Council inquires into Tuam car park development

GalwayGalway County Council is investigating a "possible breach of planning legislation" related to a car park in Tuam, Co Galway.

A right-of-way, which has been overlaid by the car park construction, is the focus of a campaign involving Saw Doctors lead guitarist Leo Moran.

Councillors are due to vote on ending the right-of-way next month. Councillors had agreed to sacrifice the Palace Road right-of-way linking the town to a park and leisure centre as part of approval for a new shopping development.

However, Labour councillor Shaun Cunniffe said he was shocked to find that the development was not proceeding, and the developer had opted to build a car park instead, removing the Palace Road route in the process.

Businessman Joe O’Toole said he had approval for the car park, which was temporary, and put in an alternative route linking the swimming pool to the town.

But the Saw Doctors musician, spokesman for the Restore Our Palace Road campaign, said a route was hastily installed before a protest on the issue last month, and “could be as hastily removed”.

“We want the right-of-way retained and something similar to the old road put back,” Mr Moran said. “This road was very important to all the students who use the pool; the elderly and people with disabilities. One teacher now has to get a taxi to bring her autistic children’s class to the leisure centre,” he added.