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Pat McDonagh says he has been blackmailed over a number of planning applications
Galway Bay fm newsroom – Supermac’s boss Pat McDonagh says he has been blackmailed over the planning process a number of times in the past.
The report in the Sunday Business Post follows recent controversy over alleged fake submissions on a planning application for a service station in Co. Clare.
Mr. McDonagh says while blackmail and extortion are common, he has never negotiated or engaged with any company or individual engaging in such practices.
According to the Sunday Business Post, Pat McDonagh has revealed that he’s been blackmailed several times over planning applications.
It reports that a number of businesses have attempted to extort money from the Galway businessman in return for the withdrawal of such applications.
He further claims companies have tried to force him into supplier agreements or business arrangements in return for withdrawing objections to other applications.
It’s alleged that in one case, an individual attempted to extort a high six-figure sum from Supermac’s in exchange for retracting a negative submission from a planning file.
Mr. McDonagh says while attempted blackmail or extortion is common, he has never negotiated or engaged with any company or individual attempting such practices against either himself or Supermac’s.
The revelations follow recent controversy over alleged fake submissions on a motorway service station earmarked for the Galway-Limerick motorway.
The signatures of dozens of people were used without their permission in submissions of support – and in one case, involved the signature of a man who died in 2003.
A planning consultant hired by Supermac’s recently confirmed he submitted the controversial letters – but argued they were gathered by other parties and submitted in good faith.
Howard Williams of Inis Environmental Consultants also said Mr. McDonagh had no input into the submissions and apologised for any upset caused.
Previously, Supermac’s said it was shocked by the situation – stated it would never support such practices – and called for a Garda investigation into the matter.
The death has occurred of the former Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora Martin Drennan, six years after he announced his retirement on health grounds. He was aged 78.
The Galway Diocesan Office confirmed the death this (Saturday) afternoon of the Bishop and Apostolic Administrator Emeritus, who oversaw the Diocese for eleven years.
Born on January 2, 1944 in Piltown, County Kilkenny, he studied for the priesthood at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, from where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1968. His brother Michael is also a priest.
Following his ordination, he continued his studies in Rome where he was awarded a Licentiate in both sacred theology and sacred scripture. He returned to Rome in 1980 to become spiritual director at the Pontifical Irish College for the next five years.
He became a lecturer in sacred scripture at Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he continued to teach until his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin in 1997 with responsibility for East Wicklow and South Dublin.
Following the retirement of Bishop James McLoughlin, Bishop Drennan was appointed Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and he was installed on July 3, 2005 in Galway Cathedral.
Outgoing Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) is on course to retain her City Council seat – and top the poll in City East.
With 33% of the boxes tallied, Cllr O’Flaherty is polling strongly, particularly in Renmore.
Michael John Crowe is ahead of his running mate Alan Cheevers for the Fianna Fáil vote, according to the early figures, although that could change when Doughiska and Roscam boxes are opened.
The Green Party’s Claire Hillery is on about 7%, with Fine Gael on 10% and Sinn Fein on 5%.
The opening of boxes for the local elections began at 9am this morning in Leisureland when the tallymen (and women) kicked into gear.
As regards the Galway County Council elections, the smaller areas are being opened first which means that the four-seater Connemara North boxes will be first in the pecking order.
It will be followed by Gort-Kinvara (5 seats), Connemara South (5 seats), Athenry-Oranmore (7 seats), Ballinasloe (6 seats), Loughrea (5 seats) and finally Tuam (7 seats).
The boxes in these areas will be opened and tallied in that particular order before being transferred to the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Threadneedle Road where the counting will commence around mid-morning.
That is when the fun will really begin – although the tallies should give a good indication as to where most of the seats are destined.
As regards the city, the Galway City East boxes were opened first, followed by Galway City Central and finally Galway City West. These votes will be transferred to the Westside Centre by around 11am for counting.
There are 39 seats on Galway County Council to be filled with 18 on Galway City Council. The City Council count is expected to conclude on Saturday night but the County Council count – with seven electoral areas to be filled – could well go into Monday.
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