LIVE: Gardai close major Irish road as emergency services attend scene

Shane Walsh limped off after 25 minutes with word still due on how long he will be out of action

Galway and Monaghan are almost neck and neck – one point in it at half time

A Galway music legend and accomplished director has lost his brave fight with a horrible illness with tributes pouring in for a giant of the city’s vibrant cultural scene.

Galway City Jazz Orchestra shared a heartfelt tribute to their musical director Martin Murray after he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer this week.

Martin and his orchestra had been in the midst of a hugely successful fundraiser centred around an amazing night of music at the end of May. Martin and his orchestra raised over €3,000 in an iDonate campaign, which is still open, and another €13,000 in ticket sales for Cancer Care West.

Moycullen GAA was heartbroken as they shared news that Tom Newell had lost his battle with cancer. Tom Newell, of Tooreeny, Moycullen and formerly of Baranna, Annaghdown, Co. Galway, died at home surrounded by his family.

Tom Newell’s sharp hurling brain and leadership made him a natural coach, inspiring generations of hurlers to reach their potential with the Connemara club.

Cumann Iománaíochta Mhaigh Cuilinn/Moycullen Hurling Club led the tributes to Tom. They paid their heartfelt respects to Tom as they acknowledged the irreplaceable clubman’s contribution to the sport in the area.

Moycullen Hurling Club wrote a touching message: “On behalf of us all in Cumann Iománaíochta Mhaigh Cuilinn we would like to extend deepest sympathy to the Newell family on the sad passing of Tom.

“Tom did fantastic work underage for many years and his children and grandchildren have a very active role in the club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam uasal.”

Huge haul in a multi-agency operation sees one arrested

The hot weather spell promised to arrive over the weekend may not break as nicely as first thought. Models had shown a brief return to sunny, summery weather due to begin sometime this weekend, however this may not be the case according to other experts.

Weather models run over the next week or so seem to be developing extremes with the heat plume seemingly less stable that first thought. This will result in some stormy and thundery weather in some parts.

James Peacock wrote to X: “ECMWF on the other hand… This model seems to have an affinity for extreme scenarios lately. The low stalls to the W of the UK then slowly sinks southward while an unstable heat plume is drawn northward across all but the far SW of the UK. Hot for some, thundery for some. Wild!”

A Garda spokesperson told Galway Beo: “Gardaí and Emergency Services are at the scene of a two0vehicle road traffic collision on the N6 this morning at approximately 11.30am. No injuries have been reported at this time. One person has been arrested and taken to a local Garda Station.”

Weather experts have highlighted the date that Ireland will finally get a blast of heat as a pressure system begins making its way towards the country.

Meteorologists have stated that while temperatures will continue to rise until they reach the mid to high 20 degrees range next week, things could come crashing back to normal afterwards.

In other news, an online fundraiser has been launched for a brave Galway woman who has ‘had to fight most of her life’ and is in the midst of yet another battle.

Gillian, known as Gill to her friends, was the youngest person in Europe to receive a pacemaker at the age of 7 along with a mitral valve replacement. Subsequently, she had her first stroke at 13 which took the use of her left side.

She suffered another stroke in her 40s, endured several heart surgeries, epilepsy and has just been diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer.

The fundraiser is available here.

Many hours after the crash and traffic flow along the inbound lanes is still at a crawl

The Galway team to take on Monaghan in this weekend’s pre-lim All Ireland quarter-final has been named. Read more here.

A multi-million euro housing estate could be on the way for a fast-expanding town in Galway after plans were submitted to the council. Full story here.

An Atlantic blocking event is set to cut short the forecasted heatwave that’s set to arrive early next week.

The weather next week is being described as divided by one expert with the warm weather looking like it won’t last past Thursday. Read more here.

One man aged in his 70s was seriously injured as a result of this incident. He was the sole driver in the single vehicle collision. He has since been transported to Sligo University Hospital.

Sligo County Council has shared the diversion routes motorists should use while access to the town is reduced until this afternoon.

If you saw anything or have any information, you’re asked to contact Sligo Garda Station on 071 915 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Pearse Road area of Sligo town between 8pm and 8:15pm on Thursday 20th June 2024 are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

There are currently road closures in place along the Pearse Road and Mail Coach Road in Sligo town and local diversions are in place this morning (Friday 21st June 2024).

“The driver and sole occupant of the only car involved, a man in his 70s, was taken to Sligo University Hospital in a serious condition.”

The Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating a serious single-vehicle road traffic collision involving a car that occurred at approximately 8:10pm on Thursday 20th June 2024 on the Pearse Road in Sligo town, Co. Sligo.”