City councillors have voted in favour of re-zoning a 1.4-hectare residential site in Ballybrit, despite fierce opposition from some councillors and city officials. The site will be used to expand the existing shopping centre to create a "one stop shop" for the local community.

However, angry residents have hit out at the move, saying developers are being "pushed to the top of the queue" while local needs are being ignored. President of the Doughiska Residents Association, Fearghal Wall said that the overall feeling in Doughiska is one of annoyance and desperation.

"The feeling is that if you are a rich property developer then you jump to the top of the queue and get what you want, whereas if you are looking for traffic lights or footpaths then you go to the back. We are looking for basic infrastructure not an extended shopping centre. The entry to the centre from the Dublin Road is an absolute disgrace, if a bus and a car are passing in opposite directions then its gridlocked!" said Mr Wall.

He also criticised councillors who have previously pledged to demand improved infrastructure for the area, saying that they do not know the day-to-day reality of the situation.

"All of the councillors are going on about how they are going to get this and that for the area but then they go and pass a motion which will bring in more industry and traffic. We are suffering because we do not have a councillor who lives in the area, the others do not know the day-to-day reality of the situation. It seems to me that they are willing to talk the talk but not to walk the walk," he said.

Council officials, including City Manager Joe MacGrath openly opposed the rezoning on the grounds that there was already "sufficient zoned land in the area." Many councillors also objected to the manner in which the change was proposed, with the Green Party's Niall O Brolcháin saying that if the proposal went ahead it would "go against the retail strategy of the city". Cllr Billy Cameron and Catherine Connolly joined the opposition, with Cllr Connolly saying the development signified the "naked face of greed" and was "trampling on the people of Seanbhaile". She went on to say that she will be writing to the Minister of the Environment about her concerns.

Cllr Daniel Callanan also furiously opposed the rezoning, questioning the motivation behind fellow councillors' decision to support the move. He stated that the "numbers were stacked" and that the motion would be going through "come hell or high water".

His assertions were denied by Cllr Terry O Flaherty, who said she would have "no monetary gain" by the re-zoning going ahead. Following further debate in which an agitated Cllr Connolly was asked to leave the chamber for ignoring the orders of the Mayor, the motion was passed allowing the plans to go ahead. The plans will include the expansion of the existing Dunnes Stores outlet, in addition to a new petrol station and drive-through restaurant for the area.

The land is owned by Galway developer Liam Mulryan and part owned by Fine Gael councillor Brian Walsh, who left the chamber during the debate.

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