Breaking News
Call to reform paid parking system in Ballinasloe
Galway Bay fm newsroom – A proposal to review the paid parking system in Ballinasloe is to be sent forward to the Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee.
The matter was the subject of much debate at this week’s meeting of the Municipal District where Fine Gael Cllr Michael Finnerty was advised that the issue must be dealt with at County Council level before any bye-laws can be introduced.
Cllr Finnerty argued that the centre of the town in dying and that paid parking has not been good for business.
He said the current system which sees those parking without a ticket receiving a fine is over-zealous, and suggested that allowing a period of time free of charge would be beneficial.
Sinn Fein Cllr Dermot Connolly said while the suggestion has merits, it would be difficult to police.
He also suggested some form of concession for funeral or novena-goers.
Fine Gael Cllr Donal Burke said the free parking system currently in operation in Roscommon town works well and suggested the possibility of introducing free parking in Ballinasloe on a Saturday.
Cathaoirleach Michael Connolly said it was a complex issue as many parking spaces are not adjacent to business.
Senior Engineer Evan Molloy referred to a study which showed that there was a greater turnover of vehicles where charges were in operation, bringing more customers into towns.
Members were also advised that there are 165 free spaces in the town centre and that charges on the three streets concerned were retained at a minimal level, with 15 minute free parking allowance in five loading bays after 11.30am.
The matter has now been forwarded to the Roads and Transportation Strategic Policy Committee for consideration.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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