Local Elections: Galway City Council results

Independent candidates emerged as the big winners in the Galway City Council area in 2019′s local elections, taking one-third of the vote and six of the 18 seats.

A total of 52 candidates are running across the local authority’s three, six-seat electoral areas, where Fianna Fáil, with five seats, is the largest party, ahead of Fine Gael (three), the Green Party (two) and the Social Democrats and Labour (one each).

Candidates say housing, particularly young adults being unable to afford to move out, and traffic are coming up on the doors regularly, with the N6 Galway City Ring Road still not developed despite being mooted more than 20 years ago.

Other issues cropping up include public transport, schoolbuses and bus lanes, the state of footpaths and roads in and around estates, the high cost of living, and the need for more public amenities such as playgrounds. Immigration has been raised as a concern by a very small minority on the doorsteps, candidates say.

Five of the six Independents members are seeking reelection, with Colette Connolly (Galway City Central) the exception. Sinn Féin is attempting to restore a presence on the council after all three of its councillors – Mairéad Farrell, Cathal Ó Conchúir and Mark Lohan – failed to be returned in 2019. Farrell has since been elected to the Dáil but Lohan and Ó Conchúir will be back on the ballot this year alongside Aisling Burke.

Galway City Central: 6 seatsGalway City East: 6 seatsGalway City West: 6 seats

[ View 2019 Galway City Council results ]

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