Galway Bay FM News Archives
Council accused of cover-up over City Hall blast
Date Published: 06-Jun-2011
Galway City Council staff were questioned in relation to maintenance work that was carried out on the plumbing system at City Hall in the days before the explosion of a water boiler that occurred at the building exactly one year ago this week.
Witness statements taken from staff in relation to the plumbing work are included in a list of records held by the local authority concerning an investigation into the causes of the explosion, the Sentinel can reveal.
However, one year on from the incident, a former mayor has again accused Galway City Council of a cover-up in relation to the incident after it refused to release details of documents pertaining to the investigation under the Freedom of Information Act.
Among the records that the Council refused to release is a series of 14 pieces of correspondence between the local authority and Health and Safety Authority (HAS) between June 11, 2010 and September 9 last year.
The Council also denied access to a Dangerous Occurrence Investigation Report, the existence of which is confirmed in the list of records held by local authority, and the witness statements of 14 members of staff who were interviewed in the aftermath of the explosion.
Galway City Council said that the documents were not being released because the investigation into the blast that is understood to have originated from a water boiler near the Finance Department at City Hall has not yet been completed – one year after the incident occurred.
The Freedom of Information Officer of the Council also said: “It is also my opinion that the public interest would not be better served by the release of the documents at this stage.”
See full story in this week’s Connacht Sentinel.
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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