Galway Bay fm newsroom – Outrage is being expressed following the decision to include Craughwell and adjoining areas in the Roscommon Westdoc catchment area.
It means that those in the Craughwell area in need of a doctor between the hours of midnight and 8am must wait at least 70 minutes for a GP to travel from Roscommon town.
Deputy Denis Naughten says the situation is ‘absolutely crazy’ – and makes no sense given the 70km distance between the two locations.
The Independent TD says it will likely create coverage black spots for Craughwell and Roscommon – and may force people to resort to calling an Ambulance.
The amalgamation of the Craughwell and Roscommon Westdoc service is currently being operated on a trial basis and is in effect from 12pm to 8am Monday to Wednesday.
Deputy Naughten says the people of Craughwell and Roscommon deserve better from Westdoc.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Children in Galway who suffer from chronic pain are being invited to take part in a new pain management programme at NUI Galway.
The University is looking for children aged between 6 and 10 years old to participate in the ‘Feeling Better’ online pain management course.
The web-based initiative is the first of its kind in Ireland and is run by researchers from the School of Psychology and Center for Pain Management at NUI Galway.
Chronic pain is pain which persists for a period of three months or more – and affects up to 10% of Irish children aged between 5 and 12 years old.
For further information on the 9-week programme, you can log onto www.feelingbetter.ie.
Researcher Angeline Traynor says the aim is to help families deal with the pressures of having a child with chronic pain.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Three and a half million euro has been allocated towards the cost of a new City Library and Cultural Centre.
The money has come from the European Regional Development Fund through the Department of the Environment.
The whole project, which is included in Galway’s bid to become a Capital of Culture in 2020 will cost in the region of 25 million euro.
Galway West Labour T.D, Derek Nolan, says the initial funding of 3.5 million euro will allow the project to go to design stage.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway County Council is coming under fire for failing to tackle the dangerous situation at Renville Pier in Oranmore.
Senator Fidelma Healy Eames says a small breakwater is badly needed at the public amenity to prevent hazardous build-up of silt, sand and gravel.
She claims that fishermen and sailors have long warned of dangerous conditions at the pier, and are now advising that if works are not undertaken, the slipway will be forced to close.
The independent Senator says that Galway County Council has been repeatedly notified of the situation, but has failed to act due to an alleged lack of funding.
She says the pier is a hugely popular amenity both locally and nationally, accomodating the Galway Bay Sailing Club and previously hosting Volvo Ocean Race events.
Senator Healy Eames says that it’s potential loss is completely unacceptable – and action is urgently needed.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – A public meeting will take place in Spiddal this evening to discuss the Galway Bay Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site.
The site was established off the Galway coast in 2006, and aims to determine the effectiveness of wave-energy technologies.
The public meeting will provide information about the test site, and future plans which include the submission of a foreshore lease application.
It takes place this evening from 7 to 9.30 in Tígh Giblin, Spiddal.
Alan Berry of the Marine Institute says the meeting will clarify what has been happening at the site over the past number of years.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Pro Life campaigners will host a public meeting in the city this evening.
The ‘Galway for Life’ group will discuss Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution, which sets out the right to life of the unborn.
The campaigners say they’re opposed to the possible removal of the 8th amendment.
The pro-life meeting gets underway in the Menlo Park Hotel at 7.30 this evening.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – An investigation into the sinking of a Galway fishing vessel last year has been unable to determine what caused the boat to flood and sink so quickly.
The MFV Iúda Naofa capsized around 80 kilometers north of the Hebrides off Scotland on January 20th last year.
The report from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board says the crew was unable to start a portable pump which was brought to them by a British coastguard helicopter.
The vessel sank in just 40 seconds, and the incident was filmed by the crew on board the rescue helicopter.
The report into the sinking says it was fortunate that sister vessel, the MFV Star of Hope, from Ros a Mhíl, was close by at the time of the incident.
Four of the five crew members were knocked off the vessel off by a wave before it sank – but everyone involved survived.
The report said that the ‘final deterioration was sudden, with the vessel sinking in less than a minute.’
The report says the crew was only travelling at four to five knots so speed is not being considered a contributory factor.
It says without physical evidence from the vessel itself, it’s not possible to determine how it sank.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Residents in Castlegar who have an interest in the 1916 Rising are being urged to attend a public meeting tonight.
The community in Castlegar is hoping to create an exhibition about the area’s involvement in the Rising and is asking people to bring photos or memorabilia to the event.
The meeting will take place at 8 o’ clock this evening at the church meeting room in Castlegar.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – No one has yet come forward to claim their prize of a quarter of a million euro after a lucky ticket was sold in Lettermore.
Staff at Centra in the village are celebrating today after receiving notification from the National Lottery that one of their customers had scooped the Lotto Plus 2 prize.
Lotto is calling on anyone who purchased a ticket for the Lotto draw on Saturday the 9th of January at Centre in Lettermore to check to see if they’re a winner.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – City native Clíona Ní Néill has been announced as the principal of the new secondary school, Our Lady’s College Galway.
The new school at Presentation Road is the result of a merger between Presentation Secondary School and Mercy Newtownsmith.
Clíona Ní Néill is the current principal of Presentation Secondary School, and has served as principal since 2006.
Our Lady’s College will open its doors to students for the first time this September.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Athenry-based IFA presidential candidate Joe Healy is accusing banks of failing to enter meaningful negotiations with farmers to manage their debts.
He says that banks and other creditors are unwilling to engage with farmers to work out repayment plans, and are instead pursing legal action or selling debts off to third parties.
Mr. Healy, who’s the only Connaught candidate in the upcoming IFA election, says that banks seem more interested in short term solutions to repay debts.
He says that the ability of a farm to generate income is often ignored, and farmers are instead placed under immense pressure to sell land and assets.
Joe Healy says the situation is putting huge strain on already vulnerable farming families.

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Another beggar from Athlone has been barred from Galway City for the next 12 months after appearing before Galway District Court.

Ioan Savu (47), with an address at 119 Meadowbrook, Athlone, pleaded guilty at Galway District Court to begging at Eyre Square on December 15 last.

Defence solicitor, Valerie Corcoran said Savu had come to Ireland a couple of months ago to look for work. He travelled to Galway to look for work but had to beg because he had no money to pay for his return to Athlone.

“We have quite a number of people coming from Athlone to beg in Galway and it’s hard to believe someone would arrive in the middle of Winter looking for work,” Judge Fahy told her.

She sentenced Savu to one month in prison which she suspended for 12 months on condition he be of good behaviour and stay away from Galway City for the 12 months.

“Over the past number of years we have seen a significant number of people, particularly coming from Athlone, and I feel he is probably in contact with some of those people. I just don’t believe someone would just drop out of the sky into Galway from Athlone,” Judge Fahy added.

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The number of Garda vehicles in County Galway has fallen by one fifth over the past five years.

There are currently 81 vehicles – the majority of them cars – available to members of the force in Galway; that’s a drop of 22 on the 2010 total of 103.

The figures have been revealed to Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish in response to a Parliamentary Question he tabled to Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.

“What they clearly show is that Gardaí in Galway City and County are being seriously hampered in their efforts to protect the communities they serve. A 21% reduction in the fleet in the space of five years has to have a substantial knock-on effect in terms of the ability of the force to do their job,” said Deputy Grealish.

He added that an indication of the age of the vehicles which Galway Gardaí used was given by the fact that a total of 17 had been scrapped during 2015, 15 of them cars.

The Minister’s figures revealed that the number of Galway Garda vehicles had fallen particularly sharply in the two years following 2010, the total going from 103 to 95 in 2011 and 78 in 2012, with the number increasing by just three since then.

There are now 59 Garda cars in the city and county, a reduction of 30% on the 2010 total of 77, along with 13 vans (up from 10 five years ago), 6 motorcycles (compared with 11 in 2010), two 4x4s (same) and one other vehicle (a drop of two).

The number of Garda cars had actually dropped in 2013 to just 50, a fall of more than one-third on three years previously, their numbers being supplemented since by the addition of eight cars in the interim.

In her reply to Deputy Grealish’s Parliamentary Question, Minister Fitzgerald said that the Government was committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána had the resources to deliver highly-mobile and responsive Garda patrols in both rural and urban communities.

“Since 2012, almost €34 million has been invested in renewing the Garda fleet to support front line Garda responses. Over 640 new vehicles are coming on stream since the start of 2015 including new specialised vehicles.

“This investment will provide the Gardaí with additional high powered vehicles, marked and unmarked patrol cars, cars for surveillance and covert operations, motor cycles for high visibility road policing and vehicles for public order policing,” she said.

The Minister added that the Government’s Capital Plan 2016-2021 provided an additional €46 million for new Garda vehicles, which would be allocated on a regional basis as determined by the Garda Commissioner.

Deputy Grealish said he would continue to press for the allocation of proper resources for Gardaí in Galway.

“There is increasing concern among rural communities about gangs roving the countryside and carrying out robberies, quickly leaving the scene in what are often high-powered stolen cars.

“With the closure of small rural Garda stations, there is an increasing need for Gardaí to have at their disposal the kind of vehicles they need to provide a rapid response to such incidents.

“The fact that 17 vehicles in the Galway fleet were scrapped during 2015 shows that we clearly have not had the kind of vehicles that are fit for purpose, even apart from the fact that their total numbers are so reduced compared with five years ago,” added Deputy Grealish.

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Management at University Hospital Galway is being criticised over its failure to implement a new policy designed to tackle overcrowding at the A&E department.
INMO Secretary Liam Doran says that a revised escalation policy agreed in recent weeks is designed to place the whole system on alert once signs of overcrowding appear.
However, he claims that the policy has yet to be introduced, despite the fact that UHG is in a ‘very difficult situation’ with regards overcrowding.
He also says that Management are withholding the findings of an external report on the system in operation at the hospitals A&E department.
It’s reported that overcrowding so far this month is up ten percent on the figure for last year – with January 2015 being the worst month for overcrowding on record.
It follows the revelation that the number of patients on trolleys at UHG increased by almost 25% last year – with over 5,300 patients awaiting a bed during 2015.

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One of Galway’s most successful emigrants is making a career change, after years at the helm of the world’s only seven-star hotel.

Dubai Holdings has announced that Galway city man Gerald Lawless has been appointed to a new position at its corporate office where he will be responsible for tourism and hospitality.

Mr Lawless, Group President and CEO of Jumeirah Group in Dubai, makes the move after 18 years at the helm of the business.

Stefan Lesser has been appointed his successor as group chief executive of Jumeirah.

Originally from Circular Road where his family operated a dairy, Mr Lawless graduated from Shannon College of Hotel Management in 1975. He first went to Dubai three years later and devoted almost 30 years of his professional life to the city. He had a successful 23-year career with Forte Hotels, and then joined the Jumeirah Group in 1997, and built the company into one of the best-known luxury hospitality brands in the World.

As chief executive of the leading hotel groups, Mr Lawless was also responsible for its flagship hotel, the Burj Al Arab, the most luxurious hotel in the world and the only seven-star.

“It has been an immense honour and privilege to have been entrusted with setting up the Jumeirah Group, with the development of its outstanding portfolio of luxury hotels and other businesses and the promotion of the brand internationally,” said Mr Lawless.

He thanked everyone for their support over the years, including Dubai Holdings and its 14,000 colleagues. Mr Lawless said he is looking forward to a smooth transition and his new set of responsibilities with the company.

He is brother of Billy Lawless, a publican and restaurateur in Chicago who is synonymous with campaigning for immigrant rights.

As well as being a graduate of Shannon, he holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management by the Johnson and Wales University in the State of Rhode Island, USA.

He is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Organisation, a member of the Aviation, Travel and Tourism council of the World Economic Forum, and fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality. In April, he will assume the chairmanship of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

He is also a Non-Executive Director at the Travelodge Board where he represents Dubai Holding, and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. Mr Lawless was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2010. He was also awarded an honorary degree by NUI Galway in recent years.

As well as leading the drive to establish Burj Al Arab Jumeirah as the most luxurious hotel in the world and a symbol of Dubai as a luxury destination, Mr Lawless spearheaded the expansion of the company’s portfolio, which now includes 23 hotels in 12 destinations, stretching from London to Shanghai, with new openings planned.

Jumeirah Group operates over 100 restaurants, the Wild Wadi Waterpark and the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; where Mr Lawless will remain Chancellor.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – A Galway West TD says Galway City and County Councils should encourage the development of co-operative housing in a bid to remedy the shortage of supply across Galway.
Labour deputy Derek Nolan says co-op housing would be a favourable alternative to developer-led housing.
Co-operative housing typically consists of small developments of up to 30 houses, and sites sourced by local authorities are made available to those on low or miedium income for the purpose of construction.
Co-operative members are usually recruited from local authority waiting lists in the areas where co-ops are located.
Deputy Nolan says Galway is in the middle of a ‘perfect storm’ with regard to housing, and encouraging co-ops is a possible solution.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Department of Education has asked representatives of Presentation College Athenry to provide further information on a proposed location for a new school building.
Officials from the department have met with a delegation from the school to look at options for a new location.
It’s after around 100 pupils were informed that their applications for enrolment at the school were unsuccessful due to a lack of space.
The new building was first approved several years ago, and the Department of Education says it will continue to work closely with the school patron to acquire a permanent site for the school.
In a statement to Galway Bay fm news, the Department says it will revert to the school patron in the coming weeks to ensure the project is progressed as quickly as possible.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Seanad has heard calls for native trees to be planted across flood prone areas in Galway to prevent future flooding events.
The suggestion has been made by Galway Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, who says that extensive planting of trees is a sustainable solution to the ongoing problem.
She says a recent study carried out in Wales shows that planting native trees in upland areas can drastically reduce flooding in low-lying regions.
Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames said that the proposal needs to be seriously examined as soon as possible.
In response, OPW Minister Simon Harris said the suggestion will be investigated.

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Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway City Council has moved to establish a multi-party framework for architectural and civil works – including residential construction – worth around €38 million.
The local authority is seeking tenders from interested contractors who are capable of delivering architectural, civil and building services.
The City Council says successful bidders will be responsible for the delivery of all construction works for the initial contract, and contracts under the framework agreement.
The maximum estimated value over the lifetime of the framework will be in the region of €38 million.
The contract will involve the construction of multi-dwelling buildings and individual housing, as well as architectural and civil works.
The deadline for applications to the City Council is the 8th of February.

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Gardaí are concerned for the welfare of a missing 23-year-old mother and her week-old baby daughter.

Paige Holland (also known as Abbie Goodier and Paige Goodier) and her baby Nevaeh were last seen last Friday (January 15), when they left their home at  Westview, Cloonfad, Roscommon.

Paige is described as being 5’6” in height, of medium build with blonde shoulder length hair. She has a strong English accent. Nevaeh was born just two days earlier. It is not known what clothing Paige was wearing when last seen.

They are believed to be travelling with Paige’s boyfriend, 22-year-old Aaron Tighe (also known as Aaron Chadwick or Ian Smith), described as 5’6” tall, medium build, with short brown/fair hair. He also has a strong English accent. Gardai are liaising with TUSLA in relation to this incident.

Gardaí are not aware of what form of transport is being used and they may be travelling by public transport. They are requesting Paige to make contact with Castlerea Garda Station as soon as possible.

They are concerned for the welfare of Paige and her daughter and anyone with information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on 094 9621630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.

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