City Council criticised over €1.6m underhand spend on extra car-parking at Crown Square

Galway City Council has come under fire for an underhand spend of €1.6m for extra car parking spaces at Crown Square.

Crown Square in Mervue will be the new location for City Hall, with staff and services set to begin transferring there at the end of 2024. 

Councillors, who unanimously backed the €45m project, were last year given a presentation that noted 150 car-parking spaces. 

But anger and frustration was expressed last night over city officials later deciding to spend an extra €1.6m on 100 more parking spaces without briefing all councillors. 

It was accepted by the interim CEO, Patricia Philbin, that if they could do it over again, they would do it differently and consult with elected members. 

Councillor Mike Cubbard says it's not the right way to do business when it comes to public money.