Galway voters go to the polls in 2020 election

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February 7, 2020

Galway daily news Call for further transparency on Galway 2020 finances

The status of the Galway 2020 opening ceremony which is scheduled to take place tomorrow is being kept under review due to weather warnings in place.

The opening ceremony for Galway 2020 is meant to be taking place at South Park in the Claddagh on Saturday, kicking off at 6:30pm.

But multiple weather warnings have been issued by Met Eireann as Storm Ciara is forecast to batter Galway with heavy wind and rain this weekend, with the possibility of flooding.

A Status Orange wind warning will be in effect in Galway from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday, with sustained winds of 65-80km/hr forecast, and gusts reaching up to 120km/hr.

A statement from Galway 2020 said “We aware of the current weather advisories.”

“As public safety is our primary concern, we are keeping the situation under review.”

“Our intention is that the Opening Ceremony will still go ahead, but may be subject to alteration. We will update further on Saturday morning.

President Michael D Higgins is meant to be in town tomorrow to officially inaugurate the opening of the European Capital of Culture.

The ceremony in the Claddagh is to be the last of a week of events which have filling towns around the county with fire and music this week.

Storm Ciara warning upgraded to Status Orange

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February 7, 2020

Galway Daily weather Rough weekend forecast as weather warning issued by Met Eireann

Storm Ciara has been upgraded in seriousness by Met Eireann, with one of the weather warnings issued for Galway bumped up to Status Orange.

An Orange wind alert has been put in place for Galway on Saturday, with winds in advance of Storm Ciara expected to reach mean speeds of 65-80km/hr with gusts of up to 120 km/hr.

This orange alert will be in place from 1pm – 6pm on Saturday, with a similar warning put in place by Met Eireann for Donegal and Mayo.

All of Ireland is also covered by two status yellow weather warnings for heavy wind and rain.

The yellow wind warning will come into force before the orange, from 9am on Saturday, and will remain in place throughout the weekend until midnight on Sunday.

While a status yellow rainfall warning promises up to 80mm of rain over the two days from midday on Saturday until 3pm on Sunday.

Galway faces dual risks of flooding from Storm Ciara, with a risk of localised flooding from rain expected to be strongest in the west.

While stormy conditions mixed with Spring Tides and high seas also carry a strong risk of coastal flooding Met Eireann has cautioned.

If heavy wind and rain do materialise on Saturday it could have a severe impact on turnout for both the general election and the opening ceremony of Galway 2020 taking place in South Park.

UHG is Ireland’s third most overcrowded hospital for the fourth time this week

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February 7, 2020

Only one day this week saw University Hospital Galway not making the top three list for the highest number of trolleys according to INMO figures.

UHG has 39 patients without a proper bed today according to Trolley/Ward Watch figures, behind only Limerick University Hospital (55), and UHC (53).

Tuesday was the only day this week when UHG didn’t break into the top three worst affected hospitals, coming in a narrow fourth, even with 41 people on trolleys.

In Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe there are a further six people admitted but going without a bed today.

In total the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation says that there are 455 patients waiting for a bed in acute hospitals today.

Though it is still just the first week of February the three worst days for overcrowding on record have all been this year.

For two consecutive days in January there were 760 people without beds, and earlier this week saw the second highest level of 640 on trolleys.

Double header for Galway football in Donegal this weekend

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February 7, 2020

Galway Daily sport Planning refused again for Oughterard sports facilities

The Galway men and women’s football sides are both heading north this weekend to face Donegal.

The Ladies team will be up first at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny in the Lidl National Football League with throw in at 12pm.

That’s followed by the Men’s side in the Allianz League throwing in at 2pm.

The Galway Ladies side are coming off a strong performance against Westmeath last Sunday which saw them hammer home the goals for a final score of 5-11 to 0-7.

The Men’s team will be hoping to regain their momentum after a single point loss to Kerry that same day.

The full Galway men’s side has been named ahead of this Sunday’s match, and consists of:

1 Connor Gleeson
2 Sean Kelly
3 Sean Mulkerrin
4 Johnny Heaney
5 Gary O’Donnell
6 John Daly
7 Cillian McDaid
8 Ronan Steede
9 Cein D’Arcy
10 Eamon Brannigan
11 Damien Comer
12 Michael Daly
13 Robert Finnerty
14 Shane Walsh
15 Michael Boyle

A traffic management plan will be in place on the roads around O’Donnell Park on Sunday due to the matches and the election count taking place next door.

Supporters travelling from Galway to Donegal are advised to get up there early and find parking in time to avoid delays.

Keep your dancing shoes dry for Galway 2020 with a Wardrobe for wellies in Galway’s westend

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February 7, 2020

Galway Daily life & style Wardrobe for wellies at galway 2020

It’s sure to be a squelchy evening tomorrow for the launch of Galway 2020 as massive crowds are expected to fill South Park, so stow the fine shoes and pack your wellies.

Galway’s Westend is advising people hitting the town afterwards to pack their dancing shoes in a bag before heading out, and offering to take care of their wellies overnight.

“And always be prepared is our motto. If you don’t want to wear your dancing shoes to the opening ceremony we suggest you wear your wellies or hiking boots and stick your dancing shoes in your bag.”

In order to let people have the best craic at Galway 2020, and not have to make a trip back home afterwards, a pop up cloakroom will be open next to Nova Bar on William Street on Saturday.

Using the cloakroom costs €5.85. Wellington boots can be dropped off anytime after 7pm on Saturday, and collected after midday Sunday, just ask the staff at the Blue Note Bar and they will get them for you.

All of the proceeds from this will go to the Blue Teapot theatre company and youth outreach group.

Tickets for the welly cloakroom can be purchased online here.

Storm Ciara to bring wind, rain, and possible flooding to Galway

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February 7, 2020

Two status yellow weather warnings have been issued for Galway and all of Ireland as Storm Ciara is expected to batter the west this weekend.

Galway will face a strong risk of flooding over Saturday and Sunday as Storm Ciara is expected to bring heavy wind and rain on Saturday and Sunday.

The status yellow wind warning will come into effect at 9am on Saturday, followed by the wind warning at midday.

On Saturday southerly winds will strengthen throughout the day according to Met Eireann, reaching average speeds of 50-65km/hr with gusts reaching 90-110km/hr.

That same day a heavy spell of rain will start in the west and spread eastwards throughout the day, with 20-40mm expected, highest in the west and northwest.

Storm Ciara will continue to bring very strong winds with a risk of damaging gusts on Sunday, with another spell of rain in the day which will clear to wintry showers.

Another 20-40mm of rain could fall on Sunday, amounting to 80mm over the two days.

The rainfall warning will expire at 3pm on Sunday, but the status yellow wind warning will remain in force until midnight.

Galway is also faced with the strong possibility of spot flooding due to heavy rain, as well as coastal flooding from the combination of Spring Tides and high seas as well as stormy conditions

Saturday will of course see people go to the polls for the general election, as well as the opening ceremony for Galway 2020 at South Park.

If the weather proves as poor as forecast it could impact turnout in both the election, and crowds down at South Park for the launch of the European Capital of Culture.

Man gets suspended sentence for theft from repeatedly targeted store

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February 6, 2020

Galway News courts Man gets suspended sentence for alcohol theft

A man received a suspended prison sentence for the theft of a bottle of wine from the same Londis he’s hit many times before.

George O’Connor (38), with a former address at Lavally, Gort, pleaded guilty to the single charge of theft at Galway District Court.

On June 13 of last year Gardaí on patrol got a report of alcohol shoplifted from Londis on the Newcastle road.

As they were on their way to the store they spotted Mr O’Connor, who was well known for stealing from the this store, stumbling down University Road.

Footage from cctv cameras in the store showed O’Connor opening a bottle of wine worth €9.99 and drinking it in the shop before leaving without paying.

When he appeared before the court he was already serving a six month sentence handed down by Judge Mary Fahy last October.

Judge Fahy described O’Connor as “totally lawless” on that occasion, which included four charges of stealing from that same Londis.

At this hearing the judge cast doubt on the claim that he is living in Gort, saying that he’s in the city “morning, noon, and night” stealing alcohol from stores.

Judge Fahy imposed a three month prison sentence for the theft, to be served after he completes his current sentence.

But she suspended the sentence in its entirety for one year on the conditions that O’Connor be of good behaviour and stay out of Galway City when he gets out of prison.

After handing down the sentence Judge Fahy remarked that she was afraid to ask how many previous convictions he had.

Sgt Curley, prosecuting, said that O’Connor has 72 convictions.

Calls for next government to invest in Community Education

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February 6, 2020

The next government must move the debate about educational access and equality beyond formal education settings.

It must do this by appointing a Minister of State for Adult, Community, and Further Education and Training.

That’s according to AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation.

Commenting yesterday, Niamh O’Reilly, CEO of AONTAS, said: “There are 50,000 people participating in community education across Ireland, but these learners receive scant attention from politicians.

“The very real challenges facing primary and post-primary schools and the higher education sector are well documented and are clearly high on the political agenda.

“However, successive governments have overlooked and underfunded community education and we hear little or nothing about that.”

Community education supports people who benefit least from the formal education system.

It is an essential part of the further education and training system as it provides a stepping stone into accredited programmes and employment.

Those to benefit from community education include people who left school early or who have had very negative experiences of education in the past.

“It can have a transformative impact on the lives of individuals, their wider families and their communities.

“As such, it offers huge value for money for government, but there appears to be no recognition of this in political circles,” said Niamh O’Reilly.

According to AONTAS, the budget for community education – provided by the Department of Education and Skills via SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority – currently equates to €218 per learner (a total of €10.9 million for 50,000 learners).

However, AONTAS research shows the actual cost of provision is more than three times that amount, at €676 per learner.

“If it costs three and a half times more to fund community education than the amount of funding received, this inevitably leads to an unsustainable model of community education,” she added.

“In the past decade, we have seen widespread closures of community education centres and those that remain are stretched to the max and in a constant, desperate cycle of fundraising to cover their core costs.”

UHG has its worst day this week with 53 on trolleys

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February 6, 2020

University Hospital Galway is the third most overcrowded in Ireland for the third time this week with 53 people on trolleys.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s daily Trolley/Ward Watch figures show that there are 513 people on trolleys in acute hospitals today.

The hardest hit by the daily overcrowding is University Hospital Limerick, where there are 63 patients without a proper bed.

That’s followed by Cork University Hospital with 55, and UHG in a close third place with 53.

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe has fared better this week, and only has three people currently without a bed.

The INMO has repeatedly said the overcrowding levels in Irish hospitals, which have reached new heights already in 2020, are highly dangerous for both patients and staff.

The union has called for an immediate end to the HSE’s hiring freeze and the full implementation of Sláintecare as soon as possible.

Concerns raised about access to polling station

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February 6, 2020

ballinasloe polling station access galway daily

Access to a polling station in Ballinasloe town is being reviewed by Galway County Council after concerns were raised about accessibility.

Works are currently ongoing in the town, with some parts of Society Street being cordoned off with fencing.

As a result, there is no parking available on either side of the street at St. Grellan’s Scoil an Chroi Naofa and it may be more difficult for some voters to gain access to the polling station.

Councillor Aisling Dolan raised the matter with staff working in the Municipal District offices in Ballinasloe.

The Fine Gael candidate in Roscommon-Gawaly said she has spoken to the Senior Executive Engineer at Ballinasloe Municipal District about the concerns.

He has said that work will be reduced at Sarsfields Road to reduce the waiting time at
the traffic lights at the corner junction.

“The contractors carrying out the work will have two people on site to assist with entry and exit to the polling station at St Grellan’s,” said Cllr Dolan.

“It will be possible to let people with mobility difficulties out at the pedestrian crossing close to Scoil an Chroi Naofa on Society Street, to ensure older members of our community have more ease of access if needed.

“There is wheelchair access along the footpath from the old library car park, also a car park at Barrett’s and space near The Emerald Ballroom for parking.”

The polls open at 07.00 on Saturday and will close at 22:00 and Galway County Council’s website has a list of polling stations.

Ireland pays EU €5 million fine over Derrybrien wind farm

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February 6, 2020

Galway Daily news State pays €5 million fine over Derrybrien wind farm

Ireland has paid a €5 million fine to the European Commission for environmental offences at Derrybrien wind farm in Galway, with more racking up every day.

The European Court of Justice last November ruled that Ireland must properly examine the consequences of work involved in the construction of Derrybrien wind farm.

The Irish State was found to be in breach of environmental safeguards during the construction phase of the project.

On top of the €5 million lump sum which the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has confirmed as paid over, Ireland still faces daily fines of €15,000 until the situation is rectified.

This has already built up to almost €1.3 million since the ECJ issued its ruling.

The court’s decision was based on the failure of the ESB subsidiary behind Derrybrien to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment before construction, which it had already ruled against Ireland over back in 2008.

Built in the Slieve Aughty mountains, during construction of the 70 turbine wind farm in 2003, a major landslide occurred on the mountain side.

This destroyed vast areas of forest and peat, and polluted waterways, killing large numbers of fish.

The daily fines will continue until a retrospective EIA is carried out for the project through the ‘substitute consent’ process.

The ESB has said that it is finalising a plan to carry this out and make Derrybrien Wind Farm compliant with the court’s ruling as soon as possible, however it is expected to take several months.

The ECJ described the environmental breaches as being of “indisputable seriousness” and condemned the Irish response as slow and insufficient.

Major plans for Coole Park Visitor Centre to start this year

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February 5, 2020

coole park visitor centre galway daily tree week 2023

The project to update and modernise Coole Park’s Visitor Centre is to commence this year, it has been confirmed.

The work will ensure that the Centre is better able to provide a first-class interpretation of the history and heritage associated with the Park, according to Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon.

Last year, €250k was provided for the Coole Park Visitor Experience and Development Project.

The designs will form the basis of an application under Category 1 of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund in future rounds.

Minister Cannon welcomed the confirmation, saying: “I have been a constant supporter of the development of Coole Park as one of South Galway’s foremost outdoor amenities and the potential for enhancing its facilities, especially as the region is to benefit from a large increase of visitors when Failte Ireland’s Burren Discovery Trail goes live this year”.

The Galway East TD added that he has every confidence the completed work will ensure that Coole Park becomes one of Ireland’s ‘must-see destinations’.

Man convicted of drink driving was over four times the limit

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February 5, 2020

Galway Daily courts Man charged with possessing images of child sex abuse — credit: Robert Linsdell CC BY 2.0 'The Courthouse, Courthouse Square, Galway'

A man found to be more than four times the legal limit was convicted of drink driving after failing to appear in court.

Paul McDonagh (42), of Caladh Thaidhg, Carraroe, was convicted in his absence of drink driving after failing to appear at Galway District Court for his hearing this week.

At the same.heading he was also convicted of driving without insurance and failure to produce a certificate of insurance on demand.

Garda Christopher Dowry said that he was on duty on mobile patrol in Salthill on May 4, 2018 when he received a report of a blue Ford Focus driving carelessly from Carraroe towards Galway city.

At 3:45pm, in Barna, he observed the car mentioned in the report headed in the direction of the city with a man in a black suit driving.

As he turned the Garda patrol car to follow the other car took off at speed and made a sharp left turn towards Four Mile West Garda Dowry said.

He pursued, but lost the car for roughly ten minutes before spotting it pulled up to the side of the road at Four Mile West.

As Garda Dowry was speaking to the driver he said he got a smell of alcohol and that the driver, Mr McDonagh, was slurring his words.

He failed a roadside alcometer test and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drink driving and brought to Salthill Garda Station.

A blood sample was taken there and sent to the medical bureau for analysis, and returned a reading of 226mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

This is more than four and half times the legal limit of 50mg/100ml for a blood sample.

Garda Dowry gave MrMcDonagh ten days to produce evidence of insurance at a garda station of his choice, which he also failed to do.

Mr McDonagh’s solicitor John Martin said that his client has not been driving for the past year due to medical issues.

Judge Mary Fahy marked the conviction for drink driving, no insurance, and failure to produce, and adjourned sentencing to Derrynea District Court on March 12.

The judge also made an order for a bench warrant, not to issue before that date.

Galway named in top 20 destinations by National Geographic

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February 5, 2020

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

National Geographic Traveller magazine has named Galway as one of its must-see destinations this year on the 2020 Cool List.

Galway has attracted another tourist accolade, getting named to the 2020 Cool List by National Geographic alongside the untamed wilderness of Namibia, the gourmet capital of France in Lyon, the history rich city of Cairo, and more.

“Galway’s trick is to effortlessly squeeze big-city sensibility and college craic into small-town streets,” the entry says.

The judges for this list said that Galway feels like a “cultural crossroads” and an after party all at once.

They also praised Galway 2020 and all the tue events coming with it as the perfect reason to “get a bit of Galway running through your veins” this year.

“It’s a perfect fit for European Capital of Culture 2020, with a year-long programme designed to sync with old Celtic calendar dates like Bealtaine (May Day) and Samhain (Halloween).”

“Events range across city and county, from a modern version of one of the world’s oldest stories, Gilgamesh, to a rock and dance festival at Galway Airport and a Lumiere Galway finale lighting up the city.”

Beyond the events specifically for the European Capital of Culture, Galway can expect a big boost to all of its arts, music, and cultural events and festivals this year to make 2020 a year to remember.

National Geographic Traveller touts its Cool List as a collection of destinations which are: “bouncing back from trying times, cities launching inspired new attractions, and pioneering destinations throwing open the doors of innovative hotels.”

Alongside being the perfect destinations for those with an appetite for some adventure, the list also takes into account the growing desire for sustainable travel and tourism in its picks.

The Capital of Culture is one of the big factors that has seen Galway named to countless travel guides and tourist destination lists for the coming year.

Recently Galway has picked up accolades from Lonely Planet and CNN Travel as essential city to visits, while BBC Good Food has named it one of the top destinations for foodies in 2020.

Unmissable Galway Chamber business event to take place in February

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February 5, 2020

The eagerly awaited Galway Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event will take place on Thursday 27 February in The Ardilaun Hotel, Taylor’s Hill, Galway.

The event, hosted by TJ Hyland & Co. and The Ardilaun Hotel, will start at 18:00 with Attendee registration followed by networking and food and refreshments.

There is no charge to attend and there will be spot prizes and goody bags on the day.

The event coincides with TJ Hyland & Co. celebrating 40 years in business.

To register, click here.

Nine Galway election candidates sign anti-racism pledge

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February 5, 2020

galway daily sign pledgeanti-racism elction

A number of general election candidates in Galway have signed an anti-racism pledge which includes a commitment to condemn all racist campaigning materials and statements.

The Anti-Racism Election Protocol was formally launched at an event on Monday organised by Galway Anti Racism Network and Galway Traveller Movement.

It was publicly signed by Mairéad Farrell (Sinn Féin), Joe Loughnane (People Before Profit), Cormac Ó Corcoráin (Aontú), Éamon Ó Cuiv (Fianna Fáil), Pauline O’Reilly (Green Party), Niall Ó Tuathaill (Social Democrats), and Kenny Tynan (People Before Profit).

Catherine Connolly (Independent), Donagh Killilea (Fianna Fáil), Sean Canney (Fine Gael) and Martin Ward (Aontú) were unable to attend but registered their support for the event.

Conor Burke (Solidarity) and Peter Reid (Social Democrats) signed the pledge electronically.

Galway Anti Racism Network (GARN) and Galway Traveller Movement (GTM) are still calling on all candidates in Galway West, Galway East, and Roscommon-Galway to sign the formal pledge rejecting racism before the general election on Saturday.

Professor Brian Hughes, GARN Spokesperson said: “Voters in Galway have a proud record of supporting political and social diversity in the West of Ireland for generations.

“In this century, we have seen a global rise in populism, xenophobia, and the politics of division. Sadly, we have recently begun to see elements of this in Ireland too, including in our own constituencies of Galway West, Galway East, and Roscommon-Galway.

“We are calling on all candidates to reject the politics of hate and to be ambassadors for Galway’s long tradition of inclusivity.”

The pledge calls upon election candidates to send consistent and clear messages to their constituents that they reject racism discrimination and hate speech.

It also asks them to engage in a responsible way when debating issues concerning any group that is a potential target of racism, including asylum seekers, refugees, migrants, and members of the Traveller Community; and to use inclusive language and to avoid stereotyping in their campaigns.

UHG is the third most overcrowded hospital again

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February 5, 2020

UHG is the third most overcrowded hospital in Ireland with 44 people on trolleys today according to INMO figures.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation’s Trolley/Ward Watch shows that there are a total of 568 patients going without a bed in the public hospital system today.

The worst affected is UH Limerick, where there are 63 people on trolleys, followed by Cork UH with 59, UHG with 44, and 33 people without a bed in Letterkenny.

Back in Galway Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe is having an unusually good day as regards overcrowding.

There isn’t a single person waiting on a trolley in the Emergency Department or in overcrowded wards today at Portiuncula the INMO says.

Regardless of that good news, this has so far been another serious week for Hospital overcrowding, with 640 people on trolleys nationwide on Tuesday.

This is the second highest figure ever recorded after January saw 760 people going without a bed for two days in a row.

Phíl Ni Sheaghdha, General Secretary of the INMO, said that current overcrowding levels are an “intolerable situation” for vulnerable patients and frontline staff alike.

RNLI rescue three people from Lough Derg near Portumna

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February 5, 2020

Galway Daily news RNLI rescue three people from Lough Derg in Portumna

The RNLI came to the rescue of three people on a motor boat in distress in Portumna this week, one of whom was suffering from hypothermia.

The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was called out to a motor boat in distress at Portumna by the Coast Guard shortly before 4pm on Monday.

The boat had suffered engine trouble with three people aboard, and when calling for assistance they informed the coast guard that one person needed urgent medical attention after going overboard.

Launching at 3:49pm, the inshore B-Class lifeboat Jean Spier, with volunteer crew Eleanor Hooker as helm, Lian Knight, Ger Egan and Owen Cavanagh on board, made its way to the boat at the north end of Lough Derg.

Conditions were very poor, with low visibility, frequent rain squalls, and winds gusting up to force 7.

One of the three people on the boat had gone overboard while trying to start the engine before being recovered from the water by his companions who went in after him.

The alarm was raised after they managed to get him back in the boat, and immediately realised that he needed medical attention.

Knowing that at least one person aboard was in a serious medical condition, lifeboat crew members Eleanor Hooker, Ger Egan, and Lia Knight boarded the 18ft motorboat.

One person was suffering from hypothermia, and they began administering first aid, providing oxygen and a blanket, and monitoring his condition, while the other two men were also given blankets.

This multi agency operation involved the Coast Guard helicopter 115 from Shannon, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service and Gardaí along with the RNLI.

The Winchman from Rescue 115 and members of the Fire and Rescue Service were already aboard the motor boat when the RNLI crew arrived.

The man suffering from hypothermia was transferred to the lifeboat by stretcher, along with the other two people, which took them to waiting ambulance crew on the shore.

Lough Derg RNLI helm Eleanor Hooker said “This was a challenging multi-agency rescue operation today and we are so thankful we were able to rescue these three people with the help of our colleagues in the other emergency services.”

Full NCT road worthiness testing to resume in Galway

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February 5, 2020