Two men arrested in back to back drug raids

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June 24, 2023

Galway Daily news €500,000 win for Euromillions player in the west

A EuroMillions player in Galway had a Friday night to remember after scooping half a million euro in the EuroMillions Plus draw.

The Galway winner purchased their winning Quick Pick ticket at Corrib Oil in Brackernagh, Ballinasloe on the day of the draw.

Another player from Tipperary also won €500,000 in the Plus draw, while a Wicklow player match five numbers and one lucky star to win a massive €318,087 in the main draw.

The winning numbers in Friday’s EuroMillions draw were: 01, 03, 11, 33, 46 and lucky stars 10, 11.

The winning numbers in last night’s Plus draw were: 16, 17, 21, 26, 31

While there was no winner of the €17 million jackpot on offer, over 47,000 players in Ireland won prizes across the EuroMillions and EuroMillions Plus draws.

Tuesday’s jackpot is now set to roll towards an estimated €25 million.

RTÉ must come clean over Tubridy pay fiasco, says Galway TD

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June 24, 2023

Galway Daily business Ryan Tubridy headlinging virtual Galway business event

A Galway East TD has said that RTÉ’s top brass who hid the pay of their top star need to come clean.

Deputy Ciarán Cannon said the actions of those involved in hiding the true pay of Ryan Tubridy since 2017 have shattered irrevocably the trust that Irish people placed in the broadcaster.

The Fine Gael TD described the situation as ‘astonishing’, asking how they could let this go on for so long.

“If this serious breach of oversight had been uncovered in Government and it was established that the taxpayer had been deliberately misled for six years, we would have had a resignation by now with further repercussions to follow,” Deputy Cannon said.

He said that RTÉ must come clean immediately.

“The Director General Dee Forbes needs to come forward and explain what she knows. The future integrity of the national broadcaster is at stake here,” he said.

“The fallout is serious for all involved, primarily for those who knew about these extra payments and actioned the secret pay deal to Ryan Tubridy. Further answers are needed from all involved.

“Only when we fully know what happened here can it be decided what should happen next.”

Deputy Cannon said that RTÉ, whether by intent or design, has misled the Irish public and Oireachtas for several years regarding their finances and pay deals.

“The forum or hearings that deal with this in the future must be able to shine an intensely bright floodlight under the hood of RTE’s internal finances.

“What other secret deals exist? What else are the taxpayer unaware of? Hiding behind confidential deals and market sensitive information is no longer acceptable, it never was.

“Only one outcome matters here to the taxpayer and all those hard-working employees of RTÉ who knew nothing of this and have been repeatedly asked to incur pay cuts over the last decade – the truth.”

Diversions to be in place in Galway City next week

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June 23, 2023

Galway daily news Seven week road closure in downtown Galway City

A road closure will be in place on Dominic Street Upper at the junction with Dominic Street Lower between 10am and 12pm from Monday 26 June to Wednesday 28 June inclusive.

To facilitate these works, Jons Civil Engineering Ltd will implement temporary traffic management and a diversion route as per attached traffic management drawing 1348-TTM-014

The Temporary Traffic Management will include the temporary closure of the Dominic Street Upper junction with Dominic Street Lower.

A northbound diversion route will be in place via Dominic Street Lower, Mill Street, New Road and Henry Street, and a southbound Diversion route will be via William Street, Sea Road, Father Griffin Avenue and Fr Griffin Road.

Liberty IT announces 100 new jobs with new Galway hub

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June 23, 2023

Liberty IT has announced the creation of 100 new jobs with a new hub in the heart of Galway’s innovation space, PorterShed.

The multi-award-winning company, which develops technologies exclusively for its parent company, Fortune Top 100 Liberty Mutual Insurance, already employs over 650 people across Ireland, with offices in Belfast and Dublin.

Galway based Minister and Government Chief Whip, Hildegarde Naughton, welcomed the announcement today.

“The expansion of Liberty IT’s workforce here in Galway is not only a vote of confidence in our beautiful county of Galway but, critically, it is a clear commitment to and belief in the people of Galway and all that they have to offer,” she said.

“These 100 jobs bring the total to almost 2,000 new jobs announced in Galway so far this year; no surprise given the highly skilled talent pool that the West of Ireland has to offer. I want to extend my hearty congratulations to the entire team at Liberty IT and to your incumbent recruits.”

University of Galway welcomes govt approval for 3 new healthcare degrees

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June 23, 2023

Galway Daily news Coronavirus: NUIG confirms two cases among student body

University of Galway has welcomed Government approval for three new healthcare degrees with a specific focus on community-based care and addressing workforce needs in rural areas.

The expansion was unveiled after Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris had requested the Higher Education Authority to establish how more capacity could be provided in healthcare.

The three new healthcare degree programmes for University of Galway – Pharmacy, Graduate Entry Medicine, and Graduate Entry Nursing – are in response to the needs of the healthcare sector and demand for staff.

The government also approved the expansion of existing healthcare degree programmes at the University to ensure General Nursing & Midwifery has an intake of 24 students each year and the HDip in Midwifery has eight students each year.

President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said that University of Galway’s mission is to be a ‘driver of transformational change’ for people and the communities in which we live.

“Government investment of this scale will make these ambitions manifest and make a real difference for health and well-being of patients in our region in their time of profound need,” said Prof Ó hÓgartaigh.

“We look forward to the day, a few years from now, when 150 additional graduates are embarking on careers in healthcare after coming through our new programmes.

“It is an inspiring vision for the future of care in Ireland. I thank the Government for their support of our shared ambition for the public good.”

Galway City Council launches new podcast

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June 23, 2023

Galway City Council has launched the ‘Galway City – Your Council’ podcast series, sharing insights on the range of services, projects and people in the local authority.

The Council delivers services for a population of over 83,000, with a 2023 revenue budget of €113 million and a capital budget of around €5 billion over the next decade.

Local authorities provide over 1,105 services across areas as diverse as beach maintenance, dog pounds, health promotion, strategic planning, tourism promotion, and housing supply.

The new podcast series will introduce some of the people delivering these services, and the valuable work they do every day in our city.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or see GalwayCity.ie/Podcast from today, 23 June.

Appeal lodged over temporary ED and new Energy Centre at UHG

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June 22, 2023

Local residents have lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanála against retention permission for the temporary emergency department and new plant building at UHG.

The HSE received planning permission from the city council in May to retain the temporary ED set up at the front of the hospital last year.

Planning approval was also granted for a new Electrical Energy Centre at the east/northeast of the hospital campus, which the application stated is needed to meet the standards of the ESB.

There were 39 objections submitted to the city council during the initial planning phase, raising concerns about noise and light pollution, and the potential for the loss of parking to affect neighbouring areas.

Many of the concerns expressed related to the planned construction of the new Electrical Energy Centre, and how it would impact the area in its intended location, rather the emergency department.

An appeal against the council’s decision has now been made to the higher planning authority by the Newcastle Park Residents Association.

The objection which the Residents Association had submitted to the city council was solely concerned with the Energy Centre.

It said that 31 car parking spaces will be lost of the EC is built in its planned location, exacerbating an already severe shortage, and that the building will have a negative impact on local residential amenity.

An Bord Pleanála is due to make a decision on this planning appeal by October 18 of this year.

Atlantic Technological University included in new student accommodation plans

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June 22, 2023

Galway Daily news Minister Simon Harris announces new investment in ATU Galway campus

Atlantic Technological University is being included in a new government plan to deliver new student accommodation for the TU sector.

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris announced today that the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Department of Education would be assessing capacity and future needs of student accommodation for technological universities.

This plan will include multiple options, including state supported, purpose-built student accommodation.

“The Technological University sector is spread across five regions and the need for student accommodation in the regions is clear,” Simon Harris said.

“It is important we establish the demand and the regional needs of the Technological Sector campuses. This work aims to develop a range of accommodation options to increase supply for our students, including State supported purpose-built student accommodation.”

“This work will be vital to advancing student accommodation in every area across the country,” the Minister added.

The work will focus on establishing a national and regional data picture on supply and demand projections for student accommodation.

The study will also assess responses from the TU sector to progress accommodation plans.

“I have met all our TUs and it is clear there is a desire to start building, or acquiring accommodation,” Simon Harris said. “This work will be a key enabler in unlocking these projects.”

Public consultation on reopening Salthill tidal pools

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June 22, 2023

galway daily Public consultation on reopening Salthill tidal pools

Galway City Council is carrying out a feasibility study on the possibility of reopening the tidal swimming pool in Salthill, and inviting the public to have their say.

Ladies Beach in Salthill once featured tidal swimming pools, but they have been shut for several decades now.

There has been significant public support for their restoration in recent years, with one petition garnering more than 6,000 signatures in favour of the plans in 2021.

Following the allocation of funding in the council budget earlier this year, a feasibility is now taking place, and a public consultation event on the plans will be held this month.

The public consultation event will take place on Thursday, June 29 between 5 – 7pm at the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill.

The purpose of this non-statutory consultation is to invite input from stakeholders at an early stage to help inform the scheme as it proceeds through feasibility stage.

For those who cannot attend the event, submissions/observations can also be made up to Thursday, 20th July by email to the following address: parks@galwaycity.ie or by post to:

Recreation & Amenity Department,
Galway City Council,
City Hall,
College Road,
Galway,
H91 X4K8

An Bord Pleanála overrules own Inspector to approve converting city centre apartments to apart-hotel

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June 22, 2023

Galway Daily news An Bord Pleanála overrules own Inspector to approve converting city centre apartments to apart-hotel

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for an apartment building in the city centre to be converted to a self-catering hotel, going against its own Inspector’s recommendation.

Cornacloy Property Holdings appealed to the higher planning authority, plans to convert 17 apartments in the Citypoint building on Prospect Hill.

The city council had previously refused planning permission for this development back in 2022, stating that the loss of long-term accommodation in the city centre would be unacceptable.

The appeal against this decision stated that hotel and tourism uses are also appropriate for CC zoned land, and that it is intended that the self-catering units would be linked to a local hotel.

It also stated that despite being located in a rent pressure zone, a tourism use is more appropriate for the city core, and enhancing the area’s commercial potential.

The city council said in response that if the apartments had never been used as long-term accommodation, which the appellant had stated, then they may represent an unauthorised development compared with the planning permission granted in 2010.

The council also empahsised that there are a number of residential neighbourhoods close to this site, and dismissed the claim that it is not a residential area.

An Bord Pleanála’s Inspector recommended that the city council’s original decision be upheld, stating that allowing the change of use would conflict with the City Development Plan and national policy.

The Bord ultimately decided not to follow the inspector’s recommendation, stating that it was taking into account the past hotel use of this site prior to the current building, and the CC zoning objective.

The decision also noted that Galway is a significant tourism hub, and that these apartments are not part of or contiguous to another residential area.

While there is a presumption against allowing short-term letting in a rent pressure zone according to national policy, that does “impose a complete prohibition”, the Bord decision states.

Work on major upgrade of Galway City water infrastructure to be completed in 2024

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June 22, 2023

Galway Daily news Work on major upgrade of Galway City water infrastructure to be completed in 2024

Construction work on a major upgrade to Galway City’s water infrastructure is due to be completed early next year.

Uisce Eireann is in the midst of relocating the city’s raw water intake facilities on the River Corrib to a new location south of the Quincentenary Bridge.

Works, which began last year, are progressing well with Uisce Éireann’s John McElwaine expecting a completion date of early next year.

“The construction of the intake and transfer water main will ensure that when water levels run low in the River Corrib, that drinking water production at the Terryland Water Treatment Plant for Galway City and environs will be able to continue as normal and consumers will not have their supply interrupted.”

“This project augments existing infrastructure which will safeguard the supply and quality of water to the city for years to come,” added the Programme Manager.

Galway City Council commissioned these upgrades to the existing system after shortages of raw water at the existing intake works occurred in August and October of 2014.

A new Water Treatment Plant with the capacity to treat 55 million litres a day was built in Terryland after the old plant was decommissioned in 2007.

However, the intake works can’t keep up with the new plant, as they only have the capacity for 46 million litres a day.

Coffey Construction Limited is delivering the works on behalf of Uisce Éireann.

Childline support service looking to recruit volunteers for Galway office

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June 22, 2023

The Childline listening service is now recruiting volunteers for its office in Galway, which is dedicated to helping Ireland’s children.

The service provided by ISPCC is always available to any child and young person across Ireland who would like to talk about any topic on their mind.

Childline’s 24/7 listening service is free and confidential and can be reached online or by phone.

Childline regional supervisor Mary Nolan Durkan says: “Childline volunteers play a vital role in helping to ensure there is always someone there to listen, support and empower children and young people in Ireland when they seek a listening ear.”

“The Childline training course is a comprehensive course which equips volunteers with the skills to deliver a quality service to children.”

Volunteers with the service come from all walks of life and are united by one common purpose: to help ensure no child or young person in Ireland has to face their challenges alone.

An excellent team spirit and sense of support prevails at Childline units throughout the country.

Volunteers receive full training in advance of answering their first contact and ongoing support and upskilling thereafter.

One of our volunteers Dee says that she never expected to get so much back from volunteering in her own life. “I have learned so many new skills and made friends from all walks of life. We are all united with a common purpose: to make sure every child has somewhere they can turn.”

Another volunteer Liz says that although she was initially nervous at the thought of becoming a volunteer with Childline, she is delighted that she did it.

“People always think that you’re dealing with the most neglected children of society but this is not necessarily the truth, so many children just need to talk. It tugs at my heartstrings that so many children need Childline.”

If you would like more information on becoming a Childline volunteer at the unit in Galway and helping the service to listen to children and young people, please contact volunteerrecruitment@ispcc.ie

Dozens of Galway City community groups awarded €272,708 in grant funding

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June 21, 2023

Galway Daily news Dozens of Galway City community groups awarded €272,708 in grant funding

Galway City has been awarded €272,708 in grants for local community groups to help them with their facilities and energy bills.

The city has received funding for 73 projects under the 2022 Community Support Fund announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys today.

The 2022 Community Support Fund was launched in November 2022 with funding of €10 million available.

€100,000 of this funding was ring-fenced specifically to support Women’s Sheds. The key theme of the fund is to support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their energy bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities.

Some of the largest grants awarded to Galway City groups include €26,510 for Croí na Gaillimhe (SVP), €20,329 for Blood Bike West, and €16,195 for Helplink Mental Health.

“I am delighted to announce almost €273,000 in funding for 73 local projects across Galway City today as part of my Department’s Community Support Fund,” Minister Humphreys said.

“Through ‘Our Rural Future’, I want to support locally led, ground-up projects in local communities across the country.”

“This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups and clubs with their energy costs, whether it’s the electricity bill, insurance costs or other overheads.”

“While these grants are small in nature, they can make a big difference by allowing local community organisations to carry out much needed works in their area.”

Minister of State Joe O’Brien added, “The Community Support Fund provides a range of invaluable small grants to help the smaller community groups and facilities that support communities at a grassroots level.”

“I know that this funding is an important tool in helping these important groups and we were especially conscious that with the impact of current energy costs many groups would need additional supports to help them to continue to provide their valuable services to the people in their areas.”

“I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities”

The full list of community groups in Galway City which has received funding under this scheme is available here.

Keys handed over for 49 social houses in Tuam

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June 21, 2023

Galway Daily news Homelessness in Galway spiked in late 2023

Galway County Council has received the keys for a social housing estate of 49 houses in Tuam.

The builder has turned over the Fanna Búi, Tirboy, Tuam social housing estate to the council so that it can start getting families in the door.

Galway East TD Seán Canney said that the council is putting arrangements in place to hand the keys over to the families who have been allocated this housing.

“I am also delighted to see the new children’s playground opening up for the children locally and will being many hours of engagement to children over the summer.”

“I want to commend Galway County Council in delivery this much needed investment in Tuam and I look forward to the completion of the 31 unit under construction on the Weir Road presently.”

Late night rescue effort for boat gone missing after leaving Portumna

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June 21, 2023

Galway Daily news Late night rescue effort for boat gone missing after leaving Portumna

The Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat was launched in the very early hours of the morning this week after a boat left Portumna, but never arrived at its destination.

At approximately 1:30am on Tuesday morning the lifeboat was called out to search for two people whose boat had left Portumna around seven hours earlier, but never arrived at Mountshannon.

As the lifeboat was launching, Valentia Coast Guard requested the RNLI volunteers begin their search at Mountshannon, at the southwestern end of the lake, and to take a route north towards Portumna.

At 01:48am, at the same time as the RNLI volunteer monitoring RADAR detected an object in the water, one of the volunteers on watch pointed to a fleeting white outline in the dark.

Using the searchlight, the crew identified it as the boat they were looking for, which was adrift in open water near to Garrykennedy.

When they came alongside the drifting boat, both passengers were found to be safe and well.

The helm decided to take the casualty vessel on an alongside tow to Garrykennedy Harbour, the closest safe harbour, and a crew member set up a tow line.

Both vessels were safely tied up at Garrykennedy by 2:25am, using the searchlight again to help navigate into the harbour in the dark.

Peter Kennedy, Deputy Launching Authority at Lough Derg RNLI advises boat uses to, “ensure you have sufficient fuel for your journey and always carry a means of communication.”

“Plan your route to arrive at your destination before nightfall. Should you need assistance, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.”

Fresh plans submitted for 148 homes on Galway City outskirts

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June 21, 2023

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

A fresh planning application has been made for the construction of 148 homes on the east side of Galway City.

Cairn Homes Ltd has submitted a planning application to the city council for a large housing estate on lands south of the Letteragh Road.

The site subject of this planning application is adjacent to the existing Sliobh Riga housing estate, and its western edge would be bounded by the planned N59 link road.

This development would comprise 93 houses, the bulk of which would be three-bed homes, but also including a small number of two-bed and four-bed houses.

The estate would also include 20 duplex units, half of which would be two-bed and half three-bed units, and 35 apartments, 19 one-bed and 16 two-bed units.

The proposed four-storey apartment building would be the most prominent element of the estate, located at the entrance facing onto the Letteragh Road.

A report submitted with the planning application stated that there was no need to build a creche for this estate, as it claims there is sufficient capacity in existing and planned creches in the area.

Vehicular access to the new housing estate would be via entrance onto the Letteragh Road, with pedestrian and cycling connectivity to Bothar Diarmuida to the south.

The estate would be served by a total of 273 car parking spaces, and 160 bicycle spaces.

Public space would be provided through a landscaped gardens, park areas, and a playground on the western and southern edges of the site, and a larger central green area.

Earlier this year, Cairn Homes withdrew a Strategic Housing Development development application to An Bord Pleanála for 151 homes at this site.

This fresh application to the city council has been made under the new Large Scale Residential Development process.

A decision on this planning application is due from Galway City Council by July 10 of this year.

IFI reopens Galway Fishery after 10 day closure

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June 21, 2023

IFI reopens Galway Fishery after 10 day closure

Inland Fisheries Ireland has reopened the Galway and Moy Fisheries this week, after closing them due to the hot weather.

Both Fisheries were closed to angling on June 8 due to elevate water temperatures, and fears this would lead to a fish kill.

Barry Fox Head of Operations at Inland Fisheries Ireland(IFI) said: “We are lifting our cessation of angling protocols at the Moy and Galway Weir fisheries.

“Water temperatures have reduced to appropriate levels, and when taking weather forecasts into account, it is now considered appropriate to reopen both fisheries.

“Water temperatures and weather forecasts will continue to be monitored on both fisheries over the coming weeks.”

Freshwater fish species such as salmon and trout can suffer ‘thermal stress’ arising from the impact of adverse warm weather on them.

Management at both fisheries will be contacting all anglers who have confirmed bookings over the coming days.

Those anglers who have had fishing cancelled due to the elevated temperatures will be refunded in due course.

The Galway Fishery can be contacted on 091 562388 or emailed via matt.varley@fisheriesireland.ie

IFI may be required to close both fisheries and other state-owned fisheries if water temperatures rise to levels considered unsafe over the summer months.

Miller’s Lane upgrade works completed

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June 20, 2023

galway daily news miller's lane upgrade — Mayor Eddie Hoare opens Miller's Lane

Works have now been completed on Miller’s Lane Upgrade, which provides a pedestrian and cycle link between Rahoon Road, Western Distributor Road and Kingston Road.

The lane connects the various residential areas and amenities in the locality.

The recently completed Millers Lane upgrade will provide off-road walking and cycling routes for residents, and for children travelling to school.

It will also allow for easier movement between Rahoon Road, Manor Drive and the surrounding areas, as well as creating diverse and functional open spaces for walking, cycling and play.

Government security forum to be held in Galway City

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June 20, 2023