Galway Hospice board decides against legal challenge

Galway City Tribune – The Board of Galway Hospice has decided not to seek a judicial review in the High Court of the planning refusal for a new facility at Merlin Park.

A statement issued by the Board yesterday (Thursday) said the decision had been taken with reluctance and they believe that dying patients should take precedence over environmental concerns.

“Following extensive consultations with planning and legal advisors the Hospice Board have reluctantly taken the decision not to seek leave for a judicial review. This decision by the Hospice Board was not easily reached as Galway badly needs a new hospice.

“However, there are significant risks and costs associated with a judicial review with no guarantee of success.

“It is with great reluctance and regret that the Hospice Board have taken this decision as they have spent years looking for a suitable site for the new hospice and still believe that the site at Merlin Park is the ideal location.

“They believe that the patients and families in Galway living with life limiting illnesses should take precedence over the environmental concerns raised by the objectors to this urgently-needed new hospice,” the statement reads.
This is a preview only. To read the full version of this article, see the March 22nd edition of the Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week’s paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone.