The Galway City Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) held its first statutory meeting with local elected representatives and Oireachtas members on Friday 18 September 2026 at the Aula Maxima, University of Galway. Convened in accordance with the provisions of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the meeting brought together Partnership members, public representatives, community organisations, statutory agencies and key stakeholders to discuss priorities for improving safety and wellbeing across Galway City.
Hosted by University of Galway, the meeting was opened by Professor David Burn, President of the University, who highlighted the institution's commitment to community engagement, research and collaboration. Members also heard about the University's work in the area of community safety, including a presentation by Dr Charles O'Mahony on the LIFT Research Project, which examines the experiences of disabled people who are subjected to targeted abuse known as Mate Crime.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members of the Partnership, elected representatives and Oireachtas members to share information on emerging community safety issues and the work being undertaken across the city to address them. Updates were provided on community resilience, domestic, sexual and gender based violence prevention, youth engagement, inclusion initiatives, water safety, addiction supports, healthy ageing programmes and the ongoing development of Galway City's first Community Safety Plan.
The Galway City LCSP is a collaborative initiative that brings together community representatives, local councillors, statutory agencies and the community and voluntary sector to improve safety and wellbeing throughout the city. Through partnership working, community engagement and evidence-based decision-making, the LCSP seeks to identify local concerns, coordinate responses and ensure that communities have a meaningful voice in shaping safer neighbourhoods.
Chair of the Partnership, Councillor Niall McNelis, welcomed the significance of the meeting and the opportunity it presented to strengthen collaboration across sectors.
"This meeting marks an important milestone for Galway City. It provides an important opportunity to further strengthen relationships between elected representatives, community organisations, statutory agencies and Partnership members. By working together and listening to the experiences of our communities, we can develop practical solutions that enhance safety, wellbeing and quality of life across Galway City. The LCSP is about ensuring that communities are heard and that we work collectively to deliver positive change."
A key focus of the meeting was the ongoing development of Galway City's first Community Safety Plan. Members received an update on the extensive public consultation programme that has taken place across the city, including six public consultation events, ongoing survey work and plans for targeted focus groups. The feedback received will help shape local priorities, objectives and actions that will guide the work of the Partnership over the coming years.
Representatives from partner organisations also highlighted a range of initiatives currently underway to support safer and stronger communities, including programmes focused on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence awareness and prevention, youth development, anti-racism, water safety, addiction recovery, community resilience and supports for older people and vulnerable groups.
The meeting also promoted the upcoming statutory public meeting of the LCSP, which will take place on 25 November 2026 at Dexcom Stadium. Members of the public will have an opportunity to engage directly with the Partnership, learn more about its work and raise issues affecting community safety and wellbeing in their local areas.
The Galway City Local Community Safety Partnership is currently developing Galway City's first Community Safety Plan, which will set out a shared vision, priorities and actions for improving community safety and wellbeing. The Plan will be informed by local data, community consultation and the collective expertise of partners working across the city.
For further information, please contact CommunitySafety@GalwayCity.ie.