There has been a call for heightened security at Galway Courthouse following a serious incident yesterday (Wednesday ) morning. Gardai on the premises rushed to the scene following a stabbing in the foyer at around 11am. It is understood a dispute between members of two feuding families broke out while court was in session.
A man in his twenties was stabbed in the back, while his teenage brother was stabbed in his lower left arm. Gardai who were in the courthouse quickly brought the incident under control.
The injured men were taken by ambulance to Galway University Hospital for treatment. Their injuries were not life threatening. Three other men, a father and his two sons, were arrested in the courthouse within minutes of the attacks, and were taken to Mill Street Garda Station for questioning. It is understood gardaí believe the incident is connected to an ongoing feud between two families in the city.
Members of the public who were standing in the foyer at the time of the row were shocked at the incident. The area was very busy as there were four different court sittings taking place.
Independent councillor James Charity, who is a qualified barrister, was in the courthouse at the time. He was appalled at the incident. "The scene is quite extraordinary, with marked blood stains evident in the foyer of the courthouse as one approaches Court 2, the Circuit Court. This is a heavily occupied public area where vast numbers of the public convene, and the safety of courthouse staff, practitioners, and the public was all put at risk as a result of this stabbing."
Councillor Charity said the safety of the public must be paramount and further security measures need to be implemented at Galway Courthouse. "I have previously stated that the courthouse is not fit for purpose, and this is further evidence to support those comments. Serious consideration now needs to be given to security measures at the courthouse similar to the Four Courts in Dublin, as those of us who use the building have legitimate safety concerns about our daily place of work."
