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'Abandoned' islanders slam scrapping of plane service

The decision has caused deep concern among residents of the three islands.

Updated at 3.10pm

THE ENDING OF a daily airplane service linking the Aran Islands to the Galway mainland has caused deep concern among residents of the three islands.

The minister of state for the Gaeltacht, Joe McHugh, last week announced his decision to award the state’s air service contract to a helicopter company, bringing to a close the airplane service provided by Aer Arann Islands for 45 years.

Some 40 jobs are expected to be lost at the airline, which plans to appeal the decision.

McHugh said the agreement with Galway-based company Executive Helicopters will safeguard the air service for the next four years.

But a meeting on Inis Mór last night saw the passing of a motion opposing the new contract, with many residents saying a helicopter service will be unable to handle severe weather conditions around the island.

Capture Inis Mór residents pass motion opposing the deal Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Comharchumann Forbartha Árann

Objections were also raised to the service being run out of Galway Airport in Carnmore, some five miles east of Galway city.

The Aer Arann service currently flies from Inverin, a 10-minute drive from the Rossaveal port from which ferries to the island depart.

Residents fear that the 30-mile distance between Carnmore and Rossaveal, an hour-long journey, will leave travellers stranded if flights are cancelled.

Ronan Mac Giolla Pháraic, who lives on Inis Mór, said the existing air service became “much more reliable” after it stopped flying out of Carnmore and moved its mainland base out west to Inverin.

“I remember as a child being stuck in the city when we couldn’t make a flight,” he told TheJournal.ie.

‘Nail in the coffin’

Cathy Ní Ghoill of the Inis Mór co-op, Comharchumann Forbartha Árann Teo, said close to 250 residents turned out to last night’s meeting.

“People are just shocked,” she said. “This is just another nail in the coffin for us.”

Inis Meáin resident Ruairí de Blacam told TheJournal.ie that the move is a worrying one for local businesses, who he said are more likely to be left stranded once the new service is running.

They rely on the air service for its reliability, in a place where boats often simply can’t approach in winter because of the severity of storms.
If a business owner here wants to send a Fedex for example or something that simply can’t wait, that service is essential, while cargo can only be brought in and out by air.

A committee of local residents is due to meet Minister McHugh tomorrow to discuss its objections to the agreement.

Ní Ghoill said the committee unsuccessfully petitioned for the tender to be withdrawn shortly after it was first advertised in March.

The four-year contract has been capped at an annual cost of €900,000 – a 30% cut to the tender currently in place with Aer Arann.

00001478 Archive photo of Aer Arann sign in Connemara RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

No guaranteed transportation

Ní Ghoill said residents primarily objected to the new contract as it allowed the tender to run flights out of Carnmore, adding that concerns were also raised about the reliability of a helicopter service.

The unsubsidised ferry service provided to all three islands is “at the grace of the operator”, she said, meaning the air service is the only guaranteed mode of transport for islanders seeking to travel to the mainland.

The decision has also been criticised by Sinn Féin Gaeltacht spokesperson Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, who said last week that the agreement “beggars belief”.

“The people of the Aran Islands are hugely concerned by this decision,” he said.

There are 40 direct jobs at stake here and it would seem incredible that 45 years of continued, high quality service given by Aer Arann might be jettisoned at this point without ensuring that a more superior and improved service would be replacing it.

A spokesperson for Executive Helicopters said it is prevented from making a statement on the deal until after a formal contract is signed next month.

Read: What will become of the Aran Islands now that their airplane service is gone?

Read: Joy for locals as second teacher found for school on Aran Island >

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59 Comments
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    Mute David Fenton
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:42 PM

    It might be worth people’s while reading up a little on card skimming machines. If you have some idea of what to look for you can protect yourself to some degree. However, it’s always best to avoid using machines in poorly lit and poorly serviced areas and always check your statements regularly. Here’s a bunch of articles with pictures to give you an idea of what’s out there. http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

    65
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Best tip is to simply always place your hand directly over keypad when entering PIN. PIN is key, while your card details maybe compromised without PIN bank cannot hold you liable for CNP payments which is all they can do without PIN

    22
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    Mute Sean Hyland
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:42 PM

    The best tip would be to re introduce border controls on eastern block countries and stop criminal gangs moving in. Bulgaria borders open 2014 roll up all in!

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:14 PM

    exactly Sean, we never had this crap until they opened the borders to them

    25
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    Mute john mack
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    Nov 27th 2012, 7:15 AM

    Would have to second the website http://krebsonsecurity.com very informative, one point to note is if you see skimming device or notice any unusual device don’t use machine, don’t try to remove device yourself, the gang that installed it normally wait nearby to prevent people from removing their Skimmers and cameras mostly with a bit if force.

    5
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    Mute Fussy Galore
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    Nov 26th 2012, 9:37 PM

    I was recently scammed by one of these CIE vending machines – I was charged €2.80 for a single journey from Tara street to Lansdowne. People need to be vigilant.

    60
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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Anyone who uses a credit card nowadays must love paying €40 stamp duty even if they use their card just once. The best advice I can offer is for people to use cash instead of credit cards. Cash is quicker and easier.

    28
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:36 PM

    i agree but i have awful problems sending cash down the internet, just won;t fit into the socket ;)

    241
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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Why not use a Debit Card instead?

    or Paypal?

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    Mute siobeli
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:56 PM

    Very smug suggestion!! So how do I access my cash if I’m paid into the bank if I don’t use a cash machine to get it, as work during banking hours?
    Why should people have to suit criminals?

    37
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:01 PM

    People do get mugged as well!

    35
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:00 AM

    Debit cards now cost per transaction with most banks so over the year they’ll work out a lot more expensive than a credit card.
    not all online retailers use PayPal your fairly stuck tryin to pay motor tax online with a hand full of coppers…

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Do you have to put your pin in those machines now? It’s been awhile but the last time I used one I just put my card in and out without putting in a PIN.

    24
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    Mute Redmond Scanlon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:51 PM

    Yeah you have to put your pin in now.

    18
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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:53 PM

    Donal I’m pretty certain that the system where u could enter a bank card without entering a PIN is no longer on place. I used do that also. Best way to avoid this scam is to book in advance ( to avail of a better fare) and enter the reference number that they email u or use cash.

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:02 PM

    siobeli,

    In fairness to ITS student, his comment is around the govt asking for a cashless society and then penalising people for this.

    My comment was an attempt at humour, i know i know, don’t give up the day job.

    22
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    Mute fizi_water
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    Nov 26th 2012, 8:31 PM

    They can skimm my card what they want, there are usually only 3-4 days every month they would be able to take anything substantial from me (yes…after pay day lol). Any other day they might be welcomed with message “we are sorry there are no sufficient funds in your account to complete transaction, would you like to try another amount? “. See how smart way to cheat the cheaters :)

    But for all other minted people, why dont you get 2nd laser card just for carring around with small limit, separate to your main bank account with planty of money?

    21
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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Another scam currently doing the rounds certainly in Dublin city centre is where ATM user puts their card in enters their pin selects amount to withdraw card should come back out of card reader but appears to be stuck there is usually someone standing over your shoulder taking not of your PIN number and will advise u that the card has been eaten and you need to go into the branch when you move off they will remove the card trapping device and your card and clear your account

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:13 PM

    best tip to do there is ‘don’t move off”, just stand there and wait. do as it says on the warning sign, call the garda for assistance, just stand there and wait. that will make them sweat.

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    Mute mick lennon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:47 PM

    Im blaming the bankers for this too

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    Mute Lorraine Chambers
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:07 PM

    Pay online from home and get a Leap card which can be used for the bus, train and Luas. One can top it up at most local shops.

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:03 AM

    If you live in Dublin….

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    Mute Robin Pickering
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    Nov 27th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Talk about dumb criminals! Don’t they realise that after paying the cost of a trip on public transport, only a tiny few would have anything left to steal?

    5
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