A series of public brawls in the heart of the city in the last few days have led to calls for more intensive policing of the city centre.
A violent row took place on Sunday evening involving up to 15 men; while another row on Monday afternoon saw five men chase another on Forster Street, with furniture and other weapons used to assault him.
Separately, there have been reports of intimidation and harassment in the area around the Liam Mellows statue at the north of Eyre Square where groups of men have been gathered drinking alcohol.
The violence has been condemned by locals who are aghast that such scenes are taking place at the height of the tourist season.
“This year has been very bad in terms of incidents and aggression in the Square. In broad daylight, these events are happening. I know there is a constant garda presence in the Square, but it needs to be more intense for the next few weeks, otherwise somebody will be seriously injured or killed,” said one local businessman.
Councillor Niall McNelis says the behavior and violence is both sickening and appalling – and describes it as the worst incident of its type he has seen for many years.
And he feels Galway is going to have a serious policing and street violence problem if the lack of a considerable Garda presence is not addressed now.
“I am worried that we do not have enough gardai to cater for the city. We need extra gardai if we are to operate a proper policing model in the city,” he said this week.
