Over 20 arrests but Gardaí happy with Rag Week conduct

Around 20 young people have been arrested for drunkenness in Galway City so far in the unofficial ‘Rag Week’.

Gardaí have reported that the majority of revellers have been well-behaved, and there were 21 arrests under the Public Order Act from Sunday to Thursday, a figure which is “not huge”.

A spokesperson told the Galway City Tribune that the notorious ‘Donegal Tuesday’ event passed off without serious incident.

People began queuing outside the Hole in the Wall pub on Eyre Street before 9am, and there were around 200 there by opening time at 10.30am. At that stage, the queue had snaked around the corner onto Eglinton Street.

“Since Sunday night, there were 21 arrests for drunkenness, which is not huge given the large influx of young people from all over the country for the event.

“People have been mostly good-humoured. There were a few arguments broken up, but no serious incidents,” a Garda spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Gardaí have seized an estimated €65,000 worth of ecstasy tablets and cannabis herb, part of which they believe was destined for the Rag Week market.

Last Friday, a rented house in the Ballybrit area was searched and cannabis and 4,000 ecstasy tablets – which the Gardaí have valued at a total of €50,000 – were seized.

Two men in their early 20s – one from Mayo and one from Laois – were arrested at the property, and files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. In a follow-up search on Tuesday on foot of the arrests, a further €15,000 worth of cannabis herb was seized.

For more on Rag Week, see this week’s Galway City Tribune.
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