An online petition calling on Galway City Council not to introduce “new ridiculous bylaws” has so far received the support of over 1,800 people who joined a wave of protest sparked by the proposed regulations banning ordinary pursuits enjoyed by generations of Galwegians.
There has been widespread condemnation of the proposed bylaws for parks, beaches and public spaces outlawing picking flowers, climbing trees, playing ballgames in parks and beaches, and rollerblading on the Prom which were revealed in last week’s Galway City Tribune.
Outraged Tribune reader Nathan Wynne, a local photographer, wrote in his petition: “STOP Galway City Council from introducing new ridiculous bylaws.”
In his introduction, he exclaims that the Council is considering banning “being a child”.
“As well as our workers emigrating, they’ll soon have our toddlers emigrating, too, as they soon won’t have permission to be a child in Ireland.
“They really need to sit down and work on more pressing matters for the love of God, like the drugs problem in the city, the lack of social housing, lack of disabled parking spaces. Councillors are getting paid far too much for sitting down to come up with this kind of tripe.
“One of Galway’s biggest problem is the lack of public amenities and now they have banned playing ball on a bloody beach. I just don’t know. Somebody with power in that building needs to wake up and cop on.”
Chair of the Environment, Recreation and Amenity Strategic Policy Committee Terry O’Flaherty said the draft bylaws were presented to the committee after officials were requested to prepare them.
She said they were based on ones which other councils around the country had implemented.
The proposals state that Council staff would have the power to issue an immediate fine of €75 to those they suspect of breaking the bylaws. If they refuse to pay, they could face a fine on conviction of up to €1,900 in court.
The draft bylaws stipulate that people are not allowed to “climb any tree or shrub in a park or open space or climb any fence, railing or wall in a park or open space . . . operate in a park or open space any model aircraft, model sailing vessel or any model mechanically propelled vehicle save with the permission in writing of the Council”.
“No person shall cycle or use any skateboard, roller skate, roller blades or other such apparatus in a park or open space in such manner as to cause nuisance or annoyance to other users of the park or open space or cause damage to any public property.”
“No cycling, skateboarding or similar activity is permitted in a children’s playground in a park or open space.
“No person, club or organisation shall organise or take part in the game of football or any other games or athletics save in such place in a park or open space as the Council set apart for that purpose and then only subject to and in accordance with such conditions as may be set out by the Council.
To “pluck, cut or remove any flower or blossom or any fruit on any tree, shrub or plant growing therein, other than an employee of the Council” is also banned.
No pet owners “shall take into or allow to remain in a park or open space any dog unless it is on a leash”.
The public have until October 6 to make submissions.
For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune
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