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Tag Archives: Clare Garda Division

Reports of sex assault on the rise in county

Rape Crisis Mid-West says it has received 1,120 calls in first eight months of 2021 MORE Clare victims of sexual assault are seeking support from a regional support centre following a 29% rise in non-aggravated local cases over a 12-month period. The number of sexual assaults, which were not aggravated in the Clare Garda Division, rose from 17 from January to August 2020 to 22 for the same period in 2021. This increase was revealed at a Joint Policing Committee meeting this week. Rape Crisis Mid-West Centre, which deals with calls and counselling services in Limerick, Nenagh and Ennis, has experienced a major increase in calls for support over the last 12 months. This has resulted in an increase in waiting times, with some victims waiting up to seven or eight months for regular non-emergency counselling. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Rape Crisis Mid-West director, Miriam Duffy, revealed the centre has received 1,120 calls for the first eight …

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Garda chief criticises complaints process

THE head of Clare’s garda division has criticised the process whereby gardaí have to investigate each other when complaints relating to garda discipline are made to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. Chief Superintendent John Kerin of the Clare Garda Division also said he is aware of incidents where false allegations were made to GSOC against members of the force in the county. “Neither myself nor superintendents are overly happy with the situation whereby members of the public make a complaint to GSOC regarding garda misconduct and we end up investigating 95% to 96% of these complaints, even though they were made to GSOC. I appreciate that GSOC review the investigations but, in fairness to members of the public who have issues with the gardaí, I feel those complaints should be dealt with by GSOC and not garda officers to ensure the integrity of the investigation and that gardaí are not investigating gardaí.” The GSOC Annual Report 2015, published this week, …

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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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New burglary legislation should have ‘positive impact’

THE head of the Clare Garda Division has said new legislation that aims to apply consecutive prison terms on repeat burglars should have a positive impact and make communities safer. Chief Superintendent John Kerin, who in recent months called for consecutive sentences for persistent burglars, said he welcomed any legislation that would assist them in taking “recidivist criminals, especially burglars, off the streets”. In recent weeks there have been a plethora of burglaries in the Cratloe area, while gardaí in North Clare are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred in Bellharbour, Ballyvaughan, Tubber and Crusheen during the last two weeks. There are two main provisions in the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, with the first aimed at imposing consecutive jail terms on burglars who have previous burglary convictions. The second part of the bill contains an amendment of the bail laws to enable judges to refuse a bail application to anyone facing multiple charges and with previous convictions. …

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New cars for Clare gardaí

THE Clare Garda Division has received seven new cars so far in 2015. Fine Gael TD, Pat Breen and Senator Tony Mulcahy, in confirming the detail, said the fleet of new vehicles will help the fight against crime in communities throughout the county. “Our local gardaí will be really bolstered by this influx of new vehicles,which is part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to fight crime. As well as strengthening our Garda force and increasing the numbers of vehicles, the Minister for Justice, France Fitzgerald, is bringing in legislation to strengthen our response to burglaries. Too many people have had their homes violated and the proposed measures include longer sentences for repeat offenders,” they said. In a move to support the victims of crime, the minister is also planning to bring in legislation to allow for implementation of the EU Victims Directive, and new Garda Victim Support Offices will be established in Garda Divisions throughout Ireland, including Clare.

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