Political football

Thu, Oct 02, 2008

What is it about soccer and Galway politicians? Terryland is so full of them that Galway United’s home ground could nearly be regarded as the ‘second council chamber’!

Go to Galway United’s home matches any Friday night and collecting your ticket or entrance fee will be former mayor Martin Quinn, who is hoping to stand again for Fianna Fáil in the 2009 Local Elections.

As you were for the Greens?

Thu, Oct 02, 2008

On Monday The Green Party unveiled its election team for the 2009 local elections - the first political party in Galway to do so. However the party look unlikely to make any increase on the one seat it secured in 2004.

Paul Osikoya breaks new ground again

Thu, Oct 02, 2008

Nigerians Paul Osikoya and Tokie Lotan broke new ground in Galway politics when they became the first non-nationals to run for elections to the Galway City Council in 2004.

Water crisis should force Galway to have a re-think

Thu, Oct 02, 2008

The lead drinking water crisis is the city’s second such crisis in a year. While we are told it is confined to specific areas, it is still a cause for concern because it has even more serious implications for public health than cryptosporidium.

This situation, though serious, must also be seen as an opportunity - a chance to re-think how we do things, and the possibility this crisis throws up as an opportunity, must be grasped.

Get the lead out

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

The Galway City Council knew about the presence of lead in the Galway water supply as far back as July, it was confirmed last night by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Man jailed for for pee-ing in a bus

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Bus Eireann has been praised by a Galway district judge for no longer tolerating the damage of its property and for prosecuting those who urinate in its buses.

A chronic alcoholic, with 84 previous convictions for public order offences, was yesterday sentenced to three months in prison for causing damage to a bus at Ceannt Station by urinating in it.

We’ve been badly let down again

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

‘Tis hard to kill off the Mervues, the Bohermores, the Claddaghs and the Shantall-ians. It is no coincidence that the four areas that are in the headlines this week are communities that house the hardiest people in the city. Homes to dozens of centenarians, and families of amazing strength and tenacity, it is these bastions of auld Galway that are in the eye of the current storm.

Of course, it is the fact that these areas are the true Galway that has put them at the centre of the latest water scare. These are areas that have to a large degree managed to hold back the bulldozers that have turned Galway into Matchbox City. And because of that the piping that brings the clean water from the water plants to their traditional homes in traditional areas is deemed to be the cause of the contamination that has seen some and possibly many families consuming water with up to FOUR or FIVE times the permissible level of lead.

Old Mervue residents must be provided with bottled water says Walsh

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Elderly residents in Old Mervue must be provided with free bottled water instead of having to haul buckets of water from the street to their homes according to Fine Gael Cllr Brian Walsh.

Public confidence in water supply has ‘gone totally’

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Public confidence in the cleanliness and safety of the Galway drinking water supply has “gone totally” as the city faces into its second major water crisis in less than 18 months.

The discovery of “very high levels of lead” in 12 houses around the city, particularly in Old Mervue, has led to City Hall and the HSE issuing a warning to residents of the area not to drink the water until further notice.

Council and HSE advise public on precautionary measures to deal with water crisis

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

The Galway City Council and the HSE have advised residents of Old Mervue not to drink tap water and informed the rest of the city on the precautionary measures which must be taken to deal with the latest with water crisis.

Public urged to support fundraiser for six-year-old boy

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

A fundraiser in aid of a six-year-old boy who was paralysed following a car crash will take place on Saturday at An Púcán, Forster Street, from 10pm until late.

Man sent forward for trial charged with sexual assault

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

A 43-year-old, charged with the alleged sexual assault of a woman last year, has been sent forward for trial.

Stargazers to flock to Galway to see Uranus and other marvels

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Stargazers from across the country are set to descend on Galway next year as the city is to become the astronomy capital of Ireland.

Model boat display this weekend in the Claddagh

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

A special model boat display will be held in the Claddagh Basin on Saturday organised by Baidoiri an Cladaig - the Claddagh Community Boat Club.

New pulmonary programme for Merlin Park Hospital

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

A new out-patient exercise and education programme designed to improve the quality of life of patients with chronic respiratory disorders has begun at Merlin Park Hospital.

Economy might dictate future of Lenaboy Castle park plans

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Calls to have lands around Lenaboy Castle made into a public park could fail to become a reality because of the planning process and strict spending during an economic downturn.

Stiltwakers and a captive giant to take over An Cheathrú Rua this weekend

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

On Saturday a giant will be led through the streets of An Cheathrú Rua before being burned at the stake, accompanied by the sight and sound of an Irish speaking Australian stiltwaker.

The events will be part of Dóilín 2 - the second weekend of the maritime festival Féile an Dóilín - which takes place tomorrow and Saturday.

Pig out at the Monster Organic Ball and save the lives of thirty-seven kids

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Galway has always been a town to do things a little differently, and raising money for a good cause is no exception. Instead of a restrained black tie affair, Galway's Monster Organic Ball is a thoroughly enjoyable celebratory event, combining an enormous as-much-as-you-can-eat organic banquet, full free bar, and 10 hours of live music, entertainment and dancing.

Is there any space for the public?

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

What is a civic, public, space in Galway? Is it a publicly owned land or building where people can assemble and meet or in today’s society does it only mean pubs and shopping centres which are privately owned and run for profit? What about those with disabilities, how do they experience Galway city?

Galway film company looks inside India’s inspirational Rainbow School

Thu, Sep 25, 2008

Galway based Hawkeye Films became the first film crew to film inside the famous Rainbow School in Kolkata, India. The results of that filming have been made into a documentary to be broadcast this weekend.

Scoil an tSolais - School of Light will be broadcast on TG4 this Sunday at 9.30pm as part of the station’s Cogar series.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.