Graffiti is a common sight in inner city areas across Ireland, but one firm is helping tackle the increasing vandalism on buildings and streets in Galway, with a zero tolerance approach.

Clean Slate has dedicated itself to removing graffiti around the city.

Although the company recognises it is undertaking a seemingly losing battle, it believes success is all about the pace of response.

Clean Slate’s John Cullinane said: "While travelling around this city, one cannot but be aware of the losing battle taking place with graffiti."

"It is apparent that the graffiti is treated at a pace unsuitable to defeat it. Also, when the areas become re-vandalised a short time later, the removal is not followed through at all or in a timely manner."

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"The more prolonged the visibility of the graffiti, the more the status of the vandal has been elevated in the eyes of his peers and the behaviour reinforced, thus encouraging others to follow," he explained.

"Dealt with wholeheartedly and firmly, graffiti can be kept out of your area. What is needed is someone who not only has experience painting and cleaning surfaces, but who has the proper knowledge of the situation and the correct attitude to combat it.

"Anything less than 100% commitment is failure," he added.

The company believes Galway’s beauty creates an obligation to preserve, restore and protect the city.

"Graffiti has impacted quality of life in Galway city. A fresh uplifting perspective will be had when a balance of order is restored. Economically it is less expensive now to nip it in the bud before it becomes extensive," said Mr Cullinane.

Clean Slate also uses environmentally friendly products while cleaning and protecting surfaces.

The protective sealer used on surfaces leaves no changes in appearance to the original stone, brick or cladding.

The sealer also makes the surface impenetrable from water and oil based materials.

The protected surface is then virtually self-cleaning in the rain.

(PR)