Galway Bay fm - News

News on method statements to allow the commencement of works on the N59 welcomed by Connemara Councillor

News that there is now broad agreement between Galway County Council and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on method statements to allow the commencement of works on the N59 between Oughterard and Bunnakill has been welcomed by Fianna Fail Councillor Gerry King.
Due to EU Habitat Directives, work on this 10km stretch of road has been stalled for over a year and once agreement is formally reached as is believed to be near the case, it could be of major benefit to motorists heading to Galway and further from Clifden and Connemara.
Speaking this afternoon, Councillor King welcomed this news adding that he will continue to press towards the complete upgrade of the N59 from Galway to Clifden.

Concerns over "languishing" major relief road project in Ballinasloe

Concerns are being raised over the "languishing" nature of a project to build a major relief road in Ballinasloe.
Funds were allocated in 2014 - but essentially nothing has happened since.
At a meeting at County Hall, Councillor Evelyn Parsons was disappointed to see no funding for the project in the 2024 roads programme.
However, a commitment was given by engineers that they will hold a meeting to discuss getting the ball rolling.
Councillor Parsons has been speaking to David Nevin.
 

Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign to host city rally tomorrow

The Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign is to host a rally in the city tomorrow to mark Palestinian Land Day. 
The march will begin at Spanish Arch at 2pm, and make its way to Eyre Square. 
Palestinian speakers will address the event, including a Doctor who will highlight attacks by Israel on the healthcare system. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, organiser Áine ní Threinir says Land Day is a very important day in the Palestinian calendar. 

Dexter cows to spend extra month in Ballyloughane as biodiversity project proves fruitful

The grazing of Dexter cows in Ballyloughane in Renmore is to be extended - as their presence has shown strong results. 
They're part of a initiative to see if they can boost local biodiversity. 
Because the small and hardy cattle are selective in their grazing, they’re considered effective in encouraging native plants and wildflowers to flourish.
In turn, that should attract more pollinators and wildlife - like birds, bees, butterflies, frogs, hedgehogs, and various insects.
David Nevin has been speaking to Paula Kearney of Galway City Council about the promising results so far. 

Galway Sexual Violence Services to get €400,000 funding boost

Galway's Sexual Violence Services are to get a funding boost of 400 thousand euro
Galway Rape Crisis Centre and COPE Galway are to share the additional funding in order to increase service provision. 
Galway Rape Crisis Centre will use the additional 270 thousand euro for additional posts to cater for adolescent and LGBTI counselling as well as an extended outreach service to 5 day delivery. 
COPE Galway is to receive an additional 133 thusand euro to provide much needed outreach services in rural Galway, Clifden and the Islands
Minister and Galway West TD Hildegarde Naughton says domestic and sexual violence is no respecter of boundaries - so it's important that the services are wide-reaching

Oranmore Primary Care Centre could be back to square one after five years of development

It looks like a long-stalled Primary Care Centre in Oranmore could be back to square one - after five years of development. 
The centre was earmarked for a site beside Lidl, at the entrance to the Clochog estate. 
The project came to an abrupt halt in 2022 after the chosen developer said the original commercial deal offered to the HSE was no longer viable given market conditions.
A meeting of the Health Forum West this week heard a formal letter with deadlines will be issued to the developer after Easter. 
But it seems that is highly unlikely to prove fruitful - and that would mean the project is essentially back to the drawing board. 
Councillor Carroll told David Nevin the whole situation is a farce. 

Step forward for establishment of sports hub in Ballinasloe

There has been a step forward in plans to establishment a new sports hub in Ballinasloe. 
At the AGM of Galway Sports Partnership this week, it was confirmed that funding has been ringfenced for the project. 
It would not be a new physical building - but a virtual hub with a dedicated staff member to oversee co-ordination between various clubs and organisations. 
Councillor Evelyn Parsons says it's coming at a very opportune time. 

Portiuncula Hospital and Community Healthcare West launch ‘passport’ initiative for dementia patients

Portiuncula Hospital and Community Healthcare West have launched a new communication passport for people living with dementia.
It's designed to reduce communication barriers and enhance the overall experience for people with dementia who use both hospital and community services. 
The aim of the passport is to help those who are unable to effectively disclose information about themselves.
Assistant Director of Nursing Paula Noone says the hope is that it'll reduce stress and distress for dementia patients. 

Prayer service in Moycullen church for Bowden family

A prayer service has been held in Moycullen church for the Bowden family 
47-year-old Una Bowden, and her children 14 year-old Ciara and 9-year-old Saoirse from Gortachalla died in a road crash near Claremorris on Tuesday afternoon
Local people gathered at the Church of the Immaculate Conception last night with Ciara and Saoirse's classmates among the congregation
Ciara was a student at Salerno Secondary School while Saoirse was in third class at Scoil Naomh Bríde in Tullykyne
Tributes and heartbreak were expressed in the comments in the Book of Condolence open at the entrance to the church
The family is very involved in sport and among the many statements is one from Oughterard Rugby 
It stated "Our thoughts and prayers are with dad and husband David, their extended family, friends, teammates and neighbours of the Bowden family"
David works abroad where he was informed of the tragedy before making the journey home
Local basketball club Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn posted a tribute online as Ciara had been selected for the Galway Area girls under-14 team.
Saoirse played with the Under 9s at Corrib Basketball Club, where her mother Una was club secretary last year
In a statement the club said their heart breaking loss has left us all profoundly saddened and shocked.
Adrian Devane knew Una and the girls well, and says all the necessary supports for the community are being put in place today 

Plea for Galway motorists to report accidents so funding can be secured for blackspots

There are many dangerous blackspots across the road network in Galway that funding cannot be secured to fix - because many accidents aren't being reported. 
That's according to Councillor Declan Geraghty, who's used a meeting of Galway County Council to issue a plea to motorists. 
The issue is that in order for Galway County Council to secure funding for safety works, a blackspot must exist on paper and be supported by statistics. 
But if motorists are having minor accidents on the likes of slippy surfaces or sharp bends and failing to report them, the local authority has far less power to take action. 
David Nevin has been speaking to Councillor Geraghty.