Gardai in County Galway have begun investigating "chronic anti-social behaviour, vandalism and destruction" at Annaghdown pier, following a public meeting in the town that drew over 100 concerned residents. Local residents are furious that visitors to the pier have taken over an area normally used for swimming and walking by local residents in order to wash and exercise horses.

The pier is located close to the source of the water for the Annaghdown Group Water Scheme and, according to local resident Billy Kavanagh, the water is already becoming polluted.

"This all culminated during the long weekend. There were about 100 visitors there on the Saturday, the Sunday and the Monday of the long weekend with horses and horseboxes.

"They proceeded to exclude local people who wanted to use the pier, and they were taking up an area normally reserved for young people to swim. There wasn't one local person there all weekend and they left the pier in a very littered manner, with all the rubbish on the ground."

Mr Kavanagh said boy racers, littering and all-night drinking parties at the pier were all contributing to the problems. He said there had been "intimidation and bullying" of local people, and that growing frustration had forced them to act.

As a result of the public meeting involving the Group Water Scheme members, the local angling club and other concerned residents, County Manager Martina Moloney has agreed to a number of the community's suggestions, and has since met local politicians, including Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, in relation to the issue.

Senator Healy Eames has also asked the Gardaí to investigate the situation.

"The situation has gone way too far. For this reason I have contacted Chief Donal O Cualain to initiate a Garda investigation effective immediately," she told the Galway Independent.

Senator Healy Eames met the County Manager Martina Moloney on 15 June, and the County Council has committed to a series of actions, she said.

"In addition, I have made contact with the HSE Director of Public Health with a view to urgently addressing the public health concerns at the pier. Until the bathing of horses is stopped, the polluted water is unfit for human bathing and likely to cause infection. As it stands, this is a serious public health issue," she added.

Senator Healy Eames urged the Gardai, HSE and County Council to work together to restore order in Annaghdown.

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