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Traffic disruptions on the N84 due to roadworks

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Galway Daily news Some traffic disruption is expected at the Galway-Roscommon county line today near Mountbellew due to roadworks taking place

Motorists travelling on the N84 will experience traffic disruptions this week due to roadworks currently underway.

A Stop and Go system is currently in effect to manage traffic while work is taking place on the N84 at Clonboo village.

The roadworks taking place are to allow for the installation of broadband infrastructure in the area the county council has said.

It is expected that the work will take several days to complete, but no exact date has been given.

Concerns about cost and timeframe of National Broadband Plan

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Galway Daily news Broadband Plan to miss 2021 target by 25,000 homes - Naughten

The recent signing of the €3 billion National Broadband Plan has been welcomed, but concerns have still been raised about costs, timelines, and the potential legal challenges.

The NBP includes €153 million for Galway, which will bring high-speed broadband to 38,338 homes across the county.

The contract with the consortium delivering the plan was signed this week, nearly seven years after the government first began work on it.

And while the news has been broadly welcomed, there are still concerns abut the cost of the plan, which has ballooned from €1 billion in 2012 to €3 billion now.

Galway-Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice said that the cost of the plan cannot be allowed to spiral any further.

“There are already concerns that the €3 million price tag will impact other projects, though Government ministers are trying to play this down.”

“People deserve the right to have access to high-speed broadband,” Michael Fitzmaurice said.

“This service has the potential to offer a new lease of life to rural parts of the country, by attracting employers and allowing people to work remotely.”

“However, these people cannot be held to ransom for this service. The cost to the consumer for this high-speed broadband needs to be fair and affordable.”

It is hoped that National Broadband Ireland, the company awarded the contract by Government, will begin rolling out 147,000km of fibre to homes, farms, businesses and schools across the country in the coming months.

While it is currently expected that it will take roughly seven years to roll out the service to all of the 540,000 rural homes and businesses targeted, it is hoped that the majority will be connected within three years.

Continuing, Fitzmaurice said: “This entire process has dragged out for far too long already. We first began talking about the National Broadband Plan 7 years ago.”

“It has been dogged by delays ever since its inception. It cannot afford any further setbacks.”

Deputy Fitzmaurice also raised concerns about reports that commercial broadband operators are preparing to launch a legal challenge to the Plan.

They are reportedly planning to make a legal claim that focuses on support being provided by the state to a commercial operator in the areas the NBP targets.

““If such an event was to happen, where would that leave the plan? The people of rural Ireland cannot be forced to wait any longer for this critical service,” Michael Fitzmaurice said.

The government has dismissed any concerns about such a legal challenge, saying that the EU has

Brothers of Charity seek approval for Day Centre for people with a disability

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Galway Daily news

The Brothers of Charity are seeking approval for a new Day Centre in Oranmore for people who have an intellectual disability.

Planning permission is being sought to amalgamate and change the use of two units at Carraig Lair, Oranmore into a day programme facility for people with a disability run by the Brothers of Charity.

The two units are currently approved for use as a retail outlet and a medical centre in the Oranmore Shopping Centre.

“We are proposing to set up a new day service for adults with an intellectual disability in Carraig Lair Centre, Oranmore,” a cover letter from the Brothers of Charity said.

“This will provide a day programme for adults with an intellectual disability living in the area. It will provide a range of day activities and operate as a resource hub for adults in the area.”

“Initially it will start with 8 individuals and could cater eventually for up to 25 people, some of whom may attend on a part time basis”.

“It will start initially with three staff but could eventually have up to 8 staff members.”

“It will provide a range of activities including arts, drama, dance, support with education and development of life skills.”

“It will support individuals linking in with and using local leisure facilities in the Oranmore area,” the letter concluded.

A letter of consent for this planning application on behalf of the landlords at Carraig Lair, Thunder Gulch Ltd, was also submitted to the county council.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by December 19.

Jon Hopkins coming to the Big Top for GIAF 2020

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Galway Daily arts & culture Jon Hopkins coming to the Big Top in 2020

Jon Hopkins, known for his hypnotising and meditative style of electronic music, is the second act to be confirmed for the Big Top at GIAF 2020.

Celebrated for finely crafted, contemplative electronic music exploring different psychological states Jon Hopkins will be making his Heineken Big Top debut on the second weekend of next year’s Galway International Arts Festival.

The English artist and producer has released five critically acclaimed studio albums as well as the soundtrack for the 2010 film Monsters.

His 2013 album, Immunity, was nominated for the Mercury Prize and his most recent release, Singularity, received a Grammy nomination for Dance/Electronic Album in 2018.

His diverse body of work also includes collaborations with Brian Eno, King Creosote, David Holmes and Coldplay.

Hopkins’ Galway appearance is part of his Polarity Tour in the Spring of 2020, along with a performance at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin which has already sold out.

 

Tickets for Hopkins will cost €39.50 and will be available for purchase at www.giaf.ie from Friday 22 November at 9am.

Galway International Arts Festival 2020 takes place 13-26 July 2020, with a sold-out show by rock legends Pixies already announced for 17 July.

More acts are set to be announced ahead of the full programme release in May 2020. Stay tuned for more announcements before Christmas.

 

image credit: Galway International Arts Festival

Man with slash hook tells garda he’ll “split him like a turnip”

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

A Galway man was recently sentenced at Galway Circuit Court for threatening to kill a garda officer with a slash hook.

Jim Donovan (50) of Polkeen, Castlegar pleaded guilty to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a member of the gardaí.

The court heard that on August 15 of 2017 they arrived at the Donovan house at 9:50am for the purpose of arresting the defendant’s son.

Jim Donovan answered the door with his wife, and when gardaí told him why they were there he said that his son wasn’t going to be arrested and tried to shut the door in their faces.

One officer stuck his foot in the door to stop it closing, and to let the officers into the building when they saw the individual they were looking for inside.

As they entered the building Donovan reached behind the door and grabbed a slash hook, telling one officer that he would “split him like a turnip”.

However the Circuit Court heard that at no point did he raise the weapon or attempt to use it.

Gardaí were able to calm the situation down and get him to surrender the weapon.

Mr Donovan’s barrister Conall McCarthy said that he had the slash hook because he was in fear of other people at the time, but that he knows he never should have taken it out on gardaí.

On August 28 gardai returned to the address and arrested him for making threats to kill.

When interviewed he was fully cooperative and made full admissions the court heard.

He said that he was under pressure from his family at the time over the situation, and that he shouldn’t have lost his temper.

In a Victim Impact Statement Garda Casey, the officer to whom the threats were made, said that he had never been confronted with a situation like this in 13 years on the job.

He and his fellow gardaí were executing their lawful duty when they were met by “a man out of control who for no reason decided to take it out on me and my colleagues” he said.

Garda Casey added that he has become much more wary when approaching properties since this incident.

Mr McCarthy said that his client fully understands the seriousness and the criminality of what happened, adding that there had been heightened stress in the area around that time.

Judge Rory McCabe said that a slash hook is a deadly weapon in anyone’s imagination and praised the gardaí present for deescalating the situation.

“While a parent has a natural interest in protecting their family, this doesn’t extent to using threats of violence against the gardaí,” the judge said.

However Judge McCabe said that he wasn’t certain that sending Mr Donovan to jail would be in the interest of justice.

The judge imposed a three and a half year sentence, and suspended it in its entirety for five years.

Major anti-racism meeting to take place next week

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galway daily anti-racism meeting

A major anti-racism public meeting will be held at the end of this month by the Galway Anti-Racism Network.

The event will take place on Tuesday 26 November at 7.00pm in the Harbour Hotel, focusing on challenging racism in all its forms.

GARN explained that the meeting will give a platform to the people who experience racism every day and it will serve as a toolkit for Galwegians to combat racist rhetoric and hate crimes.

A resident from one of the city’s Direct Provision centres will share their experience at the meeting alongside a member of the Traveller community.

A migrant worker, a young Irish person of colour and a local Muslim speaker will also speak at the meeting.

“Our aim is to bring anti-racism back to the basics and to deliver, without any funding, a public event that will have a legacy of serving the general good in these challenging times,” a GARN spokesperson said.

Professor of Psychology in NUI Galway and member of GARN Brian Hughes, added: “This event could not happen at a more pertinent time.

“There has been a significant increase in racist rhetoric in recent months with a number of politicians unfortunately contributing to the atmosphere.

“What we hope to achieve is to normalise the idea of being anti-racist – to empower people to challenge such rhetoric in their own way and with the knowledge that there’s a support system in place around them.”

Kieran Mannion signs with Connacht for three more years

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Galway Daily rugby Kieran Mannion signs with Connacht for three more years

Irish International scrum half Kieran Marmion has signed a three year contract extension with Connacht Rugby to play until the end of the 2022/23 season.

The 27 year old joined the Connacht Academy in 2011 and since his arrival in the Sportsground has played over 160 games for the province.

A standout player at more than just the provincial level, Mannion has been capped 27 times for the Irish side since debuting against Argentina in 2014.

His international representation began in his teens when he played for Ireland at Under 18, 19 and 20 level.

Connacht Head Coach Andy Friend said that Mannion has been an outstanding player both at the Sportsground and wherever Ireland needs him.

“He is a diligent professional and through his hard work he has progressed through the Connacht Academy and on to play for Ireland”

His progress demonstrates the support that is available to players through our academy pathway,” Friend said.

“Kieran’s commitment to Connacht for a further three seasons demonstrates his ambition to contribute at provincial and international level in the coming years.”

“His signing also ensures that we continue to retain a squad equipped to compete at the highest level of European club rugby”.

 

image credit: Connacht Rugby/INPHO

Admission fee plans for city museum after €10m revamp spark concerns

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Galway Daily news Grant funding for exciting new exhibition at Galway City Museum

Concerns have been raised about plans to introduce an admission fee to Galway City Museum for non city residents when it undergoes a €10m makeover.

Fáilte Ireland announced last month that it will be investing €6.6 into a project to transform Galway City Musueum into a state-of-the-art Atlantic Museum Galway.

This is the single biggest investment Fáilte Ireland has ever made in a tourist attraction.

The total cost of the project, with funding from the city council, will come to €10.2 million.

Within five years of opening the new museum is expected to generate over €29 million in revenue for the region.

But despite this the current plans from Fáilte Ireland say that people who aren’t residents of Galway City will have to pay an admission fee to the newly redone museum when it opens.

While there is broad support for the project a number of councillors raised concerns about the admission fee plans at a recent meeting of the city council.

City Councillor Pauline O’Reilly said that at the huge investment being made in the city museum by Fáilte Ireland is welcome.

But she added that “at the very least” access should be free to those from all over Galway county.

“Galway City Museum truly has been a public realm and we must retain free access to art and history,” Pauline O’Reilly said.

“This week we were told that a condition placed on the grant is for a price plan to be put in place and the current model being examined is for it it be free to those in the city only. Let’s change that”

Galway Community Circus forms partnership with NUIG

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Galway Daily news NUIG and Galway Community Circus partnership

Galway Community Circus and NUI Galway have launched a three year partnership that will see them collaborate on a number of projects to promote circus arts.

Recently the Community Circus were successful in their Erasmus+ grant application for a three-year research project called Circus++.

This will result in the creation of the first Europe wide third level training programme for circus teachers at an undergraduate and masters level.

A grant of €360,000 was awarded for the research and development programme: ‘Circus++ Youth and Social Circus Arts – an innovative and inclusive education for Europe’.

This will allow Galway Community Circus, working with four other circus schools across Europe and three universities, to create the first ever BA and MA courses in Youth and Social Circus.

The future curriculum will be delivered by the partnering universities, including NUI Galway, from 2022 onwards.

This project is being led by the University of Tampere in Finland and their local partner Sorin Sirkus and the International Youth and Social Circus Network Caravan.

Executive Artistic Director of Galway Community Circus and Finnish native Ulla Hokkanen said that Galway will be at the forefront of this development in youth circus.

“Through the project, circus will be understood on a deeper level for the developmental and well-being benefits it offers, as well as for its unique characteristics as an art form.”

“We are delighted that NUI Galway will be part of this journey with us, providing a new and innovative educational offering to Irish and international students.’’

Dr Ian Walsh, Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Studies at NUIG said that they are excited to have this opportunity to evaluate the circus arts and the skills they teach young people.

More than 650 young people attend the classes run by Galway Community Circus which has been in operation for 18 years.

However, the company is now in peril due to growing insurance crisis in Ireland, with prices skyrocketing and many activities not covered by the only quote they could get.

The organisation is in peril of closing if a long term solution is not found, depriving young people in Galway of an incredible resource.

In 2020, for the European Capital of Culture, the group also intends to present ‘Wires Crossed – A Balancing Act for Europe’.

More than 400 people will cross the Corrib on a tightrope and The Claddagh Basin in August 2020, to highlight positive mental health.

But the insurance issue has also left the future of that event up in the air if it is not resolved.

NUI Galway will also partner with Galway Community Circus on the Creative Europe funded project ‘Wires Crossed: Head, Heart, Balance’.

This is a shared project with The Serious Road Trip (Romania), Ecole de Cirque de Bruxelles, and the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

‘Wires Crossed’ will return for the Capital of Culture 2021 in Timisoara, Romania, while the university partners will be working on a research project into the effects of funambulism on the brain.

‘Wires Crossed: Head, Heart, Balance’, will run from October 2019-September 2022, with NUI Galway being the evaluator for the project.

Approval given to knock derelict Salthill building for new apartments

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Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

Planning approval has been given for the demolition of a derelict building in Salthill and construct eight new apartments.

Foxfield Inns DAC has been given planning permission to demolish a two storey building at San Antonio Terrace in Salthill and construct a building with eight apartments in its place.

The new building will consist of four ground floor apartments, three duplex units, and one first floor apartment.

The developer also intends to cede 920sqm of land on the east side of the site where it fronts onto the road for public use.

This will be used to widen the existing road, which currently has a pinch point at this location, as well as for the creation of a pedestrian footpath.

A similar planning by the same developer without the ceding of land on the east side of the property had previously been rejected by An Bord Pleanála.

Concerns had previously been made to the council about the proximity of the building to neighbouring properties to the east.

The new design submitted seeks to address that by moving it 5.2m away from the previously intended location and removing one storey of the building closest to neighbours.

This new proposal was also submitted with a substantial redesign to the apartment building itself.

“The proposed development now takes the form of three staggered structures in one,” a design statement for the development said.

“The two most southern sections comprise a three storey development, with the third and most northward section being reduced to a two storey structure.”

“In this new proposal the finished floor level is rising in each section as the building moves northwards, to suit the existing topography and minimise site excavation”.

No submissions were made to the city council concerning this planning application by members of the public.

Before work begins on the apartment building the developer must pay the city council €66,431 for the provision of public services in the area.

A further contribution of €30,000 must also be made towards the provision of public transport facilities.

In total the city council applied 23 conditions to the grant of planning permission for these apartments.

Dunmore street closure to cause traffic disruptions

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Galway Daily news road closure

People travelling through Dunmore on Wednesday evening can expect traffic disruptions as a street will be closing overnight to allow for water network repairs.

Galway County Council and Irish Water has said that Bridge Street in Dunmore will be closed to traffic from 8pm on Wednesday until 8am the following morning while leak repair works are ongoing.

Diversions will be in place from Tuam, Glenamaddy, Cloonfad and surrounding areas from Wednesday evening.

Homes and businesses in Dunmore may also experience water outages overnight while this work is ongoing.

The county council apologised for any inconvenience this causes locals or people driving in the area.

Craughwell apprentice wins student of the year prize at GMIT

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This article was originally posted with an incorrect banner image.

Declan Hynes, an Apprentice Technician at Boston Scientific, has won Student of the Year at a new GMIT course for school leavers and professional learners.

The Higher Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering was created by GMIT in conjunction with Ibec, the Irish Medtech Association Consortium, IT Sligo, Limerick IT and Cork IT.

This programme is meant to allow for early school leavers and those who are already in employment to get a cognitive engineering qualification from a higher education institute.

Keith O’Hara, leader of Boston Scientific’s Apprenticeship Program and Declan’s Manager, said that they are delighted with his success.

“Throughout his learning process, he has been developing as an Engineering Technician while contributing to enhancing Boston Scientific’s competitiveness.” 

Declan, from Craughwell, spent 15 weeks per year in GMIT on his academic block, and the rest of his time was spent learning on the job.

Along the way he had the help of his industry mentor Owen Hynes and his GMIT lecturers.

Declan’s hard work was rewarded when he was awarded the Cambus Medical Prixe for best student at an event honouring the first batch of graduates at the GMIT Conferrings in the Galmont Hotel.

Presenting the award on behalf of Cambus Medical, Shane Devoy, Director of Engineering and NPI said “Cambus Medical is proud to be associated with this innovative programme.

“We congratulate Declan and are pleased to recognise excellence in engineering education achievement,” he added

Cathy Gavin from Cambus Medical said “Our CEO, Barry Comerford, a former apprentice himself and Chairman of the Manufacturing Engineering & Technician Apprenticeship Consortium has been one of the driving forces in Ireland behind the development of an alternative, more practical way for school leavers and mature learners to obtain an engineering qualification.”

“The program, initiated by the Medtech Industry, is designed to be a ‘route to engineering’ for employees in any Manufacturing business, it is not just for the Medical space, it is available across all industries.” 

Drunk man told arresting Garda he’d have him shot by the CIA

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Galway Daily courts Man receives jail sentence for racial abuse

Gardaí often have to deal with abuse from people they’re arresting, but one drunk man’s threats got a little far fetched when he told the officer he’d get the CIA to shoot him.

Ciaran Higgins (30), of Ballymore in County Westmeath was supposed to appear before Galway District Court this week on charges of being drunk in public and threatening and abusive behaviour.

Mr Higgins didn’t show up at court in answer to the summons, but the hearing went ahead in his absence.

Garda Gerard Dunne said that on September 1 of this year he was on Dominick Street when he observed Higgins acting aggressively with door staff.

The Garda told the District Court that the defendant shouted “I’ll fucking sort you out. You won’t fucking stop me” at them.

While Garda Dunne was arresting him for public order charges he became aggressive with the officer, telling him that “he was going to get the CIA to shoot me”.

Garda Dunne added that Mr Higgins was very drunk at the time of this incident.

Mr Higgins has 31 previous convictions including four assault convictions the court heard.

Judge Mary Fahy convicted him on the public order charges and issued a bench warrant for his arrest for sentencing.

Employee at Portiuncula Hospital wins Outstanding Employee Award

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puh galway daily award saolta outstanding employee

An employee at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH) took home a Saolta Staff Recognition Award at a recent awards ceremony.

Christie Costello, who has been working with the Maintenance Team Grounds Staff for more than 22 years, was presented with the award for ‘Outstanding Employee’ at the awards which take place every two years.

Portuncula Hospital was shortlisted in a further two categories in the awards – the Quality Improvement and Patient Experience Award (Targeted Anti D Team) and the Education and Training award (Sandra Brandon and Mary Diskin) for a staff learning event on dysphagia in the stroke population.

More than 160 nominations were received from across the Saolta Group of hospitals for six award categories.

The event was hosted by Mayo Senior Football Manager James Horan and the awards were presented by Saolta CEO Tony Canavan and Chief Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Jean Kelly.

Commenting on Christie’s award, James Keane, General Manager at the hospital said: “Christie is the person making sure that things get done in the background, with no fuss and no request for his help is ever refused.

“He makes sure that the front of the hospital is maintained to a very high standard and we are very proud of him and the work that he does.”

The Saolta University Health Care Group Staff Recognition Awards take place every 2 years and aim to recognise the important role that staff play in delivering services to patients cared for in all six hospitals in the Group.

All applications are judged by an independent panel and the event is self-funded through sponsorship.

€153m announced for high-speed broadband across Co Galway

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galway daily broadband wifi

The Government has announced that it will invest €153m to deliver high-speed broadband to Co Galway.

The plan will bring high-speed broadband to 38,338 homes across the county.

The initiative for rural Ireland could cost the taxpayer up to €3 billion.

Work on the project is expected to start next year and may take up to seven years to be completed.

Minister Ciaran Cannon said that this is a ‘landmark day’ for Galway and for rural Ireland.

 The Galway East TD explained: “The work will start immediately, with roll-out of broadband within eight weeks of today’s contract signing. Over 90% of premises in the State will have access to high speed broadband within four years.

“Quite simply this means rural communities in Galway will not be left behind. All of rural Ireland will get the same access to opportunities offered by high-speed broadband as those in urban areas.

“As an initial step, the Government has published a list of approximately 300 community centres, schools, library hubs and local GAA halls in every county that will be connected to high speed broadband during 2020, to enable communities to quickly get free public access to high speed broadband. “

Among the locations in Galway to benefit are Ballinakill NS; Brownsgrove NS, Tuam; Cahergal NS, Tuam; Cortoon Community Centre, Cortoon, Tuam; St Colman’s NS, Tierneevan, Gort; Kilcroan NS, Williamstown; Tiernascragh NS, Ballycrissane and Leitrim Community Centre, Kylebrack.

Minister Cannon added: “The ultimate goal here is to deliver high-speed broadband to homes and businesses all across the country.

“The delivery of high-speed broadband will be hugely beneficial to economic development and job creation in Galway.”

UHG is the third most overcrowded hospital today

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UHG is the third most overcrowded hospital in Ireland today with 40 patients on without a proper bed.

According to the INMO’S Trolley/Ward Watch the most overcrowded hospital today is UH Limerick where there are 52 people on trolleys, followed by Letterkenny Hospital with 45.

In total there are 524 people in public hospitals who don’t have a proper bed today according to the INMO.

The overcrowding crisis reaches a milestone this month, with the number of people on trolleys passing 100,000 on November 11.

That figure was hit 17 days earlier this year than in 2018 when it didn’t occur until November 28.

Of that figure almost 7,000 were at University Hospital Galway, with another 1,200 at Portiuncula in Ballinasloe.

The HSE announced its Winter Plan last week which includes €647,000 in additional funding for healthcare services in the west of Ireland.

Emergency rooms are always under extra pressure during the winter because of a greater prevalence of conditions such as influenza and norovirus.

Approval given for 288 apartments at Crown Square development

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Galway daily news Approval given for expansion of planned Mervue hotel

An Bord Pleanála has given the go ahead for the construction of 238 build-to-let apartments in the city as part of the €200m Crown Square Development.

Crown Square Developments made a Strategic Housing Application for three blocks of apartments at the Mervue site, along with a creche, parking, and several commercial units.

The apartments will be broken down into 104 units in the eight storey Block G, 136 units in the seven storey Block H, and the final 48 apartments will be in the five storey Block J.

This Strategic Housing Application made directly to An Bord Pleanála is Phase 2 of the Crown Square project.

Phase 1 of the development, consisting of five office blocks and a five storey, 175 bedroom hotel was granted by the city council in May of 2019.

Car parking for the site will be served through basement level parking under the building granted permission in Phase 1.

For cyclists, An Bord Pleanála said that Phase 2 must be include 529 resident bike spaces and 144 visitor bike spaces.

Other commercial and social elements which make up part of this application include a restaurant/café, a convenience store, pharmacy, and five undesignated commercial units.

A Primary Care Centre, Fitness & Leisure Centre, and creche will also be constructed as part of the project.

Planning permission for the housing development was granted by An Bord Pleanála with 27 conditions attached.

Before any work can begin the developer must enter into an agreement with the city council to satisfy their Part V Planning requirements.

This means that a certain number of units within a housing development must be set aside for social or affordable housing.

A Stage 2 Road Safety Audit and Cycling Audit must also be completed and submitted before work can begin.

All car parking spaces must also be fitted electric vehicle charging points the higher planning authority said.

Threatening letters sent to Galway politicians and their families

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Galway Daily news missing teen found safe

Gardaí are investigating threatening letters which have been sent to public representatives in the Galway East constituency.

The anonymous threats were sent to politicians and their loved ones, according to Ciaran Cannon TD.

Minister Ciaran Cannon, who himself received a letter, said that the letters relate to the proposed Apple data centre in Athenry.

He said that the people of the town will regard the letters with the contempt they deserve.

“Anonymous letters are the refuge of cowards and anonymous letters that issue threats against a person’s loved ones are too despicable for words,” he commented.

“The people of Athenry are a warm and decent people and I know that they will regard these letters with the contempt that such cloaked and twisted writing deserves.”

The Fine Gael TD also said that it’s ‘remarkable’ that the threats have been issued to public representatives in Galway East who have vigorously promoted Athenry.

“We have done so and continue to do so because Athenry deserves this commitment as a place bursting with talent, enterprise and potential.

“It is not possible to wave a magic wand and make a data centre materialise from thin air, as the anonymous letter-writer seems to think, but it is possible to eventually secure a development of this magnitude by constant engagement with the IDA and potential investors, work I have been undertaking repeatedly for quite some time.

“Furthermore, I am confident that this will happen sooner rather than later as the will is there, the planning permission is in place at the elected site and Athenry is a natural choice given its ideal regional location,” added Minister Cannon.

Plans progress for state of the art STEM building at GMIT

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Glway Daily news New STEM building for GMIT going to tender in early 2021

Plans are progressing for a new state of the building for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths courses at the city campus of GMIT.

The proposed 5,500 square metre building is to be located on the eastern side of the GMIT Galway campus facing the Ballybane Road.

When constructed it will accommodate classrooms, laboratories, meeting rooms, research labs, seminar rooms, offices and lecture theatres.

A planning application has been made for the new building which has been earmarked for funding under the Higher Education Public Private Partnership programme.

Cormac MacDonncha, Chairman of GMIT Governing Body says that lodging the planning application is a milestone moment in the history of the project.

“I would like to thank all involved across GMIT, the Higher Education Authority, the Department of Education and Skills, the National Development Finance Agency and the design team for their work in bringing this important project to this point.”

“I’m looking forward to the day we will open this state-of-the-art university-standard facility which will serve GMIT’s STEM students for years to come.”

Dr Michael Hannon, Acting President of GMIT said that the new building will greatly help their progress towards becoming designated as a Technical University.

“Our numbers studying STEM programmes have increased rapidly in recent years and this high-quality infrastructure equipped with the latest technology and innovative and flexible approaches to teaching and learning will greatly enhance our students’ learning experience.”

The design team for the project is being led by the west of Ireland based Taylor McCarney Architects.

Dr Des Foley, Head of the School of Science and Computing said that they spent a lot of time working with the design team on an innovative edge for the plans.

On top of making sure that undergraduate students have the best that is currently available, they tried looking to the future to areas such as augmented reality and cell biology.

David Lee, Buildings & Estates Manager said that when this project is completed it will provide much needed space for their current students, as well as helping to attract new ones.

Jobs on the line as Galway Community Circus faces closure amid insurance crisis

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Galway Daily news Canney says insurers must deal fairly with businesses

Twenty jobs could be lost and one of the flagship events for Galway 2020 put at risk at Galway Community Circus due to spiraling insurance costs.

The insurance rates for Galway Community Circus have risen dramatically in the past few years from €4,500 in 2016 to €15,886.50 in 2017.

This year the organisation has said that it was only able to receive one quote of €23,890 after months of searching, but that this excludes any aerial acrobatics or any activity above 1.5m.

This could jeopardise one of the flagship events for Galway 2020 due to take place next August ‘Wires Crossed – A Balancing Act for Europe’.

Over the course of three days 400 people of all shapes and sizes are due to cross the River Corrib on a tightrope with a balancing pole.

On top of the spectacle itself this event is meant to highlight the mental health crisis that has seen so many people lose their live in the river.

“We have been forced to accept this quote until we find a more suitable long-term solution.

“It is our intention to continue to work with our partners including Galway 2020, The Arts Council, Galway City Council, Alliance for Insurance Reform and Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network to find a solution to this issue.”

Over 650 young people make use of the classes and other activities organised by Galway Community Circus.

They will lose out on these truly unique opportunities, and 20 jobs are at risk, unless a long term solution is found.

Classes were cancelled for young people, but have resumed this week save for any activities not covered by the new insurance.

CEO of Galway 2020 Patricia Philbin said that it’s unfortunate that an organisation providing physical and creative development, as well as dazzling audiences, has become a victim of the ongoing insurance crisis in Ireland.

“At a time when the eyes of the world turn towards Galway and Ireland, the future of companies and organisations producing amazing spectacles and ongoing community engagement programmes is at risk.”

She added that European Capital of Culture team will continue to work with the Community Circus and the wider sector to support the insurance reform needed for them to continue their work.