THIEVES have stooped to a new low over recent weeks in Galway city – stealing plants and shrubs from a public garden set up to remember organ donors and to help support their families.

The Circle of Life Garden in Quincentennial Park, Salthill, was developed in 2014, and has since attracted thousands of visitors – many of them remembering loved ones in a tranquil setting.

However, the garden – established by the Strange Boat Donor Foundation – has, over recent weeks, been the target of systematic thefts of plants and shrubs.

“It is with regret that the Charity now reports the recent systematic theft of newly planted shrubs and plants, some of which were planted by members of the organ donation community in memory of loved ones.

“Apart from the expense in buying and replacing plants and shrubs, this theft is so disheartening and demoralising, particularly for the many local volunteers who give of their time each week to maintain the garden and who lovingly care for its many features,” the Foundation said in a statement issued this week.

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A Galway grandmother who – in addition to her own six children and six grandchildren – has also cared 60 youngsters over 35 years was among dozens of foster carers honoured for their commitment and generosity at City Hall last week.

Deirdre Burke, from Milltown, is one of those is long-serving foster carers in the county, caring, with her husband Michael, for 60 children and young people – from four days old up to 17.

“It’s mainly girls we’ve fostered, so there are lots of girly things. The house looks like a florist sometimes with all the cards and flowers,” laughs Deirdre.

Indeed, given that she also supports people in aftercare, that upper age limit even stretches beyond 17.

“I was pregnant with my fifth child when I was first approved [to foster]. We started off with pre-adoption babies, who would come for a few days and then go for adoption,” she says.

“I loved the whole idea of taking a child into your home and making a difference.”

For a lot of people, the thought of bonding with a baby and then having to hand it back would probably make them think twice about fostering.

“It was difficult initially,” concedes Deirdre.

“I had to accept that they’re not my own and that I won’t be keeping them forever. I can just love them while I have them. At the end of the day, it’s all about the child, so you have to get over it.”

Deirdre and Michael were among dozens of foster carers honoured at an event hosted by the Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Clodagh Higgins, paying tribute to those who have given more than 20 years of their lives to help children and young people.

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A major multinational employer supported by IDA Ireland has closed its European headquarters in Galway City – ending hopes of creating 200 high-skilled jobs.

Poly has confirmed to the Connacht Tribune that it has closed its offices at Crown Square in Mervue.

The communications software and hardware provider announced a new research and development base at Crown Square in September 2021. Recruitment commenced immediately.

It had plans to create more than 200 high-skilled jobs over five years and embarked on a further recruitment campaign in May 2022.

But a spokesperson confirmed it has shut its Galway base, and moved to Dublin, after it was subsumed by another company.

A spokesperson said: “Poly is now legally a part of the HP organisation and Poly employees, who were employed by Poly in Ireland, have joined HP’s trading entity in Ireland (HP Technology Ireland Limited).

“The Poly Galway office at Crown Square in Mervue is now closed. The focus of our operations continues to be located at HP Ireland’s main office in Dublin, where HP and Poly continue to build on synergy and collaboration.”

Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.