Pat McGrath

Melbourne, Tasmania

Journalist at ABC News (Australia)

Investigative reporter @abcnews, views my own [email protected]

Articles

Shannon Airport expecting 100k passenger rise this winter

3 days ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Shannon Airport is expecting to increase passenger numbers through the facility by 100,000 this winter, as a result of a new investment by Ryanair. The airline plans to add a number of new routes from the Co. Clare airport, as well as offering increased frequency on several other services. It says it will invest €87 million in an expansion of services from Shannon this winter. The company plans to base a fourth aircraft there, increasing flight frequency and allowing for enhanced flexibility.
Two dead after fire at Co Galway home

4 days ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Two people have died following a house fire in Conamara this morning. Emergency services were alerted to the fire at a property near Casla, shortly after 6am. It is understood the deceased were the only occupants of the house at the time the blaze broke out. Three units of the County Galway Fire Service were dispatched to the scene, with personnel from Galway city and An Cheathrú Rua involved in bringing the situation under control.
Galway City Council prepared to lease former €8m cinema

1 week ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Galway City Council says it is prepared to give a free, long-term lease on a former cinema, which cost over €8 million to build. The Pálás cinema closed in February, after the operators cited mounting financial losses. The three-screen facility is owned by the Council. It is now seeking expressions of interest from parties who wish to avail of the infrastructure. The local authority says it will provide the property, without charge, on a long-term lease to one operator.
Galway City Council prepared to lease former €8m cinema

1 week ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Galway City Council has said it is prepared to give a free, long-term lease on a former cinema, which cost over €8 million to build. The Pálás cinema closed in February, after the operators cited mounting financial losses. The three-screen facility is owned by the council. It is now seeking expressions of interest from parties who wish to avail of the infrastructure. The local authority said it will provide the property, without charge, on a long-term lease to one operator.
Woman, 59, pleads guilty to child cruelty

1 week ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

A 59-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to child cruelty in connection with sexual abuse, which was perpetrated by her partner on their daughter, over a 13-year period. She entered the plea to two breaches of the 1908 Children Act at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. The offences took place at a house in the west in 1995 and 2000.
New arts inclusion project opens at Co Galway theatre

1 week ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

A new arts inclusion project for adults with intellectual disabilities has been launched in Galway. It is giving actors from the Blue Teapot Theatre company the chance to enhance their skills and broaden their opportunities. Students from the company's Performing Arts School are taking part in a "workability programme" at the nearby Druid Theatre.
HSE chief 'shocked' by details of internal CHI report

1 week ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive has said he will refer any evidence of misuse of public funds to gardaí. Bernard Gloster was responding to a report in today's Sunday Times which suggested an internal investigation, by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), had found a consultant breached guidelines by referring public patients to private consultations, paid for by the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Marine heatwave occuring in Irish waters, scientists say

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Scientists from the Marine Institute have confirmed the occurrence of what is known as a marine heatwave in Irish waters, as a result of higher temperatures in recent weeks. The phenomenon is defined when temperature values exceed the 90th percentile of the mean, for five or more days in a row. Data gathered by the Marine Institute in recent days confirms that criterion has been met. However, forecasted winds over the coming week are expected to dissipate the warmer water with cooler levels below.
Council approves 'crucial' Conamara restoration project

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

Galway County Council has approved plans by Coillte to carry out a peatland restoration project in Conamara. Coillte said the Derryclare peatland restoration project forms part of a wider initiative, which aims to restore over 2,000 hectares of blanket bog and wet heath along the western seaboard. It applied for permission to fell and remove over 340 hectares of existing plantations, in order to allow for the restoration of peatland and to undertake a replanting programme.
Conamara hotel no longer being considered for IPAS use

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Pat McGrath

The Department of Justice has said that it is no longer considering to use a hotel in Conamara to house international protection applicants. A protest took place outside the Carna Bay Hotel earlier this year, after it emerged that the accommodation facility had been offered to the State as a potential IPAS centre.