The Galway City Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) met on 8 July 2026 in the Aula Maxima at the University of Galway, continuing its work to strengthen community safety through coordinated, multi‑agency collaboration.
Key Outcomes
Minutes Approved: Members agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.
New Members: The Partnership welcomed two new representatives:
- John Gill, Chief Operating Officer, University of Galway
- Eamon Loughrey, Director of Services, Corlann
Their appointment broadens the LCSP’s expertise across higher education, community development, and service coordination.
Declarations: No declarations of interest were recorded.
Matters Arising
- Interdepartmental Team: A meeting of the interdepartmental team previously referenced in April when road safety matters were to be referred to this group will be scheduled for September.
- Community Notice Boards: Notice boards for Westside, Renmore, and Knocknacarra are currently in procurement. Information will be circulated once they are installed and operational.
- Additional Items Raised: Members requested that several issues be brought to the interdepartmental team, including:
- Red‑light camera considerations
- Winter street‑lighting concerns at Cabbage Lane
- Additional escooters/ebikes safety events or a public safety campaign, potentially a multi‑agency video in autumn
- Inclusion of a safety element on the topic of escooters/ebikes within the Lifesaver Project
- An invitation to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to attend a future meeting
Stakeholder Presentations
HSE Suicide Prevention Officer
The HSE Suicide Prevention Officer delivered a detailed presentation outlining key supports, advice, and strategic actions that align with LCSP priorities. Discussion included:
- Crisis‑moment interventions and the value of community‑based supports
- The importance of sport and physical activity in mental‑health promotion
- A suggestion to develop suicide‑prevention beermats
- Finalising the Galway Safe App geofence for the river
- A reminder that “a small gesture from someone can really make a difference such as a smile.”
Galway Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC)
GRCC presented an overview of its extensive services and training programmes, noting:
- 25 counsellors, 5,000 appointments, and 350 clients annually
- Operation of the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) unit
- Provision of Garda and court accompaniment, with cases often taking 3–4 years to reach trial
- Delivery of disclosure training and consent training for primary schools, including a parent information night
Coordinator Updates
The Coordinator reported strong progress across Galway City LCSP structures, noting that:
- Subcommittees for Business, Education, Youth, Community Safety Plan Steering Group, and Water Safety are now active
- Public consultations for the Local Community Safety Plan are scheduled for September, with the launch to follow the publication of the National Strategy
- Recent training and safety clinics in Ballybane, Salthill and Eyre Square using the property‑marking tool were well received
- Purple Flag judging is taking place in July
- Planning continues for the Galway Together Expo and the Lifesaver Project
Subgroup Updates
- Youth & Education: Newly established and progressing initial work plans.
- Water Safety: The subgroup sought and received Partnership approval to support the Claddagh Watch application for a Community CCTV grant for thermal‑imaging cameras for river safety.
- Business Subgroup: Raised issues including rough sleeping, concerns at the Brown Roundabout, and noted National Drowning Prevention Day on 25 July.
Forward Planning
The LCSP reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative, community‑centred decision‑making echoing the April report’s emphasis that “the level of collaboration across agencies is strengthening our ability to respond to community needs.”
Upcoming priorities include:
- Multi‑agency autumn planning for escooter/ebike safety
- Continued development of the Local Community Safety Plan
- Preparations for major events including the Lifesaver Project and Galway Together Expo
- World Drowning Prevention Day – July 24
- Community Safety Plan Public Consultations – 7, 8 and 9 September, venues and times to be confirmed
- LCSP Closed meeting -11:00am, Friday 18 September, University of Galway. This meeting is a statutory requirement for all for elected representatives for the Galway City Electoral Area.
- LCSP Public meeting – 11:00am, Wednesday 14 October, Dexcom Stadium. This meeting is also a statutory requirement and presents the Safety Partnership with the opportunity to inform the public of the work carried out and planned and to engage directly with the public in relation to the Local Community Safety Plan.