Concerns mobile gold-buying van could target financially vulnerable Galway people

He said the vehicle operated as a mobile gold-buying unit, travelling to various locations across the county and parking at business premises to purchase gold from members of the public.

“Last week I was driving out the N84 and I spotted an elaborate gold and black painted van,” he said at the meeting. “It caught my eye. It had UK plates and it was a mobile unit going around County Galway purchasing gold.

“It is stopping at multiple locations around the county, parking at businesses.”

Cllr Charity also said he found numerous advertisements promoting the service on social media. He expressed concern that such operations could appeal to people experiencing financial difficulties who may need to raise cash quickly.

“It is targeting vulnerable people who need to make money quickly,” he said.

He questioned whether Galway County Council was aware of the operation and asked what regulations applied to businesses purchasing gold through mobile units.

He also sought clarification on whether the activity was regulated and whether the local authority had any previous dealings with the operators.

“What regulations are in place,” he asked. “Is it regulated and do we have any interaction at all?”

The discussion also prompted wider concerns about the enforcement of casual trading legislation across the county.

Responding, a Council official said all roadside traders were required to comply with casual trading legislation.

The official explained that changes to the legislation would have to be made at national level and indicated that the type of roadside trading being discussed was not permitted.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme