Galway Bay FM News Archives
Truce at last in row that led to officials’ boycott of Councillor
Date Published: 21-Mar-2011
By Denise McNamara
Councillor Padraig Conneely and officials of Galway city council have reached a truce in their bitter dispute after a meeting behind closed doors resulted in a conciliation statement being signed by the public representative and full services being restored to him.
Friday’s special council meeting to co-opt two new councillors to replace the newly elected TDs Brian Walsh and Derek Nolan was adjourned by Mayor Michael Crowe in a bid to end the row which has seen three city council meetings being abandoned.
A private meeting in the mayoral chambers was then held between the mayor, Cllr Conneely and his Fine Gael colleague Cllr Hildegard Naughton with directors of service Ciarán Hayes, Tom Connell and city manager Joe O’Neill.
Over the course of an hour, the issues were thrashed out and Mayor Crowe returned to the council chamber to read out a statement which had been signed by Cllr Conneely.
The sticking point was understood to have been the issuing of an unequivocal public apology by Cllr Conneely, which had been demanded by officials since the saga began.
A compromise was reached which resulted in the following statement: “I, Councillor Padraig Conneely, withdraw any remarks I made that were of a personal nature. I wish to state I will abide by and respect the code of conduct for councillors and the dignity at work policy relevant to Galway City Council.”
The Mayor announced that it had been agreed there would be no discussion publicly of what had taken place during the mediation talks.
Yesterday (Monday), manager Joe O’Neill issued a memorandum to local authority staff that all services were to be restored to Cllr Conneely with immediate effect.
A spokesman for the council said no further comments would be made about the matter. “We are not offering any opinion or statement in relation to the resolution of the dispute with Cllr Conneely. It was agreed that none of the parties would come to the media to talk about it.”
Cllr Conneely also declined to comment.
Over recent weeks, the row resulted in the business of the city being hampered, with three city council meetings, two Leisureland board meetings, a corporate policy group meeting and a Travellers’ accommodation meeting aborted.
Meetings of the city’s joint policing committee and the recreation, amenity and the cultural special policy committee were also adjourned.
The saga erupted after Cllr Conneely remarked that ‘Comical Ali’ would be proud of the information being provided by the local authority on the latest water crisis.
Read more in this week’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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