Falcons and bats know where they will live, but we don’t, worried residents tell road hearing

Thu, Oct 29, 2020

Plans for the nesting ledges of peregrine falcon and the flight paths of bats have been drawn up, yet there is little information as to how people will find new homes after their houses are demolished, the An Bord Pleanala oral hearing into the Galway City Ring Road was told yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

In this, the last of the three modules of the hearing held remotely, inspectors heard submission to the Compulsory Purchase Order stage and it was no surprise that residents whose houses are being demolished were the most vocal in raising their concerns.

Ballindooley resident Sharon Morris told the hearing that there has not been any in-depth study of the psychological impact on her family and her neighbours who are set to lose their houses under the scheme. She challenged the conclusion of the psychological evaluation of the applicants which stated that homeowners will be worried and stressed but that in time they will get over it and move on to live fulfilling lives elsewhere.