Galway Bay FM News Archives
CITY PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED FOR 18 MONTHS
Date Published: 08-Mar-2013
A 35 year old city man has been sentenced to eighteen months in prison for sexually assaulting two of his neighbour’s children over a three-year period.
The man, described by a psychologist as a "regressive paedophile", cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the victims who were his next-door neighbours’ children.
The father of four had initially denied three charges of sexually assaulting one of the girls at two different locations on various dates between 1st of June, 2007 and 31st December, 2008.
He had also denied the sexual assault of the second girl, who is not related to the first victim, on October 3, 2009 at a third city location.
Moments before his trial was due to begin before a jury at Galway Circuit Criminal Court on May 22 last year the man pleaded guilty to two of the charges, in respect of each girl, and admitted the facts in the remaining two.
Reports handed into court stated he still posed a risk to children and was classed as a "regressed paedophile".
Defence barrister, John O’Donnell said the man had lost his job as a result of the offences and he had written a letter to the judge stating he would not reoffend and wanted to get on with his life.
Justice Groarke sentenced the man to eighteen months in prison for the first offence and to nine months in prison for the second offence, both sentences to run concurrently.
Even though the plea was extremely late, the judge said he was suspending the final six months of the sentence for two years.
The accused is already registered as a sex offender.
Leave to appeal the sentence was refused.
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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