Tag Archives: Gort

The possibility of a large scale biogas facility being built in Gort has resurfaced, according to the Gort Biogas Concerns Group. According to the local group, the proposed developers of the facility, Sustainable Bioenergy Limited, are considering requesting a remittal of a decision made by the High Court earlier this year. That decision saw an Bord Pleanála concede to a legal case brought by the Gort Biogas Concerns against planning permission being granted for the facility. If the remittal is granted, it will see an Bord Pleanála appoint another inspector to reassess plans for the facility. The Gort Biogas Concerns Group have raised concerns over the possibility of an explosion at the proposed facility, should it be struck by lightning. The group sites a case from October of last year when lightning struck a biogas plant in Oxfordshire in England, which resulted in an explosion and fire at the site. The strike in England caused three of the four biogas …

Gardaí in Gort are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 84-year-old Teresa Tannian, who has been missing from Gort, County Galway since May 25, 2024. Teresa is described as approximately 5’2″ in height, of slim build, with short white hair. She was last seen at approximately 7 pm on Saturday evening at her home in Killina, and her family is anxious to make contact with her. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gort Garda Station at 091 636407, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Gardaí are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 56 year old PJ Reilly who was last seen in Gort, County Galway, on Friday, April 26. PJ is described as being approximately 5 foot 6 inches in height with a medium build, red/grey hair and blue eyes. Gardaí and PJ’s family are concerned for his welfare. Anyone with any information on PJ’s whereabouts is asked to contact Gort Garda Station on 091 636 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

A MAN in his twenties has been killed in a road crash in South Galway after the quad bike he was driving collided with a tractor. Emergency services were called to the scene of the fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Sunday at approximately 1.15pm on the R353 in Derrybrien, Gort. The driver of the quad bike was fatally injured as a result of this collision. His body was removed from the scene to University Hospital Galway for a post-mortem examination. No other injuries were reported following this collision. The R353 (Gort to Portumna road) was closed to traffic following the incident and local diversions put in place. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the vicinity of Gort, Loughrea and Derrybrien this afternoon, between 12.15pm and 1.15pm, are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí. “Anyone …

Gort Cancer Support Group will host the Vicky Phelan Campaign and Portrait Tour in Gort, in conjunction with the Lady Gregory Hotel, next week. The triptych portrait, painted by the renowned Irish artist, Vincent Devine, was inspired by Vicky Phelan’s incredible courage. Measuring an impressive 150 x 300 cms, Vicky Phelan’s life is conveyed as the past, present and future with the backdrop of Doonbeg beach in West Clare, which she described as her favourite place on earth. Vincent’s aim was to convey the tragedies and the joys in Vicky’s life, through symbolism in the anatomy of her body and different objects. The portrait was purchased at a charity auction by Vicky’s lifelong friend and fellow Kilkenny native, David Brennan. The two grew up together and their families share a close bond. David wanted to ensure the painting remained close to Vicky’s family and friends. Vicky was a prominent women’s health advocate prior to her death from cervical cancer in …

A UNIQUE exhibition of photographs by a Ukrainian Woman living in a Gort is being launched this coming Sunday, March 26 in The Hidden Gem Café in Bridge Street.  ‘Gort Night Shadows’ is an exhibition of photographs of the town and its surroundings at night, accompanied by poetry about Ireland through the eyes of Polina Bashkina who arrived in Gort in March 2022 after fleeing the war in Ukraine.  The exhibition runs up to the end of April and all funds raised will be donated to Ukrainian Animal Charities. “I started learning to draw,” Polina said. “And I ran out of black paint first. No wonder: even being far away, you are attuned to the colour scheme of your country – to the darkness that is trying to absorb the light of my Ukraine. However, in Ireland, I discovered that black could be poetic.” Polina is a writer from Ukraine who temporarily lives in Gort due to the war in her country. In November 2021, Polina’s book …

MORE than €80,000 has been raised as part of efforts to launch a judicial challenge to the granting of planning permission for a biogas plant in Gort.  Opposition group, Gort Biogas Concern, confirmed earlier this month that legal representation has been secured to initiate the court challenge. The group said it is determined to overturn An Bord Pleanála’s decision to allow the controversial project, in the wake of its rejection by Galway County Council. The Concern Group has also revived its awareness-raising walking campaign which invites people to walk the town’s scenic ‘Golden Mile’ every Sunday to learn more about the project and the strength of local opposition.  A statement from the Concern Group confirmed this week that €82,000 has been raised to-date “in order to protect Gort and South Galway from a catastrophic biogas development”. “From far and near people have donated €82,000 in less than two weeks after the public meeting on January 4,” the statement said. “Contributions …

A MAN who threw dried cow dung at two TDs attending a public meeting in Gort last week has refused to apologise.  The meeting took place at O’Sullivan’s Hotel in Gort on January 4 to air public views on the recent grant of planning permission for a biogas plant close to the town centre. The gathering of around 400 people launched a fundraising campaign to mount a legal challenge. Since the meeting, more than €60,000 has been raised and legal representation secured.  The throwing of dung at Junior Minister Anne Rabbitte and Deputy Ciaran Cannon generated national headlines over the course of the last week, and a Garda investigation is underway. The incident prompted the reissuing of safety guidelines to Oireachtas members and a national debate about the security of public representatives. Farmer Joe Baldwin declined to speak to The Champion but told RTÉ’s Liveline he did not believe he had anything to apologise for. He denied any intention to …