Money must be diverted to secure funds for essential housing grants, says McDonnell

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Green Cllr Niall Ó Brolcháin must “use his influence” on Environment Minister John Gormley to secure urgently needed funds for the Galway City Council’s Essential Housing Aid for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Grant Scheme.

Man with drink problem given chance to rehabilitate

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A Connemara man who developed a serious alcohol addiction when be started to work with fishermen at the age of 15, appeared before Galway District Court this week charged with a number of drink-related offences.

Tibetan Buddhist teacher to give public talk at NUIG

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche will give a free public lecture on being a spiritual person in contemporary society, in the Cairnes Theatre, NUI Galway, on Tuesday.

Dzigar Kongtrul comes from a pure lineage of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Born in India to Tibetan refugee parents, he was recognised as a reincarnated lama. His father was an eminent meditation master called Neten Chokling Rinpoche.

‘73 tractor still does the job

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

It must surely be a record that a new tractor purchased in 1973 has worked every year since, has the original tyres, and never got a puncture even once in all of 35 years. Martin Kelly of Ballinacor, Newbridge, purchased his first and only tractor, a Zetor, from Brogan’s of Ballymoe in the spring of 1973. He has used the tractor to cut hay, bring home turf, spread fertiliser, and do a hundred other jobs over this long period of time and while the tyres are “bald enough,” as Martin put it, he never had to remove a tyre since the day he got it. Martin intends to have his tractor on show at the vintage rally in Mountbellew, which will take place this Saturday and Sunday.

Man threatens gardai his uncle will sort them out

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A 26-years-old man arrested for refusing to give his name and address after he was found walking in the middle of a busy road while drunk, threatened gardai his uncle would sort them out.

Race ticket winners

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

There were hundreds and hundreds of entries to our competition for racing tickets last week. Congrats to all the winners who each win a pair of tickets for a day at the races. The winners are:

New school brings wonderment to Filipino tribe

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

GMIT student and Galway First contributor William Browne is part of the SERVE Philippines group who are volunteering

Find the perfect date at Karma - for charity

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Whether you’re looking for love, or just a fun night out, Karma are hosting a speed-dating night in aid of the Niall Mellon Township Trust.

On Thursday July 24, enjoy a fun-filled, and hopefully love-fuelled night at Karma from 8pm. Medbh Killilea and Bernadette O’Donnell, both from Tuam, are organising the charity gig.

Will the PDs gift control of county council to Fianna Fáil?

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The PDs may be about to be swallowed up into the bowels of Fianna Fáil, but if this happens, they will guarantee the Soldiers of Destiny the right to control the Galway County Council after the 2009 Local Elections.

Every Oireachta member who serves Galway has served on Galway County Council. It is a finishing school for Galway’s political elite just like St Jarlath’s is for Galway football.

Has Grealish pulled rabbit from hat on bypass issue? Or is the bunny boiled?

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Has Noel Grealish pulled the rabbit out of the hat regarding the Claregalway bypass? There is much scepticism in the area about the ability of the Carnmore man to land the big road as he promised prior to the last election. And this week the waters have been muddied again.

School sex abuse trial hears of letters to victim's family

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

A jury has been given copies of letters exchanged between a Christian Brother and the family of a boy who was lodged in a Galway residential school after his father lost their family home to a neighbour in a game of cards.

No future for Galway Airport says Ryanair chief

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

There is no future for Galway Airport or for subsidised flights or airlines, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary said last evening.

Carnmore death crash book of evidence not yet ready

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

A Book of Evidence in the case of a Dublin lorry driver charged with dangerous driving which caused the death of a local woman last year is not yet ready, Galway District Court heard this week.

Daniel Callanan responds to charges of disrupting city council meetings

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

Disrupting city council meetings is the only option left to get “straight answers to straightforward questions” following the “wall of silence” that has greeted allegations that clamps were removed for some councillors without a fine being paid.

Farewell, Moate my old friend

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

With memories still fresh of being hurriedly force-fed fried eggs and rashers in Harry’s of Kinnegad while fat bus drivers scoffed down complimentary meals just yards away; or of eating copious amounts of apple tart in the Village Inn in Tyrrellspass, the news this week that never again will I be stuck in Moate, is just too hard to take.

With the Minister for Thick Black Hair Noel Dempsey in the midlands last evening to open the latest bit of the N6, therefore bypassing Moate and Kilbeggan and making Athlone the last stop-off on the way to Dublin, the realisation is just sinking through that never again will the slowest traffic in Ireland be on the widest street in Ireland.

Let us send you to the races

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

It is hard to believe that there are just ten days to go until the excitement of Ballybrit is upon us again. Just looking at the picture here of Sir Frederick with Kevin Coleman onboard winning the William Hill Galway Plate last year is enough to whet the appetite. And there is so much more to be experienced this time around.

Crowe vows to go ‘back to the future'

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

After the next local elections, the Galway City Council must go “back to the future” in combining the questioning of officials of this council with the smoother running of previous years.

Man made rude gestures to Brown Thomas staff

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

A 25 years old man who admitted making rude gestures to staff at Brown Thomas and to threatening to put their photos on the internet, has been remanded on bail for the preparation of a probation report.

Cameron calls for recommendations on property management companies to be made law

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

Proposals to make property management companies more accountable to residents with clear rules on AGMs and requirements for detailed financial accounts to be made available, must be made into law as soon as possible.

More patients face review following suspension of former UHG pathologist

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

The HSE was last evening attempting to contact all patients affected by potential misdiagnoses at UHG following reports of discrepancies in the work of a third pathologist who worked as a locum at the hospital in February and March 2004.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.