The second meeting of the newly established Galway County Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP ) has taken place at Áras an Chontae, as work continues on a new approach to community safety across the county.
It must be emphasised that the meetings are held without the presence of local media in a move away from the media permission to attend the former Joint Policing Committee meetings. Hence the following report is one supplied by the County Official officials.
Members were briefed on the draft Galway County Council Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy 2025-2030, which sets out a more proactive approach to preventing and managing anti-social behaviour in Council properties and estates. The strategy is expected to be presented at a plenary meeting of Galway County Council in the coming months.
The meeting included an outline of the structure and roles of the LCSP subgroups, which cover youth engagement, education, drug prevention and substance misuse support and a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB ) Action Subgroup for the Ballinasloe Municipal District.
The new ASB subgroup, which has been set up in response to ongoing community concerns, includes An Garda Síochána, Galway County Council, youth and community organisations, education and family support services, local businesses and people with lived or professional experience of community safety.
The subgroup aims to identify patterns and hotspots in anti-social behaviour in Ballinasloe, improve coordination between agencies, and develop short and medium-term actions that focus on prevention and early intervention. It will also improve communication with residents, businesses and community groups, support young people and families through positive alternatives and outreach, and provide updates and recommendations to the LCSP. The subgroup will meet in the coming weeks to set its work plan, agree priority issues and outline early actions. Regular updates will be shared through the LCSP and Galway County Council social media channels.
Meanwhile, a working group has also been formed to prepare Galway County’s statutory Local Community Safety Plan, a three-year strategy that will address safety concerns beyond policing, including anti-social behaviour, environmental issues and community wellbeing. As part of the plan’s development, the public is being encouraged to complete the National Office of Community Safety questionnaire, available on the Galway County Council website at galway.ie Responses will inform both the national Community Safety Plan and Galway County’s own plan.
LCSP Chair Cllr Andrew Reddington thanked members and agencies for their continued involvement.
“I wish to acknowledge the Partnership members, agencies and community representatives for their continued commitment to making Galway County a safer, more connected county.
“I am looking forward to building on this collaborative momentum throughout 2026.”
LCSP Coordinator Marie Nicholson said the creation of the subgroups was a significant step.
“The establishment of our subgroups marks an important step in strengthening community safety across Galway County. By bringing together the right expertise and lived experience, each subgroup will be able to focus deeply on the issues that matter most to our communities.”
The LCSP was established in late 2025 as the national replacement for the Joint Policing Committee model. It brings together up to 30 representatives from Galway County Council, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, Tusla and local organisations working in youth services, social inclusion, education, business and community development.
Over the next three years the Partnership will draw up a safety plan for the county, coordinate new initiatives, engage with residents and contribute to the work of the National Office for Community Safety. The National Office will provide training and support and will oversee the Community Safety Fund, which uses proceeds of crime to support local projects.
In line with national guidance, the LCSP confirmed that one meeting per year will be open to media attendance. This year’s public meeting will take place in June. However, this offer is seen as tokenistic and media are hoping for an eventual return to open coverage of the meetings by local media for the communities covered by the Council.
