The row stems from a statement issued by Councillor Shane Forde (FG ), claiming that elected representatives across the east side of Galway have failed to sponsor public realm projects in their neighbourhoods, such as recent repairs to a footpath in Renmore.
The Fine Gael representative, who was elected in 2024, released a statement marking the completion of a pavement resurfacing project opposite the Bons Secours hospital. In it, Forde criticised the track records of his constituency colleagues.
“I was very keen to deliver this project during my term on the council, and I am delighted to report that the Council finished the new 500 metre footpath along Renmore Road last week,” he said. “Previous elected council representatives have failed in my opinion to deliver on projects such as this,” he added.
“I made a commitment last year that if I got elected to the Council, I would get back to the basics: delivering footpaths, road improvements and better amenities for the communities of Galway City East,” he said, including that he had also secured new benches for nearby Renmore Crescent.
Councillor Declan McDonnell (Ind ), a city councillor since 1991, responded to Cllr Forde’s charge with a long list of projects he has allocated funding to over the decades.
“You can’t have your cake and eat it,” said McDonnell. “Councillors used to have €10,000 per year to allocate for Local Improvement Schemes. Now, since the last city budget - which [Forde] voted against – we have €30,000,” he said. McDonnell said he hoped a new, separate €83,000 per year fund for City East improvements would be allocated jointly by all area councillors, according to socio-economic needs.
“In 26 years I’ve never criticised another councillor regarding community improvements, and I’m not going to start now,” said Councillor Terry O’Flaherty (Ind ), speaking to the Advertiser. O’Flaherty said she was tabling a formal question to city engineers this week about the source of funding for improvements to pavements between Duggan's Spar shop and the Full Duck Café on the Renmore Road.
Councillor Aisling Burke (SF ) said she understood monies were already ring-fenced for pavement improvements across the east side of the city, and declined to comment on Councillor Forde’s statement.
“I am disappointed by Councillor Forde’s comments, and I don’t think it is fair of him to take responsibility for all the works done he refers to, especially without giving credit to people like Councillor O’Flaherty, who has done so much for Renmore,” said Councillor Helen Ogbu (Lab ). “As a new councillor, I want to highlight issues that are important in the area, and I expected the council’s East Area Committee to work collectively.”
Councillor Alan Cheevers (FF ), first elected in 2019, said he stood over his own track record.
“I think it is disingenuous for a newly elected councillor to more-or-less ridicule other members with more than 25 years of experience, especially slinging mud at councillors McDonnell and O’Flaherty.
“It is up to the electorate to hold us to account, and voters will see through [council] members trying to win brownie points for improvement projects, and win elections by trying to be populist,” said Cheevers.
Cllr Forde concluded his statement: "I can assure the residents of Galway City East that I will continue to work hard to deliver projects such as these for the area, catering for the needs of young and old in the constituency"
