GARDAÍ HAVE CONFIRMED that a number of people were arrested overnight in connection with public order offences in Eyre Square in Galway.

Students filled the streets as their unofficial Rag Week celebrations got underway and a number of people were arrested at around 2.30am this morning. Videos uploaded on YouTube this morning show large crowds gathered outside fast food restaurants in the early hours of the morning.

It is understood that several fights broke out in the square but gardaí said they were not aware of any injuries.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie this morning, President of the Students’ Union at NUI Galway, Paul Curley said he has been led to believe that none of the people arrested were from NUI.

“There were people piggybacking on the celebrations,” he said, adding that buses full of people have been arriving from nearby counties.

“The SU has nothing to do with it, any of the activities that have taken place, we’ve had no part in it,” he said.

Last year the Students’ Union agreed with the university that it would abolish Rag Week in exchange for a larger contribution towards the Student Assistance Fund.

This video shows the celebrations in Galway last night. However it is not known if any of the people featured were among those arrested.

(Video: theviewinside/Youtube)