Galwegians plan kicked to touch

Date Published: 24-Apr-2009

THE future of Galwegians Rugby Club has been thrown into turmoil after a decision by the Planning Appeals Board to reject proposals for a state-of-the-art facility for the club on the Moycullen Road.

Chairman MacDara Hosty told the Galway City Tribune the club is “shocked and devastated” by the decision to overturn Galway County Council’s grant of permission for seven new pitches and a new clubhouse on a site at Brownville on the shores of Lough Corrib.

He said the club will now “take stock” of the decision and decide what its next step will be.

Last year, county planners gave the green light to developer Padraic Rhatigan – who entered an agreement with the club – to build the new facility on the 30 acre site. However, that was subsequently appealed by the National Roads Authority, who raised “serious questions” about its impact on the capacity, efficiency and safety of the N59 road.

A lengthy submission was…