Concerns about the location of a much-needed new cemetery for the city were raised at this week’s meeting of Galway City Council.
The 1.7 hectare site is located at land near the Connacht Hotel on the Dublin Road having been proposed by councillors almost four years ago.
However, issues surrounding vehicular access to the site and the absence of sufficient car parking were raised by councillors, who were also informed that the plan will involve the removal of land currently being used as a football pitch.
City Council chief executive Brendan McGrath advised councillors that although they have the authority not to progress the plan, they should not ignore the amount of effort that had been exhausted in identifying that location.
Initially, more than 40 sites were identified, but examination of soil, location, access etc had resulted in the shortlist being reduced to one — the Dublin Road site.
He said although 40 possible sites had been deemed feasible, further investigations ruled them out for various reasons, leaving just the Dublin Road site.
In a vote, Cllr Collette Connolly and Cllr Alan Curran said it was not the correct site and that other options should be considered.
But 14 other councillors gave the plan their support, which will allow it to continue to move forward for detailed design
