A researcher from NUI Galway has won the inaugural ‘Researcher of the Year’ award presented by the Irish Research Council.

Dr Martin O’Halloran was announced as the winner for his outstanding research in medical electronics.

Dr O’Halloran is a Techrete Senior Lecturer in Medical Electronics at NUI Galway’s College of Engineering and Informatics and College of Medicine, and a Founder-Director of the Lambe Translational Medical Device Lab at Galway University Hospital.

The awards were presented as the Council marks 15 years of the Irish Research Council.

Commenting on being presented with the award, Dr Martin O’Halloran said: “This award is a reflection of the quality and ambition of the broader research team in the Translational Medical Device Lab at NUI Galway, and validates the close collaboration between the Colleges of Engineering and Informatics, and Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences.

“By embedding our engineering lab within the hospital, we get a greater understanding of the real clinical need, and can shorten the time required to translate technology out of the lab and into the patient clinic.”

The Lambe Translational Medical Device Lab now hosts 24 world class researchers from Europe, the US and Asia, including engineers, physicists, veterinary surgeons and doctors.

The team are developing medical devices to address problems ranging from new ways to reliably detect fetal distress during delivery, to novel treatments for lung cancer.

Chair of the Irish Research Council, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, congratulated Dr Martin O Halloran

“We received many nominations of current and previously Council-funded researchers.

“Dr O’Halloran and Dr Rivetti were selected for their outstanding track records to date and I would like to wish them all the very best in their future research careers,” he said.

Bishop Brendan Kelly has been appointed as the new Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora.

It comes over one year after Bishop Martin Drennan stepped down in the summer of last year.

The Primate of All Ireland paid tribute to Bishop Kelly, highlighting how he launched the new altar edition of An Leabhar Aifrinn Rómhánach – the Roman Missal as Gaeilge.

Archbishop Martin said its preparation and production was the fruit of years of intensive work and the collaboration of many individuals.

I welcome the appointment of Bishop Brendán Ó Ceallaigh as Bishop of the Diocese of Galway. Bishop Kelly is a very friendly person and I am sure the people of Galway will have a very warm welcome back for him.

— Éamon Ó Cuív (@eamonocuiv) December 11, 2017

Kelly studied at Craughwell National School and St. Mary’s College  before entering St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1964.

There he obtained a degree in Bachelor of Arts and in Bachelor of Divinity, later receiving his Higher Diploma in Education from University College Galway in 1973.

On 20 June 1971, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Browne, for the Diocese of Galway.

Kelly was Curate in Kinvara, and then taught at Coláiste Einde (1972–80) and Our Lady’s College, Gort (1980–86), the latter of which he was subsequently President until 1995.

Receiving a Sabbatical leave, he served as Chaplain to the L’Arche community at Cuise-la-Motte in France until 1996, whence he returned to Ireland as parish priest of Lisdoonvarna.

On 20 November 2007, Kelly was appointed Bishop of Achonry by Pope Benedict XVI.

A bilingual 1916 guide book exploring Galway memorials and sites related to 1916 will be launched this Thursday 14 December by Cllr Eileen Mannion, Cathaoirleach of Co. Galway.

Its lengthy title, the Galway County 1916 Rising Heritage Trail: Go Explore the Historic Sites & Memorials, refers to those sites involved in some way in the Rising.

Written and edited by GMIT researchers Dr Mark McCarthy and Dr Shirley Wrynn, and Galway County Heritage Officer Marie Mannion, the book illustrates how memory of 1916 persists to this day.

Éamonn Ceannt was born in Ballymoe and Ros Muc was the summer destination of Patrick Pearse – two of the seven signatories of the 1916 Proclamation.

From 25–29 April 1916, Athenry resident Liam Mellows led hundreds of Irish Volunteers in revolt in the east of Galway County.

They were also joined by women from Cumann na mBan.

Four 1916 heritage trails are documented in the 358-page paperback book, namely: ‘The Signatories Trail’ (Ballymoe, Tuam, Ros Muc & An Spidéal); ‘The Cradle of the Rising Trail’ (Athenry); ‘The Route of the Rising Trail’ (East County Galway); and ‘The Liam Mellows Escape Trail’ (South County Galway).

Cllr Eileen Mannion said: “The product of extensive fieldwork and archival research, the four trails in this guide book will be a very valuable resource for local people and visitors to the county who have an interest in this very important period of our history.”

Dr Mark McCarthy, who is Lecturer and Programme Chair in Heritage Studies at GMIT, explained: “This major public history initiative is aimed at locals and visitors who wish to learn about the heritage of 1916.

“Descriptions, colour photographs and GPS coordinates are included for each point of interest, as well as fold-out route maps.”

Dr Shirley Wrynn, who works in GMIT’s library, says: “The guide book makes an important contribution to the development of heritage tourism in County Galway, allowing those following the trails to make a personal connection to the historical events which ultimately shaped our country.”

GMIT President Dr Fergal Barry said: “This guide book describes in forensic detail the events and people of County Galway who contributed to the birth of our sovereign republic. It is an educational gem for both the trail finder and for those seeking renewal. In the fullness of time, these trails will become part of the Wild Atlantic Way experience.”

Met Éireann has issued a status orange snow-ice warning for Galway.

It will remain in place from 23:00 tonight (Saturday) to  23:00 tomorrow (Sunday).

Met Éireann says significant falls of snow are expected Saturday night and into Sunday and road users are being advised to be extra cautious throughout the weekend.

Accumulations of 4 to 8 cm could occur quite widely with greater totals possible.

Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy advises road users ahead of this weekends yellow and orange weather warnings.
See: https://t.co/DNLSb4I1CO pic.twitter.com/A0iUO8cnKu

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) December 9, 2017

There will also be slippery paths and treacherous roads due to snow accumulation and ice.

Snow and ice are forecast this weekend. Watch our winter driving advice video ❄️ pic.twitter.com/BfJwqa9onG

— AA Roadwatch (@aaroadwatch) December 8, 2017

A status orange warning is also in place for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Wicklow, Offaly, Westmeath, Meath, Mayo, Roscommon and Tipperary.

Beware of #BlackIce! What appears to be a wet patch on the road may be black ice. This occurs in shaded areas. Black Ice is a glossy surface & can cause a vehicle to skid. Avoid getting into a skid by slowing down. Avoid braking & use every control delicately. #BlackIce #StaySafe pic.twitter.com/6shhqkT5Dn

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) December 9, 2017

IRELAND’S first bereavement room was officially opened  at University Hospital Galway yesterday evening, Thursday.

Semora Ciúin is for patients and families grieving following an early miscarriage.

The single occupancy room has en-suite shower/bathroom facilities with coffee station.

A new bereavement room for patients and families using the maternity services at University Hospital Galway #UHG was officially opened this evening with @IrishHospice @HSELive. ‘Seomra Ciúin’ is the first in-patient bereavement room to be opened in the country. pic.twitter.com/QbqBZQQxSK

— Saolta Group (@saoltagroup) December 7, 2017

AnneMarie Grealish, Assistant Director of Midwifery at UHG explained that they identified the need for a single en-suite room to use as a protected area for women.

Funding was awarded by the Design & Dignity programme.

“Seomra Ciùin will also provide a dedicated space for patients who are approaching the end of life.  The room is a fully equipped clinical space but the design ensures that it is physically and aesthetically comforting for both patients and their families,” said Ms Grealish.

The single occupancy room has en-suite shower/bathroom facilities with coffee station.

The room is also designed to facilitate overnight stays for partners/family members.

Sharon Foley CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation said that she hopes this new bereavement room will be sanctuaries for women and their families to be together in private at extremely difficult times.

“The essence of Design & Dignity projects is to convey a sense of reverence and respect for life, death and bereavement,” she said.

Chris Kane, General Manager, University Hospital Galway said: “We are very grateful to the Irish Hospice Foundation for supporting the proposal made by staff in our maternity unit for this dedicated room. Great thought and effort has gone into the design and development of this space which will be used by patients and their families attending the maternity unit.”

Éamon Ó Cuív has responded to comments made earlier about a letter which was given to the judge at the trial of a dissident leader at the Special Criminal Court.

Fine Gael TD Noel Rock criticised the Galway West TD for what he described as attempting to convince a judge that Seamus McGrane was “supportive of the peace process.”

McGrane plotted an explosion during Prince Charles’ state visit in 2015.

However, the Fianna Fáil TD only briefly visited the anti-peace process republican on visits to Portlaoise Prison.

He said that it was not a character reference but instead a draft letter to his solicitor.

The Special Criminal Court heard in a letter that Ó Cuív was of the opinion that McGrane was “fully supportive” of the peace process.

McGrane was sentenced for 11-and-a-half years for directing terrorism and for membership of an illegal organisation – the so-called Real IRA.

But Noel Rock TD harshly criticised the Fianna Fáil TD, saying: “It is absolutely outrageous that Deputy Ó Cuív would send such a letter to the court. Deputy Ó Cuív claims that Mr McGrane was ‘fully supportive’ of his efforts to facilitate the peace process.

“Does Deputy Ó Cuív believe that planning to murder a member of the British royal family is supporting peace?

“Is he trying to show us that this terrorist who has convictions dating back to the 1970s was having a road to Damascus conversion? Who is Deputy Ó Cuív trying to fool here? It is a disgusting attempt by a TD to try and influence our courts.”

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly unleashed a blistering attack on the government in relation to the European security project Pesco before it was passed by the Dáil by 75 votes to 42.

Earlier in the day, some TDs said that Pesco would lead to a European Army.

Catherine Connolly said that the government has lost all concept of right and wrong and accused them of double-speak in regards to their arguments in favour of this motion.

She also accused the government of insulting the people of Ireland.

“It is spelled out in black and white,” Deputy Connolly said.

“Did you read this document? Is that what we’re signing up to? Are we opting into page 2 and opting out of page 3 or what are we doing?”

In a sharp attack aimed at the government, she asked: “What are we signing up to? Who has seen it? When are we going to see it? After the decision is made next week?

“We haven’t been told why there’s a rush on the decision –  why does it have to be done this week?

“Cén fath é sin? An bhfuil a fhios agat? An bhfuil fhios ag aon duine sa Dáil seo why this has to be done by next week without any information before us?”

She continued by attacking Leo Varadkar.

“And we have an absolutely contemptuous level of argument from the Taoiseach and from the minister here this morning referring to hysterical and exaggerated, and that we should go and educate ourselves and we’ve had plenty of time to do it.Really?

“This is the most serious instrument that you’re going to sign next week with the most serious implications in a country where nine people have been found dead on our streets, not in the year, but since August.

“And there’s absolutely no hesitation in committing millions – the figures have been quoted – it’s like monopoly money – to increase our spending to encourage an industrial military complex to encourage the arms industry, all in the guise of peace enforcement.

“Ye have turned language on its head. I think you have forgotten the difference between right and wrong. I think you’ve utterly forgotten the difference between the truth and a lie. And you insult the people of Ireland who have repeatedly in various polls told us that they hold the concept of neutrality dearly and they do not want it abandoned.

“And if it is to be abandoned, let us do it in a truthful way, with knowledge to everybody. How dare you treat the people of Ireland like this,” she concluded.

Supporters of the motion said that it would help protect Europe and shared information between countries within a unified arrangement was something to strive towards.

Alan Farrell TD said that it will in fact save Ireland money long-term, in that it will mean access to security information across our continent.

Ireland will join other neutral countries such as Sweden, Finland and Austria. It may also lessen the EU’s reliance on the USA which is seen as a positive move among EU governments.

The Centre for Global Women’s Studies and the MA in Gender, Globalisation and Rights programme at NUI Galway is supporting the international campaign 16 Days.

Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs until Sunday 10 December.

The Centre’s sixteen day programme follows the theme ‘Together We Can End Gender-Based Violence in Education’ focusing on education including Irish schools and third-level institutions.

NUI Galway today hosted a series of events and talks to mark the anniversary of the ‘Montreal Massacre’, where 14 female students were murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique.

Guided Walks entitled ‘Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Education’ took place from from 2pm to 4pm starting and ending at NUI Galway’s Quadrangle.

There was also a keynote addresses in the Emily Anderson Concert Hall at the Quadrangle by Professor Niamh Reilly, School of Political Science and Sociology and Professor Anne Scott, Vice-President of Equality and Diversity at NUI Galway.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2017 campaign aims to build awareness and advocate for an end to all forms of gender-based violence in education.

Gender-based violence is any form of physical, sexual or psychological violence directed towards an individual on the basis of stereotypes, norms or roles associated with sexual or gendered identity.

Dr Stacey Scriver from the Centre for Global Women’s Studies said: “Violence in education is not only a problem for developing countries.

“Evidence shows that men and women in Ireland are also impacted by violence in and around educational institutes. We all have a role to play in ending gender-based violence in education.

“Participating in the 16 Days of Activism campaign and developing understanding and awareness of how this issue affects young men and women globally and locally is one small, but significant, way to contribute.”

Dr Nata Duvvury, Director of the Centre for Global Women’s Studies at NUI Galway, commented: “The ramifications of violence in education are enormous, affecting the capabilities of young people and limiting their future potential, and thus effectively undermining their hopes and expectations of getting an education.”

A Fianna Fáil TD has introduced a new Bill in the Dáil which aims to tackle fake news accounts on social media platforms.

The Bill is designed to tackle the problem of phony political accounts and ‘orchestrated, anti-democratic online campaigns’.

The ‘Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill 2017’ was brought forward by James Lawless TD.

It contains a number of measures aimed at exposing those that professionally engage in “false flag” and deceptive advertising which he believes can disrupt the democratic process.

Deputy Lawless said that people are consuming more and more news online and social media platforms are playing a greater role in shaping political debate.

He said, however, that laws are still playing catch up in this area.

“If an organisation erected 1,000 posters in a town without disclosing who they were or who funded them, it would be a clear breach of the electoral laws. Yet the same thing can be done online in an instant and there is no obligation for any transparency at present.

“The Bill I have introduced will bring this transparency to the process by compelling any online advertising for political purposes to state exactly who published and paid for the advert and what the target market is. The Bill also requires a transparency notice to be applied to all online political advertising, stating the publisher and sponsor of the advert,” James Lawless said.

The Bill also makes it illegal for public monies to be spent toward a political purpose.

“It’s important that we move swiftly to bring some transparency and authenticity to political debate on social media platforms. There is growing evidence which shows that manipulation is underway by various actors aimed at undermining the democratic process.

“It’s important that we do all we can to protect the integrity of our democratic process here in Ireland.

“In an Irish context, there is very real concern emerging about the purpose and activities of the new multi million euro ‘Strategic Communications Unit’. This legislation will help ensure that citizens can be reassured that none of the five million euro of their money will be used to advance any political agenda.

“There is no reason to think that Ireland will be immune from the sort of disinformation campaigns that are being deployed in other countries in Europe and around the world. There is evidence to suggest that large numbers of fake social media accounts are being created in this country.

“The experience in other countries has been that such dormant accounts spring into action during election or referendum campaigns, or at times of controversy. My and Fianna Fáil’s hope is that this legislation will help counteract any such effort to distort our national conversation,” he added.

Serum eyedrops are used to treat patients with a range of eye defects such as burns, Sjorens Sydrome, graft versus host disease and severe dry eye and the product alleviates pain, improve vision and greatly improve quality of life for patients.

And the team behind the programme which develops the eyedrops at University Hospital Galway has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious National HSE Excellence Awards.

More than 300 projects were submitted to the awards programme, out of which 11 were nominated as finalists.

The ‘Serum Eye Drop Programme’ was developed in the Galway Blood and Tissue establishment of University College Hospital Galway and provides routine and emergency blood and blood product services to GUH and hospitals in the surrounding area.

It is the only hospital-based laboratory in Ireland with a ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’ license to produce Serum Eyedrops.

According to Dr. Amjad Hayat, “Just this month we produced serum eyedrops for a 25-year-old patient who developed severe Graft Vs Host Disease following a bone marrow transplant earlier this year. Her consultant felt she was at risk of losing her sight without this treatment.

“We provide a service to Irish patients’ that is not available anywhere else in the country and without the hard work and dedication of the staff involved in this programme patients would have to avail of the service abroad.”

Chris Kane, General Manager of Galway University Hospitals added, “GUH has been granted €8 million for construction of a new laboratory facility and it is hoped to move into this facility in early 2019.

“The new building is much larger than the current facility and contains a large controlled environment.  This will allow for further expansion of the programme and allow GBTE to produce Serum Eye drops for every hospital in nationally.”

The aim of the Health Service Excellence Awards is to encourage and inspire people to develop better services that result in easier access and high quality care for patients and to promote pride among staff in relation to our services.

The Awards also aim to highlight the many achievements that take place across a range of staff groups and teams, services and locations, and to celebrate success and promote shared learning for the benefit of other services.

A yellow status wind warning is in place for Galway on Thursday as an Atlantic Storm passes the north of Scotland on Thursday morning.

The UK Met Office have named it Storm Caroline.

Met Éireann say severe winds will affect parts of Scotland, but it will also generate strong and blustery winds over the west of Ireland.

Northwest winds of 55 to 65 are expected to gust 100 to 110 km/h, and  strongest winds will be in coastal areas and over high ground.

Yellow status wind warnings are also in place in Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Kerry.

In Britain, a Yellow warning also extends from 8am on Thursday until midnight in most of the Western Isles, the Northern Isles and the majority of mainland Scotland from Oban to Aberdeen.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Ramsdale said: “The strongest winds will reach the northwest of Scotland early on Thursday, extending to Northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles in the afternoon. During Thursday winds will start to ease in the west with the strongest of the winds becoming confined to the Northern Isles in the evening.”