Galway Bay FM News Archives
City Manager seeks go-ahead for court battle
Date Published: 05-May-2011
BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM
The interim City Manager will ask councillors for ‘permission’ next week to go to the High Court and defend a legal challenge against the new five-year City Development Plan.
The Galway City Tribune has learned that Joe O’Neill has received legal advice that he must first get the authorisation of a majority of the 15 elected members before he can defend the action being taken by a former Mayor of Galway.
A row is expected to erupt at the meeting, with concerns expressed over “contradictory” legal advice being disseminated to councillors.
At the meeting next Monday evening, the interim Manager will explain that legal advisers have said there is no reason why councillors should not proceed to adopt the official minutes of a controversial meeting on January 24 – at which Independent Councillor Catherine Connolly continued to discuss the Development Plan 2011-17 and take part in crucial votes, despite a vote to expel her from the meeting because of her behaviour.
However, he also needs “authorisation” of the councillors to defend a legal action.
Two months ago, this newspaper revealed the details of a confidential memo in which Mr O’Neill said the local authority’s legal advisers said the validity of the Plan could be challenged because of Cllr Connolly’s refusal to leave the meeting.
And last month, we reported that former Mayor and Fianna Fáil councillor Micheál Ó hUigínn has sought a Judicial Review of the decision to adopt the Development Plan, with particular reference to his rezoning bid for his lands on the Seamus Quirke Road – where he had plans for a ‘Dundrum Town Centre’ type development.
At the time, acting City Manager Ciarán Hayes said the Council would be defending the action. However, in a letter to councillors this week, Joe O’Neill said his advice is that he must first get the authorisation of a simple majority (eight) of the councillors to act on their behalf and defend the action, so he can immediately submit a replying affidavit to the High Court.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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