Travellers in Covid stand-off with Gardaí

There has been widespread condemnation of an illegal road blockade instigated by residents in Carrowbrowne this week where a group of around 20 males blocked the N84 Headford Road in protest of Garda checkpoints.

A number of residents at the Carrowbrowne halting site accommodation for Travellers took exception to the frequency of checkpoints adjacent to the facility in recent weeks as part of the Garda operation to implement Covid-19 restrictions.

A video of the protest, which has been widely circulated this week, shows a group of men blocking the route adjacent to the halting site after 10pm on Monday evening last.

Gardaí were called to the scene following a build-up of traffic on the route which serves as a main artery into Galway City.

Local councillor James Charity castigated those involved and claimed that an ambulance had been caught up in the logjam.

“These actions were ill-thought, ill-advised and, put plainly, reckless and dangerous. Gardaí have been exemplary in the conduct of checkpoints on the N84 and many local constituents have commented on their courtesy and professionalism while operating in the locality,” said the independent councillor.

Speaking at a meeting of the Athenry Oranmore Municipal District on Tuesday, Cllr Charity called on area councillors to join him in condemning the blockade and, in a resolution passed unanimously, reiterated the Council’s support for the Gardaí and emergency services currently dealing with the coronavirus crisis.

Cllr Charity said the protest had put lives at risk by delaying an ambulance and said the wider community joined him in condemning the actions of those involved.

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