Galway Bay FM News Archives
Official figures mask real scale of suicide crisis
Date Published: 20-Apr-2011
A suicide support group has claimed that official statistics for suicide in the county ARE well short of the reality – and that the stress of our economic downturn has meant that the past few months have been their busiest since they were set up almost a decade ago.
Paul Kelly, CEO and founder of Console, said that the current recession is taking its toll on people and that some people are on the verge of suicide.
Console, which offers support to people traumatised by suicide recently opened a helpline to people having suicidal thoughts.
Mr Kelly said that in recent months calls to this helpline had increased by 13%; many of the callers were people affected by the recession.
“Just this morning I took a call from a woman whose house was being possessed. Many of the people calling us are being affected one way or the other by the economic crisis.
“And it is not just anecdotal. The statistics show that suicide rates have increased in this country.”
Figures given to a meeting of the HSE West Regional Forum last week showed that suicide rates in Galway was below the national average with10.3 in every 100,000 deaths recorded as suicide in 2007.
But Mr Kelly said that these figures were old and that Central Statistic Office figures showed suicide had increased since then.
See full story in this week’s Connacht 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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Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
