Gardaí in Ennis are investigating an assault on a woman in which paint was sprayed into her face. The incident occurred on Tuesday September 30 last at approximately 9.25am, while the injured party was out walking at Aughanteeroe on the Gort Road, Ennis with some members of her family. She was approached by two other females and one of them sprayed red paint into her face. They then fled the scene. Gardaí in Ennis are appealing for witnesses to this crime, and anyone with information is asked to contact them. Separately,  in Ennis gardaí are investigating after windows in the glass houses at the Dulick centre on the Gort Road were broken by rocks. The centre, which is used by people with intellectual and physical disabilities, was targeted between 4pm on Friday September 26 and 9.30am on Monday September 29. Gardaí are treating the incident as criminal damage and are appealing for information for assistance. Further to these incidents Ennis …

Beckman Coulter, the biomedical testing company, has announced it is to close its Galway facility transferring production to other facilities, with the largest component moving to its plant in County Clare. The Galway facility, where Beckman Coulter have been operating for 42 years, employs 140 people. Between 70 and 80 of the jobs based in Galway are expected to transfer to Beckman Coulter’s facility in O’Callaghan’s Mills. In a statement issued by the company Beckman Coulter says it expects to offer incentives to encourage its existing associates to accept positions in Clare. “The Galway production will be phased out over the next 12 to 15 months and the facility is expected to close by the end of 2015,” a spokesperson for the company said. Beckman Coulter has been in County Clare for the past nine years, having acquired the diagnostics business of Olympus corporation. By Carol Byrne

GSOC investigators are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding a road traffic incident in the village of Parteen, in South East Clare in which three male pedestrians were injured on Thursday evening. A Hyundai Accent, which was being pursued by gardai after the car and its occupants were acting suspiciously in Doonass, County Clare earlier that evening. The car, which is believed to have been carrying two males, struck a parked car at the entrance to the Parteen Pitch and Putt course and three pedestrians. Two of the men who were in their 70s were injured in the incident and a further man was treated for shock. All three had played pitch and putt that evening and were crossing from Browne’s pub in the village at approximately 5pm, when they were struck. It is understood that one of the men in his late 70s has had a leg amputated following the incident. One male suspect was arrested close to the scene …

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Scariff Central National School and last week Scariff National School invited all past and present pupils, parents and staff to attend an event to celebrate this milestone. Principal, Brídann O’Callaghan said, “September 1974 was a milestone in the history of education in the parish of Scariff. It marked the opening of a brand new, modern school, Scariff Central National School at Fossabeg catering for a large number of pupils in the Scariff catchment area. “As we celebrate the schools 40th anniversary it is interesting to look back at the history of education in the locality. Like most areas in Ireland, there were hedge schools in the Scariff area, with records showing schools in Inis Caltra, Aughrim, Moynoe and Tuamgraney. “Due to the restrictions imposed by the Penal Laws, Catholic schools in the 18th century were illegal. Nevertheless hedge schools abounded though these were temporary and therefore no physical traces of them remain,” she said. …

GARDAÍ have dispelled a “malicious rumour” that convicted and notorious sex offender Larry Murphy is residing in  Ennis. They have described accounts suggesting that this notorious sex offender is living in the Ennis area as “untrue”. Sergeant Joe Downey this week confirmed that the gardaí have investigated this rumour, and can categorically state, that this man is not in Ennis and neither is he related to any person in Ennis. “Certain malicious comments have appeared on social media sites and on the internet concerning this man’s whereabouts, and to who  might be related to him in this town. The rumours are untrue,” he said, He added that the gardaí would like to caution people, who may be posting comments  or circulating information suggesting this man is in Ennis on any website, that they may be putting themselves at risk of civil suit. “This man is not in Ennis town and he is not related to anyone residing in Ennis town,” Sergeant …

FIVE people from Clare are among the first group of students to begin training in the Garda College since 2009. The enrollment gathering, which also included students from neighbouring counties; 12 from Galway, six from Limerick and four from Tipperary, was addressed by the Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald and the Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan at a ceremony in Templemore today (Monday). The students will be undertaking a BA in Applied Policing. The programme was developed following comprehensive review of Garda training in 2009. The BA is an accelerated programme with the students carrying out three phases of learning, each of which is the equivalent of an academic year. It is accredited by the University of Limerick. Director of Training and Development in An Garda Síochána, Chief Superintendent Anne-Marie McMahon said, “The rigorous training that the students will be facing will equip them with the tools they need to provide the professional, efficient policing service that is expected by Irish …

The Supporting Safer Communities campaign will run from September 23 to 30 and will be officially launched by the Commissioner of the Garda Siochána at the national ploughing championships in County Laois. The initiative is aimed at preventing crime, reducing the fear of crime and promoting community and road safety and will do this by engaging and raising awareness within communities. Supporting Safer Communities will be launched at Ratheniska  on Tuesday September 23, and in Clare Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Joe Downey will be highlighting the campaign. “Our primary focus during this campaign will be on burglary prevention and reduction. We hope to achieve this objective, by visible, accessible, and proactive involvement with the various community partnerships and crime prevention initiatives operating in their local areas. Such as: proactive foot patrols, mountain bike patrols and increased high visibility marked Garda car patrolling; Erection of information stands at strategic locations; Meeting with the elderly residents of the area at their regular meeting …

Two men  in their 20s arrested in connection with an aggravated burglary at Shyan, Kilmihil  this week have been released without charge. On Wednesday at 12.15pm gardai arrested two men from Limerick city in connection with the aggravated burglary, which occurred between between 6.30pm and 7pm on August 10. Both were detained at Ennistymon and Kilrush Garda stations and were held overnight. They were released without charge on Thursday evening and a file is to be sent to the Director of Prosecution. Gardai in Kilrush would like to appeal to anyone who has information concerning this crime to come forward and assist the Gardai with their enquiries. This can be done by calling Kilrush Garda Station on 065-9080550 or by calling the garda confidential line 1800 666 111.