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Paid parking system at Portiuncula Hospital “totally unacceptable” says Naughten

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Massive backlog after bone scanner at Portiuncula Hospital broken for 2 years

The paid parking system at Portiuncula Hospital is “immoral” and “totally unacceptable” said Galway TD Denis Naughten, calling for an overhaul of the system.

The Independent TD said that people at the A&E in Portiuncula are in the situation where they have to rush out and buy a buy a new ticket due to the pay & display parking system, or else face the risk of getting clamped.

“How could anybody going into A&E at present have any idea how long they are going to be and therefore how long they will need a parking ticket for with the current level of over-crowding?”

“In such situations people are paying for two hours but then having to rush out, sometimes with a sick child, to get another ticket because of the fear that they will be clamped.”

“Nobody who has experienced a long wait in A&E with a sick relative or child should be in a situation where they have to worry about being clamped when they go back to their car.”

Referring to a proposal to cap hospital parking at €10 per day, Deputy Naughten said that patients and carers should not be expected to pay for parking on top of the fee they’re already paying to attend A&E.

“In some cases this could result in bills of €300 for patients who must attend hospital five days a week for six weeks to receive treatment,” Denis Naughten said.

The entire system of car parking charges in hospitals needs to be overhauled to put the needs of those attending hospital first he added.

Patients, their carers, those providing transport to appointments and next of kin such as the parent of a sick child should never have to pay for parking in any of our hospitals and we must introduce an outright ban on clamping in hospital carparks.”

Gort locals triumph over plans for Biogas plant as planning permission refused

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Public meeting to discuss approval of Gort BioGas plant
Photo Credit: Vasyatka

Planning permission has been refused for a biogas plant in the Gort area which attracted massive local opposition, with hundreds of objections filed.

Sustainable Bio-Energy Limited submitted plans to the county council for a biogas plant on 10 hectare site in the townlands of Ballynamantan, Kinincha and Glenbrack in Gort.

Plants such as these are used to treat farm waste in order to produce fertiliser and energy.

In refusing permission for the biogas plant, the county council said that the local road network could not sustain the level of HGV traffic which would come about from this development.

This would create dangerous traffic conditions and pose a public safety hazard it was said.

The council also said that the scale and nature of this development, in a rural area, would be contrary to sustainable development of Gort.

The biogas plant would also be “visually obstructive and adversely impact on the receiving Class 3 landscape including the Coole demesne area to the north, the Kinincha Road/Gort River area and other potentially sensitive receptors”.

Ecological and environmental concerns were also raised over the information in the Natura Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Assessment Report submitted with the application.

The planning authority said that “potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of air pollutants, pollutants to water quality, habitat loss/fragmentation and the exclusion of a satisfactory assessment of a number of European sites in the vicinity” meant that it could not rule out damage to multiple Special Areas of Conservation nearby.

It was also said that not enough information was contained in the EIAR to rule out the possibility of risk human health, as well as local biodiversity.

Over 300 submissions were made to the county council objecting to these plans, with locals coming together to express their opposition in the Gort Bio Gas Concern Group on Facebook.

Galway East TD Ciarán Cannon said the refusal was good news for Gort, saying that the town’s future lies in tourism and more appropriate economic development which better serves the town.

In his own objection Deputy Cannon said the plan was unacceptable less than a kilometre from Gort, and that it would interfere with Fáilte Ireland’s plan to make Gort the epicentre of the new Burren Loop.

“The scale and nature of the proposed development would completely undermine this initiative and make it almost impossible to market Gort as an attractive heritage town to potential visitors”.

County Councillor Joe Byrne also welcomed the news of the planning application’s refusal, and urged the developer to accept the council’s decision, and not appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

 

image credit: Vasyatka

Traffic management plan for Sunday games in Salthill

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Pearse Stadium traffic management plan

Gardaí will be enforcing a traffic management plan around Pearse Stadium in Salthill on Sunday due to the back to back matches taking place.

The traffic management plan is being put in place by the Gardaí due to large numbers of people expected in town for the first round of the Allianz Hurling and Football leagues.

The double header will kick off with Galway v Westmeath in the Hurling League at 12:30pm, followed by Galway v Monaghan in the Football League at 2:30pm.

A number of access roads in residential areas near the stadium will be closed during this time, and only residents with Car Pass Permits and those with Official Car Park Passes will be allowed access to those Residential areas.

Anyone attending either of the games tomorrow is being urged by Galway GAA to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion and delays getting into the stadium.

Beyond the regular car parks around the city, additional car parking will be available at St. Enda’s College on Threadneedle Road for the Sunday games.

Supporters are asked to arrive early, park in the designated car parks which will be signposted, and be conscious of the needs of local residents during the games.

Man jailed for sexually abusing 11 year old boy in the 1980s

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Briain Kelly
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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 paedophile has been sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing a boy who was 11 years old in Galway city back in the 1980s.

Anthony Spellman (53), who lives in Cheshire, England but resided in Galway at the time, was found guilty of 20 counts of indecent assault for sexually abusing a boy between June 1984 and January 1986.

He was sentenced at Galway Circuit Court after being convicted at trial last November. Mr Spellman’s barrister said that his client still does not accept the verdict of the jury.

During the trial for these crimes the Circuit Court heard that Spellman, who was 18 and 19 at the time these offences took place, frequently abused his young neighbour in then his home at McHugh Avenue, Mervue.

The victim said during the trial that Spellman abused him in multiple locations in the house: under the stairs, the bathroom, and in a chalet in the back garden.

He said that the abuse involved kissing, masturbation, and oral sex over the course of two years until the Spellman family moved in early 1986.

The acts were “opportunistic” he said, adding that it could happen every few days, or weeks could go by between incidents.

He tried to block this out for decades he added, but decided in recent years that he had lived with it for long enough.

Anthony Spellman denied that any of this took place, saying that his father did not let other people into their house as it was extremely crowded with nine kids and his parents residing there at the time.

During the trial the jury was unaware that he had already been convicted of abusing a boy who was seven years old at the time, and was currently serving a prison sentence for that.

He had first been given a wholly suspended sentence at Galway Circuit, but that was appealed by the Director of Public Prosecutions as too lenient.

In 2018 the Court of Appeals sided with the state’s view, sentencing Mr Spellman to spend two years in prison, with another portion of the sentence suspended.

At sentencing Judge Rory McCabe said that the abuse was aggravated by the protracted period of time over which it occurred.

He added that that they offences were incrementally worsening over time, and Spellman’s behaviour showed signs of “grooming”.

The judge said that an overall sentence of four years in prison would be appropriate, giving Spellman a total of 16 months on counts 1 to 18, and another 16 months consecutive on each of counts 19 and 20.

There was no scope for suspending any part of the sentence, Judge McCabe said. The sentence was backdated to November 22, when Spellman was convicted.

Local short film Butter nominated for Cannes Film Festival

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily arts culture short film nominated for Cannes Film Festival

Butter, a short film by writer/director Emma Brennan shot in Galway has been selected to screen at Marché Du Film at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

This romantic comedy about an Irish couple and their love of butter has also been selected to screen at New York City International Film Festival.

The 4-minute short, shot on the coast of Barna, Co. Galway has been nominated by New York City International Film Festival in four categories including Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Actor.

Butter stars two Galway locals, Orlaith Ní Chearra and Conor Graham, and was written, directed and produced by Emma Brennan, with Rob Whelan as director of photography and Galway native Niall Clarke on sound.

This is the 2nd short of Emma Brennan whose debut short ‘Hello Brother’ won “Best Super Short” at New York City International Film Festival 2019, after its world premiere at Galway Film Fleadh the year before.

Speaking about the double nomination, Emma Butler said they were all thrilled with the news, calling it a great honour to be nominated.

“I’m so proud of Orlaith and Conor and their nominations for Best Actress and Best Actor.  They were a dream to work with – such chemistry and readiness. I’m delighted for them.”

“To have Butter nominated for Best Short Film and Best Director is a credit to the amazing work and dedication of our committed Butter team – Rob, Niall, Orlaith and Conor – and the collaborative input of creative talent and technical expertise combined.”

“We are very excited to present our Irish film Butter on an international platform and proud to present our work as ambassadors for Irish film in Cannes and New York.”

As well as directing, Emma tutors actors in the Michael Chekhov Method in Dublin and is the founder of The Actor Lab.

Orlaith Ní Chearra, whose family hail from Oranmore and Ballinasloe, is a well known performer in Galway working with An Taibhdhearc, Fíbín, Ros na Rún, The Galway Theatre Festival and The Galway International Arts Festival.

She trained at London Studio Centre on a Leverhulme Scholarship graduating in 2016 and toured Europe as an Actor-Musician before returning to Galway.

Conor Graham is an actor and musician graduating from the National University of Ireland, Galway with an MA in Drama Studies. He teaches voice for drama in Galway.

Watch a teaser trailer for Butter here.

Man sent for trial for alleged rape

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Briain Kelly
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Glway Daily courts Man brought before court on large number of rape charges

A 21 year old man has been sent for trial to the Central Criminal Court for alleged rape committed in 2017.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with rape committed at a location in Galway City in March 2017.

At Galway District Court this week an order was made for him to be sent forward to trial at the current sitting of the Central Criminal Court.

Evidence was given of the service of the book of evidence by Garda Parick at a previous sitting of the District Court.

The accused man was remanded on bail with an independent surety.

Judge Mary Fahy granted free legal for both a junior and senior counsel for this case.

Holocaust memorial event to hear from concentration camp survivor

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Holocaust memorial event

Tomi Reichental, a survivor of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp, will speak about the horrors he endured and the need for solidarity at a Holocaust memorial event in Galway next week.

NUIG’s Irish Centre for Human Rights and An Cumann Staire/History Society are hosting a Holocaust memorial talk next Wednesday, January 29.

Tomi Reichental was born in 1935 in Piestany Slovakia. In 1944 at age nine, he was captured by the Gestapo in Bratislava and deported to Bergen Belsen concentration camp with his mother, grandmother, brother, aunt and cousin.

When he was liberated in April 1945, he discovered that 35 members of his extended family had been murdered.

His grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins all died in the Holocaust. One of just a small number of Holocaust survivors living in Ireland, Tomi has delivered talks in schools, colleges and other events around the country.

For years he has worked to educated people about the horrors that we endured to promote tolerance and reconciliation.

Recounting the sights and smells at the concentration camp Tomi said: “Typhoid and diphtheria were the biggest killers, but people were dying of starvation and cold in their hundreds.

“First the bodies were removed and burned, but later they were just piling up in front of our barracks, there were piles of decomposing bodies.

“The soldiers who liberated Belsen in April 1945 said they could smell the stench for two miles before they reached the camp,” Tomi added.

“In the camp I could not play like a normal child, we didn’t laugh and we didn’t cry. If you stepped out of line, you could be beaten up even beaten to death. I saw it all with my own eyes.”

Professor Ray Murphy of NUI Galway’s Irish Centre for Human Rights said Tomi’s message of tolerance and forgiveness is more important today than even.

“He reminds us of our common humanity and the need for human solidarity,” Professor Murphy added.

Joining Tomi will be Ben Barkow, recently retired director of London’s Wiener Library – the world’s oldest institution created for the documentation of the Holocaust.

He is chair of the Academic Advisory Board of the UK Holocaust Memorial Foundation, which is creating Britain’s national Holocaust memorial next to the houses of Parliament.

He is also on the advisory board of the Imperial War Museum’s planned new permanent Holocaust exhibition and is a trustee of a number of a number of Holocaust-related charities.

The Holocaust memorial event and talk will take place in NUIG’s Human Biology Building at 6pm next Wednesday, followed by a Q&A session.

Admission is free but early arrival is advised.

More than 450 Galway kids waiting for autism assessment

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Disability day services returning to full capacity from October

There are 461 children in Galway waiting for an autism assessment according to Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte, who branded the backlog “disgraceful”.

Information provided to Deputy Rabbitte from a parliamentary questioned showed that there are 353 children waiting for their initial assessment alone with the Galway Roscommon Autism Spectrum Disorder Service.

A staggering 191 children on the waiting list have been waiting more than two years to be seen.

“I knew from numerous conversations with constituents that there was a major backlog but it’s only now we’re seeing just how bad the situation is and it’s shocking,” Anne Rabbitte said.

“The impact on a child left waiting for intervention for two years cannot be under estimated. It could be detrimental to their development.”

The Fianna Fáil TD said that based on the number of parents contacting her office about this, the situation is worsening, not improving.

She blamed the backlog on a “hands off” approach taken by Fine Gael, accusing the government of mismanaging resources.

Galway 2020 gets its own commemorative stamp

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway 2020 gets its own commemorative stamp

An Post has launched two colourful stamps this week celebrating Galway 2020 and Rijecka 2020 in their year as the European Capital of Culture.

Galway 2020 will be kicking off the year long parade of cultural events on Saturday week with the opening ceremony in Galway City.

The commemorative stamps were launched by An Post in Galway this week in a joint issue with Croatia Post, and will be available at all Galway Post Offices through 2020.

The Galway 2020 stamp features well-loved symbols of Galway life and culture including the Spanish Arch, NUI Galway, Claddagh ring, the City coat of arms, a Macnas giant puppet and a guitar representing live music.

The Croatian stamp shows features associated with Rijeka, an historic port city known as the gateway to Croatia’s islands.

Speaking in Galway, An Post CEO David McRedmond congratulated Galway on an extraordinary programme of “multisensory artworks in our natural environment to grassroots cultural moments across Galway City, County and beyond.”

“An Post is delighted to partner with Croatian Post to mark the national designation for Galway and Rijeka as European Capitals of Culture.”

Welcoming the stamps just ahead of the official opening ceremony, Patricia Philbin, CEO Galway 2020 said they are “delighted to have our incredibly momentous and important designation as European Capital of Culture marked in this significant way.”

“I want to take this opportunity to thank An Post for this important national symbol of Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture.”

“After a great collective effort from our team, our partners and the people of Galway, our year as European Capital of Culture is about to commence.  A wonderful year awaits.”

Also present for the ceremony on Thursday was  Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Ireland, Mr Davor Vidiš.

He said the joint stamp issue for these two port cities is a “symbol of the shared values and the cultural affinity between Ireland and Croatia, our two peoples and cultures”.

A special limited edition souvenir stamp sheet inset with the Galway stamp and Souvenir envelopes are also available in all Galway post offices, selected post offices nationwide and online at www.anpost.com/stamps .

PBP calls for network of public youth centres in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Joe Loughnane suspended from PBP

A network of publicly funded and owned youth centres are needed in Galway to give young people an outlet and help them plan ahead.

That’s the position of People Before Profit, who are calling on the government to set up more youth centres in the city and county which are publicly funded and owned.

“It’s easy for young people to feel like there is a track that you should be on in life if you’re to be successful, and this usually involves a good leaving cert and a college course,” PBP candidate Joe Loughnane said.

“This means that for anyone who feels like this isn’t their path, there really aren’t that many options. If you don’t finish your leaving cert, or decide not to go to college, what then?

Loughnane said that people who don’t fit this mold will be told they should take up a trade, or just get “any job at all” to get through life.

“There’s no buffer zone for young people who deviate from the path to figure out what it is they actually want out of life”.

“As with most of the worst side effects of our current social system, people with less money and less social capital are inevitably hit the hardest by this.”

PBP say that giving young people a space to breathe outside of the demands of the marketplace can help those in difficult circumstances find a path forward.

These youth centres don’t have to be the height of luxury or modernity Loughnane suggested. Having good wi-fi, some learning resources, a pool table, some couches, and an information desk enough to start with.

These could be places for young people to work on their CVs, research education opportunities, or just hang out with friends and enjoy some breathing room in a good environment, he added.

“Galway already has some great youth services, and we are also calling for their funding to be increased as many of them are being stretched to their limit.

“For minimal investment, a network of youth centres around the city and county could go a long way to easing this pressure and to helping young people realise that the path ahead of them isn’t as dark as it seems.”

It is especially important these youth centres be publicly owned in disadvantaged areas, Loughnane said, rather than for-profit institutes.

Election 2020: Seven party leaders to debate on stage at NUIG

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Election debate NUIG

The largest election debate will take place in Galway next week as seven party leaders will be broadcast live from the stage at NUIG.

The seven party leaders who will be on stage for next Monday’s election debate are Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin), Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael), Brendan Howlin (Labour), Micheál Martin (Fianna Fáil), Richard Boyd Barrett (Solidarity / People Before Profit), Eamon Ryan (Green Party) and Roísín Shortall (Social Democrats).

The evening will be hosted by RTÉ’s Claire Byrne next Monday night, with questions from her and the audience of 300 people chosen by RED C Research polling company.

President of NUIG Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said they were delighted to bring this to Galway, noting that the university is “for the public good, belonging to the people and for society”.

“The University is 175 this year, and our city is European Capital of Culture, so it’s fitting that the leaders of our country’s parties will meet here to outline their visions for the future of the nation.”

“We look forward to welcoming them to the West at this important moment of decision-making in our nation’s history.”

This is the second time a major leaders debate has been broadcast outside of Dublin, following on from one which took place at the University of Limerick in 2016.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin met for the first leaders debate of the election on Wednesday night.

Pat Kenny moderated the event on Vigin Media Television, where Leo Varadkar said that he would be open to entering into a coalition with Fianna Fáil.

Micheál Martin didn’t address that at the time, but has since ruled out such a coalition, saying that people want a change of government.

Both party leaders have said that they would like to partner with Labour or the Green Party, but would not consider sharing power with Sinn Féin.

Speaking ahead of next Monday’s debate Claire Byrne said she is looking forward to bringing the process to Galway, and wants voters to get a clear picture of what each party is offering.

“We’ll be teasing out the key policies with the seven leaders with the sole aim of giving voters the information they need before they head to the polling booth on February 8”.

Sinn Féin have been been highly critical of RTÉ’s decision to confine the final leaders debate to just Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, issuing a legal letter to the broadcaster calling on them to reverse that decision.

Tickets on sale for final five Guinness Pro14 crunch games

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily rugby Four changes made to starting XV for Connacht v Glasgow

Tickets have gone on sale for Connacht Rugby’s final five home games at the Sportsground this Guinness Pro14 season.

The coming months will see Connacht face off against Conference rivals Cardiff, Scarlets and Edinburgh as well as the Glasgow Warriors and interprovincial rivals Ulster in the final stretch of the 2019/20 Guinness Pro14 season.

The Connacht side are currently on a short break after a hard fought 13 week run at both the Champions Cup and the Pro14.

But they will return to action on February 15 against Cardiff. Beating the Welsh side in the last season was what helped Connacht qualify for the Champions Cup last time round, an ambition these matches hope to repeat.

That will be followed by a confrontation with the Scarlets on March 20, who will be looking to avenge their last loss at the Sportsground.

April will see to fixtures, with the Glasgow Warriors up first on Friday, April 10, followed by Ulster on the 25th.

The interprovincial clash is sure to result in sold out stands in Bohermore as Connacht hope to secure their third victory in a row, while Ulster are fighting to break a bad streak of luck in the west.

The final home game of the season is likely to be a season defining one for both Connacht and Edinburgh on Saturday, May 16.

With Conference B in the Pro14 extremely tight, a win here could ultimately decide who marches onto the playoffs and qualifies for Champions Cup rugby next season.

Tickets for the upcoming matches can be purchased online at connachtrugby.ie/tickets.

Guinness Pro14 final five

Man sent for trial for drug dealing and possessing criminal proceeds

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

A man has been sent forward to trial on multiple indictments for alleged drug dealing and possessing money which were the proceeds of crime.

Keith Moon (23), of Doon, Sheenaune in Westport, was served with two books of evidence at Galway District Court this week alleging drug dealing and money laundering offences from 2018.

The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to Moon being returned for trial on both books to the next sitting of Galway Circuit Court Commencing on April 22.

One indictment alleges that on April 17 of 2018 Moon was in possession of cocaine with the intent to sell other otherwise supply it.

It is also alleged that at that time Moon was in possession of €6,195 which was the proceeds of criminal conduct.

He has been charged under Section 3 & 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.

The second book of evidence refers to July 27 of 2018 at 17 Cill Ard, Bohermore, where it is alleged that Moon had both cocaine and ketamine meant for sale and supply.

In this incident he has been charged under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which applies when the alleged value of the drugs is €13,000 or higher.

Moon also faces charges under Section 15 for the same incident, as well as Section 3 simple possession of drugs.

It is also alleged that he was in possession of €3,000 which were the proceeds of criminal conduct at that time.

Judge Mary Fahy gave Moon an alibi warning, informing him that if he intends to use an alibi in his defence, the state must be informed of it prior to any trial.

Free legal aid was granted to Moon for solicitor Seán Acton, as well as both a junior and senior counsel.

Claims relating to uninsured drivers drop by 21% in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Launch of new online Traffic Watch reporting form

There was a significant drop in the number of claims relating to uninsured drivers and vehicles in Galway last year according to the latest figures.

The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland said that uninsured drivers accounted for over 70% of the claims it received in 2019, with the numbers largely static compared with 2018.

However, those numbers only even out because some counties saw significant decreases, while in others the number of claims went up dramatically.

There were 88 claims made to the MIBI in Galway last year, a decrease of 21% on 2018, when 112 claims were made.

The largest decrease recorded was in Roscommon, a 65% reduction in claims, followed by Monaghan (down 47%) and Laois (down 40%).Monaghan (down 47%) and Laois (down 40%).

The county with the highest percentage increase in claims was Kilkenny, which recorded a 62% jump in claims, followed by Clare (32% increase) and Longford (30% increase).

The MIBI is a not for profit organisation that was established to compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles.

Speaking about the claims figures, David Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of the MIBI said that they have seen little change in the last two years.

“It is particularly concerning that there has been no movement on the number of claims relating to uninsured vehicles, which suggests there continues to be a substantial number of uninsured vehicles driving on Irish roads.”

He added that it is hoped that the rollout of the new automatic number plate recognition system will make it easier for gardaí to identify uninsured drivers.

The new ANPR system allows An Garda Síochána to more easily detect if a vehicle is being driven without insurance by checking the registration plate.

“This will make it very difficult for uninsured vehicles to be driven without being detected,” David Fitzgerald said, adding “They will then face heavy penalties.”

“Anyone caught driving without insurance can have their vehicle seized on the spot, will face a mandatory court appearance, a heavy fine and five points on their licence.”

Plans submitted for 255 bed Terryland student accommodation

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Terryland student accommodation plans

Plans have been submitted to An Bord Pleanála for a student accommodation development with 255 bed spaces in Terryland in Galway City.

Montane Developments intend to build two blocks of student accommodation on the Coolough Road ranging from one to four storeys tall.

The bedrooms will be grouped in 38 clusters, however, of the 255 bed spaces included in the plans, there are just five accessible bedrooms.

Under the design submitted to An Bord Pleanála, just five of those would be accessible bedrooms. The bedrooms will be grouped into 38 clusters.

Other ancillary students facilities which would be part of this project include a communal laundry, a gym/fitness centre, and a common area.

Montane does not proposed to have much car parking serving this development, with the plans including eight car parking spaces, and 280 bicycle spaces.

Access to the development will be off the Coolough Road, and the developer intends to install pedestrian crossings there and at the Dyke Road.

The site, just past the Kirwan roundabout, formerly had an agricultural use, but is currently vacant and overgrown.

The developer said that an explosion in student numbers in Galway in recent years has “placed significant pressure on the city’s physical and social infrastructure”, particularly in regards to housing.

Purpose built student accommodation such as this will “help to unlock additional supply in the private housing market for sale and rent to non-student households,” it’s claimed.

This student accommodation project has been submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála as a Strategic Housing Application, which is meant to fast track the planning process for large scale housing projects.

After a pre-application consultation with the higher planning authority last July, the design of the development was significantly altered.

A standalone service block for the ancillary facilities was removed, and they were spread around the bottom two floors of the other buildings.

A new 2-3 storey accommodation block fronting onto the Coolough Road was added to the plans, while the main block was reduced in height from five to four storeys.

A Natura Impact Statement and Landscape Design Plan have been prepared as part of this planning application.

An Bord Pleanála is due to make a ruling on this application by May 5.

Drivers cautioned over status yellow fog warning

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Met Eireann issues Fog warning as motorists advised to exercise caution

A Status Yellow fog warning issued by Met Eireann last night is in place in Galway and all of Ireland this morning.

The weather warning cautions that dense fog in many areas could create dangerous driving conditions.

It was issued by Met Eireann at 10pm last night, and came into effect at 9am this morning.

The weather warning will remain in place until midday today, and conditions are expected to clear in the afternoon.

Despite this the weather will remain cloudy and misty throughout the day, with light drizzle in places.

Temperatures in Galway will range from 6°c to 8°c today, with light variable winds throughout the day.

Woman sentenced for stealing phone after more than two years

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily courts Woman sentenced for stealing phone

A woman was sentenced for stealing a phone more than two years ago this week after skipping a hearing date and taking multiple bench warrants.

Tracy Mulqueen (35), with a listed address at Kilnasoolagh Park, Newmarket On Fergus in Co. Clare, pleaded guilty to stealing a phone from Cash Creators store on Eglinton Street back on December 21, 2017.

She was identified on cctv and subsequently arrested after the incident. The phone, valued at €399, was not recovered.

Ms Mulqueen also pleaded guilty to Failing to Appear before the District Court while on bail last December.

She had previously taken a dedicated hearing date at Galway District Court to contest the charge, and failed to show up for her own hearing.

Two bench warrants for her arrest were issued from Galway during the course of this case, which were executed in Ennis.

After being arrested in Ennis on foot of these bench warrants, and another from Limerick, she did not take up bail.

Judge Mary Fahy remarked that “she’s certainly put the state to some trouble and expense.” at this week’s sentencing.

Solicitor for the accused Ronan Murphy said that his client has a long history of addiction, and is currently in emergency accommodation.

He also said that at the time of this offence she was in a relationship with a man who was “exercising a certain amount of control over her”, and that this person took the phone off her.

Judge Fahy said that she was not suitable for Community Service due to the missed court dates and bench warrants.

She imposed a prison sentence of 4 months for the phone theft, with a two month concurrent sentence on the failure to appear charge.

The judge refused to suspend any part of the sentence, saying that the manner in which Ms Mulqueen dealt with this case is “disgraceful”.

Recognisance was fixed at a total of €1,000 in the event of an appeal, which includes €400 of her own money and a €600 independent surety.

Galway football team named to face Monaghan

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily sport Planning refused again for Oughterard sports facilities

Galway GAA has named the football team that will face off against Monaghan this weekend.

Moanaghan and Galway are facing off in the opening round of the Allianz Football League this Sunday in Pearse Stadium, with kick off at 2:30pm.

The Allianz League is starting up a week after Galway’s FBD League final win over Roscommon at Hyde Park.

The full lineup for Galway v Monaghan this Sunday is:

1-Connor Gleeson

2-Johnny Duane

3-Sean Mulkerrin

4-Johnny Heaney

5-Gary O’Donnell

6-John Daly

7-Cillian McDaid

8-Tom Flynn

9-Cein D’Arcy

10-Michael Boyle

11-Paul Conroy

12-Michael Daly

13-Robert Finnerty

14-Shane Walsh (captain)

15-Adrian Varley

Plans announced for 1,000 homes on Sandy Road site

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news plans announced for 1,000 homes on Sandy Road site

Plans have been announced today for a major urban development in Galway City which could deliver 1,000 new homes as well as employment opportunities.

The Land Development Agency has today announced that it is commencing a review study for uses of a 20 acre site on the Sandy Road which could deliver huge numbers of homes, as well as commercial and leisure space.

The review process, which is being funded by the LDA, will evaluate the potential for the site and provide a high-level vision of what the development could comprise.

Once this review is complete it will be put up for public display and consultation so that the people of Galway can have their say on how they think this space should be utilised.

Chief Executive of Galway City Council Brendan McGrath said that this location offers a “major regeneration opportunity to build a mixed-tenure, urban quarter”.

Situated just 15 minutes walk from Eyre Square, he predicts that it will enable, “very high quality modern sustainable, non-car based urban living.”

“This collaboration and partnership with the LDA offers a unique and unparalleled opportunity for the early regeneration of these brown-field lands, acting as a catalyst for the wider re-development of Liosbaun and the Headford Road area.”

Under the National Planning Framework the population of Galway city is expected to reach 120,000 by 2040, with much of that growth targeted for outer suburbs.

The LDA is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding with Galway City Council in relation to the site, which will provide for a review of how the delivery of affordable accommodation can be achieved.

Today’s announcement comes less than a fortnight after the LDA announced a similar review for a major site in Limerick city centre with capacity for thousands of new homes.

The process will commence immediately with  an expert panel appointed by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) to conduct a design review.

As part of the review the LDA’s panel will consult with state bodies and other landowners including the City and County councils, Galway Education & Training Board and Galway Bay FM.

Keith Finnegan, Chief Executive of Galway Bay FM, said “We are pleased to see that there is a proposal to develop the area and we look forward to engaging with the other parties in exploring the possible development.”

Chairman of the LDA, John Moran said that getting ahead of the demand for new homes is key to the future development of Galway City.

He added that it is a “great honour” that the LDA’s first project in the west of Ireland is helping to develop Galway.

“The site will bring not just much needed homes but help change how people go about their daily lives,” John Moran said.

“We would like to see a neighbourhood designed for a new way of living given its proximity to Galway city centre and key transport links.”

N6 roadworks to disrupt city traffic for a month

By
Briain Kelly
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0
Galway Daily news Roadworks to disrupt traffic near Portumna on Tuesday

Roadworks taking place on the N6 in Galway City which got underway today will disrupt traffic for the coming month.

Galway City Council is carrying out roadworks on roughly 1.7km of the N6 inbound between the Briarhill and Ballybane junctions.

The contract for these works was awarded to Lagan Asphalt Limited, and they are expected to take until February 25 to complete.

A Stop and Go system will be in place to manage traffic from 10am to 8pm each day while work is underway.

Motorists travelling on Bothar na dTreabh for the next month are advised to expect delays and give themselves more time to complete journeys.

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