European Commissioner delivers keynote speech

Date Published: 04-Mar-2013

GAA row

A meeting of the Galway County Board of the GAA was held at Murphy’s Hall, Athenry, on Sunday, Mr. W. Cannon, Tuam, presiding.

The minutes having been read, Mr. P. Burke proceeded to question an entry in them regarding a fine imposed on Mr. Murray.

Mr. Kenny: What authority have you to question the minutes? Is Mr. Burke a member of the County Committee?

Mr. Barrett (Secretary): He is not.

Mr. Burke: As a delegate I am right in questioning the minutes.

Mr. Kenny: You are not.

Mr. Burke. I am not asking you. I ask the Chairman if I am entitled to question the minutes?

Chairman: Are you here by proxy?

Mr. Burke: No.

Chairman: I do not think you have so.

Mr. Barrett: I believe a delegate has a right to question the minutes.

Chairman: At that rate, any member of the public could upset out meetings.

Mr. Kenny: I have no objection to you questioning the minutes if the Chairman permits you to speak as a delegate, and not as a member of the Board. If it bears any personal reference to you, I have no objection to you rectifying it.

Chairman: The question of personalities does not come into it.

Mr. Barrett: There are twelve or fourteen clubs affiliated. It seems strange to me if delegates from these clubs could not speak at the meetings of the County Board, especially where they are mentioned. What is the use of our meetings if they cannot?

Chairman: My opinion is that no persons outside a member of the Committee can take part in these meetings.

Mr. Kenny: Where is the use in us formulating councils if every member can take part? I say a delegate can speak if he is mentioned, but not otherwise.

Mr. Barrett: I admit all that, but there is one thing I believe, and that is, a delegate can question anything he considers necessary, but cannot vote.

Mr. Kenny: That is nonsense; if every delegate can speak, there is no use in us coming here.

Mr. Barrett: I think so.

Mr. Kenny: I do not interfere with you as a delegate. You are representing an old hurling club.

Mr. Burke: Older than Craughwell, too.

Mr. Kenny: That is questionable.

Mr. Burke: Did I propose that a vote of censure be passed on Mr. Kenny?

Chairman: You did not.

Mr Burke: I am reported as having done so.

Mr. Barrett: You are not down for proposing it.

Mr. Burke: I will get an opportunity to speak on some future occasion. By the rules of the Association any member of the Committee absenting himself from two consecutive meetings is deprived of his membership. I would like to know how many members have complied with that rule?

Mr. Kenny: I was never absent from a meeting.

The matter dropped.

1935

Rent relief

Ballinasloe U.D. Council, on the proposal of Councillor P. Brennan, have entered into negotiations with the Royal Liver Insurance Society for a long-term loan to relieve the tenants on their housing scheme at Brackernagh.

The original loan for those twenty houses was for 15 years, five years of which have expired. This, short-term, means a rent of 7s. 6d. per week on the present occupiers – a rent which Mr. Brennan says these tenants (many of whom are workless) are unable to pay.

The Council’s object is to have the loan extended to a period of 35 years so that the present weekly rents might be reduced to a figure which the tenants could pay. Similar action with the same insurance company, was taken recently by Athlone U.D.C., which enabled them to reduce the weekly rents on their housing scheme by 2s. 6d. per week.

Hammer action

A large concrete Celtic Cross, erected a year ago at Errislannan, near Clifden, by the Connemara I.R.A., has had a large part of the upper portion knocked off. A sledge hammer must have been used, it is said, to knock away the heavy, reinforced circle under the arms of the monument. Feeling runs high in the locality concerning the present outrage and Gardaí are investigating the matter.

Waterworks scheme

A new waterworks scheme and a sewerage scheme for Ballinasloe is under discussion to cost approximately £16,000. Following the sewerage works a new boys’ national school is to be built, the plans for which, it is understood, have already been made.

Rate seizures

Mrs. Muldoon, the rate collector for the Clifden area, has with two members of the Garda Siochana, been busy during the past week making seizures in connection with unpaid rates. Notices appealing to people to pay rates have been posted far and wide. Results in the Clifden area are on the whole, said to be satisfactory.

College damage

At Derrynea District Court, before Sean MacGiollarnath, D.J., sixteen young men were charge by An Feadhmanach ONiadh G.S., Spiddal, with having on August 24, 1934, maliciously damaged the Pearse Memorial College, Rosmuc, and with having broken a window of the college. Fifteen of them pleaded guilty, and was bound to the peace for twelve months on bail of £5 each, and they were ordered to pay 10s. costs between them.

Another young man, Garda O’Mainin said, incited the others to violence and broke a window by firing a stone. He was bound to the peace for twelve months on bail of $5, fined 1s., and ordered to pay 12s compensation.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.