Policing plan to target antisocial behaviour in Knocknacarra
Gardaí in the city have prepared a targeted strategy for the Easter Holidays amid growing problems of anti-social behaviour in Knocknacarra, where groups of up to 200 youths have been gathering at weekends.
At a meeting of the City Joint Policing Committee last week, Chief Superintendent Tom Curley confirmed a plan would be put in place following more trouble in the area.
Chair of the JPC, Cllr Níall McNelis, said local representatives have been working with Gardaí in Salthill Station to address what growing concerns over large groups congregating around scrubland off the Western Distributor Road, Millars Lane and around Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh – in contravention of Covid restrictions.
“We have the Easter holidays coming up so I am urging that we look at this as a matter of priority,” said Cllr McNelis.
Chief Supt Curley said that Gardaí were patrolling the area regularly and that any available resources would be used to tackle the problem.
“If it is quiet in the city centre, we can put resources from Mill Street out there. I am a firm believer that borders shouldn’t matter,” he said.
Meanwhile local councillor John Connolly (FF) told the Galway City Tribune that this problem had arisen before Christmas and that a concerted Garda effort had managed to bring it under control.
“It worked quite well, but over the last three weekends, it seems to have worsened again.
“One of the problems is that this is a very large area. The Gardaí are out patrolling, but when they go to one place, those who have gathered just move to another. There has been a lot of activity around Millars lane, but Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is suffering as well. They’re also congregating in the area around Aviva and RSA Insurance,” said the City West councillor.
Cllr Connolly said Covid restrictions had left young people with few places to socialise and that the activity in recent weeks and months in Knocknacarra was a side effect of that, so ongoing deterrents would be required.
“Some people are of the view that it’s because of this behaviour that you should close off amenities like Millars Lane, but I don’t share that view. I think it should be open and protected for the people who want to use it, and the more footfall you have, the less anti-social behaviour that will take place.
“This behaviour is showing that there is a cohort of people that have no respect for the Gardaí and disregard for the people who live in the area,” he said, adding that one of the biggest problems was the huge amount of litter these gatherings were leaving behind.
At the JPC meeting, Chief Supt Curley reiterated calls on parents to make sure that they knew where their children were going at weekends.
“I have been saying it since I came to Galway in 2007 – it is so important for parents to know where young people are. There is a responsibility on parents to ensure that young people are behaving themselves and not out engaging in criminal damage,” he said.
(Photo: One of the areas off the Western Distributor Road which has seen scores of people congregating at weekends).