Judge refuses jurisdiction in animal cruelty case

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

A JUDGE refused to hear an alleged animal cruelty case after viewing photographs of the animals in question presented by the prosecution when the matter came before Ballinasloe District Court.

Eight times banned driver wants his licence back for job

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

A MAN who was put off the road for ten years in 2019 for repeatedly driving without insurance is attempting to get his licence back early, but this application is being strenuously opposed by the Gardaí.

Ballinasloe bite going to prove painful for biter

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

TWO young men who caused an affray in a Ballinasloe pub during which a staff member was bitten on the arm were told they’d better come back before the local Court with “thousands” in compensation for their victim or face the consequences.

Pretend gunman only in Tuam because he fell asleep on bus

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

AN ATHLONE man only ended up in Tuam because he had fallen asleep on a bus, Judge James Faughnan was told at Ballinasloe District Court, by his solicitor.

Honeymoon speeder gets invitation to Court

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

WHEN Ballinasloe District Court was informed that a Dublin woman caught speeding was on her honeymoon at the time, the news prompted much hilarity.

No chewing gum allowed in Judge Faughnan’s Court

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

A WOMAN who was ordered to cease chewing gum when she was called to answer a charge before Ballinasloe District Court, left the building and failed to return when her case was recalled.

Michael D ‘deeply distressed’ over University’s participation in research project

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

Former president Michael D Higgins has said he is “deeply distressed” over the University of Galway’s participation in a research project with ties to defence contractors involved in the attacks in Palestine.

‘Dark horse’ Fitzy making his mark

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

On Monday night, the nation trained its eyes on Virgin Media 2 as Sean Fitzgerald (aka Fitzy), the Barna man, who lined out at full-back for Galway, entered the cauldron that is the Love Island villa.

IKEA announces new ‘Plan and Order’ site in Galway

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

As part of its ongoing expansion plans, IKEA has this week announced a plan to open a Plan and Order Point in Galway, its largest Plan and Order Point in Ireland.

8,000 flock to Headford for biggest Headfest yet

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

Headfest 2026 took place across Headford and the wider Lough Corrib region over the June Bank Holiday weekend, with organisers describing it as the biggest and most successful festival in the event’s history.

Minister Canney welcomes €69,300 in EU Presidency funding for Galway projects

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the allocation of €69,300 in funding for Galway organisations and local authorities under the 2026 Communicating Europe Initiative (CEI), which supports projects that enhance public understanding of the European Union and Ireland’s role within it.

Long awaited and much needed South Galway flood relief scheme is off the rails

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

The South Galway Flood Relief Committee (SGFRC) is calling on Minister Boxer Moran (OPW) and Minister Sean Canney to intervene personally to rescue a flood relief scheme that has been in development for over a decade and is now critically off schedule.

Hold onto a sense of wonder

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

All across Ireland this week, in towns and villages, cities and suburbs, there are pockets of silence. In school halls and gymnasiums, in classrooms transformed into examination centres, a hush has settled. It is a peculiar kind of quiet — not empty, but full. Full of concentration, anticipation, hope and uncertainty. Between the turning of pages, the shuffle of papers and the occasional sigh, more than 70,000 Leaving Certificate students are sitting at desks and contemplating futures not yet written.

Save the date for the Abbey Hotel Summer Wedding Fair

Thu, Jun 04, 2026

If you've recently said "Yes!", then it's time to start imagining the magic.

Car abandoned outside post office for four days

Wed, Jun 03, 2026

A Tuam woman who, the local district court heard, had abandoned her car outside the town’s post office for four days was fined when her case came before Judge James Faughnan.

CORRECTION

Wed, Jun 03, 2026

In a court report under the heading “Father, grandfather, daughter and granddaughter at centre of Tuam Assault” that appeared in the “Before the Courts” section of the Galway Advertiser on 26th February 2026, it was wrongly reported that Garda Inspector Stan O’Grady had informed Judge Deane, sitting at Tuam District Court, that Gregory Leonard had been in a relationship with and had fathered a child with a daughter of Michael Connolly. The correct report should have been that Michael Connolly had in fact fathered a child with Gregory Leonard’s daughter. The Galway Advertiser is happy to clarify that the report was inaccurate. The Galway Advertiser wishes to apologise unreservedly to Mr. Leonard for the inaccurate reporting of the court proceedings.

Bread van tale hasn’t gone stale yet

Tue, Jun 02, 2026

The saga of the early morning theft of a Brennan’s Bread van in Ballinasloe got a fresh outing at Ballinasloe District Court, hot on the heels of the van lady’s appearance in person at Tuam District Court two days before. Some stories never go stale.

NPWS launches new Yeats-Gregory Explorer summer shuttle bus service

Tue, Jun 02, 2026

A new free hop-on hop-off shuttle bus service connecting some of south Galway’s most important literary, cultural and natural heritage sites has begun operating this week. The service was launched at Coole Park today (Tuesday) by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney.

Eighty hours' community service for woman on shoplifting charge

Mon, Jun 01, 2026

A woman who pleaded guilty to stealing USB sticks and hard drives to the value of €489 from Curry’s Galway Retail Park, Headford Road, in 2019 was told at Galway District Court that she had had enough time to accumulate compensation by now.