Gardaí in Galway denies claims that they will share student addresses with universities during house parties

GARDAÍ ON GALWAY have said they will not share private information with universities, following reports of a deal with NUIG to provide it with the addresses of students caught having house parties.

The Irish Times reported today that the measure was introduced in response to large social gatherings by students in the city.

The newspaper quoted the Mayor of Galway City Council, Mike Cubbard, as saying that “the Gardaí have agreed to work with the college and give them addresses of houses they have been called to for parties, and then the college will contact the owners. ”.

In a statement to TheJournal.ie, a Garda spokesperson denied this was happening.

“An Garda Síochána does not share private information with third parties,” the spokesperson said.

“A Garda Síochána in Galway continues to be in close contact with third-level institutions.”

Such a move, coming amid fears of a spike in Covid-19 cases, would likely raise concerns about data privacy and the GDPR.

NUI Galway declined to comment on the mayor’s claim. A NUIG spokesperson insisted that it would not issue an official clarification or public response to its comments and addressed TheJournal.ie to An Garda Síochána.

The comments come after photos and videos shared earlier this week showed a large number of people near the Spanish Arch in Galway, with groups also showing. Store Street. The meetings come after thousands of students return to the university.

The meetings were condemned by local councilors.

The NUI Galway Student Union said it was “disappointed” by reports on student details that were shared.

NUIGSU President Pádraic Toomey said this was the first time the union had heard of such suggestions.

“While the Student Union does not condone anyone’s actions that violate public health guidelines, we are concerned about the rush to take a heavy-handed approach,” said Toomey.

“We have heard a lot of macho rhetoric in recent days about involving the army, using water cannons and handing out expulsions. We don’t think this approach is helpful and we fear that this kind of aggressive approach will distract from the real challenge of encouraging responsible behavior. “

“The vast majority of people are being responsible, but unfortunately there is a minority in all sectors of society who don’t seem to be getting the message,” Toomey said.

“Kangaroo courts and finger indictments are not going to change the behavior of these groups. The suggestion that the gardai share the details of the people to administer the punishments is extremely disturbing and is not something we should consider. “

TheJournal.ie has attempted to contact Cubbard for comment.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Today with Claire Byrne show, Justice Minister Helen McEntee highlighted that Gardaí had enough powers to deal with house parties.

“I asked the commissioner the question last night: Do you need more powers? The very clear answer was no. “