true extent of how the system so badly failed children is not clear.

“I hope other parties and members join in my view that this harrowing report should be debated as soon as possible in the Dáil and steps are taken to support victims and their families on the back of this report.”

Permission refused for 25m high mobile mast in Bohermore

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May 15, 2020

Galway Daily news Planning refused again for Galway City mobile tower

Planning permission has been refused for the construction of a 25m mobile mast on the Moneenageisha road in Galway City.

ESB Telecomms sought approval to erect a 25m high monopole mobile mast to carry communications dishes and antennae at the existing ESB substation in the area.

The mast would have been within a 2.4m high fenced compound on a site at the junction of the Moneenageisha Road and the Tuam Road.

Nine objections were received by the city council concerning this project, noting that it would have a negative visual impact on nearby homes and Bohermore cemetery.

It was also argued that there is already a 42m high mobile mast nearby, and that the developer had not suitably showed that there were no other suitable sites in the area.

Objectors argued that there is plenty of additional capacity remaining on the mast near Wayfair House, and that this development would be an unnecessary duplication of infrastructure.

The developer proposed to reduce the height of the mast to 20m in response to concerns from the council, but this was not accepted either by those objecting to the project, or by council planning inspectors.

Galway City Council refused planning permission for the mast on three grounds.

Firstly, the council said that even with the height reduced to 20m, the height of the tower would be “out of character” with development in the area, and detrimental to residential amenity.

The City Development Plan also states that masts shall only be erected in or near residential areas where all other locations have been exhausted, and potential impacts minimised, and the council said the proposed development does not meet that standard.

Finally it was stated that this development would be “premature” while the Land Development Agency and City Council are studying the viability of building large amounts of housing nearby at a site on Sandy Road.

Galway GAA keeps the love of the game alive with creative competition

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May 15, 2020

Galway Daily sport County senior hurling final replay - All you need to know

It’s been a testing time for GAA fans around the country, with sports come to a halt and a ways to go yet before people can get back on the pitch in any form.

But people have been taking their time stuck at home to practice their creative skills, and Galway GAA is taking it a step further by inviting clubs and individuals to enter a new creative competition for an incredible prize.

When all of the current restrictions have been lifted, and it’s safe to go around to each others houses again, one lucky winner could have an exclusive training session at their home with Galway Senior Football Manager Padraic Joyce and captain Shane Walsh.

There will also be a number of runners up prizes including a signed Galway hurling and football jersey.

It’s an incredible prize. Imagine Padraic Joyce and Shane Walsh in your own back garden putting you through your paces” says Pat Kearney, Chairperson, Galway GAA.

All people have to do in order to be in with a chance of winning is create a drawing, photograph or 30 second film that encapsulates what you love about the GAA and send it to galwaygaacompetition@gmail.com.

We’ve seen some great material on social media in recent weeks so looking forward to seeing what Galway GAA fans come up with for this exciting competition” says Padraic Joyce, Galway Senior Football Manager.

The closing date for entry is Friday, May 29th.

East Galway secondary school approved for multi-million upgrade

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May 15, 2020

Galway Daily news Planning extension grant for Craughwell National School expansion

St Killian’s College secondary school in New Inn has received approval for a major upgrade to its specialist facilities with a multi-million investment by the government.

The Department of Education has approved approximately €2 million in funding for the Major Building Project at the east Galway secondary school.

The major upgrade will see the construction of four state of the art specialised classrooms.

These new facilities will include one each science lab, art room, woodwork room & home economics room.

Councillor Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher welcomed the investment, saying that it shows “the confidence that the Department of Education and Skills has in the staff and Board of Management of St. Killians College.”

“I would like to thank Padraig Kelly and his staff for all their hard work, parents and the entire community for their support.”

“I would also like to acknowledge the huge work that the Staff of Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board especially the Building’s Department put into ensuring the approval of this project.”

“It is a great day for the community and the education provision within this region.”

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon also offered his congratulations to the school community, saying “It’s been a privilege for me to work with them down through the years in ensuring that both students and staff have state of the art facilities.”

Coronavirus: 10 more Covid-19 deaths and 3 new Galway cases

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May 14, 2020