Galway Bay FM News Archives
Last-ditch talks secure Mayoral chain for Naughton
Date Published: 30-Jun-2011
BY FRANK FARRAGHER
THE long standing dispute that threatened to scuttle the election of Cllr. Hildegarde Naughton as Mayor of Galway was only resolved an hour before Wednesday’s City Council meeting just at the gong of the Angelus bell.
Up until 6pm on Wednesday, the fate of the mayorship hung in the balance with Independent councillor, Donal Lyons, and Fianna Fáil’s Peter Keane, threatening to withdraw from the FF, FG and Independents alliance, needed to elect Cllr. Naughton.
The dispute had its roots in a City Council planning meeting last January at which Cllr. Naughton referred to the actions of some councillors as akin to sheep going out a gap, saying that ‘if one went out they all went out’.
Cllr. Lyons and Cllr. Keane took particular umbrage at the remarks and since March 17 last, and it had been made clear to Cllr. Naughton (FG) that the duo would not be voting for her unless she unreservedly withdrew her comments.
If both councillors ‘switched camps’ and sided with the Labour Party nominee, Cllr. Colette Connolly, this would have swung the vote 8-7 in favour of Cllr. Connolly.
However, the ‘Angelus meeting’ – involving Cllr. Naughton, Mayor Michael Crowe, Cllr. Peter Keane and Cllr. Donal Lyons – resulted in a statement being drafted and being signed by the three parties involved, that Cllr. Naughton read out at the start of Wednesday’s meeting.
After that was done, the pact held, with Cllr. Naughton defeating Cllr. Connolly for the position of mayor by nine votes to 6 at the meeting which began at 7pm. She became the city’s 43rd Mayor and the seventh female ‘First Citizen’.
The FF, FG and Independents pact now looks set to ‘stay the course’ with Cllr. Terry O’Flaherty in line for the office in 2012 followed by Cllr. Padraig Conneely in 2013.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.
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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