Historic vote on equal marriage and abortion rights for NI welcomed

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July 10, 2019

Between pre-season training sessions for the Rugby World Cup this week, the Irish rugby team paid a visit to the Galway Hospice.

Members of the squad visited Galway Hospice on Tuesday, where they were able to see first hand the wonderful work being done to improve the quality of life for each patient every day.

The players met with both patients and staff during the visit and presented a signed jersey to the hospice.

Speaking about the visit, Ireland Team Manager Paul Dean, said that the players were very humbled to talk to everyone there and hear their stories.

“The care is all provided free of charge by the hospice and the atmosphere is so welcoming. It is a visit that the lads won’t forget,” he said.

#TeamOfUs

The Ireland team visited @GalwayHospice this week. It was ‘ a privilege and a very humbling experience’. #ShoulderToShoulder

More: https://t.co/IWb8zwJXA2 pic.twitter.com/PoLlj9a59y

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 10, 2019

The team will continue to train in Galway this week before the first open training session of the pre-season in the The Sportsground on Friday.

The event is completely subscribed with all the free tickets taken up in advance.

Ireland will play four test matches in the lead up to the global tournament including the two Guinness Series games against Italy and Wales in Aviva Stadium.

Tuam sports clubs going to Hell & Back to fund community sports ground

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July 10, 2019

Three juvenile sports clubs in Tuam are taking the Hell and Back challenge to raise funds for the development of a community sports ground in Tuam.

Three local juvenile sports clubs representing 1,000 young people have joined forces as ‘We are Tuam’ to raise funds for a sports ground the community can use for training and competition.

Tuam AC Juveniles, Tuam Camogie and Tuam/Cortoon Ladies Football will be taking the Hell & Back Challenge for this fundraising goal this October 5.

For this project they are working in partnership with Coral Leisure Centre Tuam who are providing a free weekly bootcamp for participants.

Hell & Back is maybe Ireland’s toughest physical endurance challenge and most popular obstacle course run at Kilruddy Estate in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Participants take part in a 10-15km course that pushes you to your limits crossing rivers and lakes, climbing hills and mountains and crawling through bogs and swamps.

The fundraising page says “Our town and its’ young sports men and women urgently need an accessible, fun and safe environment to pursue their love of sport.”

“By supporting our plans to deliver this goal for Tuam and the wider community of Co. Galway, you are investing not only in the facilities needed now, but also in the future generations of children, to participate in and enjoy a healthy active lifestyle.”

This challenge is one of the events that will be supporting the project along with other fundraising efforts, grants, and hopefully investment from community partners.

Anyone who wants to support one of the people taking the Hell & Back challenge for Tuam this Octiver can do so at www.ifundraise.ie.

“It will involve a lot of hard work and challenges but the result will be something very positive and tangible for the youth of Tuam and all of its’ surrounding communities and villages.
Thank you for your support.”

Galway to bask in glorious sunshine this weekend

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July 10, 2019

Galway looks set to bask in beautiful sunshine this weekend with temperatures of up to 23 degrees forecast.

After a few dull, humid days this week, the weather will improve significantly by Saturday, and Sunday with sunshine forecast this weekend and temperatures potentially in the mid-twenties.

Friday will be cloudy but much less humid than earlier this week, with temperatures of around 20 degrees in the afternoon.

Saturday will see sunny intervals throughout the afternoon and the clouds will dissapear by the evening to make way for blue skies.

Temperatures will reach 22 degrees on Saturday, but Sunday will see the best of the three-day spell of pleasant weather.

And by Sunday, the beautiful weather will reach its peak, with sunshine forecast for throughout the day and temperatures of up to 23 or 24 degrees in the West.

Monday looks like it will be the last day of the brief spell of good weather, but early forecasts suggest it will be slighlty cloudier than Sunday. Temperatures will remain pleasant though, reaching 21 degrees in the afternoon.

The rest of next week is expected to be cloudy with rain forecast.

Potato blight warning issued for Connacht

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July 10, 2019

Met Eireann has issued a warning for potato blight for Connacht for the next few days.

The status yellow environmental warning comes as conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur over Connacht, Ulster and Munster.

These humid conditions are expected to give way for fresher weather by the weekend.

Met Eireann says today will be warm and humid with highest temperatures of 17 to 21 C.

And it will remain mild tonight, with lowest temperatures of about 14 degrees expected.

Tomorrow will see temperatures around 20 degrees again in the afternoon, however, like today, there won’t be much sunshine to accompany the warm weather.

Friday will be less humid than today and tomorrow, with some sunny spells forecast for Galway in the afternoon with temperatures reaching 21 degrees.

Over 100 Traveller children remain homeless in Galway

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Paul Kelly

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July 10, 2019

Galway Daily news COPE Galway extremely worried at record homelessness levels

Galway City Council has been presented with the report of the draft Traveller Accommodation Programme which showed there are over 100 homeless Traveller children in Galway.

The report revealed that Emergency homeless services are allocated to Traveller men, women and families on an ‘ongoing basis’.

The information contained figures from May 2019 which showed there are 68 Traveller adults and 104 traveller children availing of homeless services in Galway.

All in all, there are 34 Traveller family units who are categorized as homeless.

The report made for tough reading as it declared that there has been a ‘notable increase’ in Traveller homelessness and blamed the rising numbers of Traveller homelessness on the ‘lack of properties within the rental market’.

The purposes of the Traveller Accommodation Programme for Galway City is to construct a plan to to meet the existing and projected needs of Travellers in the area.

The plan encompasses the provision of permanent, emergency, temporary or transient accommodation for members of the Traveller community along with support for those waiting for accommodation.

Through consultation with Travellers in need of accommodation, the report revealed that 38% of respondents favored Local Authority housing as their first preference while 21% opted for culturally appropriate Traveller accommodation.

The programme aims to provide 25 units of Culturally Appropriate Traveller Accommodation over the next five years along with the provision of seven vacancies within permanent residential halting sites.

To add to this, the programme targets the addition of 15 group housing schemes over the next five years along with targeting the provision of 50 standard Local Authority houses and 30 units of accommodation under Approved Housing Bodies.

Last year, a report from the ESRI and IHREC revealed that Travellers are the most at risk of being homeless.

Although Travellers make up a mere 1% of the overall population they make up 9% of the homeless population.

Expansion planned for Oranmore nursing home

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July 10, 2019

Galway daily news Day services in Loughrea remain in limbo

An expansion of an Oranmore nursing home to provide additional facilities for residents, staff, and visitors is in the works.

Tasbeem Ltd are seeking planning permission for three different extensions to Brampton Care Nursing Home on Main Street, Oranmore.

The project will consist of a single storey extension being built west side of the building to provide café where “residents can meet family and friends in a relaxed environment” as well as additional office space.

Another extension constructed at the south of the existing building will provide additional treatment rooms for residents according to the planning application.

“The potential uses of this area would include local GP visits, hospital doctor visits, geriatric services and other medical services such as dietitian, nutrition, dialysis, physiotherapist, optician, audiologist ect. and other such services that would be of benefit.”

The west side extension will be a flat, single storey building with a glazed ceiling overlooking the outdoor terrace.

While the south facing extension is within the existing courtyard, and will also be a single storey, flat roofed building.

The planning application also includes alteration to a ground floor extension which was previously granted planning permission but has yet to be constructed.

“We believe that the alteration and additions sought in this proposal will enhance the services brought by the nursing home to the community, the residents, and their visiting families and friends.”

Brampton Care Nursing Home has facilities for 42 residents at the former Oyster Hotel in Oranmore with ensuite bedrooms, day facilities and an age friendly/dementia friendly outdoor sensory garden.

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by July 25.

Upgraded Athenry water treatment plant will protect public health and environment

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July 10, 2019

Galway Daily news Athenry Wastewater treatment plant opens

The upgraded Athenry wastewater treatment plant which opened this week will protect public health as well as the local environment Irish Water has said.

Irish Water has invested €5 million in the construction of a new WWTP in Athenry which was opened by Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government Eoghan Murphy this week.

The upgraded plant was built to ensure that the water treatment in the area is compliant with the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive requirements and properly protects the river Clarin.

Speaking at the opening Minister Murphy said the government was “committed to leading delivery of a new era in investment in our national water and wastewater infrastructure assets.”

“Projects like this in Athenry are essential to protect the health of our families, the environment, to enable economic development in our local communities, and to safeguard Ireland’s water”

Prior to this project, the existing plant had been operating past its capacity, and was unable to cope with the population in the area.

This new plant will apparently be able cater for a population equivalent of 9,500 in order to facilitate future population growth and commercial development in Athenry.

Councillor Jimmy Mc Clearn, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council stated “This investment is needed to provide Athenry with the infrastructure to support the building of houses, schools, to attract new industry and to allow the companies we have to expand and grow.”

As our economy grows, so does the requirement for critical national infrastructure,” Cllr McClearn added.

“It’s important in supporting future population growth, housing developments, new businesses and to ensure that Galway maintains its attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment.”

Empathy, inclusion and meeting young people’s education needs

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July 10, 2019

Galway Daily news NUIG education research partnership

Making sure that young people are getting the best education for their development and wellbeing is an ongoing process, and a new research partnership at NUIG is aiming to meet their greatest needs both in the school and outside of it.

The School of Education and UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre at NUIG are sharing their expertise on the needs of young people and how they can be better met, both in Ireland and internationally.

This research partnership has identified priority areas to look at such as developing empathy and well-being; inclusion and diversity; STEM education; special educational needs; educational policy; participatory and practitioner research methodologies; and educational design.

Professor Gerry Mac Ruairc, Head of the School of Education at NUIG, said this initiative “provides greater, enhanced capacity at NUI Galway for shared impactful research and graduate study in the promotion of young people’s education and well-being, in and outside of school.”

Professor Pat Dolan, Director of the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre said that by combining their areas of knowledge the two sides can work on ways to promote and enhance education in formal and non-formal contexts.

“Our alignment in research will impact significantly on our current and future work, particularly in terms of augmenting our impact with schools, practitioners, families, parents, and our educational partners and stakeholders, including the regulatory context and policymakers.”

Galway U20 football side unchanged for Connacht final

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily sport County senior hurling final replay - All you need to know

Galway GAA have named the U20 football side facing Mayo in the Connacht final on Wednesday.

The U20 football team is unchanged from the group that faced off against Roscommon last week.

Galway beat Roscommon 0-17 to 1-7 last Wednesday while Mayo hammered Silgo 1-25 to 1-6.

Now Galway and Mayo will meet for the U20 Connacht final in Tuam Stadium on Wednesday with throw in a 7:30pm.

The full lineup for Galway is:

1-Oran Burke

2-Ross Mahon

3-Seán Mulkerrin

4-Eoghan McFadden

5-Liam Boyle

6-Ciarán Potter

7-Jack Kirrane

8-Matthias Barrett

9-Michael Collins

10-Matthew Tierney

11-Gavin Burke

12-Ben O’Connell

13-Darragh Silke

14-Padraig Costello

15-Rory Cunningham

Tourism Ireland promoting Galway 2020 in Germany

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily news tourism Ireland promoting Galway 2020 in Germany — REPRO FREE 05/07/2019, Frankfurt – Galway 2020 was launched in Germany on Friday (5 July) – at an event in Frankfurt organised by Tourism Ireland, which was attended by leading German travel professionals and journalists. The event was timed to coincide with the state visit by President Michael D Higgins to Germany and, after the launch of Galway 2020, Galway band BackWest performed for President Higgins, the Irish Ambassador to Germany and guests. PIC SHOWS: Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland; Helen Marriage, Galway 2020; Kevin Keogh, Der Touristik GmbH; Sarah McDonagh, Galway 2020; and Petra Hofmann Findt, Grimm Touristik, at the launch of Galway 2020 in Frankfurt. Pic – Hans-Jürgen Herrmann (no repro fee) Further press info – Sinéad Grace, Tourism Ireland 087 685 9027

Tourism Ireland has this week launched a campaign promoting Galway 2020 in Germany.

The launch of Galway 2020 in Frankfurt was part of Tourism Ireland’s programme of promotions to highlight the island of Ireland to its ‘culturally curious’ audience in Germany.

Tourism Ireland’s message is that Galway as a European Capital of Culture will offer German holidaymakers a unique cultural and artistic experience.

The launch event took place in Frankfurt on Monday and was attended by leading German travel professionals and journalists.

The event was timed to coincide with the state visit by President Michael D Higgins to Germany and, after the launch of Galway 2020, Galway band BackWest performed for President Higgins, the Irish Ambassador to Germany and guests.

Peter Nash, Tourism Ireland’s Manager Central Europe, said “We’re delighted to announce Galway 2020 here in Germany and to highlight the city as European Capital of Culture next year.”

“Tourism Ireland’s message for our ‘culturally curious’ audience is that the island of Ireland offers world-class festivals and cultural experiences.”

“The ‘culturally curious’ travellers are typically independent, active sightseers, looking to visit new places and expand their experience by exploring culture, history and landscapes.”

“Our aim is to encourage this important demographic to travel to Galway and the island of Ireland.”

Germany is the third-largest source of visitors to the island of Ireland and one of the largest outbound travel markets in the world.

2018 was the eighth consecutive year of growth for Irish tourism from Germany, with almost 818,000 German arrivals who delivered almost €500 million to the Irish economy.

Peter Nash said that Tourism Ireland has extensive promotions underway in Germany again this year to build on that number.

He added that in particular they hope to ” encourage more German holidaymakers to explore our regions and less-visited attractions, during the shoulder and off-season months.”

Govt decision to reappoint Hogan as commissioner is clear ‘victory for cronyism’

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July 9, 2019

Aire Stáit Joe McHugh ag moladh do cainteoirí Gaeilge iarratais a chur isteach ar poist Aistritheoir Gaeilge - Galway Daily

The government’s decision to reappoint Phil Hogan as Ireland’s commissioner has been described as ‘a missed opportunity’ by a Midlands North West MEP.

Matt Carthy MEP said that Phil Hogan failed as a Minister, referencing his handling of water charges and the establishment of Irish Water.

He also commented on his period as European Commissioner, where Carthy said he has failed to address the inequalities in European agriculture or stand up for Irish farmers when required.

“His recent defence of the disastrous trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc shows that he was always more concerned about placating EU power-brokers than protecting agriculture interests or the economies of countries such as Ireland.

“This was just the latest of a long line of disappointments in his period as Commissioner including his failure to address unfair trading practices effectively and his support for an EU budget that proposes a 15% cut in CAP while funnelling billions into the European arms industry,” said the Midleands North West MEP.

The Monaghan native said that this appointment is ‘clearly a victory for cronyism over competence’ and said it is a missed opportunity.

“At a time when Brexit looms large and when a major debate on the future of the European Union demands an Irish commissioner with a proven track-record, the government should and could have nominated a person with that record that would have the confidence of the majority of Irish people.

“This nomination clearly fails that test,” added Mr Carthy.

More time granted to complete €24 million Gort housing estate

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July 9, 2019

More time has been granted to complete a housing project in Gort worth approximately €24 million.

Reddington Construction Limited was granted planning permission for a 138 unit housing estate at Ballyhugh, Gort in May 2009.

The project consists of 5 single storey detached houses; 8 two storey detached houses; 90 two storey semi-detached houses; 39 two and three storey terraced houses.

While a three storey block will deliver 6 two-bed apartments, a creche, and two retail units.

Other associated site development works include the creation parking, access roadways, a riverside walkway, playground and amenity areas.

A water supply bore hole will be dug on site to provide water to the estate, and an 80m cubed water storage tank will help ensure there is a constant supply.

This is the second EOD which Reddington has received for this project after planning permission was first extended in 2014.

So for work that has been done on the project includes 27 houses at various stages of construction as well as groundworks and civil works.

An Hydrology Assessment of the Flood Risk Assessment made as part of the original planning application was submitted with the EOD request in light of flooding events in the area in 2009 and 2015/16.

Hydro-S Engineering said that satellite maps of flooding in 2009 and 2015/16 show that this site was not affected.

As part of the original awarding of planning permission the county council said that a public footpath and lighting along the Tubber Road must be provided before any housing is occupied.

Galway County Council granted the extension of duration unconditionally.

Galway City Council votes to raise the Rainbow Flag for Galway Pride

By

Paul Kelly

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily news Galway Pride Week gets underway with flag raising in Eyre Square

The Rainbow flag will be raised by Galway City Council for Pride Week in Galway after every Councillor voted for a motion brought forward by Cllr Owen Hanley.

The Social Democrats councillor’s motion stated that ‘Galway City Council recognises the important contribution made to this City by LGBT+ citizens and rejects in all its forms discrimination against the LGBT+ community’.

To show support for “equality” and “acceptance” the motion called on the Council to raise the Rainbow flag from the 12th to the 19th of August.

Galway Pride is Ireland’s longest consecutive Pride festival since its initiation in 1989.

To show support for ‘equality’ and ‘acceptance’ the motion called on the Council to raise the Rainbow flag from the 12th to the 19th of August.

All aspects of the motion passed with every Councillor voting for it.

The motion also contained a provision that the Council shall endeavor to work with staff to establish an LGBT+ staff network.

Fianna Fáil Councillor John Connolly welcomed the motion and declared that he would “support any effort to reject discrimination”.

He praised Cllr. Hanley remarking that what he has proposed has a real impact on prejudice.

He took the opportunity to condemn Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his recent jibe at Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin in the Dáil.

Varadkar compared the Fianna Fáil leader to a parish priest who preaches about avoiding sin while secretly engaging in sin himself.

Cllr. Connolly used this as an example of potential prejudice against priests.

The Fianna Fáil Councillor also raised his objections to the Cuban Flag which flew above City Council last May.

He lambasted Cuba’s human rights record when it came to the LGBT+ community referencing Cubans being sent to workhouses because they were gay.

Cllr. Connolly further condemned the fact that Cuba cancelled the Gay Pride parade in Cuba this year.

While exclaiming he was “glad” to support the motion, he concluded his remarks by expressing his belief that the national flag should fly above any other flag outside the Council and to be careful what other flags fly above the Council.

Labour Councillor Niall McNelis explained that the Cuban flag flew above the Council because the Cuban Ambassador was visiting at the time.

Cllr. Connolly promised that if he was there he’d have asked the Cuban Ambassador about the cancellation of the gay pride parade in Cuba.

Chief Executive of the Council, Brendan McGrath reassured Cllr. Connolly that no flag flies above the national flag.

McGrath clarified that no flag flies above the national flag and commented that it was a courtesy that the Council always raises the flag of visiting ambassadors.

He then emphasised the support Galway City Council has offered to the LGBT+ community and noted they were “delighted” to support both the pride parade and LGBT staff.

The motion is the very first motion proposed by Council newcomer Owen Hanley who made history by being elected to Galway City Council at 23 years old.

The Galmont Hotel rolls out the carpet for Chinese tourism

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily news Annual BiG BANG networking event taking place in Galway City — The Galmont Hotel

Galway’s Galmont Hotel & Spa was recently certified by Fáilte Ireland as a key tourism business for catering to the growing number of Chinese visitors.

Fáilte Ireland has been working with businesses in the tourism sector to capitalise on a surge in visitors from China by training them on how to meet their specific needs.

According to Fáilte Ireland, Chinese tourists are different to many traditional holidaymakers and offering the right kind of service is crucial to success in this market.

The Get China Ready Programme is an initiative which provides tourism businesses with insights into the Chinese visitor and how to meet their cultural service and culinary needs, as well as in-depth knowledge on Routes to Market to support businesses to win business from the Chinese market.

It was developed in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland and jointly delivered by Fáilte Ireland with the support of the Centre for Competitiveness, the licensed provider of COTRI (China Outbound Tourism Research Institute) programmes in Ireland.

The Galmont was one of eight businesses recently awarded their COTRI Certification Award after successfully completing the programme.

The others were the Knightsbrook Hotel, Meath; Causey Farm, Meath; Dublin hotels The Sandymount Hotel and the Temple Bar Hotel; Carton House in Kildare; The Savoy Hotel, Limerick; and Hastings Grand Central Hotel in Belfast.

With many uncertainties in the future of the tourism industry, especially with the specter of Brexit on the horizon, Fáilte Ireland is encouraging businesses in the sector to diversify, with a focus on China as the biggest outbound tourism market in the world.

Presenting the Awards, Paul Keeley, Director of Commercial Development at Fáilte Ireland, said that the number of yearly outbound tourists from China is expected to reach 200 million by 2020.

“New direct flights from Beijing, Hong Kong and more recently Shenzhen to Dublin offer an excellent opportunity for Irish tourism businesses to attract more visitors from the Chinese market.

“The aim of Fáilte Ireland’s Get China Ready Programme is to ensure that the Chinese visitor is warmly welcomed to Ireland and that tourism businesses are prepared and culturally aware of the requirements of our Chinese visitors.”

Over 350 tourism businesses have been supported by Fáilte Ireland with an introductory level programme to understand the cultural needs of the Chinese visitor so far.

While over 40 businesses have now invested in this in-depth programme to Get China Ready, of which the Galmont is one.

photo credit: Galmont Hotel

Man appears before Circuit Court over large MDMA haul

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily courts Circuit Court MDMA haul

One man was recently brought before Galway Circuit Court in connection with the seizure of a large amount of MDMA meant to be sold.

Oshane Malcolm (21), of 101 Clareview Park, Ballybane appeared before the Circuit Court for the possession of MDMA for sale or supply.

On June 23 of 2017 Gardaí executed a search at Gortcam in Ballybrit where they found a significant amount of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA).

According to the Gardaí the value of the MDMA seized was €13,000 or more.

Oshane Malcolm pleaded guilty to the charge and is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.

The defence requested a probation report, urine analysis, and a governor’s report from the prison.

Malcolm is also seeking to engage in educational courses, and the defence asked that if they begin before sentencing that this be included in any report for the Judge.

Artists to benefit from new social welfare support

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily news Galway allocated €9 million for LEADER programme 2023-2027

A pilot social welfare scheme for self employed artists is being permanently extended to a wider spectrum of the artistic community.

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty has announced that the Artists Pilot Scheme will extend social welfare support to other self-employed artists including those working in the performing arts, film and architecture.

The pilot scheme, an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme, was first announced for visual artists and writers in June 2017.

The expanded scheme recognises the unique creative circumstances of artists in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance and gives them special assistance in their first year out of work, allowing them to focus on their creative output.

This means that from September, self-employed artists in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance for the first year that they are out of work will be able to focus on their artistic work and to developing their portfolio, rather than having to participate in the normal labour market activation activities.

Minister Doherty said that Ireland holds a special place for the arts, and that this social welfare scheme will give artists breathing room to flourish.

To date over 100 artists and writers have availed of the pilot scheme, and an analysis shows that of those over 87% exited Jobseeker’s Allowance within the first year.

There has been positive feedback for the scheme from organisations representing visual artists, where unemployment is a day to day reality for many as they build their work.

Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan said that the scheme “recognises the crucial role that the arts and culture play in our nation.”

“That’s why we have already made significant progress on our public commitment to double funding for culture, heritage and the Gaeltacht by 2025.”

In Budget 2019 funding for the arts was increased by €22.6m to almost €190m, an increase of 14% on 2018 according to the Minister.

“Artists, performers and stage designers are central to this,” Minister Madigan added.

“They deserve our full support particularly given the significant income challenges they can face.”

Angela Dorgan CEO First Music Contact said that the Nation Campaign for the Arts welcomes the news, adding that the expansion will be “a great relief to many”.

“Having time to plan and develop work, without having to participate in non-related activation activities, will be of enormous benefit to someone writing a book, auditioning for a theatre piece or writing an album.”

Gas Networks Ireland welcomes hefty fine for gas meter tampering

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July 9, 2019

Galway Daily news Gas demand up 10% in July this year with public restrictions ended

Gas Networks Ireland has welcomed a hefty fine imposed in Galway for tampering with a gas meter, issuing a public warning that interfering with a gas supply can put lives in danger.

Ciaran Scully of School Road, Castlegar was convicted at Galway District Court of unlawful interference with a gas supply and fined €3,500.

The court heard that Gas Networks Ireland had investigated his property and found that the gas installation had been unlawfully interfered with.

Mr Scully pleaded guilty and the court imposed a fine of €3,500 and awarded an additional €500 in costs.

“Unlawfully interfering with a gas meter is a serious public safety concern.” says Owen Wilson, Networks Safety Manager, Gas Networks Ireland.

He added that “A tampered meter is dangerous and creates a risk of a gas explosion which can result in serious injury or even death.”

“Those who tamper with gas meters not only put themselves at risk, but also other occupants of the property, neighbours and members of the public.”

By law, only Gas Networks Ireland representatives and registered gas installers are authorised to work on natural gas meters and pipework.

Tampering with them is a criminal offence that carries a fine of up to €5,000 or a six month prison sentence.

Since 2013 Gas Networks Ireland has detected over 2,600 cases of meter tampering around the country.

Owen Wilson said that meter tampering is a “serious crime with potentially deadly consequences”.

“Fraud is a very serious issue, but far more serious is the risk to life that meter tampering poses to the perpetrator and to people nearby.”

Tuam Courthouse refurbishment and improvements to courts service welcomed

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July 8, 2019

Galway Daily courts Man receives jail sentence for racial abuse

Continued improvements to the courts service and the upcoming refurbishment of Tuam Courthouse have been welcomed.

Minister Ciaran Cannon said that attending court can be stressful and that simplified, accessible information and changes in the physical environment can make a huge difference for those who have to attend.

The Fine Gael TD said: “I was pleased that Minister Flanagan confirmed in recent weeks that Tuam courthouse is among the legal facilities listed for refurbishment in the National Development Plan 2018-2027.

“A visit to court can bring its own stresses for people and so I welcome the continued improvements being made to Court facilities and the ongoing work to better meet the needs of Court users, especially families.”

In 2018, a programme of modernisation of Irish court facilities was delivered by the Courts PPP project in seven locations at a total cost of €150m.

Minister Cannon said this investment is going to continue with the Government’s commitment to building a new Family Law Centre through a Public Private Partnership arrangement.

“In addition, one of the key functions of the Judicial Council Bill will be to promote and maintain excellence in the exercise by judges of their judicial functions.

“The Council will provide for further education and training of judges as well as matters pertaining to discipline and the establishment of a Sentencing and Guidelines Information Committee under the Bill will help provide for greater consistency in the imposition of sentences in criminal cases,” added the Galway East TD.

Social welfare legislation to open Jobseeker’s Benefit to the self employed

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July 8, 2019