Galway students are living in fear this week, while the hunt goes on for tragic Manuela Riedo's killer.

The normally busy streets of the city have been much quieter since the discovery of Manuela's body on wasteground in Renmore last Tuesday and both garda? and local universities have warned students to take special precautions while her killer is on the loose.

Many Galway students have expressed their shock and fear following the brutal attack on internet forums including NUI, Galway's SIN Boards website.

"I seriously hope they catch the guy. I've a younger sister who goes out quite a lot and sometimes walks home. She does not walk near this route but now I'm worried about her for the first time since she's been in Galway," said one poster.

"It's really scary to think some poor girl was murdered so close to home. I know that area and it's pretty dodgy at night. I can only imagine how the family must feel," another member said.

Both universities have taken measures to discourage students from taking unnecessary risks when out and about. Ironically, members of GMIT Students' Union had been planning their ?Don't Walk Home Alone' campaign in the weeks leading up to Manuela's murder.

As part of the campaign, personal security alarms are being given for free to all students at the college. A scheme has also been put in place with Cara Cabs, whereby if a student is out at night and does not have money to pay for a taxi they can hand in their student card instead on the condition that they return to pay the fare the next morning.

Meanwhile, a Galway security training company is offering free self-defense courses for students at NUI, Galway. Right Track Security will give two-hour Passive Avoidance for Security and Safety (PASS) classes twice a week over the next number of weeks. The courses are available to all students and focus on using awareness and confidence to avoid getting involved in confrontation.

The classes begin on Wednesday 24 October at 7pm. For more information, students can contact NUI, Galway Students' Union on 091-524810.

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