A Galway city centre business has been left counting the cost after a night of vandalism resulted in the premises’ front windows being smashed.
Yes Flowers located on Eglinton Street was attacked in the early morning hours of Wednesday when four windows were damaged.
Proprietor Mark Tierney said the attack was the latest in incidents against businesses in the local community and will result in a hefty repair fee.
Mr Tierney said: “This is not the first time our business has been attacked. Our old premises in Cross Street and The Sheep [on Mainguard Street] have had windows smashed before. This has been going on for years, going back to the boom. But other businesses on the street have had their windows and fronts damaged through this anti-social behaviour.
“[The attacks are] dismissed. It’s belittled because it’s just a window. It will cost us in the region of €10,000 to have the broken windows removed, new panes designed and put in. This will only add to our insurance costs. This type of behaviour leads to nothing but costing businesses like ourselves as we our left to face the damage and clean-up.”
Co-proprietor of Yes Flowers, Raytus Gassner, who was a victim of an assault in the city which left in hospital in September, described the attack on the shop as “savage”.
“I was assaulted and ended up in hospital with four breaks in my jaw and a brain bleed. I know others who have been assaulted. [Wednesday morning’s] attack was just malicious, savage. We have the perpetrator on CCTV kicking the windows eight times. But until there is real action taken against those who do these crimes, these people will continue to do them.”
Mr Tierney said the store did not intend to install shutters but added that damaged shop properties portrayed the city in a poor light, especially with Galway having the designation of European Capital of Culture.
“With Galway 2020, businesses are trying to make the city nice and welcoming for those visiting. We don’t want to [install shutters] because Galway is a charming town but if shops were to do put in shutters it would lose that and probably create an edge for tourists if they see shops have to lock their windows.”
Gardai are investigating Wednesday morning’s incident.
