More time sought to fully restore Ballyglunin railway station

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August 18, 2018

galway daily news Storm Deirdre weather warning downgraded for Galway

Tá foláireamh tugtha ag Met Éireann go mbeidh mórchuid do báisteach trom ag titim istoíche anocht.

Chur Met Éireann an foláireamh seo in áit ag meán-lae inné, an Aoine 17ú Lúnasa agus dúradh go mbeidh ana chuid báisteach trom ag titim i blúire beag ama.

Deirtear go mbeidh thart ar 20mm ag titim de bharr an Stoirm Tropiceach Ernesto a bhuail Ceanada go déanach ar an Chéadaoin.

Tá sé ráite nach mbeidh ann ach deireadh an Stoirm Tropiceach Ernesto ach tugtar an foláireamh chun go mbeadh daoine ar aire maidir leis an méid báisteach trom a d’fhéadfadh titim.

Coimeádaigí sábháilte uilig.

Galway branch of software giant sees massive jump in revenue

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August 18, 2018

The Galway based subsidiary of software giant SAP saw its profits jump by more than three fifths last year.

According to the company’s latest filings, pre-tax profits at the Galway branch jumped by 64% last year, from €7.8 million up to €12.8 million.

SAP operates a Customer Service and Support Centre at Parkmore Business Park in the city.

The Irish Times reports that the jump in profits in 2017 is matched by a 19% increase in turnover, up €24.6 million from 2016 to €152.9 million.

The Galway unit also saw its staff costs increase to €99.6 million compared with €82.5 million in 2016.

Founded in 1972, SAP is the largest software company in Europe with more than 335,000 customers in over 180 countries.

Between it’s branches in Galway and Dublin, SAP employs 1,880 people in Ireland, part of a European workforce of 88,000 people.

Staff in Galway and Dublin work in over 40 fields, from customer service and support, to research and development of new software products.

Government reviewing re-opening Athenry to Claremorris rail line

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August 17, 2018

Galway daily news Quiet Man station gets planning approval for restoration

The government is reviewing whether to extend the Western Rail Corridor to include the closed rail line between Athenry and Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross ordered the review, which will look at the cost of re-opening the rail line and the potential for economic development it would bring.

It was first promised that a review would be undertaken of services along the Western Rail Corridor in 2016.

The issue of the rail line has become a bone of contention between two Galway East TD’s, Sean Canney and Ciaran Cannon.

Deputy Cannon has said that trains will never run on the line “in our lifetime” as it is not economically viable, pointing to the low traffic on the Ennis to Athenry line.

The Fine Gael TD is a strong supporter of converting the disused line into a greenway, which he says will bring tourism benefits to Athenry and other small towns along the line.

Indenpendent TD Sean Canney has long been outspoken in favour of extending the rail corridor.

It was he who secured a commitment for an independent review of re-activating the rail line in the May 2016 programme for government.

The Irish Times reports that Deputy Canney says he has a written guarantee from the Taoiseach that if the finding of the review are approved by the government, the project will go ahead.

“The Taoiseach has also highlighted that the two phases from Athenry to Claremorris could play an important role in the Atlantic economic corridor,” Deputy Canney said.

“The project has been described by the chair of the Atlantic Economic Corridor task force subcommittee on infrastructure as a no brainer.”

Back in 2005, the government commissioned McCann report suggested re-opening Western Rail Corridor in three stages.

But the Fine-Gael government showed little interest in the project from 2011 on, with then Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar deleting any mention of it from the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (Ten-T) programme for cross-border projects.

This rendered the project unable to qualify for EU funding for years to come.

Some local groups have suggested that a better, alternative use for the line would be as a greenway running from Athenry to Sligo.

The Western Rail Trail Campaign has a petition to convert the line into a greenway, which recently passed 20,000 signatures.

Campaign founder Brendan Quinn said that converting the wholly state owned line into a greenway would preserve it in case it is ever re-opened.

Former OT Participant is hopeful his “Bay to Bay Walk” has raised 20k for charity

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August 17, 2018

galway daily news ronan scully — Ronan on his way from Ennistymon to Liscannor Co Clare. Photo:Andrew Downes, Xposure

Blistered but not unbowed, Ronan Scully is hoping to net 20k from his charity “Irish Camino” walk from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay.

He’s run across the polar ice-cap at the North Pole, competed in Africa’s biggest road race, walked across Ireland, he has done the Camino de Santiago a few times and done much more besides for charity, but Honorary Galway-man Ronan Scully admits that he finally met his match when he recently attempted to walk from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay via Clare and the Burren just over 300km’s on foot.

The one-time ‘Operation Transformation’ leader completed his eight-day ‘Bay to Bay Charity Walk’ from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay blistered but unbowed, as he succeeded in hopefully raising €20,000 or more for his chosen charities in Galway, Ireland and Africa.

Joined along the way by friends, family and supporters, especially Fergus McGinn and many friends from Galway, Clare and Offaly, Ronan used the 300km charity challenge as a way to make his recent 51st birthday an event to remember.

“I was a broken man; exhausted!” he confessed, while at the same time adding that he was hugely heartened by the good will and support that he had encountered along the way.

The former RTE TV contestant got the idea for his 51st birthday challenge when walking a section of the Camino de Santiago in Spain a few years ago for the charity for whom he works, Gorta-Self Help Africa:

“I wanted to do something special to both celebrate my birthday, and 26 years working in developing countries. I decided to do another Irish Camino.”

Having completed several charity walks in the past, including a marathon in the North Pole thanks to Global Adventures Running, Ronan Scully confessed this year’s 300km’s “Bay to Bay Walk” was by far his hardest challenge.

“It was different from the other walks in the sense that there was further to go,” he explained.

“The most difficult moment was the seventh day. It rained a lot and we got cold. My legs and feet got really sore at that point.”

“The encouragement I received from friends, family and colleagues and the staff and supporters of the charities who completed sections of the walk with me, is what kept me going,” he admits.

“I am grateful for the generosity and kindness of the people we met, and those who gave us food and water. Especially I would like to thank Bishop Fintan Monahan of the Killaloe Diocese and originally from Galway who gave us accommodation for 2 nights in his house in Ennis and said mass for us on 3 occasions over the week as some of my best memories of the experience.”

Ronan, who was a participant on one of the very first series of RTE’s popular ‘Operation Transformation’ programme won’t get much time to rest before setting off for his next charity challenge.

“I will walk the Camino de Santiago with a group of supporters of Gorta-Self Help Africa in late September and we still have 5 places available until the end of August, and I am also hoping to bring a group to Africa early next year please God,” he said.

Participants are still being sought for the Camino event at the end of September, and anyone interested in joining Ronan on his travels can contact Gorta-Self Help Africa on 01 6778880, or email ronan.scully@selfhelpafrica.org to get in contact.

Further information about the upcoming trips is also available at: https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/events or if you would like to donate towards the work of Gorta Self Help Africa you can do so by sending donations to Gorta Self Help Africa, Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, Westside, Galway. 087 6189094 www.selfhelpafrica.org

Pictures of the ‘Bay to Bay Walk’ are available here.

300km’s ‘Bay to Bay Walk’ for Charity. Pictures and Sponsors

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August 17, 2018

Return to Galway — Ronan is greeted into Galway after his 300km Charity Bay to Bay walk via Ennis and The Burren by Gary Monroe father of Rosabel whom the charity Rosabels Rooms is called after and one of the charities along with Self Help Africa and The Rape Crisis Centre of whom the walk was for.

Pictures and Sponsors of the 300km’s ‘Bay to Bay’ Charity Walk.

Former Operation Transformation participant Ronan Scully has thanked all the sponsors and each and every person who has been involved in his journey as he completed a 300km ‘Bay to Bay’ Walk for Charity.

Ronan Scully completed what he has described as his hardest challenge to date, by walking 300km’s from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay over the course of a 7 day period.

He has expressed his sincere thanks to everyone involved and has given special praise to those who have come on board as sponsors.

List of Sponsors involved: Galvin’s Menswear shop in Tullamore one of Ireland’s leading menswear shops, Declan Smith’s Gas and Oil Services in Enfield Co. Meath, Roy Gibson of Advertees, Fergus McGinn of McGinn’s Hophouse, Gary Monroe of Monroe’s Live, Paul and Mary Grealish of The Kings Head, Richard Donovan’s Global Adventure Running and Andrew Downes of Xposure photography.

Ronan Scully has expressed his deepest thanks to anyone who has made donations and to media for all their help and support.

Pictures of the 300km ‘Bay to Bay’ Charity Walk:

Ronan is greeted into Galway after his 300km Charity Bay to Bay walk via Ennis and The Burren by Gary Monroe father of Rosabel whom the charity Rosabels Rooms is called after and one of the charities along with Self Help Africa and The Rape Crisis Centre of whom the walk was for.

Ronan and friends as they walk through Doolin in County Clare

Ronan arriving in Kinvara with Paul Galvin and are met by Kinvara PP Fr. Hugh Clifford.

Ronan with Bishop Fintan Monahan originally from Galway and friends at the Bishops house in Ennis in County Clare

Ronan on his way from Ennistymon to Liscannor in Co. Clare Photo:Andrew Downes, Xposure

Ronan with his two friends and walking companions Paul Galvin and Colm Heaney arriving in Ennis on their 300km charity walk from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay

Intense rainfall expected on Saturday courtesy of Storm Ernesto

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August 17, 2018

Galway Daily weather Weather warning for heavy rain and possible flooding now in effect

Heavy rainfall is expected in Galway on Saturday night as Tropical Storm Ernesto makes landfall in Ireland.

Met Eireann have issued a status Yellow weather warning from 8pm on Saturday night until 8am on Sunday morning.

Despite the fact that we will only be seeing the tail-end of the tropical storm, intense rain could see 20mm or more falling in short space of time.

A marine advisory has also been issued for all small craft, warning that Southwest winds will reach force 6 or 7 on all Irish coasts.

Ernesto is the fifth named storm in this year’s Atlantic Hurricane season.

Galway city council have advised that emergency crews will be on standby tomorrow night in case they are needed.

Weather advisory from @MetEireann – High intensity rainfall over a relatively short period of time for many areas on Saturday night associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm #Ernesto. Totals up to 20mm could occur. @GalwayCityCo crews on standby if needed. #Galway https://t.co/eyftapdxe9

— Galway City Council (@GalwayCityCo) August 17, 2018

Storm Ernesto hit Newfoundland, Canada late on Wednesday according to US National Hurricane Centre, and is currently making its way across the Atlantic.

Fortunately, while Sunday will start off damp with rain and mist, the weather is expected to pick up quickly in the morning for a mostly dry day.

Which is good news for the people who will be making their way to Croke Park or packing Eyre square for the All Ireland minor and senior Hurling finals.

The minors are up first with Galway v Kilkenny set to start at 13:15, and the seniors, Galway v Limerick will follow at 15:30.

Galway Business Association is once again bringing the ‘Big Screen’ to Eyre square where thousands are expected to watch the matches.

Last year Galway took home both the senior and minor titles and the hope for a repeat is strong.

CAMOGIE: Galway vs Kilkenny (Saturday, 5.30pm Semple Stadium)

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Darren Kelly

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August 17, 2018

Galway vs Kilkenny camogie — REPRO FREE***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Round 4, Nowlan Park, Co. Kilkenny 22/7/2018 Kilkenny vs Galway Kilkenny's Davina Tobin with Niamh Kilkenny of Galway Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Galway’s senior camogie team reach their defining 2018 moment when they face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final in their biggest game since the 2013 All-Ireland triumph. They’ve only visited Croke Park once since (2015) and have lost their last two outings at the penultimate stage.

Kilkenny and Cork have contested the last four national finals and the country has already built up another September showdown. The general consensus is that Galway are ranked number three but Saturday presents an opportunity to prove they are a ‘Top Three’ rather than outsiders looking in.

Their recent performance against Kilkenny four weeks ago hardly inspires confidence as despite strong starts to both halves, Galway tamely fell in the final quarter in Nowlan Park as the hosts ran out comfortable 1-17 to 0-13 winners.

Galway did attack from the whistle and white made Kilkenny uncomfortable in spells. That being said, Galway responded in the All-Ireland quarter-final with a professional 0-20 to 0-4 victory over Dublin with full backs Shauna Healy, Sarah Dervan and Tara Kenny delivering a quality display.

Sarah Healy and Heather Cooney are key players either side of the full back line. Emma Helebert, Lorraine Ryan and Ann Marie Starr will protect the defence allowing Aoife Donohue, Niamh McGrath, Niamh Kilkenny, Rebecca Hennelly, Carrie Dolan, Ailish O’Reilly and Noreen Coen freedom in attack.

The key battle will be Ann Dalton verses Caitriona Cormican and it’s important Galway go for the jugular. That being said, Ann Downey’s charges have plenty of other options and in attack Katie Power, Denise Gaule, Michelle Quilty and Shelly Farrell are a handful any day.

Niamh Hanniffy remains absent due to her ligament injury but Hennelly is back having missed the quarter-final. There is no questioning Galway’s ability to cause a surprise but they haven’t got one over Cork or Kilkenny in a knock out match since the 2015 league final.

Galway stormed back into the championship picture in 2008 but after a decade, one can’t escape thinking the end of an era is nigh. Anyone writing them off should do so with caution. But Galway will need their best performance in years to ensure a title match in Croke Park on September 9th.

Verdict: Kilkenny

CAMOGIE: Galway Dismantle Dublin to Get Kilkenny Rematch https://t.co/pPIOsCIjWy

— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) August 8, 2018

Help for Galway Business as Brexit edges closer

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Paul Caplis

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August 17, 2018

Galway Daily business €10m fund to help regional businesses adapt to COVID & Brexit

Customs and Logistics is the biggest Brexit challenge facing Galway businesses

According to Enterprise Ireland, Customs and Logistics is the single biggest Brexit challenge facing business across Ireland. The findings arose from an Enterprise Ireland survey which took place at its Dublin Brexit Advisory Clinic in June.

Almost half (49%) of the respondents to the audience participation poll ranked Customs and Logistics as their greatest concern. This was followed by Financial and Currency Management at 19% and Market Diversification at 13%.

To help deal with these challenges, Enterprise Ireland has set up a €5k Be Prepared Grant to support Customs and Logistics training for client companies. Four further events are planned as part of Enterprise Ireland’s series of nationwide Brexit Advisory Clinics advising Irish companies on the supports available to help them address their Brexit exposure.

The clinics, which include one-to-one meetings with independent experts, will continue in Dundalk (Monday 22nd October), Waterford (Thursday 8th November) and Limerick (Wednesday 21st November).

For Galway based businesses, a Brexit advisory clinic event will take place at the Clayton hotel in the city of Tribes on Tuesday, 2nd October.

Companies from both the city and county will be briefed on the broad implications of Brexit, specifically around customs, strategic sourcing, financial management, employment law and the movement of people.

Speaking in advance of the upcoming clinics, Brexit Unit Manager at Enterprise Ireland, Jonathan McMillan said, “Enterprise Ireland is actively supporting Irish companies on a daily basis to respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit, including issues such as Customs and Logistics.

He went on to say – “The uncertainty around outcomes of the Brexit negotiations continues, so it is imperative that companies take the necessary steps to reduce risk and ensure they are more innovative and competitive, and to diversify into new markets, to steer through the challenges ahead.”

NUIG to host major European health psychology conference

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August 17, 2018

Galway Daily news climate and environmental challenges

The School of Psychology at NUI Galway will host hundreds of delegates at a European Health pyschology conference next week from 21-25 August.

750 people are expected to attend the 32nd Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society – the largest professional organisation of health psychologists in Europe with more than 600 members worldwide.

An event of this scale in Galway could benefit the local economy by almost €1 million.

NUIG successfully hosted the event in 2005 when more than 600 delegates attended the four-day conference.

Experts from around the world will meet and share their latest research findings on a range of topics in health psychology.

Subjects include the role of technology in changing behaviour, coping with chronic illness, and the impact of psychological and social stress on health.

The event will provide training workshops where delegates can update their research skills and will also highlight the leading role of NUIG’s School of Psychology in this field.

Keynote speakers include Professor Alex Rothman from the University of Minnesota in the US and Professor Molly Byrne from NUIG.

Professor Byrne has led research on the experience of young people living with Type 1 diabetes.

Her groundbreaking work directly involves the patients living with the condition as part of the team directing the research.

Professor Byrne will discuss how involving the patients and those who provide their care in research can help reduce the suffering caused by their conditions.

Dr Gerry Molloy, Chair of the local organising committee and Programme Director of the MSc in Health Psychology at NUIG, commented:

“Being awarded this major international event for the second time reflects the high regard in which the Health Psychology team at NUI Galway are held.

“Many of our colleagues here in Galway are international leaders in major global health challenges such as the psychological aspects of chronic pain, living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and long-term medication taking.

“The growth of Health Psychology at the University over last 15 years has meant that we are now one of the leading centres in this area in Europe, and hosting this major conference will help consolidate this position.”

The conference has received funding from Fáilte Ireland to support international promotion and the Health Research Board to support running this event.

For more information about the conference, follow @ehps2018 on Twitter or visit the conference website.

11 home development coming to Tuam estate

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August 17, 2018

Galway Daily news Letteragh housing estate gets planning approval

Galway county council has given permission for the construction of 11 new homes at Parkmore in Tuam.

The development at Rivercrest estate, Parkmore will consist of eight two-storey, semi-detached houses, and three two-storey, terraced houses.

The 1067m² development would in effect be an extension to the existing Rivercrest estate in Tuam and will connect in to the infrastructure there.

Under planning regulations one unit would have to be set aside for social/affordable housing.

However it’s understood that discussions are taking place between the county council and developers to possibly acquire the entire site for social and affordable housing.

Applicant Terry McCann submitted his request for permission to build these houses back in February on land owned by James Higgins of WhiteDrive Developments ltd.

In April the council made a request for further information on several issues including the site’s flood risk, whether there is a manager for the estate, and site indrastructure which was answered in July.

An environmental report on the proposed development written by the Moore Group, Archaeological and Environmental Services, found that it would have no impact on Lough Corrib or the surrounding habitats.

The developer is required to submit a cash bond of €77,000 to the county council before construction begins to pay for public lighting, footpaths and other services connected to the development.

One local submission was received by the council during the planning phase requesting clarity on what boundaries would be in place around the site, and whether it would increase the flood risk in the area.

The city planner’s report on the site found that the development will have no adverse impact on the area’s flood risk.

It’s expected that construction will take three years to complete once works begin.

The county gave permission for work to go ahead with 16 conditions attached.

Sally Longs phone thief given nominal fine

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August 17, 2018

Galway Daily courts Woman sentenced for stealing phone

A Galway man was given a nominal fine of €200 at Galway District Court earlier this year for the theft of a mobile phone at Sally Longs.

Kieran Trowell of Beal Srutha in Ballybane pleaded guilty to the phone theft at the city centre bar last year.

The mobile was left on the counter at rock bar Sally Longs when Trowell took it at around 10pm on March 1, 2017.

A review of CCTV footage by gardaí revealed Trowell as the perpetrator.

However, he failed to admit to the theft until after the first garda interview.

The phone was worth €390.

Trowell paid €400 in court after setting aside money every week.

The 61-year-old is on disability allowance and has been taking medication for a health condition for over 10 years.

According to his solicitor, the defendant had been afraid to admit to the crime in the interview.

He was previously convicted for theft in 2006 and for larceny in 1982.

District Court Judge Mary Fahy noted that although he hadn’t come to garda attention in 11 years, Trowell seemed to have a “predilection” for taking things.

She handed him a fine of €200 with six months to pay.

Rós na Gaillimhe ar stáitse sa Dome aréir

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August 17, 2018

Rós na Gaillimhe ar stáitse sa Dome - Galway Daily

Thosaigh aistear Rós na Gaillimhe ón nGaillimh chuig an Dome ar an Luan agus í ag baint an oiread sult as ó shin i leith.

Dé Luan an 13ú Lúnasa a d’fhág Deirdre O’ Sullivan an nGaillimh chun tabhairt fén aistear chuig an Dome i dTrá Lí. Sular imigh sí thóg sí an am chun a chuid tacaíochta a thaispeáint do iomanaí na Gaillimhe sa Cluiche Ceannais Craobh na hÉireann.

Beidh foireann iománaíochta na Gaillimhe ag tabhairt aghaidh ar Luimneach i Cluiche Ceannais Craobh na hÉireann ar an Domhnach agus cé nach mbeidh Deirdre ann í féin thóg sí an deis sular imigh sí ar an bhóthar chun gach rath a mhéin leo. Beidh sí ag súil leis an Corn Liam Mac Cárthaigh a fheiscint nuair a fhilleann sí thar nais go dtí an nGaillimh théis Féile Idirnáisiúnta Rós Thrá Lí.

Istoíche aréir tugadh an deis do chuile Rós dul in airde ar stáitse an Dome chun giota beag cainte a bheith acu agus iad ag céiliúradh na Rósanna uilig.

B’shin ceann dos na bhuaicphointí a bhí ag Rós na Gaillimhe anuraidh, Niamh Elwood, dúirt sí in agallamh níos luaithe i mbliana gur rud ríthábhachtach é an deis a bheith ann do chuile Rós dul in airde ar an stáitse sa Dome agus píosa beag cainte a bheith acu.

Dúirt sí gur thug sin an oireadh san muiníne di féin maraon le chuile Rós eile agus go mór mór iad siúd atá níos cúthailí.

Is léir gur thaitin an chuid seo don bhféile go mór mór le Deirdre chomh maith, agus an bean óg (24) chomh gealgháireach agus sásta a bheith thuas ar stáitse ag caint is ag comhrá.

Níl fios go fóill an mbeidh Deirdre mar cheann dos na Rósanna a bheas roghnaithe dos na h-oíche ar teilifís ach is léir go mbainfidh sí sult as fiú muna mbeidh deis aici dul ar stáitse agus í beo ar an teilifís.

Pictúirí Rós na Gaillimhe ar Stáitse

Pictúirí ó Galway Rose Centre – Rós na Gaillimhe ar Stáitse sa Dome

Cash windfall for community groups near Galway Wind Park

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August 17, 2018

Galway daily news Community groups near Galway Wind Park receive €210,000 from Local community fund

Community groups in the area around Galway Wind Park have received €210,000 from SSE and Coillte’s Local Community Fund.

74 local groups working on projects focused on energy efficiency, environmental and social sustainability, safety. and education got grants from the inaugural fund.

The inaugural Local Fund presentation took place at the Oughterard Community Centre earlier this week.

The Connemara Beekeepers Association will be using their money on a community education programme as well as equipment for their lecturers.

Assistant Secretary with the Beekeepers Association Frank Conroy said: “The funding from Galway Wind Park will allow us to roll-out training to our members and increase awareness in the wider community.

“It will ultimately help our ambition of furthering the craft of beekeeping across the Connemara region, and the conservation of the native Dark Bee.”

While Oughterard Leisure Centre will be using their share of the fund to upgrade their gym and leisure equipment.

Maeve Kavanagh, Gym Manage at the Leisure Centre, said they were delighted at the opportunity to upgrade their facilities.

“The facility is used by local people of all ages, and we want to keep it in the best possible condition to ensure it remains suitable and beneficial for the whole community.”

Other projects being supported by the Local Community fund include an environmental clean up by Collinamuck & District Angling Club, improvements to the energy efficiency of Clann Family Resource Centre, and building upgrades at the Down Syndrome Ireland community hub in Connemara.

Anne Reynolds, Community Development Officer at Galway Wind Park said they looked forward to helping many more community projects in the years to come.

“We’re delighted to be contributing to so many important and forward-thinking local projects in the first year of the Local Community Fund.”

“As part of our commitment to Galway Wind Park being a best-in-class project, and in line with our core values at SSE and Coillte, we want to make a genuine and lasting difference for local people and organisations.”

The Local Community Fund makes up half of the total €420,000 Galway Wind Park Community Fund.

Another €140,000 is for a Major Projects Fund, supporting larger scale investments in the area, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

The remaining €70,000 makes up a Scholarship Fund for local students.

Galway Wind Park is Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm. It generates enough electricity to power 140,000 homes while offsetting 289,000 tonnes of carbon emissions every year that would have come from burning fossil fuels.

Drug addict stole groceries and fishing equipment

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August 17, 2018

Galway News - Courts - Drug addict stole groceries and fishing equipment

A Cavan man pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at Galway District Court earlier this year after he was caught with stolen groceries and fishing equipment.

Vitalij Peleckas of Gowna, Cavan took €17.45 worth of groceries from Aldi on the Headford Road in December last year.

He was also found with €25 of fishing equipment from the Mr. Price next door.

All of the items were recovered in a re-saleable condition.

The 29-year-old lost his job at a mushroom farm before the thefts took place.

He suffers from a drug addiction – although he is currently clean – as well as a serious underlying health condition.

The court heard that while in prison serving time for a previous conviction, Peleckas was unable to access the proper medication for his illness for several weeks.

He has seven previous convictions.

District Court Judge John King said he accepted that the defendant “was going through a bad patch” at the time, and noted that he has a job promised to him on his release from prison.

He convicted Peleckas to two months suspended for one year on the condition that he be of good behaviour and engage with probation services on his release.

Filmmakers wanted for Dig Where You Stand 2018 funding

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August 17, 2018

The film has recently been accepted into two North American film festivals for an autumn screening in Texas and Toronto.

The Galway Film Centre’s Dig Where You Stand scheme returns this year with a call for project proposals from young filmmakers in Galway city and county.

This year’s funding scheme follows a successful 2017 – when the programme produced two short documentaries that were well received by local, national, and international audiences alike.

Grá & Eagla by Caitríona Ní Chadhain follows local comedian Áine Gallagher as she prepares a bilingual Irish/English comedy show, exploring the strange mixture of love and fear that modern Irish people feel towards the Irish language.

Console My Heart by Will Smith and James Ward takes a look at the Direct Provision system through the eyes of a former asylum seeker from South Africa, Veronica Ncube.

After last year’s success both Galway City Council and Galway County Council are renewing their support for the Dig Where You Stand scheme.

Through this scheme, the Galway Film Centre hopes to offer young Galway filmmakers a chance to develop their talent as documentary makers.

Dig Where You Stand

Dig Where You Stand is a phrase with its roots in Sweden and popularised by author Sven Lindqvist.

It is based on the idea that by researching and learning about their own history and the place where they live, individuals and groups will understand more about their lives and their inter-connectedness.

Young Galway filmmakers will be able to find worthy documentary subjects by exploring the richness and potential of our own communities and embracing their diversity.

The selected finalists will be mentored by Gort-based filmmaker Jill Beardsworth.

Ms. Beardsworth is a founding member of Twopair Films and has produced the films Children of Allah, Apples of the Golan, and When All Is Ruin Once Again, which recently won the ‘Best Cinematography in an Irish Feature Award’ at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh.

Selected filmmakers will also take part in two intensive mentoring seminars with award-winning Galway based documentary filmmakers Paula Kehoe and Pat Comer.

Kehoe’s work includes An Dubh ina Gheal: Assimiliation, Deargdhúil: Anatomy of Passion and I Am Galway 2020, the VR film that was a significant inclusion in Galway’s successful bid campaign for European Capital of Culture 2020.

Comer’s work includes A Year ‘Til Sunday and Tall Dark and O’Áilpin along with his Irish language series GAA Nua and GAA Eile.

Manager of Galway Film Centre Alan Duggan commented: “Galway Film Centre is committed to developing and nurturing fresh filmmaking talent in Galway.

“The Dig Where You Stand scheme offers young and emerging Galway filmmakers a professional progression route and the selected filmmakers will also have the opportunity to connect with their European counterparts through Galway Film Centre’s membership of the Screen Talent Europe Network.

“We look forward to seeing the documentaries develop over the coming months.”

Take a look at the guidelines for applicants on the Galway Film Centre website or email admin@galwayfilmcentre.ie for more information.

Rent in Galway city up 16 percent on last year

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August 17, 2018

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

Rents in the city have risen 16% since last year, with the average cost to rent now being €1,189.

The latest report form property website Daft.ie shows that rents in the county also climbed dramatically compared with 2017, going up by 10%.

It now costs an average of €807 to rent in Galway county.

Nationally rents rose by 12.4%, with the average asking rent going up by €175 on last year.

This marks six straight years of continuous rent increases, with inflation and lack of supply playing a major role as increases in cities continue to outstrip the county by a significant margin.

The largest surges were seen in Limerick city, up more than 20%, and Waterford city, 19.3%.

It now costs an average of €1,109 to rent in Limerick, and €921 in Waterford.

Roscommon saw the slowest growth in rent prices at just 5.7% year-on-year. The average rent in Roscommon is now €642.

Student accommodation

The report, which comes out just after the Leaving Cert results and just a few days ahead of the first round of CAO offers, paid particular attention to the difficulties that students having finding rental accommodation.

It says that with the rise in prices for private rental accommodation, “higher education institutions use the market rates of these for-profit providers as an excuse to hike the price of rooms in the accommodation they provide
to similar levels.”

The blame for this, the report suggests, is on a major deficiency in funding for higher education that colleges and universities have to make up through rent.

It warns that students living in student specific accommodation lack many of the same protections offered to private renters such as rent caps.

Cuirt na Coiribe students accommodation on the Headford road raised much ire earlier this summer when it suddenly decided to dramatically raise rents by €1,000 for the upcoming academic year.

Many students living in the city and its suburbs will rent an individual room in a private rather than the entire apartment or house itself with a group of people.

According to Daft, the average cost of a room in the city centre is €407 for a single bed, up 8.5% on last year, or €497 for a double bed, 8.8% higher than in 2017.

In the suburbs a single bed costs €371 on average, an 8.8% increase, with a double going for €456, the largest increase recorded for a room at 9.6%.

Health Innovation Hub to add new and improved healthcare services in Galway

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August 17, 2018

galway daily news health innovation hub to improve healthcare services in galway

A new Health Innovation Hub will bring together partners from health services, academia, and the business sector to improve healthcare in Galway.

The idea behind the Health Innovation Hub is to take concepts for healthcare innovation from frontline workers – doctors, nurses, and porters, whether they’re for new services, products, or medical devices.

The HIH then provides support from businesses in the health sector to take that idea and develop it from a concept all the way through to being fully implemented in the field.

In reverse, any company that has a product to enhance healthcare will be partnered with partnered with a medical team by the Health Innovation Hub to study it in a clinical setting.

The Health Innovation Hub in Galway is partnership between the the Saolta University Hospital Healthcare Group, NUI Galway, and the HSE, with Enterprise Ireland also taking part.

Aisling Dolan, Manager of the Health Innovation Hub in Galway, said: “We are delighted to have our new office here in the West, located at the Lambe Translational Research Facility on the grounds of University Hospital Galway and beside NUI Galway,”

“Providing access to both clinicians and academic experts in healthcare and medical devices. We have a full team in place and welcome innovative ideas from both healthcare individuals and healthcare companies.”

To spur that sense of innovation this September Health Innovation Hub Ireland is launching IGNITE 2018, a competition aimed at healthcare workers in the West of Ireland.

Individuals or teams can submit an idea an work with innovation mentors to develop them before they go before Dragon’s Den style panel of judges.

In November the winner and several runners up will receive funding to pursue their idea in collaboration with the Health Innovation Hub.

The national Healthcare Innovation Hub programme has also put out a call for start-ups and SME’s to develop healthcare products for the HSE’s project to ‘Enable Positive Aging’.

Submissions for the open call must be in by August 31.

The Galway Health Innovation Hub is also supported by NUI Galway, to build on the the health research and medtech innovation that thrives on campus.

Professor Lokesh Joshi, Vice-President of Research at NUI Galway, said, “Health Innovation Hub Ireland builds upon the fantastic networks already linking researchers, clinicians and companies here in Galway.”

“NUI Galway’s Business Innovation Centre – the technology transfer and entrepreneurial hub for the university, runs the BioExcel medtech accelerator programme and supports the innovation training programme BioInnovate Ireland,” said Professir Joshi,

“We look forward to partnering with the Hub to strengthen the supports for innovation in this space.”

The three pillars of HIH Galway are: an open door policy to any healthcare worker with an idea to improve patient care.

Connecting Irish businesses with Ireland’s leading healthcare professionals who will pilot and test innovative products, services and devices.

And ensuring that this innovation culture is embedded in every aspect of Irish healthcare.

CAMOGIE: “It’s A Good Chance to Prove Ourselves” – Cathal Murray

By

Darren Kelly

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August 16, 2018

After the disappointment of their 1-17 to 0-13 reversal during the group stages, Galway’s senior camogie team get a chance of redemption on Saturday (18th August) when they face Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The Tribeswomen haven’t reached the final in Croke Park since 2015 and have watched Kilkenny and Cork contest the last four national finals so will be determined to give a timely reminder that they remain key contenders for all available silverware.

Galway bounced back from that defeat to beat Dublin 0-20 to 0-4 in the All-Ireland quarter-final on August 4th in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. But Kilkenny, whom they haven’t beaten in knock out action since 2015, will provide a much stronger examination.

“We’re looking forward to it alright now in fairness,” said manager Cathal Murray when speaking to Galway Daily. “It was a great performance against Dublin in the last round.

“It probably is a good time to be playing them (Kilkenny) if we’re going to be playing them again. We didn’t feel we performed down in Kilkenny. It’s a good chance to prove ourselves I suppose.

“Very, very happy with the performance (against Dublin). Any day you go out and score 20 points and only concede four is a good performance. Kilkenny are a big, big step up from Dublin. It’s going to be a different game on Saturday evening.

“Against Kilkenny, she (Ann Dalton) hit an awful lot of ball and it was a big influence on the game especially in the second half. We’re going to have to come up with something to curb her influence on Saturday, that’s for sure.

“They (players) should be looking forward to it. It’s an All-Ireland semi-final and the last time they went out against Kilkenny, they lost by seven points. It’s a good chance to prove themselves as well and to push on. Hopefully, they take it.

“We’re looking forward to it. There’s no doubt about that. It’s an All-Ireland semi-final and there’s a big prize at stake. We’re definitely looking forward to it.”

Galway face Kilkenny in the 2018 Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Semi-Final on Saturday, 18th August. The game forms a double header with the Cork vs Tipperary game which commences at 7.15pm. The Tribeswomen’s game in Semple Stadium throws in at 5.30pm.

CAMOGIE: “We’re Very Happy Obviously” – Cathal Murray https://t.co/Rh8rzjc6h4

— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) August 6, 2018

Knock & Shannon show positive growth as Ireland’s airports contribute €10.2bn to the economy

By

Paul Caplis

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August 16, 2018