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Appeal against permission for Bohermore apartments rejected

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Appeal against Moneenageisha road apartments rejected

An Bord Pleanála has rejected an appeal against planning permission for two blocks of apartments in Bohermore.

Oakway Developments secured planning permission for 14 apartments on the Moneenageisha road from the city council on October 25 of last year.

The development will consist of one two-storey building with four apartments and one three-storey building with ten units.

Three buildings were demolished on what the planning authority describes as an “overgrown brownfield site” to make way for this development.

Three submissions were made to the city council last year concerned about an increase in anti-social behaviour, more traffic, and their privacy.

The city council granted planning permission with 23 conditions after Oakway submitted a revised design and a Traffic and Transport Assessment.

An appeal against the grant of planning permission was lodged by one local resident with concerns that the new apartment blocks would overlook their home, and that construction would undermine the boundary wall.

An Bord Pleanála considered that the 11m separation between properties was enough to mitigate any overlooking issues, that the project would not affect the visual amenity of the area, and that the 14 parking spaces included in the design were sufficient.

The inspector also noted that the Moneenageisha road is already a high traffic area, and that the addition of 14 homes would not significantly alter that.

The higher planning authority rejected the appeal and upheld planning permission with 13 revised conditions.

Naughten seeks Dáil suspension to reverse home care cuts

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news State more focused on defending litigation then protecting children Naughten says

Galway TD Denis Naughten has requested that the Dáil be suspended next week to reverse a move by the HSE to cut home care hours for the elderly and disabled.

It was reported this week that the HSE has decided to put in place strict financial limits that will prevent the allocation of any new home care hours.

Deputy Naughten has submitted a request to the Ceann Comhairle to suspend Dáil Éireann on Tuesday so that this can be discussed, with the goal of reversing the HSE’s decision.

“This action by the HSE undermines the Programme for Government, its own Service Plan for 2019 and the all-party Oireachtas Health Committee report, Slainte Care, on the reform of the health service in Ireland,” stated Denis Naughten.

“There has been a complete lack of political accountability within the HSE but this action goes against the policy of every member of Dáil Éireann and needs to be reversed with immediate effect.”

“This decision by the HSE to close the home help scheme to new entrants will trap carers in their homes and leave them unable to access a break from the vital 24/7 care they provide.”

“It will also lead to a situation where families will have no choice but to admit older people to long term nursing home care.”

The Independent TD said it makes no financial sense for older people to go into nursing homes at a cost to the state of €823 a week, when many only need home care which would only come to around €100 a week.

It’s understood that the HSE’s home care budget was badly hit by efforts to keep trolley numbers low over the winter period and ahead of the local elections.

This decision is not expected to affect the people already receiving home care, but will prevent the Health Service from taking on new applicants.

“But this is not just about money, more importantly it is about quality of life and keeping people in their own community as long as possible,” he concluded.

Senior hurling team named to face Kilkenny

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily sport Senior hurling team named to face Kilkenny

The Galway Senior Hurling team facing off against Kilkenny has been named.

Galway are facing Kilkenny this Sunday, June 9 in Round 3 of the Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship.

The match is starting is at 2pm in Nowlan Park in Kilkenny.

The Galway side that will be facing them is:

  1. Colm Callanan (Kinvara)
  2. . John Hanbury (Rahoon Newcastle)
  3. . Daithí Burke (Turloughmore)
  4. Aidan Harte (Gort)
  5. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh)
  6. Gearoid McInerney (Oranmore Maree)
  7. Joseph Cooney (Sarsfields)
  8. Seán Loftus (Turloughmore)
  9. David Burke (Capt.) (St. Thomas’)
  10. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh)
  11. Jonathan Glynn (Ardrahan)
  12. Adrian Tuohy (Beagh)
  13. Conor Whelan (Kinvara)
  14. Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins)
  15. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly)

Historic landmarks lighting up blue for World Oceans Day

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Historic landmarks lighting up blue for world oceans day
Cork goes Atlantic Blue.jpg

Dozens of landmarks in Galway and around Ireland will be lighting up Atlantic Blue this weekend to mark World Oceans Day.

World Oceans Day on Saturday, June 8 connects people worldwide in celebrating the ocean, its importance in our lives and how each of us can protect it, no matter where we live.

In its inaugural year, the ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ campaign has had an incredible response with more than 50 landmarks and buildings coming on board.

In Galway NUIG, GMIT, Galway Bay Boat Tours, Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara, Galway Atlantaquaria, the Port of Galway, the Marine Institute, and Údarás na Gaeltachta will be lighting up for the event.

Businesses, schools and homes across the island are also joining in by putting up blue decorations, wearing blue clothing, painting their faces blue, sharing their love for the oceans online and much more.

Everyone’s participation will highlight the strong connection that people in Ireland have with the Atlantic Ocean and the multiple ways that it affects and enriches our daily lives.

“Our ocean is our greatest natural resource and we see that most directly in Ireland with the vital importance that the Atlantic Ocean plays in our daily lives; from influencing the weather to facilitating our trade industry and from seafood to surfing off the coast.” said Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.

He added that the Marine Institute was proud to support the ‘Go Atlantic Blue’ initiative from June 7 – 10, and pleased to see so many landmarks, businesses, schools and more taking part.

‘Go Atlantic Blue’ is being spearheaded in Ireland by the Marine Institute-led AORA-CSA (Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance Co-ordination & Support Action) during SeaFest 2019 and Our Ocean Wealth Summit in Cork this weekend.

SeaFest is Ireland’s national maritime festival and Our Ocean Wealth Summit is Ireland’s flagship event for the marine sector.

“In Ireland, the Atlantic Ocean means so much to us,” said Dr Margaret Rae Director of AORA-CSA.

“It’s our largest natural resource and we draw so much from it; our livelihoods, food, bounty, beauty, imagination, inspiration, song, poetry, health and wellbeing and much much more,” she said.

“Going Atlantic Blue is a way to draw attention to how each and every one of us experiences the Atlantic, what we love about our Ocean and how we can be that generation that makes a difference.”

Anger erupts at inaugural city council meeting over governing pact

By
Paul Kelly
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It was a tense day at the first meeting of the new city council on Friday, illustrated by Fianna Fáil Councillor Ollie Crowe refusing to stand in for the photo at the end of the meeting.

Allegations, finger pointing and shouts of shame marked the opening of the annual city council meeting as Fianna Fáil Councillors aggressively voiced their displeasure at councillors Noel Larkin and Niall McNelis over a perceived betrayal of a governing pact.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were of the understanding that they had reached an agreement with McNelis and Larkin to form a controlling governing pact on the city council.

However it was made known this week that McNelis and Larkin had reached an agreement with Independent/Social Democrats/Green Party Councillors to form a ‘Rainbow’ coalition and control Galway City Council.

The two councillors said that they had made their decision because the pact that they had agreed on was altered without consulting them.

As a result of this new “rainbow coalition”, Independent Councillor Mike Cubbard was elected as the Mayor of Galway City.

Councillor Ollie Crowe expressed his frustration about the move stating that Cubbard’s election was not a true reflection of local democracy.

He referenced the fact that Fianna Fáil is the largest party in the chamber and a combination of colors have put themselves first at the expense of Galway.

The city central Councillor spoke of the “great difficulty” coming to terms with the last few days. He decried the concept of “public representatives meeting and agreeing to terms only to walk away”.

Cllr Crowe said that people who would sign their name to an agreement and then walk away from it were “not men of integrity”.

He said he was both disgruntled and disillusioned with those who went back on their word while stating that a “man’s word is his bond”.

Peter Keane shared similar sentiments declaring that “a man is only as strong as his signature”.

Fine Gael’s Frank Fahy also got in on the action tearing into those “not having the courtesy to return phone calls” stating that they “aren’t fit to represent Galway”.

Niall McNelis has claimed that the agreement he signed changed without his say so and as a result he had every right to renege on it.

However he did not raise that issue at this meeting, instead offering his full support to Mike Cubbard as the incoming Mayor.

Noel Larkin punched back at the meeting saying that although he did sign up to an agreement, the terms of the agreement were altered.

The Independent councillor claimed that when the nature of that deal was changed without consulting him “The trust was gone from the pact”.

He went on to say that “I provided all the reasons I was disassociating from the pact”.

The Independent Councillor promised that he made his decision based on the knowledge he received and that he stands by it.

Newly elected Social Democrats  Councillor Owen Hanley wasted little time with his debut in the Council Chamber.

He immediately declared his intention to push for the increased provision of Social Affordable Accommodation and Traveller Accommodation.

The 23 year old Councillor made a rallying call for environmental action on the ground.

For his part Mike Cubbard said he was delighted to have been elected Mayor of Galway City this evening.

He listed social housing, mental health provisions, safety measures around the Corrib and his work on the Joint Policing Committee as being among his priorities for his tenure as Mayor.

He described himself as an ‘average working class person’ hoping to show people that politics wasn’t just for the elite.

Mike Cubbard elected as Mayor of Galway

By
Briain Kelly
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Independent city councillor Mike Cubbard has been elected as the new Mayor of Galway.

The city central councillor was chosen as Mayor at a special meeting of the new city council this afternoon.

He was chosen by the new “rainbow coalition” that has made a pact to lead the new city council.

Cllr Cubbard was chosen as Mayor by six independent cllrs, the two Green Part councillors Martina O’Connor and Pauline O’Reilly, Owen Hanley of the Social Democrats, and Niall McNelis of Labour.

In accepting the position cllr Cubbard said that he looks forward to conducting city council meetings in an open and fair manner.

Mike Cubbard said that there were many issues for the new council to address including Galway’s transport and housing issues, mental health, the environment and making sure that Galwy 2020 is “an event like none other seen in Galway”.

The only other candidate nominated for the position was Fianna Fáil councillor Peter Keane.

Councillor Keane was backed by the five Fianna Fáil and three Fine Gael councillors.

Peter Keane wished Mayor Cubbard well in his new office, adding that his time as chair of the Joint Policing Committee gave him the necessary experience for the job.

Councillor Donal Lyons was chose to return to the position of Deputy Mayor at the same meeting.

Lonely burial leads to calls for review of deaths in direct provision

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Calls for review of how the government handles deaths in direct provision

The burial of transgender woman Sylva Tukula, carried out with no friends present or without informing anyone, has led to calls for a review of how the state handles deaths in direct provision.

Sylva Tukula died while in direct provision at the Great Western in Galway on August 2 of last year.

It emerged this week that she was buried by the state in May without informing her friends or anyone who knew her.

The Irish Refugee Council has said that an urgent review is needed of how such deaths are handled by the state “to ensure dignity after death, openness and transparency”.

“It is vital that there are clear processes in place, a transparent and open investigation of the circumstances, and clear communication channels between the State and friends and residents of Direct Provision centres.”

The IRC said that given the nature of direct provision it is particularly important that an independent investigation be carried out to identify any “shortcomings or failings” which may have occurred.

“This is something which happens routinely where there is a death in custody,” a spokesperson for the organisation said.

“It is also important that friends, family, and other residents in the centre are adequately supported and are kept informed at all stages, including regarding burial arrangements”

Amach! LGBT+ charity broke the news of Sylva’s burial this week, saying that the circumstances were “deeply offensive to everyone close to Sylva, particularly members of the LGBT+ community who lived in the Great Western, who knew her from the Eglinton Direct Provision centres in Galway City and those that met her throughout her life in Galway.”

The charity also requested a full investigation at the time, and said that it would be working with people who knew Sylva on memorialising her life and burial.

This event shows how the Reception and Integration Agency, the Coroner Service and An Garda Síochána need to work together better and adopt clear policies regarding how deaths in direct provision are handled the IRC said.

“It is heart-breaking for the friends of Sylva to learn of her burial after it has happened. When responsibility shifts between agencies at State level, irreparable mistakes are made.”

“A clear process must urgently put in place which has the dignity of the person and the welfare of friends and family as its primary goal.”

Plans submitted for 13 houses in Loughrea town

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

Plans have been submitted for a residential development in Loughrea town of 13 houses.

Pinza Property Comapany ltd is seeking planning permission to build 13 two storey houses at St. Laurence’s Field, Loughrea.

The development would consist of 1 detached house, 6 semi-detached houses, and 6 townhouses.

Other work involved in the project would include the installation of roads, street lighting, landscaping open spaces and a children’s play area, and other ancillary site works.

Access to the new estate would be off the old N-66, now the R380 road.

Irish water has said that it would be able to connect this development to the existing water and wastewater services “subject to the delivery of Irish Water capacity upgrade works on the existing wastewater network”

Galway County Council is due to make a decision on approval or rejection of this planning application by July 3.

Inis Mór family says sewage and poisonous gas are causing their health problems

By
Michael Malone
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inis mor sewage

A family in Inis Mór believes that the land where they live has been polluted by sewerage and is causing them health problems.

The family has appealed to Galway County Council, the EPA and Irish Water to come together to test the land but they fear that there is no resolution in sight unless the three authorities will work together to look at their case.

In an interview with Cóilín Ó Neachtain on Adhmhaidin on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Thursday, they said that their problems go back as far as 1985, and that they fear that there is no resolution in sight unless the three authorities will work together to look at their case.

It is unclear to the family which authority is responsible for resolving the issue.

In an interview with Cóilín Ó Neachtain on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Thursday, Cáit Tom Phaddy Uí Fhlatharta explained that, following a court case with Galway County Council in 2014, it was agreed that an integrated wetlands system would be put in place by the counci.

Instead, a raised bed system was put in and the family does not know why this change was made.

“We have no clarification on that … we didn’t even know what an integrated wetlands was, and when they started the work in 2015, we assumed that’s what they were putting in…

“In November last year, we saw water above ground and we thought it was just rain, but it wasn’t.

“In March this year I went down there, and there’s sewerage there and the smell and all the effluent … I think that’s why my health has been suffering, but of course we can’t prove that.”

Cáit said that the sewerage could be seen above ground, and that she feared that there was poisonous gas coming from it that was affecting her health.  She said that if no resolution was found, that the family would have to move.

“I’d like the EPA, the County Council and Irish Water to come together and to test the ground and the air around us here …  This brings to mind John Hanrahan in Tipperary in 1985 when all his cattle were dying, that’s what it reminds me of.

“I’m going to doctors for I don’t know how many years – It goes back to 2006 and I’m going to doctors since then and they can’t find anything wrong with me.”

Cáit’s husband Máirtín Jack Ó Flatharta said that he was livid at the situation and how his wife was suffering for the last five or six years.  He said they had contacted their public representatives to little avail.

“The EPA was supposed to come up from Cork to come out here two months ago, but when they heard that the media was looking into this they pulled back and we haven’t heard anything from them since.  There’s nobody to speak up for us … and it makes my blood boil.  We’re worried about going public with this … but I’m more worried about my wife, that’s my biggest fear at the moment.  It’s disgraceful [that we have to go public] but we just don’t know what else we can do.”

Cáit Tom Phaddy Uí Fhlatharta and her husband Máirtín were interviewed by Cóilín Ó Neachtain on Adhmhaidin on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Thursday.

Footpath being installed at Tuam railway crossing for public safety

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Footpath to be installed at Tuam railway crossing

A new footpath is going to be installed at the old railway crossing Tuam for the safety of pedestrians.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that Irish rail have agreed to dedicate a section of ground at the old railway line on Vicar Street for a footpath.

“I have been contacted by many parents who are worried for their children’s safety going to the Gaelscoil or walking to schools in town,” the Independent TD said.

He added that the crossing is dangerous for traffic coming from Barrack Street onto Vicar Street “as visibility is impeded by the wall.

Irish Rail has now agreed to allow the county council to build a footpath on ground that it owns.

“The final dedication of the ground is being put in place by Irish Rail. I expect the paperwork to be completed shortly and hopefully the new footpath will then be put in place.”

 

All of Galway’s drinking water supply schemes declared safe by EPA

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

People in Galway can enjoy a glass of water with peace of mind as all water supply schemes here have been removed from the EPA’s remedial action list.

The number of water supply schemes in Galway that were declared unsatisfactory by the RAL list has declined from 11 in 2014 to zero now as of the publication of the latest list from the EPA.

The RAL identifies drinking water supplies that are ‘at risk’ of failing to consistently supply safe, clean drinking water.

The Ballinasloe Water Supply Scheme covering 8,500 was removed from the list after several years on the back of a €650,000 investment by Irish Water.

The upgrade works included a new UV disinfection system, additional filters and an improved control system at the water treatment plant.

Dr Pat O’Sullivan, Regional Drinking Water Compliance Specialist said that significant progress has been made in recent years in delivering safe, reliable drinking water in Galway.

“Working in partnership with Galway County Council, Irish Water is delivering results with significant improvements being made year on year and we are delighted that all schemes in County Galway have been removed from the EPA’s watch list.”

Upgrade works are underway at Gort, Spiddal and Oughterard water treatment plants, and work has also begun to connect the Loughrea water supply scheme to the Luimnagh scheme.

Dr O’Sullivan said that by working with the county council Irish Water “delivering results with significant improvements being made year on year.”

Irish Water is investing €2 billion in a programme of upgrades to the nation’s aging water infrastructure by 2021.

US tech company Genesys shifts €1.4 billion in assets to Galway branch

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

The US customer service tech company Genesys is transferring €1.4 billion in intellectual property assets to its new Galway business.

In February 2018 Genesys bought the Galway based software company Altocloud to expand their AI customer service capabilities.

The Irish Times reports that in the past few days paperwork has been filed for the complex cash neutral transaction with the renamed Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories to shift a large amount of intellectual property to Ireland.

One of the group’s companies in California paid €1.3 billion for a share in GTL, while another subcompany Greeneden Lux 3 Sarl in Luxembourg paid €145 million for a share.

The Galway based GTL will then use this money to buy the intellectual property from other companies in the Genesys Group.

This transaction has tax benefits, as Ireland gives tax allowances that can be written off against profits for multinational companies that move intellectual property here.

In a statement to the Irish Times Genesys said that the shift of assets to Ireland was part of a periodic “restructuring” process which takes place at the multinational.

It also said that the majority of the assets being shifted to Ireland are IP.

Genesys provides customer service technology to more that 10,000 customers globally, and employs over 3,000 people in the process.

From its Galway’s branch the company manufactures AI based customer service technologies for online businesses.

It was announced last November that 200 new jobs will be created in Galway as a result of the purchase of Altocloud as it expands.

Fly a Kite for men’s mental health this Father’s Day

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style Fly a kite for men's mental health

This Father’s Day people from across Galway are being invited to South Park, Galway to fly a kite for men and boys’ mental health.

Mental health a serious problem in our society, with a disproportionate number of men taking their lives each year.

Suicide statistics show that of roughly 500 people that take their lives every year in Ireland, approximately 400 are men and around 100 are women.

This event is meant as a way to acknowledge this problem within society and to highlight how many men are finding it difficult to communicate when they are struggling, worried or having a hard time.

It’s hoped that there will be at least 300 kites flying on June 16 to create a powerful visual show of support for men and boys.

Kites are available to buy from the organisers with all proceeds going to local youth mental health charity Jigsaw.

People are also welcome to bring their own kites on the day or to simply come along and enjoy the spectacle.

“From a young age many men are taught not to express emotion and that to do so is seen as weak,” said one of the organisers Stephen Walton.

“Let’s open up the conversation and let men and boys know that it’s OK to talk openly about how they feel.”

“Because a society that encourages healthy communication is a better society for everyone. ”

Jigsaw is the National Centre for Youth Mental Health and the funds raised by this event will help them to deliver their vital services here in Galway

The event is also a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the River Corrib. That’s one of the reasons that it was decided to locate the event beside the river at South Park.

“This event is hoping to shine more light on men’s emotional needs and by flying a kite together on Fathers’ Day, we can help to begin conversations among people to show that there is hope, there is a way things can get better and that not being OK or even happy is completely normal,” Walton added.

The event takes place at South Park ‘The Swamp’, at midday on Sunday, June 16 and will last for about one hour.

 

photo: Julia Dunin

Max the border collie is Galway’s puppy of the year

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style puppy of the year

Five month old Border Collie Max is Galway’s Puppy of the Year.

Petmania, the country’s largest specialist pet retailer, has been asking the public to vote in its search for the best puppy in Ireland.

After two months of public voting and over 66,000 votes, the 12 puppy finalists who hail from all over Ireland gathered for the Grand Final in Limerick last weekend.

Max, pictured above with his owner Alan Holland, was born on January 4 of this year, and was named the best boy in Galway with 572 votes.

Pumba, a Chowchow from Kerry owned by Catriona and Taylor Dowling, was chosen as the nation’s overall favourite puppy.

Best puppy in Ireland

Pumba will now feature in national campaigns and become the face of Petmania for 2019/2020.

They also received prizes worth over €1500 including food from Beta, grooming at Petmania’s Grooming Studios and a luxury minibreak from Ireland’s Blue Book Hotels.

The pet retailer noted that there was an issue with an abuse of voting rules in this year’s competition.

“Upon verification of votes, it has become apparent that throughout Round 2 for public voting that there has been extensive breach of the competition rules as outlined on our website, with many of votes cast which have been determined to be of a spam-nature.”

“As a result of this, a number of puppies have been disqualified from the competition.”

 

photo credit: Alan Place

NUIG chronic pain project shortlisted for €1 million prize

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news NUIG chronic pain project shortlisted for €1 million prize

A project on better managing chronic pain from NUIG is one of six finalists for a €1 million prize in the SFI Future Innovator competition.

The team of researchers at NUIG have made it to the final of this prestigious competition with their project ‘A novel hydrogel to address chronic pain in Irish patients’.

The SFI Future Innovator Prize is funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland to cultivate a solution based approach to funding research.

The competition challenges the country’s best and brightest unconventional thinkers and innovators to create novel, potentially disruptive technologies in collaboration with societal stakeholders and end-users.

Ministers Heather Humphreys and John Halligan announced the six finalists this week from universities, hospitals, and research institutes around Ireland.

An overall winning team will be announced in December and will receive a prize award of €1 million, giving them the chance to bring their solution to the market.

The Galway team tackling chronic pain includes Dr Alison Liddy, Biomedical Engineer and Chemist, and Dr Martin O’Halloran, Senior Lecturer in Medical Electronics, from NUIG; and Dr Chris Maharaj, Consultant Anaesthetist and Pain Specialist at UHG.

Congratulating the shortlisted teams Minister Humphreys said “It is very exciting to see so many innovative ideas coming through and I look forward to seeing their ideas develop further over the coming months.”

A novel aspect of the programme is the requirement for a Societal Impact Champion to be part of the leadership team.

The key role of this champion is to provide a strong perspective at all times on on how their project can be of benefit to society.

“This programme by its very design, is highly competitive and seeks to fund excellent research that aims to produce a tangible impact for society,” said Mark Ferguson, Director General of SFI.

He added that this competition showcases the “capacity of the Irish research community to help contribute to solving major national and global challenges.”

The challenges being addressed by the other five teams shortlisted in this competition are: Reducing the burden of Sepsis; Harnessing Gene Editing to Treat Rare Diseases; Enabling Next Generation Biological Imaging; Enabling Better Breast Cancer Diagnosis; and Minimising Hospital Waiting-lists and Optimising Healthcare Capacity.

Parents of unvaccinated child who spent three days in ICU admit influence of online anti-vax material

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway TD calls for retired healthcare staff to be used in vaccine rollout

The parents of a 13 month old child who spent three days in the ICU in University Hospital Galway admitted that they had been influenced by anti-vaccination material they read online.

The boys parents were apparently concerned by anti-vax materials online linking the MMR vaccine to autism and did not get him his childhood vaccinations as a result.

Writing in the Health Protection Surveillance Centre’s Epi Insight Report, Dr Peter Tormey and Dr Edina Moylett said the boy was admitted to the Emergency Department at UHG in “significant respiratory distress”.

On arrival it was noted that the child was very pale on arrived at the ED, with an oxygen saturation of 78% and “obvious central cyanosis”.

The doctors added there was “clinical evidence of significant respiratory distress with bilateral crepitations audible without notable wheeze.”

“Of note, the child had not received his childhood vaccinations due to parental concerns regarding social media reports of a potential link between the MMR vaccine and autism spectrum disorder.”

Blood tests showed the presence of Haemophilus influenzae bacteria which can serious infections in humans, particularly children.

Infections from strains of this bacteria have been drastically reduced since the introduction of the Hib vaccine in 1992, now routinely given to children.

The boy in question was infected with a non typable H. influenzae strain, and ultimately required a three day stay in the ICU and a ten day course of intravenous antibiotics.

“His mother was fully vaccinated and had received the pertussis booster vaccine during pregnancy.”

“Both parents were well informed regarding vaccine-preventable diseases and were aware of the various diseases this child was more susceptible to.”

The doctors at UHG took a chest radiograph which showed “significant bilateral consolidation” and inserted a nasal tube in the emergency department.

“Empiric IV ceftriaxone, oral azithromycin and ostelamavir were commenced. Urgent anaesthetic review was arranged”.

“This case highlights the potential for a vaccine preventable disease to cause acute, life-threatening illness in an unvaccinated child,” the report said

“The fact that this child was infected with a non typable H. influenzae strain is likely owing to ‘herd’ immunity attributable to the success of the Hib vaccine.”

Thankfully, since this incident the two parents have been “keen to pursue” a catch up regime of vaccines.

They also want to share their experience to highlight the importance of vaccination and “were hopeful that this experience may help to provide a more balanced argument on social media”.

Dr Tormey and Dr Moylett noted that this case shows the extremely negative impact that anti-vax social media content can have on vaccination uptake rates.

Two men arrested in connection with city stabbing

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news

Two men have been arrested in connection with a stabbing that took place in the city centre in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

A young man in his 20s was injured in a stabbing incident on Francis Street in the city centre at 3:30am on Wednesday.

Gardaí have said that two men also aged in their 20s have been arrested in connection with the incident.

They are currently being detained by gardaí under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act in Mill Street Garda Station.

The injured man was brought to University Hospital Galway yesterday with injuries that were described as serious, but not life threatening.

Three year health plan for aims for a tobacco free city

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Three year health plan for Galway city launched

A three year Health Plan for Galway city 2019 – 2021 was launched in Westside Library this week to promote physical and mental wellbeing.

This Health Plan is an initiative of Galway City Local Community Development Committee based on engagement, collaboration and the creation of long-term innovative partnerships.

It is focused on seven key themes to promote physical and mental wellbeing: Collaboration, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Tobacco Free Galway City, Prevention and Reduction of Alcohol Related Harm, Sexual Health, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.

Launching the strategy Catherine Byrne, Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy said “Healthy Ireland wants to empower every person, young and old, to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.”

“The Healthy Galway City Plan is a fantastic example of commitment at a local level to supporting and encouraging a healthier lifestyle.”

“The most important thing for each of us is to take that first step, no matter how small,” she concluded.

The themes that underpin the specific Galway city Health Plan are reflective of national health policy goals, in a bid to ensure than national ideas can be implemented locally.

The Healthy Galway City initiative began in 2006 with involvement in the World Health Organization Healthy Cities Network and more recently the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network.

This network aims to help local authorities implement Healthy Ireland, the national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of the Irish population.

Two years ago the government introduced the Healthy Ireland fund to provide material support for implementing those objectives.

Galway City LCDC were successful in securing money for the city health plan under the first two rounds of this fund and hope to enjoy similar success in round 3.

Mayor of Galway Niall McNelis said that with the help of this fund “we are increasing our awareness collectively throughout Galway City to make it easier for you to know where you can make that healthy start in your own community, so you can eat better, exercise more and feel better”.

Healthy Galway City is overseen by a steering committee comprising of representatives from Galway City Council, Galway City Partnership, HSE Health Promotion and Improvement, Galway City Community Network and Amach LGBTI+.

Galway people asked to nominate their most amazing teachers

By
Michael Malone
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Galway Daily news Almost 1,000 Ukrainian pupils enrolled in Galway schools

Galway people are being asked to nominate thier most inspiring teachers in an initiative which aims to highlight the huge contribution made by teachers across Irish society.

Teachers Inspire Ireland, an initiative by Dublin City University, is now open for people in Galway – and across the country – to share their personal stories of how a teacher transformed their lives, their community, or both.

Stories can be submitted through the teachersinspire.ie website, and can be in either written or video format.

The closing date for submissions is 30th June.  After the closing date, a shortlist of the most compelling stories will be selected and profiled on the website.

The initiative will then culminate in the inaugural Teachers Inspire Ireland gala dinner on 27 September, at which one teacher from each of the four provinces will be acknowledged and celebrated.

As he launched Teachers Inspire, Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh TD, said: “I welcome the development of this initiative, which acknowledges the pivotal contribution of teachers to our society.

“Throughout Ireland, teachers go above and beyond to give their students the best possible learning experience. They not only teach, they motivate, encourage and inspire.”

The President of DCU, Professor Brian MacCraith, said: “Teachers Inspire wants to hear from Galway people about teachers who have inspired excellence, passion, imagination, creativity, compassion and courage.

“We hope to see a strong response from people across the county who, I’m sure, have excellent stories to tell about the teachers who inspired them.

“DCU is delighted to play a central role in the development of Teachers Inspire Ireland. This is a significant national initiative that recognises the incredible work of so many teachers in changing lives and advancing communities.

“It is important that exceptional teachers get the validation and recognition they deserve.”

Mobile tower in Ballybrit gets planning approval

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

Galway city council has granted approval for a new mobile telecommunications tower in Ballybrit to improve the local phone and broadband internet coverage.

Cignal Infrastructure Ireland have been awarded planning permission for a 21m mobile tower at Silke’s Field next to Briarhill Business Park in Ballybrit.

The tower will carry “antennae and dishes enclosed within a 2.4m high palisade compound, including new access track, together with associated ground equipment and associated site equipment”.

The planning application submitted by 4Site on behalf of Cignal said that “This area of the county is insufficiently developed in terms of telecoms infrastructure.”

“The subject application for a multi-use structure will provide progressive services to the area, while ensuring that the visual impact of the infrastructure is minimised”

“The proposed site is actively required by eir who are looking to expand their services in this area.”

“The proposal of a multi-operator structure will accommodate mobile network operators as well as local and national broadband providers”.

Eir submitted a letter of support for this project, noting that under national guidelines mobile operators are required to share infrastructure where possible.

Cignal is a telecommunications infrastructure provider operating in Ireland since 2015.

They operate over 400 mobile towers around Ireland, providing infrastructure for service operators including eir, Three, Vodafone, and others to use for their phone and internet services.

Galway city council granted planning approval with three conditions attached.

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