Galway Bay FM News Archives
Energy salesman signed up woman with mental age of child
Date Published: 19-May-2011
By Darragh McDonagh
Home energy supplier Airtricity has been forced to conduct a review of its sales practices after one of its employees enticed a Galway woman with an intellectual disability to sign up for the electricity provider’s services.
The woman’s family were outraged when they discovered that a door-to-door salesman representing the company had called to her home in Salthill while she was alone and got her to sign a contract with the electricity supplier that she did not understand.
She did not inform her family about the visit from the salesman and, as a result, they only became aware of what had happened when a bill arrived from Airtricity some two months later. The company was immediately contacted about the matter.
“The salesman cannot have been unaware of her condition,” said a spokesperson for the family. “It is instantly apparent from both her speech and her appearance that she is not mentally competent, and to have taken advantage of that fact is just despicable.
“She has the mental age of a child and has an intellectual disability that renders her legally incompetent, meaning that she cannot enter into binding contracts like the one she was enticed to sign by the representative of Airtricity,” he said.
After it was contacted, Airtricity issued an apology and waived the energy charges that had accrued since the incident. It also arranged for the account to be returned to the previous electricity supplier.
“As a result, we have conducted a full review of our sales processes to ensure that our sales procedures remain fair and responsible at all times and that the protection of vulnerable customers continues to be at the heart of our procedures.”
Local councillor Padraig Conneely, who was contacted in relation to the incident, described the conduct of the sales representative as “shameful and predatory” and said that it had reflected badly on the company.
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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