Galway Bay fm - News

Salthill one of 5 locations chosen for Protect Our Dunes family fun days

Grattan Beach in Salthill has been chosen as one of five locations nationwide for the Protect Our Dunes roadshow.
The campaign, led by the Climate Action Regional Office, will see free family fun days taking place on five beaches across the northwest.
The Galway roadshow event will take place on Grattan Beach this Saturday from 10AM-1PM.
Regional Coordinator for Atlantic Seaboard North, Tom McDonnell, describes what people can enjoy on the day: 

Patrick Greene, Director of Services at Galway City Council, explains how these results will help the council going forward:

Leo McKittrick is Scientific Officer at the EPA and he urges people to take part in the project:

Galway/Roscommon TD criticises ’chaotic’ school transport saga

Galway/Roscommon TD Michael Fitzmaurice is full of criticism for the school transport situation, claiming it's in chaos yet again.
Education Minister Norma Foley recently confirmed over 83,000 tickets had been issued to students for the upcoming school year. 
The school transport scheme saw a surge in demand last year when the Government decided not to charge for school bus places due to the cost of living crisis. 
Earlier this year fees for school transport were reintroduced. 
But local Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice says he's been inundated with calls from parents whose children have been refused a place: 

€282 thousand for flood defense works in city and county

€282 thousand in funding has been allocated for flood relief works in the city and county. 
The largest allocation of €164 thousand from the OPW will support works at Sruffaunacashlaun Stream and Distillery in the heart of the city. 
Meanwhile, €54 thousand will provide for the development on an under road floof relief pipe at Moneen, Tuam to protect local homes. 
A further €45 thousand will fund a hydrological study of the Clarin River to determine how to best prevent flooding in Athenry town centre. 
And €20 thousand will see the upgrade of flood relief pipes and the construction of a retaining pond to address flooding at Dunmore Golf Club. 
Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon says these are all very important projects. 

Students warned over scams as hunt for accommodation intensifies

With the new academic year almost upon us, the Students Union at University of Galway is urging caution when booking accommodation. 
Due to the unrelenting pressure of the housing crisis, many students are struggling to find a place to live. 
In particular, they're being advised to be aware of rental scams, which are becoming more prevalent and sophisticated in nature. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, international student Bradley Walden said he's aware of many students who have fallen victim to fraud. 
And he himself spent several months living in a hostel when he first arrived in Galway. 

Senator Craughwell claims army providing weapons training to Ukraine has opened can of worms

Local Senator Gerard Craughwell says the Government has opened a can of worms after it was revealed the army is to provide weapons training to Ukraine.
The Irish Times has reported Irish personnel are earmarked to provide instruction in basic weapons skills and military tactics.
Salthill-native Senator Craughwell is calling on the Government to be more transparent when it comes to issues like this.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Senator Craughwell says the Government has compromised the State with the decision:

Galway remains under the third highest warning of Status Yellow for wind and rain until 3 tomorrow morning

Galway VFI Chair warns rural pubs approaching a ”cliff edge”

Government policy on alcohol is crippling rural pubs and pushing them towards a "cliff edge" - but the leaders of this country continue to turn a blind eye. 
That's according to the Galway VFI Chair and Dunmore publican Joe Sheridan. 
It comes as publicans nationwide warn of a tipping point, with the recent increase in the price of a pint and the imminent return of VAT rates to 13.5 percent. 
Speaking to John Morley, Joe Sheridan argued tax and excise on alcohol in Ireland is far too extreme compared to the rest of Europe. 

University of Galway lecturer selected as Aontú candidate for Galway City Central

Pádraig Lenihan has been selected by Aontú as its candidate for Galway City Central in next year's local elections.
Pádraig, who has lived in Newcastle with his family since 1990, is a retired Army Captain
He's now a history lecturer in the University of Galway.
He served on the board of management of Scoil Iognáid and is a member of the local residents' association
He believes local authorities can do more about issues like health, housing and public safety.
Padraig Lenihan explains why he decided to take the leap into politics: