Galway City Council chief: ‘appalling filth and squalor of Eyre Square’

From this week’s Galway City Tribune –  Nightly crowds of up to 5,000 causing unprecedented levels of vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and leaving behind filth and squalor including vomit, faeces, urine, drug paraphernalia, alcohol-related litter and damaged flowerbeds and grass. This is not a dystopia, but the reality Galway’s Eyre Square as described by the city’s Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath.

The head of Galway City Council has revealed he does not favour restricting access to the park in the heart of the city centre – as suggested by Galway’s top Garda, Tom Curley.

But Mr McGrath has requested a meeting with the Chief Superintendent about a policing plan to tackle “unprecedented levels of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in and around Eyre Square”.

It comes as Galway Gardaí confirmed they had made progress into the investigation into a fireworks incident which left a city woman with life-changing facial injuries.

In a letter responding to concerns raised by Councillor John Connolly (FF), Mr McGrath revealed that a “significant spend” will be needed in next year’s local authority Budget for remedial works on Eyre Square, and extra funds for cleaning.

He said upgrade works at Eyre Square were needed, “as a priority” due to “extensive damage” caused since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in May.

Mr McGrath said between 3,000 and 5,000 people gathered many nights, “having been actively encouraged on some occasions to move from other areas within the city towards Eyre Square”.

“Even though additional temporary public conveniences and litter bins were provided, the filth and squalor including vomit, faeces, urine, drug paraphernalia, alcohol containers (bottles, cans etc) that were encountered by the City Council staff is appalling.”

Mr McGrath said there was so much broken glass from alcohol bottles lodged in soil and flower beds that the Council had to hire specialist equipment to remove it.

This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of Mr McGrath’s comments, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.