Search Results for 'Declan Geraghty'

Galway County Council has become the third local authority in the country to actively rezone land to accelerate housing delivery, following a directive from Minister for Housing James Browne, calling on councils to free up serviced land for development.

Residents’ anger over the long-running street widening and regeneration issues in Dunmore dominated discussion at Galway County Council’s January Plenary Meeting this week, with councillors warning that frustration in the north Galway town is reaching a critical point.

Concerns over the continued downgrading of services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH) resurfaced sharply at last week’s meeting of Ballinasloe Municipal District, with councillors expressing frustration at a lack of transparency, accountability, and clear evidence underpinning decisions that have already led to the scaling back of maternity services.

Ongoing and sporadic power outages affecting an estimated 7,000 homes and businesses across north Galway have sparked serious concern among elected representatives, who say the situation is placing vulnerable residents at real risk.

A routine item seeking approval to extend Galway Flying Club’s lease of the Galway Airport site until December 2026 ignited a lengthy and impassioned debate at November’s plenary meeting of Galway County Council, as councillors demanded clarity on the long-delayed proposed sale of the 115-acre Carnmore site.

Ballinasloe’s municipal district (MD) saw an increase in expenditure for 2026 with a budget of €10.5 million, but its elected MD members have expressed shared concerns over rising costs, community grant reductions, parking measures, and anti-social behaviour at the recent municipal district meeting to discuss 2026 General Municipal Allocations (GMA).

The meeting took a sharp turn following a presentation from Director of Housing Damien Mitchell, who outlined the current state of Galway’s zoned residential land. He revealed that 741 hectares have been designated for housing, with an estimated capacity for 18,107 units, yet most of that land remains unusable due to inadequate wastewater services.

The HSE’s decision to reduce the scope of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH), has prompted united condemnation from Galway County councillors, resulting in calls for Government intervention.

Ciaran Cannon (FG) is retiring after 13 years, while independent TD, Corofin’s canny Seán Canney, first elected as a county councillor in Tuam 20 years ago, should retain his seat with some ease. So although now a four-seater, in reality Galway East is still a scrap for three.

The 5th annual Glenamaddy Tractor Run takes place this weekend, Sunday December 4, in aid of Join Our Boys Trust a charitable organisation that raises awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic disorder that took the life of 16-year-old Archie Naughton in July this year.