Bundee Aki back in action for Ireland

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February 23, 2024

Galway Daily arts & culture Call to local writers for the Over the Edge Fiction Slam

Pupils and families in Galway will have the chance to meet the creators of their favourite Irish books in Galway as part of Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde’s ‘Whole Wild World’ bus tour.

The unique tour will see Irish children’s writers and illustrators visit schools, libraries, bookshops and cultural venues in nine counties along the west coast of Ireland.

Taking in a total of 1,400 kilometres on a multicolour, 30-seater coach, the tour will include four stops in Galway, at Leenane, Furbo and two in Galway city.

It begins at Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head in Donegal, on Monday, 15 April, and concludes at Kinsale Library in Cork on Sunday, 28 April.

Patricia Forde will be joined in Galway by authors and illustrators for workshops, readings and artist events for school groups, library groups and families. The full line-up will be announced in March.

The Galway first stops will be at Leenane National School on Friday, 19 April, and Scoil na bhForbacha on Friday, 19 April.

Then there will be an event in conjunction with Cúirt International Festival of Literature at 2pm on Saturday, 20 April, and an artist event at An Taibhdhearc at 6.30 pm on Saturday, 20 April.

Speaking at the announcement of the route this week, Patricia Forde said she was excited at the prospect of meeting young readers and writers in Galway in April.

“This tour is about igniting imaginations and ensuring that Galway will have another generation of great writers and illustrators by bringing books and their creators to an audience that doesn’t often get a chance to meet them in their own local area,” she said.

“We will have exciting Irish authors and illustrators on board, hoping to inspire and to be inspired, to share stories and have lots of fun!”

The full list of participating schools, bookshops, libraries and cultural venues can be found at www.childrenslaureate.ie.

Plans for north Galway wind farm pass first stage

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February 22, 2024

Galway Daily news Plans in the works for northwest Galway wind farm

Plans are in development for an onshore wind farm with a capacity of up to 86MW in the north of County Galway.

RWE Renewables is seeking planning permission for the wind farm development of up to 13 wind turbines at Shancloon, Co. Galway near the county line with Mayo.

The development recently cleared the pre-planning consultation phase at An Bord Pleanála, allowing for a planning application to proceed for a Strategic Infrastructure Development.

A project brief on RWE’s website states that the 689 hectare site is located in the townlands of Shancloon, Cloonbar, Beagh More, Derrymore, Cloonteen and Cloonsheen.

The proposed wind farm would be built roughly 12km west of Tuam, 8.5km northeast of Headford and 3.5km from the Mayo border.

The company states that the majority of the lands within this area are either cutaway bog or in agricultural use, and that this could continue with a wind farm in situ on the site.

€1 million funding secured for retrofitting homes in Galway City

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February 22, 2024

Photo:Andrew Downes, XPOSURE — ouncillor Donal Lyons, Leas Cathaoirleach Galway City Council; Sandra Riordan, Warm Home Hub Westside and John Daly, Economist of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly. Photo: Andrew Downes

Funding of €1 million has been secured to help hundreds of houses in Galway City undergo retrofits to make them warmer and more energy efficient.

Homes in Galway City’s Westside area can now access a one-stop-shop for home retrofits with funding secured from by the Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) and Galway City Council.

This one-stop-shop, the “Warm Home Hub Westside” will provide advice to households on retrofitting, consultations with contractors, and information sessions, which will be managed by the Galway Energy Co-Operative.

The grant funding is being provided by the EU’s Net Zero Cities Programme, and aims to help 250 households begin retrofitting journeys.

John Daly, Economist with the Northern and Western Regional Assembly, welcomed the €1m funding from the Net Zero Cities Programme, hailing it as a potential catalyst for change in Galway City and the wider North West region.

“We’re delighted that the Net Zero Cities Programme has opted to help us kick-start our retrofitting ambitions in Galway City’s Decarbonisation Zone.”

“The €1m funding will enable us to bring together leading experts and innovators to assess the challenges involved in retrofitting homes in the Westside of Galway City, develop and apply solutions, and share our learnings with our regional stakeholders.”

He added that the region “performs poorly in terms of the number of homes with Building Energy Ratings between A and B2 in comparison to the national average.”

“Indeed, many areas in the Northern and Western Region of Ireland are still reliant on oil and solid fuels as their primary source of heat, increasing their vulnerability in terms of health and exposure to energy price shocks.”

In addition to the new Hub, University of Galway and ATU Galway are also teaming up on a new programme to incentivise 60 personnel to undertake retrofitting training, improve existing retrofit courses, and develop guidelines for contractors to monitor performance of retrofits.

Speaking about the initiative, Mayor of Galway City Cllr. Eddie Hoare said, “As well as guiding households through their retrofitting journey, the Net Zero Cities team will be working with the construction industry to build capacity in the sector.”

“This pilot project and the funding received through the EU Net Zero Cities Pilot Cities Programme provides Galway City with an excellent opportunity to test innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions, in line with Galway City Council’s Climate Action Plan.”

Public and private sector partners will also form a steering group to identify challenges associated with retrofitting in the Galway City Decarbonisation Zone and fund solutions to help overcome these challenges.

The Net Zero Programme aims to overall help Galway City Council achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within the Decarbonisation Zone by 2030.

UHG is the second most overcrowded hospital in Ireland again this week

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February 22, 2024

Galway Daily news UHG is the second most overcrowded hospital in Ireland again this week

University Hospital Galway is the second most overcrowded in the country for the third time this week alone.

There are 62 patients without beds at University Hospital Galway today, the highest level seen so far this week.

In the emergency department at UHG, there are 47 patients on trolleys, while another 15 patients are in the wards with no beds available.

There has not been a single day so far this week when there have been fewer than 50 patients on trolleys at UHG.

Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe is fortunately doing better today, with no patients on trolleys according to INMO figures.

Nationwide there are 488 people in Irish hospitals with no beds available for them today, with University Hospital Limerick suffering the worst with 93 on trolleys.

This is followed by UHG (62), Cork University Hospital (50), Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (32), and Sligo University Hospital (27).

Job Expo Galway returning to the city this weekend

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February 22, 2024

Galway daily business Job Expo Galway returning to the city this weekend

Jobs Expo Galway is returning to the city this weekend, providing an opportunity for people to connect with dozens of employers.

The free careers fair taking place at the Galmont Hotel this Saturday will be attended by 20 leading employers in the west of Ireland.

Those attending can meet employers face to face, and get free access to the Agenda Stage seminars and free career coaching in the Career Clinic.

Industry-leading companies to be in attendance include: Sidero, PrepayPower, Corrib Oil, Portwest, Brampton Care Home, Atlantic Technological University, University of Galway, GRETB, Bus Éireann, Hitachi High-Tech, Avaya, TE Connectivity, BestDrive by Continental, Gateway Community Care, Irish Defence Forces, The Teaching Council, Nightcourses.com, Recruit.ie and more.

Free talks are dedicated to jobseekers and those determined to progress in their career, with radio & TV presenter, Trishauna Archer, being compere on the Agenda Stage on the day.

Featured seminars:

How To Find your Career Path

How Work Is Changing: Tips On How To Respond And Find Your Hidden Career

Micro-Credential – An Innovation In Continuing Education For Adult Professionals

CV Sins

Embracing Your Career Journey

Leveraging Social Media For Career Advancement

Navigating Change. Where Do I Begin?

Leadership Development & Management Skills

Building A Personal Brand For Professional Success

In addition to the line-up of exhibitors and guest speakers, Jobs Expo will also feature the Career Clinic, with professional career coaches offering free career guidance, CV evaluations and interview tips.

The jobs expo and careers fair will take place this Saturday, February 24 from 10am to 4pm at the Galmont Hotel, Galway City.

Attendees can register for their free ticket at www.jobsexpo.ie

Galway County Council launches free online pre-planning inquiry system

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February 22, 2024

Galway County Council has become the second local authority in Ireland to launch an online pre-planning enquiry system.

The free online portal allows members of the public, planning agents and Elected Members to generate a free report for a proposed site boundary.

This collates common planning information relating to land use zonings, flood risk, protected structures and other topics.

The information will be particularly beneficial in assisting with the preparation of a planning application for permission or with deciding on whether a pre-planning meeting may be required.

The system was unveiled by Cllr. Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, and Cllr. Mary Hoade, Chair of the Planning SPC, and is the first bilingual local authority pre-planning enquiry system to be launched in Ireland.

Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council acknowledged the GIS and Planning Departments of the Local Authority for their work on the project and confirmed that workshops to encourage the public to engage with the system will be announced during the coming weeks.

Liam Hanrahan, Director of Services with Galway County Council commented, “We urge the public, planning agents and Councillors to use the system, which will help with accuracy and will provide applicants with a good basis for assessing project cost, viability and issues of concern.”

The bi-lingual pre-planning website can be accessed at https://galway.preplanning.ie/en.

Pedestrian injured in traffic collision dies in hospital

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February 22, 2024

A man seriously injured in a traffic collision in the west of Ireland earlier this week has been pronounced dead.

Two pedestrians, a 33 year old man and a young girl, were injured in a traffic collision involving a car in Ballina, Co. Mayo on Tuesday.

The male pedestrian, who was taken to Mayo University Hospital with serious injuries, was pronounced dead on Wednesday evening.

The local Coroner has been informed, and arrangements are being made for a post-mortem examination.

Additionally, the female child who was also injured has been discharged from the hospital.

Following the completion of examinations by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators, the road, previously closed, has been reopened to traffic.

Gardaí are renewing their appeal for witnesses to the collision to come forward. Those with camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area at the time are urged to provide it to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station 096 20560 or any Garda Station.

Renewed Garda appeal for missing teenage girl in Galway

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February 22, 2024

Galway Daily news Galway girl found safe after almost three weeks missing

Gardaí are renewing their appeal to the public for help locating missing Galway teenager Sennora Ward, with new information now available.

16-year-old Sennora has been missing from her home in Tuam since Saturday, February 10.

Sennora is described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a slim build. She has brown hair and blue eyes.

When last seen, Sennora was wearing a beige jumper, blue jeans and white runners. She was also carrying a small white clutch bag.

An Garda Síochana now believe Sennora may have travelled to Oranmore.

Anyone with information regarding Sennora’s whereabouts is asked to contact Tuam Garda Station at 093 70840, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Irishonlinecasino.ie Provides Safe Gambling Experience for Irish Players

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Thomas O'Brien

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February 22, 2024

Playing your favourite casino games can be a great way to have fun and entertain yourself in your free time. However, as you know already, gambling can be addictive, and you must always make sure to avoid doing things that can lead to irresponsible gambling. For example, gambling can become problematic to certain players who use it as a source of income or bet more money than they can afford to lose.
However, the good news is that Irishonlinecasino’s best sites provide you with guidelines and instructions on how to gamble responsibly. This information is usually found at the footer of the casino websites. Nevertheless, in the next section of this article, we will look at some of the key tools to help you enjoy online casino games responsibly and safely on your preferred platform.

Deposit Limits

You can set a budget limit on how much money you deposit into your casino account per day. You can have the option to set your limit hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. Most of Irishonlinecasino.ie’s recommended casinos have systems in place that allow you to request to change your limit on their sites. However, we strongly encourage you not to deposit more money than you can afford to lose.

Session Limit

You can also set a limit to decide how long you want to gamble in a day. For example, you can choose to gamble for only one hour in a day. For this, you will need to put that time into the site and the site will alert you that you have reached your daily limit after one hour. Some online casinos often include 24-hour cooling-off periods, where you can block yourself from using the platform during a certain period, usually between 24 hours and seven days.

Wagering Limit

This tool allows you to set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on the amount of money you can bet. Once you reach your total gambling limit, automatically, you will not be allowed to play any more games. For example, if your daily wagering limit is set at €100, you will immediately be alerted that you cannot continue playing once you reach that figure.

Player History

Most of the top casino sites support this function which allows you to keep track of all your transactions with that particular operator. Some of the vital information you should be able to see in this history are your deposits, withdrawals, potential winnings, losses, and pending bets. Being able to access all this information will let you know your balance between winning and losing money which can help you in making decisions such as when to take a break and so on.

Self-Exclusion

As a final option, you may choose to close your casino account if you think gambling is becoming harmful to you. The period your account will be closed when you self-exclude can range from between 6 months to 5 years. Importantly, if you are worried about whether or not gambling is becoming harmful to you, we urge you to seek help from responsible gambling bodies such as gamblingcare.

Irishonlinecasino.ie Best Casino Sites in Ireland

Considering the number of available online casino sites, it can be a tough job for Irish players to identify the best platforms from the lots. Luckily for you, Irishonlinecasino has researched the leading and trusted casino operators. To learn more about the best online casinos in Ireland, read here.

In the meantime, check out some of the recommended online casinos below.

Thrillsy

One of the impressive aspects of Thrillsy is that it offers you a casino welcome bonus of up to €1000 + 20 free spins in four parts when you sign up for the site as a new player and make a first deposit of at least €20. You will need to enter the bonus code THRILL200 on your first deposit after which you will be eligible for a bonus matchup of 100% up to €200 + 20 free spins. You can receive 50% up to €250 on your second and third deposits when you use the bonus codes THRILL250 and THRILL50 respectively. Moreover, you can claim 100% up to €300 when on your fourth deposit with the code THRILL300.

Olympusbet

This is another top choice for Irish gamblers due to its wide range of bonuses and exclusive promotions available to both new and existing players. This includes industry-standard free spins, deposit, and reload bonuses, and more. After successfully creating your account, you can get started with this casino with a minimum deposit of €10 and you will find over 5000 games to play at Olympusbet. Even if you are looking to bet on your favourite sports, the online casino has a sportsbook that you can use.

LegendPlay Casino

Just like Thrillsy, LegendPlay Casino is best known for its exclusive welcome bonus of up to €1,000. It’s worth noting that if you choose to join this casino following Irishonlinecasino’s link, you will get an exclusive bonus pack of 50 spins in addition. The LegendPlay casino welcome bonus is a three-part offer that requires a qualifying deposit of €20. You will receive a bonus matchup of 100% up to €500 on your first deposit, 75% up to €300 on your second deposit, and 50% up to €200 plus 50 free spins.

Mr Mega Casino

Mr Mega Casino has a user-friendly interface, and it is accessible on both desktop computers and mobile which makes it convenient to use by both new and seasoned players. The minimum deposit at this online casino, which also has a sports betting section, is €10. Apart from the generous bonuses and promotions it offers, Mr Mega has a loyalty program that you can join to stand the chance of winning some benefits. The platform has a variety of exciting online casino games ranging from classic and video slot games to tables and live dealer options.

Betinireland: An Introduction

By

Thomas O'Brien

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February 22, 2024

Are you a player that’s looking for the top Irish casinos? Then, we highly recommend you check out betinireland.com, an incredible affiliate site with everything you need to know about casino entertainment in the country. The job of betinireland.ie is to offer readers an objective look at some of the top gaming platforms. Find here all the best casino sites in one place.

Betinireland.ie’s mission is only to recommend gaming platforms that they would play at themselves, and they make it very easy for players to find casinos depending on their bankroll, the types of titles they enjoy, the bonuses they’re interested in, etc. Below, we’ve listed some of the casinos reviewed by betinireland.ie. Needless to say, all of these casinos are fully licensed.

DirectionBet

Launched in 2023, DirectionBet is a fantastic betting site that has amassed thousands of fans in Ireland. This site offers games from only some of the most note-worthy names in the industry, such as Microgaming and Evolution Gaming, and they are offering incredible promotions on a very regular basis, ranging from match bonuses to Free Spins. Indeed, on your first payment, you can enjoy a 100% match bonus of up to €1000 spread over your first four deposits.

You can enjoy DirectionBet’s games on any mobile device thanks to their HTML5 technology, promising an immersive and smooth experience just like on the desktop. Please note that since the site is utilizing HTML5 technology, there is no need to download an app to enjoy these games, and in fact, the casino doesn’t offer one.

PlayOJO

PlayOJO has been around since 2017 and is another top online casino in Ireland that’s taking the online world by storm. One of the best features of PlayOJO casino is its no wagering bonuses, which allows you to withdraw any winnings you might make without having to meet any wagering conditions! PlayOJO also offers instant cashouts, meaning you don’t have to wait weeks until you see any payouts in your account.

Upon making your first deposit at PlayOJO, you’ll get 80 wager Free Spins, and this is an excellent way to get started on your online casino journey. If you’re looking to play while you’re out and about, you’ll be happy to know that PlayOJO has an app you can download on Android and iOS. Both apps have high ratings on Google Play and the Apple Store, so you can expect everything to work smoothly here.

Mr.Mega

Licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, Mr.Mega is another note-worthy site that you should definitely know about. Mr Mega is home to around 1000 titles, ranging from slots, jackpots, table games, and of course, live casino games, some of which are provided by big names in the industry that you know and love. When making your first deposit of at least €10, you’ll be able to claim an exclusive Welcome Bonus of 100 Free Spins and a match bonus of up to €200, a promotion that will surely bring a smile to your face. This site also has an incredible VIP programme where you can get Free Sunday Spins and access to Live VIP Tournaments.

Just like DirectionBet, this site is embedded with HTML5 technology, and because of this, the casino does not offer any apps to download, as this is simply not needed. You can enjoy all of their games wherever you are, be it whether you’re waiting in a queue or commuting from one place to another.

Betiton

When playing at Betiton, you’ll find a selection of over 1000 games from the hottest providers around, so needless to say, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from here. Other than that, Betiton is also renowned for its generous promotions that will start off your journey in the best way possible. Indeed, to get you started, the site is offering you a 200% match bonus up to €200, and the minimum deposit you can make to trigger this is €10. That’s not all! When forming part of their VIP programme, you can even expect to receive fun gifts such as birthday bonuses and your own personal account manager.

Betiton doesn’t have an app that you can download, but this is simply not indeed, as again, the site works with sophisticated technology that ensures that you have a smooth gaming experience when playing on your favourite devices.

Casino Rocket

Finally, we have Casino Rocket, a site that will launch you into another world with the click of a button! Casino Rocket is home to around 3000 titles from the likes of Ezugi, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and Yggdrasil, all of which boast games with great features, soundscapes, and graphics. This is also one of the few sites that allows players to make payments with Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum, so if you’re a crypto user, this is the site for you! When making your first deposit of at least €10, you’ll trigger Casino Rocket’s sweet Welcome Bonus, and this is a 100% Match Bonus up to €1500 plus 100 Free Spins.

Casino Rocket is another casino that doesn’t have an app you can download, but of course, seeing as this is a very new casino, you’ll be happy to know that everything works perfectly when accessing this site via mobile or tablet. That being said, the site does have a web app which you can add to your mobile device’s homepage for easy access.

Mybettingsite.uk Introduces a New Casino Experience in 2024

By

Thomas O'Brien

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February 22, 2024

If you’re a UK player who loves sports betting, you will definitely have heard of mybettingsite.uk, a comprehensive site with everything you need to know about the best sportsbooks in the United Kingdom, all of which feature top markets and best odds. This site offers extensive reviews for just about any note-worthy sportsbook out there, with a description of the bonuses you can find, its special features, and the site’s main pros and cons.

Mybettingsite.uk has only been around since last year, and during the time it’s been in operation, they’ve only dealt with sports-related content. Now, in 2024, they’ve also released a section where players can get all the information they need about casino-related content. Indeed, this makes it very easy for players to find everything they need to know about casinos in one place. Let’s have a closer look at what you can expect to find when visiting www.mybettingsite.uk/casino/:

Mybettingsite.uk Casino Platform: What You Can Expect

Below, we’ve listed the main sections and categories you’ll find at mybettingsite.uk’s newly launched casino page:

Casino Reviews

Mybettingsite.uk has casino reviews for a variety of the top online casinos in the UK, and here, you can learn all about the site at hand. These reviews cover the site’s bonuses, games, software developers, customer service teams, license information, and many other things. This way, you can quickly grasp the site and know if it’s the right one for you. For any live casino lovers out there, you’ll find a whole page dedicated to the top gaming platforms where you can find the best live casino games. This page even outlines how to register with these sites, the best live games available, their Welcome Bonuses, and the payments you can use.

Different Types of Casino Games

This site offers information on slots, jackpots, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, poker, and even bingo games. Here, you can learn about how to play the game and some of the most popular titles to try out. Apart from the best games, you can also learn about the top software developers to keep an eye out for when playing at casinos.

Casino Bonuses Guides

Another very helpful section on this site is the Casino Bonus Guides, where you can learn about the top Welcome Bonuses you can get at UK online casinos, which involve match bonuses and even Free Spins. For any new players out there, the site also offers a short description of what each bonus is so you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect.

Casino Apps

Mybettingsite.uk understands that nowadays, it’s more common for players to enjoy casino games on their tablets and smartphones rather than on their desktops, and this is why they have a section for the best casino apps you can download on your phone. Naturally, when playing via these apps, you can expect everything to work smoothly. You’ll even find mybettingsite.uk’ s personal rating for each one.

Casinos Parterned with mybettingsite.uk

Let’s look at some of the sites that mybettingsite.uk is partnered with. Please note that all of the sites featured on this site are licensed by the UKGC, which is one of the strictest gaming licenses in the UK. When a site is licensed by the UKGC, you can rest your head that all your data is encrypted and that any payouts you make will be sent to your account as quickly as possible, ensuring a safe and smooth casino experience. For more information, you can check out the Gambling Commission Website.

Monster Casino

With over 2000 slot machines to choose from, live dealer games, and a variety of payment solutions, Monster Casino is one of the top sites that seasoned UK players love. Established in 2021, Monster Casino offers players a generous Welcome Bonus of £1000 and 250 Free Spins on Starburst across four deposits. That’s not all, though; you’ll even get plenty of promotions to choose from while playing with the site. As previously mentioned, the site is also regulated by the UKGC, making it completely safe and secure to spend your time with.

Vegas Mobile Casino

Online since 2013, Vegas Casino is home to around 450 titles from great software developers, such as Big Time Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, and ELK Studios. As the name implies, this site is targeted for mobile use, making it a perfect option for players who like to play casino games while they are out and about. Upon making your first deposit at Vegas Mobile, you can claim the Welcome Bonus of up to £1000 plus 100 Free Spins on Book of Dead and Starburst, which is a great way to get started with the site.

Spinzwin Casino

The next site we’d like to mention here is Spinzwin, and this site will immediately bring a smile to your face with its Welcome Bonus of up to £1000 plus 50 Free Spins on Book of Dead, which is distributed across your first three deposits. Spinz Casino only offers the safest banking solutions when making payments, and you can expect any payouts to be received within seven days or one day in the case of e-wallets.

Brightstar Casino

Finally, another site we’d like to shed light on (no pun intended!) is Brightstar Casino. Launched in 2017, this site allows players to make payments with a variety of e-wallets, including Paypal, Skrill, and Neteller. Brightstar Casino comes with a Welcome Bonus of up to $200 and 20 Free Spins on Book of Dead, which is a great way to get a head start on your online casino journey. This site is also equipped with s 24/7 customer service team that’s there to ensure a smooth casino experience.

51 week leases for students must be addressed says local TD

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February 21, 2024

Galway daily news Anonymous €1.5 million charity bequest to deliver social housing in Galway

Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell has said that the requirement for students to stay 51 weeks in certain student accommodation owned by investment funds “spells more bad news” for hard-pressed student renters.

Deputy Farrell explained that for students living in purpose-built campus accommodation, the duration of their stay is naturally tied to the academic year, which is generally 39 weeks, and when this is finished, they return home.

But for the purpose-built accommodation that is being delivered by some vulture fund providers, students must stay the equivalent of 12 months.

“This means that students, or their parents, will have to pay for an additional three months despite often not needing the accommodation for this period,” said the Sinn Féin TD.

“Some of these providers have rents starting off at more than €1,000 a month. By requiring students to stay an addition 12 weeks can cost around €3,000.”

She said there are significant questions about the legalities of these investment funds doing this, and whether it is compliant with the planning permission they received.

The local TD said that Minister Simon Harris is aware of this problem, but that it “remains to be seen if he will do something about it.”

University of Galway launches men’s mental health campaign

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February 21, 2024

galway daily news Izzy Tiernan, Dean Kenny, Raimey O’Boyle and Faye Ní Dhomhnaill (University of Galway Students’ Union) — (Left to Right): Izzy Tiernan, Dean Kenny, Raimey O’Boyle and Faye Ní Dhomhnaill (University of Galway Students’ Union)

University of Galway Students’ Union has launched a new campaign which encourages young men to stand up and “Seize the Awkward” – to have uncomfortable conversations with a friend about mental health.

The SU will be releasing a series of videos across social media to give practical tips, and there will be information displayed on screens and posters across campus.

Research by the Samaritans shows that less than 20% of men over the age of 18 experiencing mental health difficulties will seek help from a mental health professional.

Students’ Union President Dean Kenny said that we all know that young men are not good at talking about their mental health.

“We don’t feel that anyone is there to listen, and often we don’t know how to ask for support if we need it,” he said.

“The research supports this, so with this campaign we are calling on lads to Seize the Awkward and check in with that friend who hasn’t been doing so good lately, and to ask for help from friends when we’re struggling. We need to stop bottling up our problems and emotions and take this thing seriously.

“According to Samaritans, every 3 in 4 suicides are men. Please don’t suffer in silence. There are supports there to help, which we will be promoting on our social media @uniofgalwaysu this week. Let’s all make an effort to #seizetheawkward this week.”

Students’ Union Vice President for Welfare and Equality Izzy Tiernan added that there is still a stigma attached to men’s mental health.

With this campaign, the SU is hoping to get male students talking and try to normalise the conversation a little.

“There are supports there to help, and the conversation doesn’t have to be such an awkward one. Let’s #seizetheawkward this week and reach out to that friend who hasn’t been doing so well lately,” said Izzy.

Two pedestrians in hospital after being struck by car

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February 21, 2024

A man is in a critical condition and a girl is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car in Co. Mayo yesterday.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the incident on Lord Edward Street, Ballina in Co Mayo at around 6.25pm on Tuesday.

A male pedestrian, aged in his 40s, is currently in a critical condition at Mayo University Hospital, while a female child is also receiving treatment.

The road is currently closed with local diversions in place. An examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators will take place this morning.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and who were travelling in the area at the time, are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station 096 20560 or any Garda Station.

Man arrested after cocaine, ammunition, cars and cash seized in Roscommon

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February 21, 2024

Galway Daily news man dies in hospital following traffic collision

A man in his 20s has been arrested after cocaine, cash, cars, ammunition and other items were seized by Gardaí during searches at a property in the Ballinlough area of Roscommon yesterday.

The searches, conducted as part of Operation Tara, targeted an organised crime group operating in the Roscommon area.

Approximately €30,000 of suspected cocaine, €10,000 in cash and an Audi S4 and a Volkswagen Golf GTI were seized during searches by Gardaí on Tuesday morning.

Approximately 6kg of benzocaine, which is a suspected mixing agent for cocaine, were also seized, as well as a compressor for packaging and a small amount of 9mm ammunition.

A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene, and was detained at a Garda Station in Roscommon under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

The seized drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.

Planning appeal successful for Clifden housing development

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February 20, 2024

Galway Daily news Planning approval Galway City Housing development

An Bord Pleanála has approved plans for a residential development of 27 houses and apartments in Clifden.

TML Properties Ltd has succeeded in a planning appeal to build a housing development on an unused site on the north side of Clifden.

The 0.8 hectare site is located at the junction of the N59 Westport Road and the L5123 St. Anne’s Road to the east.

Block A will comprise 3 two storey, three-bed terraced homes; Block A1 will be three storeys, with 2 three-bed terraced houses, 2 one-bed apartments, and 2 duplex units,

Block B will be two storeys in height, with 6 two-bed apartments; Block C is three storeys tall, with 6 one-bed apartments, and 6 two-bed duplexes.

The estate will be served by 44 parking spaces, including three disabled spaces, and 40 cycle spaces, with vehicular access onto the local St. Anne’s Road.

Galway County refused planning permission due to concerns about the intention for surface water to drain without any pre-treatment into a stream on the site which which connects with the Owenglin River.

This decision was appealed with revised plans to address the concerns raised by the county council about the discharge of untreated water.

In the revised plans a hydrocarbon interceptor will be installed in the stormwater sewer which will serve St. Anne’s Road.

New gullies will also be created on the northern edge of the Westport Road to connect with the existing public stormwater sewer there, rather than draining into the stream.

Planning permission for the housing development was granted by An Bord Pleanála with 22 conditions attached.

Deadline extended for competition to name westside sports grounds

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February 20, 2024

The deadline has been extended for the competition to give an official name to the public sports grounds in Westside.

The Multi-Use Games area in westside is located to the rear of the former Glen Oaks Hotel on Bishop O’Donnell Road.

Galway City Council is inviting the public’s input in helping to give this facility an official name.

The deadline for public nominations has been extended to Sunday, March 15.

The policy and application form are available at https://www.galwaycity.ie/civic-naming, or ring (091) 536400 for a hard copy.

Calls for University of Galway to develop own properties for student accommodation

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February 20, 2024

Galway Daily news Calls for University of Galway to develop own properties for student accommodation

The University of Galway is being urged to develop its own property on Nuns Island as student accommodation instead of going to the private market.

Local election candidate for PBP Adrian Curran said that the university leasing 242 private bed spaces is a “symptom of how broken our housing system is”.

He was responding to reports in the Galway City Tribune that the University of Galway is looking to lease private accommodation for students.

Curran compared this to the HAP system, adding that “public money going into private landlord pockets with no long-term benefit to society” is a result of the refusal to build state student accommodation.

“This reliance on the broken private housing sector cannot be the long-term plan. The University owns practically an entire neighbourhood of vacant buildings in Nuns’ Island that should have been developed years ago as student accommodation,” Mr Curran said.

“Bringing the empty buildings they already own back into use as affordable student accommodation could revitalise the Nuns’ Island area, provide much needed beds for students, free up space in Galway’s private rental sector, and provide a long term income stream”.

These rents could then be reinvested by the university instead of being swallowed up by private shareholders, he added.

The University of Galway has for several years been working on long term plans for a €200 million redevelopment of a 15 acre site on Nuns Island.

In 2019 the university announced that work had begun on a masterplan for the area, which would also involve the relocation of the Bish.

The development will be paid for by a mixture of state funding, private investment, and the university’s own resources.

However, the plans are still in very early stages despite the time which has passed since then.

Water network improvements for Inverin as old mains being replaced

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February 20, 2024