Galway Bay fm newsroom – Additional garda resources will be deployed to Ballinasloe this Sunday amid concerns that an alternative horse fair will take place in the town, despite the cancellation of this year’s official event.

The Ballinasloe Fair Co-ordinating group made the decision to officially cancel this year’s event back in July in the interest of public health and safety.

The fair attracts up to 100,000 visitors each year and is the oldest and largest event of its kind in Europe.

Despite the announcement of its cancellation in July, there are now concerns that previous attendees of the festival are still planning to travel to Ballinasloe to trade at an unofficial event.

There are reports that accommodation providers in the area have seen an increase in bookings for this weekend.

Liam Hanrahan who is representing Galway County Council on the Ballinasloe Fair and Festival Co-ordinating Committee says they are requesting people to adhere to the decision that was made to cancel the event.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Department of Health has reported 1,499 new cases of Covid-19.

Latest figures show the country’s 14-day incidence rate is 382,000 per 100,000 people – and it’s highest in Donegal, Monaghan, Louth and Carlow.

300 people are in hospital with the virus – an decrease of 10 in the past 24 hours.

63 people are being treated in ICU – down 3 in the same period.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Same day voting for Galway islands has moved a step closer

It has been a bone of contention for quite some time that the Galway islands have to vote a few days ahead of the rest of the country

Galway West TD Eamon O Cuiv has trail blazed this issue for many years, and is confident same day voting will be in place for the next election

He joins my now on the line to outline the timeline involved with moving the bill for the necessary legislation

Deputy O Cuiv, this campaign to give islanders the same basic rights as everyone else has been going on a long time