A regular forum – now cancelled – which used to provide a platform for questions and answers between the Gardaí, local politicians and members of the community has been dismissed by one veteran Councillor as ineffective in helping to tackle local crime.

The County Galway Joint Policing Committee ceased operations in 2024 ahead of its replacement with a community-based group which will also involve members of the Garda being present as their meetings.

Regret was expressed at a meeting of Ballinasloe Municipal Council that the JPC no longer existed as it provided local elected members and community groups to report incidents of crime.

But Cllr Michael Connolly described the JPC meetings as being ineffective with many issues relating to local crime not being followed up on.

The Moylough councillor said that he had been previously part of the JPC but when he was asked to go on the last committee, he refused to do so as he said that it was not achieving what it was supposed to do.

The function of the County Galway Joint Policing Committee, according to Galway County Council, was to serve as a forum for consultation, discussion and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the rural communities.

The old JPC was made up of 15 local authority elected members, nine representatives from the Gardai, seven members from the community along with three Oireachtas members and two officials from Galway County Council.

“I think the old JPC did not achieve a lot,” stated Cllr Connolly. “I hope that the new committee that is formed will be more effective.

“I was a member of the old JPC and it was rather frustrating. We didn’t achieve a lot despite the members raising several issues of importance when it comes to community policing.

“I was asked to go back on this committee but I refused on the basis that it was not achieving what we expected it to achieve. There were issues raised that were not followed up on.”

The matter was raised by Cllr Declan Geraghty (Ind) who said at the outset that illegal dumping was a major issue, and he even saw a mattress thrown across a ditch on his way from Williamstown to Ballinasloe.

“There are a lot of quare things happening in local communities when it comes to criminal activity and that is why I thought that the JPC had a function – and I regret to see it dispensed with,” said Cllr Geraghty.

“I believe that the JPC served a very important function in that it allowed the members of the public and elected representatives to raise issues when it came to criminality in their area,” added Cllr Geraghty.

According to Galway County Council, further information in relation to Galway County Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) will be provided as soon as possible.

Staff are currently awaiting finalisation of guidance from the National Office for Community Safety.

Pictured: Cllr Michael Connolly.

A Galway doctor has been recognised for her work on a groundbreaking innovation to improve the lives of people with a potentially serious sleep disorder.

Dr Laura Piggott from Gort, who is Specialist Registrar in Respiratory Medicine at St James’s Hospital in Dublin, received a CEO’s Special Award for her project ‘Virtual Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) Identifier Pathway: A Whole New World?’ at the annual HSE Spark Summit in Dublin.

Already succeeding in slashing waiting times for people with the conditions to get the help they need, it was one of 12 innovative solutions to healthcare challenges recognised

The event celebrates the creativity and ingenuity of frontline healthcare professionals, bringing together international experts, policymakers, and local innovators to explore latest advancements in healthcare innovation.

The HSE Spark Award winners show just some of the ways that using existing resources in different ways, can massively improve processes and reduce pressure on healthcare professionals.

Virtual Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) Identifier Pathway: A Whole New World? is a digital programme to identify and manage sleep apnoea, a debilitating respiratory condition in patients.

It has reduced average patient waiting times from three years to five and a half months, with average cost saving per patient of €1,000 to the HSE.

Speaking at the Summit, Dr Piggott said: “It was an honour to represent St James’s Hospital and our Sleep Medicine team at this year’s SPARK Summit, where we were recognised for our Digital Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Identifier Pathway — a solution designed to tackle the unacceptable wait times faced by patients with this common and often debilitating condition.

“From the outset, we’ve prioritised quality of care, patient safety, and user experience. By combining symptom questionnaires with high-quality home sleep tests, patients can now be assessed promptly—without ever needing to leave their homes.

“Through the myPatientSpace app, we’ve already reviewed over 150 patients via video consultation. With traditional sleep clinic waiting times often stretching beyond two years, it’s clear that simply doing things better isn’t enough—we need to do things differently.

“This digital innovation offers a practical approach to faster diagnosis and treatment. We hope to see similar solutions adopted across other clinics and specialties suited to digital care.

“I would encourage anyone with an idea to go and talk to SPARK. None of this would have been possible without their support and encouragement.”

Caitriona Heffernan, HSE Spark Innovation Lead, said: “This unique event showcases the ingenuity of frontline healthcare professionals who, every day, are transforming the way we think, work, and care through innovative solutions.”

Pictured: Dr Laura Piggott, Specialist Registrar in Respiratory Medicine at St. James’s Hospital, and Ciara Gormley, Customer Success Manager at MyPatientSpace, with the ‘Virtual Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) Identifier Pathway: A Whole New World?’ project.

Community leaders in northwest Connemara have launched a five-year roadmap for the area – plotting out a ‘sustainable and inclusive’ future based on feedback from local residents and stakeholders.

Rural development organisation, Connemara West, was hailed as “an example of what can be achieved” through community action by County Cathaoirleach, Cllr Martina Kinane, as she launched its Five-Year Strategic Plan.

Connemara West Chairman, Dr Kevin Heanue, said engagement with the community was key to developing a plan that fully represents the hopes and desires of local people.

“This Strategic Plan is based on clear feedback from the local community, shareholders and stakeholders about the direction Connemara West should follow for the next five years.

“It provides a clear mandate to take action, based on community development principles, to build a sustainable and inclusive future for our community,” said Dr Heanue.

Cllr Kinane paid tribute to the work of Connemara West, which has been an unrelenting advocate for the area since the organisation was established 54 years ago.

Of its work promoting northwest Connemara – driving progress in education, enterprise, social housing, childcare, sports facilities and cultural tourism – Cllr Kinane said Connemara West was “living proof of rural resilience”.

The launch of the strategy, at Letterfrack last Sunday morning, was attended by local representatives, community members, shareholders, and key stakeholders who gathered to celebrate the next chapter in Connemara West’s long-standing legacy of innovation and local development.

The new strategy builds on these foundations, placing a renewed focus on sustainable development, inclusive housing solutions, educational excellence, and the expansion of employment and tourism opportunities across the region.

Following the launch, attendees were given a tour of the Connemara West Centre – the base for Connemara Community Radio, Conservation Letterfrack, Youthreach, ATU Connemara and Tír na nÓg Community Creche.

“These facilities showcase the organisation’s commitment to collaboration, lifelong learning, and providing critical services in the region,” said a spokesperson for Connemara West.

Connemara West also ran a Family Fun Day on the village green following the launch, with bouncy castles, sack races, face painting, penalty shoot-out and a host of other family-friendly activities.

“The event served as a joyful reminder of the strong community bonds that define the area and the sense of shared purpose that underpins Connemara West’s mission,” added the spokesperson.

Pictured: The Board of Directors of Connemara West pictured with Cllr Martina Kinane, Cathaoirleach Galway County Council. Back row, from left, Tony Conneely, Kathleen Aspell-Mortimer, Kerry Ann O’Malley, Paul Heanue and Cllr Gerry King. Front, Jessica Ridge, Paddy Kane, Cathy Keane, Caroline Heanue, Sharon Duane, Cathaoirleach Martina Kinane, Kevin Heanue, Chairperson Connemara West, and Cllr Eileen Mannion.