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Galway Advertiser 2007/2007_10_11/GA_1110_E1_008.pdf
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www.galwayadvertiser.ie
October 11 2007
Dempsey's visit means solutions for Galway traffic problems are on the way?
BY KERNAN ANDREWS Major park and ride facilities, bus corridors, and even a solution to the traffic jams in Claregalway could be on the horizon once Transport Minister Noel Dempsey visits Galway in early November. Minister Dempsey is coming to Galway next month to see for himself the city's chronic traffic problems and transport system and to engage in talks with the city manager Joe MacGrath, the Galway Chamber of Commerce, and the American Chamber of Commerce. Galway West TD Frank Fahey is confident that the Minister's visit is a sign that movement will be made on implementing the Galway City Bus Strategy and releasing funding for projects like park and ride. "The fact that he has agreed to come is important," Dep Fahey told the Galway Advertiser. "It will be one of his first visits to a regional capital to look at how to get various projects off the ground." Dep Fahey feels the Galway City Bus Strategy "has been subject to unreasonable delays". He said: "It's been nine months since the strategy was published. There is considerable money available for park and ride facilities and bus corridors but things have to be speeded up." Dep Fahey said the Minister's visit and the establishment of the Galway City Council Transport Office will move things forward. "The council do not have the staff to prepare the briefs and tender documents for many of the needed developments but this new office is ready to get up and running," Dep Fahey said. "All that is needed now is approval for staff from the Department of the Environment." For Claregalway, Dep Fahey is hoping to forge some solution to the bottlenecks that are plaguing the area. "We want the Minister to see what it's like for motorists and people who live in Claregalway," he said. "We hope to get Claregalway done as a relief road and solve the problem. I believe that is the way it will be done." While in Galway, Minister Dempsey will also examine the plans for the proposed redevelopment of Ceannt Station and the docklands. Dep Fahey believes that if the plans are pursued separately, with no long term vision, a major opportunity to develop a "waterfront area unequalled in Ireland" will be lost. He will be encouraging the Minister to ensure both are done in tandem.
Minister Noel Dempsey.
Frank Fahey -- his calls have been answered.
Further custody remand for man charged with rape
A 42 years old Polish man who is charged with raping a woman in Connemara last May was further remanded in custody following his appearance before Galway District Court this week. The man, who may not be named for legal reasons, is charged with raping the woman and with sexually assaulting her on May 9 last. He is further charged with assaulting the woman, causing her harm and with robbing 170 cash from her on the same date. Defence solicitor, Adrian MacLynn, said that on September 3 last the court made an order prohibiting the publication of the accused man's name, but his name had subsequently appeared in a local newspaper which meant the court order had been breached. Judge Mary Fahy pointed out to the solicitor that the man's name could have been published for the assault and robbery charges. "To be fair to the press, it acts very responsibly and is very careful not to name a person charged with the more serious charges of rape or sexual assault," Judge Fahy said. Inspector John Galvin said the Book of Evidence would be ready in three weeks' time. Mr MacLynn said the Book of Evidence should have been ready a long time ago and as his client had been in custody since May he asked that the case against him be struck out if the Book of Evidence was not ready by the next court date. Judge Fahy told the solicitor his client faced very serious charges and she would not make such an order against the State for that reason. She remanded the accused in custody to appear before the court again on October 24 and she extended time for service of the Book of Evidence to that date.
Former Galway great and Advertiser columnist Ray Silke and Goal's Ronan Scully pictured making away with the art at the Goal Ball at the Clayton Hotel on Friday night. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy