Independent Knocknacarra-based city councillor Donal Lyons has received representations seeking his support in proposing a motion for the installation of public signage across Galway to warn residents and visitors of the presence of ticks in recreational areas. These include hiking routes, mountain trails, woodlands, fields, gardens, and beaches — locations where the risk of tick bites is prevalent.
Following the representations, Cllr Lyons put forward a notice of motion to Galway City Council for the installation of signage in parks and recreation areas (provided free of charge from the Lyme Resource Centre ) in order to create awareness of Lyme disease, inform people on how to protect themselves, and provide guidance on proper tick removal — particularly for children, who are especially vulnerable.
The notice of motion was agreed at a recent Galway City Council meeting and subsequently Cllr Lyons received a response from the Parks and Recreation Department, Galway City Council.
“The Recreation and Amenity Department agree to place information signage regarding ticks/Lyme disease within parks and woodlands in certain areas deemed appropriate across the city," the response read. "We have engaged with the Lyme resource centre regarding the provision of signage and the roll out of same. Sligo County Council have successfully just completed this exercise in conjunction with the Lyme Resource Centre so we will take their learnings and a similar approach.
"I am delighted that officials at the Parks and Recreation Department have agreed to the implementing the notice of motion and will now have the necessary signage placed in areas deemed appropriate across the city," Cllr Lyons said.
"I want to thank the members of Galway City Council for agreeing the notice of motion and the officials at the Parks and Recreation Department for their help in installing the necessary signage."
