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Galway City Council wins national planning award for Public Realm Strategy

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news City Council wins prestigious planning award

Galway City Council has won a prestigious Irish Planning Institute Award for the recently prepared Public Realm Strategy which is meant to transform the city streetscape and public areas.

The Galway City Public Realm Strategy won the city council a prize in the Design Category of the IPI awards which took place last Sunday.

The award was presented to the council’s project team on the Public Realm Strategy by IPI President Dr. Conor Norton along with Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy.

The strategy was prepared by Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners, Dermot Foley Landscape Architects and TOBIN Engineering in conjunction with Council staff on the steering committee.

The Design category at the awards is meant to recognise projects that best respond to their environments in an urban or rural setting.

Galway City Council was nominated in two categories at the IPI awards, the Design category which it won, and the Public Participation & Engagement category.

This was reflective of the level of public engagement involved in crafting the strategy, as well as the innovative measures employed by the council to encourage people to share their ideas.

Speaking ahead of the awards Galway City Mayor Mike Cubbard said the Public Realm Strategy will “make the city centre as welcoming and accessible to everyone as possible.

“It promotes universal design and helps open up the city to all. It will make getting into and moving around Galway much easier,” he added.

In total the IPI shortlisted 34 projects across 7 categories out of the 56 which were submitted for its consideration this year.

Galway City Council Chief Executive, Mr Brendan McGrath also paid tribute to all members of the public who took the time to share their knowledge and vision for the city.

“Those who live and work in Galway know their city. They possess immense local knowledge of the way Galway is, both in terms of what really makes the city special, and understanding what the key priorities for change are” he said.

Appeal against Tuam Residential Care Centre plans by Longford man rejected

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news strike called off

An Bord Pleanála has upheld planning permission for a 50 bed Residential Care Centre in Tuam, rejecting an appeal filed by a Longford man.

The HSE received approval from the county council last October for a 50 bed Residential Care Centre on the Seam Purcell Road, which will include a dedicated dementia unit.

The design for the Residential Care Centre consists of a two storey building with a central courtyard and adjoining wings for services and a day care.

The centre will include a reception area, day care and therapy spaces, activity rooms, dining areas and their associated kitchen facilities, family accommodation and amenities as well as office and administration space.

“Development of this Residential Care Centre and Day Care facility will provide much needed modernised services for those in need of residential care, and their families, within the Tuam and hinterland area,” the HSE said.

The county council’s decision to grant planning permission was appealed by a Longford man who had previously submitted an objection to the council.

However An Bord Pleanála rejected that appeal, and the project has now been given approval to proceed with revised conditions.

Galway East TD Seán Canney welcomed the board’s decision, and praised the HSE for continuing to prepare the site and inviting contractors to pre-qualify for tenders while the appeal was ongoing.

“With the tender process under way, there will be no unnecessary delay and I expect construction to begin on site in July,” he said.

The Independent TD said that the new unit, which is replacing the Aras Mhuire building, is a major element of the health provision strategy for Tuam.

Appeal

Liam Madden, with an address at Longford Town, said that the care centre should be built in Galway City, not Tuam, and also argued in his appeal that the Ecological Impact Assessment submitted by the HSE does not constitute a proper Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

He also argued that there should only be a single combined vehicle access point off the Sean Purcell Road for both this new unit and the existing primary centre care next door.

The county council had also requested this of the HSE, but it responded that access off the Sean Purcell road is the only “viable, safe option to serve the proposed development and is designed to meet relevant safety and technical requirements”.

In rejecting the appeal An Bord Pleanála said that there was no requirement for the HSE to submit an EIAR, that adding an additional vehicle access point on the Sean Purcell Road would not pose a road safety hazard.

An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission with nine revised conditions.

GMIT Hotel School careers fair attracts over 150 employers

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news GMIT Hotel school careers fair

Over 80 stands and 150 employers in the hotel and hospitality industry from Ireland and abroad are taking part in the GMIT Hotel School careers fair today.

The annual careers fair for the GMIT International Hotel School is taking place today at the Dublin Road campus in Galway city from 2:30pm to 4pm.

Representatives from the Irish and international hotel, tourism, and hospitality industry will have stands discussing the opportunities available to students and graduates alike.

These include work placements for undergraduate students, graduate programme and other full-time opportunities for final year students. 

Approximately 600 students attend GMIT’s Hotel School each year, with 300 students expected to graduate this year who are eyeing jobs in the industry.

Diarmuid Ó Conghaile, Head of GMIT’s Department for Tourism & Heritage says the careers fair has gone from strength to strength.

“Its success is driven by staff in our Links Office who co-ordinate with our industry partners at home and aboard to offer both placement and graduate opportunities to our students.” 

“It is the only event of its kind in Ireland that is hosted by a third level institution specifically for the Tourism and Hospitality sector”

Aibie Hanrahan, a third-year student studying Event Management says “The Galway International Careers Fair is a great opportunity for both GMIT students and the general public to gain access to job opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors in Ireland and abroad. It is also important for students seeking work placement opportunities.”

The fair is open to all students, graduates, alumni of GMIT, as well as students from other colleges and the general public.  Attendees are advised to bring copies of their current CV.

Three Galway names on latest tax defaulters list

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily business VAT refund changes threaten Galway's tourism and retail report claims

Three Galway companies and individuals have been named in the latest list of tax defaulters for the last three months of 2019.

Forty five settlements were listed in the latest tax defaulters list from the Revenue Commissioners, with settlements totalling just under €20 million.

In Galway the largest defaulters was DG Asset Management Limited, which settled with the revenue for €230,813.71 over the under declaration of PRSI/USC/PAYE and VAT amounting to €158,080.

As of the end of 2019, the state was still owed €138,187.71 of that settlement, with the company now in liquidation.

Declan Joyce, an office equipment wholesaler based in Liosbain Industrial Estate, paid off a €99,758.90 settlement with the Revenue.

This was over €63,904.34 worth of under declaration of Income Tax, PAYE/PRSI and VAT.

The final Galway name on the list is William Caufield, a farmer from Cregmore, Claregalway who settled for €88,780 over the under declaration of €40,997 in Capital Acquisitions Tax.

The single largest settlement made by the Revenue with a tax defaulter in the final quarter of last year was €10,901,073 with the Louth based Sherwood Investments Limited.

Among the other notables on the list was the Cork radio broadcaster Neil Prendeville, who settled for €541,636 over the under declaration of Income Tax to the tune of €327,663.

Irish Water reacts to fears about Loughrea drinking water quality

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Irish Water reacts to Loughrea drinking water quality concerns

Irish Water has carried out further tests on the public drinking water supply in Loughrea in response to concerns that it is infected with bacteria.

Galway County Councillor Moegie Maher raised concerns about the quality of drinking water at a Loughrea estate after samples taken by residents of the Abbeyfields estate in Loughrea brought it for their own testing.

He said that it was tested at a lab in UHG which found Coliform bacteria in the sample provided.

Irish Water agreed to perform further testing in the area, but also released a statement today saying that the Loughrea Public Water Supply is fully compliant with all drinking water regulations.

“All of Irish Water’s sampling results indicate that chlorine levels in the network are high and the Ultra Violet system at the treatment plant is fully functioning.”

“We are aware of concerns in one housing estate in Loughrea and carried out tests in the area 10 days ago which have all returned compliant,” the statement said.

Further tests were carried out yesterday in response to the concerns raised by cllr Maher, and the utility provider said that it will liaise with the HSE when the results of those are available.

An Bord Pleanála approves Meyrick hotel expansion

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news An Bord Pleanála approves Meyrick hotel expansion

Approval has been given for a significant expansion of the former Meyrick Hotel after the developer appealed an earlier decision to An Bord Pleanála.

Mt Mono Trading proposed renovations and an extension to the former Meyrick Hotel, now known as the Hardiman, to increase the number of guest bedrooms and improve fire safety.

The smaller element of the project will involve re configuring the ground floor and 4th floor layout to include new fire escape corridors.

But more work would have been done on the modern 20th century extension to the rear of the hotel.

The developer intends to remove the existing swimming pool on the 5th floor in order to make room for 13 bedrooms, and build and entirely new 6th floor which will have six bedrooms.

In a split decision, Galway City Council granted approval for the ground floor amendment and alterations to the fourth floor.

However it refused permission for the conversion of the leisure centre to bedrooms, or the construction of a 6th floor.

In refusing to allow the extension the council said that doing so would extend the life of a modern extension to the hotel which is “entirely unsympathetic to the original building” of the hotel.

The 19th century Meyrick Hotel is a protected structure, and it sits within the Architectural Conservation Area of Ere Square.

In appealing that decision to An Bord Pleanála, Mt Mono argued that the modern extension to the Meyrick is a unique building, with architectural merit in its own right.

The developer also said that regardless of whether or not this expansion is approved, the extension will continue to operate as part of the hotel.

But this project will see this extension upgraded to have a more positive aesthetic appearance.

The inspector for An Bord Pleanála noted that this concrete framed construction has not been properly maintained, and is now a “visually neglected and dilapidated structure” that is visible from many approaches in Eyre Square.

It’s proposed that this structure will also get a facelift on the outside, with repairs to the concrete facade and new aluminium framed windows.

It was added that the extension is “removed from the original 19th century hotel and the design reflects a distinct period of mid-20th century ‘brutalist’ architecture”.

That makes it easily distinguishable from the original building, and changes to it would have a minimal impact on the character of the 19th century hotel.

The inspector therefore said that the proposed extension “would not seriously seriously injure the visual amenities of the area and would not adversely impact on the character of the Protected Structure or the Architectural Conservation Area”.

An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the entire development at the hotel with a total of eight conditions attached.

Public consultation meeting on Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Funding for Flood Mitigation works at three Galway towns

A public consultation will take place in Ballinasloe this week to get people’s views on developing a Flood Relief Scheme for the area.

The meeting on the Ballinasloe Flood Relief Scheme will take place this Thursday, March 5 at the Shearwater Hotel, running from 3pm until 8pm.

The meeting will address the Constraints Study phase of the project, which has the job of assessing and developing a viable, cost-effective and sustainable scheme to alleviate flooding in Ballinasloe.

Galway County Council and the Office of Public Works are organising the event to get the public’s views on what they think are the key issues the study being undertaken should address.

Opinions will also be taken on points of local importance that may constrain the design of flood defence measures.

Members of the Design Consultants, Arup, and the Environmental Consultants, Ryan Hanley, will be present on the day on behalf of OPW and GCC to meet with members of the public.

More information can be found at www.floodinfo.ie/ballinasloefrs.

Repeated storms and flooding require government intervention

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Funding awarded for flood mitigation works in Monivea

Urgent government intervention is needed after widespread flooding in South Galway and repeated storms Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte has said.

The Fianna Fáil TD has called on the Minister for Flood Relief to introduce long promised defence measures against flooding, as well as provide emergency roads funding.

She said that the region is in crisis mode, and that she and others are still “none the wiser” as to how the acting government will tackle these floods.

“People are having their homes, farms and businesses submerged due to inaction,” Anne Rabbitte said.

“I was told last year by the Minister that the long-promised flood gate for Portumna could take up to 10 years to deliver, which is just scandalous.”

“I’ve once again written to the Minister to seek clarity around whether this timeline has changed in light of the increased flooding.”

Some government flood relief has been announced, with the activation of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme to provide support for homeowners.

Another programme announced by Minister Heather Humphreys will provide help of up to €20,000 for small businesses and sports clubs to recover from flood damage.

On top of flood defence measures, Deputy Rabbitte said that emergency funding is needed for roads damaged by recent flooding to begin to “restore some sense of normalcy” to people in Galway.

Ros na Rún: Caitríona’s crosses the law to solve her money woes

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily arts & culture Ros na Rún episode 53 billing

Berni breaks the baby news to Evan, mother and son begin a tentative new chapter, and Caitríona is running out of options on Ros na Rún.

Berni is still trying to reach Evan to tell him her news. But, in true Ros an Rún style, someone lets her secret out before she has a chance to speak to him.

To Berni’s surprise, Evan is ecstatic about the news of having a new brother or sister. 

Life might all seem to be going perfectly for her. But Beware the Ides of March, tragedy strikes and leaves her heartbroken. How will Berni recover from this? 

Bobbi Lee has her own worries, still reeling from the shock of yesterday’s news.

Niall plays referee and urges both mother and son to talk about this. After a much needed heart to heart, the two begin to bond and start a new chapter.

Having tried and failed several times to solve her financial difficulties, Caitríona is still in dire need of cash/

Things get worse when Colm comes across her stolen goods and presses her to return them, warning that she could go to prison.

Will Caitríona heed this advice, or is she faces the prospect of a future behind bars.

Ros na Rún is on tonight, March 3 on TG4 at 8:30pm, with more stories to follow all of this again on Thursday.

Sinn Féin calls off Galway rally after Coronavirus case at Mary Lou’s kids’ school

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Sinn Féin cancels Galway rally

Sinn Féin has cancelled a public rally which was to take place in Galway this week after a case of Coronavirus was confirmed at Mary Lou McDonald’s children’s school.

One of a series of public rallies for local Sinn Féin supporters was due to take place in the Galway Bay Hotel this Friday.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald has now said she is postponing the Galway and Cavan meetings in order to stay close to home with her kids.

“My children’s school is closed for the next fortnight because of a confirmed case of the coronavirus,” she said.

“Obviously, we are following all of the chief medical officer’s advice and therefore the children have to be at home for the next 14 days.”

“This is a worrying time for families and for the staff at the school, particularly for the family of the person affected, and we wish them a very, very speedy recovery.”

“I’ve had to reorganise everything on my work schedule because of this, and so, the public meetings in Cavan and Galway this week will unfortunately have to

“Remember to follow all of the advice, to listen to the medical advice and wash your hands with warm soapy water and then wash them again, to take care of yourselves and take care of each other.”

A young male at the Dublin school became the first confirmed case of the Coronavirus in the Republic of Ireland after coming back from North Italy.

He is currently in a hospital isolation unit, and the Dublin school will be closed for a fortnight as a precaution.

Gardaí locking down Galway city traffic for Royal visit

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Gardaí locking down Galway city for Royal visit

Gardaí in Galway are preparing security measures for the Royal visit taking place this week, with traffic restrictions planned at multiple locations in the city.

The three day Royal visit getting underway tomorrow will see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spend most of their time here in Dublin.

But on the final day of the trip, Thursday, March 5, Prince William and Kate Middleton will be visiting Galway City to spend time in the city centre and visit

Gardaí will be imposing traffic and movement restrictions at different locations in the city centre and Salthill as a security measure for the Royal visit.

However according to An Garda Síochána no premises will be closed, and the city centre will remain open for business.

From 4am until 1pm on Thursday no vehicles will be allowed on William Street, Shop Street, Abbeygate Street, High Street and Mainguard Street.

Pedestrian access to Shop Street, High Street and Mainguard Street will also be restricted from 9am to approximately 1pm, and pedestrian diversions will be in place.

Anyone who wants to access those areas during this period will be subject to Garda screening.

During the same time period, 9am to 1pm, no cars will be allowed on Flood Street, Cross Street, Middle Street, St. Augustine Street, Bridge Street, or Lombard Street.

Parking will also be restricted at those location, but school traffic accessing St. Patricks School will be accommodated.

Down in Salthill traffic will be restricted on the Dr. Mannix Road from 9am until approximately 2pm while they visit the local GAA club.

Gardaí will be screening any members of the public who want to access the road during this time.

The three day visit by William and Kate follows on from an historic trip to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.

The trip is being taken to “highlight the many strong links between the UK and Ireland,” a statement from the palace said.

Of the reason for coming to Galway they said “2020 will see Galway host the European Capital of Culture on behalf of Ireland – a showcase of events highlighting the richness and diversity of Irish culture, art and sport.

“During their time in Galway, The Duke and Duchess will have the opportunity to experience a taste of modern and traditional Irish culture for themselves.”

While they are here the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will meet, among other, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins.

Outside of these fixed restrictions, there will also be rolling road closures as the royal couple travel from one location to another.

Monthly trolley numbers at UHG up more than 50% on last year

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news 67 people on trolleys at UHG

The number of people on trolleys at UHG in February has jumped by more than 50% compared with last year according to the latest figures from the INMO.

There were 805 patients at UHG who went without a proper bed last month according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

This marks an increase of 53.04% on the same period in 2019 where there were 526 on trolleys, and is the highest level ever recorded in a February at UHG since records began.

Overall, last month UHG was the third hardest hit acute public hospital by the ongoing trolley crisis.

It came behind only University Hospital Limerick (1,286) and Cork University Hospital (1,031), with a national total of 10,446 people on trolleys, up 23% on this time last year.

UHG is also the third most overcrowded hospital in the country today the INMO’s daily Trolley/Ward Watch count shows, with 35 patients currently without a bed.

Things fared better at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, where there were 84 patients on trolleys last month, an increase of just a single person compare with 2019.

But that’s still almost double the level seen a decade ago, when Portiuncula had just 43 people without a bed in February.

The long-running trolley crisis has to be priority number one in the government talks,” insisted INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.

“10,000 people have lining the corridors and waiting rooms of Ireland’s hospital in February. Our members are forced to provide care in appalling conditions.”

“Meanwhile qualified healthcare staff are queuing up to work, but hospitals are unable to hire them.”

“We have asked the health spokespeople of all the major parties to lift the recruitment embargo, and whatever the make-up of the next government we will insist that the these obstacles to safe staffing are removed immediately.”

Flood affected Galwegians urged to apply to relief schemes

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news All of Ireland is being placed under a weather advisory this week, as Met Eireann has warned that further flooding is possible.

Galway has been deluged with flooding in the past several weeks and people and groups affected by this crisis are being urged to apply to flood relief schemes.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that two schemes have been activated or announced to provide flood relief to householders, small businesses, sports clubs, and other groups.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection has activated the Humanitarian Assistance scheme, which will support householders through their local authority.

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD has also announced the opening of a scheme to provide assistance for small businesses, sports clubs, community and voluntary organisations unable to secure flooding insurance.

“These schemes are very welcome and will support those suffering hardship as a result of the current floods,” Seán Canney said.

The independent TD said that the scheme for clubs and businesses will be extremely helpful in getting them back up and running.

“For householders requiring immediate assistance, financial supports will be made available,” Deputy Canney added.

“They will apply where people are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and in some instances structural repairs.”

The small businesses and clubs scheme is being administered by the Irish Red Cross and provides a maximum support of €20,000.

The support level for householders is currently being determined by the department, which Deputy Canney says is working with local authorities to determine what level of assistance is needed.

RTÉ Nationwide marks 100 years of Benedictine sisters at Kylemore Abbey

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Planning permission extended for new Kylemore Abbey monastery

RTÉ Nationwide is marking the centenary celebration of the Benedictine community at Kylemore Abbey with a special show this evening.

The Benedictine sisters came to Kylemore Abbey 100 years ago, fleeing from the dangers of WWI in Ypres where their monastery was burned to the ground.

Since then the sisters have become famous custodians of the stunning Victorian Abbey and Walled Gardens which are one of the most visited tourist destinations in Ireland.

To highlight this significant historical milestone in one of Ireland’s primary visitor attractions, RTE’s Nationwide and it’s presenter Anne Cassin went to visit the community in Connemara.

A dedicated feature programme will be broadcast on RTE One’s hugely popular Nationwide show this evening at 7pm to mark the anniversary.

The show catalogues the inspiring story of the Benedictine sisters from the arrival in Connemara from war torn Europe through to the present day.

On her journey through their history, presenter Anne Cassin spends time with Mother Abbess, Maire Hickey OSB who speaks about the relationship between the Benedictines and the local Connemara community.

She also discusses the development of a new monastery at Kylemore Abbey as the embark on their second century, and reflect on massive improvements made to the tourist offering at Kylemore in recent years.

Cassin also meets Sr. Magdalena FitzGibbon OSB, who is well known for her work in developing the Kylemore estate as a tourist attraction over many years.

They discuss the role of the renowned boarding school, transitioning following its closure to Kylemore as a leading visitor attraction, recent investments and its role in the tourism landscape of Galway and the West.

Other highlights of the Benedictine Community which were shown to the camera include the Soapery and Chocolate Kitchen they run, as well as their beloved music school open to children of all ages.

RTE Nationwide also takes the time to meet with past pupils of the famous Kylemore Girls Secondary school who now work in the leading visitor attraction as they forge their careers in marketing and management.

While the Abbey is celebrating its centenary, the Victorian Walled Gardens on the estate turn 20 this year.

Hear from the captivating Head Gardener, Anja Gohlke from Berlin who has made Kylemore and Connemara her home over the past 18 years, about the development of these stunning estate gardens.

With over half a million visitors coming to Kylemore Abbey each year, this programme not only explores its past, but what their mission ethos is today, and what the plans for the future are.

N63 traffic down to one lane due to emergency works

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news N63 traffic down to one lane due to emergency works

Traffic on the N63 is being disrupted by emergency works being carried out today between Horselead Cross and Abbeyknockmoy.

The emergency works are being carried out by Galway County Council following a road traffic incident last Friday.

A truck overturned into a ditch on the N63 there on Friday, but fortunately no-one was injured in the incident.

Gardaí closed the road for several hours at the time, but it reopened the same day.

The road is down to one lane of traffic this afternoon, and a stop and go system will be in place until 5pm this evening.

Getaway driver for armed robbery gets four year sentence

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily courts Man receives jail sentence for racial abuse

A man who drove the getaway car for an armed robbery at a filling station in Caherlistrane in 2018 has received a four year prison sentence.

PJ Doherty (36), with an address at the Galway road Halting Site, Tuam, pleaded guilty to a single count of endangerment for recklessly creating a serious risk of death or injuries to others while fleeing from gardaí after an armed robbery.

Sgt Emma Kerin told the Circuit Court that on January 19 of 2018, two women were working at Keane’s service station in Caherlistrane when two armed men entered.

The men, armed with a knife and a hammer, threatened the two staff members and stole approximately €850.

The garda added that Doherty, who was in the car outside, did not enter the service station or make any threats.

Gardaí were called to reports of the robbery not long after it occurred, and a description was given of the suspect vehicle fleeing the area.

As they were approaching the area, Sgt Kerin said they spotted a car matching the suspects’ description and gave chase.

The car driven by Doherty was doing over 100km/hr, twice the speed limit in that area, Sgt Kerin said.

While trying to escape from the Gardaí the car overtook into oncoming traffic, and blew through a red light while still driving against traffic.

At one point a Garda patrol car tried to block their path, but had to evade a collision when they other car drove straight at them without stopping.

The car finally stopped at the halting site and the men inside tried to flee, with Doherty caught by gardaí as he was getting out of the driver side seat.

When interviewed he made no admissions Sgt Kerin said, claiming that he was collected earlier by his friends and only became aware of the robbery as it was happening.

The Circuit Court heard that Doherty has 115 previous convictions, including multiple dangerous driving charges.

He received a ten year disqualification from driving on June 7 of 2017, and was not allowed on the road when this occurred. At the time of the offence Finnegan was also on bail from the District Court.

Speaking for the defence, Conall MacCarthy BL said that his client’s “involvement in criminality is primarily driven by his drug addiction”.

However since going into custody he has gotten clean with the help of a methadone clinic in prison.

Judge Rory McCabe said that it “wouldn’t be unreasonable” to take the view that Doherty was the “getaway driver” for the robbery.

He said that this incident was at the top of the scale of gravity for offences of a similar nature.

Judge McCabe imposed a four year prison sentence, and suspended the final year of the sentence for three years.

Doherty was given credit for time served between January 2018, when he went into custody on this offence, and July 2019 when he received a sentence at Galway District Court.

UHG is the third most overcrowded hospital in the country today

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Briain Kelly
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UHG is the third most overcrowded Hospital in the country today according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

The INMO’S daily Trolley/Ward Watch shows that there are 35 patients who are going without a proper bed today at UHG.

This is the third highest figure of Ireland’s acute hospitals today after UH Limerick (59) and Cork UH (50).

Back in Galway there are a further 11 people left on trolleys at Portiuncula Hospital in an unusually bad day for the Ballinasloe hospital.

In total there are 488 patients without a bed throughout all of Ireland’s hospitals today going by the INMO’S figures.

Pedestrian seriously injured after Tuam Road traffic collision

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Missing 17 year old teenager found safe and well

A man in his 30s has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a traffic collision on the Tuam Road last night.

The traffic collision took place at approximately 10:45 last night at Polkeen, near McHugh’s Pub, and involved a car and a pedestrian.

The pedestrian, a man in his 30s, was taken to University Hospital Galway with serious injuries.

The Tuam road was closed overnight, and into this morning, between Two Mile Ditch and Clargalway while Gardaí carry out a forensic examination of the scene.

The road has reopened to traffic since shortly after 9:30am this morning gardaí have said.

The road closure has caused traffic chaos in Galway this morning, with AA Roadwatch reporting long delays both ways on the Oranmore/Claregalway road as well as the Monivea road between Carnmore Cross and Briarhill.

In the city traffic is also busier than usual on the N6 approach to Bothar na dTreabh, which is busy itself before the Coolagh roundabout to Ballybrit.

Picture special: TJ Hyland and Co. Galway Chamber event a great success

By
Michael Malone
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John Ryan, TJ Hyland, Dave Hickey, President of Galway Chamber, Mark Hyland and Kenny Deery pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography

The recent Galway Chamber Business After Hours event, hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun Hotel was a great success.

Ruth Storan and Trish Walsh, Connachy Rugby pictured with Fionnuala Londsay and Rebekah Blackmore, Keltie in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Monika Pawelec, Deirdre O’Flaherty, Elaine Hanaill and Niamh Codyre pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
The Team at TJ Hyland & Co. pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. L to R : Philip Murphy, Deirdre O’Flaherty, TJ Hyland, Monika Pawelec and Mark Hyland. Photo : Murtography
Patricia Hynes, Dept. of Social Protection, Jackie Crennan, BOI and Sinead Dolan, The Ardilaun pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Karen Samuels and Dan McMullin, Ulster Bank pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Andrea Manning, Stephen Murphy, Living The Dream and Ciara O’Callaghan, O’Callaghan Solicitors pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Aoife Keady. O’Reilly’s Salthil, Trish Walsh, Connachy Rugby and Sarah Peterson, Dan Éire Designs pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun were : Joe Callanan, The Wine Buff, Eglinton St. and Mark Hyland, TJ Hyland & Co. Photo : Murtography
Ray Devlin, Cantec, Jackie Crennan, BOI and Joe Callanan, The Wine Buff, Eglinton St. pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Padraic Moran, Afex (centre) pictured with Ann McGarry and Joe Coughlan, McGarry Consulting in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Louise Vahey and Aisling O’Hara, The Maldron, Sandy Road pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun. Photo : Murtography
Pictured in The Ardilaun Hotel at the Galway Chamber, February Business After Hours event, kindly hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun were : Mark Hyland, TJ Hyland & Co. with Sinead Dolan and John Ryan, The Ardilaun Hotel. Photo : Murtography

Local A Capella group raise almost €50k for the fight against homelessness with Christmas concerts

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Christmas concerts raise €50k for homelessness services

Local music group the A Capella Knights recently celebrated raising almost €50k for homelessness services in Galway.

Each year the A Capella Knights raise money for the Galway Simon Community’s homelessness services with the Knights Before Christmas seasonal concerts.

The group consists of five local men; Francis Casey, Mike Davenport, Brian Hickey, Keith Davies and Gary McDonald who have performing concerts for Galway Simon Community since 2015.

Over the years, this festive event has grown in popularity, with almost a thousand people in the audience at their latest concert in December last year.

The 2019 Knights Before Christmas concert alone raised €15,704.43, while cumulatively the group have racked up close to €50k for the fight against homelessness.

As well as raising funds, the group also established the now well-known Simon Music Project, which comprises Galway Simon clients, volunteers, and staff members.  

Besides performing at the annual Christmas event hosted by The A Capella Knights, the Music Project is now widely in demand for many other local concerts throughout the year.

Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, said the money they have raised down the years has helped tremendously with their homelessness prevention and accommodation services in Galway.

“They have also created a legacy that is the Galway Simon Music Project. Since its first year, the Music Project has been extremely popular and has now grown to over 50 members who meet regularly.”

“This group has allowed our clients to not only grow in confidence, but in some cases to also tackle social isolation through coming together as a community”, Karen said.

All of the proceeds from the 2019 concert will go towards Galway Simon’s Health and Wellbeing Fund.

This provides direct support to people through basic health treatments, therapeutic activities, counselling, educational & training support.

“We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to The A Capella Knights for the extraordinary support they have shown Galway Simon Community over the last number of years, through both their fundraising and volunteering”, Karen added.

Planning for the next annual Christmas concert hosted by The A Capella Knights is already underway, and is due to take place on December 19 in Galway Cathedral.

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