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Galway News - Features - Housing Horror stories

Housing Horror stories from Galway tenants

We all know it’s happening.

Evictions, repossessions, rent hikes, an explosion of homelessness, and no social housing – with a major project in Knocknacarra delayed for years and recently pushed back yet again.

One man has even been waiting on a housing list in Galway for 16 years.

With no social housing built in the city since 2009, his story is sadly the norm.

And more legislation is on its way, with a recent tenants’ rights bill in its second stage before the Dáil and another bill to protect student tenants in the works.

But in the meantime the city’s landlords seem to be getting away with murder – and the recent Cúirt na Coiribe rent hikes are just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are some of your stories.

NB: Names have been changed.

Penelope, Knocknacarra

Myself and my daughter had been at our first place 12 years – she was born there, basically. That was her home.

Then [in 2014]…I got a letter from the letting agent saying that the woman who owned the house, that her son was going to live there.

So we had to move out. It was very traumatic because it was our home. She gave us maybe two months notice. We were out within a month anyway.

But the son that was supposed to move in – he didn’t move in. The property went back up on the market after three months, and the rent had increased by €450. [Penelope saw the property on Daft]. I was paying €800, and it went up to €1250 – an increase of more than 56%.

The only reason she was doing it was so she could put up the rent, I think. They painted the door, and a few things, but there were no big renovations.

Then the next place had all sorts of problems. The immersion didn’t work – we were without the immersion for five months, anyway. I complained about the fridge for over a year and ended up having to buy my own fridge. They were just shite to deal with.

They took €300 off the deposit for a stained carpet which cost €70, and supposedly the rest was for painting. They had never painted house in the three years I was living there, and I think they’re supposed to.

I had been on the housing waiting list since my daughter was born – for 15 years…the thing is, you’re constantly worrying about the rent, whether they’re going to put it up.

I was paying €900 at the last place, and when they put it back up on the market again, it was up to €1200. Legally they can’t put it up that much. Whoever’s renting there now could take it to the RTB.

Hermione, Eyre Square

So I was staying in a city centre apartment last year, a single room was €520 per 4 weeks which is ridiculous money for the stinky, mouldy and ant infested room – I later discovered the landlord painted over the mould after each new tenant.

The landlord would let himself into the house with his own keys and help himself to our fridge and fix himself cups of tea and coffee from our cupboards when collecting our rent.

As each room was individually let we could expect him over 4 times a month to show up and collect our money cash in hand and without rentbook.

As if this wasn’t bad enough he let himself into my room once…he called hello a few times then popped his key in the lock and turned the handle of my bedroom door. Was pure scary.

But because housing was short and I didn’t want to lug all my belongings across the city I put up with it for 9 months and then moved into a double room in the same apartment after my housemates got fed up with it.

This time the rent was €680 per 4 weeks – I might also add that the landlord didn’t inspect the room after the old tenants left, just asked them to hand in the keys.

That was grand as I was sharing with my boyfriend and the rent was split until the new academic year was to start and he told us he would HAVE to, almost as if he was obliged to, raise the rent to €750.

At this point I went to Threshold who I described my situation to and they told me that because I moved rooms, technically I was a tenant for less than 3 months, despite actually being there almost a year and that the landlord had found a loophole to increase the rent despite what little protection tenants actually have.

Not to mention that the previous tenant had cracked the toilet seat and he took €50 out of our deposit, if I knew he would do that I would’ve fixed it myself and saved myself €35.

Cassiopeia, Salthill

In short, the apartment I moved into – where 2 foreign girls were sharing a double room – did not meet minimum requirements.

We had a lot of damp, mould and mildew, slugs getting in, rotten skirting boards, woodlice, and a washing machine that shot old dirty water into the sink in the kitchenette.

It was a small 2 bed apartment for €1200 per month, and the landlady was coming and collecting every 4 weeks in spite of our contract.

Eventually we found out that the previous renters had been paying €750 per calendar month [a 62.5% increase instead of the allowed 4%].

At the end of the March we handed her in our notice as I had been getting rashes from the damp (allergic reaction) and one of my housemates, her asmtha was causing her problems – and it hadn’t for over a decade.

The landlady guilt tripped us for handing in our notice. And then we let her know about the rent caps and that we wouldn’t be paying any more rent, and we’d need rent refunded as well as our deposit back at the end of the next month.

So three people moved back home even though they had intended to stay until the end of the summer at least…

Then the day before we were moving out, she brought an auctioneer to the apartment – whom she told we hadn’t paid rent!

We were flabbergasted as we had come to an agreement [after threatening to take it up with the RTB]. So this scene ended as the auctioneer tried to get us to cough up 1200, with me raising my voice saying the conversation was over.

It’s not worth the hassle. I’m personally never planning on renting in Ireland again.

[Cassiopeia plans on emigrating to France and then possibly Canada.]

Rhea, Westside

My old landlord had at least two houses she was renting to students. She got €1800 from my house (5 people) and another €1800 from my neighbours (7 people) a month.

This was all taken in cash. The house wasn’t in the best shape and the satellite dish actually rusted off the wall while we were there.

My room was a converted attic and it was freezing, you could feel the wind coming through the wardrobe when the doors were open.

I paid €400 a month as it was an ensuite. We all left in May and she refuses to give us references because she says the bin men didn’t collect the bins and that attracted cats.

None of this is our fault as we’d already left so I think she’s withholding references so as not to be called out on tax evasion…

I got sick a lot because of the cold and my roommates and I all agreed we wouldn’t go back next year. One of my housemates was going to maybe stay a few weeks longer but she just left when we did because the landlord was being awkward.

I’m a student at the college and I have no house for September yet – I’m still hunting.

Apollo, Galway City

I’m in the midst of taking my ex-landlady through the RTB adjudication process for flouting conditions pertaining to a notice to vacate property after having been her tenant for close to 6 years. I’ve sought legal advice for the hearing.

We were told the daughter wanted to move in. That was the basis of the notice [which] was signed and delivered to us.

This however was a blatant untruth since it’s obvious as per how events unfolded that this was never the intention. The house is now rented out at a rent €500 more than what we were paying during our tenancy.

Do these stories sound familiar? Galway tenants should be aware that Galway has been designated a Rent Pressure Zone as of January 2017, which caps yearly rent increases at 4%.

If you or anyone you know has experienced poor conditions or unfair treatment at the hands of your landlord, talk to RTB. And send us your stories at events@www.galwaydaily.com!

President Michael D Higgins likely to seek second term in office

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June 23, 2018

Galway Daily news President Higgins continues to draw NUI Galway pension while in office

President Michael D Higgins has told the government that he intends to run for a second term as Uachtarán na hÉireann.

According to the Irish Times President Higgins told several cabinet ministers of his intentions, with a formal announcement to the public expected next month.

The next presidential election has been set for this October. The government has decided that the vote will take place on October 26, alongside two referendums on blasphemy and text in the constitution on women’s place in the home.

A much beloved academic and humanist, President Higgins repeatedly said that he only intended to serve as President for one term during the 2011 election. If he does run again, it’s unlikely too many people will consider that a dealbreaker.

Though he was born in Limerick, President Higgins has set deep roots down in Galway, still making frequent trips back here since he was elected.

A graduate, and later a lecturer at NUI Galway back when it was still called University College Galway, it’s not uncommon to find the president on the university campus as he comes to deliver guest lectures.

It was here in Galway that the president started his political career, serving as Mayor of Galway and later as a TD for Galway West up until 2011 when he moved into Áras an Uachtaráin.

Even if he does decide to run we’re still likely to have a contested election. Though so far only Senator Gerard Craughwell has officially stated his intention to run, but Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said that her party intends to field a candidate.

Fianna Fáil passed a motion last year saying the party should also contend the election. But according to the Irish Times party leader Micheál Martin has privately told other party members that he doesn’t believe Fianna Fáil should run a candidate in this election.

There has been no statement from the Taoiseach yet about Fine Gael’s intentions this October.

Prior to becoming Uachtaráin na hÉireann Michael D was a member of the Labour party, but as a sitting president he is independent of any political party.

In order to get on the ballot for the presidency a candidate must have the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas, either the Dáil or the Seanad, or four local authorities. Historically this has largely restricted independent candidates form running.

However a sitting President can nominate himself for the role without the backing of other, though President Higgins has the public support of many members of the government.

Come July, Michael D will be in Galway for the International Arts Festival where he will be the opening speaker for the First Though Talks strand of the festival.

When will Galway see the best of this latest heatwave?

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June 23, 2018

You heard it here first last week – we are looking down the barrel of at least another week of scorching weather!

Temperatures will be hotter in Galway than in parts of Spain during the incoming heatwave, but which days are shaping up to be the hottest in years in Galway and the West?

We’ll get straight to the point.

Thursday and Friday will be the hottest days this week, with temperatures expected to be in the late twenties!

Met Éireann’s early forecast says it will be very warm or hot with temperatures mostly in the low to mid-twenties on Monday and Tuesday and reaching the mid to high 20s in many areas for the rest of the week.

Although the weather is great today, it will get warmer each day until at least Thursday when temperatures look set to peak at 28 degrees Celsius.

They are expected to drop slightly by next weekend, but it will stay warm and sunny even after Thursday and Friday and as of now, there is no end in sight for this heatwave!

As for Tomorrow, we will see the first day of temperatures in the low twenties. Monday will see highest temperatures of 24 degrees, with 26 on Wednesday and then 27 or 28 degrees Celsius hitting our shores towards the end of the week.

Many bookies are predicting this summer to be the hottest on record.

For once, let’s hope they’re right.

Gannet Fishmongers develop amazing new app!

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June 23, 2018

The award-winning Gannet Fishmongers Gannet Fishmonger MD Stefan Griesbach knows a simpler life is a better one.

And the fishmongers have stepped up again to bring more innovation into their business practice and into the kitchens of their leading wholesale customers.

Between running Gannet and www.eatmorefish.ie, Stefan Griesbach is dealing with numbers, orders as well as large scale deliveries.

Never one to simply let things be, Stefan looked at how he could make his live easier and of course the chefs around the country they supply to.

The Gannet Fishmongers ordering app which was developed in conjunction with Boon Agency in Galway is a tool that Chefs and Restaurant customers will have on their smart phone.

Looking at a restaurant like Kai in Galway, head chef Jess Murphy wants Turbot tomorrow night, then all she has to do is log into the app, clicks the products, clicks the amounts, and send it away.

No more texting order, no more phone calls. Gannet receive a printed ticket and everything is traceable.

“The traceability is huge as maybe a sous chef will order fish today and things change tomorrow and there is always so much going on in kitchens, this app allows your fish and seafood orders to be logged and visible to all your kitchen staff and to the staff at Gannet,” explained Stefan.

“It cuts down on admin and pointless printing, phone calls and late-night text messages. We are just on the app.

“Not only saving myself and my customers precious time dealing with logging in the orders, but also providing me with an instant access to real time sales reports for every product within a set period, a date or a customer.

“This is huge in taking care of much of the constant guess work that was going on in my head at all time.”

The app has been tested for over 8 weeks by Gannet clients and the reaction has been so positive.

The concept of this app was conceived and designed by Stefan in conjunction with the software developers of Boon Agency in Galway. The potential for this app goes beyond the specific need of Stefan’s fish business.

Boon agency management was smart and very keen to discount the development cost of the app in order to tap into Stefan unique expertise and offer this app as a cross over platform to other suppliers and producers in the food sector in Ireland.

“Gannet needed to make things better in the back of house, changes like this mean that we are working smarter, more efficiently and again strengthening relationships with our own wholesale customers. When things are there on your smartphone and traceable it just means the confusion goes out the window,” said Stefan.

Gannet Fishmongers have a reputation for innovation when in 2015 they lead the way by being the first fish independent company in Ireland to invest in an electric van to add to their delivery fleet, this van is now fully paid off (€22,000) with the only running costs at a service for €80 per year and the usual tax and insurance.

This year they were awarded The Prix D’Excellence for 2017/2018, the company is the only fishmongers in the west of Ireland to be awarded and to be made a Jury member by the PDF Fishmongers association in France.

Gannet Fishmongers has ramped up their commitment to the environment again with the introduction of no more plastic bags on their markets and in their factory shop. In April they introduced their first order of compostable bags at their factory shop at Gannet HQ in Galway, with an unprecedented positive response from their customers.

Being ethical and sustainable doesn’t stop with the fish they buy for sale, this Galway based company wants to ensure it has a positive impact on the environment. “We care about fish and not just the ones we eat!” explained Stefan.

The compostable bags are made with potato starch, they are 100% biodegradable, and go straight into the domestic compost bin, which is a better, smell free way to dispose of any bits left over after your meal.

“Our aim is not to create anymore waste, we use reusable & washable plastic containers for all our local deliveries. We are committed to phasing out plastic completely and really want to encourage all our customers to work with us on this. We all have a responsibility to think about how we are behaving both as a business and as a customer, by working together things can really start to improve. We need to be accountable, “said Stefan.

Gannet Fishmongers Factory Shop is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 5pm at their HQ in Ballybane Industrial Estate. Visit Gannet at Galway Market each Saturday or order fish to your door anywhere in the country at www.eatmorefish.ie . Download is available on the Istore or Play store under (Gannet ordering app)

Salthill beach cleaner Paulie Cleans Up will be missed!

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Kate Robinson

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June 23, 2018

Galway News - Business Features - Paulie Cleans Up

For the past six weeks a young Lithuanian entrepreneur – under the name Paulie Cleans Up – has been collecting garbage in Salthill, South Park, and around Galway. But he’s leaving this weekend.

Paulius Imbrasas has traveled all over the world.

When he arrived in Galway on May 14, the 23-year-old had only €100 in his pocket.

“Obviously I ran out of money pretty quickly, paying for hostels and stuff,” he says. “So I was just wandering around town one day and I saw one of those ‘Clean up’ signs, and I thought it was a great idea.”

So he decided to go to the beach, collect trash, and ask people to donate a couple of euros towards a hostel.

He called it Paulie Cleans Up.

The first day went very well. “Within an hour I got like fifty euros,” he says, adding that he was also given a couple of beers – which he drank while chatting to people.

“Everyone loved the idea. So I thought I could actually turn this into a full-time job.”

Paulie started collecting trash on the beach for 6-8 hours using bin bags and supplies bought from the supermarket as well as a shopping trolley he found in South Park.

Galway News - Features - Paulie Cleans Up — Paulie in Salthill with his sign

After 6-8 hours, he’d go to Shop Street with his big sign – it advertises “Paulie cleans up” – and talk to passers-by, asking them for donations and just generally shooting the breeze.

Friendly and unassuming, tall and tanned, Paulie has quickly become a figure around town.

Watch Paulie cleaning up in Dun Laoghaire:
https://www.facebook.com/pauliecleansup/videos/182453759130000/

“I’ve been making a pretty good living from it,” he says proudly.

But he has a flight – booked months ago – from Edinburgh to Vancouver on Monday, so he’s leaving this weekend.

“[Galway’s] awesome. If I wasn’t going to Canada, I’d definitely stay here a bit longer,” he explains. “I’d love to come back.”

Paulie used to drive rickshaws in Vancouver and Edinburgh, a job he first held as a teenager in Vilnius.

“One of my favourite jobs in my life was driving a rickshaw,” he admits thoughtfully.

Rickshawing taught him how to talk to people easily, and become a good salesperson.

“The money you make is all up to yourself…it gave me a lot of self-confidence, and it taught me about the value of my own work.”

One night he met a Mexican couple driving his rickshaw in Vancouver, and after a couple of drinks and a good chat the guy got him a job at his company selling timeshares to wealthy businesspeople.

Paulie moved down to Mexico for nine months for the work – but he much preferred rickshawing.

“As a learning experience, it was invaluable – it was the greatest learning experience of my life. But morally I didn’t feel right about the job, just because I’d sort of be screwing people over every single day. Because the product might fit a tiny percentage of the population, but you have to sell it to absolutely everyone.

“I was getting a decent paycheck, but I wasn’t smiling at the end of the day,” he says. “I didn’t feel like I did a good job – which was the complete opposite of rickshawing.”

On the other hand, driving rickshaws left him “completely exhausted” at the end of the day. “But you’ve got 500 pounds in your pocket and you’d feel like you deserved it, you feel like you worked for it. And the same thing with collecting trash as well.”

So how did such a hardworking young man end up with next to nothing in Galway?

When he first returned to the UK, Paulie says, “I saw all my old friends still doing the same jobs and stuck in the same 9 to 5 living for the weekend sort of thing. And I didn’t feel like I wanted to be part of it anymore.”

So he bought a ticket to Ireland and left most of his cash savings – he estimates around £600-700 – with a homeless man just outside the train station in Glasgow.

“I was angry at the establishment and the system, and I didn’t feel like I wanted to be part of it.”

He ended up in Galway because some coworkers of his in Vancouver were from the city.

“They told me how beautiful and nice it is here,” he says with a smile.

Just last week Galway City Council gave him bin bags to use in his clean up efforts.

They’ve also offered to pick up the bins for him as well – he’d been using restaurant bins on an Eyre Square alleyway (with permission).

He tries to separate out the recycling, but most of the trash is ropes and fishing nets and non-recyclable plastic.

Paulie cares a lot about the environment.

And he is witnessing first-hand the effects of plastic waste and climate change on our beaches.

“It’s pretty bad,” he says. “I really started noticing that in Mexico, because it’s got such a beautiful coast.”

But Galway is the first place he started picking up trash on the beaches full-time. He currently gets funding in cash donations as well as online, using Paypal and crowdfunding platforms like Patreon.

And he’s planning on doing it in Canada too, for maybe 3-4 days per week.

Paulie even has plans to expand if business goes well.

“Hypothetically, if I could get enough funding – let’s say maybe 5,000 euros or dollars a month – even in Vancouver, they have a huge homeless problem. So I can go to a homeless shelter and…hire ten guys for a day and give them a day’s wage. If I could do something like that, it would feel great.”

As for his legacy in Galway, Paulie has met a lot of people who have told him he’s inspired them.

And one guy named Daniel from Sligo is setting up his own eco-project to clean up Galway’s canals.

“Most people have been really loving what I do,” he says. “My plan is to see what happens…I’m making more than enough money to get by.”

Sun’s out – Irish Water Safety is urging people to be safe in the water

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June 23, 2018

Irish Water Safety are encouraging people to be safe around the water whilst enjoying the heatwave that we are set to bask in this coming week.

We had a nice spell of warm weather at the beginning of the month before being hit with rain and wind in the last week or two.

Thankfully another spell of sunshine is forecast for the coming week and Irish Water Safety are urging people to be careful in the water.

Chairman of Irish Water Safety Martin O’ Sullivan warns of the dangers of that surround the water.

“With the recent spell of good weather, we flocked to our beaches and waterways. It was a reminder of how fantastic a resource they are and of how great our country is when the sun shines.

“Sadly, it has also been a time of tragic loss. In the two weeks of good weather, ten people drowned accidentally in Ireland, eight swimming and two fishing.

“In swimming pools, on beaches, on rivers and lakes, in our homes, on our farms, in quarries and in our work places, water poses real and often unseen dangers.

“Talk to your children, help them become more aware and encourage to practice the simple safety rules,” he added.

As follows here are some of the guidelines Irish Water Safety have given in order to stay safe in and around the water.

Swim within your depth – stay within your depth.
Swim at designated bathing areas where lifeguards are on duty.
Children love water so constant and uninterrupted supervision is essential.
Stay away from edges.
Wear a wet suit if you are not used to the cold water.
Use local knowledge to determine local hazards and safest areas to swim.
Always wear a life-jacket when on or near the water.
Alcohol is a factor in 1/3 of drownings. Don’t mix it with water activities.

Irish Water Safety have also advised swimmers and beach goers on what to do if you see someone in difficulty.

Shout to the casualty and encourage them to shore. This may orientate them just enough.
Reach out with a long object such as a branch or a piece of clothing but do not enter the water yourself.
Throw a ring-buoy or any floating object and call 112 for the coast guard.

Galway beaches are set to be full to the brim with people who want to bask in the sunshine this week so follow the advice of Irish Water Safety and be safe while enjoying the heatwave.

Young teenage girl is missing from the Loughrea area

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June 22, 2018

Diane Limsipson - Missing teenager Loughrea - Galway Daily

Update: Diane has been found safe and well.

Gardaí are appealing for help as they search for a teenage girl who is missing from the Loughrea area.

16 year old Diane Limsipson, has been missing from Loughrea since Wednesday 20th of June.

She was last seen leaving her home at around 12pm that afternoon.

Described as being 1.42m(4’8″)tall, of thin build, with brown eyes and black hair.

When she was last seen she was wearing blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Loughrea Gardaí on 091 842870 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111

Connemara councillor Seán Ó Tuairisg elected Cathaoirleach of County Council

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June 22, 2018

Galway daily news Sean Ó Tuairisg elected Cathaoirleach of county council

Councillor Seán Ó Tuairisg has been chosen as Galway County Council’s Cathaoirleach for the next year at County Hall today.

The Connemara native who lives in Indreabhán was chosen by his council colleagues in the last hour, and Tuam area councillor Peter Keaveney was elected to the role of Deputy Cathaoirleach.

Outgoing Cathaoirleach Eileen Mannion has expressed her gratitude to her fellow councillors and all the council staff for their work over the past year and wished councillor Ó Tuairisg well in his role in the coming year.

My term as Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council ends today. Thanks to my colleagues, executive and staff for an eventful year @GalwayCoCo pic.twitter.com/UJdRCFTqiU

— Eileen Mannion (@EileenMannion1) June 22, 2018

The new Cathaoirleach is a Fianna Fáil man, while his deputy is in Fine Gael. His predecessor councillor Mannion is also a member of Fine Gael.

Cathaoirleach Ó Tuairisg has an eventful year ahead of him dealing with the upcoming merger of the city and county councils, and alterations to the boundaries of municipal districts that have proven highly unpopular with many elected councillors.

Local elections will take place as planned next year, but the two local authorities have been instructed to merge into a single council no later than 2021, though it could take place at an earlier date.

The next 12 months will also see a lot of work done on preparing for Galway 2020, which the county council has committed €2 million in funding for. Of 52 planned events for the year, 28 will take place in the county.

Cast your vote for the patron of new city secondary school

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June 22, 2018

Galway Daily news online poll for new secondary school patron

Parents are being invited to express their preference of patron for Oranmore and Galway City east’s new secondary school online.

The Department of Education’s Online Patronage Process System, which launched today, lets you pick your preference of four potential patrons for the new school.

The Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board, Educate Together, Scoil Sinéad Limited, and the Bishop of Tuam, Killala, and Anchory have all applied to manage the school.

Minister for Education Richard Bruton said of the public consultation: “Parental preferences for each patron, from the parents/guardians of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of this process.”

The online poll is open to all parents of children within the catchment area who are due to start secondary school between 2019 and 2023. A map of the area the new school will serve can be found on the GRETB’s website here.

Interested parents can access the poll at the the Department of Education’s website here. The system provides parents with information on each of the prospective patrons to help them decide how they would like the new school to be managed.

The patronage determination process for new schools is overseen by the independent New Schools Establishment Group. It was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools following a report on the applications received.

The patronage process will continue until July 31 when the poll will close. Afterwards the NSEG will report to Minister Bruton with a recommendation.

“My personal preference is for this new secondary school to be Galway’s first Educate Together secondary school,” said Galway West TD Séan Kyne.

“Because other patronage options are currently provided for and a new Educate Together second-level school would serve the half-a-dozen Educate Together primary schools in Galway.”

The 1,000 pupil school, provisionally known as Cólaiste Chúil Each, is set to open in September next year, though a site hasn’t been chosen for it yet. It’s one of 42 new schools planned to open around Ireland between 2019 and 2022.

There Online Patronage Process System currently has options for four new schools around the country set to open in 2019.

The four schools will serve Galway city and Oranmore, Wicklow, Laytown and Drogheda in Meath/Louth, and the Donnymeade/Howth/Dublin 13 area.

Educate Together has applied for patronage off all four schools with CEO Paul Rowe saying they would bring their equality-based ethos and inclusive atmosphere to any new school they run.

The GRETB announced its intention to apply for patronage earlier this month. If they are granted patronage of the new school it will be the 21st community college managed by the GRETB.

Over 160 people take to Ladies Beach for Galway Simon event

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June 22, 2018

dip at dawn galway simon community on the beach

Over 160 people joined Galway Simon Community for their first ever Dip at Dawn event in Salthill yesterday morning.

The event was organised on the longest day of the year as an act of solidarity with the almost 10,000 people in emergency accommodation across the country and the many more hidden homeless and in homeless services.

The crowds gathered to greet the morning sun just before 5am and enjoyed a short yoga session led by Laragh and Fiona from The Yoga Shala before following Sarah Lynch from Ebb & Flow into the sea.

The water temperature may have been low but spirits were high and the spectacular weather really added something special to the event which was wrapped up nicely with warm drinks and coconut water compliments of Daniel from the Jungle Café.

Galway Simon, who provide homelessness prevention, housing and support services, were delighted to announce that €4,150 was raised for their services.

100% of these funds will go directly towards preventing and addressing homelessness here in Galway.

Amy Lavelle, Community Fundraiser with the charity said they are very thankful for this incredible support. “We would like to thank everyone who took part for taking time out of their longest day to do something for somebody else on theirs.

We would also like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors, as well as our kind supporters, Jackie McKenna and Gary Traynor for coming to us earlier this year and inspiring this wonderful event. We’re already looking forward to next year!”

GARN calls on Galwegians to attend weekend solidarity rally

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June 22, 2018

The Galway Anti Racism Network have called a solidarity rally with refugees worldwide, taking place tomorrow, Saturday at 12 noon in Eyre Square.

Over 100 people gathered in Salthill on Wednesday evening to help spell out a strong message of solidarity with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

With growing anger over Trump’s treatment of migrant families in the US and the horrors on our own shores with Direct Provision; it’s important that Galway is seen as a city of sanctuary for the most vulnerable in society.

LISTEN: “It Came Around Pretty Quick” – STEPHEN GLENNON

By

Darren Kelly

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June 22, 2018

Galway Ladies Football manager Stephen Glennon has an impressive track record against Mayo since taking the reigns before the 2017 season. Two Winter Leagues, the 2017 Connacht senior and All-Ireland under 21 crowns have all been one at the neighbours’ expense.

Indeed, his only blot came in the 2018 National League when Peter Leahy’s side left Pearse Stadium with a 2-7 to 1-7 result but both teams still made the semi-finals.

Glennon chatted to Galway Daily before Sunday’s (24th June) Connacht Senior Ladies Football Final against Mayo and chatted about their league loss to Dublin, the good mood in the camp,another provincial trip to Castlebar, the new championship structure, Cora Staunton and why this could be one of the best Connacht Finals in years.

Galway meet Mayo in the 2018 Connacht Senior Ladies Football Final on Sunday, 24th June. Throw-in at MacHale Park, Castlebar is 4pm.

GALWAY LGFA ( Dublin vs Galway Reaction): STEPHEN GLENNON https://t.co/fGehi2CJKb

— Galway Daily (@GalwayDaily) April 23, 2018

Cruise ship at Galway Port previously attacked by pirates

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Kate Robinson

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June 22, 2018

Galway News - MS Nautica docks in Galway

A cruise ship calling at Galway today (June 22) narrowly escaped Somali pirates back in 2008.

The MS Nautica – a cruise ship built in 2000 by Renaissance Cruises and now owned by Oceania Cruises – has called into Galway Port for the day.

Galway News - MS Nautica in Galway Bay June 22 — The MS Nautica anchored near Mutton Island in Galway this afternoon

According to Wikipedia, the Nautica was attacked by two Somali pirate skiffs in the Gulf of Aden on November 30, 2008 while sailing from Egypt to Oman.

The article continues: “Captain Jurica Brajcic ordered the ship to take evasive manoeuvres and to sail away at flank speed. The Nautica was able to outrun her attackers, although the ship was fired at eight times.

“None of the 684 passengers or 401 crew on board were injured in the attack. Following the attack the Nautica proceeded normally to her next scheduled port of call.”

A spokesperson for the Port of Galway said that the Nautica will remain in Galway just for the day before continuing on to Derry.

There are 600 passengers and 386 crew aboard the Regatta Class vessel, which has a length of 181m and a width of 25m.

Its total capacity is 1508 passengers.

NUIG Students Union takes action against Cúirt na Coiribe

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June 22, 2018

NUI Students Union rent increase cúirt shakedown

#CúirtShakedown – NUI Galway Students Union have officially submitted a case against Cúirt na Coiribe.

The NUI Galway Students Union led the protests against Cúirt na Coiribe back in May following an 18% rise in rental rates for NUI Galway Students.

This 18% rise had been communicated to students through an email at 3.20pm on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend during their exam period.

Students at the time were under immense pressure prior to the notification of the rent increase as they were studying for the exams.

Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh, President of the NUI Galway Students Union released the following statement:

“Following advice and counsel from public representatives, internal university colleagues and our own counsel we have filed a case through the residential tenancies board against Cúirt na Coiribe Galway.

“The NUI Galway Students’ Union will represent a 2017/18 tenant at Cúirt na Coiribe who was a victim of the 18% rent increases.

“We hope that this will also send a strong message to other management companies of purpose built student accommodation across the country that students and their families will not stand by and allow for their education to be put at risk due to the ever increasing cost of accommodation imposed by these companies.”

The NUIG Students Union have worked tirelessly for their students in relation to this issue over the last few months. They have spent long nights and early mornings working on this accommodation issue, as they hoped Cúirt na Coiribe would re-evaluate the situation.

The Students Union now hope that by taking this action it will encourage other student accommodation complexes to re-evaluate their rates.

Cúirt na Coiribe released notification on their Facebook account on the 17th May that they were oversubscribed for the upcoming year.

For updates on how the case is progressing you can keep an eye on the NUIG Student’s Union Social Media Channels. #CúirtShakedown

“Not guilty, all the way” – Defiance in court at multiple burglary charges

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June 21, 2018

A man accused of burglary at three offices at the same address in the one night denied all charges against him, telling the District Court he was, “Not guilty, all the way.”

Gardaí say that on January 10 this year John Mansfield (37), of no fixed address, committed burglary at the offices of Eugene Mulcaire Architects, Bell & Carroll Solicitors, and Simon J. Kelly Architects who all operate at 21 Middle street in the city.

A Lenovo laptop and charger worth €3,000, a €100 power unit, and a laptop bag were stolen from the offices of Simon J. Kelly, while another laptop with a value of €800 was taken from Eugene Mulcaire Architects.

Fortunately only a small amount of cash, €20 or thereabouts, was stolen out of the offices of Bell & Carroll Solicitors.

There was some difficulty in getting Mansfield to enter a plea on the day. He interrupted proceedings on multiple occasions to try and speak to “Mary”, as he repeatedly referred to Judge Fahy. On the third attempt his solicitor was able to get him to answer the charges.

Mansfield also faced an unrelated charge to failing to appear before the District Court on August 10 of last year.

Judge Fahy set a date of July 9 for a hearing on the alledged burglary charges.

Cruinniú na nÓg takes place this weekend.

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June 21, 2018

Cruinniú na nÓg is a new national day of creativity for children and young people.

County Galway will celebrate this inaugural festival over 2 days, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 June 2018, inviting children to get ‘making’ ‘doing’ and ‘creating’.

From Inis Oirr to Ballinasloe, An Ceathrú Rua to Gort, something exciting is happening in a cruinniú near you! The County Galway programme includes over 25 listings, spread across 16 locations, with a broad range of activities suitable for 6 months to 18 years.

“We are delighted to be programming such a diverse programme of events for Children all over County Galway”, said Sharon O’Grady Arts Officer and Galway County Creative Ireland Coordinator.

“This is the first ever Cruinniú na nÓg and have really enjoyed putting it together. We are extremely lucky to have so many talented artists available to help us celebrate this day. Our libraries and venues will be buzzing with excitement, welcoming children and teens and we hope they will get involved and come out to play during the day.”

The children of Moylough, Loughrea and Athenry are invited to grab their cushions and hang on tight with acclaimed storyteller Niall de Burca for a special schools event on Friday.

The under 4’s (and their adults!) can join Branar Téatar do Pháistí in Ballinasloe Library on Friday 22 June at 12Pm & 2PM for The Shape of Things.

The Immersive Classroom project presents a virtual and augmented reality workshop for children aged 9 -12 years in Oranmore and Tuam Library on Saturday.

The Irish Workhouse in Portumna will host a full day of activities including a jewellery workshop with award winning designer Vivienne Martin, an origami workshop with Artist-in-Residence Jenny Wood-Sullivan and a big trad session with Noreen Ryan.

Leabharlann na Ceathrú Rua agus an Spidéil play host to puppet theatre and workshops with Little Gem Puppets.

Cruinniú promises to bring performances, workshops, theatre, storytelling, puppet shows and exhibitions to our young people. All events are FREE. Some are through schools, some are drop-in and others require booking. A full list of events can be found on our Facebook Page Creative Ireland Galway County and for further details check out creative.ireland.ie/cruinniu

Cruinniú na nÓg is a Creative Ireland initiative delivered at local level by Galway County Council: https://creative.ireland.ie/en/about

Bank of Ireland Visa Debit Cards are back in action and working correctly

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June 21, 2018

BOI - Debit cards not working Galway Daily

Bank of Ireland have just tweeted confirmation that all Bank of Ireland Visa Debit Cards are working correctly.

The issue caused serious disruption to numerous Bank of Ireland customers in Galway city/county and all over Ireland throughout the day with cards declining.

The issue seems to be resolved following a statement from Bank of Ireland confirming that all cards are back in action and have apologised for any inconvenience that may have been caused.

We’re confirming all of our Visa debit cards are working normally for all point of sale chip & pin transactions and for withdrawals at all ATMs. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

— Bank of Ireland (@bankofireland) June 21, 2018

Bus Eireann adding late night Connemara services to Carraroe

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June 21, 2018

Galway Daily news Two Galway - Castlebar bus services cancelled today

Bus Eireann is adding three new evening services on the Galway to Carraroe line at 7pm, 9pm, and 11pm from this September.

Currently, the last service Bus Eireann runs on the Carraroe line leaves the city at 6pm. This can be a problem for people who work in the city, but live out in Connemara according to Galway West TD Eamon Ó Cúiv:

“There are plenty of people who commute from west Galway into the city every day and it is not always possible for them to make the last bus at 6 o’clock in the evening,” he said. “This forces them to drive to work, adding to congestion and increasing their journey time.”

As well as adding late night services up to 11pm, the number of daytime services along the same route are being increased to a bus every 30 minutes during peak hours.

Route 424 from Galway city to Carraroe also serves Barna, Spiddal, Inverin, Rossaveal, and Costelloe; with one service at 5pm going out even further, to Carna.

In addition to adding extra services out to Connemara, the Galway to Ballina route that goes through Castlebar and Westport is being split into three different routes.

Route 422 runs three times a day from Headford to Castlebar, route 420 also has three daily services connecting Castlebar to Ballina, while route 456 goes from Galway city to Catlebar, stopping at Headford, Kilmaine, Ballinrobe, and Westport.

Deputy Ó Cúiv says the new services out to Connemara are the result of intense negotiations, but that the only way to get more people using public transport is to have flexible timetables that meet people’s needs.

“The idea that the services for a city with a large work force, a university, an Institute of Technology and a major hospital would cease at 6 o’clock in the evening, is not satisfactory and I am very pleased with the engagement and support that I have received from Bus Éireann in trying to improve these services.”

Improving our public transport services, be it buses or trains, has long been acknowledged as the only effective way to address massive congestion problems in Galway city and take cars off the road. Roads infrastructure projects like the Gort to Tuam motorway have done little to ease traffic in the city to date.

Ainmniúchán faighte do ghradam Éagsúlacht Idirnáisiúnta ag Trevor Ó Clochartaigh

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June 21, 2018