Drug dealers operating out of city playground claims councillor

Drug dealers are operating out of a city playground, it was claimed this week.

The Galway City Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting has heard that the playground in Mervue is being used by drug users and dealers.

The meeting was also told how a derelict house in Knocknacarra and a derelict building in Mervue are attracting young people, who are congregating and drinking alcohol, causing annoyance to neighbours.

City Councillor Declan McDonnell made the claim about the Mervue playground, which the local credit union had funded to the tune of €100,000.

He said people were angry that the playground was being used for illegal activities by adults rather than being enjoyed by children of the area for whom it was built.

Meanwhile, Cllr Donal Lyons (Ind) said that a derelict house on the Ballymoneen Road in Knocknacarra was host to parties by young people who travelled from all over the city. Teenagers were drinking alcohol and hanging out, causing a nuisance in the garage attached to the derelict house, he said.

Cllr Lyons said that when neighbours rang Gardaí to complain they were told that it was private property and there was nothing that could be done unless the owner of the property complained.

The meeting heard that the house in question was the subject of planning enforcement by the local authority but that the process was slow. A derelict building in Mervue was also being used in the same way, the meeting heard. The Mervue house was also being pursued through the courts, it was stated.

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