Galway Bay FM News Archives
Naughton told: apologise or you won’t be the next Mayor
Date Published: 23-May-2011
By Dara Bradley
City councillor Hildergarde Naughton may well have won the Fine Gael nomination – after party headquarters intervened – for the next Galway City Mayor, but she is not a ‘shoo-in’ to become first citizen this June.
Several members of the ruling pact on Galway City Council – which includes Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independents – have expressed private and public reservations to the Sentinel yesterday about voting for Cllr Naughton.
Cllr Naughton will be the Fine Gael nominee, after she fended off an unprecedented political manoeuvre from party colleague Cllr Pádraig Conneely, who attempted to become mayor for the second time in four years after agreeing a separate pact with the third Fine Gael representative on the Council, rookie Frank Fahy.
But it is not clear whether the current FF/FF/Ind pact will hold firm – this week, Cllr Peter Keane (FF), said he would not vote for Cllr Naughton unless she “retracts” and “apologises” for the “hurtful” comments and allegations she levelled against other elected representatives during the course of a debate on the City Development Plan.
Cllr Keane said that Cllr Naughton had made comments that her colleagues on the Council were “in the pockets of developers” and were “doing the bidding” for developers when rezoning lands in the city.
Unless these comments are withdrawn and she apologises to him for making them, the solicitor said he would not be voting for Cllr Naughton to become Mayor.“
Another councillor in the pact, who preferred not to be named, said Cllr Naughton had wrongfully tarred all elected representatives with the one brush when she made her remarks about the links between members of the Council and developers.
This councillor has not yet decided on whether to vote for Cllr Naughton, and may abstain unless the comments are clarified or retracted. Cllr Naughton needs eight votes to win and there are nine involved in the pact.
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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