Safety fears as hundreds plan Eyre Sq water battle

Date Published: 01-Jul-2010

By Darragh McDonagh

Hundreds of people people are planning to take part in a mass water fight in Eyre Square tomorrow despite warnings from Galway City Council that sanctions may be introduced if severe water shortages continue.

Water levels have ebbed to their lowest point in more than 15 years and households across Galway have been intermittently without water following an unprecedented dry spell last month.

However, hundreds are set to flout warnings from local authorities and environmental groups by staging an event billed as Galway’s Great Water Fight in the city centre tomorrow afternoon.

Local representatives opposed to the event have also expressed concern for the safety and comfort of elderly users of the park who may be caught in the crossfire of the water fight.

“Water levels are low and we are asking people to be sensible in their use of water,” said a spokesman for the Water Section of Galway City Council. “We have been trying to get this message across for a long time now.

The organisation of the water fight has been coordinated through a social networking website which instructs participants to bring as much water as they will need “in a drum or something suitable”. Over, 3,600 have expressed an interest in the idea.

“If the fountain is on we can use it for endless supply,” the website states, and the organisers say that they are working on ways to get more water.

Several succinct rules are set out for the water fight, including: “Water and water only,” “No glass bottles,” and “No hot water.” The website also urges: “Let’s not have any arrests or trips to A&E.”

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune