Galway Bay fm - News

Galway based Senator calls for investment in West's Cancer Strategy

Galway City Council preparing upgrades plan for St Nicholas Market

Galway City Council is in the initial stages of preparing a plan for significant upgrades to St.Nicholas Market.
The plan would include a blueprint to redevelop Lombard Street, Churchyard Lane and Church Street where the market is held.
Traders have also voiced what they would want to see for an improved market such as new street surfacing and improved electricial connections for street equipment.
Our reporter Caoimhe Killeen has been speaking to Cáit Curran, a trader at St. Nicolas Market about these priorities:

Irish Water communication under fierce scrutiny from Connemara councillors

Pressure is once again being put on Irish Water to improve both communication and services for residents in the Connemara area.
At the first meeting of the new term of councillors for the area, several councillors expressed their dissatisfaction with the company.
Councillor Eileen Mannion has been requesting a meeting with Irish Water for some time, and renewed that call today.
Councillor Mannion told Sarah Slevin that the current relationship with Uisce Eireann isn't up to scratch:

Galway dad calls for mandatory helmets for e-scooters after son badly hurt in accident

A Galway father is calling for helmets to be made mandatory for e-scooter users after his son was badly injured in an accident. 
Tom Lynksey, who lives in Renmore, says his 16 year old made a trip to the local shop, and was initially wearing a helment. 
But after realising he had forgotten something, he travelled back - this time without a helment. 
He was travelling too fast and suffered a "speed wobble" which threw him off. 
He broke his collarbone and elbow, and hit his head, later suffering a seizure in an ambulance. 
Tom told Galway Talks he thought this son was going to die - but the whole ordeal has shown him that helmets are vitally important. 

Galway West TD Mairead Farrell has bill on 'student digs' passed in the Dáil

Galway West TD Mairead Farrell has had her proposed regulation bill on students digs pass through the Daíl.
The bill was discussed last night, was not opposed by Government, and will now go to the Seanad for debate.
It aims to provide protections to student renters - including notice periods for renters and rights to privacy like locks on doors. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, Sinn Fein Deputy Farrell says that the bill will also be beneficial to homeowners.

Galway one of 8 counties selected for focus by the new Placenames Committee

€1.4m for University of Galway to lead research on methane reduction in farming

University of Galway is to receive €1.4m to lead research into how to reduce methane generated from farming.
The project focuses on innovations in beef and dairy farming for feed, manure and slurry along with targeted breeding programmes. Teagasc, the Northern Ireland-based Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation will work alongside teams at the university on the project.
Lecturer, Dr Sinéad Waters, is the Project Lead, and she explains the need for this research.

Calls for review of GAAGO following Galway/Dublin thriller

There are calls for a review of GAAGO following last weekend's Galway-Dublin Gaelic football thriller.
The match was not broadcast on free-to-air TV, and was only accessible on the subscription service.
Minister for Disability and Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte is raising this issue with the Department of Sport and is calling on RTE and the GAA to review the service.
Speaking to John Morley on Galway Talks, Deputy Rabbitte says the paywall is locking people out of what is a pillar of Irish society:

New University of Galway SU President describes Dáil bill on student accommodation as vital protection

Faye Ní Dhomhnaill has officially taken up the role of President of University of Galway Students’ Union.
The Law, English and Performing Arts graduate previously served as Vice President for the Irish language, and takes over the presidency from Dean Kenny.
It comes on the day that a Sinn Féin bill will be debated in the Dáil which is seeking to ban mandatory 51-week leases for student accommodation.
This is something the SU has been campaigning for, and Faye says it's vital the bill passes this evening:

Public meeting to introduce international mental health movement to Connemara

Mental Health Ireland is hosting an event in Clifden later today to introduce the international mental health and wellbeing movement known as Thrive to Connemara
The movement, introduced to Ireland in 2021, promotes positive mental health by supporting communities through engagement and activities
The event will be attended by County Cathaoirleach Councillor Albert Dolan, Galway Rose Deirdre Jennings and members of the award-winning Thrive Balbriggan programme. 
The meeting will be held from 7 to 9 this evening at the Station House Hotel in Clifden and Áine Hurley, Galway's MHI Development Officer explains its focus