An environmental watchdog only became aware through media reports that several people had become ill in Limerick from consuming contaminated drinking water, an audit has revealed.

Local authorities are insured by Irish Public Bodies, which deals with claims for issues such as slips and trips on footpaths and damage to cars caused by potholes.

Rat infestations, blocked sewers, substandard housing, lack of play areas — a report on Traveller accommodation in Galway city and county paints a bleak picture of the living conditions.

A man whose horse was destroyed by a county council over unpaid impounding fees has been awarded €2,000 by the High Court.

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a large wind farm in Co. Galway.

As open water sea swimmers prepare for a Galway Bay crossing this weekend, Irish Water has said there is “no proven link” between a recent serious pollution incident in the city and the quality of bathing water off Galway’s beaches.

The worst offenders were properties in Limerick City and County Council, Galway County Council and Louth County Council.

Just over 500 staff out of more than 20,000 working in Government departments can speak Irish.

A judge has thrown out of a noise pollution claim by a Gort woman against a Christian Church concerning the disturbance from loud drums and amplified music by Church goers below her apartment.

A man whose horse was destroyed by a county council over unpaid impounding fees did not accept the animal was found wandering on a public road, the High Court has heard.

A surge in personal injury cases is costing local authorities millions in compensation payouts.

Galway's European Capital of Culture project is seeking a new operations director after its current post holder signalled his departure.

When I read that skeletal remains, indicating an infant “on its left side”, lie in a structure that was probably designed for sewage, in the former grounds of the Mother and Baby home in Tuam, I feel sick.

It is opportune that the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby homes should be published during Holy Week when another unjust crucifixion, that of innocent babies and children, occurred at these homes.

THE burial locations of thousands of babies born in mother and baby homes remain unknown after investigators hit unexplained gaps in official records and claims by religious orders that they did not know what went on.

There is much talk now of the moral compass, which is simply a novel description of whatever it is in our hearts and minds that enables us to distinguish right from wrong, and act accordingly.

The investigation into the mother and baby homes was expected to be a journey into history and past practices long since laid to rest.

Children's Minister Katherine Zappone has said the State Commission has found no physical or documentary evidence of systematic burials at Bessborough, but considers that it is highly likely that burials took place there.

The owner of a thoroughbred horse has sued Galway County Council over what he claims was the wrongful seizure and subsequent slaughter of the animal by the local authority.

The new creative director and chair for the Galway’s European city of culture project have “failed to inspire confidence” in the light of fundraising figures, according to the city’s former mayor.

The Government has agreed in principle to the holding of plebiscites on directly elected mayors in cities across the country.

Journalist Gemma O’Doherty has failed to secure the required number of county councils to contest the presidential race.

The race for Áras an Uachtaráin is officially underway.

A recommendation on the future of children’s remains at the site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam is expected to be announced in early autumn, a meeting in the Co Galway town was told last night.

Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone is to visit Tuam next Monday to hear from people affected by the mother and baby home scandal.

Mary Morrissy Considering ‘memorialisation’ on equal terms with investigation will quite literally pave over the wrongdoing, writes Mary Morrissy.

Survivors of the Tuam mother and baby home have written to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the attorney general, and the coroner for north Galway calling for an inquest to be opened into the deaths of children at the home.

Children’s minister Katherine Zappone is requesting a copy of research which states that new advanced genomic technologies should allow for the identification of remains at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Home.

The Government has been urged to direct that a full forensic excavation, exhumation, and DNA testing of the remains at the Tuam site be commenced immediately.

Tuam babies campaigner Catherine Corless has hit out at the Government for focusing “on cost” rather than committing to a full forensic excavation, exhumation, and DNA testing of the remains at the Tuam site.

The High Court has dismissed a challenge by a woman and her five children against Galway County Council’s refusal to provide them with continued emergency accommodation after they turned down a four-bedroom house.

Hundreds of children buried on the site of the Tuam mother and baby home may never be individually identified, unless the Government commits to a multimillion-euro forensic investigation.

Fire brigades arrive on the scene of a fire within 10 minutes of the alarm being raised in only 40% of cases, new figures show.

The High Court has ruled that Apple's data centre in Athenry can go ahead.

More than 50,000 supporters turned out across Galway to greet the All- Ireland hurling champions as they returned home, having won the senior and minor titles for the first time in the same year.

SIPTU firefighters and their supporters marched in Galway City this morning to demand regular meetings with senior management.

A marine investigation board has called for new safety measures on one of the Aran Islands after a man and woman fell into the sea while disembarking a ferry.

Authorities have called for new safety measures on one of the Aran Islands after a man and woman fell into the sea while disembarking a ferry.

Irish Water has submitted a series of planning applications to Galway County Council in a bid to ease chronic water shortages on two of the Aran Islands.

More than 10,000 complaints of antisocial behaviour were made to local authorities in the last two years, many relating to housing, according to new figures.

Bylaws to regulate the provision of motor home parking in a Cork harbour town have been put on hold while County Hall officials examine proposals introduced for a similar amenity in Galway.

Prof James M Smith says that the Church either knew what was happening in Tuam and did nothing or that its bishops never fulfilled their pastoral duty under Canon Law

Three women who lived in mother and baby homes have informed the commission they are prepared to give sworn evidence to a formal public hearing.

A Leaving Certificate student who claimed he sustained a brain injury when he was thrown from his bike after he allegedly hit a pothole has sued Galway County Council in the High Court.