Gang attacks Spanish students in Galway

A group of Spanish students were lucky to escape uninjured after a gang of local teens showered them with rocks “the size of cups” in an attack that stunned dozens of residents in Knocknacarra, Galway out enjoying the sunshine.

Local resident Tommy Holohan was out for his evening run when he heard commotion opposite Cotters Shop on Shangort Rd at 8.15pm last Tuesday evening.

Around eight terrified male and female students, who were aged around 15 and appeared to be of Spanish origin, jumped off the wall surrounding Knocknacarra Park and were running across Shangort Road.

“There was roaring and screaming. The next thing one rock came past me just 10 feet in front. It was as big as a cup. The students ran for cover in the car park at Cotters Shop,” Tommy said.

He spotted up to 12 teenagers – aged 15 or 16 – firing the missiles. Three of them were stripped to the waist and many of them were screaming abuse at the foreign students. He recognised a few of the faces from the Knocknacarra area.

“These were serious rocks being thrown. If one of them had hit somebody on the head they’d be as good as gone. They gave no heed to passing traffic or pedestrians. Nothing.”

Tommy rang Salthill Garda Station but was told by a female garda there was nothing she could do as she was in the station alone. She told him to ring Mill Street in order for a patrol car to be sent out. However Tommy said the line rang out at the main Galway station.

He continued with his run and came across a dad out with his young daughter for a bike ride about to approach the scene of the attack. He advised them to leave the area to avoid being hurt. He returned a while later on the return leg of his run and found three of the students still in the area. He urged them to return to their host families to ensure their safety.

Tommy said this is not the first time he has witnessed intimidation of students in the area, particularly outside Joyce’s Supermarket. However this was by far the most worrying incident he had encountered. It was also an unwelcome slur on Galway’s reputation as a friendly city for young English language students, already trying to overcome the damage caused by the murder of Swiss student Manuela Riedo.

“In the last 18 months I have noticed two gangs hanging about the place. But what went on last Tuesday night was serious stuff. It’s scary, scary. A lot of people in the area depend on students. This is not good for the image of Galway.”

A spokesperson for Galway Gardaí said a patrol car did attend the scene some time after but none of the youths were to be found.

“There is an investigation underway in relation to antisocial behaviour by some youths congregating in McGrath’s Field which is being managed by the Salthill District,” she stated.

Mayor Donal Lyons said he rang the gardaí twice that day to report large groups of intoxicated youths congregating in McGrath’s Field, including one incident involving two teens stripped to the waist bare-knuckle boxing. He was told two youths had been arrested earlier.

“McGrath’s Field would be one of the hotspots identified by the guards which from time to time erupts. It has been very quiet but now that the schools have closed it is an area where youths gather. I would appeal to the establishments and adults providing alcohol to these groups to refrain from doing so.”