Galway Advertiser 2008/GA_2008_02_28/GA_2802_E1_006.pdf 

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6 N E W S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

February 28 2008

Watch your house -- Galway company Ward closed wins contract to protect Wembley in Portiuncula
A Galway-based security firm has landed the contract to provide security at the new Wembley Stadium. Sword Event Guard International, which was founded in Galway six years ago, has won a prestigious contract to supply security services to the new 90,000-seater stadium in London in a landmark deal worth 500,000 to the company. The contract to provide security services to the global home of soccer was awarded to Sword after a highly competitive tendering process. Sword, which was founded in 2002 and employs some 700 people in Ireland and the UK, was one of several specialist companies awarded contracts to supply stewarding and security staff to the venue. The award-winning company also has offices in Dublin, Galway, Cork, and Cardiff. "This contract is a milestone for the company which has now established itself as Ireland's leading supplier of security, crowd management, and risk management services to the international marketplace," said Sword managing director Diarmuid Smyth. "We're very proud of the fact that Sword was successful in securing the contract in the re-tendering process against competition from other security companies that had already been in place for a year at Wembley Stadium." Sword was the only non-UK company to be shortlisted and eventually awarded one of the few coveted contracts for services at the stadium. Sword runs its UK operation from an office adjacent to the stadium. The 500,000 contract for Wembley stadium is for one year after which it will be re-issued for tender. The high-profile events for which Sword has provided security include the Galway Racing Festival; MCD events in Slane, Marley Park, and Croke Park; the Oxegen Festival; and the Glastonbury Festival in England. Sword also provides security services for venues such as the Ambassador, the Olympia, the Helix, and the Point Depot in Dublin, and for retail outlets such as Aldi stores nationwide. The company lists the Special Olympics in 2003 and the Ryder Cup in 2006 among its once-off contracts for security services. In the medium term, Sword plans to bid for security services for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 Olympics in London.

due to winter vomiting bug
BY MARY O'CONNOR One ward has been closed to further admissions at Portiuncula Hospital in the wake of a number of suspected cases of gastrointestinal illness (winter vomiting bug formerly known as SRSV) having occurred at the Ballinasloe hospital. People are asked not to visit the hospital unless it is essential, to prevent the spread of infection. A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive West says the ward closure is a precautionary measure and the illness may be due to a viral infection. "An outbreak control committee has been formed and hospital management and staff have put in place measures to reduce in so far as possible risk of the virus spreading to other patients and to other areas/departments within Portiuncula Hospital. "We are requesting the co-operation of the general public in preventing the spread of this infection. Visitors are encouraged not to visit the hospital unless it is essential and where it is essential, visitor numbers should be kept to a minimum. "Visitors who themselves may be unwell or have vomiting or diarrhoea should not visit the hospital. Very young children or those with some other serious illness should avoid visiting the hospital as they may be particularly susceptible to the virus." People are asked to wash their hands thoroughly before leaving the inpatient area or after a visit to the toilet. "Members of the public with symptoms of viral gastroenteritis should not present in the emergency department but should contact their GP."

Wembley Stadium.