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Life changing medical news, a secret at risk, and a dangerous promise on Ros na Rún

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily arts & culture Ros na Rún episode 29

Laoise gets alarming medical news, Nathan worries that Jude will reveal his identity, and Caitríona makes a dangerous promise on Ros na Rún.

This week on Ros na Rún, Laoise is floored when her medical condition is diagnosed. Though it’s not life threatening, it comes with a life changing dilemma.

Nathan tags along when Sorcha goes to visit Jude. But having visited her before himself, Nathan worries that she will recognise him.

Will Jude suss out his true identity? And if she does, will she out him to Sorcha?

Meanwhile, just as Caitríona is all set for her photoshoot, Maeve says that she won’t do it to Caitríona’s horror.

In desperation she promises to give Maeve anything she wants to go ahead with it. But will Caitríona come to regret this hasty promise.

Catch all the drama this Tuesday on TG4 at 8:30pm, with more to follow these revelations on Thursday.

 

Status yellow weather warning issued for Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily weather Met Eireann weather warning in force for Galway today

Met Eireann has issued a status yellow weather warning for Galway today warning of “severe and damaging gusts” until the later afternoon.

The weather warning states that “Strong and gusty southwest winds will veer westerly early this afternoon with some severe and damaging gusts”.

Heavy squalls of rain are also expected throughout the day accompanying the high winds Met Eireann has advised.

The warning will be in place for Galway and the rest of Ireland until 4pm this afternoon.

The forecaster has put a weather advisory for all of Ireland, cautioning that strong winds on Tuesday could could fall trees damaged by Storm Atiyah.

“Generally, winds will be below warning thresholds but damage to some structures and trees, already weakened from the effects of Storm Atiyah, is possible.”

“Rain and showers will be heavy at times as well, especially in Atlantic coastal counties,” the advisory states.

A warning has also been issued for ocean goers of gales or strong gales on all Irish coastal waters which will veer westerly this afternoon.

Finding their Tribe: All Ireland Success for Galway Hospitality company

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily business Galway Hospitality Group awarded all-star business accreditation

Galway’s Tribe Hospitality Group, which is comprised of six eateries around the city, has been awarded Ireland’s highest business accreditation for standards of trust and service.

The much loved businesses that make up the Tribe Hospitality Group are Mr Waffle, Ground + Co, Baby Ground + Co, Delight, Saol Café and The Galway Plate.

They have recently been awarded the coveted All-Ireland Business All-Start Accreditation, an independent standard of recognition for home grown businesses.

The accreditation is overseen by the prestigious All-Ireland Business Foundation, whose adjudication panel is chaired by Dr Briga Hynes of the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick and Kieran Ring, CEO of the Global Institute of Logistics.

Dr Hynes said the accreditation, which is now held by over 350 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards, but have nothing to measure them by.

She said that in order to receive this accreditation they evaluate a company’s background, trustworthiness, and performance by engaging with their employees, customers, and vendors.

“We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

Tribe Hospitality Group employs 100 people in Galway and its eateries and cafes are a firm part of Galway life. However, the success of this company is down to more than hospitality.

The company has grown by 70 percent in the past three years, with that success attributed to investment in staff and a clear progression plan for the business.

“We wanted to be more than just a place of work; our staff are the fundamental reason why our business has grown. Investment in people is the single most effective way of being successful in life and in business,” explained Kevin Nugent of Tribe Hospitality Group.

“Tribe Hospitality Group have developed their own academy where all staff have the opportunity to bring their strengths and uniqueness to the business. We want to see people thriving. Making your team feel heard and seen is when they flourish.”

The group also has a focus on mental and physical well being with weekly running groups, staff gym sessions at the Train Station Galway, which is 100 percent funded by the business.

“I started my career over 15 years ago and learnt a valuable lesson early on, we all need people,” Kevin added, saying that he has learned a lot from the people he has worked with at the hospitality group.

“Everyday I see such personal growth in people that would have started with us as a college part time job and now they are managers and are showing me which way, the business should progress and grow.

“Its an old adage but if you surround yourself with good people, show them respect and allow them to bring their skillset to the table then brilliant positive things happen.

“Gaining this accreditation has been a real reward for everyone and that by doing things in your own authentic way is always the right way of doing this.”

One Galway restaurant served with closure order in November

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Briain Kelly
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One Galway restaurant was served with a Closure Order in November in record breaking enforcement month for the FSAI.

Capital Kebab on Eglinton Street was served with a closure order under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations for deficiencies in its food safety protocols.

The order was issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on November 28, and lifted eight days later on December 6.

Three issues were raised during an inspection carried out by an officer of the Health Service Executive.

The report noted that there was a failure to put in place and implement a food safety management system based on HACCP principles.

In particular it was highlighted that there was no adequate procedures related to the manufacture, storage, cooking and handling of chicken and lamb kebab, posing a health and safety risk.

The inspector also noted that staff handling food and those responsible for implementing safety protocols did not demonstrate competency in food safety.

The final issue raised in this report was that “Temperatures taken of high risk foods during the inspection demonstrated that the cold chain was not being adequately maintained”.

This raised a serious risk of “microbial growth and a hazard to foodstuffs”, the inspector noted.

Capital Turkish Kebab House was one of 23 businesses served with an Enforcement Order by the FSAI in November, the highest ever in a single month.

This included ten closure orders under the FSAI Act, 1998, ten more under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010, and two Prohibition Orders served under the FSAI Act, 1998.

Other reasons businesses around Ireland were given a closure order last month include the presence of rats, cockroaches, spiders, and other insects in proximity to food.

Commenting today, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI condemned the record number of food businesses issued with Enforcement Orders in one month.

“Some of the reasons for Enforcement Orders in November demonstrate totally inadequate hygiene standards and these operators are damaging the reputation of the food industry as we enter one of the busiest months of the year.

“With the Christmas period already underway, food businesses must ensure they maintain high food safety standards and I hope in December we see a significant reduction in enforcements and improving food safety standards.”

UHG is Ireland’s third most overcrowded hospital today

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Briain Kelly
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UHG is the third most overcrowded Hospital in Ireland today according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation with 41 people on trolleys.

There are 41 patients on trolleys in the Emergency Department and in overcrowded wards at University Hospital Galway today according to the INMO Trolley/Ward Watch.

However, a more alarming figure is that there are 24 people on trolleys at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe today, where usually there are just one or two.

There are a total of 582 people without a proper bed in Ireland’s public hospitals today the INMO has said.

The worst affected are the usual suspects of UH Limerick, 55 on trolleys, and Cork UH Cork where there are 42 without a bed.

 

M17 motorway lane closures in place for roadworks today

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news M17 motorway lane closure today

Rolling lane closures will be in place along the M17 motorway today in order to facilitate pavement testing roadworks.

The M17-M18 motorway operator Direct Route are carrying out pavement testing works between the M6 Rathmorrisey Interchange (Junction 6) and M17 Annagh Hill (Junction 19) today.

In order to facilitate these roadworks there will be mobile lance closures on both the northbound and southbound carriageways today.

The lane closures will be taking place between 9am and 2pm today, and these works are scheduled to last for one day only.

Direct Route have said that they will have a minimal impact on journey times.

Motorists advised to watch for debris after Storm Atiyah

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

Storm Atiyah has passed today, with a status orange weather warning for Galway lifted, but motorists travelling in the county today are being advised to watch for fallen debris.

Galway County Council and the City Council have said that motorists should be careful of fallen trees and other wind blown debris after Storm Atiyah battered the county with heavy winds last night.

A Status Orange wind warning was lifted by Met Eireann at 6am this morning after the worst of the storm’s effects had passed.

The strongest winds in Galway during the storm were gusts of 120km/hr recorded at Mace Head weather station at 11pm last night.

The city council has road crews out clearing any debris on the streets this morning.

Despite concerns that a combination of strong winds and high tides might lead to coastal flooding, there was no serious overtopping reported in Salthill.

Electricity has been restored across Galway by the ESB this morning after thousands of people were without power at different times last night.

However many power outages remain across the south and south-west of Ireland which were worst hit by the storm.

Young people look to the future on 30th anniversary on UN convention of children’s rights

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Briain Kelly
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To mark the 3oth anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child young people around Galway were issues most concern children about the future.

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) and the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUI Galway have joined forces to co-host Our Future: Voices from Transition Year to mark this anniversary on the Rights of the Child.

Late last month 150 Transition Year students from the city and county asked to share their priorities for the future and what they think needs to be done to promote children’s rights in Ireland.

2019 also marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office and the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.

They worked together to host a series of  youth-led event to ask students about the key issues that concern them and the programmes or policies they would like to see in place to support them to reach their potential.

They were also asked how they thought the UNESCO Centre and the Ombudsman’s Office could help to achieve those goals.

The current Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon said they were delighted to use this important anniversary to use the experience built up in those years to engage with children.

“Children have the right, under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to have their views on issues that concern and affect them heard and considered.”

“I will take every opportunity to share the views and concerns of those taking part in Our Future: Voices from Transition Year as I travel the country, advise on policy and legislation and meet with decision makers at all levels.”

UNESCO Chair, Professor Pat Dolan of NUIG commented: “Supporting young people to engage in research on issues of interest to them is core to the UNESCO agenda.

Given the concerns of school-aged children in social issues like bullying, racism and climate change for example, opportunities to have their voices heard are hugely important.”

“Research has shown that civic engagement positively contributes to adolescents’ development, enhancing their skill set and empowering them to investigate and take action on issues of relevance to their lives.”

This event took place at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society on NUI Galway’s campus last Friday, November 29.

Three days of Loughrea roadworks begin Monday

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Traffic disruption expected from Galway City centre roadworks

Roadworks lasting three days will disrupt traffic in Loughrea town next week from Monday through to Wednesday.

Galway County Council is carrying out resurfacing inlay roadworks on the R446 Bride Street in Loughrea.

Work will get underway on Monday morning at 8am, and is expected to take three days to complete.

Motorists are advised that in order to facilitate these works a Stop & Go system will be in place to manage traffic between 8am and 7pm each day.

As a consequence users of this road are requested to expect delays and as such should allow additional time for their journeys.

The contract for these works was awarded to Lagan Asphalt Ltd by the county council.

Controversial plans to build 74 homes in Kingston

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Planning appeal over 91 houses & apartments in Athenry

A decision is due shortly on whether to grant approval for plans to demolish two buildings in Kingston and build 74 new homes in their place

Diagnostic Medical Imagine International Ltd is seeking permission to build three apartment blocks and 30 houses with a total of 74 homes at Rosario on the Kingston Road.

This project would first involve the demolition of two houses and outbuildings on the site before any construction can take place.

It is then proposed to built three apartment blocks, between four and five storeys tall, with 20 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, and 6 three-bedroom apartments.

The project will also involve the construction of 8 four-bedroom, detached houses; 8 three-bedroom, semi-detached and terraced houses, and 14 four-bedroom, semi-detached houses.

A gym for residents and a new vehicular entrance to the site would also be built as part of this project.

These plans have been heavily opposed by local residents, with the city councils receiving objections from dozens of people.

These include a letter signed by 20 residents of the neighbouring Garrai de Brun estate and another from 15 residents of Manor Drive.

The Garrai de Brun residents object to a provision in the application referring to a “Potential Future Pedestrian Link” to existing housing developments, meaning them.

The residents said they were worried that this could increase anti-social behaviour and led to their estate being used as a rat run by cyclists and pedestrians.

However, Galway Cycling Campaign has said that greater permeability for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians with neighbouring estates should be included in the design at this stage.

Concerns have also been raised about the density of the development and the increased traffic it would bring to the Kingston road, saying that it would pose a road safety hazard.

Diagnostic Medical has proposed transferring seven apartments to the city council to satisfy its Part V Planning obligations.

Galway City Council council is due to make a decision on whether to grant planning permission for this development by December 18.

Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Gardens plan enchanting Christmas season

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style Christmas at Kylemore Abbey

The award winning Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens have an enchanting Christmas programme this December to enthral visitors with the magic of Christmas.

A stunning destination and visitor experience, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Gardens is home to the Benedictine Community who will celebrate 100 years in Kylemore in 2020.

A beautiful location on the shores of Lough Pollacapall in Connemara, Kylemore Abbey is a perfect haven of tranquillity to get away from the Christmas rush for a few hours.

The main hall, drawing room, and dining room of this elegant Victorian home is decorated with Christmas trees, while garlands adorn the original fireplaces.

The highly talented Kylemore Abbey Tour Guides will enthral visitors young and old with their stories of Christmas at the Abbey since Victorian times.

They will also discuss how Christmas has been celebrated here by the Benedictine Sisters who have called Kylemore home for almost 100 years.

Children’s Christmas Story time in the main hall of the Abbey followed by a mini history tour for families, dedicated Christmas themed tours, Festive  Music and Choral Recitals in the Gothic Church and Sunday Carvery Lunch are just some of the events on this December.

The magical Gothic Church with it’s amazing acoustics will be home to Christmas Music and Choral recitals on selected dates, with live performances every weekend.

Sr Karol’s Annual Choral Evening is already fully booked,  and so a very special New Year Choral event with Galway’s Ignite Gospel Choir has been added to the Calendar on January 5 for Nollaig na mBan.

Filling the stocking

The Kylemore Abbey Craft and Design Shop will feature the best of local artisans this season, with everything from stocking fillers, Irish Fashion, personalised gifts, luxury soaps and candles, beautiful handbags, scarves, jewellery, and more.

Among those are a range of gifts and delicious treats made right here on the grounds of Kylemore Abbey itself.

Sr Genevieve’s Chocolate Kitchen at Kylemore has been busy making a most delicious assortment of handmade Chocolate treats including a yummy Kylemore Hot Chocolate Christmas Bauble and limited edition luxury chocolates.

A Christmas Kylemore Hamper is an ideal gift for family, friends, clients, or colleagues, with multiple themes to choose from and which can be customised online or in store to meet your needs.

Many more options are available including children’s toys and a wide array of homemade Christmas baked goods, with mince pies, Christmas puddings and more available to garnish any feast.

The Benedictine church holds mass daily at 12.15pm and on Sundays at 11.30am. Sr Karol’s Crib in the Benedictine Church is always unique along with an advent wreathe with its four advent candles.

Almost 350 homes without electricity near Loughrea

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news More than 15,000 properties in Galway without power after Storm Ellen

Almost 350 homes and business in the Loughrea are without electricity this morning because of two separate line faults.

The ESB has reported two outages near Loughrea, one affecting 134 properties, and another at Gurtymadden affecting electricity to 212 homes and businesses.

Both faults occurred shortly around 10:30 this morning and the ESB has said that it expects repairs to be completed and power restored by 2:15pm.

Storm Atiyah is expected to bring gale force winds across Galway today, with a status orange wind warning in place from 1pm this afternoon until 6am on Monday morning.

Sustained winds of up to 80km/hr are expected today, with gusts reaching as high as 130km/hr.

The ESB has advised that customers may experience a loss of their power supply today, and that repair crews are on standby to deal with any storm damage.

Galway braces for heavy winds as Storm Atiyah approaches

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Storm Amy

Galway is bracing for extremely heavy winds as Storm Atiyah tracks across Ireland this afternoon, with the worst expected on the west coast.

A Status Orange weather warning for gale force winds has been issued for Galway and eight other counties along the Atlantic Coast, one of four warning issued for Storm Atiyah.

This warning will be in place from 1pm today, with Met Eireann forecasting sustained winds of 65-80km/hr and gusts reaching up to 130km/hr, possibly stronger in coastal areas.

The orange warning for Galway will until 6am on Monday morning. Due to a combination of high seas and storm surge there is a possibility of coastal flooding.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has closed all multiple parks in the west today as a precaution, including Connemara National Park, Knockma Wood near Tuam, and Derryclare Nature Reserve in Connemara.

 

A total of five weather warnings have been issued by Met Eireann for today as Storm Atiyah tracks down between Iceland and Ireland, though the storm will not actually hit Ireland.

Met Eireann just this morning issued a Status Red wind warning for Kerry with gusts over over 130km/hr expected this evening.

A Status Yellow wind warning covering Leinster, Cavan, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Waterford will also be in place from 1pm today to 6am tomorrow.

A separate status yellow wind warning for the whole country will remain in place until 1pm on Monday, while a rainfall warning for Donegal will be in place from 6pm this evening until the same time on Monday.

A Status Orange Gale Warning has also been issued for coastal waters off the west coast, with winds forecast to reach Violent Storm Force 11 on Sunday afternoon.

This evening will see slight less troubled seas, but average winds will still be in the region of Gale Force 8 to 9 this evening, possible reaching Storm Force 10 at times.

These strong winds veer from westerly to northwesterly this evening and will continue into Monday morning, moving over towards the Irish Sea.

Galway United signs striker Mikey Place

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily soccer Mikey Place signs for Galway United

Dunmore native Mikey Place has become the latest new sign for Galway United for the coming season.

The 21 year old striker is coming to Galway United after spending two years with Finn Harps where he topped the goalscoring charts in 2018 at Finn Park with 10 goals.

Place also played his part in helping Finn Harps to retain their Premier Division status last season, scoring goals in vital wins against Waterford FC.

Galway United manager Alan Murphy has long been an admirer of Place’s ability and was overjoyed to secure him for the Tribesmen going into the 2020 SSE Airtricity League season.

“Mikey is natural winner and a really good competitor. He wants to press on in his career now and nail down a starting position and hit that target of being a top goalscorer at the club,” Murphy explained.

“We’ve spoken a lot over the last few years and I think we’re very much on the same page in terms of what he wants to achieve individually and what we want to achieve collectively as a group next season.”

Murphy added that he has huge ambitions for Place, describing him as a player with huge untapped potential. With a bit of outside belief Murphy thinks 2020 could be his best season yet.

““Goalscoring is a huge part of why Mikey was brought to the club, he’s proven that he has the ability to score goals and he just needs to be consistent now and have that platform to assist him.”

Mikey Place said that the confidence that Alan Murphy has in him was a big part of what inspired him to make the move to Eamon Deacy Park.

“When Alan told me about his plans for the future, it was hard to say no. I can’t wait to get going now,” Place explained.

“On a personal level, the aim for next season is to get back playing and enjoying my football again. I’m very excited about coming in and trying to help the club finish as high up the table as we possibly can.”

“When you look at Galway, you always see a strong fanbase and I’m really looking forward to playing infront of those supporters next year.”

Fitzmaurice accuses beef industry of “cartel behaviour” in call for investigation

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway farmers awarded €2.2 million under beef finisher scheme

Galway-Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice has accused the Irish beef industry of “cartel behaviour” in its prices and called on the EU to investigate.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said that he has asked the European Competition Commissioner to investigate the alleged difference in prices paid by the Irish beef industry to farmers compared with other EU countries.

“If you look at data from the Livestock Meat Commission for the week ending November 24th, you will see Ireland is languishing in 9th position when it comes to the average price received for an R3-grade heifer with just above 350c/kg.”

“Meanwhile, farmers in Northern Ireland and Britain placed in 4th and 5th respectfully in the leader board – receiving almost 40c/kg more for the same animal compared to Irish farmers.”

“The Irish beef price would have to rise by almost 50c/kg to reach the top of the table or by 35c/kg just to break into the top six.”

Michael Fitzmaurice said that he contacted Commissioner Vestager earlier this week and has received and acknowledgement from her office.

“The game is up for meat factories in Ireland. Farmers have been taking a price well-below the cost of production for some time and the processors have been extremely slow to pass on price increases despite markets improving,” he claimed.

The Independent TD said that the price differences between Ireland and other EU countries are “scandalous”.

He acknowledged that the meeting of the Beef Taskforce this week was a positive step, but called on Minister Creed to put pressure on factories to increase their prices for farmers.

“Farmers have suffered for far too long at the hands of processors and when it is time to pass on the benefits of improving markets, they keep the purse strings firmly tightened until it is impossible to deny any further that a price increase is warranted.”

He went on to further accuse beef processors that “when markets are depressed, factories have no hesitation whatsoever to handing the cut directly back to the primary producer.”

“With the glut of cattle in the country reducing all the time, one would imagine that price increases are imminent – as well as long overdue.”

One last Over the Edge open reading for poetry lovers this year

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily arts & culture Call to local writers for the Over the Edge Fiction Slam

Lovers of poetry will be able to catch one more Over the Edge Open Reading this year at Galway City Library on December 19.

The three featured readers this month are Bern Butler, Paul McCarrick, and Rachael Hegarty, all of whom have had their poetry published.

Bern Butler is a writer of poetry and prose born and raised in Shantalla in Galway city.

She has been short and long-listed in the Fish, Over the Edge and Listowel writing competitions and published in Force 10, The Grey Castle, ROPES and The Galway Review.

Bern has an extensive background in adult education, specifically Prison Education where she co-edited the first ever Irish Anthology of Prison Writing: Another Place.

She was the Co-ordinator of the Writers in Prisons Scheme for ten years, where wrote, directed and produced prison dramatic productions.

She also worked with the Cuirt and the Arts Council to bring writers into prisons, and was lucky enough to have worked on several major drama and publishing projects in Castlerea prison with the writer, Dermot Healy.

Paul McCarrick’s poetry has been published in The Blue Nib, Crannóg, Skylight 47, The Stinging Fly, Poetry Ireland Review, and elsewhere.

He was selected by Martina Evans to take part in the 2019 Poetry Ireland Introductions Series, and is working on his first collection at his home in Athlone, Westmeath.

Rachael Hegarty is Dublin born and raised, who got her education in writing at Trinity and Queen’s University Belfast.

Her kids say she uses the 3 F- words too much: Finglas, feminism and feckin’ poetry.

Rachael’s debut collection, Flight Paths Over Finglas won the Shine Strong Award in 2018, and second collection, May Day 1974, has received critical acclaim for the unique representation of docu-sonnets and ballads for the people who died on the single worst day the Troubles.

Her next collection, Dancing on the Dementia Ward explores the adverse, and sometimes bizarrely liberating, effects of dementia on an individual and a family.

There will, as usual, be an open-mic after the Featured Readers have finished which this month will include, among others, poets from the MA in Writing at NUI Galway, and new readers are always welcome to step up to the mic.

The Open Reading will take place at the city library from 6:30pm – 8pm on December 19, with an end of year celebration afterwards.

NUIG Professor is named the top researcher in Ireland this year

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news NUIG Professor is the top researcher in Ireland

NUIG Professor Laoise McNamara has been named the country’s top scientific researcher of the year for her work on brittle bone conditions and the interface of technology and biology.

Dr  Harold Berjamin of the School of Mathematics at NUIG was also awarded the Thomas Mitchell Medal of Excellence for being the top-ranked postdoctoral researcher in the STEM category.

President Michael D Higgins was the guest of honour at the Irish Research Council’s awards ceremony this week, and presented the two with their awards.

Professor McNamara’s research in bone mechanobiology is at the interface of engineering and biology and informs medical device design.

Her work seeks to understand how the mechanobiology process is changed in osteoporosis, a disease which affects bone mass, and in cancer metastasis to bone.

Chair of the Irish Research Council, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer said the Prof McNamara’s works shows the wide breadth of research that is being carried out in Ireland, impacting every aspect of life.

“I warmly congratulate Laoise on her outstanding track record to date, and on receiving the Irish Research Council Researcher of the Year award.

Dr Berjamin’s research in Professor Michel Destrade’s group is based on the modelling of acoustic waves in brain matter. The goal of this project is to get closer to realistic simulations of traumatic brain injuries.

President Higgins has made research and education one of the primary focuses of his presidency, championing academic freedom to pursue knowledge down every path.

He has frequently emphasised the role that universities and research institutes can play in crafting a global response to the great global challenges of our time.

Peter Brown, Director of the IRC said that the council is unique in that it funds work across every discipline, and makes it a priority to support research that addresses major societal problems.

“We must never forget the importance that world class research talent has on our economy and our society,” he said.

“Over the last 20 years, the Council has made a significant impact in establishing a vibrant research community in Ireland by investing in exceptional researchers at all stages of their careers.”

“We look forward to building on our achievements to date with the launch of a new five-year strategy next year.”

Anti-social behaviour on trains targeted in new Garda operation

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Gardaí launch operation against anti-social behaviour on trains

Gardaí have launched a new initiative meant to curb anti-social behaviour on railways with additional policing at stations and on trains.

Operation Twin Tracks will see Gardaí working with Iarnród Eireann staff to deliver an increased garda presence around trains to help cut down on anti-social behaviour

Pictured are local officers Garda Maria Freely and Garda Rodgers with Irish Rail staff at Ceannt Station for the launch of this initiative.

Last month a train travelling from Dublin to Galway was forced to make an unscheduled stop at Kildare while gardaí were called to an incident on board.

To prevent incidents like this in the future gardaí will be patrolling train stations, as well as travelling between stations to provide a presence on the trains themselves.

Plans submitted for new Lidl in Westside

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Green light for new Lidl supermarket in Moycullen

Plans have been submitted to the city council for a new Lidl store at the site of the former Arch Motors on the Seamus Quirke Road.

Lidl Ireland are seeking planning permission to demolish the existing two storey Arch Motors building in Westside and to build a new discount supermarket in its place.

The single storey building will have a gross floor space of 1,771sq metres and a net retail area of 1,193sq metres including an off licence.

The development will also include the provision of associated car parking, free standing and building mounted signage, and a free standing trolley bay and enclosure outside.

Also needing to be built are a  refrigeration and air conditioning plant and equipment, roof mounted solar panels, public lighting, hard and soft landscaping, cycle parking, boundary treatments, revisions to existing vehicular and pedestrian access points.

This location is close to an existing Aldi store which is located at West City Centre Park just off the Seamus Quirke Road

No changes will be made to Monaghans newsagents and filling station adjoining.

Public submissions concerning this development can be made to the city council up until January 11.

A ruling on whether to grant planning permission for this Lidl store is due by February 1.

Three Connemara debate teams make the national final of all-Irish schools competition

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Connemara debate teams headed to national finals

Three debate teams from Connemara schools are headed to the national finals of the Comórtas Díospóireachta Uí Chadhain competition.

Comórtas Díospóireachta Uí Chadhain is organised annually by Gael Linn, with funding from Foras na Gaeilge, as a debate competition for all-Irish schools with junior and senior debates.

The junior and senior teams from Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin in Carraroe, as well as the senior team from Coláiste Chroí Mhuire in Spiddal qualified at the regional finals in Limerick last week.

Pictured above are Caoimhe Ní Thuathail, Anna Nic Dhonncha, and Anna Ní Laoi from the Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin senior team.

At the regional finals in Limerick the three other teams involved in the junior debate were Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle, Coláiste An Phiarsaigh, Cork and Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, An Spidéal.

They debated the motion ‘ Léiríonn muid meas ar ainmhithe sa tír seo’ (We cherish our animals in this country).

Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle  joined An Cheathrú Rua as the second team to advance.

Mikalya Ní Chuanaigh, Ailbhe Ní Mhurchú, and Aedín Ní Mháille of the Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin junior team

The subject for debate in the senior section was ‘ Tá todhchaí gheal roimh an Aontas Eorpach’ (The European Union has a bright future), and needless to say there was plenty of talk about Brexit during the exchanges.

Both schools from Connemara,  An Spidéal and An Cheathrú Rua advanced to the finals having seen off the opposition from Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, Dingle and Coláiste Daibhéid, Cork.

Cainnear Nic Réamoinn, Oisín Ó Coisdealbha, and Seán Ó Gallchobhair from the Coláiste Chroí Mhuire senior team

They will now be preparing over the Christmas period for the All-Ireland final which will be held on January 22.

A location for the finals hasn’t been announced yet, but it is believed that Gael Linn are looking into the possibility of hosting the event in Galway for the first time ever.

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