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Rosscahill resident hit two parked cars drunk driving in Salthill

By
Kate Robinson
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Galway Daily news Launch of new online Traffic Watch reporting form

Peter Higgins of Doon West, Rosscahill was disqualified from driving for three years in Galway District Court on Monday after being convicted of drunk driving.

The 65-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence after gardaí found him driving erratically at Pollnarooma West in Salthill on August 10, 2016.

His vehicle was visibly damaged, as were two parked cars nearby. A urine sample proved he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Higgins was later diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, subsequently losing a toe to the disease.

His solicitor said that the disease – unknown at the time – combined with alcohol may have contributed to his client’s impairment.

The defendant has no previous convictions.

Insurance covered the damage to all of the vehicles involved in the incident.

District Court Judge Mary Fahy gave Higgins a fine of €300 with six months to pay, and disqualified him from driving for three years.

Watch | Hildegarde Naughton’s Dáil speech on the 8th Amendment

By
Michael Malone
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hildegarde naughton dáil speech

Hildegarde Naughton TD said in the Dáil yesterday that the Eighth Amendment referendum has taught politicians valuable lessons.

She said: “I think we in this house need to learn a valuable lesson from this referendum. The lesson is not to dismiss every suggestion that arises because of some intrinsic bias that we hold.

“The lesson is to listen more and speak less.

“The lesson is to gather and analyse the evidence and respond accordingly.

“That is exactly what happened in this particular case and look what has happened.”

The Fine Gael TD credited the citizens of Ireland for the Yes result – especially the women who have worked towards repealing the 8th amendment for decades.

She also thanked those who told their own personal and intimate stories during the campaign.

Watch Hildegarde Naughton‘s full speech below.

Forum Connemara receives funding for employment training for people with disabilities

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Forum Connemara gets €724.582 funding for employment training programme

Forum Connemara has received €724,583 to fund an employment training programme for people with disabilities.

The Ability Programme is a three year course for people with a disability aged between 15-29 who are transitioning from education to employment or who haven’t been able to find work for a long period.

It’s described as a “person centric” programme that will help people, who may have been denied opportunities because of their disability, find out what they ideally want to do with their lives, and then help them develop the skills to pursue that path.

Galway West TD and Minister of State Seán Kyne has confirmed the funding allocation for Forum Connemara, saying that this will help people with a disability be more fully included in their community.

“The programme being launched today goes hand in hand with community development, with supporting and fostering more inclusive communities.” Minister Kyne said, and added that Forum Connemara is the perfect choice to lead the programme in Galway.

“The team at Forum Connemara has a wealth of experience in community development and is the ideal partner to lead this important programme in Galway.”

Forum Connemara is a Local Development Company based out of Letterfrack which aims to develop economic opportunities in Connemara by providing social supports for at-risk adolescents, promoting rural development through the LEADER programme, and now by helping people with a disability get onto the workforce.

The Ability Programme itself is run by Pobal, a non-profit that manages programmes on behalf of the government by handling funding and working with community groups who implement them in their local areas.

In order to qualify for the Ability programme applicants must either receive a disability allowance or invalidity pension, be in receipt of illness benefits for more than three months, or be referred to Forum by an organisation supporting young people with disabilities.

Referrals are accepted from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Primary Care teams, the National Education Psychological Service, Community Mental Health Services, HSE Disability Services, residential or day services, or special schools.

Nationally, the Ability programme will support 2,600 people across two dozen different projects including the one run by Forum Connemara.

New funding for childcare facilities in Galway welcomed

By
Michael Malone
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funding for childcare facilities galway

The announcement of funding for childcare facilities in Galway has been welcomed by Galway East TD Sean Canney.

Hildegarde Naughton announced that €360,000 will be awarded to Galway childcare providers.

The amount of funding for East Galway exceeds €240,000.

The funding was announced by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone.

Sean Canney TD said: “I welcome this announcement which will create numerous new childcare places across Galway East.

“There was an unprecedented amount of applications this year which shows the appetite for expansion within this sector.

“A continued increase in investment in this area will be sought in order to increase capacity and deliver the highest quality of childcare for families throughout Ireland.

“The following creches and early childcare facilities who have benefitted from this funding announcement include, Tuam Community Childcare Centre, Newtown Kids Club Ltd, The Orchard Creche, Kinvara Community Childrens Centre, Loughrea Community Preschool, Spraoi Early Learning Centres, Kids Club, and Doorus Community Montessori/Playshool.

“This is part of an overall national investment of €6.87 million.”

Two Mile Ditch man tried to hide pills in his mouth

By
Kate Robinson
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Galway News - Courts - Man tried to hide pills in his mouth

A Galway man got a year’s imprisonment in District Court on Monday for a variety of crimes – including obstruction after trying to hide pills in his mouth during a garda search.

Two Mile Ditch resident James Lynch pleaded guilty to burglary, obstruction, two counts of theft, a public order offence, and failure to appear in court.

The obstruction occurred on August 1, 2016 when Lynch was stopped and searched by a member of An Garda Síochana in Eyre Square.

After the search the guard observed the defendant spit tablets from his mouth into his hand. When caught, Lynch attempted to swallow the pills – later found to be 8 tablets of Valium.

The 37-year-old was also charged with burglary after entering number 2 Forster Court just after 10pm on July 28, 2016.

Occupants of the house heard a noise in the rear kitchen and found the defendant, who was drunk and said he’d come into the wrong house.

After letting him out they found that a mobile phone was missing. The phone and a handbag were later recovered.

Lynch was also arrested on a public order charge after Garda Paul Duffy of Mill Street station was forced to use pepper spray on him during an altercation in Eyre Square.

One of the thefts occurred in December 2016 when Lynch took a tip jar from Pascal Coffee House at Edward Square.

The jar – estimated to contain between €200 and €300 – was not recovered. The other theft was of a bottle of perfume at a Matt O’Flaherty chemists.

Lynch has 68 previous convictions.

His solicitor stated that her client is addicted to drugs but has made several attempts to get clean at various treatment centres around the country.

He has since left Galway and gotten clean while living in Tipperary.

“I’ve heard it all before,” stated Judge Mary Fahy before sentencing him to one year in prison for the burglary and obstruction.

She added 8 concurrent months to his sentence for the other charges.

Faisean, Craic, agus Gradaim ag na IFTA’s i mBaile Átha Cliath aréir

By
Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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IFTA's

Bhí na IFTA’s lán do faisean, craic agus Gradaim aréir ag an RDS i mBaile Átha Cliath.

Is eagrúchán Éireannach é an IFTA (Irish Film and Television Academy) leis an aidhm atá acu ná sármhaitheas i Scannánaíocht agus Teilifís Éireannach a spreagadh trí ardán do ionsparáid, forbairt cruthaitheach agus comhoibriú thar an earnáil ar fad.

Bíonn dhá Searmanas Gradam Bliantúil, na Gradam do Scannánaíocht agus Drámaíocht agus na Gradaim Teilifíse agus b’í an Searmanas do Gradam na Teilifíse a bhí ar siúl aréir.

Tháinig os cionn 400 duine de muintir na teilifíse agus an scáileáin beag ó fud fad na tíre le chéile san RDS aréir.

Jason Byrne a bhí ag chur an oíche i láthair agus bhí neart pearsantaí eile le feiscint ar stáitse agus iad ag bronnadh na gradaim ar na bhuaiteoirí.

Bhí gúnaí fada galánta i ngach sort dath á chaitheamh ag na mná agus bhí na tux ar na fir, chuid dóibh ag caitheamh carbhat agus fir eile a bhí níos traidisúnta leis na cuachóga.

Do bhuaigh TG4XX Beo an gradaim sa chatagóir Craoladh Beo, agus é tuillte go maith théis an t-uafás oibre a chuireadar féin agus Gifted Empire Productions isteach d’ullmhúchán na hoíche.

Bhí an t-ádh orm féin a bheith páirteach le foireann den scoth agus mé ag chuir fáilte roimh na h-aíonna ar fad ar an oíche úd sin.

Oíche Shamhna 2016 a bhí ann leis an stáistiún ag céiliúradh éacht den scoth agus iad ag craoladh 20 mbliain ar an bhfód.

Thánadar beo an oíche sin ón cearnóg (Quadrangle) in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh, ó baile TG4 i Baile na hAbhann, Chonamara,  ó Tigh Tabhairne Páidí Ó Sé, Gaeltacht Chiarraí Thiar agus ó Ionad Cois Locha, Gaoth Dobhair, Co Dún na nGall.

Is cúis bhród domsa go rabhas páirteach leis an t-aicsean ar fad agus mé ag freastal ar an Ollscoil ag déanamh mo Mháistreachas i Scríobhneoireacht ag an am.

Ceann dos na himeachtaí a tharla sa cholásite a bheidh liom go deo agus mé lán sásta go rabhas in ann cabhair a thabhairt dóibh ar an oíche mhór.

Scéal don scoth ar maidin ag cloisint gur thógadar leo an Gradam le haghaidh an Chatagóir Craoladh Beo agus é tuillte go rímhaith acu.

Ní shin é an t-aon gradam a thug TG4 leo ag na IFTA’s aréir mar bhuaigh an FirBolg Gradam sa rannóg cláracha Gaeilge freisin.

Apple data centre Supreme Court case going ahead without Apple

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily news Apple granted extension of permission for Athenry data centre

The Supreme Court will continue to hear an appeal against planning permission for the Apple data centre in Athenry, even though Apple has abandoned the project.

The Supreme Court is allowing the case to continue because there are important legal issues to be examined, and because there is still three years left on the planning permission given by An Bord Pleánala, which could be transferred to another group.

Apple announced in early May that they had abandoned plans for a proposed €850 million development in Athenry just as the case was about to be heard by the Supreme Court, and are no longer involved in proceedings.

However, according to the Irish Times the court has agreed to add the State to the case in support of An Bord Pleánala.

Lawyer for the applicants Oisín Collins did not object to the state joining the case, but said they had reservations as to why it was getting involved and added that this has become a “political football”.

Local objectors Allan Daly and Sineád Fitzpatrick appealed the decision by An Bord Pleánala to grant planning permission for the project on the grounds that a proper environmental impact assessment hadn’t been carried out.

According to the applicants the board only examined the impact of a single data hall which Apple would have built as phase one of the development, without looking at a proposed “masterplan” for seven more halls.

When fully developed, the Apple data centre would have increased demand on the national electric grid by up to 8 percent they said, while there is currently no standard policy addressing how to manage the electricity demands of energy intensive data centres.

The High court struck down their appeal last October, and denied them permission to go to the Court of Appeals a month later.

The Supreme Court decided at the start of May that there were sufficient matters of public importance for them to hear an appeal, and indicated that the case may have to be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU as it involves principles of EU law.

Several Galway TDs said at the time that losing out on such a large capital investment project was a huge blow for the west of Ireland and underscored the need for the government to make sure planning applications don’t get bogged down in judicial review or else risk scaring off potential investors.

 

What should you do this week? | Horoscopes | 31 May 2018

By
Angela Mc Bride
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GAWLAY DAILY HOROSCOPES

Your star sign horoscope – every Thursday on Galway Daily.

ARIES
Mar 21 – Apr 20

Life is all about the journey and not the destination. Remember that as you go into this weekend, and try to relax in unexpected situations that might arise. There is light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes you just have to wait.

Lucky numbers: 7, 19, 34

TAURUS
Apr 21 – May 21

Try to remain a beacon of light even in a dark cave. Radiate positivity and those around you will feel the benefits. Everything comes back around again – energy is cyclical. Instead of blaming everything around you, be the change you want to see.

Lucky numbers: 5, 17,11

GEMINI
May 22 – Jun 22

There might be conflict on the horizon, but sometimes conflict can heal a relationship. A long-lasting peace will follow an honest truce, and reconciliation is as important as peace. Life is short, so reach out if stubbornness is holding you back in some aspect of your life.

Lucky numbers: 1, 2, 38

CANCER
Jun 23 – Jul 23

The summertime brings happiness and sadness, and it is important to go with the flow and ride it out. Life is ups and downs and eventually everything evens out. Take note of this in the next seven days, and remember to stay present in this moment, as the present is all that exists.

Lucky numbers: 55, 22, 35

LEO
Jul 24 – Aug 23

Weather changes may change your personality, and remember that with sunshine comes great responsibility. Stay relaxed and don’t get too carried away. There is a steep edge on every cliff and every high has a low. Keep balanced.

Lucky numbers: 10, 16, 25

VIRGO
Aug 24 – Sep 23

There are changes coming, perhaps in the form of a trip. Try to remain calm while preparing for the trip or journey. Challenges may present themselves but with a present mind, small problems will remain small problems and won’t get blown out of proportion.

Lucky numbers: 16, 7, 23

LIBRA
Sep 24 – Oct 23

Try to spice things up in the next seven days, do something that scares you. The only way to grow is to put yourself in uncomfortable situations, and growth is important. Visualise doing something great and take steps in the next week towards that end.

Lucky numbers: 99, 4, 26

SCORPIO
Oct 24 – Nov 22

Politics is sometimes overbearing – whether party politics or social politics. Dynamics are always shifting, but remember that sometimes change is good. Take flight and don’t look back.

Lucky numbers: 10, 11, 14

SAGITTARIUS Nov 23 – Dec 21

The Beatles released Magical Mystery Tour 50 years ago. All You Need is Love – the last song on the album – starts with the French national anthem. Take that with you this week. Vivre sa vie. Viva Mexico. 

Lucky numbers: 8

CAPRICORN
Dec 22 – Jan 20

Life is always changing, even if you don’t realise it. Keep still and look around for changes and remember that life can only be analysed looking back. If there is one motto you should carry with you this week it is this: until victory, always.

Lucky numbers: 66, 43, 24

AQUARIUS
Jan 21 – Feb 19

England and Ireland are near each other but very different in many ways, with a long, difficult past. Sometimes the closest friends are the greatest enemies. Don’t let their proximity fool you – you don’t have 800 years to figure this out. But sometimes, a long peace process leads to a strongest relationships.

Lucky numbers: 11, 16, 83

PISCES
Feb 20 – Mar 20

Good things are on their way. Remember to stay present and positive and to remain calm. The best things happen to the most level people and there are great things on the horizon. Go towards it.

Lucky numbers: 2, 7, 19

MOLSCÉAL ar Bhóthar Rathúil le 1,000,000 Amharc Físe idir Meán Fómhair 2017 agus Aibreán 2018.

By
Sheila Ní Bheaglaoich
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0
Molscéal - bhóthar

Tá MOLSCÉAL ar bhóthar rathúil le 1,000,000 amharc físe idir Meán Fomhair 2017 agus Aibreán 2018.

Inniu an lá dheireanach do MojoFest, agus bhí an áthas ag MOSCÉAL a bheith páirteach sa lá. Féile 3 lá a bhí i gceist le MojoFest leis an comhdháil ar siúl in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh, sa Bailey Allen Auditorium.

Tháinig painéil cainteoirí mar aon le taispeántóirí le chéile ó ar fud na cruinne, chun a chuid scéalta agus a chuid físe a roinnt faoi thodhchaí Mojo agus an forbairt atá fós le teacht idir trealamh agus aipeanna.

B’é Glen Mulcahy iar oibreoir le RTÉ a d’eagraigh an Féile, féile a thosaigh ar dtús ceithre mbliain ó shin, i mBaile Átha Cliath, sa bhliain 2016 thart ar an t-am chéanna a tháinig an Persiscope amach rud a luaitear inniu.

Chuireadh an cheist ar maidin an raibh Mojo ar tí bhás a fháil ach bhí painéal láidir ina gcoinne an tuairim sin.

Tógra amháin a léiríonn nach bhfuil Mojo ar a chosa dheireanach ná MOLSCÉAL, a thosaigh níos lú ná bliain ó shin.

Tá scéalta MOLSCÉAL dírithe ar an chroí lucht féachanna, iad siúd a bhfuil an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth-theanga labhartha acu – ag mealladh an t-aois grúpa 35+.

Labhair Eagarthóir MOLSCÉAL, Deirdre Ní Choistín, atá théis a croí agus a n-anam a chur isteach sa tógra MOLSCÉAL ón tús faoin forbairt atá déanta acu go dtí seo agus í lán cinnte go bhfuil níos mó fós le teacht.

“Nílimid fiú bhliain ar an mbóthar agus tá thart ar 1,000,000 daoine ag amharc ar na físeán ar-líne.

“Seo díreach tús Mojo le haghaidh TG4 le thart ar 74,000 do lucht leanúna againn.”

Spás iontach é Molscéal do mhuintir na Gaeltachta, ó fud fad na tíre, ó Chiarraí go Tír Chonaill agus síos go dtí an Rinn i Phort Láirge.

Tugann MOLSCÉAL an deis do saoririseoirí a chuid scileanna a úsáid tríd tograí a thaifead don árdán méan soisialta.

Is féidir MOLSCÉAL a leanúint ar na hárdán Facebook, Instagram agus Twitter agus táid ag súil le Aip a bheith acu gan moill.

Ceann dos na buntáistí a bhaineann le MOLSCÉAL dar le Deirdre ná na fotheidil a bheith i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge ionas lucht féachana leathan a mhealladh,

“Tháinig mé suas leis an smaoineamh na fotheidil a chur suas i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge agus an gcreidfá ní fuaireas gearán amháin faoi.

“Nuair a thosaíonn tú ag léamh na fotheidil i teanga amháin leanóidh tú ar aghaidh sa teanga chéanna.”

Is léir mar sin nach chuireann na fotheidil dhátheangach ar an scáileán isteach ar an lucht féachana. Árdán iontach nuálach atá ag iarraidh na scéalta is fearr agus is suimiúla dá chuid lucht féachanna a cruthú.

“Táimid ag iarraidh na scéalta gur mian leis an lucht féachanna faire air a cruthú, in ionad na scéalta a cheapaimís fhéin a mbeadh suim acu iontu.”

Is léir go bhfuil Deirdre Ní Choistín, Eagarthóir MOLSCÉAL agus an foireann saoririseoirí ar fad ag iarraidh a chuid lucht féachanna a shásamh tríd na scéalta atá uathu a thabhairt dóibh agus gan dabht tá MOLSCÉAL ar bhóthar rathúil le sin.

Guíonn an foireann ar fad anseo i Galway Daily gach rath ar an aistear atá ar mbun ag MOLSCÉAL agus go n-éirí libh sna Sockies a bheas ar siúl go luath.

 

Ronan Mullen criticises centralisation of mental health services to UHG

By
Michael Malone
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ronan mullen nui galway 8th amendment comments mental health

One week after saying ‘mental health has no evidence base’, Senator Ronán Mullen has criticised the centralisation of mental health services in County Galway to University Hospital Galway.

Mullen, who was harshly criticised for his comments during the final debate last week, said in the Seanad yesterday that if you look at the crisis in Galway, you will ‘see in microcosm the dysfunction’ in HSE community mental health services.

“The HSE in Galway has decided to centralise all mental health treatment into an overcrowded mental health unit in the University Hospital.

“That is partly the result of the fact that in 2015, the HSE closed a state-of-the art mental health facility at St. Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, which cost over €3 million to renovate.

“At the core of the vaunted A Vision for Change plan for mental health services was the recommendation that care be given close to the communities where the patient lives.

“In Galway, the opposite is now happening. All mental health care is being centralised in the city hospital,” he said.

Meanwhile, many people on social media are organising NUI graduates to make sure Mullen is not re-elected to the Seanad.

The campaign to boot him out of the Seanad was sparked by his comments about mental health and comments he made to an audience member at the debate, who shared her traumatic experience of travelling to Birmingham to have an abortion.

“Saoirse, you deserve love and respect regardless of what you’ve ever done,” said Mullen to the young audience member.

“Absolutely no sense of urgency” from city or state on housing, says Galway West TD

By
Kate Robinson
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Galway News - no sense of urgency on housing crisis, says Galway West TD

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly took local and government authorities to task on the housing crisis during a Dáil debate on Tuesday.

“There is absolutely no sense of urgency from what I can see between the city council and the Government on monthly reports and updates,” she said.

The debate was on the second stage of the Residential Tenancies (Student Rents, Rights and Protection) Bill 2018, which proposes to give students living in student-specific accommodation the same rights as regular tenants.

This would prevent rent hikes such as the €1000 increase by Galway student accommodation provider Cúirt na Coiribe earlier this month, which drew widespread condemnation in a country still suffering from a massive housing crisis.

Connolly used Galway as an example of authorities’ failures to use available resources to mitigate the crisis.

She commented: “Galway is a city that I have used repeatedly as an example because the crisis there is far worse than that in Dublin, in my opinion, based on the facts. We have people waiting on a waiting list from 2002 who never once received an offer of accommodation.”

After highlighting the number of homeless individuals and families in the city, Connolly continued:

“We have any amount of land zoned residentially in Galway city bought at huge prices. I am asking the Minister why we are not building houses.

“I checked before I came in here and we plan to build 74. We have not built one single house since 2009.”

She further noted that approximately 70 city properties are lying vacant – and that a “scandalous” amount of unused land has been set aside for a road that may not be built until 2024, if at all.

“We are paying millions in interest alone, not to mention the loans, and the land is just sitting there,” she said.

Although Connolly said she will support the bill, she cited a recent Simon study called ‘Locked out of the market’ to show the gap between rent supplement/Housing Assistance Payments and rental market prices.

According to the TD, this gap shows the results of the Government’s continued reliance on the private sector for housing needs.

“I really welcome the draft legislation but it is just a symptom. How many more symptoms do we have to raise in this Dáil before the Government realises that reliance on the market is simply making the problem worse?”

Read Connolly’s full comment here.

Man pleads guilty to urinating on Paddy Power carpet

By
Kate Robinson
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Galway News - Courts - Man urinates on Paddy Power carpet

A Newcastle man pleaded guilty to a handful of charges in Galway District Court on Monday – including criminal damage to a carpet at a city centre Paddy Power.

Godfrey Okucha of Abbey House, Upper Newcastle Road was also charged with a variety of offences including handling stolen property and theft on several occasions beginning last year.

The 41-year-old was caught by gardaí handling stolen laptops at Fairgreen Hostel – his former address – as well as stealing groceries, mens’ underwear, and two bottles of wine at different locations around the city.

He was also caught stealing a €92 bottle of Chanel perfume from Brown Thomas last July.

The Paddy Power incident occurred on March 23 this year, when Okucha urinated on a carpet at the bookmakers’ Prospect Hill location.

His solicitor noted that Okucha was not aware that the laptops were stolen when he was asked to hold them for an acquaintance, and even directed guards to find them in his room.

The court heard that the defendant’s recent cycle of offending behaviour was largely due to a dependence on alcohol.

Okucha is making efforts to better himself by attending AA meetings and looking for work.

He has 35 previous convictions.

The sentence will be decided following a probation services assessment in July.

Opinion | Why we need to call time on political posters | Pauline O’Reilly

By
Michael Malone
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political posters ireland

Over recent weeks, if you headed out for your jog along the Prom, what did you see?

If you drove in to work from Barna, Moycullen, or Oranmore what did you see?

If you looked along virtually any road, path or wall, what did you see?

Posters. Thousands and thousands of them.

As anyone who hasn’t been living under a rock would know, these posters were for the referendum on repealing the eighth amendment in the Irish constitution – a hugely important issue to so many of us.

But what happens to all the posters now?

Well, my kids enjoy making forts out of them, and one or two may end up in museums or private homes as souvenirs, but the vast majority will go straight off to landfill.

This comes at a time when Ireland is struggling to dispose of the mountains of plastic we all use. The last thing we need is thousands upon thousands of large, plasticised ‘corflute’ posters, made of a material which is nonrecyclable and lasts essentially forever.

It’s not just the posters which create waste. The cable ties used to fix them to poles or lampposts are also made of plastic. These smaller pieces of plastic waste often end up in our oceans, causing terrible harm to any wildlife who ingest them.

It’s not like we haven’t acted to restrict advertising around referenda before. We were able to ban Facebook and Google ads during the Repeal campaign, due to questions over the source of funding.

The world has moved on. We’ve now got the internet, social media, and text messaging, along with television, radio, and newspapers. These are all places where we can debate and put forward points of view without creating mountains of plastic waste.

Also, there’s a strong element of visual pollution. Many parents complained about having to explain graphic posters to young children during the referendum. Other people may simply not want to be confronted with a sea of brightly coloured advertising on every surface the moment they leave their home.

The Green Party’s proposal is simple: Create a designated space in each city or town where both sides can display their posters. In Galway City this could be Eyre Square, and the equivalent in our other towns and villages.

This idea is nothing new in Europe. France, Italy and Spain already have restrictions like this in place. In Scotland, where very few councils allowed posters for the last UK general election, voter turnout actually increased.

Communities here in Galway are already asking for this. Schools, for example, asked posters to be removed from outside their premises, and posterers were happy to comply.

Galway City and County Councils have the power to make this change. Councils are in charge of the bye laws that govern election postering.

Restricting political posters to specific locations means we’ll allow all points of view a fair hearing, but keep plastic waste to a minimum. I call on our councillors across Galway City and County to make it happen.

Global event on squirrels to take place in City!

By
Michael Malone
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SQUIRREL event in galway

Fifty-one squirrel researchers will discuss different aspects of squirrel biology at a global event held in NUI Galway next week.

The 8th International Colloquium on Squirrels will run from the 4th – 8th June 2018.

Originally focusing on tree squirrels, the triennial squirrel event was expanded to include flying squirrels at the fourth meeting in Kerala, India in 2006.

This year the event at NUI Galway will also include work on ground squirrels, conducted by scientists in Africa, Europe and America, to broaden the colloquium to include research on the whole Sciuridae family.

Chair of the colloquium, Dr Colin Lawton from Zoology at the Ryan Institute in NUI Galway, said: “Research conducted by wildlife ecologists in NUI Galway and other Irish institutions will be presented at the colloquium.

“This will include the latest on the recovery of the red squirrel in Ireland, thanks to successful conservation projects, afforestation and the impact the pine marten has had on the invasive grey squirrel.

“We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious event, and welcoming colleagues and friends from around the world to Galway.

“It gives us a great opportunity to learn from one another, and to work towards our common goal of conserving this important and fascinating group of animals.”

Fifty one squirrel experts representing fifteen countries will present their work and hold discussion sessions on common themes, along with field excursions to forests in Cong and Moore Hall in Co. Mayo.

The event will take place in the O’Tnuathail Theatre, Arts Millennium Building at NUI Galway.

Places are still available to attend. For registration and full programme details, visit: www.conference.ie and visit Facebook @squirrels2018.

Video footage of red squirrels in Derryclare forest, Connemara, Co Galway: https://youtu.be/klrOgeI3D8Q

Listen | People are loving this Galway band’s new Summer song!

By
Michael Malone
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the people carriers galway band summer song

The summer has given us some great weather so far, and Headford band The People Carriers has well and truly provided the perfect soundtrack.

Summer and Sunshine has been well-received in the past few weeks, getting plays on many radio stations and thousands of shares across social media.

So take your sangria or cerveza out into the sunshine and get this tune blaring from the speakers!

Middle Street to close during Galway International Arts Festival event

By
Michael Malone
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Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

Galway City Council has given notice that Middle Street will close for one hour each day for ten days in July.

The closure is being made to facilitate a Galway International Arts Festival Street Theatre event outside An Taibhdhearc.

The road will be closed from junction of Cross Street Lower to Abbeygate Street Lower.

The closure will be in force from Thursday 12th July to Sunday 22nd July from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

It will also close from 1.00pm to 2.00pm for Matinee Performance on Saturday, 14 July and Sunday, 22 July.

Alternative routes for traffic will be via signposted diversion routes.

An alternative route is available via Flood Street, Cross Street, Bridge Street and Market Street.

The City Council says local access and exit from Middle Street past An Taibhdhearc will be maintained at all times. Advance diversion signage will be in place prior to work commencing

GALWAY’S GREATEST CAMOGIE PLAYER – THE FINAL! 

By
Darren Kelly
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Therese Maher, Veronica Curtin, Martina Harkin, Niamh Kilkenny,

The semi-finals concluded in the early hours of Thursday morning (31st May) and now, our twitter competition to declare ‘Galway’s Greatest Camogie Player’ is down to the FINAL FOUR!

It’s a field of All-Ireland winners with two representatives from the breakthrough class of 1996 and two who reached the Holy Grail in 2013.

For the third consecutive time, Therese Maher tops the poll with 78% after she came through her semi-final.  She beat Tracey Laheen (13%), Tara Kenny (6%) and Regina Glynn (3%).

Next highest was Niamh Kilkenny who was the only other player to carry more than half the available votes.  The Pearses midfielder scored 57% ahead of Ann Marie Hayes (20%), Noreen Coen (17%) and Sarah Dervan (6%).

In the surprise of the round, Martina Harkin’s momentum carried her to victory as she finished on 42% beating favourite Sharon Glynn (31%), Molly Dunne (17%) and Rebecca Hennelly (10%).

And another 1996 winner also came through as Veronica Curtin won the tightest match.  ‘The Rocket’ finished with 35% ahead of Anne Forde (27%), Heather Cooney (20%) and Orla Kilkenny (18%).

As mentioned before the competition started, any ties would be settled by the adjudication committee and but they weren’t called on to make any decisions.

The final, starting shortly (Thursday) is a straight shoot-out between the four semi-final winners.  The top player will be crowned by our followers as ‘Galway’s Greatest Camogie Player.’

The polls will stay open for 15 hours and the WINNER will be declared on Friday.

All You Need to do is go to our Twitter page and select your favourite player.  Please LIKE and SHARE! 

  1. THERESE MAHER – 78%, Tracey Laheen – 13%, Tara Kenny – 6%, Regina Glynn – 3%

2. NIAMH KILKENNY – 57%, Ann Marie Hayes – 20%, Noreen Coen – 17%, Sarah Dervan – 6%

3. MARTINA HARKIN – 42%, Sharon Glynn – 31%, Molly Dunne – 17%, Rebecca Hennelly – 10%

4. VERONICA CURTIN – 35%, Anne Forde – 27%, Heather Cooney – 20%, Orla Kilkenny – 18%

GALWAY LGFA: GALWAY’S GREATEST LADIES FOOTBALLER – THE FINAL! 

By
Darren Kelly
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The semi-finals concluded in the early hours of Thursday morning (31st May) and now, our twitter competition to declare ‘Galway’s Greatest Ladies Footballer’ is down to the FINAL FOUR! 

The All-Ireland winning class of 2004 have three finalists competing for the top prize along with the county’s most well-known current dual player.

For the third consecutive time, Annette Clarke tops the poll with 49% after she came through her semi-final.  She beat Olivia Divilly (19%), Emer Flaherty (19%) and Sinead Burke (13%).

Next highest was Edel Concannon who finishes in the top four for the first time.  The All-Ireland winning final goal scorer finished with 37% ahead of Tracey Leonard (27%), Geraldine Conneally (19%) and Louise Ward (17%).

Irish soccer international Niamh Fahey, who also has an All-Ireland medal, won the third semi-final after she came through a tight battle getting 30%.  She finished ahead of Fabienne Cooney (27%), Caitriona Cormican (27%) and Roisin Leonard (16%).

As mentioned before the competition started, any ties would be settled by the adjudication committee and they were called upon to make one decision.

With the best runner-up qualifying, three players were on 27% seeking one spot.  They voted for Cormican ahead of Cooney and Tracey Leonard.

The final, starting shortly (Thursday) is a straight shoot-out between the four qualifiers.  The top player will be crowned by our followers as ‘Galway’s Greatest Ladies Footballer.’

The polls will stay open for 15 hours and the WINNER will be declared on Friday.

All You Need to do is go to our Twitter page and select your favourite player.  Please LIKE and SHARE! 

1. ANNETTE CLARKE – 49%, Olivia Divilly – 19%, Emer Flaherty – 19%, Sinead Burke – 13%

2. EDEL CONCANNON – 37%, Tracey Leonard – 27%, Geraldine Conneally – 19%, Louise Ward – 17%

3. NIAMH FAHEY – 30%, CAITRIONA CORMICAN – 27%, Fabienne Cooney – 27%, Roisin Leonard – 16%

WATCH: COLM CALLANAN 2010 SAVE AGAINST WEXFORD 

By
Darren Kelly
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Colm Callanan

With the Galway hurlers looking to maintain their unbeaten run against Wexford in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship this Saturday (2nd July), GAANOW took a look back at this save from Colm Callanan when the teams met in 2010. 

The Tribesmen ran out comfortable 2-22 to 1-14 winners in Nowlan Park thanks to goals from Joe Canning and Kevin Hayes while Ger Farragher also contributed 13 points.

And they pulled clear in the final 15 minutes having only led by three points before Andy Smith was sent off (one of three to go with Wexford’s David Redmond and Diarmuid Lyng also departing before the finish).

But in a contest also noted for scores from ‘young players’ like David Burke and Aidan Harte, it was this glorious save from Callanan 10 minutes into the second half that was the stand out moment.

John McIntyre’s charges led 1-9 to 0-6 but Wexford were enjoying a good spell.  Indeed, they did reduce arrears afterwards but they could have seriously rattled the maroon and white when Michael Jacob was put through but the Kinvara netminder delivered an amazing save.

After coming through Offaly in the semi-final following a replay, Galway fell to Kilkenny in the Leinster Final.  But they rattled the eventual All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the quarter-final losing out by just 3-17 to 3-16.

Leinster Senior Hurling Championship – Saturday, 29th May 2010 

Galway 2-22 Wexford 1-14 (Nowlan Park)

Scorers – Ger Farragher 0-13, Joe Canning 1-3, Kevin Hynes 1-0, Damien Hayes 0-2, David Burke 0-1, Andy Smyth 0-1, Aidan Harte 0-1, Aonghus Callanan 0-1.

Galway Team: Colm Callanan; Damien Joyce, Shane Kavanagh, Ollie Canning; Donal Barry, Tony Og Regan, David Collins; Ger Farragher, David Burke; Damien Hayes, Cyril Donnellan, Andy Smith; Aidan Harte, Joe Canning, Joe Gantley.

Subs used: Iarla Tannian for Donnellan (46 mins), Kevin Hynes for Gantley (56 mins), Aonghus Callanan for Harte (67 mins), John Lee for Regan (68 mins), Adrian Cullinane for Collins (70 mins).

Galway meet Wexford in the 2018 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship on Saturday, 2nd June.  Throw-in at Innovate Wexford Park is 5pm.

Cashier threatened with knife during a robbery in Ballinasloe

By
Briain Kelly
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Galway Daily courts Man charged with possession of a knife said it was for his protection

A cashier at Supervalu in Ballinasloe feared for her life when she was threatened with a knife during a robbery, Galway Circuit Court has heard.

Stephen Hodgins (24) was brought before the Circuit Court on two charges relating to a robbery at Supervalu in Ballinasloe last year. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

Sgt. Michael Feehily told the court that on the 15 July last year at around six in the evening, Hodgins entered Supervalu at Brackernagh, Ballinasloe with a knife hidden in the front pocket of his jumper.

He got a newspaper from the stand and went up to the till to pay. He gave the cashier a fiver and when she opened the till he threatened her with the knife and demanded money from the till.

Instead the cashier, a 20 year old student who works there part time, ran away and Hodgins used the opportunity to grab money from the till, getting €810.

Sgt. Feehily arrived at the scene shortly afterwards along with another garda, and after viewing cctv footage identified Hodgins as the suspect.

They searched the area and found Hodgins nearby; after a short chase he was arrested and brought to Ballinasloe garda station where gardaí recovered €440.

Sgt. Feehily said that Hodgins wore two pairs of tracksuit bottoms to the robbery so he could change afterwards in order to help him evade capture.

At the station Hodgins was cooperative and admitted to the robbery, telling gardaí: “Sorry for putting the young one behind the till through that torture,” during the interview.

Hodgins problems stem from a serious drug addiction, a barrister for the defence told the court. He had a “chaotic” upbringing and lost his father to a drug overdose when he six.

According to a probation report Hodgins, who is currently serving a sentence in Castlerea prison, has shown progress towards getting off drugs and expresses a desire to move away from Ballinasloe, something probation services recommend.

Hodgins admitted to gardaí that morning, before the robbery, he had smoked heroin and taken xanax. The money from the robbery was intended to pay off a drug related debt.

Hodgins has 23 previous convictions going back to when he was a minor, several of which were robberies or involved a knife.

On every occasion where a knife was involved he had threatened someone with it, but has never actually used one on a persn Sgt. Feehily told the court.

Judge Rory McCabe said that the prospect of spending his life in prison should act as deterrent to Hodgins actions, but that it hasn’t to date.

For the robbery he handed down a 6 year sentence, with the final two years suspended; and for the firearms charge related to using a knife Hodgins received a 2 year sentence to run concurrently.

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