Tuam traveller campaigner at centre of political turf war at county hall

A ROW has erupted over what is seen by some county councillors as the usurping of their role by unelected community activists.
The row centres on the way many rural development schemes are to be administered in the future. These schemes had always been regarded as within the remit of local councillors, but under a new system they will lose most of their influence when one successful tenderer is awarded the administration role.
Many elected members were angry that unelected people, such as Tuam Traveller campaigner Martin Ward and Ballinasloe community activist Dan Dowling, were among a handful of members of the LCDC who voted to accept this new arrangement.