Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been informed that 25 people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Ireland have died.
13 deaths are located in the east, 8 in the north, 2 in the south and 2 in the west of the country .
The additional deaths are 10 females and 15 males and the median age of today’s reported deaths is 80.
18 people were reported as having underlying health conditions.
There have now been 235 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has been informed of 365 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, as of 1pm, 8th April.
There are now 6,074 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland.
The HSE is now working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, 6th April (5,981 cases), reveals 46% are male and 53% are female, with 299 clusters involving 1,288 cases.
The median age of confirmed cases is 48 years.
1,472 cases (25%) have been hospitalised. Of those hospitalised, 224 cases have been admitted to ICU.
1,568 cases are associated with healthcare workers.
Dublin has the highest number of cases at 3,268, (55% of all cases) followed by Cork with 431 cases (7%).
Galway remains at the lower end of the scale with 134 cases – an increase of six since yesterday.
Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 67%, close contact accounts for 23%, travel abroad accounts for 10%
AIB have released a video that documents the intensity of the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Club Final through the eyes of the players, managers, selectors, fans and the communities of both finalists, Sarsfields and Slaughtneil. The game which took place on Sunday 1st March came to a nail-biting conclusion and, while the difference between winning and losing is palpable in the reactions of the respective players, so too is that regardless of the result the experience is shared with their communities.
It was the Galway team, Sarsfields, that got the better of Derry’s Slaughtneil, thanks to an injury-time goal from AIB Camogie Club Player of the Year Siobhán McGrath. The emotional, fast-paced short film, provides a snap shot from areas that are typically inaccessible including the dressing room, tunnel and corridors of Croke Park, pitch-side match and post-match footage as well as the Sarsfield’s team bus on their journey home.
A number of the players who feature in the piece were named in the AIB Camogie Club Team of the Year announced last week. Champions Sarsfields from Galway, six players from Ulster Champions and All-Ireland Runners-Up Slaughtneil, two players from Clare’s Scariff-Ogonelloe along with one player from St Vincent’s of Dublin.
This is the 7th year that AIB has supported the AIB All Ireland Club Camogie Championships. AIB understands the importance of these Championship to clubs all around Ireland. This video seeks to detail the skill, the passion and the dedication shown by players, managers, club and communities to secure The Toughest Championship Trophy of them all.
Former All-Ireland winning forward with Galway and Sarsfields Michael “Hopper” McGrath led his club to an AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Camogie title recently, beating the four-in-a-row chasing Slaughtneil in the final. Last week, six of the side that started that day for the Galway side were named on the AIB Camogie Club Team of the Year. Four of his daughters started in the final, while three of them were named in the Team of the Year. Siobhán McGrath, who scored the winning goal in the final, was named Player of the Year. ‘Hopper’ has been speaking to Oisin Langan…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Concerns have been raised over a rise in illegal dumping in parts of the city.
City officials have been advised of a series of incidents where rubbish has been dumped with a car witnessed dumping multiple bags of rubbish this week.
The local authority says while most people carrying out clear-outs during the lockdown are hiring skips, some are disposing of rubbish illegally.
The public is being advised to only use the services of an operator with a valid waste permit.
Carmel Kilcoyne, Senior Executive Engineer with Galway City Council, says extra crews have been required to carry out clean-ups at the sites with a particular risk to staff due to the current pandemic…..
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Undue hardship is being placed on pensioner families who cannont access the COVID-19 payment.
That’s according to Roscommon/Galway TD Denis Naughten, who says the restricted access to the payment is placing some families in financial trouble.
It comes as Deputy Naugthen has been contacted by a number of pensioners who are supporting children and have lost their income due to the coronvirus emergency.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is only available to people between 18 and 66 years – who have lost all employment due to the coronavirus restrictions.
Deputy Naughten is calling for the income support framework to be reassessed…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The use of the promenade in Salthill is to be reassessed ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.
City officials and working in conjunction with Salthill Gardai to decide whether any restrictions will be necessary.
Use of the popular amenity at St. Patrick’s weekend led to widespread concern over the non adherence of social distancing guidelines due to large crowds gathering.
Its usage has since significantly lessened to largely locals within a 2 kilometre distance.
However the city council is reviewing the use of the amenity ahead of the bank holiday weekend as the fine weather continues to attract walkers and joggers.
Carmel Kilcoyne of Galway City Council says there has been a huge improvement in the numbers using the stretch but any sightings of groups or crowds should be reported to Gardai – to hear more, tune in to Galway Bay fm news on the hour…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Debenhams to pull out of Ireland, causing major job losses at its Galway city store.
The company temporarily closed all 11 of its stores last month as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.
2,000 jobs will be lost in its 11 stores across the country, according to the Mandate trade union.
The union says the company suspended trading due to the Covid 19 pandemic and confirmed to staff in a letter today that the shops are not expected to reopen.
A liquidator is to be appointed to the Irish operations in the coming days.
Its UK arm is entering administration for the second time in a year to protect the business from legal action from creditors during the coronavirus emergency.
Earlier this week the retailer said it had filed a notice of intent to appoint an administrator.
However, at that time a spokesperson said its Irish stores would be unaffected by the decision, but that has changed today.
Its shops in Dublin, Newbridge in Co Kildare, Eyre Street Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork and Waterford will not be re-opening.
Debenhams’ 142 stores across the UK are also currently closed, while the majority of its 22,000 workers are being paid under the government’s furlough scheme.
It’s understood the company is making preparations to resume trading its stores once the government restrictions are lifted.
Horse Racing Ireland’s (HRI) Industry Education and Training Department have co-ordinated a range of practical services to support those working in the industry while racing is suspended due to Covid-19.
Funded by HRI, the Industry Assistance Programme (IAP) offers access to trained counsellors, psychotherapists and information specialists and provides practical and emotional support for any life challenges users may be dealing with. Users can use the service for a range of services and supports as many times as necessary. This free resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Confidential support is accessible by a free phone number, by email, by text or through a smart phone app.
Freephone: (ROI) 1800 303 588 or (NI) 0800 243 458
SMS (for call back): 00353 (0)86 838 3998
App: iConnectYou
Access Code: 110499
Website: www.workinracing.ie/industry-welfare/industry-assistance-programme/
Horse Racing Ireland has posted a Covid-19 business continuity planning best practice document to every racehorse trainer this week.
Sports psychology support for jockeys including apprentices and conditionals through the ‘The Jockey Pathway’ are available with Dr Ciara Losty via phone appointments. Wayne Middleton, the pathway strength & conditioning coach has provided exercise videos. To schedule an appointment or watch the videos, please visit www.workinracing.ie/jockey-pathway/
HRI’s Industry Education and Training Department have also prepared a Covid-19 FAQ aimed at all employers and is available on their website. If employers have specific Covid-19 related HR queries, they can email: Covid19HR@hri.ie
In addition, there is a host of practical information and resources including information on the temporary COVID-19 wage subsidy scheme offered by both Irish and Northern Irish Governments on HRI’s Industry Education and Training Department’s website www.workinracing.ie/coronavirus-supports/. Local enterprise offices are also offering really valuable business advice and assistance on www.localenterprise.ie (Republic of Ireland) and www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk (Northern Ireland)
Brian Kavanagh, Horse Racing Ireland CEO, said: “I am aware that this is a very worrying time for everyone working in the industry. On behalf of our Chairman and Board, I want to reassure everyone that HRI is working on several strategies that will allow Irish racing to return as quickly as possible once it is appropriate to do so and within Government guidelines. In the meantime, I hope the support services outlined on www.workinracing.ie can offer some practical and emotional support to everyone. We are working on a range of further industry supports which we hope to announce in the coming weeks.”
Today on the show Keith spoke to Sean Moynihan from Alone, Carmel Kilcoyne from Galway City Counil on illegal dumping and Triona Mullahy on securing flights home from Melbourne and more.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Saolta Hospital Group says its plans to provide additional capacity for Western hospitals for Covid-19 patients are advanced.
The group is intensifying its efforts to provide additional capacity to support the hospitals in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon in the event of a surge in the number of cases of COVID-19.
The group says its plans to deliver that extra available capacity, by identifying ward space in Merlin Park Hospital, dedicated wards in Roscommon Hospital, using the private hospitals in Galway; and using the new Mayo Roscommon Hospice building in Castlebar if necessary are advanced.
The hospital group has confirmed that it has also submitted a proposal nationally to develop an additional health facility in Galway city which would be located on the grounds of NUI Galway.
It’s understood this will be the field hospital announced by Saolta CEO Tony Canavan last week.
In a statement to Galway Bay fm news Saolta says while they are hopeful that they won’t need to use all of this extra capacity they feel it’s important to plan and prepare for a worst case scenario.
It’s understood there are plans for a self-isolation facility at the Connacht Hotel on the old Dublin road in Renmore, which comes under the remit of Community Services.
For more on this story, tune in to Galway Bay fm newsroom…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Approximately 140 jobs are to go in Galway city with the closure of Debenhams, after it emerged the company’s Irish operation is set to go into liquidation.
Trade union Mandate says employees were informed earlier today by letter that Ireland’s 11 stories, including the one at Eyre Street in the city, are not expected to re-open
Mandate says 2,000 jobs will be lost in its 11 stores across the country in Dublin, Newbridge in Co Kildare, Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork and Waterford.
They had been closed temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company says its Irish operations had trading challenges which were exacerbated by the impact of Covid-19.
A liquidator is to be appointed to the Irish operations in the coming days.
General Secretary of Mandate Trade Union, John Douglas says the decision to close it stores here will lead to significant job losses.
Debenhams’ 142 stores across the UK are also currently closed, while the majority of its 22,000 workers are being paid under the government’s furlough scheme.
It’s understood the company is making preparations to resume trading its stores once the government restrictions are lifted.
For more on this story, tune in to Galway Bay fm on the hour…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – 28 more people have died after contracting Covid-19 with the death toll now standing at 263.
500 new cases have also been detected in the past 24 hours – the largest number in a single day since the outbreak began.
The total number of positive tests in the Republic is now 6,574.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A Galway TD is calling for clarification on the financial packages that will be offered to student nurses.
Independent Deputy Catherine Connolly says it’s imperative that the Government clarifies its position in relation to students that have been recalled for hospital placements.
She has also raised concerns about the steps that are being taken to protect these students if the contract COVID-19.
It comes as the Dail has reinstated parliamentary questions, related to the coronavirus emergency, on a partial basis.
Deputy Connolly says she has been contacted by a number of concerned student nurses.
To hear more, tune into Galway Bay fm news…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Crime Prevention Officer for Galway, Sergeant Mick Walsh says there has been a small number of instances where motorists in Galway were asked to return home by Gardaí.
It’s since the Gardaí established thousands of checkpoints across the country on Wednesday to ensure that only those who are making essential journeys are on the roads.
Sergeant Mick Walsh says those in Galway who were asked to return home were found to be travelling to holiday homes, beauty spots or places to exercise outside 2 kilometres of their homes.
Sergeant Walsh says the Garda checkpoints will continue throughout the Easter weekend.
To hear more from Sergeant Walsh, tune in to FYI Galway on Galway Bay fm at 5…
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Restrictions to control the spread of the coronavirus have been extended for another three weeks.
They were due to end on Sunday night, but will now expire after the May Bank Holiday weekend on May 5th.
Announcing the decision the Taoiseach said the scarifies to date were making a difference and the spread of the virus had slowed.
However, Leo Varadkar says we cannot be complacent and lose focus.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Leaving Cert exams are being postponed until the last week of July or early August.
The Junior cert exams have been cancelled, with students set to take school based tests early in the new school year.
All schools will remain closed until further notice.
Education Minister Joe McHugh says they will issue a new timetable for Leaving Cert in early June.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Minister says the sacrifices made by people over the past couple of weeks are working and are helping to slow the spread of the virus.
Simon Harris says the data shows that the country is flattening the curve.
There are 6,574 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland and 263 deaths.
134 confirmed cases are in County Galway.
Globally, there are now 1.6 million confirmed cases of Covid 19, and 97,000 deaths.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Government says it will try make people’s tax liability under the wage subsidy scheme clearer in the coming weeks.
It’s after it came to light that people being paid through the scheme are not being taxed at source.
Instead they will likely be faced with a Revenue bill at the end of the tax year.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says people won’t pay more tax than they normally would.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that restrictions to control the spread of the coronavirus have been extended for another three weeks. See the full transcript of his speech below:
Throughout our history, Good Friday has had a special meaning. It’s a day associated with suffering, and sacrifice, and sorrow. And also with new beginnings. The promise of rebirth and renewal and better days to come.
It’s also the day an agreement was signed in Belfast to bring peace to our island ending the troubles in the North.
During the worst year of those Troubles the poet Seamus Heaney spoke about what was happening and predicted that ‘if we winter this one out, we can summer anywhere’.
I know these words have provided inspiration to many Irish people as we deal with this Emergency. They remind us that we are in this together, we can get through it, and better days will come.
Thank you for your forbearance and for the sacrifices you have made so far.
I know many people are feeling frustrated, and I know the fine weather makes it even harder. We want to be outside, we want to be with friends and family, and we want to feel like we can go anywhere. We want to be free.
I know it is difficult, but every sacrifice we make is helping to save someone’s life. It’s making sure that our health service isn’t overwhelmed. It’s making things a little easier for those working on the frontline and all those backing them up whether its support staff, administrators, or partners at home.
Because most people have heeded the advice of the experts we have been able to interrupt the spread of the virus. We have been able to shelter our most vulnerable and protect them.
Your sacrifices are making a difference. We have slowed the spread of the virus but unfortunately we have not stopped it. We all know people who are suffering or grieving at this time. Too many have died and more sadly will die and get sick before we are through this.
Today’s message is that we cannot be complacent and we cannot lose focus. What we are doing is difficult, but it is making a difference, so we have to keep going.
We need to persevere and we need to maintain our discipline and resolve.
The restrictions we introduced two weeks ago were set to expire on Sunday. Today the expert recommendation is to extend them for a further three weeks, until Tuesday May 5th.
The Government has accepted this recommendation.
I know many of you would like to know when things will go back to normal and life will be as it was. We are working towards that time and we are planning carefully so that we get there safely.
The truth is, nobody knows for certain when that will be or how our lives will be different when that comes.
All we can do is take one day at a time. To think of others. And to choose hope and solidarity over self-interest and fear.
Your sacrifice will save lives. What is an inconvenience for some will be a lifesaver for others. So I am calling on everyone to do what is being asked of them.
To be tolerant and compassionate, and to think about each other before we think about ourselves.
Nothing greater will be asked of any of us.
In one of his best collections of poems, Heaney celebrated the human chain of help that can bring about an almost miraculous recovery.
As Heaney wrote, we were ‘all the more together for having had to turn and walk away’. In the days ahead we must continue to turn and walk away from each other and from doing the things we would like to do. But we will be all the more together for having done so.
Stay strong, stay safe and stay at home.
Thank you.
Galway Bay fm newsroom – President Michael D Higgins has sent an Easter message to the Irish at home and abroad calling for solidarity, vigilance and tenacity during these difficult times.
In it, he says the Irish community abroad, which extends to some 75 million, is a community united by its roots to Ireland, but also by shared values that our Irishness embodies.
In keeping with the Easter message of hope, the President encourages Irish people to place a light in their window tomorrow, the Saturday before Easter Sunday, a time so important in the symbolism of our Irish Independence.
President Higgins says that although the days ahead may continue to be difficult, what a memory it will be, and legacy too, when the virus has passed to know that Ireland gave its best by co-operating and working with the measures suggested for the good of all:
