Galway Advertiser 2008/GA_2008_04_17/GA_1704_E1_012.pdf 

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12 N E W S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

April 17 2008

Mobile motorists and Can Buddhism `amber-gamblers' on solve global warming? the increase
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Motorists are still continuing to hold and use their mobile phones while driving in spite of legislation introduced to ban the practice, Judge Mary Fahy commented in court this week after hearing evidence of how numerous drivers were detected in and around the city busily using their phones. Eleven motorists were summonsed before Galway District Court for the offence and all received convictions and fines. Offenders who took the time to appear in court and apologise for their behaviour fared better and Judge Fahy left their fines at 80 - which is the standard fixed charge fine for anyone caught using their phone while driving. However, those who were too busy to come to court or just ignored the summons were penalised by the imposition of 150 fines. One female motorist who was texting while driving along the busy Tuam Road, on the outskirts of the city on July 27 last year, received a 160 fine. Three other motorists were convicted of running red lights, prompting Judge Fahy to comment that more and more people were taking chances and driving through lights just as they were changing to red. The vital and provocative issue of global warming will be addressed from a Buddhist perspective at a public talk in NUI, Galway next week. The seminar, entitled Global Warming: Science, Solutions and the Human Spirit, will take place in the Cairnes Theatre, NUIG concourse, on Wednesday April 23 at 8pm. The evening will begin with a presentation summarising the latest climate science and renewable energy solutions by Dr John Stanley, director of the Ecological Buddhism project. The project was established as an educational resource for the international Buddhist community to address issues surrounding global warming. Dr Stanley is a former research group leader at the UK Health Protection Agency and member of the New York Academy of Sciences. Tibetan Buddhism teacher Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will also speak at the event, discussing the spiritual aspects of global warming for humanity. The questions he will pose include: What are the inner causes and conditions that have led to this critical juncture for humanity? What is the appropriate spiritual and psychological response to these threatening external phenomena? Since 1990 Mr Rinpoche has been travelling and teaching Buddhism and meditation at more than 50 universities, institutes, and Buddhist centres in Europe, US, Canada, Australia, and Asia. For more information go to www.ecobuddhism.org or email angela.savage@nuigalway.ie

Music table quiz for brain injury support
A charity table quiz which will take place in Salthill next week will raise funds for the Galway Head Injury Support Group. The event, which has been organised in conjunction with the Evening Cruise on Galway Bay FM, will give contestants the chance to test their knowledge of rock and pop music from the `80s and `90s while raising money for a good cause. The table quiz will take place in the Salthill Hotel on Tuesday April 22 from 7.30pm. Participation is 40 for a table of four and a range of great spot prizes will be available during the night.

Tuam man's heroin was for personal use
A Tuam man who pleaded guilty last week to having cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply, pleaded not guilty to a similar charge relating to the possession of heroin for sale or supply. Brendan Mannion pleaded not guilty to a charge of having heroin for sale or supply to others, contrary to previous reports, when he appeared before Galway Circuit Criminal Court last week. Judge Raymond Groarke deferred sentencing in the case to May 9 to allow for the preparation of a probation report.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, a scholar of Tibetan Buddhism, will speak at NUIG next week.

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