Home Blog Page 775

Slow pace of Church payments over historical child abuse ‘not good enough’

By
Michael Malone
-
0
catholic church historical abuse galway daily anne rabbitte

The slow pace at which the Church is making payments over historical child abuse is ‘not good enough’, according to a Galway East TD.

Deputy Anne Rabbitte said that the length of time it’s taking religious institutions to pay monies owed into the Redress Scheme for historical abuse is concerning.

Eighteen religious congregations are to pay a total of €480.6 million. So far €231 million has been paid in the form of cash, counselling, and property transfers while the State’s bill totals around €1.5 billion.

This leaves almost €250 million still to be paid.

Commenting on the slow pace of payments, Deputy Rabbitte said: “It’s just not good enough. Let’s not forget the people behind why this money is being recouped. Childhoods were robbed, and people’s lives ruined.

“This was a very dark period in our history and it seems some are averse to acknowledging the hurt and pain that was caused.

“We’re now ten years on from the Ryan Report and only €106.4 million has been paid by the various religious groups and we’re still awaiting €246.2 million. If you owed money to the bank, I’m not sure there would be as much leniency with such delayed repayments.”

The Fianna Fail TD went on to say that we don’t know the value of 13 properties around the country that were owned by religious institutions and now in the hands of the state, because ‘several valuations have yet to be obtained’.

Deputy Rabbitte continued: “Most of the contributions made so far actually date back to 2002, with €3 million of the €128 million under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement still outstanding.

“As per the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012, cash contributions over €110 million are going towards the development of the National Children’s Hospital.

“I think it’s important for the Minister for Health to make it clear for what purposes such money is being used in the hospital’s development. Considering the overruns involved with this project, there needs to be transparency around how all money is being channelled into it.”

GRETB seeking teachers for six Galway schools

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news craughwell national school

The Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board is seeking to hire eleven teachers and a principal for the coming school year.

The GRETB is seeking teachers for six schools in Galway across a range of subjects in a mix of Maternity Leave and Part-Time, Pro-Rata contracts.

Teachers are sought for the following schools and subjects:

Claregalway College, Lakeview, Clargalway

GR19-48       Italian (22 hrs – Maternity Leave Cover – Commencing October 1, 2019)

GR19-49         Irish (22 hrs –  PRPT – Commencing August 26, 2019)

GR19-50         Irish (22 hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing August 26, 2019)

 

St. Brigid’s College, Loughrea

GR19-51           Irish (15hrs – Maternity Leave – Commencing September, 2019)

The following four schools are for positions where teachers will be teaching through the medium of Irish.

Applicants for these positions are required to hold the Ceard Teastas Gaeilge, Teastas Gaeilge do Mhúinteoirí Iarbhunscoile or the Irish requirement as per Circular Letter 21/00 issued by the Department of Education and Skills.

Coláiste na Coribe, Knocknacarra

GR19-54       Maths (22 hrs -Paternity Leave – Commencing August 29, 2019)

GR19-55        Art (2 hrs 40 mins – PRPT – Commencing September 1, 2019)

GR19-56        Irish & History (8 hrs – PRPT – Commencing September 1, 2019)

 

Coláiste an Eachreidh, Athenry

GR 19-57       Physical Education (9 hrs 20 mins – PRPT – Commencing August 26, 2019)

GR19-58        Career Guidance (6 hrs – PRPT – Commencing August 26, 2019)

 

Coláiste Naomh Eoin, Inis Meain, Aran Islands

GR19-59       French (14hrs – PRPT – Commencing August, 2019)

GR19-60       English (17hrs – PRPT- Commencing August, 2019)

 

Coláiste Naomh Feichín, Corr na Mona,

GR19-61      Art (14hrs 40 mins -PRPT – Commencing August, 2019)

The deadline for applications is 12 noon on Thursday, August 15. Selection will be on the basis of competitive interview, with interviews commencing next week.

Application forms can be downloaded from the GRETB website and people who wish to apply for more than one position must fill out a separate application for each,

The GRETB is also re-advertising for the position of school principal at Clarin College in Athenry, to start on September 1 of this year.

Clarin College is a co-educational school with a projected enrollment of 595 students in 2019/20.

Applications for the principal’s job at Clarin College must be in no later than midday on Friday, August 23.

Letteragh housing development of 101 homes approved

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Letteragh housing estate gets planning approval

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning approval for a Strategic Housing Development in Letteragh consisting of 101 homes.

Burkeway Homes Ltd has received planning permission for a housing estate on the north west outskirts of the city off the Letteragh Road.

The estate will consist of 46 houses and 55 apartments with associated childcare facilities and landscaping works.

The apartments will be spread across four blocks facing out onto the Letteragh road and the Bohereen road, while the detached and semi-detached houses will be located to the east.

The housing estate is being constructed on undeveloped land zoned Residential, which An Bord Pleanála described as “poor quality grazing land with stone wall and hedge boundaries”.

Under Part V planning requirements, 10 units in the estate have been set aside for affordable or social housing.

The design also includes a communal open area over 15% of the site, with separate ares for soccer, a playground, courtyard, outdoor gym and secret garden to the south.

The proposed creche in one of the apartment block would have the capacity for 42 children.

The apartment blocks facing onto the Letteragh road are set back from the boundary of the road, which the developer said is to address overshadowing concerns at Sliabh Na Ri estate opposite.

It is also meant to provide room for the creation of a cycle lane in the future as part of an expansion of the city cycle network in the Galway Transport Strategy.

A total of 170 car parking spaces are included in the plans, one for each of the apartments, two each for the houses, and 23 visitor spaces.

A Road Safety Audit was submitted with the planning application which recommended reducing the speed limit on the Letteragh road, which the city council said is part Speed Limit Bye Law Review soon to go out on public display

The higher planning authority received eight public submissions with various concerns about this housing development.

Issues were raised with the accuracy of the drawings submitted with the planning application which failed to depict changes to the Letteragh road and a pathway in the management of Sliabh Na Rí.

Concerns were also raised about the impact this housing development would have on traffic in the area as well as the local rural character.

It was also argued that the proposal contains inadequate measures to promote sustainable transportation.

Sliabh Na Rí Management Company, the Residents Association for the opposite estate, made a request to An Bord Pleanála for an oral hearing.

However the higher planning authority determined that there were no extraordinary circumstances surrounding this development and refused the request.

Planning permission was awarded to Burkeway Homes for this housing estate with 16 conditions attached.

Kylemore Abbey makes list of top 10 Irish tourist attractions

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Planning permission extended for new Kylemore Abbey monastery

The beautiful Kylemore Abbey in Connemara has been included in a list of the top ten tourist attractions in Ireland.

The list from Fáilte Ireland ranks tourist attractions by popularity based on the number of visitors they receive each year, and Kylemore Abbey & Garden place 7th with 561,657 people passing through it last year.

Fáilte Ireland publishes an annual Visitor Attractions Survey to give attractions insight into how they are performing.

It complements their research on ‘What makes a Great Visitor Attraction’, which allows attractions to look to each other’s successes in order to find ways to improve their own visitor experience.

Once again the Guinness Storehouse topped the list with over 1.7 million visitors last year, followed closely by the Cliffs of Moher, visited by 1.58 million people.

A stunning Victorian country home on the shore of Lough Pollacappul, Kylemore Abbey is home to the Benedictine Order of nuns who fled to Ireland from Ypres in Belgium during WWI.

This summer the Abbey opened a new €1.7 million visitor experience ahead of the centenary celebration of the order’s arrival in Connemara.

It includes four authentically refurbished rooms for visitors to discover, along with a multimedia presentation taking visitors through the politics, tragedy, romance, and spirituality of the estate’s history.

Also published in the survey was a list of the top 10 free to enter tourist attractions, of which Kilkenny Castle Parklands was the most popular, drawing 799,000 visitors in 2018.

Speaking about the results of the survey, Fáilte Ireland’s Director of Product Development Orla Carroll said that while 2018 was a positive year for most attractions, there are many challenges facing the tourism industry.

“As the National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland’s role is to support the development of a ‘world-class’ tourism sector.”

“Our work with attractions in helping them grow their visitor numbers through training and funding is a significant part of what we do across the country.”

“Over the course of 2018 alone, Fáilte Ireland approved grant funding of more than €31million for 46 projects,” Orla added.

She added that in May €150 million in funding was announced through their new Platforms for Growth initiative, with grants worth upwards of €2.5 million available to large scale tourist attractions.

Inexpressible grief at sudden death of Loughrea teenager Jessica Moore

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Family of teenager who died after debs warns warns of fake fundraising page

There has been an outpouring of “inexpressible grief” at the tragic death of Loughrea teenager Jessica Moore in Ballinasloe this week.

Jessica Moore, a 19 year old girl from Loughrea was celebrating her debs with friends in Ballinasloe on Monday when she took suddenly ill in the early hours of the morning.

An ambulance was called and she was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where medics pronounced her dead.

Her sudden passing has had a profound impact on the school community at St. Rapheal’s College in Loughrea where she attended.

Principal Paul Cafferky has said that all their thoughts are with the Moore family, and students affected by this loss are being provided with counselling.

Jessica’s sudden death has caused “inexpressible grief of her heartbroken parents” Brendan and Catherine and her siblings Cian and Ali for whom she was a “cherished and much loved sister” according to a post on RIP.ie.

She will be sadly missed by her “devoted grandparents Stan & Laura Moore, forever remembered by her uncles, aunts, uncles-in-law, aunts-in-law, cousins, extended family, neighbours & her many, many friends.”

Gardaí are investigating the death, and a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out today.

Jessica will lie in repose at Kilboy’s funeral home Loughrea on Wednesday before being removed to St Patrick’s Church, Bullaun.

Her funeral mass will take place on Thursday at 1 o’clock in St Patrick’s Church before she is laid to rest.

Over 3,000 Galway students collecting leaving Cert results

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway daily news Almost 3,500 Galway students receiving Leaving Cert results

It’s a morning of anticipation for 3,120 young people in Galway who are receiving their Leaving Cert results today.

Students are able to collect the Leaving Cert results in school or online from 10am this morning, putting an end to months of speculation, and leaving them looking towards the CAO offers later this week.

The gender breakdown for the Leaving Cert this year was almost exactly half and half by gender in Galway, with 1,589 boys sitting the main exams and 1,531 girls. A further 92 people took the Applied Exams.

According to the State Examinations Commission a total of 58,787 students were sitting their 6th year examinations in 2019 across Ireland. The Commission said that this year’s results are broadly in line with 2018 and previous years.

Several reforms were made to the exam process this year to make things less stressful for students. The timetable for the exams was extended by two two days, while the results and round 1 CAO offers were brought forward to this Thursday.

The timeline for appeals to exam results was also brought forward, with with post-appeal results confirmed by 20 September.

Applications to appeal can only be made through the Candidate Self Service Portal between 5 pm on Friday, August 16 and 5pm on Thursday, August 22.

Minister for Education Joe McHugh offered his congratulations to everyone who sat the leaving Cert this year.

“It is another step through life but there are many more days and changes that will define your future. You should be very proud of your achievements.”

“There are many paths open to you, with a wide range of opportunities available in higher education, further education, post Leaving Certificate courses and apprenticeship and traineeship routes.”

“There are also an increasing number of options and opportunities for students regionally. More lead-in courses, more choice at institutes of technology and colleges planning for technological university status.”

A Leaving Certificate Exam Helpline, run by the National Parents Council Post Primary, is also opening tody and will provide advice to students and parents regarding the examination results.

The Helpline, which receives support from the Department of Education and Skills, can be contacted at 1800 265 165. It will remain open until Saturday, August 17.

Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor said that people disappointed with their results should avoid panicking, “My advice is, remain calm, and, with your parents, look at all your options.”

“There are so many opportunities open to you, you can still achieve all that you set out to do, but you may just have to take a slightly different route to get there.”

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is currently undertaking a major review of senior cycle, including the Established, Vocational, and Applied strains of the Leaving Cert.

The latest part of this process, launched in July, is a public consultation inviting feedback from the public on areas reviewed so far which will continue until November 1.

Individuals and organisations can provide feedback through an online survey, by making a written submission or by attending a regional focus group meeting.

Further information available at: https://www.ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/senior-cycle-review/consultation.

Galway Pride 2019: Second day of events sees focus on Irish language

By
Michael Malone
-
0
galway pride 2019 galway daily lgbt

After a successful opening day of Galway Pride 2019 celebrations, today will see Galway Community Pride emphasise its efforts to add the Irish language to its line-up.

With this being the first bilingual Pride, all events are as Gaeilge to some extent.

But today (Tuesday) the Pride Committee is excited to present two events that will place the Irish language at the centre of Pride.

Starting at 1pm Teach Solais will host Galway Pride’s Pop-Up Gaeltacht.

This will be an example of what happens all over the world, where Gaeilgeoirs create more spaces for Irish speakers and learners to speak the language in a social setting.

There’ll be Irish snacks, music, poetry, and plenty of craic and everyone is welcome, regardless of their level of Irish.

Following that there will be the first talk of the week with the ‘History of Pride’ session at 6:30pm where attendees will find out more about how Galway Pride first started and how far it has come in Galway.

Guest speakers on the night include Nuala Ward, Pride Grand Marshall and one of the founders of Galway Pride as well as Cameron Keighron, chair of AMACH! LGBT Galway.

Continuing the Irish theme as the night goes on Pride will be hosting a Gaylí in Áras na nGael on Dominick Street at 8pm until late.

Seoirsín Bashford, the Irish officer for Galway Pride, said “Do you like dancing? Do you like trad? This is the event for you!

“Whether you have Irish or not or know the dances or not, everyone is welcome! We’ll teach you all the dances in both Irish and English. Let’s put the gay in Céilí!”

And finally, for those who enjoy a night off their feet, the monthly Teach Solais Gaymes night session will be on for Pride from 8pm with everything from classics such as Monopoly and Scrabble to more modern hits like Pandemic and Munchkin.

Angling vessels gathering data on the Bluefin Tuna

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Bluefin Tuna data collection

Angling vessels in Galway and all along the Atlantic coast will be taking part in a scheme to gather more data on the much prized Atlantic Bluefin Tuna this Autumn.

The programme will enable 15 authorised vessels in Galway, Cork, Clare, Sligo and Donegal working to catch, tag and release Atlantic Bluefin tuna for data collection purposes off the Irish coast.

This CHART (Catch and Release Tagging) programme is meant to support scientific research by providing more information about the abundance and migratory patterns of Bluefish Tuna in our coastal waters.

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea and is much sought after by anglers for its large size, able to reach over 900kg in weight.

The pilot programme will run from mid-August to mid-October of this year. All of the skippers and crew of the participating vessels have received training and guidance in fish handling, welfare, tagging and data recording.

Sean Canney TD, Minister with responsibility for inland fisheries said that this scheme will “contribute in a very tangible way to important data collection around Bluefin tuna as they migrate past the Irish coastline.”

“The recreational fisheries sector is crucial in the delivery of this pilot programme and we look forward to working with all the state agencies involved and critically with the skippers and their crews who have received authorisations in providing valuable data for scientific purposes.”

Ireland recently came under criticism from the European Union for a lack of control and enforcement of bluefin tuna catches by recreational vessels.

The Marine Institute based in Oranmore has been engaged in international Bluefin tuna migration research since 2015, research that this programme is meant to complement.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed said that it would allow the Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland to collect important data in a “tightly controlled environment”.

Anglers wishing to engage in this fishery must only do so on a sea angling vessel specifically authorised to participate in the pilot programme.

A full list of authorised skippers can be found at www.fisheriesireland.ie/bluefin.

The new programme has been developed by the Marine Institute and Inland Fisheries Ireland in partnership with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department for Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Pat Joyce submits plans for Headford gym

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Plans for Headford gym

Plans are in the works to open a new gym at Joyce’s Shopping Centre in Headford.

Pat Joyce is seeking planning permission from the county council to convert an existing retail unit at his shopping centre at Church Road, Headford into a gym.

The development involves a change to the approved use of Unit 10 at Joyce’s Shopping Centre from retail to gymnasium and minor alterations to the elevations at Joyce’s Shopping Centre.

Public submissions about this project can be made to the county council until August 29, and a final decision is due by September 19.

Gardaí investigating tragic death of teenage girl in Ballinasloe

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Portiuncula Hospital reports high flu circulation

Gardaí are investigating the tragic death of a teenage girl in Ballinasloe today.

It’s understood that the 19 year old girl was at her Debs at a hotel in Ballinasloe when she took ill.

An ambulance was called and she was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Gardaí have said that investigations into the tragic death are ongoing.

A garda spokesperson said “Gardaí are investigating a sudden death incident involving a 19 year female that occurred in the early hours of Monday 12th August 2019 at a hotel in Ballinasloe, County Galway.” 

“After being informed the female felt unwell, an ambulance was called and she was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.” 

“The Coroner has been notified and a post mortem is expected to take place on Tuesday 13th August 2019.”

‘Dangerously high’ number of children in Direct Provision

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Disability day services returning to full capacity from October

The number of children living in Direct Provision is “dangerously high”, accounting for more than a quarter of people in the system.

Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte says that figures provided for her show there are 1,674 children living in Direct Provision, up from 1,094 in 2016.

Children make up 27% of the 6,082 people currently in this asylum seeker system which has been the subject of heavy criticism from human rights groups.

“It’s 20 years since the Direct Provision system was introduced as a temporary measure,” Anne Rabbitte said.

“Unfortunately, it’s become the norm and it’s leaving children exposed to some very questionable living conditions. Simply put, direct provision centres are not safe environments for children.”

She described the rapid growth of the number of children in provision centres as extremely worrying, adding that 1,413 of these kids are under 12 years old.

““The centres often have communal bathrooms and children have to share with grown men and women,” The Fianna Fáil TD said.

“The Irish Refugee Council have previously warned that children can be exposed to violent and sexual behaviour, which simply cannot be tolerated.”

“Families are essentially living in limbo, sometimes waiting for years to progress through the asylum process, and with not much to survive on.”

While in Direct Provision adults receive an allowance of €38.80 per week and €29.80 per week for children. Deputy Rabbitte said that these are “minuscule” amounts of money to live on.

All of this is taking place while provision centres are struggling to operate while full beyond their intended capacity she said.

Creganna Medical donates €10,000 to Galway Hospice

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Creganna Medical donates €10,000 to Galway Hospice

Galway Hospice has offered their thanks to Creganna Medical for donating €10,000 to support their services.

“A big thank you to Creganna Medical for their generous donation of $10,000 towards Galway Hospice’s services for patients and families,” the hospice said on their social media.

“Such support helps to ensure the free delivery of Inpatient, Community Palliative Care, Day Care and Bereavement Support services to patients and their families, for as long as it is needed.”

Creganna Medical is a multinational developer and manufacturer of medical devices based out of Galway.

It was founded in 1979 as an engineering outsourcing company, but by the early 2000s was solely focused on medical devices.

It is headquartered in Parkmore West, with factories and offices in California, Minnesota, Costa Rica, Singapore, Shanghai and elsewhere.

Galway Hospice is the chief provider of palliative care services in Galway city, and is heavily dependent on public donations to keep its services running as demand continues to grow.

Race the Prom in aid of Croí in the Galway Night Run

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Support Croí in the Galway Night Run

The 5th Annual Galway Night Run in aid of Croí, the Heart & Stroke Charity, will take place on Friday, October 11 at 8pm on the Salthill Prom.

The Night Run is one of the biggest annual fundraising events for Croí, supporting heart and stroke prevention and recovery programmes, as well as education and training programmes.

It also helps keep the lights on at the Courtyard Apartments at Croí House which offer free accommodation and support for the relatives of those receiving heart or stroke care at Galway University Hospitals.

Based out of Newcastle, Croí is the largest charity combating heart diseases and stroke in the west of Ireland, supporting more than 15,000 last year.

Almost all of their funding comes from charitable donations, making events like the Night Run

Now in its fifth year, the 2019 Night Run promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with with music and entertainment welcoming runners at the start and finish line.

This event is open people of every level including competitive runners, family walkers, beginner joggers, with competitors able to run, walk or jog the 5km route as they please.

This year participants will be corralled at the start line based on predicted finish times to allow for a smoother flow of movement out on the route.

“Each entry makes a huge impact to the work here at Croí, and the run allows us to continue our community work in heart and stroke prevention,” says Christine Flanagan, Director of Fundraising at Croí.

“This is our 5th year on the Prom and we want to make it even more special for our participants. Expect a lively and music-filled start line this year, and we’ve designed a special 5th anniversary sleeved running top for registrations.”

The charity added that thanks to the support of sponsor Evergreen Healthfoods and media partner iRadio, 100% of the proceeds go directly to supporting Croí services and supports in the community

Regular entry is €35, with discounted entry for students, youth and over 65s. Under 12s are welcome for free, but strictly must be under the supervision of an adult.

Registration is open at www.croi.ie/nightrun, and anyone who like to stretch their legs is urged to take part and help support the fight against heart disease and stroke in the West of Ireland.

Gardaí warn students of rental scams ahead of academic year

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily business VAT refund changes threaten Galway's tourism and retail report claims

Thousands are scrambling to find accommodation with the results coming out this week, and in that rush young people are being urged to protect themselves from rental scams.

The Garda Western Region has issued a warning for the many people looking for a place to live in Galway ahead of this September to be on the look out for rental scams which can take different forms.

Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Michael Walsh, pictured below with Aaron Burke, President of the GMIT Students Union, gave some advice on steps people can take to protect themselves.

Garda Crime Prevention rental scams
Aaron Burke (left), GMIT Students Union President with Sgt Michael Walsh, Garda Crime Prevention Officer credit: Garda Western Region

First off, do your homework he said. Familiarise yourself with the average rent prices in your search area and if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

People can also use online maps to double check that the property being advertised actually exists at the address in question.

“Check short term rental sites to ensure the property is not being used by a fraudster for “viewings” who will take your deposit”.

“Keep copies of all correspondence between yourself and the advertiser, including bank details and the advertisement itself.”

Where possible, he suggested that people should make use of legitimate, well known rental agencies.

“Don’t hand over any money until you have seen the property and are happy with its condition. Once satisfied use a cheque or bank draft to pay the deposit.”

“Don’t make any payments until you have been given the keys and signed the rental contract. Always check that the keys fit the lock.”

“Remember, don’t transfer any money unless you have carried out all the relevant checks and you are absolutely sure that the list is genuine.”

Lastly he said that people who fall victim to rental scams shouldn’t be embarrassed. The important thing to do is to report it to Gardaí and contact your bank as soon as possible.

Kilkerrin-Moylough water outage fixed ahead of schedule

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Latest EPA report shows one Galway public water supply deemed "at-risk"

A water outage affecting 1,500 people in the Kilkerrin-Moylough area has been repaired ahead of schedule.

Yesterday large numbers of people supplied by the Slieveroe Water Tower suffered a water outage caused by a contamination of the raw water supply from heavy rain.

At the time people were advised to conserve what water was stored in their tanks and to avoid using dishwashers or washing machines if possible.

It was estimated on Sunday that the problem wouldn’t be corrected until 6pm this evening, but Irish Water issued an update at 8pm last night saying that work had been completed ahead of schedule.

“Due to exceptionally good work by Galway County Council operations crews in Kilkerrin/Moylough, treated water quality has been restored to acceptable levels,” a spokesperson for Irish Water said.”

As it took several hours for the network to completely refill some homes in the Moylough area did not get their water back until this morning.

Traffic disruptions as five days of N65 roadworks underway

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

Traffic disruptions can be expected on the N65 this week as five days of roadworks get underway this morning.

Resurfacing overlay roadworks are being carried out on the N65 at Boleyroe, Gortymadded, Conorspark, and Killimor, and are expected to take five days to complete.

In order to facilitate these works a stop and go traffic management system will be in place between the hours of 7am and 7pm on the two stretches of road between Monday, August 12 and Friday, August 16.

“As a consequence users of this road are requested to expect delays and as such should allow additional time for their journeys,” a statement from the county council said.

“Galway County Council would like to take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works.”

The contract for these works has been awarded to Lagan Asphalt Limited.

Groundbreaking youth orchestra breaks out the Beethoven

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway daily life & style Symphonic Waves Youth Orchestra performing two August concerts

Galway’s exciting new youth orchestra Symphonic Waves is performing two full concerts this month after filling out more sections and completing intense summer rehearsals.

Symphonic Waves Youth Orchestra is a collaboration between Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and Music Generation Galway County.

The idea behind came from a need to provide young musicians between 13 and 21 years old across the west of Ireland with a place where they could reach to a higher level and find new opportunities to perform.

Recently they recruited woodwind, brass and percussion sections, and completed their annual summer residential course in Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre.

In the past they have benefited from working with some of the best musicians in the country in Galway’s Contempo Quartet, as well as the Irish Chamber and RTÉ Concert orchestras.

With a lineup of new sections, and more training under their belt, these talented young musicians are getting ready to perform as a unified orchestra

On 21 August, the orchestra will hold its first performance in Connemara at theatre company Fíbín Teo‘s headquarters atBaile na hAbhann.

Conducted by Professor James Kavanagh, expect performances of pieces by Beethoven, Schubert, Hardiman, Dvořák and Tchaikovsky, together with classical and popular chamber pieces.

This is a free, family-friendly event and will include some traditional music and a theatre piece by Fíbín.

The next day Symphonic Waves will be playing the same set of great classical music at the Black Box Theatre in Galway city.

Tickets are €9 and available from the Town Hall Theatre website and under 18s are free.

For more information contact the Symphonic Waves administrator by email or call 091 874 557.

An Bord Pleanála approves plans for 212 homes in Oranmore

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Planning permission granted for 212 homes in Oranmore

A massive residential development in Oranmore consisting of 212 homes have been granted planning approval by An Bord Pleanála.

Arlum Limited was seeking permission for a Strategic Housing Development of 212 homes, with a mixture of houses and apartments, on an 8.7ha site in the townlands of Moneyduff and Oranhill, Oranmore.

The development will consist of 58 four-bed, semi-detached units; 54 three-bed, semi-detached units; 16 four-bed, detached houses; 16 three-bed, terraced houses; 12 two-bed, terraced homes; and 56 two-bed, duplex apartments.

Other work involved in the project will include the construction of a crèche with outdoor play areas and car parking, along with shared communal and private open space, site landscaping, car parking and other site works.

A new vehicle and pedestrian access route off the North-South Oranmore Distributor Road will also be built. The plans include 409 car parking spaces together with 146 bicycle spaces.

Arlum said that this project will “assist Galway County Council in meeting its commitment to provide for residential development and for associated support development, which will ensure the protection of existing residential amenity and will contribute to sustainable residential neighbourhoods.”

Permission for a similar Strategic Housing Development at this site was refused by An Bord Pleanála before due to deficiencies in the Natura Impact Statement, which failed to take into consideration the Cregganna Marsh and Rahasane Turlough Special Protection Areas.

An Environmental Impact Assessment was submitted as part of this planning application.

Nine third party submissions were received by the higher planning authority about this development with concerns about how this would affect local traffic and the pressure it could put on schools and amenities.

In addition, An Taisce said that the project does not meet the objectives of the Oranmore Local Area Plan, noting the potential loss of EU Annex 1 habitat.

However the inspector for An Bord Pleanála said that while there is some Annex habitat on the site, the site itself is not a designated protected area.

Planning permissions was ultimately granted for the Oranmore residential development with 24 conditions attached.

Permission for new mobile tower outside Athenry appealed

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily news Mobile tower plans to address broadband "blackspot" near Recess

Planning permission granted for the construction of a new mobile tower just outside Athenry has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Vodafone secured approval from the county council on July 5 to erect a 30m high lattice mobile tower with antennae, satellite dishes and ground based equipment at Caherateemore South, Belleville just north of Athenry.

The mobile network says the additional infrastructure is needed to improve their mobile and broadband coverage in the area.

An appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála by a local resident on July 29, stating that there were health concerns related to radiation from the tower, and not enough information was provided by the developer.

It said that a statement of compliance with International Radiation Protection Association Guidelines or the equivalent European standards which is required as part of the planning application was not submitted.

Lastly, the appeal said that while it is accepted that there is a need for greater mobile and broadband coverage in the area, this mobile tower would be an “eyesore” in it current planned position.

“This is a large, unsightly 100ft high tower in the middle of an open field, which contravenes all aspects of proper planning and development.

An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on this case by December 2 of this year.

Man charged with two day spree of city burglaries

By
Briain Kelly
-
0
Galway Daily courts

A man has been charged with committing a spree of burglaries against businesses in Galway city over two days in June.

Joseph O’Shaughnessy (31) with an address at Cherry Orchard Drive, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 has been charged with multiple burglaries at Galway Shopping Centre and Galway Retail Park from June 6 & 7 of this year.

It is alleged that on June 6, contrary to Section 12 (1) & (3) Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, O’Shaugnessy trespassed at Specsavers Opticians in Galway Shopping Centre in order to commit theft.

On the same day it is also alleged that he committed theft at Tesco in Galway Shopping Centre and Elvery Sports in Galway Retail Park, as well as criminal damage to a security camera at Elverys.

Gardaí have also charged O’Shaughnessy with three burglaries at Gray Office Park in Galway Retail Park, and at Occ Construction and Kcr Recruitment businesses in the office park from between June 6 & 7.

It is then alleged that on June 7 he did trespass with the intent to commit theft at Woodies home and garden store on the Headford Road

At Galway District Court this week gardaí gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution on three new charges which are also proceeding along with the others.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that O’Shaughnessy be tried by indictment on all of the charges.

The case was adjourned to August 13 for the service of a Book of Evidence where Mr O’Shaughnessy will appear by video link.

1...774775776...1,069Page 775 of 1,069