300 fines issued in Galway City in 2020 for public drinking

From this week’s Galway City Tribune – More than 300 fines were issued to people who breached Galway City bylaws by ‘bushing’ or drinking outdoors on streets and parks in 2020.

Around 30 of the on-the-spot penalties issued by Gardaí were to people caught drinking alcohol outside in public spaces during the second national lockdown in November.

Chief Superintendent Tom Curley confirmed to a Galway City Joint Policing Committee meeting that a total of 305 fines for drinking in public spaces were issued by Gardaí up to the beginning of December.

He said he could not say how many of them related to a high-profile incident in September, where Gardaí were called to Spanish Arch and ‘Middle Arch’ due to a large gathering of third level students in apparent breach Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings.

Responding to queries from Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF), Chief Supt Curley said that Gardaí use the four Es to police during Covid – engage, educate, encourage and enforce.

He said that in fairness to the students, when Gardaí approached them, and used the first three Es, they complied and moved on.
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