Met Eireann issues a severe weather warning for Ireland
Wednesday 28th 2011 @ 11:25 AMParts of Connacht and Ulster will be worst affected with flooding likely along coastal counties. Gusts of wind up to 140km Hr.
Met Eireann has issued a severe weather warning for today and tomorrow with winds expected to reach up to 140 kilometres per hour in places. Motorists are being advised to watch out for fallen debris and trees on roads.The stormy weather throughout today means pedestrians need to take extra care and wear high visibility fluorescent clothing.Noel Brett from The Road Safety Authority said: “We’ve had an appalling 48 hours on Irish roads, so really just double the appeal to people to take responsibility for the way in which they use the road.“If they are out there as a pedestrian, to make sure they are visible, to use footpaths where they are provided, to walk facing oncoming traffic.“And if out socialising late at night and into the early hours of the morning, to make sure they have a safe way home, wheather its by taxi or hackney or designated driver.”Gay Byrne says: Fewer gardai on Ireland’s roads means more dead bodies
Speed Kills 
THE word is getting out on our roads that garda enforcement is not what it used to be. So far this year, the Garda Traffic Corps has had its numbers cut from 1,250 to around 900.Some of its motorbikes are beyond even repair, as there is simply no money to fix or replace them. The life of a motorbike in An Garda Siochana is about 300,000 miles and it is just too expensive to repair them.But in any event, there is no money to replace them either. Ditto for the patrol cars. The word will get out among the motoring public that enforcement is not there.Certainly, the GoSafe safety cameras are doing a great job and will keep speeding enforcement to a certain level.However, the general view is that overall enforcement is down and the bad behaviour is starting to return.The garda budget has been vastly reduced and a great part of the resources were spent on the queen’s visit and that of US President Barack Obama.As soon as the word gets around the country that the enforcement level has dropped, the bad behaviour will start almost immediately.The two lines on the graph cross very quickly. It is known that enforcement is down because of the inability of An Garda Siochana to pay overtime, expenses, mileage and subsistence. Therefore the bad behaviour has started again, which is a pity.The garda complaint would be that the force was promised additional resources to cover the costs of the queen’s visit and that of President Obama and that has not been forthcoming. It has been held back.That is a concern to us at the moment. It is a concern to the Garda Commissioner, the Traffic corps and every member of An Garda Siochana.The drop in enforcement does not only apply to road traffic; it applies right across the board.That is my major concern. The good news is that road deaths are down on last year, with indications that the total for 2011 will be at below 200 deaths. That will be a major watershed, especially when you consider that we have gone from being 27th in Europe to the sixth-best in terms of road safety.To their credit, I think most drivers have tried to do better in relation to slowing down, drink driving, wearing their seat belts and not using their mobile phones while driving.The Road Safety Authority deserves some credit for this and a big thanks is due to our chief executive, Noel Brett, and his entire team for the almost fanatical zeal that they bring to the job of improving road safety. The RSA is alone among the state offices, in that you can call it any time and you will be answered in seven seconds and can then talk to a real person.Our current road-safety strategy runs out in 2012 and we are in the process of drawing up another one that will run to 2020.So what are the big challenges? I believe nothing has been getting through to young male drivers aged 17 to 24.Hopefully, we will see the fruits of the recently introduced compulsory basic training in two to three years’ time, but not before then.The introduction of the ‘R’ restricted driving plate for two years after passing the test will also have an impact.There will be serious restrictions. Effectively, any amount of alcohol will put a newly qualified driver over the limit and we plan to introduce extra penalty points for those caught speeding on an ‘R’ plate.Drugs are also a major issue now, both in the UK and here, along with drink driving. So the moves to introduce the roadside test are welcome.The big problem with young drivers is that you can advise them or even beg them and they’ll nod their heads and agree with you.But when they get behind that wheel, something happens. I’m told that the frontal lobe of the brain in males develops more slowly than in females.They are delusional when they are driving and they just go mad.The latest figures I have from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents includes a terrible statistic; young fellows with three passengers are 84pc more likely to have a fatal crash than if they were driving on their own.And this is because, as night follows day, one of the passengers will say: “Okay, Mick, this is a performance car, so let’s see how she performs.”Three minutes later down the road, they are all dead after the car has ploughed into a tree or a wall.Not wearing seat belts is still an issue. I’m aware of 18 people who died in car crashes this year who did not have them on.Of those, seven were catapulted out through the windscreen and there is every reason to believe that they would have been saved had they been wearing their seatbelts.When we go around to the various roadshows and events around the country, we bring a roll-over car.We strap young people in and the car rolls over very slowly. Nobody has ever got out of that car saying: “Gee, I’d love to do that again.”It is an extremely unpleasant experience. We show them what happens to mannequins in a crash at normal speed, when the mannequins end up wedged under the steering wheel.They are always extremely chastened. I’ve signed up for another term as chairman of the RSA and I’m looking forward to the challenge.The country is bankrupt, but we still have to find ways to invest in road safety, no matter what.
Speed Kills
THE word is getting out on our roads that garda enforcement is not what it used to be. So far this year, the Garda Traffic Corps has had its numbers cut from 1,250 to around 900.
Some of its motorbikes are beyond even repair, as there is simply no money to fix or replace them. The life of a motorbike in An Garda Siochana is about 300,000 miles and it is just too expensive to repair them.
But in any event, there is no money to replace them either. Ditto for the patrol cars. The word will get out among the motoring public that enforcement is not there.
Certainly, the GoSafe safety cameras are doing a great job and will keep speeding enforcement to a certain level.
However, the general view is that overall enforcement is down and the bad behaviour is starting to return.
The garda budget has been vastly reduced and a great part of the resources were spent on the queen’s visit and that of US President Barack Obama.
As soon as the word gets around the country that the enforcement level has dropped, the bad behaviour will start almost immediately.
The two lines on the graph cross very quickly. It is known that enforcement is down because of the inability of An Garda Siochana to pay overtime, expenses, mileage and subsistence. Therefore the bad behaviour has started again, which is a pity.
The garda complaint would be that the force was promised additional resources to cover the costs of the queen’s visit and that of President Obama and that has not been forthcoming. It has been held back.
That is a concern to us at the moment. It is a concern to the Garda Commissioner, the Traffic corps and every member of An Garda Siochana.
The drop in enforcement does not only apply to road traffic; it applies right across the board.
That is my major concern. The good news is that road deaths are down on last year, with indications that the total for 2011 will be at below 200 deaths. That will be a major watershed, especially when you consider that we have gone from being 27th in Europe to the sixth-best in terms of road safety.
To their credit, I think most drivers have tried to do better in relation to slowing down, drink driving, wearing their seat belts and not using their mobile phones while driving.
The Road Safety Authority deserves some credit for this and a big thanks is due to our chief executive, Noel Brett, and his entire team for the almost fanatical zeal that they bring to the job of improving road safety. The RSA is alone among the state offices, in that you can call it any time and you will be answered in seven seconds and can then talk to a real person.
Our current road-safety strategy runs out in 2012 and we are in the process of drawing up another one that will run to 2020.
So what are the big challenges? I believe nothing has been getting through to young male drivers aged 17 to 24.
Hopefully, we will see the fruits of the recently introduced compulsory basic training in two to three years’ time, but not before then.
The introduction of the ‘R’ restricted driving plate for two years after passing the test will also have an impact.
There will be serious restrictions. Effectively, any amount of alcohol will put a newly qualified driver over the limit and we plan to introduce extra penalty points for those caught speeding on an ‘R’ plate.
Drugs are also a major issue now, both in the UK and here, along with drink driving. So the moves to introduce the roadside test are welcome.
The big problem with young drivers is that you can advise them or even beg them and they’ll nod their heads and agree with you.
But when they get behind that wheel, something happens. I’m told that the frontal lobe of the brain in males develops more slowly than in females.
They are delusional when they are driving and they just go mad.
The latest figures I have from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents includes a terrible statistic; young fellows with three passengers are 84pc more likely to have a fatal crash than if they were driving on their own.
And this is because, as night follows day, one of the passengers will say: “Okay, Mick, this is a performance car, so let’s see how she performs.”
Three minutes later down the road, they are all dead after the car has ploughed into a tree or a wall.
Not wearing seat belts is still an issue. I’m aware of 18 people who died in car crashes this year who did not have them on.
Of those, seven were catapulted out through the windscreen and there is every reason to believe that they would have been saved had they been wearing their seatbelts.
When we go around to the various roadshows and events around the country, we bring a roll-over car.
We strap young people in and the car rolls over very slowly. Nobody has ever got out of that car saying: “Gee, I’d love to do that again.”
It is an extremely unpleasant experience. We show them what happens to mannequins in a crash at normal speed, when the mannequins end up wedged under the steering wheel.
They are always extremely chastened. I’ve signed up for another term as chairman of the RSA and I’m looking forward to the challenge.
The country is bankrupt, but we still have to find ways to invest in road safety, no matter what.
Eirgrid Electricity to invest €240m in 1st phase Mayo regional project
STATE AGENCY Eirgrid has appointed Tobin Consulting Engineers to lead a consortium to work on the first phase of a €240 million development project in the west of Ireland.
Eirgrid has appointed Tobin, PR agency Drury and URS Scott Wilson to provide engineering, environmental, planning and communications services for the development of the electricity grid in the west region – a project dubbed “Grid West”.
Eirgrid is an independent entity that manages the national grid, the network that transmits electricity from power plants to the distribution system.
It is planning a €3.2 billion redevelopment of the grid between now and 2025.
The Grid West project is part of this and will see €240 million invested in the network in Mayo and surrounding counties.
The work will involve strengthening existing infrastructure in the west. One of the main aims of the exercise is to underpin the region’s ability to attract investment that will lead to the creation of new jobs.
Eirgrid intends to seek planning permission for the redevelopment of the grid in the west in 2015.
The contract that it has awarded to the Tobin-led consortium will lay the groundwork for this.
Tobin Consulting Engineers has offices in Galway, Dublin and Castlebar. The firm has managed some of the largest engineering projects in Ireland.
Recently, it worked on national grid reinforcement projects in Cork, Kerry and the midlands.
Along with that, it has worked on a wide range of general infrastructure and construction projects for the public and private sectors.
URS Scott Wilson is a local subsidiary of San Francisco-based multinational engineering and infrastructure group URS.
It has offices in Belfast, Cork, Derry and Dublin. Worldwide, it has particular experience in electricity transmission systems.
Drury is one of the biggest public relations consultancies in the country. Its clients include public companies such as building materials group CRH and bookmaker Paddy Power.
Eirgrid said that the firm will support the implementation of its comprehensive public consultative process.
The State agency awarded the contract after a public tendering process.
Coronary stenting: how does it work?
Price Philip’s Artery stent by-pass has created more awareness of the procedure
The “coronary stenting” procedure undergone by the Duke of Edinburgh is a treatment to unblock an artery which supplies the heart with blood.
In most cases the procedure improves blood flow through the artery
The technique, a type of procedure known as angioplasty, is used to treat coronary heart disease or angina where the blockage or narrowing of arteries prevents enough blood from reaching the heart and risks damaging the muscle.
The technique, a type of procedure known as angioplasty, is used to treat coronary heart disease or angina where the blockage or narrowing of arteries prevents enough blood from reaching the heart and risks damaging the muscle.
A thin tube known as a catheter is passed into an artery in the patient’s arm or their groin under local anaesthetic, and pushed through until it reaches the problematic section.
At this point, a tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated with air, clearing any blockage and returning the artery to the correct width to allow blood to flow freely again.
At this point, a tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated with air, clearing any blockage and returning the artery to the correct width to allow blood to flow freely again.
As the balloon inflates a small stainless steel mesh tube fitted around it, known as a stent, also widens until it reaches the same size.
After the stent is in place, the balloon is let down and the catheter is removed but the stent remains in place like a scaffold, holding the blood vessel open and preventing it from narrowing again.
After the stent is in place, the balloon is let down and the catheter is removed but the stent remains in place like a scaffold, holding the blood vessel open and preventing it from narrowing again.
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In most cases the procedure improves blood flow through the artery, but in some cases the stent can become narrowed over time and limit the blood flow – a condition known as restenosis.
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In most cases the procedure improves blood flow through the artery, but in some cases the stent can become narrowed over time and limit the blood flow – a condition known as restenosis.
The risks of the treatment grow with age as the arteries get thicker, and in 90-year-old patients like Prince Philip there is the risk the catheter may not be able to pass through the artery, or the balloon may not be able to force it open.
There is also a slight risk of patients having a heart attack or stroke, particularly if they are not in good health to begin with, and in about one in 1,000 cases the treatment totally blocks the artery resulting in urgent bypass surgery.
Following the procedure, patients are usually allowed to return home on the same or the following day, but those who have the procedure as an emergency usually stay for longer.
Doctors advise that patients avoid any strenuous activity for at least a week, and prescribe blood thinning drugs to lower the risk of clots forming around the stent.
There is also a slight risk of patients having a heart attack or stroke, particularly if they are not in good health to begin with, and in about one in 1,000 cases the treatment totally blocks the artery resulting in urgent bypass surgery.
Following the procedure, patients are usually allowed to return home on the same or the following day, but those who have the procedure as an emergency usually stay for longer.
Doctors advise that patients avoid any strenuous activity for at least a week, and prescribe blood thinning drugs to lower the risk of clots forming around the stent.
Donegal Woman €2m lotto winner collected her loot “A nice Xmas box”
The lucky winner of Wednesday’s €2m Lotto jackpot , who wishes to remain anonymous, collected her cheque on Thursday afternoon.
Her €4 Quick Pick ticket, bought Wednesday at Donegal Town Post Office, brought her an early Christmas bonanza.
She said she was thrilled with her win. “I play the Lotto every week. I’ve always hoped to win big but to be honest you never expect it will happen to you. I checked the ticket on Aertel this morning with my family and was left speechless. I must’ve looked over it ten or twelve times. I couldn’t believe my
“It still hasn’t sunk in yet, as I only checked my ticket a few hours ago. I plan to take some time over the Christmas period to think about the win.”
Donegal Town Postmistress Mary Harley said she was “absolutely delighted for whoever won” and admitted she “hadn’t a clue” who it was.
She added: “It’s a nice time of year to get a bit of money like that. I’m sure whoever won deserves the money. It’s great for them!” Since the National Lottery began, 109 Lotto jackpot/Lotto Plus top prize winning tickets have been sold in Donegal.
Earlier this month, 77-year-old Kathleen McLaughlin from Redcastle won a lotto jackpot of just over €2.6m.
She said last Thursday: “We’ve no special Christmas plans this year. It will just be ourselves, no difference.” The Lotto money was “put away safe” and, apart from buying a few special Christmas pressies, she’d no plans yet for spending any of it. “I might have a think about that in the New Year,” she laughed.
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