Plans for a GAA club in Salthill Knocknacarra, involving a planning application for flood-lit pitches, became a significant political issue that may have contributed to Noel Thomas losing a Dáil seat in the recent Galway West by-election.

Counting has resumed in the Galway West bye-election, with Independent Ireland's Noel Thomas currently ahead of Fine Gael's Seán Kyne. The count is now on its second day.

Galway by-election hopeful Noel Thomas has voiced his objection to the €10 million expansion plans for the Salthill GAA club.