Independent councillor Terry O’Flaherty has expressed her dismay at the condition of Ballyloughane Beach, describing it as “filthy and totally neglected” despite the fact that the litter is being collected daily.
As it is the only beach on the east side of the city, hundreds of people use the facility every day. While she is aware that funding and lack of resources is a major problem with the Galway City Council, she said there appears to be no problem in keeping the beaches at Salthill, Grattan Road, and Silver Strand in good condition.
She said that her appeals to remove the dirty seaweed, particularly from the sunbathing area, are being ignored. She has made numerous representations to the city council regarding this, as she feels it is very unfair that this area is not receiving the same treatment as the three other beaches throughout the city: “The seaweed, which has been left strewn around for such a long period, is filled with weeds and flies, the stench emanating from the seaweed on warm days is absolutely disgusting. Dogs and horses fouling in the Ballyloughane Beach area is rampant and the owners of these animals should be more responsible, they should be prepared to clean up after they foul, it should not be left to others to clean the mess they leave behind them. The byelaw to ban dogs using the beach area during the day is nothing short of a joke due to lack of enforcement, it is pointless introducing byelaws if they are not going to be enforced.”
Cllr O’Flaherty said that she hopes that by highlighting these issues the city council will give this area the priority it deserves, and concluded that the people on the eastside of the city deserve better.
