Galway Bay FM News Archives
City parking meters are modified to thwart thieves
Date Published: 26-May-2011
By Dara Bradley
Many of the city’s parking meters have been modified to counteract a scam by a gang of thieves that had ‘rigged’ the machines to steal motorists’ parking payments.
A gang had targeted several of Galway City Council parking meters in recent months – the machines were fitted or rigged with certain devices that allowed the gang to collect coinage.
Certain types of parking machines were particularly susceptible to having the rigging device installed.
Once the gang’s devices were installed, the money that was inserted into the slot by motorists became ‘trapped’ rather than falling into the machines’ collection box.
The machines didn’t print tickets and it looked to customers as if they were broken and their money was stuck or lost. The gang would then return later to collect the money.
The devices were fairly sophisticated but a spokesperson for Galway City Council said that measures were put in place recently to prevent the scam from occurring again on the machines that were susceptible to being rigged.
Not every machine is the same model and therefore not every parking meter was targeted or affected. The Council said it was not possible to establish how much revenue was lost as a result of this gang’s activities.
Read more in today’s 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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