Galway Bay FM News Archives
Army’s role in Galway set to come under attack
Date Published: 30-Jun-2011
By Dara Bradley
Plans to downgrade the Army barracks in Renmore are ‘back on the table’ as the new Minister for Defence is considering an old proposal to disband the country’s only Irish speaking battalion.
In February, this newspaper revealed that a proposal to disband the Army’s only Irish speaking battalion, An Céad Cath, was under consideration by the previous government, which would have resulted in a reduction in personnel from 234 to 69 at Dún Uí Mhaoiliosa.
But there was uproar over the plan to redeploy the soldiers to Athlone and the previous Minister for Defence, Galway West Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, in one of his last acts before leaving government in March, gave a direction – which was agreed at Cabinet – to the Department of Defence that a full-strength Irish speaking battalion should be retained in any reconfiguration of the Defence Forces.
Ó Cuív’s eleventh hour decision effectively secured the future of Renmore barracks, but the concerns about An Chéad Chath and Renmore Barracks have resurfaced again after Defence Minister Alan Shatter this week rescinded the order made by his predecessor.
In a written reply to Deputy Ó Cuív, who asked if his direction still stood, Minister Shatter said all options are under consideration to find savings and cut costs in the Defence budget.
And Deputy Ó Cuív told the Galway City Tribune yesterday that not only has the Minister not ruled out the downgrading of Renmore Barracks, but the indications coming from well-placed military sources and from within the department are that the Government would “now be proceeding to implement the proposal to reduce personnel from 234 to 69”.
Deputy Ó Cuív said if it is implemented, the decision would, in time, effectively lead to the closure of Renmore Barracks.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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