Fly a kite for peace
The public is being invited to ‘Come fly a kite for Peace’ to mark the Afghan New Year this Saturday at 2pm on Salthill Promenade.
The organisers are expecting a good turnout and hope those with kites will bring them along to join in the fun.
This event is part of a peace initiative organised by Fly Kites Not Drones throughout Europe to highlight the devastating impact of military drones in the conflict in Afghanistan.
The initiative includes an educational programme and one Galway County school, Scoil Bhriocáin in Ros Muc, has opened its doors to this creative peace project for children.
Organisers said; “This venture hails from Afghanistan where there is a wonderful tradition of kite flying and it is a favourite children’s pastime in that Central Asian country. The beauty of this Afghani custom, where a kite catches the wind, was used by the Fly Kites Not Drones initiative to highlight the contrasting devastation caused by US killer drones.
“Also the lives of the people holding the string can be very different. In Afghanistan, the perfect blue skies children would use to fly kites are now feared because they are also perfect for armed drones seeking targets. In fact, the inspiration for this campaign was a young boy called Aymel, who lost his father as a result of a drone strike. ”
Anyone who wishes to learn more about this initiative can visit check http://www.flykitesnotdrones.org/home.
Cash stolen from school
A secondary school in Castleblakeney was broken into on Thursday night, March 15/Friday morning, March 16.
A substantial amount of damage was caused to the school and cash stolen.
Anyone with information is asked to call Mountbellew Garda Station on 09096 79292.
Lyons outraged at gaelscoil vandalism
A spate of vandalism at the former Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in An Cimín Mór, off the Cappagh Road, has led to fears there will be further delays in the Knocknacarra Educate Together National School relocating to the Gaelscoil building.
The vandalism has occurred in recent weeks and resulted in windows being broken in both the school building and its pre-fabs. Galway City West councillor Donal Lyons has this week made representations to Department of Education officials regarding his “serious concerns” over the vandalism”. He has called on the Department to “immediately secure” the building so “no further damage could be caused”. However he is still awaiting a reply.
The building has been vacant since January, when Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh teachers and pupils moved into their new premises adjacent to Millars Lane. It was generally intended that the former Gaelscoil would become the new home of the Educate Together National School which is in temporary accommodation close to the RSA building at Gateway Retail Park. However the Department has not contacted the school with regard to its moving.
The matter is to be raised in the Dáil by Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish, who is to ask the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, “what steps the Department is taking to prevent vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the old Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh”.
“It is in the interest of the Educate Together National School to be given the go-ahead to move into the former school building as soon as is feasible,” said Cllr Lyons. “It is vital the Department of Education get its act together and have the building secured and the necessary works carried out so that the Educate Together School can move into their new permanent home as soon as possible.”
