Five arrested in Offaly dawn raid following Ballybrit arson

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Gardaí were last night (Wednesday) questioning five men from County Offaly following a suspected arson attack on a house in Ballybrit on Sunday.

Why I will and won’t vote for each party

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

As a year of potentially enormous political significance begins, Insider has decided to look at the prospects for each party, both on a national and local level. Insider will look at Galway West today, and return to Galway East in the coming weeks. Insider cannot recall a time of more political uncertainty, and he firmly believes that the result of the election could also differ considerably depending on the date it is held. Is the 'Gilmore Gale' still blowing? Will Brian Cowen even lead FF into battle? Has Enda Kenny put the questions over his capacity for the job of Taoiseach to bed? Will the disaffected members of the public support SF in unprecedented numbers? How many more sitting TD's will opt out? Are the Greens already a spent force? So much uncertainty, and so much anger. So much to lose, and so much to win. Insider has decided to sum up the reasons he would vote 'for' or 'against' each party.

A year to look forward to

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

JANUARY — the year gets off to a flying start when the words 'Oh feck' are uttered collectively by two million as the January wage sheets are handed out and the true realisation of the Budget kicks in... Sky Sports reports a massive number of calls to their cancellation centre...sales of lattes are decimated...hair extensions are returned to the rats who sold them during the good times...the lights are turned off...Our working class hero Anglo Avenger Trucker Joe, who hasn't mounted a protest using building equipment for what must be weeks now, attacks Anglo ATMs with an angle grinder. He is arrested again for the usual few hours, but despite his latest effort, Cadbury's say that he is not their man for the new Milk Tray ad...back to the drawing board for the caped crusader. It snows and rains and freezes.

Sacrifices failed to save popular Galway venues, says Jona Group

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Many sacrifices were made but this failed to stop the devastating effects of the recession and the crippling rent payments, according to The Jona Group which announced this week that a number of its Galway businesses have gone into voluntary liquidation.

HSE forum chairperson calls for swine flu jab for all to allay fears

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The chairperson of the HSE West’s regional health forum is calling for the health authority to re-open free swine flu vaccination clinics for the general population amid fears that the numbers contracting the virus will continue to rise.

Cllr Padraig Conneely made his comments as management at Galway University Hospitals [UHG and Merlin Park] announced on Tuesday that visiting restrictions are in place at the facilities due to the presence of influenza cases.

Arrival of rates bill on doorstep is nail in coffin for many businesses, says Chamber CEO

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The arrival of an unrealistically high rates bill on the doorstep has the potential to crush a struggling business and put jobs at risk, says Galway Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Coyle, who is calling for Galway’s local authorities to relieve the severe burden placed on businesses.

Local politicians call for major changes to water systems in city and county

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Repairing broken water pipes is not enough to solve water problems in Galway or anywhere else in the State, what is needed is a complete and total upgrade of the water system throughout the republic.

Anthony Ryan’s Holy Communion fashion show takes place next week

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Anthony Ryan’s annual fashion show devoted exclusively to Holy Communion wear will take place at the Shop Street store on Wednesday January 12 at 7.30pm.

Parents and their children who are making their First Holy Communion this year are invited to come along to view the event.

Connemara cottage at centre of US Senator corruption complaint

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

A Connemara cottage has found itself caught up in the middle of a political storm in the US with an outgoing senator being accused of accepting a “sweetheart real estate deal” in exchange for helping a businessman friend get a presidential pardon for tax and securities crimes.

EU Commission to meet Galway delegation over city outer bypass

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The controversial Galway City Outer Bypass will be the subject of a high level meeting in Brussels next week involving the European Commission.

The meeting, which takes place next Tuesday, will see the Commission, represented by senior officials from the Environment Directorate General and the EU Environment Commissioner’s Chef De Cabinet, Kurt Vandenberghe, holding talks with the Galway Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, and Oireachtas Transport Committee. Fianna Fáil Galway West TD Frank Fahey will lead the transport committee group.

Christmas sees spate of burglaries in Galway

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Gardaí are investigating several burglaries which have occurred in Galway over the holiday period, including a break-in at an Athenry business on Christmas Day.

Grealish accuses Bank of Ireland of insensitivity over new charges

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The Bank of Ireland’s decision to introduce a hike in charges to its current account holders from the end of February is an “insensitive and insulting proposal”.

McNelis condemns ‘ill-thought out’ new regulations for taxis

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

“An ill-thought out measure” that will only create hardship for taxi drivers and lead to unemployment, is how a Labour councillor has described a new regulation for the taxi industry.

New imaging catheter for weight loss surgery to be launched in March

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Crospon, the Galway-based medical device developer, has got clearance from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to market a new imaging catheter for the measurement of sleeves created during bariatric [weight loss] surgery.

Gardaí probe Eyre Square assault

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses following an assault in Eyre Square on New Year’s Eve.

Witnesses sought to Westside robbery

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Gardaí have appealed for information following an incident in which a man was robbed on New Year’s Eve.

Time to learn to play that guitar

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Have you made a musical New Year’s Resolution? Have you promised yourself to finally learn how to play that guitar? Don’t worry, help is at hand! Guitar Made Easy is the fast, fun and easy way to learn to play guitar, and classes are coming to a venue near you soon.

Funding secured for Westside Age Inclusion services

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

A three-year package of funding for Westside Age Inclusion has been announced that will allow the services provided in the area to continue.

Fianna Fáil to choose Galway West candidates tonight

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Despite being at their lowest poll figures ever and facing the possibility of a long term in Opposition, Fianna Fáil in Galway West seem likely to still run three candidates in the General Election.

Housing department merger plan is backward and undemocratic, says Cllr Nolan

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

Any move to merge city and county housing departments and set up regional housing authorities would be a backward step that would be an erosion of democracy and impact greatly on the lives of the 4,000 people left on the waiting list, that is according to Labour’s councillor Derek Nolan.

It was announced this week that Department of Environment officials are currently working on plans which could see housing departments in many city and county councils being merged and regional housing authorities being set up in an effort to save money and increase efficiency. The plan was mooted last July in the report of the Local Government Efficiency Review Group which advised that certain departments in the city and county councils should be merged in order to make savings. The plan is due to be announced in the coming weeks before being put out for public consultation.

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