Gardaí deal with groups of up to 200 teenagers congregating

BY DARA BRADLEY & FRANCIS FARRAGHER

Chief Superintendent Tom Curley told the Galway City Tribune that in what were very trying public health times for everyone, it was vital that all parents played a very much ‘hands-on’ role in terms of supervision and care.

“We are aware of incidents where there have been large gatherings of teenagers in public areas and of course this is completely illegal in terms of the current Level-5 Covid restrictions.

“In these cases, we have increased patrols and have consistently embraced the ‘4 Es’ policy of engaging, explaining, encouraging and as a last resort enforcing the law, in terms of these types of public gatherings,” said Chief Supt Curley.

Between 150 and 200 teenagers are congregating in areas such as scrubland off the Western Distributor Road, Rusheen Woods, McGrath’s Field, Cappagh Park and near the Gaelscoil in Knocknacarra at weekends, according to Chair of the City Joint Policing Committee, Councillor Niall McNelis.

Gardaí confirmed three arrests were made for public order offences last weekend, after reports of teenagers gathering in Knocknacarra.

Cllr McNelis said that many of the children are not from the area, but are being driven there by their parents.

Most of them, he said, are not doing anything criminally wrong per se but they are gathering in contravention of the Covid-19 rules.

A number of them are also engaged in underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, he said.

“This is not a criticism of the Gardaí, but they do not have the resources to be dealing with crowds of 150 or 200 teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17. They are coming to Knocknacarra from all over Galway, and some are from as far away as Athenry."

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