Re: Re: Eyre Square – What’s going on?

Oh dear…things just go from bad to worse in Galway:

CHINESE paving slabs may have to be removed from Galway city centre after dozens of people were injured when they slipped on them.

Fine Gael councillor Padraig Conneely said that a restaurant close to Eyre Square had become an “accident and emergency centre” in recent weeks because of the number of people slipping outside the premises.

Staff at Maxwell McNamara’s, on the corner of Williamsgate and Eglinton Street, have treated more than 20 people in the past few weeks. “In six of these cases, the injured people, mainly elderly, had to be removed to hospital to be treated for their injuries,” Cllr Conneely said.

“I have held the view from the outset that the paving slabs for the new footpaths are totally unsuitable and will lead to pedestrians being injured.

“It is just another example of the shoddy work that has been carried out in the redevelopment of Eyre Square,” Cllr Conneely said.

Work on the €6m revamp of Eyre Square ground to a halt earlier this summer when the contractors, Samuel Kingston Construction, walked off the site. Tenders are now being sought from contractors to complete the job but work is not expected to restart until at least October.

Cllr Conneely now wants the paving slabs to be replaced. “I realise it will cost a lot of money, but in the long run it will cost a lot more if people who are injured lodge claims against the city council,” he added.

John Fallon
© Irish Independent