Breaking News
County council to expand their operations to regional and local roads
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Road conditions remain treacherous in many areas of the county, with the East still the worst affected.
There are variations in storm impact across the country but drifting has blocked roads in some areas and some are partially passable.
Several roads around Loughrea, Gort and Ardrahan are impassable due to snow drifts while there’s compacted snow on sections of outside lanes on M6.
Crews, Contractors & District Staff & Engineers have been working since first light, and they say they are getting stories of amazing community efforts too.
The council has told Galway Bay fm news they are now planning to expand their operations to regional and local roads.
Gardai in stations across the county and the National Emergency Co-Ordination Group advise only those working in essential services and those who have roles in getting the country back to normal should undertake journeys.
Some Galway Public Libraries are open to the public today – Galway City Main Library, Ballinasloe, Tuam, Clifden, Oranmore, An Spidéal and Oughterard opening normal hours.
Due to on-going snow and ice safety concerns for staff and public, other libraries normally scheduled to open today will remain closed.
In the city council crews have been clearing and gritting footpaths across the city since early this morning, although caution is still needed.
The approaches to churches will be treated in advance of religious services this evening and tomorrow morning.
A council spokesperson says motorists and pedestrians should only undertake journeys if absolutely necessary, no matter how short.
A high tide concern just before 6 this morning the Docks, Spanish Arch, Claddagh and Salthill passed without incident.
The high tides for this evening and tomorrow morning are being closely monitored.
The Aquadam at Fishmarket is partially inflated and roads crews will be on standby if needed.
The city council is working closely with Cope Galway in relation to getting rough sleepers into the Cold Weather service in Westside.
If anyone is aware of rough sleepers who may need a bed, please contact Cope at 1800 788887 or 085 8009641
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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