Tag Archives: Clare Joint Policing Committee

THERE has been a significant seizure of drugs that were for sale or supply in the Ennis area, according to a local Garda Chief. Superintendent John Galvin told members of a Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday that a person has been arrested in relation to this haul, which is regarded as a major blow to the local drugs trade. The figures showed the seizure of drugs for sale or supply fell from 68 from January to October 2021 to 32 from January to October 2022, a drop of 53%. Detection of so-called simple possession fell from 143 to 110, which translated into a drop of 23%. Serious injury as a result of road accidents in the Clare Division fell 50% from 22 to 11, speeding offences dropped by 7% from 3,749 to 3,478. However, motorists caught driving without car insurance increased 24% from 110 to 136, while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs went up 39% from …

THE reopening of the night-time economy has seen an increase in public order offences, according to Clare’s most senior Garda. Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran outlined, at the most recent Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, a sharp rise in public order offences and minor assaults. The figures relate to the months from last November to January. When compared to the same period in 2020/21, they show an increase of 54% in minor assaults, with public order offences up 27%.  “In terms of public order offences, for the three months up until the end of January 2021, there was 37,” the Chief told JPC members. “That has increased 27% up to 47, you’ll appreciate, as the night-time economy has opened. Those figures come with the opening up of society in general. The figures for the previous period were quite low, when compared to previous years.” By comparison, the number of assaults causing harm was less than ten and showed no change on …

FAR reaching questions about the operation of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) have been raised by a West Clare councillor, who believes the local authority can do more to support the Gardaí. At the quarterly meeting of Clare’s JPC, Councillor Ian Lynch said the most active participants appeared to be An Garda Síochána and more integration between the stakeholders is possible. With the development of a new seven-year plan for the JPC, the Independent member said the time was opportune to address the issue.  “The meetings are very functional and serve a purpose,” he said, “but there are a couple of things I think we need to look at. “There are seven aims in the plan and they’re very needed and very topical: Supporting the JPC in Crime Prevention; Protecting the Vulnerable, Anti-Social Behaviour, Supporting Community Initiatives; Supporting Volunteers; Responding to Victims’ Needs and  Road Safety. “They all come up here regularly. The problem I have with the current set …

A RISE in theft from shops is putting small business owners under severe pressure, Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) has heard.  An increase of 69% in reported incidents was revealed by Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran, who said the spike seems to coincide with the reopening of the economy. The figures relate to the period of November to January when compared to the same period in 2020/21. “The one thing about theft form shops is that there’s quite a high detection rate,” the Chief said. “Whereas the figure itself can be alarming, certainly we have strong investigative processes for that.” Nonetheless, the numbers were described by Councillor Pat Daly as “alarming”. “There are shops who can’t afford CCTV and they are being robbed every day of the week,” he said. “I would appeal to our Oireachtas members to see if grant support can be provided because every shop should have CCTV. In this day and age, there should be some sort …

CLARE’S Sinn Féin TD has called for a mental health emergency response system, to support people “gripped with fear” and in crisis because of the pandemic. Contributing to a debate on a successful Sinn Féin motion urging government to take action on the mental health crisis, Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne described the current system as “not fit for purpose”. “We know that mental health was in crisis pre-Covid,” she outlined. “We know also the crisis has escalated throughout Covid, but what does this mean? It means people are suffering and experiencing great trauma and loss, huge change and anxiety, financial strain and pressure, and home insecurity. “The government’s response to mental health has fallen short for many years. I note the Mental Health Commission told the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response that Ireland’s mental health system is not fit for purpose, it is out of date and investment in it and the community is needed. “On behalf of my constituents …

SIGNIFICANT progress has been made in relation to a spike in thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles across the county, according to Clare’s top Garda. Outlining the crime figures for the first three months of 2021, Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran noted that thefts from MPVs had more than doubled on the same period last year. The figures, presented to members of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) bear out the big jump in reports of thefts at locations all over Clare in recent months. While all other categories of property crime fell in the first quarter, year-on-year, there was a 115% increase in thefts from vehicles. “There were 34 thefts from MPVs between January and March of last year and 73 this year,” outlined the chief superintendent. “Catalytic converters are very much the target. Significant arrests and in-roads have been made in this regard.” Reacting to the figures, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan noted that catalytic converters are stolen for their scrap value. …

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour at public amenities in Kilrush has prompted a local councillor to call for more proactive policing in the area, as well as greater supports for young people. At the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Councillor Ian Lynch said it was time that the body stepped up its efforts in highlighting anti-social behaviour and in proposing effective solutions. He cited, in particular, the need for an update on strategies proposed to-date by the JPC, including the creation of a multi-agency taskforce to tackle drugs and related crimes. Councillor Lynch outlined how public amenities in Kilrush are now the site of concerning levels of illicit and anti-social activities. “We know very well the benefits of public, outdoor amenities like the Coillte-owned Vandaleur estate and woodland,” he said. “While they are being used regularly by more and more people, there has also been an increase in thefts from vehicles. People are coming along at 3pm in the day, …

A CLARE TD has hit out at “do-gooders,” who claim people have the right to keep horses, regardless of their capacity to give them adequate care. Deputy Cathal Crowe made his remarks at a recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), where he disputed social media claims that people have a cultural right to horse ownership. “There was a situation where a horse died in the south of Clare in the last 14 days,” he said. “That horse was not being cared for in accordance with the Animal Health and Welfare Act or the Control of Horses Act.” Citing his own personal experience, Deputy Crowe disputed the belief that people should be allowed to keep horses, if that is their culture. “You can say it’s a culture to keep horses,” he said, “but I don’t agree. My grandparents had horses. My father didn’t, because he hadn’t the space. He didn’t think he had the God-given right to keep horses.” …