Lynch thanks Council for Castlegar park and ride meeting
Community activist Donal Lynch has thanked chief executive of Galway City council Brendan McGrath and Director of Service Ruth McNally for agreeing to his request to meet with Castlegar GAA Club to explore the possibility of the club becoming a park and ride hub.
Mr. Lynch said he is delighted that Mr McGrath has confirmed he will facilitate this meeting in the coming weeks.
“l brought this proposal to the club who were immediately interested in playing a role in getting Galway moving. As the city reopens it is really important to ensure every measure is put in place to encourage people to shop and visit the city in order to help local business who have had a difficult 18 months,” said Mr Lynch.
“If 200 plus cars could be taken out of the city it would make a difference in respect of traffic congestion and obviously have a positive impact on climate change,” he added.
Mr Lynch said he is looking at other facilities that could be used on the outskirts of the city so that capacity could be increased for park and ride.
“Waiting for a suitable location for a large Park and Ride facility is not an option at this point as Galway needs to get moving now. Business cannot wait,” he concluded.
Pieta hiring more therapists to meet demand for services
Pieta is now hiring more therapists for its Galway and Mayo services following an increase in demand for therapy. Roles are available across the organisation for qualified, accredited therapists who are passionate about mental health and want to change the face of suicide and self-harm in Ireland.
In 2020 Pieta delivered over 52,000 hours of intervention and bereavement counselling nationwide, received over 70,000 crisis support calls and texts and directly supported over 600 households bereaved by suicide. The organisation has 20 locations across Ireland and provides face to face, phone and video therapy. All of Pieta’s services are free and no GP referral is needed.
Pieta’s freephone crisis helpline and text line are open 24 hours a day. Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or self-harming can contact Pieta to speak with a trained therapist, whenever they need to. Pieta is 80% public funded, and it’s thanks to the support of the public they can provide the services we do.
Pieta centres are located on Bishop Street in Tuam, Merchants Street in Galway and Abby Street, Ballina.
Crisis Freephone Helpline 1800 247 247. Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply )