Plan to make safe GMIT student attack laneway

A plan is to be put in place to make safe a short-cut near Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) where students have been attacked and robbed walking at night to their accommodation.

Galway City Council is planning to provide street lighting at the laneway beside the Merlin Bar along the old Dublin Road.

The laneway is a shortcut used to get to students accommodation at Gleann na Rí, as well as the apartments beside Bodkin’s Bar and the residential estate, Lios an Uisce.

GMIT Students Union claimed in the Connacht Sentinel that some of its members had been attacked at night while it was pitch black walking home from college.

They also complained that the laneway was liable to flood, which forced people to climb side walls to get by.

Senior officials at the City Council have confirmed they plan to put in lighting, and sort out the flooding crux.

“We are awaiting prices for improved public lighting at this location and will provide the public lighting in due course. We wish to inspect the site again when it is subject to ponding to determine a low cost solution to the issue,” a senior engineer has confirmed.

The attacks at the laneway were highlighted by City Councillor Terry O’Flaherty and GMIT Students Union President, Sam O’Neill, in the Connacht Sentinel.

Independent Councillor O’Flaherty this week welcomed progress on the matter and thanked officials at City Hall for progressing the plans to improve the safety of residents and students using the short-cut.

“This is a matter of safety. Safety of students and the people who live in the area has to be of primary importance. I brought this to the attention of the relevant director of services and I am very pleased that Galway City Council will respond positively to my request. It is very important that lighting is put in place, especially now that the dark evenings are approaching,” said Cllr O’Flaherty.