Big spenders and ‘Frugal Four’ noticeable in county councillor’s expenses

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

The earnings, allowances, and expenses of the 30 councillors in Galway County Council rose by €118,429 between 2006 and 2007, with three councillors earning more than €50,000 for the 12 month period.

While the total payment for 2006 was €933,581 that went up to €1,052,010 last year. The average payment to councillors for 2007 rose to €35,067, an increase of €3,948 from €31,119 in 2006. By and large, payment to councillors ranged from c€20,000 to c€39,000, with most seeing an increase.

Crowe ‘disappointed’ Saw Doctors did not play Festival Big Top

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael J Crowe is demanding answers as to why The Saw Doctors did not hold their 20th anniversary concerts in the Galway Arts Festival Big Top last weekend.

Enter the dragon

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

Galway received its first glimpse of its entry into this year’s Volvo Ocean Race when it sailed into the city on Sunday amid of flotilla of supporting yachts.

Family of coma woman settles case against Galway Clinic

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The family of a Claregalway woman — who collapsed into a semi-vegetative state for three years before dying, after undergoing a routine gynaecological procedure — last evening settled an action against the Galway Clinic for €580,000.

Forty-two-year-old Sandra O'Connor, a mother of two, died in February this year in a case that brought great sadness to the Claregalway area.

Two more give evidence in school abuse case

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Two more men yesterday gave evidence of being sexually abused by a Christian Brother in a Galway industrial school some 40 years ago.

No decision on outer bypass until end of August and then it will go before EU Commission

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Speculation that An Bord Pleanála would make a final decision on the controversial Galway City Outer Bypass has proven unfounded. Instead, the Bord will not make a decision for at least another five weeks, and no matter what is decided, the matter will end up before the EU Commission for final decision.

O’Connor case a reminder of how vulnerable we all are

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The very sad case of Sandra O’Connor reached a sort of conclusion yesterday when her family settled their case against the Galway Clinic.

HSE apology too late for Sean but it could save someone else, says family

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The HSE West has apologised to the family of a man with serious speech and hearing problems, after he was killed on his way home from a hospital appointment last February.

Hefty fines for no-show Oughterard motorist

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

An Oughterard woman who failed to appear before Galway District Court this week was convicted in her absence of motoring offences.

Garda Mick Lally gave evidence to stopping Laura de Haast, of Raha, Oughterard, at Bohermore on January 29 last. He said she failed to produce insurance or a driving licence to him on demand.

Airport blasts O’Leary comments out of the sky

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Galway Airport bosses have lashed out at Michael O’Leary’s recent suggestions that there is no future for the airport.

State of the art Mervue childcare facility to open in September

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A state of the art childcare facility will open in Mervue in September which will cater for a mix of 70 infants, toddlers, and children and will offer day care, pre-school and afterschool services.

Care cuts to be felt next month at Clifden nursing home

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Two full-time nurses at St Anne’s community nursing home in Clifden will lose their jobs at the end of August, according to HSE management.

The HSE have confirmed to the SIPTU health union that the nurses’ contracts will not be renewed from August, and further bed closures are now imminent at the hospital.

Man held in custody in connection with death of Czech teenager

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A 22-year-old Czech national was remanded in custody at a special court sitting in Galway on Tuesday afternoon in connection with the discovery of a woman’s body near Inverin, Connemara, in the early hours of Monday morning last.

Fourth annual Ireland cycle and climb for Chernobyl

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The fourth annual cycle and climb to Croagh Patrick for Chernobyl Aid Ireland will take place on August 17.

Oughterard’s Gerard Geoghegan of CAI, and fellow cyclist John Keaney, will swap their racing bikes for 40-year-old Raleigh men’s bikes, when the group heads to Mayo for the event.

Minister for the Environment asked not to restrict one- off rural housing

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Minister for the Environment John Gormley has been strongly criticised for restricting planning applications for one-off rural housing in the countryside.

Oranmore Cllr Jim Cuddy said that at present, planning conditions seriously reduce the number of one-off rural houses. “It is only right and proper that family members should be able to build a house and live on their family lands in keeping with proper environmental and road safety concerns,” said the Progressive Democrats Cllr.

Former McDonagh building would be ideal location for Galway City Municipal Art Gallery

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

While viewing the exhibitions at the Galway Arts Festival box office in the former McDonagh/Instore building on No 5 Merchants Road last Saturday, it struck me that this building would be ideal to develop as a municipal art gallery for Galway city.

Man charged with city shooting remanded in custody

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A man who is charged in connection with a shooting in the city last April which resulted in another man losing part of his hand, was further remanded in custody following his appearance before Galway District Court this week.

Custody remand in connection with Tirellan Heights stabbing

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

A Polish man charged with a serious assault was further remanded in custody when he appeared before Galway District Court this week.

McDonnell and Ó Brolcháin to meet Housing Minister to try and secure extra housing aid funds

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

PD Cllr Declan McDonnell and Green Cllr Niall Ó Brolcháin will meet Housing Minister Michael Finneran and Environment Minister John Gormley to try and secure funds for the Galway City Council’s Essential Housing Aid for the Elderly and Disabled Persons Grant Scheme.

The meeting follows calls from Cllr McDonnell for Cllr Ó Brolcháin to “use his influence” to try and secure a meeting.

The show goes on for The Saw Doctors celebration

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Despite a changes of venue, an objection, and a court case, The Saw Doctors will finally be able to celebrate their 20th anniversary concerts in Salthill this weekend, in the grounds of Coláiste Éinde secondary school.

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