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EFFORTS by Deputy Cathal Crowe to obtain the current deficit in Clare Garda numbers following a dramatic decline in national recruitment proved unsuccessful at a joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday. Commenting on Budget 2023, Deputy Crowe recalled funding was provided for 1,000 new Garda recruits and 400 new civilian recruits. Shortly after this announcement, the Fianna Fáil Deputy said he was contacted by a number of Gardai who stressed that more analysis was required to examine these figures to ascertain the figures for retirement, those on illness benefit and to take into account there are 110 members who are currently suspended on full pay at home when they could be back on the streets once an investigation is concluded. Deputy Crowe asked Clare Gardai for a breakdown of retirements, resignations, suspensions and new recruitment as well as how this has impacted on overall Garda numbers in the county in recent years. Superintendent John Galvin confirmed he would not comment …

Three caravans have been destroyed by fire at the same location where a mobile home was targeted last Sunday. Emergency services were alerted to the fires at Kilbreckan, Doora at around 6.15pm. Gardaí responded to the incident followed soon afterwards by units of Clare County Fire and Rescue Service from Ennis station. On arrival, Gardaí found three caravans ‘well alight’. Fire crews extinguished the fires but all three caravans were destroyed. It’s understood they were not occupied at the time and no injuries have been reported. This evening’s incident is the latest in a series of similar calls emergency services have responded to since last weekend. Last Sunday, a mobile home was destroyed by fire at the same unofficial halting site close to the M18 motorway. On Saturday, a car was discovered burned out near Woodstock in Ennis while on Monday evening, an incident involving petrol bombs was reported at a halting site on the Gort Road. On Wednesday evening, …

SINN Féin will set out its stall as to what dairy farmers can expect from any future government involving the party, when its leader addresses ICMSA members in Limerick next week.  On December 5 at the Castletroy Park Hotel in Limerick, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald will become the first Sinn Féin leader to address a major farmer meeting and ICMSA officials say that her take on the future of Ireland’s biggest indigenous economic activity will be eagerly anticipated. The Agriculture Minister, Charlie McConalogue will be in attendance too to address farmers’ concerns over forthcoming regulatory changes for the sector.  Farmers, including the many from Clare who are likely to travel to the event, will also hear from Assistant Garda Commissioner, Paula Hillman. She will address the increasingly fraught issue of gangs of trespassing ‘hunters’ intimidating, threatening and even assaulting farmers in their own yards or fields. ICMSA has been to the forefront in demanding a much more effective and practical …

ENNIS fitness fans have been exercising their generosity as part of efforts to help local families in need while spreading some early Christmas cheer. Ken O’Malley, founder of Ozone Health and Fitness, has along been busy this festive period not only keeping his clients fit and healthy in the current climate but extending that help to the wider community.  Throughout the month of November and right up to Christmas they have organised a Christmas Food donation drive which will provide help to families in need in the locality. “For the third year in a row, we have teamed up with local community volunteers, headed up by Kathleen Austin, who organises the logistics around these donations actually arriving to those who need them most,” said Ken. “Essentially, we have a food drop off point here in reception in Ozone, in the Quin Road Business Park, where our clients and anyone in the community can drop off non-perishable food stuffs and essential …

Gardaí in Ennis are investigating an incident where a firearm was reportedly discharged in the town late yesterday afternoon. The incident occurred at around 5pm in the Cloughleigh area where a number of men were reported to have been involved in an altercation. It’s understood the incident is part of an ongoing feud between members of the travelling community. A video has since been shared on at least one social media platform showing the alleged incident. A Garda spokesperson confirmed, “Gardaí are making enquiries into reports of the discharging of a firearm that occurred at approximately 5pm yesterday, 30th November 2022 in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis, Co Clare. No injuries have been reported at this time.” “Gardaí are appealing to any witnesses to this incident to come forward. Anyone with any information that may assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact Ennis Garda Station at 065 684 8100,” the spokesperson added. Yesterday’s incident is the latest in a …

A NEW appeal has been launched seeking Clare properties to house people who have fled the war in Ukraine. Clare County Council is urging those who have unoccupied properties to offer them as temporary homes. The call is part of a new government initiative, led by local authorities, to make use of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes to house Ukrainian people and families. A tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available for properties used to house those arriving from Ukraine. This payment rate applies from December 1, 2022. More than 60,000 people have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine seeking safety and the vast majority need accommodation. Under a new programme, Clare County Council will take offers of houses, apartments, or holiday homes for temporary accommodation, liaise with owners to assess suitability, and arrange for their use by Ukrainian people and families. Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting Clare County Council via email at: offerahome@clarecoco.ie. …

ANCILLARY services to support the influx of Ukrainian refugees have exceeded their capacity to adequately respond in the county to the current humanitarian crisis, a local Dáil Deputy has claimed. Apart from accommodation, which is at capacity, Deputy Cathal Crowe told a Joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday that other services for Ukrainians have exceeded capacity. “We were right to have our arms open and welcome people from Ukraine and we should continue to do so. “But there is no shame in a county or country saying we have reached capacity in terms of the level of care we can provide. “A roof over someone’s head is just one aspect of care, education and healthcare are other aspects,” the Meelic TD told the committee. “I have a pregnant woman who contacted my office who can’t get GP care. When she has a baby, she will most likely have to present herself to the Emergency Department. “While accommodation is going well …

The case of a man accused of the unlawful cultivation of cannabis plants in Newmarket-on-Fergus will be heard in the circuit criminal court. Ciaran Cullinan (32), with an address at Curraderra, Barefield, appeared before Ennis District Court charged with three offences contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.  Cullinan is charged with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for the purposes of sale or supply. He is further charged with the unlicensed cultivation of cannabis plants.  All three charges relate to a garda search of Cullinan’s former address at the Green Door apartment, Newmarket on Fergus on April 2, 2021.  Sergeant Noel O’Rourke gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Cullinan. The court heard the accused made no reply to any of the three charges after caution.  The accused was represented in court by solicitor, John Casey.  Sergeant Aiden Lonergan said the garda file in the matter had been forwarded to the director of public prosecutions (DPP). Sergeant …