A SPATE of burglaries and thefts in County Clare in recent weeks underlines the national trend of increasing crime, as revealed in this week’s Central Statistic Office figures.
While these incidents are worrying, the overall situation in the Clare Garda Division for the first nine months of 2009 points to a reduced number of recorded offences under several headings, including theft and related offences, burglary, dangerous or negligent acts and damage to property and the environment. Stand-out statistics on the down side during this period record one homicide, compared to none, and 21 sexual offences, compared to 15 last year.
Instances of elderly people being attacked and robbed in their homes, in some case with fatal consequences, have caused huge upset across the country, particularly in rural areas.
In supporting An Garda Síochána, organisations such as Muintir na Tíre and Macra, along with many other community groups, are always reminding people of the importance of keeping an eye out for elderly people living alone, whether in the town or countryside.
However, criminals haven’t overlooked the homes of younger families and businesses either. In fact, no section of society can rest easy when it comes to the possibility of falling victim to crime these days. This week, RTÉ’s Crimeline programme highlighted that crime is not just a night-time activity and that early afternoons, from Wednesday to Friday, are also favoured by opportunistic prowlers.
Preventative measures, such as alarm systems and proper locks on doors and windows, as advised by the gardaí, can lessen the risks for householders and business people. While these measures can involve a substantial outlay, over time, this will be offset against reduced insurance premiums and, of course, possible loss or damage to your property.
Looking at the national picture from the CSO data, in the third quarter of this year there were 7,047 recorded burglary (not aggravated) offences, representing an increase of 1,492, almost 25%, on the number recorded in the same period last year.
Aggravated burglaries (with a weapon) increased by 50% between the third quarter of 2008 and the three months to the end of September this year, from 63 to 95. For the 12-month period ending September 30, 2009, recorded aggravated burglary offences increased by 24% to 372, when compared with the corresponding period ending in the third quarter of 2008.
In the Clare Garda Division, there were a total of 330 recorded burglary and related offences, nine of which were aggravated burglary, in the nine months to the end of September. This is a marked decrease on the same period in 2008, when 377 such offences were recorded. However, there were no aggravated offences recorded.
Other thefts and handling stolen property offences increased from 9,867 in the third quarter of 2008 to 10,893 in the same quarter this year, an increase of over 10%. The annualised figure for theft from shops rose by 796 from 19,919 to 20,715 in the 12-month period prior to the end of September.
In Clare, in the first nine months of 2009, there were 963 recorded incidents in the theft category. Again, this is a decrease on last year’s position, when 1,005 such offences were recorded.
Public order and other social code offences accounted for the biggest number of criminal offences in the division; 1,133 for the first nine months of this year, compared to 1,142 for the same period last year.
Another positive Clare can take from the CSO figures is the fact that the number of recorded offences for driving/in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit decreased from 336 to 258. It is understood, however, that recent garda activity has resulted in quite a number of drink driving detections.
The importance of public co-operation with the gardaí in trying to curb all kinds of criminal activity cannot be overstated. Good relationships between the gardaí and the communities they serve are key to both preventing and solving crime.

Derek deserves apology

Whitegate man, Derek Malone invested a lot of time and effort to gain his place on the Irish soccer team participating in the Beijing Paralympic Games last year.
Derek’s world crumbled around him when he was dismissed from the games, having been deemed “not disabled enough to compete” by the Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association (CPISRA). The incident angered all involved with the Irish squad of athletes and they vowed to have the injustice addressed.
Following a 13-month campaign by the Paralympic Council of Ireland (PCI) and Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland (CPSI), CPISRA finally gave the go-ahead for the independent review promised in Beijing.
There was great news this week for Derek Malone, when his paralympic status was reinstated by a review panel of CPISRA, led by new head of classification, Carol Mushett-Johnson. Her decision is final and incontestable.
Derek should be over the moon with the news but instead he has “mixed emotions”.
He is reinstated but those who sidelined him in Beijing have not apologised.
“There was a mistake made in Beijing but they have refused to hold their hands up and say sorry. I should have been allowed to compete in Beijing. While I am happy with the decision, I would have liked an apology,” Derek said.
Studying for a masters in strength conditioning at Edinburgh, while working part-time in Ireland, Derek hasn’t decided yet whether or not he will return to the sport. He has moved on and hasn’t done too much training.
Nevertheless, once an athlete always an athlete and Derek is certainly leaning towards making a comeback. “It’s too early to say what I will do. London would be a nice way to draw a line under Beijing,” he admitted.
Derek deserves more, however; he deserves an apology.