Radio Nova owner to buy Galway Bay FM
Galway Bay FM has been part of the Connacht Tribune since 2006, when the newspaper bought out other shareholders in the local radio station at a cost of €20m. It already held a 27pc stake.
The Connacht Tribune itself is to be purchased by Malcolm Denmark's Iconic Media Group, which is already the biggest regional newspaper publisher in the State. Three Galway families – the Allens, Naughtons and Hickeys – own the Tribune group, and it was reported last year they had hired IBI Corporate Finance to find a buyer for its assets.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission said last week it had been formally notified of the proposed acquisition of the Galway-based newspaper by Formpress Publishing, part of the Iconic group.
Media reports had initially linked Bauer Media to the purchase of Galway Bay FM. The owner of national stations Today FM and Newstalk has recently added Red FM, iRadio and Beat 102-103 to its stable.
Instead the acquisition is being made by Bay Broadcasting Ltd, whose chief executive is Kevin Branigan, who is the co-owner along with Michael Ormonde.
Mr Branigan has previously characterised the Dublin radio scene as a David and Goliath struggle, with Bay Broadcasting taking on 'billionaire owners'. Of late, however, Radio Nova has been the music station with the biggest market share in Dublin, helped by the success of its 'Morning Glory' show presented by Jim McCabe and comedian PJ Gallagher.
Last year Mr Branigan wrote to the director general of RTE and to Catherine Martin, the then media minister, offering to buy 2FM for €10m. He said the station could have a positive future, but that 'should be in the private sector and not as a part of RTÉ'. The offer was rejected.
The pace of consolidation within local media is quickening, with newspapers in particular coming under the control of a handful of big groups. While there may be some concerns about an over concentration of ownership, regulators must also take into account that some regional media operations will not survive financially unless they become part of bigger stables.
Earlier this year Midlands 103, which is ultimately owned by the Tindle Group, bought South East Radio. The Tindle Group operates regional newspapers and radio stations across the UK and the Channel Islands, and Midlands 103, locally managed and serving Laois, Offaly and Westmeath, had been its only station in Ireland.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Post
7 hours ago
- Irish Post
Nottingham-based Phenna Group acquires Co. Antrim construction materials testing firm
PHENNA GROUP, the Nottingham-based testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) company, has acquired Co. Antrim firm Construction Testing Services. The deal is Phenna Group's 11th acquisition of 2025 as it continues its aim of building a strong, geographically diverse network of TICC firms. The Co. Antrim company will now be incorporated into Simtec, one of Phenna Group's specialist materials testing businesses. "Construction Testing Services is a strong strategic addition to our Infrastructure Division," said Stuart Abbs of Phenna Group. "Their technical capability, well-regarded brand and regional strength in Northern Ireland align well with Simtec's growth ambitions. "We're confident that together, they will create even greater value for our customers and continue to deliver industry-leading standards of service." 'Great potential' Founded in 2006 in Antrim town, Construction Testing Services provide independent and accredited construction materials testing services in Britain and Ireland. With a well-established presence in Northern Ireland, the business has built a reputation for delivering high-quality testing services across a wide range of projects. The firm's technical expertise, commitment to customer service and in-depth local knowledge make it a key addition to Phenna Group's Infrastructure Division. Roy Browne and Michael Craig, Directors of Construction Testing Services, said the deal represented great potential for the company. "We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved to date and are excited about this next chapter as we join Phenna Group and become part of Simtec," they said. "From our first discussions, it was clear that our values were closely aligned, and we see great potential in combining our strengths to continue delivering excellent service to our clients across Ireland and beyond." 'Perfect complement' The acquisition of Construction Testing Services continues Simtec's recent expansion, folllowing the opening of new locations in London and East Anglia earlier this year. Chris Simmons, Simtec MD, believes the regional knowledge and reputation of Construction Testing Solutions in Northern Ireland will aid Simtec's growth plans. "We are very pleased to welcome Roy, Michael and their team into Simtec," he said. "Their expertise and strong local presence in Northern Ireland are a perfect complement to our recent growth in London and East Anglia. "This acquisition significantly enhances our geographic reach and gives us the platform to better support clients across the region with high-quality, responsive testing services." See More: Antrim, Construction Testing Services, Phenna Group, Simtec
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Secret Uber Eats kitchen cooking ‘Big Boi Burgers' brazenly set up in tax-funded asylum hotel is SHUT DOWN
A SECRET Deliveroo and Uber Eats takeaway kitchen in a taxpayer-funded asylum hotel was exposed when two workers filmed themselves going inside. Footage showed fast-food orders being prepared on the premises, which houses hundreds of asylum seekers. Advertisement 5 A pop-up kitchen at the taxpayer-funded asylum hotel Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, has been exposed Credit: Ben Lack 5 A sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, states 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point' Credit: YouTube 5 The kitchen at the asylum hotel was being sub-let to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks Credit: YouTube Home Office officials confirmed to The Sun it was a 'misuse' of asylum accommodation — whose bosses have been paid millions to house migrants. An investigation was last night under way to assess if the pop-up kitchen at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, West Yorks, was illegal under the terms of a contract signed between the Government and bosses of EC4 Hotel Ltd, the firm behind the accommodation. The probe will establish if EC4 broke the law by sub-letting the kitchen in recent months to fast food businesses Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks. 'Scared to speak up' Wakefield Council, which gave the businesses a license to operate, also launched an investigation. Advertisement READ MORE UK NEWS EC4, which has three other hotels, is run by Monaco-based Nadja Kovic Nassar, 66, and had a turnover of nearly £18million in 2024. The Home Office spends £5million a day on contracts with Clearsprings, Mears Group and Serco to provide them with asylum accommodation. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame The Cedar Court hotel is part of the deal with Mears Group — which is set to get £2.5billion of taxpayers' money over ten years, from 2019 to 2029. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive The row broke out after two men filmed themselves walking into the Cedar Court kitchen to show it was being used to cook grub for fast food customers. Footage showed a sign on the door of the premises, which is closed to the public, which stated: 'Uber Eats, Deliveroo Collection Point'. Illegal Channel migrant delivery riders ARRESTED as cops swoop on major asylum hotel after Sun expose Security officials swiftly moved the local duo off the premises and called police to the scene. In 2023 the Home Office announced plans to increase the number of asylum seeker spaces at Cedar Court from 148 to 306. Last night the hotel was on lockdown with security guarding the entrance — telling visitors it was private property. Advertisement A number of migrants were seen in the grounds seeking shade beneath a gazebo at the rear. A small five-a-side football goal was set up on the grass nearby. One staff member arriving for work refused to comment but said the hotel was closed and had been for five years to accommodate the migrants. A distraught neighbour said: 'There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working. They go to the bus stop and get picked up from the lay-by early in the morning. 'I've no idea what they're doing but they are working. They're all on bikes, coming and going. Advertisement 'I can't tell you how distressing it is. They hang around in large groups and I'm scared to go out. 'I was shocked to see the Deliveroo sign at the back but not surprised. 5 Fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks have been shut down after the kitchen was exposed 'The Government is putting these people in small rural residential areas without a care for the people who live here. Advertisement 'We've spoken to the police repeatedly but they're just not interested. We're scared to speak up because we fear reprisals.' There are comings and goings at all times of the day. Most of them staying here are working Distraught neighbour In May a report said three firms who turned their hotels into migrant hubs — Clearsprings, Mears and Serco — had made combined profits of £383million since 2019 after the expected costs of housing asylum seekers tripled. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, When the taxpayer-funded contracts were signed in 2019, the vast majority of people were housed in accommodation within communities. Around a third are now housed in hotels, which come at a far greater expense to the public finances. Advertisement The Home Office last night confirmed that the takeaway kitchen operating in the Cedar Court Hotel was 'immediately' closed. A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: 'This activity is wholly unacceptable. 'Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider. Cops in stab vests 5 A migrant in a Just eat delivery outfit pictured on his bike outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel, London Credit: Ray Collins Advertisement 'They have said residents at the hotel were not involved. "We take all allegations of misuse of asylum accommodation and the safety of residents extremely seriously. We will now be investigating.' Earlier this week the government called in bosses of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat to demand urgent action to prevent immigration- offending on their platforms. It came after Advertisement Immediate action has been taken to ensure the service is no longer operating at the site and we are in close contact with the provider Home Office The delivery firms agreed to increase the use of facial verification checks and fraud detection technology to help ensure only registered account holders can work off their platforms. Bosses were read the riot act at the precise moment on Tuesday as Immigration Enforcement made their first swoop outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in London. More than 20 cops in stab vests scrambled from unmarked cars to pounce on migrants returning from shifts. Officers confronted at least ten men, two seen with delivery-branded food bags on bikes. The Sun approached Cedar Court Hotels, Mears Group and Wakefield Council for comment. Advertisement Last night fast food firms Big Boi Burgers and Absurd Stacks had been shut down. A Deliveroo spokesperson told The Sun: 'Virtual brands like Absurd Stacks are fully registered food businesses, offering a delivery-only restaurant service. 'After being made aware of the potential relationship between the hotel group running the virtual brand and the Home Office, we suspended them from our platform while we investigate further.' An Uber Eats spokesperson said: 'We have suspended this restaurant's access to our platform and are fully investigating.' Advertisement
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Gareth Bale ‘tables £40m offer to complete takeover of hometown team Cardiff'… less than half what he cost Real Madrid
GARETH BALE has tabled a £40million bid to buy his beloved hometown club Cardiff City, according to reports. A consortium led by Bale has been in the market to buy a football team, having already been linked with a failed 3 Cardiff is the subject of takeover interest from local lad Gareth Bale Current Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, who resides in Malaysia, is open to selling the Welsh club - who were relegated from the Championship to League One in May. Talks are taking place behind the scenes between Cardiff and a US-based private equity group, reports And now an official bid, worth less than HALF of the £86million paid by Real Madrid to Tottenham for Bale in 2013, has been submitted. The spoke publicly for the first time about his plans to take over the League One club at the European premiere of F1: The Movie in London at the end of June. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Bale, 35, said: "We are interested in getting Cardiff . It's my home club, it's where I grew up and my uncle used to play for them. "To be involved with an ownership group would be a dream come true. I would love to be able to be a part of growing Cardiff and taking it to the Premier League where it belongs." Bale was born in the Welsh capital in 1989 and his uncle Chris Pike was a prolific striker at The Bluebirds between his nephew's birth-year and 1993. Cardiff have reportedly already rejected an undisclosed first bid made by the Bale-led consortium. Most read in Football 3 Current owner Vincent Tan has admitted he would be open to selling If the price is right Credit: Getty CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Divisive owner Tan, who became the majority owner in 2010, has invested £200m on his way to Cardiff descending to the third tier for the first time in more than 20 years. That means the new £40m offer is likely to be fiercely rejected, even if it indicates a level of intent by Bale's team. Arsenal announce new five-year contract for Myles Lewis-Skelly after Real Madrid eyed shock free transfer It comes just weeks after his former Madrid and Spurs team-mate Swansea City for a reported £1m. Bale retired from football two years ago after a stellar career in which he won five Champions Leagues with Madrid and 111 caps for his country. Cardiff, who were relegated from the Championship last season after finishing rock bottom, have just appointed I would love to take Cardiff back to the Premier League where it belongs Gareth Bale Sky Sports Barry-Murphy has been hired after a disastrous season which saw the club cycle through Erol Bulut, Omer Riza, and Aaron Ramsey (interim) as managers. Wales ' greatest-ever player earned an eye-watering £600,000-per-week during his time at Madrid, but also set himself up for well into retirement with a series of business moves. Bale opened his bar 'Elevens' in Cardiff in 2017, before building on that success by combining his next pub venture with his love of golf to open Par 59 five years later. He has since opened a second Par 59 venue in Bristol, while he has also made a "significant investment" in Penderyn Distillery. 3
