Call for new facility at Rahoon ‘den of iniquity’

A City Council shed which had become ‘a den of iniquity’ for teenagers should be transformed into a second civic amenity site for the residents of westside of the city intent on recycling.

That’s the view of City Councillor Neil McNelis, who said there is a glaring need for a recycling facility other than the existing one at Liosbán which serves the entire population of the city.

The shed at the bottom of Rahoon Road was occasionally used by the local authority roads department but has lately been taken over by youths as a hot spot for drink, drugs and sex. It has also attracted graffiti artists, who have spray-painted the shed with tags and slogans.

City Mayor Padraig Conneely said he had discovered needles and used condoms at the site and has called for it to be razed to the ground.

However, Labour Cllr McNelis believes it could be the ideal recycling site for residents from Knocknacarra, Salthill, Shantalla and Claddagh instead of having to travel across the city to the Liosbán/Sandy Road depot.

He said he had received calls from numerous groups this year about looking to have a civic amenity recycling site in the westside of the city.

“I am calling on the city manager and the director of environmental services to consider using the derelict site on the Rahoon road,” said the Labour councillor.

“I believe for an investment of €15,000 this site could be fenced off, CCTV provided and a proper ground surface put down and this facility would be of a huge benefit to the community at large.

“This centre would be free to use as is Sandy Road, and could operate for a couple of hours each day and be used for disposal of batteries, a clothes bans, cash for cans, oils, paint, bottles. It would again help recycling in the community and would assist in household waste reduction and help save money.

“Having the opportunity to drop off a toaster to a site like this saves money than putting it in a bin.”

If the site is deemed unsuitable, the Council should examine whether the Parks Department depot at Rusheen Bay used by the public to drop off old Christmas trees would be suitable.

A spokesman for Galway City Council said while the proposal is “not without merit” it would have to be considered under a number of different headings, including cost and availability of staff.

He said there were no plans to add the shed to the derelict sites register.

“We acknowledge something needs to be done about its appearance. The graffiti needs to be removed as it is offensive,” the spokesman said.

“A civic amenity site even a small one would require an EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] licence which would involve a lot more work than simply refurbishing a depot but it’s certainly worth considering.”