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Oranmore school pupils learn to ‘Keep Safe’ at health and safety roadshow

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Oranmore School pupils learn to Keep Safe and Helath and safety roadshow

Over 100 children from three schools in Oranmore learned to Keep Safe this week in an event on health and safety at home, on the roads, or while enjoying the water.

Gaelscoil de hÍde, Scoil Íosaif Naofa and Maree National School attended the ‘Keep Safe’ event at Oranmore Community Centre on Wednesday organised by the Health and Safety Authority.

This event brought experts from the ESB, Irish Water, the Construction Industry Federation, An Garda Síochána, Galway Fire Services, Bus Eireann, RNLI, Croí and Teagasc to promote safety and community awareness.

Pupils from 5th and 6th classes took part in a series of interactive scenarios that focused on proper safety in different environments.

“The Keep Safe programme is specially designed for school children and aims to be an enjoyable and interactive way for them to learn about issues like water safety, electricity and fire safety,” said HSA inspector Veronica Helly.

“If children learn how to develop a safety mind-set early, they are better able to cope with all kinds of hazards and risks in life. By bringing together relevant agencies, we can pool our resources and knowledge for the benefit of children in the community.”

These event aim to teach kids to: become aware of personal and home safety, learn how to react to dangerous situations, foster good citizenship, learn how to recognise hazards and manage risks, and learn how to stay safe within the context of road safety, water safety, fire safety and site safety.

 

photo: Health and Safety Authority/facebook

Rejection of plans for 23 houses in Ardrahan appealed

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Knocknacarra social housing

An appeal has been lodged against the county council’s decision to reject plans for a residential development of 23 houses in Ardrahan.

Planning permission was sought for a residential development in Ardrahan that would have involved demolishing an agricultural building on site and constructing 23 houses in its place.

The county council rejected the plans in April over concerns from local residents that the development’s wastewater treatment system could contaminate the local drinking water supply.

A report by Parkmore Environmental Services was compiled on behalf of the Ardrahan Group Water Scheme noted that the planned discharge point was close to boreholes used by the group water scheme, and that the local karst landscape makes it difficult to predict how water will flow.

The developer submitted planning documents which stated that Molloy Prescast would design and maintain a wastewater treatment system for the next 20 years with four stages of treatment.

The wastewater would be stored then passed through a Sequential Batch Reactor system, followed by a sealed sand filter and a UV disinfection filter before being discharged.

A Hydrological Assessment was also submitted by the developer from Hydro-G which said the system was compliant with EPA guidelines and rejecting conclusions drawn by Parkmore Environment in relation to the flow of groundwater.

In refusing permission for these houses the council said that it did not have sufficient information about the proposed communal wastewater system, its “adequate installation and operation” and a guarantee of “long term management and maintenance”.

An appeal was made by the developer to An Bord Pleanála arguing that the management of the development’s wastewater has been a “key design consideration” from the beginning and that this development “would not be prejudicial to public health”.

The appeal states that the treatment system is fully compliant with Galway County Development Plan’s guidelines and “all relevant local, regional, and national planning policies and objectives”.

This case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanála by September 2.

World class music and family fun at Oranmore Arts Festival

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style World class family fun at Oranmore Arts Festival
Members of the Oranmore Arts Festival Committee pictured at the official launch of the Oranmore Arts Festival at The Thatch, Oranmore - Marcus Quinlan, Eleanor Leadbetter and Lindsay Deely with Nollaig McGuinness, Galway 2020 and Ivonka Kwiek, Galway 2020 .The festival takes place from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th May. Most events are free just book on eventbrite. All welcome.

The upcoming Oranmore Arts Festival promises four days of mind blowing music and world class family fun with its recently unveiled lineup.

Now in its second year, the 2019 Oranmore Arts Festival is building on last year’s success with a world class programme of music, theatre, art, film, and literature from May 16 – 19.

The sold-out headline act Mundy, who’ll be giving an intimate solo show in Oranmore Castle, is just the tip of the iceberg of amazing experiences that can be enjoyed over the four day festival.

The festival will officially open with a performance by Helen Hancock, a soprano and Oranmore resident who will be accompanied by the Marine Institute Choir.

The concert will be held on Thursday May 16 at 7pm in Keane’s Music Venue and is free to attend.

Just up the main street in Armorica Restaurant an art exhibition featuring the work of Christopher Banahan will be opened at 7.30pm followed by live jazz by the Koko Ensemble at 8.30pm.

Ciara McDonagh, Chair of the festival, said that after last year’s success “we felt that the 2019 programme had to up the ante”.

This year’s programme once again focuses on the theme of Meitheal both to highlight the sense of community in the coastal village and to encourage a tradition of working together for the common good.

With local creative artists, performers, and businesses all pitching in to put on events across pubs, hotels, restaurants, and any great space that’s open, the 2019 Oranmore Arts Festival aims to firmly stake its place in Galway’s festival season.

“We’re making the most of the spaces and we look forward to working with people who make Oranmore such a vibrant community,” Ciara added.

“The festival is a conduit through which artists, businesses, families and the wider community can communicate and discuss projects.”

“We can already see new collaborations forming and the festival is acting as a catalyst to encourage a new artistic energy in our village.”

One very special event is the inaugural performance of Amhrán Mór, a multi-generational choir that was set up just this year and has proved a smash hit in Oranmore, with more than 60 members of all ages, sometimes with three generations of the same family singing together.

They will perform in Nano Nagle Hall, Calasanctius on Saturday afternoon at 3.30pm.

There’s plenty of family events to bring the kids along to such as a performance of Pink & Blue, a non-verbal clowning show on Friday at 1.45pm in Keanes Music Venue.

Other family events include a Story & a Craft workshop by two local businesses, the Babbling Book Club and Toodlelou Creativity Lab in the library on Saturday morning at 11.15, Circus Skills workshops for the whole family on Sunday morning, and two Baby Disco’s on Sunday afternoon at 11.45 and 1pm in the Community Centre.

Children of all ages will also be delighted with the return of the fairy door trail, this year enhanced by the participation of the local Scouts.

That’s not to say there’s nothing for the adults to kick back and enjoy on their own. Thursday at 9:30pm is Open Mic night at the Porterhouse.

The next day will see a tour and tasting event at Galway Hooker Brewery and a concert by Deirbhile Ni Bhrolcháin and friends will take place in Oranmore Castle on Friday night at 8pm, promising to be a night to remember.

Some of the other events taking place over the four days, include the launch of two local Small Town Big Ideas projects in Unit 4, Tesco Complex, and and art exhibition by Lorraine Fletcher at Brazco Carrig Lair.

Another art exhibition from Active in Age will take place in the Tea Room, Armorica, and a live cake build by local talent Corinna McGuire with a cake cutting to close the festival in Brazco Carrig Lair on Sunday evening at 6pm.

Visit our website www.oranmoreartsfestival.ie for more events and further details. Tickets available from oranmoreartsfestival.eventbrite.ie.

This initiative is supported by Galway County Council. The Oranmore Arts Festival is a not for profit arts organization.

Conference on the economics of medical devices in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Medical devices conference in Galway

A conference on the future of medical devices and an economic analysis of their development will take place in Galway next week.

The Health Economic and Policy Analysis Centre at NUIG is working with CÚRAM Medical Devices Research Centre to hold a conference on the role of health economics in the research and development of medical devices.

Health Economics is the practice of using economic analysis to inform health policy and health care decision making, particularly within the modern realm of high-tech medical solutions.

HEPAC are currently performing research that applies health economics to a wide range of chronic conditions such as ageing, dementia, disability, mental health, cancer, and obesity, and how medical devices can be employed in the future treatment of those conditions.

This research is being used to contribute to a broad range of health policy issues at a national and international level.

Next week’s conference is meant for medical device developers, manufacturers, regulators, as well as those who practice healthcare and formulate health policy.

It will deal with issues related to making an economic assessment of the healthcare potential in medical devices.

“The medical device sector is very important for Ireland and indeed more locally in Galway,” said Dr Michelle Queally from CÚRAM.

She added that “Europe’s premier cluster of medical device companies is based in the Galway region.” and that making sure making sure that the healthcare system is getting value for money from the production of medical devices is an area of growing concern.

The seminar will take place on Monday, May 13 from 9am to 12pm at the Institute for Lifecourse and Society in Dangan.

The keynote speaker will be Professor Rosanna Tarricone from Bocconi University, Milan who has over 100 publications in the areas of health policy, healthcare management, economic analysis of health care services.

In recent years she has focussed on health technology assessment of medical devices and has been the leader of a large, three-year EU-funded research project ‘MedtecHTA’ that has made recommendations on how to improve methods for assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health technologies.

For further information and for registration contact Michelle Queally at michelle.queally@nuigalway.ie or on 091- 492934.

Thousands expected to walk from Darkness Into Light to support Pieta House

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily news Thousands expected to come for Darkness Into Light

Thousands of people are expected to come out to Salthill on Saturday morning and walk or run from Darkness Into Light in support of Pieta House.

Darkness Into Light is a worldwide event that raises money for Pieta House to support their life saving counselling services for people struggling with depression and thoughts of self-harm.

Suicide and depression are issues which have touched almost everyone in Ireland, whether you have lost a friend or family member, or seen someone you care about suffering.

In order keep driving down the number of people who take their own lives and to help those struggling with issues of mental health we have to come out to show them they are not alone and support services like Pieta House that provide caring, professional help.

Joan Freeman, founder of Pieta House, started Darkness Into Light ten years ago and in the years since then it has grown beyond anyone’s wildest expectations, with events organised in cities and towns around Ireland and the world.

On the first night in Dublin, just 400 people set off from the Phoenix Park for a 5km walk, compared with last year where 200,000 people took part in 150 events in 16 different countries.

Nearly 10,000 people turned out for Darkness Into Light in Galway alone last year, with just under 5,000 registered ahead of time and thousands more coming out to join them on the sands.

This year looks to surpass that, with over 200 events being organised in multiple countries, roughly 180 of them taking place in Ireland.

Since 2013 Darkness Into Light has been sponsored by Electric Ireland.

Donna Burke, head of fundraising for Pieta House in Galway said that the event mirrors the help Pieta House gives to people, helping them find their way “from despair to hope”.

Pieta House

Pieta House offers a wide range of support services for people who are depressed or harming themselves, as well as the families, friends and wider communities of those bereaved by a suicide.

Darkness Into Light is Pieta House’s flagship fundraising effort, without which they would not be able to keep their support and intervention services free and easily accessible to people going through troubled times.

It costs roughly €1,000 to put someone through their intervention services according to Donna Burke, and they work to remove as many barriers as possible between people in need and the care for them, with no personal cost and no need for a GP’s referral.

Since opening its doors Pieta House has helped more than 40,000 people with face to face therapy.

On top of that the charity also has Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officers who work with families and friends who have lost someone over an extended period.

More recently, Pieta House has also been running its Resilience Academy aimed at 2nd Year Secondary School students to help teenagers cope with the stresses that have made depression and self-harm such a plague among young people.

Talking about mental health

Beyond just raising money, Darkness Into Light is about tackling that stigma around acknowledging mental illness which still lingers in Ireland “even around the language” Donna said.

She added that this event can be “such a soft introduction to the topic” to make people less uncomfortable talking about their own mental health.

Even if someone is still struggling to find their voice “When people see the amount of people that come out, they realise they’re not alone”.

These crowds who leave the comfort of their homes in the early hours of the morning are proof positive that people want to show their support for people struggling with depression and their families.

The event begins and ends at Leisureland in Salthill, with the walk/run starting at 4:15am on Saturday morning.

People taking part being advised to get down to Salthill 30 to 40 minutes early and give themselves time to find a place to park as roads along the route will close at 3:30am.

Galway walkers can register online at www.darknessintolight.ie, with 3,500 people registered in Galway as of Friday morning.

There’s still plenty of time for people to register before the event, or just come on down regardless and register on your phone while you’re there, or afterwards.

People don’t have to make their way into the city to show their support, with a total of 18 events taking place around Galway.

Darkness Into Light events are being held by local committees in An Cheathrú Rua, Ballinasloe, Ballygar, Clifden, Colemanstown, Galway City, Glenamaddy, Headford, Inis Meáin, Inish Mór, Inis Oírr, Inishboffin, Kinvara, Loughrea, Oranmore, Oughterard, Portumna & Tuam.

Permission for new Kinvara restaurant upheld by an bord pleanala

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Permission for Kinvara restaurant upheld

An Bord Pleanála has upheld a decision to grant planning permission for a new restaurant in the centre of Kinvara.

Galway county council granted permission last December to convert the first and second floor of a residential unit on Main Street, Kinvara to a restaurant.

The three storey building lies on the corner of Main Street and Quay Street in Kinvara, with the ground floor occupied by Connolly’s Bar.

This development intends to reinstate the ground floor bar and convert the upper floors of the corner building to a restaurant with seating for 46 people.

The inspector from An Bord Pleanála said in their report that the residential units in question appear to be vacant.

An appeal was lodged against the council’s decision by a local resident concerned about the noise impact from this development as well as public parking and sewage infrastructure issues.

The appellant said that a Noise Impact Assessment should have been submitted to the council as part of the initial application.

A response was submitted by Oliver Higgins, Chartered Engineers on behalf of the developer which stated that requiring a NIA would be “over-zealous” as this is a commercial development in the town centre where such noise is expected.

The response also said that a new sewer connection was likely to be put in to serve the restaurant and that it would be reliant on public parking.

In making its decision An Bord Pleanála took into account that Kinvara is a tourist area and a development such as a restaurant would contribute to tourism amenities in the area.

The inspector also said that the old masonry walls of the building and proposed triple glazing windows would dampen the noise coming from the business.

An Bord Pleanála upheld planning permission with revised conditions including that the restaurant shall only operate between 9am and 9:30pm in the interest of residential amenity, and that the noise level should never rise more than 10dB above the background level.

Local council action needed on climate change says McDonagh

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Community Climate Action public information evenings in Galway City

Action on climate change is needed at the level of local government said city council candidate John McDonagh, echoing the recommendations of the Climate Action Report published this week.

The report suggested that local authorities should establish Strategic Policy Committees specifically dedicated to climate change and the actions that can be taken to combat it.

Suggestions as to how this SPC could be structured were included in the report, with provisions for representation from people in all social, economic and, environmental stakeholder groups.

The new SPC would be specifically a Climate Change SPC,” notes McDonagh adding that “I believe establishing such an SPC is something Galway City Council should do immediately.”

Another recommendation was that the council should take up the role of advising homeowners businesses on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, becoming a one stop shop for information provided by the SEAI and Climate Action Regional Offices.

Ireland yesterday became the second country in the world to declare a climate emergency, following on from the UK which did so last month.

Galway TD and Chair of the Dáil Climate Action Committee Hildegarde Naughton welcomed the declaration yesterday, saying that it was now time to act on the reports recommendations.

“We now have cross party support in declaring a climate and biodiversity emergency. Action now needed,” she said on twitter.

John McDonagh, who is standing for the Labour Party in the city’s central ward, said the only way to progress meaningful climate action is for local government to “take a lead” from the Joint Oireachtas Committee and work towards a consensus.

He finished by warning that climate change it too urgent a threat to be left to the “whim” of whatever party is in government or holds a council majority.

Two day road closure for Craughwell roadworks

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

A road near Craughwell will be closed for two days next week to facilitate roadworks taking place in the area.

Resurfacing Overlay roadworks are being carried out on a section of the L4501 at Kileeneen, Craughwell next Monday and Tuesday.

The section of the L4501 in question will be closed to traffic from 7:30am to 7pm on May 13 & 14 to allow for these works to take place.

“As a consequence users of this road are requested to expect delays and as such should allow additional time for their journeys,” 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 Road Resurfacing Overlay Works was awarded to Lagan Asphalt Ltd.

Galway’s Marine Institute encourages young women to pursue a future in science

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Marine Institute encourages young women to pursue a future in science

The Marine Institute here in Galway recently played host to a group of enquiring TY students in a visit meant to encourage young women to explore a future in the sciences.

The students from Roscommon Convent of Mercy toured the Marine Institute and its state of the art facilities in Oranmore, and heard from staff specialists about potential careers in marine science.

A number of female scientists and staff from the Marine Institute spoke to the 30 transition year students about working in fisheries science, marine chemistry, data and applications management among the many fields which are involved in ocean science.

Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute, said that 70% of the women employed there work in science and research including oceanography, fisheries ecosystems and advisory roles, marine environment and food safety.

“We aim to inspire a new generation of marine professionals and encourage awareness of the diverse careers in the marine that can be unlocked by studying subjects in science, technology and engineering.”

“Highly qualified and skilled professionals are needed across a wide range of marine areas, to harness our ocean wealth and sustainably grow Ireland’s ocean economy,” Dr Heffernan added.

Scientists and staff shared their passion and insights from working in the marine sector with the students, discussing the projects that they are currently working on and how they impact our lives.

Projects such as the Ireland-Wales EU Interreg Project, BlueFish, which aims to improve our understanding of marine resources and the potential impacts of climate change in the Irish and Celtic Sea ecosystem.

The students also spoke with scientists about recent seabed mapping surveys and the discovery of a very rare shark nursery in Ireland’s deep ocean territory.

Encouraging a new generation to pursue marine and maritime careers, is an initiative of the Marine Institute’s Strategic Plan 2018-2022: Building Ocean Knowledge, Delivering Ocean Services.

The Institute runs a week-long, full-time work experience programme for TY students each year, and information about the application process for the next programme in 2020 will be made available later this year.

Health Minister to deliver keynote address at National Pharmacy Conference in Galway

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Government to help fund building student accommodation in Galway

Minister for Health Simon Harris will deliver the keynote address at the three day national conference of the Irish Pharmacy Union taking place in Galway this weekend.

The IPU is holding its annual conference titled ‘Community Pharmacy: Maximising Our Potential’ at the Galmont Hotel from May 10 – 12.

This year’s conference will look at how community pharmacies can develop a broader scope of practice and engage more with the wider health system.

Health Minister Simon Harris will open the conference’s plenary session taking place on Saturday morning.

A number of motions will be up for debate at this conference addressing a broad range of issues affecting the pharmacy sector including the rollout of Sláintecare, overly burdensome bureaucracy, and calling for the reversal of FEMPI.

The first motion on the the agenda calls for the AGM to comment the Sláintecare programme: “For engaging with the IPU to explore the healthcare role of the pharmacist and looks forward to the expansion of pharmacy services as part of reforming and modernising healthcare in Ireland.”

After that pharmacists will debate calling on the HSE, PCRS and the PSI, “review and reduce the level of unnecessary bureaucracy they foist on community pharmacists which risks exacerbating the exodus of young pharmacists from the profession.”

And also on the agenda is a motion for the IPU to call on the Minister of Health “following the recent agreement with General Practitioners, to immediately commence substantive talks with the IPU to reverse FEMPI as it applies to community pharmacy contractors.”

The conference will also see a range of speakers from across the pharmacy sector including Dr Ross T. Tsuyuki from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Alberta; Margaret Wing, CEO of the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association; and Terence A. Maguire Pharmacist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast.

They will be joined by others on Saturday afternoon for a roundtable discussion on ‘Sláintecare – the Future Shape of Healthcare’.

Plans submitted for residential development in Loughrea town centre

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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 the town centre of Loughrea on Abbey Street.

MP Young Developments is seeking planning permission to build five houses across two unused back garden areas which will face onto Abbey Street in Loughrea.

The development will consist of three 2-bed houses and two 3-bed houses with a shared communal space, private open space, and car parking.

The planning application states that this development “will offer new life to the town centre and utilise lands which have become over the years unused, and shall present a welcome addition to the local environment”.

Ministerial consent had to be sought for this project due to its proximity to Loughrea’s medieval town defences, a protected national monument.

The site for this residential development is 6m south of The Walks which make up part of the town’s medieval history.

The Walks are an 18th century promenade which runs from east to west along the northern limits of the medieval town.

An Archaeological report was prepared for this application by Anne Carey, Archaeological Consultant.

Eight excavation trenches were dug on the site as part of the pre-planning process which yielded no finds of archaeological significance according to the report.

The report recommended further archaeological works be carried out to the north of the site.

The National Monuments Service said that these are approved if the development is likely to disturb that area. But if not, then they aren’t required.

Galway county council is due to make a decision on this planning application by June 6.

9th annual Galway city heritage conference this month

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style 9th annual Galway city heritage conference taking place this month

The 9th annual Galway City Heritage Conference will take place later this month to celebrate the rich cultural history of Galway.

This year’s heritage conference, organised by Galway city council, is title ‘Aon Scéal? Story Rory? Irish Folklore and Oral  History’.

The final list of speakers is still being finalised by the council and will be published when ready.

The day long conference will take place at the Harbour Hotel at the New Docks on May 23 from 9am to 6pm.

Attendance at the conference is free of charge, but booking is essential. To book a place call Galway City Council Planing Department on 091-536599 or email planning@galwaycity.ie.

Take part in the magic of Macnas this summer

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Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily life & style Get a look behind the curtain of Macnas magic this summer

Galway’s premiere creators of spectacle and performance art Macnas are offering people the chance to get involved in the magic this summer.

The Macnas Óg Summer School is opening to young artists and performers again July, and closer to hand the group is looking for people to try their hands at some advanced stilt work.

Macnas are beginning advanced Stilt Performance workshops with an emphasis on Stilt performance using mask, stilt-performance in acrobatics and in physical performance indoors and outdoors

These workshops are for people aged 15-25 who already have some experience in stilt walking and are ready to learn ensemble stilt performance working with giants, drummers, and all the fantastic creations Macnas are known for.

Participants will learn advanced technical stilt performance techniques on a weekly basis and will be trained in the unique work that is part of Macnas’ world famous performances.

This training will be led by Aidan Phelan with Artistic Director Noeline Kavanagh with an audition being held on Thursday, May 14 at the workshop in Fisheries Field.

To take part in the audition e-mail performers@macnas.com. The workshops are free but spaces in this ensemble is limited.

Macnas Óg Summer School

Come summer the doors of the workshop will be thrown open for the Macnas Óg Summer School to let young people get a look behind the curtain.

Young artists and performers aged 7 – 12 will take part in a week long exploration of the group’s techniques, both in performances and the fantastical creations for which they are so well known.

Facilitated by lead Macnas performance directors Judith Higgins and Miquel Barcelo, Macnas’ youngest collaborators will gain an insight into the magic of spectacle while developing new and exciting skills.

With a focus on physical activity and games, the workshop will sow the seeds of magic and mayhem in a celebration of imagination and creativity from a child’s perspective.

This fantastic summer activity will run from Monday, July 1 – Friday, July 5 from 10am to 1pm each day.

For more information email performers@macnas.com.

 

photo: Declan Colohan

Gort road closure for resurfacing roadworks

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

There will be a one day road closure at Labane near Gort tomorrow in order to allow roadworks to take place.

The road will be closed for th day while Galway county council is having overlay resurfacing roadworks carried out on a stretch of the L4520 at Labane.

“In order to facilitate these works, the section of the L4520 in question will be temporally closed to through traffic between the hours of 7:30am & 7pm on Friday the 10th of May 2019,” a statement from the county council said.

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

“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 given to Lagan Asphalt Ltd.

Oughterard Boxing Club building new training facility

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Briain Kelly
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Galway daily sport Oughterard Boxing Club granted permission for new gym

Oughterard Boxing Club has been granted planning permission to build a temporary new gym for training.

The boxing club sought a grant of temporary permission to build a training facility next to the Old Girl’s National School in Canrawer East, Oughterard which is a protected structure.

Oughterard Boxing Club was founded in 1964 by Johnny O’Connor of New Village who had learned to spar while in the army.

He founded the club with the idea that the training would be a good way for the local GAA players and young people in the area to keep fit during the winter months.

In the years since then the young people who have trained there have racked up victories at the county, national, and international level.

Galway county council granted permission with three conditions attached.

The planning permission will last for five years after which gym will have to be removed unless the club gets an extension.

Dealing with a Rogue Tenant

By
Desmond Fitzgerald
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As there are rogue landlords there are rogue tenants. There are tenants who have no intention of paying their rent as it falls due and who calculate that the time it takes the landlord and the RTB to actually remove them will give them a free space to live for perhaps a year or more with a very limited downside (Loss of deposit) . A person who makes this calculation is not likely to be worried about keeping the apartment or house in good condition.

Note to rogue Landlords: if you have not registered the tenancy, and then find you have got rogue tenants, you have a real problem. They could refuse to pay the rent or make ridiculous excuses. They could put on loud music day and night and annoy the neighbours, and their dog might even start chewing your sofa. A rogue landlord cannot take action against a rogue tenant because, almost certainly, the rogue tenant already knows all about the RTB registration system.

Unfortunately, for the vast majority of landlords who are registered, compliant, and providing a vital service, getting rid of a determined bad tenant can be difficult, slow and expensive. The steps are as follows:

  1. If the tenant is in arrears of rent, firstly  Serve a (14 Day) Warning Notice for Failure to pay rent. This notice must state how much rent is due, give the tenant reasonable time to pay it, and outline what will happen if they don’t pay. The tenant must be allowed reasonable time to pay the arrears (most leases will require a minimum 14 days). 
  2. After waiting the 14 days,  If the tenant fails to pay the rent due as warned, the landlord can serve a 28 day notice of termination to the tenant.
  3. In due course a Dispute resolution meetings with the RTB will be set up. The tenant may not show up at the meeting. A second meeting may have to be arranged.
  4. If the RTB, after hearing the facts, finds in landlords favour: it will issue a determination order on the tenant.
  5. The tenant can appeal to the RTB Tribunal and have the case reheard.
  6. If the Tenant loses, they may leave, or may decide not to leave.
  7. If the tenant stays on, despite the determination order, then the landlord needs to retain a Solicitor to begin District Court proceedings.
  8. The District Court confirms the RTB order and orders tenants to pay the rent arrears and costs.
  9. The rogue tenant may leave and pay, or may decide to stay and not pay.
  10. If the tenant does not comply with the court order, the solicitor must apply to Court for an execution order, and retain a sheriff to actually take charge of repossession of the property, and yes, eviction of the tenant.
  11. There will be further costs to the landlord for the execution order, and for retaining the Sheriff. The Sheriff will communicate to the tenant that they must leave of face physical eviction. The tenant may chose by agreement to vacate ahead of the date chosen by the sheriff, or may stay on until the sheriff actually takes possession.
  12. In these circumstances arrears will likely never be paid and there is a possibility of property damage. But the rogue tenants are finally gone.

For a true case history:

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/i-would-not-follow-the-law-the-next-time-landlord-who-lost-25k-in-ordeal-with-rentdodging-tenants-37317965.html

 

End PJ Paralysis campaign launches at UHG to get patients out of bed

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news UHG launches end PJ paralysis campaign

A new campaign to get people up and out of bed to reduce their recovery time in hospitals was officially launched at University Hospital Galway today.

‘End PJ Paralysis’ is a national campiagn to encourage people to stay mobile and get back into their daily routine, maintain independence and return home as soon as possible.

Chris Kane, General Manager at UHG said that when people are recovering from an injury or illness at hospital they try to encourage them to get up and dressed the same as they would at home.

“The ‘End PJ Paralysis’ initiative has been running on a number of wards since January and will be rolled out across the whole hospital,” he added.

“Based on the success to date, we hope to continue to improve the patients’ experience in hospital and reduce the length of their stay.”

The ‘End PJ Paralysis’ campaign has also previously been running at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe since March 15.

Former RTÉ sports broadcaster Michael Lyster joined the staff at UHG in launching the campaign at Galway’s largest hospital.

Speaking at the launch, Michael Lyster said, “I was surprised to learn how beneficial it is to get up and dressed while in hospital myself and the huge positive impact it can have on recovery, reducing the time spent in hospital and making it easier to adjust to life at home afterwards.”

Miriam Flatley, Senior Physiotherapist who has been involved in the roll out of the initiative said that the dangers of people spending too long cooped up in a bed are well documented.

Research has shown that one week of bed rest can result in a 10% loss of muscle density “especially in older patients”, she warned.

“This can be the difference between a patient being able to climb the stairs in their own home or not.”

“All staff are encouraging patients to get up and dressed each day and to take regular walks if possible.”

Not only is this the best course of action for the patient to look after themselves, said Debbie Belton, Clinical Nurse Manager, but it’s also improving the level of care they can receive from staff.

“Nurses report that patients are up and about earlier, leading to more time for direct patient care on the wards.”

Patients at UHG are being asked to pack day clothes and shoes, as well as pyjamas, dressing gowns and nightwear.

The hospital is even supplying patients with pedometers if they’re interested in keeping track of their physical activity.

Last chance to show your Small Town has Big Ideas with Galway 2020

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway daily life & style Deadline for small towns big ideas round 2

Tomorrow (May 10) is the deadline for local community groups to apply for funding from the second round of Galway 2020’s Small Towns Big Ideas project.

Small Towns Big Ideas is a county-wide project that celebrates Meitheal, the ancient Irish tradition of coming together for a common purpose.

Galway 2020 has a pot of €200,000 to distribute to groups with ideas on how to celebrate this tradition, with individual grants running between €5,000 and €15,000.

Interested groups are asked to submit proposals that demonstrate collaboration, ambition, creativity, community involvement, a European dimension, and match the core Capital of Culture themes of Landscape, Language and Migration.

Artists and other producers are also welcome to apply so long as the can demonstrate that they have identified and made contact with a community and have a ‘context’ out of which they work.

During the first round of Small Towns Big Ideas over 50 groups across the city and county received funding for projects that celebrated the diversity and rich cultural history of Galway.

More than 20 of those projects have already taken place, with the remainder scheduled to happen over the remainder of 2019.

Successful applicants for the second wave will make up a big part of the programme for 2020 itself when Galway receives the Capital of Culture designation.

The final deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday, May 10. Applications can be made through Galway 2020’s website.

File being prepared for DPP on alleged Connemara sexual assault

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news

A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a US student in Connemara over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The 19 year old student who is visiting Ireland with her US university reported a sexual assault which allegedly took place at Tully Cross on Sunday, May 5.

At the time of the alleged sexual assault the young woman was with a group of fellow students attending the Connemara Mussel Festival and socialising in Tully Cross.

A Garda spokesperson said that a man (17) was arrested on May 7 and questioned at Clifden Garda Station in connection with the incident.

He was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and later released without charge.

A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Gardaí have said that due to the nature of the investigation, no further statement will be made.

Rail network needs “radical overhaul” for the west to prosper

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Galway train service disruptions this weekend

A radical overhaul of the rail network in Ireland, including high speed rail, is needed for the west of Ireland to prosper according to Anne Rabbitte.

The Fianna Fáil TD said that a sustained multi-year investment programme is needed to overhaul the rail network, suggesting that Ireland should look to the European Investment Bank for funding.

She suggested that a high speed point to point service would enable economic mobility by allowing people to work farther afield and take advantage of opportunities away from home.

“Why does it take two and a half hours to travel from Galway to Dublin on the train when there’s technology that could shorten it to an hour?”

“It would then be a reasonable proposition that someone could live in Galway and work in Dublin. Connectivity is key.”

Beyond that Deputy Rabbitte said that urban areas in the northwest such Castlebar, Sligo, and Roscommon town should be made into regional transport hubs hubs to spread these advantages to more rural areas.

Modernising the rail network is also an environmental issue, providing an opportunity to cut down on the carbon emissions from our trains Anne Rabbitte said, arguing that a feasibility study should be carried out to better target investment.

“There is a disproportionate focus on Dublin and it’s going to damage the country’s competitiveness,” she said “No new rail carriages have been bought since 2016. This is while trains are full to dangerous levels.”

“We need to make sure the country is positioning itself such that we can demonstrate how we’ve continued to modernise and adapt to the needs of both people and business.”

“This would attract jobs and, hopefully, see a fairer approach to the country’s transportation networks”.

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