Ex-Mayor urges removal of Eyre Square ‘eyesore’

Date Published: 27-Oct-2011

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

A city councillor has called for the immediate removal of the ‘Occupy Galway’ protestors from Eyre Square, warning they could be a target for thuggery on Hallowe’en Night.

Councillor Mike Crowe called on the Gardaí and Council to move them on, saying they have created a terrible eyesore in a city focal point.

“Camping in the manner they have been in Eyre Square is not on. I’ve complained to the City Council and to the Gardaí. They’ve made their point, and they have some valid points, but it’s past time for them to go,” said Cllr Crowe.

A spokesperson for the City Council said: “The people currently in position on the plaza in Eyre Square are there without the permission of the City Council. We are liaising with the Gardaí.”

Cllr Crowe said the situation would only worsen coming into the Bank Holiday Weekend. “They’ve created an eyesore in the city coming into a Bank Holiday Weekend, and it looks awful.

“They’re a target for thugs on Hallowe’en night, and the crowd has gotten bigger as the week goes on. They’re a blight on the Square.

“There are significant ratepayers around Eyre Square who are fighting to keep their businesses open, and these individuals are hampering their cause.

“If people park their car illegally, they’d be fined. If people dumped illegally, they’d be fined. These people shouldn’t be treated any differently to any other citizens. The law has to be applied equally to everybody.

“This has to come to an end. We respect their point of view, but society should not treat them any differently,” said Cllr Crowe.

The Galway branch of the global ‘Occupy’ protest movement now has around 30 protestors camping out in almost 20 tents on the Square.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.