Courts / Galway / Report
Council created 'monopoly' for private company, High Court told
Summary
In a High Court hearing on 24 January 2022, Galway Sightseeing Tour Company Ltd, trading as Galway Tour Company, argued that Galway City Council had effectively created a monopoly by refusing to allow the company to operate a roadside bus stop outside the city's coach station. The company, which has run sightseeing and private hire buses for years, claims it was forced in 2009 to relocate its collection and drop‑off points to the newly built Galway Coach Station, a facility on public land but operated by private entities. After leaving the station in 2020 over alleged unfair and astronomical licence fees, the company sought a licence from the National Transport Authority (NTA) to operate a stop on Merchants Road. The NTA said council approval was required, and the council objected on traffic congestion grounds, ultimately refusing the licence. The company contends the council's refusal and the NTA's acceptance of that refusal amount to unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional actions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Council created 'monopoly' for private company, High Court told. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- 2022-01-24 Publication
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