Residents ‘living in fear’ as council turns down security plan

Residents in the Glasán Student Village in Ballybane are living in fear of violence and intimidation, according to the management company there.

Some students have been subjected to violence, while others have been victims of intimidation and threats.

The operators of the village – which is 99% occupied under lease agreements with GMIT students – have admitted they can no longer deal with incidents caused by non-residents there by employing security personnel alone. This prompted them to seek permission to erect security gates.

Apparently, the “majority” of the 730 students living there are affected by problems in the development.

Security at the complex will cost just over €100,000 for 2014 – a figure described by the management company as “financially onerous and unreasonable”.

A spokesperson for the Glasán Management Company Ltd – which is controlled by the Kenny Group (developers) – said in a written submission to Galway City Council: “The security issues whereby non-residents enter the estate late at night continues to affect the safety and wellbeing of Glasán residents and causing damage to property.
“In more serious instances, Glasán residents have suffered fear, danger and injury and have been victims of violence, intimidation and threats.

“It has become apparent that this is not an issue that can be dealt with by employing security personnel alone,” a letter to the Council reads.

The management company has just been refused permission by the Council to erect a security hut at the entrance, as well as pedestrian and vehicular access gates.

The management company also “strongly urged” to Council to consider the plans for security gate “to ensure a more serious incident occurring is prevented”.

City planners rejected the planning application, ruling the access barrier would contravene the City Development Plan and would set an undesirable precedent and inhibit the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods.

They added there would be a negative impact on the residential amenity of the area because of noise generation.

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