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Major national Traveller survey publishes Connacht findings
Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Connacht findings of a major national Traveller survey on issues such as education, health and culture have been published this afternoon.
The survey was carried out by Behaviors and Attitudes Market Research in association with a national committee of Traveller organisations.
Key areas of focus for the study were health, education, identity, accommodation, employment, Traveller culture and relationships with the settled community.
It aimed to analyze not just the attitudes of Travellers to these topics – but also the perception of Travellers by Irish adults.
The findings for Connacht have been published this afternoon.
The study found that across the west/north-west, 90 percent of Travellers have been affected by suicide – considerably higher than the national average.
80 percent also reported experiencing discrimination – and Gardai were identified as the main source of discrimination, followed by bar staff and shop staff.
Meanwhile, almost half of Travellers in the west experienced mental health concerns – a situation that was higher in females and those living in private rented accommodation or shared housing.
63 percent further said they had concerns for their health based on diet and lifestyle factors such as exercise, passive activities and food choices.
Education was another key focus of the national study – and researchers found that just over 60 percent of Travellers in Connacht/Ulster completed their leaving cert, a considerable improvement on the national average.
70 percent of Travellers in the region also felt that their children were supported in school – the highest figure nationwide.
However, Travellers in the west region reported being significantly less concerned with unemployment compared to the national average.
However, 50 percent reported they are working, which is higher than the national average – and the vast majority believe employment is improving for the community in recent years.
The study found that Travellers in Connacht also tend to spend longer periods of time living in the same location compared to the national average – and are less likely to travel around.
Overall, 80 percent of Travellers in the region were satisfied with their lives – while the same number felt the community is adapting its behavior to fit in.
Meanwhile, the study found that just 3 in 10 Irish adults expressed a positive opinion of Travellers – while Travellers and Roma scored lowest in a survey of 12 cultural and ethnic groups.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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