Galway Bay FM News Archives
High Court bid to overturn refusal for big retail centre
Date Published: 04-Apr-2011
BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM
A former city Mayor has launched a High Court bid to create a massive retail development in Shantalla – similar to Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin.
Former Fianna Fáil councillor Micheál Ó hUigínn has sought a Judicial Review to overturn the new Galway City Council five-year City Development Plan.
It is understood that supermarket giant Tesco had expressed an interest in being an anchor tenant on his family land on the Seamus Quirke Road.
The basis of Mr Ó hUigínn’s legal action is understood to be that Independent councillor Catherine Connolly participated in voting on the Galway City Development Plan 2011-17, despite a decision to expel her from a meeting.
Four weeks ago, our sister newspaper, the Galway City Tribune, revealed that the interim City Manager had received legal advice that validity of the Development Plan could be challenged because Cllr Connolly refused to leave the meeting.
Now, Deputy City Manager Ciarán Hayes has confirmed to councillors: “An application for the Judicial Review of the members’ decision to adopt the City Development Plan with particular reference to [the Ó hUigínn rezoning bid] has been lodged in the High Court.
“The applicants are Michael O’Higgins [sic] and T O’hUiginn & Co. Ltd. I am to advise that the City Council will be defending this case and appropriate legal advice is being taken on same,” said Mr Hayes.
Interim City Manager Joe O’Neill has again been criticised by Cllr Padraig Conneely for failing to warn councillors of potential legal repercussions when Cllr Connolly refused to leave the Council Chamber, and warned that legal costs could run into hundreds of thousands of euro.
It is expected the Judicial Review may not be heard in the High Court until the latter part of the year.
The issue is set to be raised at a Council meeting next Monday night by Cllr Peter Keane, a solicitor, who originally asked Council officials at the January meeting what the implications of Cllr Connolly refusing to leave the Chamber would be.
Mr Ó hUigínn wants the 9.5 acre site – which is bounded by the Seamus Quirke Road, the Old Seamus Quirke Road and Rahoon Road – to be rezoned from Commercial/Industrial usage to a District Centre.
However, the City Manager said such a development would threaten existing businesses.
Read more in today’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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