Copycat attack on Galway home as fears similar tragedy could kill locals

Sinn Féin Councillor Dermot Connolly warned that residents are being 'terrorised' in their own homes due to escalating anti-social behaviour - and he called for urgent action and additional Garda resources before a serious tragedy occurs.

He told this week's Council meeting that public representatives had been contacted over the weekend about “concerning behaviour going on in our county”.

He referred to the devastating events in Waterford, where Kim and Philip English and their two children, twelve-year-old Callum and nine-year-old Jayden, lost their lives in an arson attack at their home in the Birchwood estate outside Waterford city.

“This could be replicated, this situation in Waterford,” he warned.

Speaking afterwards to Galway Live, Cllr Connolly described a series of incidents in Ballinasloe which have left residents fearful for their safety.

“Two cars were burnt out,” he said. “A house was attacked, a car in a different estate was burnt out. People are being terrorised and they are afraid in their own homes.

“People are saying to us that it is by the grace of God that this worst-case scenario hasn't happened yet. People are worried, they are feeling afraid.

“We need extra Gardaí. Our resources here locally are stretched.”

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan confirmed in the Dáil earlier this month that 52 Gardaí were assigned to Ballinasloe at the end of August, compared with 75 in Loughrea, 58 in Tuam and 53 in Salthill.

Responding to a question from Galway East TD Peter Roche (FG), the Minister said there were 641 Gardaí assigned to the Galway division, including 310 in Galway city.

Cllr Connolly stressed that he did not want to cast a negative light on Ballinasloe, but wanted to ensure that funding would be set aside in the upcoming Council budget to help address the issues. “It's chronic and it is not just happening in Ballinasloe,” he said.

“It's happening in a lot of areas. I wanted to put it on record that Galway County Council can play a stronger role. I wanted to put a focus on the budget to deliver as much as we can and play our part in trying to address these issues.

“There are youth diversion projects, multi-agency, multi-disciplinary approaches that can be used. Everyone can make a difference if it is resourced correctly.” He said that social services and Gardaí “can positively impact” the situation.

At the Council meeting, Cllr Connolly appealed for greater attention to be paid to potentially dangerous situations before they escalate.

“Over the weekend, a lot of people are contacting us in relation to issues that transpired recently – the likes of this carry-on.

“A lot of reps in our area have had to deal with people contacting us in relation to this.”

He questioned what role the local authority and Gardaí could play in tackling the problem before it was too late.

“Where can we focus our attention?” he said.

“Whatever role – whether policing or local authority – before it comes to a situation where it is too late.”

Responding to the concerns, Galway County Council Chief Executive Liam Conneally said the local authority would use its resources where necessary to address the issues raised.

“If there are more recent incidents, I would like to know,” he said. “We will use our resources as necessary to deal with the issue.”

Mr Conneally also confirmed that he would contact An Garda Síochána.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme