COUNCIL TO CONSULT LAWYERS OVER OCCUPY GALWAY IN EYRE SQUARE

Date Published: 05-Dec-2011

The city council is planning to address the Occupy Galway protest camp situation in Eyre Square over the next three weeks.

City manager Joe O’Neill told today’s Joint City Policing Committee meeting that the ongoing situation "does need to be addressed".

He told members he will be consulting with city council lawyers and Gardaí over the next three weeks to address the situation.

The city manager came under fire from Cllrs Terry O’Flaherty, Padraig Conneely, and Declan McDonnell after senior Gardaí said there was no breach of criminal law or upset to passers-by posed by the encampment.

Superintendent Marie Skehill said there was no obstruction or disturbance and people had a right to protest.

When Cllr Conneely claimed Occupy Galway were breaking bye-laws City Manager Joe O’Neill said there were no bye-laws for Eyre Square.

Cllr Conneely will next raise the issue at this afternoon’s City Council meeting.