Galway Bay FM Newsroom – A traditional heritage boat owned by Galway City Council is to be renamed to honor the memory of Swiss Student Manuela Reido, eight years on from her murder.
The Galway Hooker ‘Fiona’ is currently undergoing restoration works, and is set to be renamed ‘Manuela’ to commemorate the 17 year old who died in 2007.
City Councillors have voted unanimously in favour of renaming the heritage boat ‘Fiona’ to commemorate Swiss teen Manuela Riedo.
Manuela was murdered just three days after arriving in Galway in October 2007.
The boat was owned by Galway Crystal and was displayed in its museum until its closure, at which point it was given to Galway City Council on permanent loan.
The restoration works are being undertaken by Bádorí an Cladaig Community Boat Club, which is currently restoring a number of the traditional Galway sailing boats.
It’s understood that various options are being explored in a bid to find a permanent location for the commemorative hooker.
The newly christened boat is expected to be revealed at an upcoming launch event.
Further details on the commemoration will be revealed by the Manuela Riedo Foundation in the coming weeks.