TWO PEPPER SPRAY ATTACKS IN CITY WERE LINKED

Date Published: 21-Jan-2008

Gardai have confirmed they believe two suspected pepper spray incidents in the city are linked. Up 560 people were evacuated from the Eye Cinema in the city shortly after 10 o'clock after cinema-goers were affected by what Gardai believe was pepper spray. Gardai later arrested a youth in Salthill after being called out to a second incident with a pepper spray cannister.Gardaí from Mill Street and the Galway Fire Brigade were called to the nine-screen Eye Cinema complex in the Wellpark Retail Park at 10 past ten last nightThe manager raised the alarm when cinema goers started to cough and experience dryness of the throat, typical symptoms of a pepper spray attack.All 560 patrons and staff inside the cinema were evacuated and sent home.Meanwhile at around 11.15pm, gardaí were called to an incident at a Salthill service station, concerning the use of a canister of pepper spray.A 18 year old youth was arrested and held until 4.30 AM. He was then released without charge and a file will be prepared for the DPP.