Councillor John McDonagh is urging city centre residents to attend a public meeting tonight, Thursday, June 5, at 7.45pm, at St Joseph's Community Centre in Shantalla regarding HSE plans to build a heliport in Shantalla Park.
The Labour Party rep said he learned discussions between the HSE and Galway City Council are ongoing regarding a transfer of land, despite the absence of any formal engagement with people who live nearby.
“The people of Shantalla have not been consulted about losing three acres of their park, and that is completely unacceptable,” he said. “This is public land. The community has a right to be informed, a right to be consulted, and a right to say 'no'.”
A meeting has been called by the Shantalla Residents Association to discuss transparency and community involvement. The meeting will provide updates on the proposal, allow residents to ask questions, and coordinate a local response.
Cllr McDonagh has submitted a motion to Galway City Council blocking any land transfers until the HSE engages with local residents. He said he has requested full details of all communications between local authority officials and the HSE on this matter, including emails, correspondence, and meeting records.
“This meeting is about defending public space, protecting community rights, and demanding transparency from both the council and the HSE. I urge all Shantalla residents - and neighbouring communities who may also be impacted - to attend. The vote to give this land to the HSE is on the agenda for next Monday’s city council meeting. Now is the time to act," added McDonagh.
More than 11 years after Galway City Council agreed to lend the HSE part of the community park for helicopter landings during renovations of University Hospital Galway, the HSE now has a new masterplan for its UCHG campus. The HSE wants to upgrade its temporary landing pad in Shantalla a top tier aeromedical heliport, after rejecting other options in South Park and Dangan.
