Junkies shoot up along scenic riverside walk

Heroin addicts in Galway are taking over one of Galway’s most picturesque walks, along the banks of the River Corrib.
Members of the public were shocked recently to see intravenous drug abusers openly ‘shooting up’ on a scenic walkway at Dangan Sportsground.
And last week, despite a complaint to NUI Galway – which owns the land – some drug paraphernalia was still strewn in the undergrowth.
The well-known beauty spot overlooks the Corrib and Menlo Castle.
One horrified passerby who witnessed the drug users openly ‘cooking up’ heroin last Wednesday week told the Galway City Tribune: “There was a man and woman there, and they looked like they were doing something suspicious. It was as busy as the Prom on a sunny day.
“Loads of people were out and saw them, but I don’t think people realised what they were doing because they were so blunt about it.
“They were so obvious about doing it. They weren’t hiding it; they looked right at us. There was a woman and man burning it at the [remains of the 19th century] Tea House and then going back to the riverside where another man and two or three teenagers were sitting and drinking.
“We went back two days later to see exactly what they were up to and there were syringes, packets and spoons on the ground.
“It’s very distressing to see something like this right before your eyes, in the open and not taking any notice of the public. And there are lots of kids that play around that area who could easily prick themselves with a used syringe,” she said. The Garda Divisional Drugs Unit estimates there are up to 100 heroin addicts in Galway City, with up to 800 more dabbling in the drug.
For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.