A new statutory body focused on improving community safety in County Galway held its first meeting at Áras an Chontae on Tuesday, marking the formal end of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) model.
The Galway County Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) has been set up under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 as part of a national shift towards wider and more inclusive planning.
Its members include up to 30 people from Galway County Council, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, Tusla and local organisations representing youth, social inclusion, education, business and community groups.
Over the next three years, the Partnership will draw up a safety plan for the county, coordinate new initiatives, engage with residents and feed into the work of the National Office for Community Safety.
The National Office will offer training and support and will oversee the Community Safety Fund, which uses proceeds of crime to back local projects.
During the first meeting, Cllr Andrew Reddington was elected Chair for a three-year term, and Aodán McDonogh was chosen as Vice Chair.
Cllr Reddington commented, “Each area of County Galway has its own specific safety and community issues that no single organisation can solve alone.”
“Real progress depends on various agencies working together, from policing to local government and health services, as well as community groups.”
“We aim to unite these perspectives so local people can help guide how safety improves in County Galway.”
Vice Chairperson Aodán McDonogh emphasised that the Partnership strongly prioritises collaboration and places local voices at the heart of decision-making.
Membership from the community and voluntary sector was confirmed through a nomination process led by the Chief Executive of Galway County Council.
This was reviewed by the National Office and approved by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD.
Welcoming members to the first meeting of the LCSP, Chief Executive Liam Conneally said the Partnership replaces the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) model and represents a new approach to local community safety.
“The LCSP brings all the key agencies together to look at the safety issues affecting our communities and to agree practical actions to address them,” he said.
“It gives local people a stronger voice in identifying priorities and helps ensure that services work in a more joined-up way.”
“Galway County Council looks forward to working with other agencies in developing and overseeing a new Community Safety Plan for the county, focused on prevention, collaboration and improving quality of life for everyone who lives here.”
The Partnership will meet at least six times a year. One of the meetings will be open to the public, while another will be for elected representatives from the Oireachtas and Galway County Council.
It will also collaborate with neighbouring partnerships and existing local structures, including the Local Community Development Committee, Galway County Public Participation Network, and youth groups such as Comhairle na nÓg and the Children and Young People’s Services Committee. The LCSP will not address individual criminal investigations, State security matters, or confidential Garda operations.
