that Hiqa’s prior monitoring work against national standards has consistently highlighted.” Naas General Hospital was non-compliant for three stan- dards: governance arrange- ments to deliver safe and ef- fective infection control; the provision of a safe and clean environment that minimises the risk of transmission of in- fections; and having a system in place to manage and control infection outbreaks in a timely and e ective manner. Five other hospitals that were inspected were non-compliant in relation to one of the ve stan- dards: Mayo University Hos- pital, South Tipperary General Hospital, Wexford General Hos- pital, Tallaght University Hos- pital and University Hospital Kerry. University Hospital Waterford recorded no non-compliances with the standards. Of 18 inspections carried out in and rehabilitation commu- nity inpatient services, only one – Belmullet Community Hospital in Co Mayo – was non- compliant in relation to one of the standards. Meanwhile, ve counties have rates in excess of 500 in the past fortnight as they continue to struggle with the Delta surge. Donegal remains the hardest hit county nationwide with around 1,300 cases reported over a two week period. From July 27 until last Sunday, August 8, the 14-day incidence rate in Donegal was 816. e second worst is Mayo with a rate of 645.2, followed by Monaghan with a rate of 643 en come Louth (607.5) and Galway (572).

Up, up and away... Aer Lingus 20% flash sale takes off

A FLASH sale of up to 20% o European travel for those planning a late summer getaway has been launched by Are Lingus. For those yet to book their summer escape, it’s time to grab a deal with great fares on rm favourites such as Barcelona, Lisbon, Nice, Paris and many more. Valid for travel up until October 20, those waiting to book their rst escape of 2021 can take advantage of up to 20% o fares.

Sun-seekers can enjoy a beach break to popular sun destinations including Faro, Malaga and Palma. Island-hoppers can explore in the Greek Islands of Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini, while city-slickers can wander the streets of Barcelona and Berlin or take in the sights of Paris and Lisbon.

Since travel restrictions lifted last month, Aer Lingus has been delighted to welcome more customers back on board and facilitate safe travel.

Aer Lingus also continues to o er great booking exibility and allows customers to change their ights up to two hours before they are due to depart with no change fee*. e Aer Lingus ‘Book with Con dence’ o er is available on all fare types allowing exibility should plans change. e ash o er is live until midnight on August 9 and valid for travel until October 20. Book now at www.aerlingus. com.

An Taisce will appeal court ruling over Glanbia plant

AN Taisce is to appeal the Supreme Court decision by Mr Justice Humphreys dismissing its challenge to An Bord Pleanála’s granting planning permission for the Belview cheese production plant.

A spokesperson told e Kilkenny Observer: “Our concerns are increasingly underpinned by a series of reports from the Environmental Protection Agency and other authorities indicating the impacts of intensive agriculture on water and air quality and the increasing greenhouse gas emissions from that sector.

“It is our conviction that the original judgment raised points of law that are of exceptional public importance and which require to be appealed in the public interest.” e spokesperson said the judgment also created a precedent in law that diluted a number of important prior decisions that served to ensure rigorous assessment of the environmental impacts of proposed developments at the planning stage.

An Taisce has considered this step carefully and reiterates that it is keenly aware of the widespread concerns within the farming community and elsewhere about the wellbeing of farmers who have invested heavily in this sector and the consequences for them if it does not continue to expand as proposed in various Government and industry plans.

However, the implications of such expansion for the health of our essential ecosystems and the consequences for Irish rural communities are enormous and irreversible. It would thus be irresponsible of us not to seek the support of the highest court in the land to advocate for the interests of a sustainable future for nature.

“In doing so, we are availing of the entitlement of all citizens and entities in the State to the full capacity of the judicial system, an entitlement that should never be set aside for the convenience of commerce or politics or to appease sectoral interests,” the spokesperson said.

In a statement, Glanbia Ireland said it was committed to bringing their proposed cheese processing plant in south Kilkenny to fruition, despite con rmation of An Taisce’s appeal.

Meanwhile, the company delivered a performance ahead of expectations in the rst half of 2021 as strong revenue growth and margin improvements delivered adjusted earnings per share (“EPS”) growth of 85% on a constant currency basis (up 70.2% reported).

Community spirit leaves plenty of room for play in Thomastown

THE grand opening of fantastic recreational space in the centre of Thomastown is all down to the partnership approach between the local community and Kilkenny County Council.

The amenity recently opened by Heather Humphreys, TD., Minister for Justice, Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands and the Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr. Fidelis Doherty, has been very well received by the community.

The outdoor multipurpose amenity is beside the centre of the town and is now a hub of activity with teenagers, children and adults having a space where they can congregate outdoors, play tennis, basketball or badminton or just relax and have a coffee in this rejuvenated outdoor space. The space was developed by Kilkenny County Council in partnership with a recently established group of local volunteers called the TCRAG (Thomastown Community Recreational Area Group) and the Thomas-town Community Centre. This state-of-the-art amenity secured €100,000 under the 2020 Town & Village Renewal Scheme to enhance the previously derelict amenity area behind the Community Centre. Kilkenny County Council delivered the Project and also contributed funding towards the facility with Kilkenny Leader Partnership. The works completed included resurfacing of the existing run-down basketball and tennis courts, the enhancement of the open spaces including tidying up the site, removing old fencing, landscaping and the building of an amphitheatre/seated area.

Other works include adding LED lighting over the courts and adding an outdoor accessible shelter with seating and picnic benches. Chairman of the Callan/ Thomastown Municipal District Cllr Michael Doyle said: “This outstanding amenity located beside the town’s playground on the Community Centre’s site now caters for children, teenagers, adults and the elderly. A huge congratulations to all involved in delivering this great project in Thomastown.”

* Picture is Minister Humphreys at play with local children in the new amenity

Confirmation set for September

SAD and disappointed was how Fr Dan Carroll of St John’s Parish in Kilkenny City described the fact that children were unable to celebrate the Sacrament of Con rmation while in primary school but he was “looking forward to taking that step with you in a very unique way in early September”. Bishop Denis Nulty said he would celebrate the sacrament with children from city parishes in Nowlan Park at a special ceremony at 6.30pm on September 9, if Government advice allows. “I think this is going to be important, the young people have done huge preparation. It’s a great moment in faith and I think it will be a very safe and memorable celebration because Nowlan Park is a large place so it’s very easy to keep people in their pods, in their safe units. Everything will be compliant with health and safety guidelines,” said Bishop Nulty.

Flood relief scheme seeks planning ok

THE long-awaited prevention project for a county Kilkenny town ravaged by oods has moved another step forward. e Graiguenamanagh-Tinnahinch Flood Relief Scheme has made its way to the national planning authority, An Bord Pleanála looking for permission to begin the project. e €9 million ood relief scheme will come as a great relief to residents in Graiguenamanagh who su ered terribly in the aftermath of the damage caused by Storm Deirdre. e scheme will see ood prevention works built in both the Duiske and the Barrow Rivers, with enhancements to the public realm, if given the go ahead. e project, a joint undertaking by Kilkenny County Council and Carlow County Council, is part of a €1bn national fund announced by the Government for ood relief schemes throughout the Country in 2018.

Last year the O ce of Public Works, along with Kilkenny County Council signed a contract with Byrne Looby Partners to develop the scheme for Graiguenamanagh and Tinnahinch in county Carlow.

ere are ve further schemes to be progressed in county Kilkenny in the coming years, the Ballyhale Scheme, the Piltown scheme, the Inistioge scheme, the omastown scheme and the Freshford scheme.

A decision on whether the project can progress is due from An Bord Pleanála early next year.