Galway Bay fm newsroom – Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Galway hospitals have dropped below 100 for the first time in three weeks.

There are 88 Coronavirus patients being treated in the city and county today – with 83 at UHG and five at Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe.

That’s the lowest figure since January 9th when there were 86 patients being treated in Galway’s two main COVID-19 hospitals.

Of the 88 COVID-19 patients in the city and county today, 20 are in ICU – with 16 at UHG and four at Portiuncula Hospital.

Nationally, 1,727 people with the virus are receiving treatment at Irish hospitals today.

It’s the lowest number of patients on wards since January 12th.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Storm water diversion works are due to begin in Clifden in the next week.

The flood protection works are set to commence following engagement with the county Director of Services Jim Cullen.

It’s understood an appropriate assessment has been carried out to allow the works to proceed.

The project aims to reduce the flow of water towards the Low Road in the town.

It comes as Clifden was hit by severe flooding in September when the Owenglen river overtopped.

Senator Sean Kyne says the larger CFRAM project for Clifden is also being progressed by the Office of Public Works and will examine the flooding in Clifden Glen and the main river channel within the town.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Concerns are being raised over the issue of repeat illegal dumping at the River Suck Callows, a special area of conservation in Ballinasloe.

Deputy Claire Kerrane says she first reported the issue to the NPWS last September after it became a regular occurrence.

At that time, she says, the NPWS carried out an inspection and identified flytipped household and other waste.

However, Sinn Fein Deputy Kerrane argues the current deterrents are far too weak – even in the unlikely event the perpetrator is identified.

She’s raised the issue following fresh illegal dumping in Ballinasloe over the weekend.

Deputy Kerrane believes the fines for those caught illegally disposing of waste must be significantly increased to start.