GMIT students warned of short-cut attack danger
The Students Union at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is concerned about night-time attacks on its members using a short-cut to get home to their accommodation.
SU President, Sam O’Neill, has called on the authorities to provide lighting at the laneway beside the Merlin Bar along the old Dublin Road.
Mr O’Neill claims students have been attacked and robbed while walking along this laneway after dark – it is a problem that has been going on for over a year, he said.
The laneway is a shortcut used to get to student accommodation at Gleann na Rí, as well as the apartments beside Bodkin’s Bar and the nearby residential estate, Lios an Uisce.
“People have been robbed and attacked there because there is a lack of lighting. It is pitch black at night. Even by cutting back the trees along the sides, it would help in the short-term. It needs street lighting as well,” said Mr O’Neill.
The lane is full of potholes, too, and when it rains, people have to climb the wall along the side because of a massive puddle making it impassable, he said.
Mr O’Neill has asked politicians to sort out the problem, which affects hundreds of students and residents.
Independent City Councillor, Terry O’Flaherty says she has made representations to City Hall officials in relation to this matter. Cllr O’Flaherty said the lack of lighting, and the poor state of the road, was endangering residents.
“This is a matter of safety. Safety of students and the people who live in the area has to be of primary importance. I was contacted about this earlier in the year and I made representations about it in January. I have again brought it to the attention of the acting director of services for transport and infrastructure and I hope that it will be addressed as soon as possible. There are very simple solutions to making this a safe laneway, and installing public lighting for safety reasons must be prioritised,” said Cllr O’Flaherty.