Galway Bay fm - Galway Talks - with John Morley

There is a great saying in Galway that people love to discuss two things; the weather and traffic! This week was no different. Traffic in the city needs to eventually make its way through to a destination and/or park. That is where the conversation went to this week. Parking has had its problems in recent months in the city. While a number of people have moved to the city council's parking app, many more want cash and card option at parking machines. That option has became less readily available and there are talks of removing the machines altogether due to the ongoing legal challenge halting proceedings.  We got the thoughts of some of the people on the street in Galway City, many of whom want the option of cash and card payments on the street. Others argued that pragmatic decisions are needed. Perhaps a return of disc parking as part of the mix in the city? We also lost a great former colleague and friend this week here at Galway Bay FM with the sad passing of Ken Kelly. He was remembered as a diligent and tenacious journalist, calm colleague and great friend.  Perhaps most importantly he was a proud Ballinasloe man and revelled at positive developments in the area over a number of decades. He will be sadly missed. Our Head of News Bernadette Prendergast and former newsroom colleague Tom Gilmore paid a heartfelt tribute to Ken. Litter in the city came to the fore again this week. A big clean-up operation was done on the waterways and canals in the heart of town. Lots of bottles, cans and general waste came up to the surface and was properly disposed of. It struck up a conversation as to whether or not we are managing litter in the city to the best of our ability. However, there seems to be no end in sight to the issue of oats and porridge being scattered across town. This is despite assurances the issue was being resolved by the relevant authorities. The refuse is leading to serious health and safety concerns, whether that be in the form of vermin or seagulls. We were out and about for Community Matters on Friday in the beautiful village of Cornamona. We will be back on Galway Talks on Monday from 9am, where our Galway Great is PJ Duggan!

 Today on Community Matters: Cornamona-  9am-10am We’ll hear locals favourite stories of Cornamona throughout the years   Current affairs with Tony Coyne and Aisling Breathnach  Peadar Joyce talks us through his memories of the area   10am-11am We’ll hear about a charity cycle taking place   Local organisations   11am-12am Jam packed sport section   Live music   Tom Doc O’Sullivan and Mike O’ Keane help us round off the show  

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley  9am-10am  Further livestock worrying in Oranmore after sheep killed in Renville   New University of Galway president joins us in studio   Galway Charity Shop Calls on Public to Celebrate Life With No Limits  10am-11am Calls for Government to clarify if will push through a ban on petrol and diesel vehicles   City council tenant rents to rise in New Year   Connacht Tribune Headlines   Croí Night Run is back on Salthill Promenade   11am-12pm Culture Corner  - Movie about the story of the potato comes to Portumna   We’ll speak to Ollie Turner from the IRFU Charitable Trust Golf Outing at Galway Bay Golf Course in Rinville  Sports Preview   Music mornings - DONNY joins us in studio  

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley  9am-10am  Council to consider scrapping city parking machines in favour of app  Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, Michael Moynihan TD joins us   Vigil in Galway to mark World Suicide Prevention Day  10am-11am The Palestinian Ambassador visited Galway yesterday – We caught up with her at city hall    Planning application due to be lodged for Shancloon Windfarm   City council tenant rents to rise in New Year  Ireland’s only blackberry festival, Féile na bPuiteachaí, returns to Inis Meáin  11am-12pm Financial advice with Dave McCarthy Ask the Dentist  BRAVO to bring Come Away With Me to the stage tonight   History Talks - University of Galway launches digital archive of Long Kesh journals 

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley:  9am-10am  Disgust as hundreds of bottles and cans removed from Galway city canal    The new CEO of Galway Simon Community joins us as child homelessness reaches record high   Ballymacward woman with dyspraxia speaks about managing her condition   10am-11am Parents in Furbo say progress on safe routes to school doesn’t go far enough    Caution urged as High Tide Warning in place this week   As fundraising continues for a pupil of Tirellan NS who suffered a catastrophic brain bleed in February we speak to his father   Fianna Fail cllrs in Loughrea put colours to the mast for the underdog candidate as the nomination process for President is finalised later   11am-12pm Cartoon Fest kicks off today in Galway City and Inis Oirr   We hear about a defence forces adventure challenge for silver gaisce award   Music Mornings - Finghin Collins joins us live in studio 

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley 9am-10am Relief locally as Fine Gael councillors instructed to block nomination of independents   Good Friday Agreement could have reference to ECHR removed – according to Reform UK’s Nigel Farage   We hear about how Galwegians can access healthcare in Northern Ireland  10am-11am Tributes paid as retired Galway Bay fm journalist Ken Kelly passes away after a short illness   Commercial Bus Operators Call for Full Inclusion in New Free Travel Scheme for Children Under 9   Galway Hospice to Host Palliative Care Conference  11am-12pm Galway Great - Jarlath McDonagh   Sports review 

Today on Community Matters: Kilnadeema Leitrim 9am-10am We’ll hear locals favourite stories of the locality in times gone by   Current affairs with Micheal Geraghty   History with Pat O Looney  10am-11am We’ll hear all about finerty mills and bloom   Local Man To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro For Cuan Mhuire   We’ll talk all about the IFA with John Donnelly and Barry Donnelly   11am-12pm Jam packed sport section   Live music from Michael fahy, margaret mcdonnell and vinnie kenny   Pake Niland and John Geraghty help us round off the show  

Morley's Mouthfuls: The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has yet again dominated much of the political discourse this week. The calls for Israeli war bonds to be moved from the Irish Central Bank seemed to have been heard by Israel, as they moved authorisation to another country in the EU, namely Luxembourg. However, this act is a drop in the ocean compared to what needs to happen at a political level according to many campaigners, activists and human rights experts. One Galway woman who has very much throw herself into Palestinian solidarity and aid efforts is Salthill poet Sarah Clancy. The flotilla aims to deliver aid to the population in Gaza, something which has not been allowed to happen on several occasions and is against international law. We followed this story up later in the week with the Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign who will hold The West’s Awake Rally for the cause this weekend. They want to see action and pressure brought to bear on Israel so that vital humanitarian aid can be delivered and a prevention of further loss of lives. One Palestinian shared his horror story of escaping the war torn region, his gratitude to make it safely to Ireland for medical treatment of his family and the personal losses he has experienced along the way. It remains to be seen what if anything will trigger a dialogue between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, while we are all used to complaining about the traffic in and around Galway City, one contributor to the show had a nightmare ordeal in a taxi. Maggie Regan and her friend got into a taxi, only for the driver to first go the wrong way and then verbally abuse them. She recalled the night on Galway Talks to a huge reaction and former taxi man and Fine Gael Cllr. Frank Fahy gave some advice on best practice to prevent and or deal with a situation like this in the future. While Frank contested that incidents like these were rare we did get an avalanche of texts in venting similar bad experiences. Cllr. Fahy also pointed out the fact that some taxi drivers are the subject to both verbal and physical abuse and that there are serious responsibilities and dangers with the profession, particularly those who drive night shifts. Galway GAA announced that Padraic Joyce will get a two year extension as manager of the senior football team, meaning the Killererin man will be at the helm until the end of the 2028 season. John Divilly has stepped away from the fray meaning there will be gaps to fill in the backroom team over the off season. With many high profile names in the mix it will be interesting to see will someone come through the ranks locally or will an outside name like Kieran Donaghy link in with the tribes. Ultimately, that will be a decision for Padraic Joyce. The housing situation was under the microscope again this week. Following on from the fact that homelessness figures reached another record high last week, we had the compounding effect of Galway being among the worst areas when it comes to dereliction and vacancy. Cllr Niall McNeilis of the Labour Party said that while Government had committed funding to tackle vacant homes, it is a drop in the ocean compared to the investment needed. We had a great day out in Kilnadeema Leitrim for our Community Matters programme from Finnerty’s Mills. Next up is Corr Na Mona next Friday. Join us again for Galway Talks on Monday where our Galway Great after 11am is Jarlath McDonagh of Turloughmore.

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley  9am-10am  Government launches five-year national strategy to improve disability rights in Ireland   We speak to Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke as he visits Galway   10am-11am Lack of engagement from employers in regards to auto enrolement  We hear about The West’s Awake – a Rally for Palestine taking place this weekend  Several events taking place in Galway for National Services Day   11am-12pm Culture Corner - The man, the myth, the legend, Joe Sherry joins us to talk about Clarinbridge Market Day   Pet Corner   Sports Preview   Music Mornings - 12th Annual Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds Festival in Ballinasloe

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 9am-10am  Galway based Tik Toker recants hellish taxi scenario when trying to return to Clonboo from the city at night    EU Commission to push for ratification of Mercosur deal  BioBank Ireland working to create “snapshot” of the health of people of Ireland  10am-11am Major changes to Galway International Oyster & Maritime Festival  Calls to End Discrimination in Inheritance Tax for Childless Citizens   4,000 HGV drivers needed over the next 5 years or Ireland will grind to a halt as early as this Christmas  11am-12pm Financial advice with Dave McCarthy We hear about Trad Fest taking place this weekend   History Talks - Launch of 'A Magdalene Rose'