This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Proposals to use several acres of public land in Shantalla to build a heliport for UHG were discussed at City Hall last night.

There was no decisions made, or votes taken last night, but councillors were keen to have their voices heard.

A demonstration was also held outside the doors of City Hall calling for meaningful consultation.

[The plans under consideration would see 3 acres of land transferred to the HSE to accommodate the construction of the heliport.

Locals though, aren’t just upset at the loss of so much of their green space – they’re particularly disappointed over an alleged total lack of consultation or engagement.

Most councillors agree – Councillor Mike Cubbard said there’s an issue of confidence and trust, and residents need to be heard and offered some alternatives.

Councillor John McDonagh said between the heliport and the BusConnects project, the majority of the green space would be taken away.

But for others, while there’s universal acknowledgement that better engagement is needed, there has to be a balance struck as well.

Councillor Shane Forde said his own father died at 50 because he couldn’t be transported to UHG in time.

He cautioned that whatever decision is made, it should be based solely on what’s best for the people of Galway over the coming years

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

A Galway-based group is leading a case which alleges Airbnb is profiting from illegal Israeli settlements.

It’s set to be heard next month, and will be the first ever case raising alleged complicity in war crimes in an Irish court.

Global Legal Action Network, which has a base at the University of Galway, has joined with The Ireland-Palestine Alliance and Sadaka on the case.

This action forms part of a wider, transatlantic legal challenge, which claims Airbnb is complicit in Israeli war crimes because it lists properties to rent in illegal settlements in Palestine.

It’s targeting the company’s headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa in Dublin, a subsidiary in the UK, and its parent company in the US.

The Irish element of the case stems from a complaint made to Gardaí in 2023, alleging Airbnb is money laundering profits from war crimes.

The case is due to be heard in the High Court on July 7th, while the Occupied Territories Bill is due to be sent to the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee later this month.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

An investigation is underway after a man was seriously injured by a falling tree at Merlin Woods.

A meeting at City Hall this week heard that the man didn’t get medical treatment as fast as he could have.

That’s because the gates to the popular woods at Merlin Lane were locked, and it seems no-one could figure out who had the key.

Fine Gael Councillor Shane Forde raised the issue

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

A meeting at City Hall last night heard that some local TD’s are “not wearing the Galway jersey”.

It’s as a range of issues were discussed – including a lack of funding from central Government for Galway City Council.

Councillors highlighted how it’s classified as a Tier 5 local authority – which is the lowest possible funding tier.

And Councillor Shane Forde said some of the local TDs in Galway West are seemingly not interested in helping.

Photo Credit – Seanin Ryan

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Thieves are targetting work vans for tools in Galway city

Gardaí are investigating two incidents in a two day period

A work van parked on the old Dublin Road in the city in Renmore, near Galwegians, was broken into between 11am and 2pm last Wednesday

The tools taken included a Milwaukee charger, a Milwaukee tool box, an 18V angle grinder and a Magnusson tool bag with tools

The next day tools were taken from a work van parked at the Black Box Carpark

The items taken include an SDS drill red in colour and a Hilti screw gun also red in colour

Gardaí would like to speak to anyone who may have any information in relation to these incidents or who may have been offered any of these stolen items

Galway Gardaí may be contacted on 091- 53 8000, that’s a Galway number 53 8000

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

City Councillors have united against plans to increase social housing rents for the first time in six years.

Under proposals from council management, rents would increase by half of one percent each year over the next six years.

But a key sticking point is the blanket removal of discounts for children, pensioners and those with disabilities.

At a meeting at City Hall last night, management also pointed out that social housing rents are up to eight times lower than private market rents.

Ultimately, councillors have no real power on this issue – and a lengthy debate last night will merely be something for management to reflect on.

Councillor Mike Cubbard says the removal of the discounts for the most vulnerable is one of the worst proposals he’s ever seen.

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

There are calls for a full audit of traffic lights sequences across the city.

Councillor Alan Cheevers says he’s concerned about long delays at key junctions.

He believes some poorly sequenced lights are causing unnecessary congestion and frustration for all motorists.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Cheevers says this is a short term measure while Galway waits for other services:

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

A demonstration has taken place outside City Hall this afternoon over the potential transfer of three acres of Shantalla Park to the HSE for a permanent helipad.

The Shantalla Residents Association says this would amount to giving away half of the community’s only green space without any consultation.

Approximately 20 people protested with posters, banners and a giant replica snake ahead of the 3pm meeting of Galway City Council with councillors passing by as they entered the building

The item is on today’s agenda and councillors will discuss the situation this evening if the issue is reached.

Speaking to our reporter David Nevin Shantalla Residents Association chairperson Nuala McCarthy outlined their main concerns

This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM

Four Galway academics have signed an open letter urging the government to suspend trade with Israel

Declan Coogan and Su-Ming Khoo from University of Galway and Marie Finnegan and Brian O’Boyle of ATU are among 160 signatories from 11 universities and key policy sectors

The letter says the suspension must continue until a permanent ceasefire is established in Gaza and humanitarian aid is allowed to flow freely.

The signatories describe Israel’s ongoing military campaign as a “well-televised genocide” and say Ireland can no longer remain complicit through continued economic ties.

The letter is being formally delivered to government leaders, and the text of it is below:

Text of Open Letter

As academics and experts in business and the social sciences, we are appalled by the unfolding horrors in Gaza, and have come together to recommend more urgent action by the Irish government. The response of Israel to the terrible Hamas attack on October 7th, 2023 is by now a well-televised genocide, and more targeted action by the Irish government is required.

We recommend an immediate halt to trade with Israel until a permanent ceasefire is established together with open access to humanitarian aid. This is not simply a symbolic action; data from Trading Economics show that Ireland is a significant destination for exports from Israel. An immediate cessation of this trade will have impact, and is one way Ireland can take further action towards ending the suffering in Gaza.

A strategic pause to this trade will have short-term economic consequences in Ireland. However, it is morally repugnant to enrich ourselves as a country by turning a blind eye to well-documented suffering in Gaza. We cannot in all humanity fail to take the actions that are open to us and so we, the undersigned, call on the Irish government:

(a) to put in place an immediate pause to trade with Israel pending a permanent ceasefire and aid delivery in accordance with international humanitarian principles; and

(b) to pursue every avenue open to them to expand this action to the EU as a whole.