Home » Tag Archives: Chief Supt John Kerin

Tag Archives: Chief Supt John Kerin

‘Intimidation used in money lending’ claims bishop

THE former Bishop of Killaloe, Willie Walsh, has criticised Travellers who are allegedly engaging in “intimidation” to recoup money that has been given to members of their own community as part of unregulated money-lending. Bishop Emeritus Walsh, who served as Bishop of Killaloe from 1994 to 2010, has spoken out about serious problems being caused by a small number of Travellers who are engaged in feuding, the illegal distribution of drugs and money-lending. In an interview with The Clare Champion following the publication of his new memoir No Crusader, Bishop Walsh believes feuding among Travellers, often linked to the illegal sale and distribution of drugs in the county, is still a major problem. “Some Travellers have told me most of this feuding is linked with the distribution of drugs. There are other aspects as well, including a feud between two families over some slight or hurt and row in relation to a marriage. “A large percentage of the feuding is …

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Garda chief ‘seriously concerned’ by stretched resources

CLARE’S Garda Division cannot afford to lose any more gardaí, as resources are “stretched”, following a 13% decrease in personnel over the last six years. That’s the view expressed by the division head, Chief Superintendent John Kerin, at this week’s Joint Policing Committee meeting in Ennis. The Garda chief said four upcoming retirements and five promotions would pose further challenges. He said he is “seriously concerned” by the reduction of 44 gardaí in the Clare Garda Division, which has occurred over the last six years. There are now 294 gardaí in the division, compared to the 338 gardaí who were stationed in County Clare back in 2010. Since 2010, the number of superintendents has fallen from four down to two, while the number of sergeants in the division has been reduced from 42 down to 38. Chief Superintendent Kerin said rural counties, such as Clare, are “suffering”. He added, “I hope the situation doesn’t deteriorate any further. It’s difficult to …

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Airport security ‘an inordinate draw’ on garda resources

AS anti-war groups prepare to stage a protest at Saturday’s Shannon Air Display, the head of Clare’s garda division this week admitted that dealing with ongoing security matters at the airport is “an inordinate draw” on resources. Speaking at this week’s Joint Policing Committee, Chief Superintendent John Kerin said he would like more resources to be put in place for gardaí in Shannon, particularly in light of the ongoing work involved in dealing with protests and ensuring the security of Shannon Airport. “There is an inordinate draw on our resources that could be used more favourably on crime detection and prevention,” he said. However, the Chief Superintendent added utilising garda resources at the airport is “necessary” and that “they have an impact”. He told the meeting that gardaí are “constantly monitoring” the situation at Shannon Airport to assess any threats, adding that they work very closely with stakeholders to ensure security. Up to 40,000 spectators are expected in Shannon for …

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Manhunt continues for absconded prisoner

A garda manhunt is contuning this morning for a prisoner who escaped from Ennis courthouse yesterday afternoon. Jason Freyne, aged 22 from Carew Park in Limerick, remains at large. Gardai believe that Mr Freyne, who had appeared in court after being caught driving a stolen car, may have returned to his home county. A second man, Keith Garrihy of Beechgrove, Newmarket on Fergus, was who had also absconded from the courthouse was apprehended shortly afterwards by gardai in Clarecastle. The pair, who had been brought from Limerick prison, made their escape at 3.15pm from prison staff at Ennis courthouse. Chief Superintendent John Kerin told The Clare Champion that a full investigation is underway and that Clare gardai are working closely with their counterparts in Limerick to find Mr Freyne. “We believe that he may be attempting to return to Limerick and we are liaising with gardai in Limerick as part of this investigation,” he said. He confirmed that a full …

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‘No calls’ recorded in Clare Garda Stations

AS the controversy surrounding the garda telephone recordings plays out nationally, Clare’s chief garda superintendent said he is “110% satisfied” no calls” were recorded between solicitors and their clients in Clare garda stations. Speaking to The Clare Champion, Chief Supt John Kerin said Ennis Garda Station is the only station that was equipped with phone recording facilities, up to their decommissioning late last year. He said while 999 calls continue to be recorded, the only phones which had recording capabilities prior to November 2013 were located in the first floor communications office at Ennis. “The public or prisoners don’t make calls from the communications office. Any calls made by a prisoner to a solicitor would have been made to one of the downstairs offices and none of those had recording facilities. I’m 110% satisfied that no calls were ever recorded between solicitors and people who were detained,” he said. He said while anyone who dialed into or out of the …

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