Relationships rise and fall on truth and lies in Ros na Rún

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May 10, 2020

galway daily latest news michael d higgins planet youth parents events — President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, together with his wife, Sabina Higgins, and the Tuam Youth Council at the launch of the Planet Youth Strategy and Implementation Framework

Parents across Galway have been invited to attend free online events designed to help them through the COVID-19 emergency.

A series of Planet Youth workshops and webinars have been scheduled over the next fortnight and are open to parents of primary and post-primary pupils in the county, as well as in Mayo and Roscommon.

On Tuesday 12 May, parents are invited to a ‘Motivation and Your Teenager‘ webinar live on Facebook at 8pm.

Adolescent Psychotherapist Gina Dowd will be the guest speaker at the webinar and she will answer parents’ questions which can be sent beforehand, or asked during the event.

Emmet Major, Planet Youth explained: “To attend, parents just need to go to the [Facebook page] shortly before 8 o’clock on Tuesday evening. It is not necessary to register beforehand.

“Among the topics will be communicating with your teenager, the mystery of motivation,
understanding adolescent anxiety, adolescent development and also parental support.

“It will offer lots of tips and insights of real value to parents.”

Interactive Online Workshops

Three workshops entitled Parenting your Pre-adolescent through COVID-19 have also been
organised and will take place at 7.30pm on 14, 19 and 21 May.

“These workshops will be interactive and will allow parents to talk, in a facilitated environment, about the challenges they are currently facing and the good things they are doing to get through COVID-19,” said Emmet.

“Gina will also attend these events and provide support and guidance to parents.

“These evenings have been specifically developed for the parents of children who are currently in Fifth and Sixth classes.

“These Sixth class children will be starting secondary school later this year and are really facing into the unknown, as are their parents.

“For these three workshops, it is important, though, that parents register beforehand. It is not happening on a public forum like the Planet Youth Facebook page.”

Those interested in attending will receive a video-conferencing link.

Speaking about Planet Youth, which has been operating in Galway since 2018, Emmet said: “A key area of focus for us has been to provide support to parents in the region. We are very conscious that parents are now dealing with extraordinary challenges and we want to be there for them.”

Parents can register to attend one of the interactive Parenting your Pre-adolescent workshops by emailing their preferred date to events@planetyouth.ie

Those who wish to submit questions before the ‘Motivation and Your Teenager‘ event can do so by emailing communications@planetyouth.ie

Cancer patients can’t get surgery although hospitals operating at 25% capacity – TD

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Paul Kelly

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May 10, 2020

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

Some people diagnosed with cancer have been unable to get surgery even though hospitals are operating at a fraction of their full capacity, a Galway West TD has said.

Catherine Connolly TD asked Minister for Health Simon Harris in the Dáil how this can be the case while some hospitals are functioning at 25% capacity during the pandemic.

“I live in a city with four hospitals, there are two sister hospitals, Merlin Park and the regional hospital, as well as the private clinic in Doughiska and the Bon Secours, and they are all functioning under capacity,” said the Independent TD.

The Minister for Health responded to Deputy Connolly’s question by referring to the fact that when it comes to private hospitals, the Government is choosing to have some vacant space for a potential second wave, as is recommended.

The Galway West TD also took the opportunity to request that the term “cocooning” is dropped since it is “insulting and unhelpful”.

She declared that “the whole policy in regard to the over-70s has introduced an ageism and has set equality way back”.

The Minister for Health agreed with the Galway TD and claimed he didn’t know how the word arrived or why everyone is using it.

Simon Harris reassured the TD that the word is not meant to be offensive.

He maintained the purpose of the term was to impart the “best public health advice to a group of people who are not vulnerable people, but who are vulnerable to the virus”.

Galway is most at risk city to economic hit from Covid-19

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May 10, 2020

Galway Daily tourism Galway named one of the Top 10 cities in the world by renowned travel magazine

Galway City is the most at risk urban centre in Ireland to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic according to a report from the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

The Department of Finance has predicted that the Irish economy will contract by approximately 10.5% this year as a result of COVID-19 and the public restrictions use to fight it, while unemployment will rise to 22%.

That prediction prompted the three Regional Assemblies to prepare a COVID-19 Regional Economic Analysis to identify the areas which will be hurt the worst by restriction imposed during this pandemic.

The purpose of compiling this report was to inform policymakers at a local, regional and
national level of the extent of economic exposure and resilience in the different regions of Ireland.

Cathaoirleach for the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, Cllr Declan McDonnell acknowledged that out of the three regions, the Northern and Western region had the highest “COVID-19 Exposure Ratio” of businesses which are at the greatest risk.

Analysis showed that 48.6 per cent of the region’s businesses are operating in the worst affected sectors, likely to be badly hit by the crisis.

While County Galway doesn’t fare too badly as a while in this analysis, in better shape than many counties in the west, the same is not true of Galway City.

Many of the city’s wholesale and retail, accommodation and food services, and the arts and entertainment sectors are likely to be severely impacted by this crisis, causing “significant distress” to the local and regional economy.

Galway City and its suburbs have an exposure ratio of 46.1% according to the data gathered for this report, higher than Waterford (45%), Limierick (44.9%), Cork (40.1%), or Dublin (38.4%).

In total there are 1,532 business in Galway which are in sectors faring the worst in the Covid-19 crisis.

But Galway City is far from the worst faring town in the county. Among the the top 15 most vulnerable settlements in the country is Clifden, where 58.1% of businesses are in vulnerable sectors.

“It should be noted that the potential duration of this economic impact is unclear and is largely dependent on the continuation of the current restrictions and the broader international context,” the report says.

But it also includes a comforting note that “nevertheless, as restrictions are lifted many of these sectors should gradually improve”.

Ireland will begin to come out the Covid-19 lockdown on Monday, May 18, gradually lifting restrictions in five phases.

Food industry businesses such as cafés and restaurants are not expected to reopen until June, while pubs will have to wait until August under the current plan.

Many in the hospitality industry have warned that without government support a great many businesses will be forced to close permanently with social distancing restrictions in place.

Coronavirus: 18 more deaths but only 1 new Galway case

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May 9, 2020

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

18 more people have died due to Covid-19 the Department of Health has reported today, bringing the national death toll due to the coronavirus pandemic to 1,446.

There have also been an additional 219 new cases confirmed as of 11am this morning, but only one additional coronavirus infection has been reported in Galway.

That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the county to 382, out of a nationwide tally of 22,760 cases.

Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Thursday 7 May (22,495 cases), reveals:

57% are female and 43% are male
the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years
2,954 cases (13%) have been hospitalised
of those hospitalised, 381 cases have been admitted to ICU
6,669 cases are associated with healthcare workers
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 10,948 (49% of all cases) followed by Kildare with 1,317 cases (6%) and then Cork with 1,205 cases (5%)
of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 61%, close contact accounts for 35%, travel abroad accounts for 3%

In the event that a person tests positive for COVID-19 and hasn’t been abroad or had contact with another confirmed case in Ireland, that’s known as community transmission.

In the event that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 can be linked to another confirmed case in Ireland, that’s known as local transmission.

PorterShed plans move to larger new premises at Bowling Green

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May 9, 2020

Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

Plans have been submitted for PorterShed tech innovation hub and co-working space to move from its current premises to a redeveloped warehouse on Bowling Green.

The proposed development led by Galway City Innovation District will involve converting an existing two storey warehouse into a co-working office space to house the PorterShed, which is currently located behind Ceannt Station

“The relocation is an essential component of the redevelopment and urban renewal of the Ceannt Station,” the application reads, adding that the PorterShed will be obliged to vacate the premises later in 2020.

Major plans are in the works to develop the city district in the Ceannt Station area.

Develoer Gerry Barrett is leading a €320 million project to create a new urban quarter on a site behind the station which will include 373 apartments, a six screen cinema, shopping district, and more.

A major overhaul of Ceannt Station itself is also in the works after many years of delays.

Other work on the premises will involve the construction of a two storey extension to the building, recladding an extension that was built in the 1980s, and replacing the roof.

Solar panels, air conditioning, and a modern air to water heat pump will be installed to bring this warehouse up to the standard of a modern office space.

Landscaping work will involve creating a courtyard space between the buildings and Market Street car park, and pedestrian/cycle access to Market Street.

Two car parking spaces and 28 bicycle spaces will be provided to the front of the building.

Since first opening in 2016, the PorterShed has supported the creation of 730 jobs by providing office space an other supports for tech orientated start up companies.

The move will provide more space than at the current premises, growing its capacity from roughly 100 desk spaces to 130.

But the application states that the primary reason for the move is “first and foremost to facilitate business continuity”.

“The proposed development will result in the maintenance and enhancement of an important element of business/creative sector infrastructure to Galway City,”

“Market Street/Bowling Green is ideally located for such a space, being in close proximity to the city centre, public transport, and cycling infrastructure”.

Separately, plans are also in the works to convert the nearby Connacht Tribune building into co-working offices, which will massively expand the capacity of the PorterShed to house startup and expanding companies.

Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by July 4 of this year.

Drug free chronic pain treatment from Galway researchers wins €1 million prize

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May 9, 2020

Galway Daily news Chronic pain treatment SFI prize

A team of Galway based researchers who have developed a novel, drug free treatment for chronic pain have won €1 million to further their research with the SFI Future Innovator Prize.

Dr Alsion Liddy and her project team at NUIG were announced as the first winners of the Future Innovator Prize this week for their Hydrobloc chronic pain treatment.

Chronic neuropathic pain suffers live with daily agony that severely impacts their quality of life.

It’s estimated that 300,000 people in Ireland alone suffer from Neuropathic pain, which is caused by damage or disease affecting the sensory nervous system.

The Hydrobloc nanogel developed by Dr Liddy and her team delivers long term drug free pain relief without side effects that can come from extensive medication use.

Dr Liddy said winning the SFI Future Innovator has been pivotal in allowing them to progress their research.

“We are honoured to win the final prize and have no doubt after being through the programme that there is a world class level of innovative talent in Ireland which will benefit our country in the future.”

She added that a unique part about taking part in the Future Innovator programme has been the emphasis it places on societal impact of research.

This has meant getting feedback on their treatment, not just from doctors, but also from patients.

“By incorporating this Public and Patient Involvement paradigm we have integrated the voice of the patient into Hydrobloc and ensured that the core goal is the development of a treatment that will improve the lives of patients living with debilitating pain.”

“The programme has also introduced us to an exciting network of brilliantly innovative scientists and importantly has opened the door to investors.”

The SFI Future Innovator Prize, funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland, is part of an overall government plan to cultivate challenge-based funding in Ireland.

This prize challenges the country’s best and brightest unconventional thinkers and innovators to create novel, potentially disruptive technologies in collaboration with societal stakeholders and end-users.

The prize was awarded by Minister Heather Humphreys this week, who praised them for “leading the way with this much needed novel and innovative treatment for chronic pain.”

“At this time, as we battle an unprecedented pandemic we clearly need disruptive science and technology to help us find solutions,” the Minister added.

Pollution and stuffed birds – ethical taxidermy in marine science

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May 9, 2020

Galway Daily news Pollution and stuffed birds - ethical taxidermy in marine science

GMIT is finding a novel way to highlight the impact that marine pollution is having on wildlife by using stuffed animals to highlight to showcase how made made pollution caused their deaths.

The project,“The art of ethical taxidermy in marine science education” has been given funding from the Irish Research Council to raise awareness of the effects of pollution on seabirds.

It will involve a multidisciplinary team of scientists, artists, registered taxidermists and media, led by GMIT’s Dr Katie O’Dwyer, lecturer in Aquatic Ecology, Dept of Natural Sciences.

We are very excited to have the opportunity to bring together a very creative team to produce this novel educational project,” Dr O’Dwyer says.

“The seabirds we will be using were exposed to a range of man-made problems in their natural environment, including plastic pollution, oil pollution, and lost fishing gear.”

The team includes two specialists in stuffing animals, Donal Mulcahy of Glenameade Taxidermy and Aurelien McEvoy-Jean of East Coast Taxidermy, as well as marine biologist and artist Sabine Springer and Peter Cutler and Andrew Power from Crow Crag Productions.

Aside from Dr O’Dwyer, two other scientists at GMIT will be involved, Drs Ian O’Connor and Heidi Acampora, all based at the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre in GMIT’s Dublin Road campus.

The team plan to create thought provoking displays highlighting these animals’ demise to promote conservation of the marine environment.

“As part of the project, we will also produce a video highlighting ongoing issues facing seabirds, along with the process of ethical taxidermy and its application in marine science education.”

“By highlighting these issues through art and media, we hope to shed some light on priority areas targeted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Developmental Goals: Preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution; and, sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems”.

€56,000 allocated for flood relief works at Eskerboy

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May 9, 2020

Galway Daily news Galway winner claims €50,000 in prize bonds draw

A total of €56,000 has been allocated for flood relief works at Eskerboy, between Killimor and Mullagh.

The funding will support the ongoing work to tackle flooding at all levels in the county, East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon has said.

Commenting yesterday, Minister Cannon said: “I’m very pleased with the news that Minister Kevin Boxer Moran and the OPW have allocated €57,000 for flood relief works at Eskerboy.

“I understand that the funding will support installing a new drainage system which will upgrade an outmoded form of drainage, will be very welcome by local residents and this grant will support the ongoing work to tackle flooding at all levels in the county.

“Minister Moran has been especially supportive in this process in East Galway and I am continuing to engage with him and his office to find solutions and secure the necessary funding to ensure we further alleviate these issues to the benefit of local communities and economies.”

Government guarantees refund credit note for Irish booked holidays

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May 9, 2020

Galway Daily news flight cancellation cancelled Government backs credit note refund for Irish travel agent and tour operator holidays

People who have book package holidays through Irish travel agents and tour operators can be sure of getting a refund in one form or another thanks to a government backed credit note.

Tourism Minister Shane Ross confirmed on Friday that the government will be providing a state guarantee for a special form of refund credit note for holidays cancelled as a result of the current crisis.

People who have had to cancel bookings because of Covid-19 travel restrictions are entitled to a cash refund under the EU Travel Package Directive.

However, Minister Ross said that many travel agents and tour operators are having “severe cash flow problems” due to the crisis.

“It is not clear that all of them will be able to meet all of their current cash refund obligations and at the same time be able to stay in business.”

“The government has therefore agreed to back a new refund credit note that travel agents and tour operators can offer their customers.”

The refund credit note will work as follows:

1. It can be to the value of all of the refund due or part of the refund alongside part cash.

2. It will be issued with a future redeemable date, and on that date it can be exchanged for its cash value, or can be used to book a replacement holiday.

3. It will be State-guaranteed in the event that the travel agent or tour operator becomes insolvent.

“These are very difficult days for our tourism industry and for the many travel agencies and tour operators who have seen their businesses face near collapse in recent months.”

“However, it is also financially challenging for people who booked holidays and are entitled to a refund of their investment,” Shane Ross said.

“The Refund Credit Note aims to strike a balance between preventing sector-wide bankruptcy, with associated immediate job losses, and consumer rights.”

Traffic down on busy Galway route from when travel limit raised

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May 9, 2020

Galway Daily news New access roads needed at Roscam Estates to combat heavy traffic

Traffic on one of the typically busiest streets in Galway was down more than 4 percent on Friday compared to when the travel limit was lifted on Tuesday.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland recorded 1,677 cars travelling on Bothar na dTreabh in Galway City yesterday, 4.12% less traffic than on Tuesday, when the lockdown travel limit was expanded from 2km to 5km.

This after traffic had been steadily growing on Bothar na dTreabh throughout the week.

That figure was still 6% higher than the same day last week, but this was the smallest increase seen in any of the roads surveyed by TII.

There has however been a year on year decline of 64% compared with the same day in 2019 as a result of the lockdown.

The data was captured by TII during a three hour window from 7am to 10am both days.

TII has begun compiling daily traffic figures on a number of key roads around the country since Tuesday, April 21, when an upward trend in car volumes became apparent despite the lockdown.

Rise with the sun on Saturday and support Pieta House

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May 8, 2020

Galway Daily news Pieta House sunrise appeal

This is the time of year where thousands of people would normally rise with the crack of dawn to walk from Darkness Into Light in support of Pieta House.

But the same Covid-19 crisis which has put a greater demand on the services of Pieta House than ever before has made it impossible for it to go ahead this year, which is why Pieta are launching a Sunrise appeal instead.

Taking place on Saturday, May 9, people are asked to rise at home at 5:30am, donate what they can, and share inspiring messages using the hashtag #DIL2020.

Elaine Austin, CEO of Pieta said: “As a result of Covid-19, our helpline has seen an increase in calls from people all over the country who are in crisis right now with many others presenting with high anxiety.

“Our bereavement counsellors are supporting people who have lost loved ones and who are struggling to come to terms with their loss in a world where friends and family cannot grieve together as a result of the lockdown.”

The mental health charity depends on public donations for 80% of its funds supporting those in crisis.

One group of people showing their support for the Sunrise appeal, and asking others to the same, are the cast and crew of the Irish language soap opera Ros na Rún, shot right here in Spiddal.

Ros na Rún’s actors are asking their loyal audiences to please donate if possible and help Pieta support people who are suffering in this way.

“Our cast and crew participate in their local Darkness into Light Walks across Connemara, Donegal, Kerry and many other locations around the country annually,” says Marion Ní Loingsigh Series Producer with Ros na Rún.

“While we’re social distancing and self isolating at this time, now more than ever, the services of Pieta are required to support people who’re experiencing mental health issues throughout rural Ireland.

Ros na Rún deals with these challenges in our story lines throughout our season and we’re keen to support this now during the COVID19 crisis”.

While it’s hoped the Darkness Into Light walk will take place later this year, Pieta House are asking people to donate what they can now to help keep their vital services open at this time.

Donate at www.darknessintolight.ie.

Coronavirus: 27 further deaths, number of Galway cases reaches 381

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May 8, 2020

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

Twenty-seven further deaths related to the coronavirus have been recorded in the state, the National Public Health Emergency Team confirmed this evening.

This takes the number of COVID-19 deaths in the Republic of Ireland to 1,429.

An additional 156 cases of the disease have also been recorded, meaning 22,541 people have tested positive for the virus to date.

The number of cases in Galway stands at 381, as of midnight on Wednesday. This accounts for 1.7% of the total number of cases confirmed across the country.

Speaking this evening, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said that we are learning a new way of interacting in public as we come to terms with the reality of the pandemic.

“Analysis of multiple data sources shows a continuing high level of compliance with public health measures,” Dr Tony Holohan said.

As we prepare for the next stages of living with this virus, we are learning new norms and behaviours, particularly how we interact in public spaces.

“Physical distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, safe interactions apply to all if we are to keep COVID-19 suppressed in Ireland.”

The latest data available shows that as of Wednesday, 57% of the total cases in the Republic of Ireland are female and 43% are male.

The median age of these cases is 49 years and a total of 2,915 cases (13%) have been hospitalised.

Galway continues to have fewer cases than Co Mayo, where the number of cases has reached 518.

No visiting the offshore islands until mid August

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May 8, 2020

Galway Daily news Irish Language Plan approved for the Aran Islands

The government has said that travel to the offshore islands for visitors won’t resume until August 10, when the country enters the final phase of coming out of lockdown.

No tourist travel has been allowed to the Aran Islands since the end of March, when Island Ferries said they would only be taking essential and emergency services to the islands from the mainland.

Earlier that month residents of Inis Mór had appealed to tourists to stay away, with 94% voting in favour of limiting travel when asked by Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Teo.

Ireland will enter the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions imposed for the Covid-19 crisis on May 18.

But island travel is not expected to resume until Phase 5, which will get underway on August 10.

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said today that, save for permanent residents and people carrying out essential services, there should be no travel to them from the mainland until that point.

“The Department is keenly aware of the concerns among the island communities regarding visitors to islands, particularly in these summer months.”

“In accordance with phase 5 of the recently published roadmap issued by the Government for the reopening of Ireland’s economy and society, it is not envisaged that Ireland’s offshore islands will be opened for visitors until 10 August.”

“It is recognised that we are all in an unprecedented period, which creates challenges for us all.”

“That said, these challenges will be best overcome if we work in partnership for the benefit of the communities we serve.”

Some of Galway’s best trad musicians to feature on TG4 this Sunday

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May 8, 2020

Galway daily news tg4 traditional music series — Des Mulkare, Charlie Harris & Conor Connolly

Some of the best traditional musicians in the county will feature on this Sunday’s episode of Slí na mBeaglaoich on TG4.

The series follows renowned West Kerry traditional musicians Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich and his son Cormac travelling up the west coast from Kerry to Donegal in their 40-year-old camper van, Beauty.

In the exciting six-part traditional music series, they meet up with traditional musicians and artists as they embark on a trip of a lifetime.

The third episode this Sunday, 10 May, sees the lads and their replacement camper van arrive in Galway, and their first port of call is the historical Coole Park.

Here they meet local accordion player Conor Connolly who takes a stroll through the woods with Cormac, and explains how he found his passion for the tradition.

Conor brings them to meet his heroes flute player, Des Mulkere and accordion aficionado, Charlie Harris. They share a tune in the sun at Moran’s on the Weir before hitting the road westward to catch the boat to Inishbofin.

Once there, they are welcomed off the boat by family friend singer, Andrew Murray, who is later joined for a song by his son Luke. They learn that the island has a habit of drawing you back home, and how music is kept alive during the cold winter nights by brothers, fiddler Francis O’Halloran and accordion player, John O’Halloran.

The theme of family continues as they are welcomed to the home of the Kane sisters, fiddlers Liz and Yvonne.

The following morning, they are joined in the van by brother and sister Caoimhe and Séamus Ó Flatharta who put their own spin on sean-nós singing, while staying true to the story.

At Lough Inagh they meet old friends tin whistle player, Mary Bergin and harpist, Kathleen Loughnane, who could not imagine their lives without music.

Accordion player Johnny Óg Connolly is joined by banjo player Clíodhna Costello and on the guitar Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill.

Johnny Óg explains that while learning from his late father Johnny Connolly, he was able to put his own approach to his style of playing; much like Cormac has learned from Breanndán.

The programme will be be broadcast on TG4 on Sunday 10 May at 9.30pm.

Planning permission refused for 342 unit housing development in Rosshill

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May 8, 2020

Galway Daily news planning permission refused for Roscam housing project

An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission today for a large scale housing development in Rosshill which included plans for 342 houses and apartments.

Kegata Limited made the Strategic Housing Application to An Bord Pleanála in January for the development at Rosshill, Galway City, the residential side of which would have consisted of 185 houses and 157 apartments.

The plans also included a two story childcare facility, a ground-floor community space, office, café, and a retail unit.

Access road and junction improvements would have been made at Rosshill Road and the Old Dublin Road.

Planning permission was refused by An Bord Pleanála in a decision announced today with three reasons given; environmental concerns, strain on local infrastructure, and poor residential amenity design.

The board said that given the information contained within the application’s Natura Impact Statement, it could not be satisfied “beyond reasonable scientific doubt” that the development wouldn’t have an adverse impact on the Galway Bay Special Protection Area.

The board also said that it would be premature to build something of this scale in the area due to “deficiencies in the wastewater network in the area”, and the length for which this deficiency could persist.

The final reason given for the refusal was that the design an layout of the development would seriously injure the residential amenity of future occupants.

“It is considered that the proposed development results in poorly defined and poorly overlooked streets and open spaces, a high number of cul-de-sacs, and a lack of variety and distinctiveness in the design of the dwellings”.

“Furthermore it is considered that the development fails to integrate existing trees/woodland satisfactorily

An Bord Pleanála’s decision was welcomed by several city councillors who were opposed to the project on the grounds that it was a poorly planned development.

Fianna Fáil councillor Alan Cheevers said he was glad with the board’s decision, saying that the local infrastructure would not support a development of this scale.

“I am particularly satisfied that the board thoroughly assessed the residential amenity value of what was proposed and found it totally insufficient”.

“The decision of the board also clearly infers the environmental sensitivities of this location are not suitable for the type of high density development proposed.”

Councillor Owen Hanley said “During a housing crisis it is of course tough to see a housing development fail to proceed but that is not an excuse for poor planning.”

Playgrounds in Galway to be improved after county is allocated €38,000

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May 8, 2020

Galway daily news Upgrade works underway for major facelift to city playground

Projects in Tuam, Loughrea and Ballinasloe have been included in the allocation of €38,000 to Galway under the play and recreation grant scheme for 2020.

Under the scheme, €9,750 will be allocated to Tirboy Tuam ROSPA, €5,500 to Gort Road Playground, Loughrea, €3,250 for St Michael’s, Ballinasloe.

Doughiska Playground will also be refurbishment along with An Sean Bhaile estate, with these projects being allocated €9,750 each.

East Galway TD Ciaran Cannon has said that the funding will ensure enhanced play facilities for children and their families in the county.

“I`m delighted that Minister Zappone has announced over €450,811 to Local Authorities across Ireland for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds,” said Minister Cannon.

“I’m pleased that the full range of projects funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs include important safety works, landscaping works that will support and extend the play value and inclusivity for all children and the provision of accessible playground equipment which will enable children with disabilities to use and enjoy their local playgrounds with friends and families.

“This funding will ensure that once the COVID-19 restrictions have been eased, we will have enhanced play facilities for children and their families in the county.”

Virtual hiking challenge launched to raise funds for Pieta House

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May 8, 2020

galway daily hike for hope emily — Emily Breathnach is one of a group of teenage scouts who had their expedition to climb the Alps cancelled and they have decided to take on Mount Everest this weekend as a part of Hike for Hope.

The annual Darkness into Light has been postponed, but that hasn’t stopped a community of thousands of scouts across Ireland from raising much needed funds for Pieta House.

Scouting Ireland volunteers have launched Hike for Hope, a virtual challenge taking place this weekend, to help raise €10,000 for Pieta House.

Hike for Hope is open to everyone and has recently been endorsed by Galway’s Corofin player Ciaran McGrath, Mayo GAA star Colm Boyle and Greater Western Sydney Giants AFL star Cora Staunton, Aisling McGrath of Tipperary Ladies LGFA and Western Bulldogs AFL and, Evan Hadnett the drummer with Walking on Cars.

Having worked out the number of steps it would take to climb to the summit of some of the highest mountains in Ireland and the world, members of the public are being challenged to pick a mountain and walk the equivalent steps over this weekend, within their 5km radius.

The distance in steps of some of Ireland’s most popular trails have also been calculated so everyone can do their bit for Pieta while getting important exercise and having fun!

Those taking part in the challenge can complete their steps on their stairs, in their back garden or within their locale.

To ‘climb’ to the Summit of Mount Everest, at 8,848 metres high, would be the equivalent of 44,240 steps or walking 3,160 steps of stairs.

To ‘summit’ Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil, would take 5,190 Hike for Hope steps or 371 steps of stairs.

A more leisurely virtual stroll of the 5.5km Ticknock trail will be 7,216 steps while the 90km Ballyhoura Way at 90km would be 118,080 steps.

Emily Breathnach is one of a group of teenage scouts who had their expedition to climb the Alps cancelled and they have decided to take on Mount Everest this weekend as a part of Hike for Hope.

Under the guidance of James Usher, the Mountain Havoc group are climbing as a team and are looking forward to the challenge and to helping Pieta House.

The organisers of Hike for Hope have said that they have always been inspired by the work of Pieta and have been grateful for the supports and services made available in our communities.

Michelle Comber, Provincial Commissioner Western Province, Scouting Ireland said that anyone can hike for hope in support of Pieta House.

“Local communities have long supported the annual Darkness into Light event to raise funds for Pieta House. The mission of Pieta House is to ‘support people and communities in crisis by providing freely accessible, professional services to all’.

“The need for public support for Pieta is greater than ever in the current uncertainty of COVID-19 which many people find stressful and suffer from increased anxiety.

“It’s an essential service right now more than ever, and yet, the COVID-19 restrictions in place will mean that the opportunity to raise vital funds through the Darkness into Light walk will not happen. Anyone can Hike for Hope in aid of Pieta House. Please Hike for Hope by donating, hiking and sharing!” said Michelle, who is leading the challenge with a group of volunteers and scouts.

How to participate?

Hike for Hope is open to everyone; all ages, all abilities can take part and anyone who does not want to hike for hope can support it by donating in the name of someone doing it. Simply donate and choose your hike of choice.

Recommended donations to participate in the Hike for Hope challenge are:

Student/ OAP rate €10.00

Individual rate €15.00

Family rate €30.00

Donations can also be made by those wishing to support Pieta House who are not able to take up the challenge on the gofund.me page.

Man arrested in connection with cannabis grow house in Athenry

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May 8, 2020

Galway Daily news Dublin man who came to help Tuam Home survivors sentenced for cannabis grow house

One man was arrested and €26,000 worth of suspected cannabis plants seized by Gardaí in Athenry this week.

A house in Athenry was searched under warrant by the Galway Garda Drugs Unit at 8:30pm on Wednesday, where they found a quantity of cannabis plants.

The plants were at different stages of growth, and divided between two bedrooms which were acting as a grow house.

Fans and lamps which were part of the operation were also seized at the time.

One man in his 30s was arrested and questioned by Gardaí at the Regional Headquarters in Murrough, Galway City.

He was released without charge on Thursday, and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Two Galway brothers help turn football pitch into hospital in 3 weeks

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May 8, 2020