Tag Archives: An Garda Síochána

GARDAÍ are advising car owners to be vigilant following a spate of thefts of catalytic convertors in the county. The latest theft occurred in Clarecastle last week. In the early hours of Wednesday morning last at around 3pm the owner of a car on Patrick Street, Clarecastle discovered the catalytic converter had been cut away from his car. Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks explains that the car owner had thought he had heard the sound of a grinder outside his home before making the unfortunate discovery. Sgt Brooks outlined that there were two similar incidents last week in East Clare, and it can cost the owner up to €2,500 to replace the catalytic converter. “It can take as little as three minutes for a thief to remove it which are being stolen because of the increasing prices in the scrap metal market, platinum, rhodium, palladium and other precious metals they employ to clean exhaust emissions, getting €100 to €300 …

LATEST statistics show that 163 mobile phones were reported stolen in Clare since the beginning of 2019. Gardaí are appealing for smartphone owners to be ’Streetwise’ by downloading a trusted “find my phone” app and adding an emergency contact number to their phone as of the €5 million worth of mobile phones stolen nationwide, only 10% are recovered. The appeal follows the release of figures by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service which show that 11,488 mobile phones have been stolen since the beginning of 2019. Of those, only 1,176 have been recovered. Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Dean Kerins said, “The price of mobile phones makes them a clear target for criminals, so let’s try and deter them by increasing phone security. If you a have a smartphone, we recommend downloading a trusted location finder app so if it is lost or stolen, you have a better chance of getting it back. Some phones already have a feature like this already so have …

Gardaí in Ennis have launched an investigation after the body of man was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning in the courtyard of an apartment block. Gardaí were alerted that a body was lying on the ground outside at the Mill House Apartments at around 1.25am. The remains have been transferred to University Hospital Limerick for post-mortem. Anybody with any information or who was in the vicinity sometime between 1.15am and 1.30am and who witnessed anything is being asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100.

THE Clare-based chairperson of the Dáil committee on Covid-19 has described the prospect of legislating to give Gardaí the power to break up house parties as “tricky”. Deputy Michael McNamara called on government to make clear the rationale for new measures announced this week, which also include a reduction on numbers attending indoor and outdoor gatherings. “What is the basis of the current measures?” he asked, adding that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly must come before the committee to explain the government’s thinking. In relation to the extension of powers for Gardaí, Deputy McNamara said that what was being proposed is still unclear. He also warned that Constitutional issues may arise. “I’m unclear, at this point, as to what exactly the government is proposing,” he said. “In general terms, under the Constitution, the assumption is that a Garda is an invitee at a person’s home. The household or ‘teaglach’ is inviolable. If Gardaí are asked to leave, they must do …

THE Lions Club of Ennis are roaring in behind efforts to provide hundreds of thousands of face shields for frontline health workers throughout Ireland. Lions Clubs have pledged to raise up to €100,000 nationally to fund 200,000 ‘Hero Shield’ face visors which will be distributed free of charge to front line health workers throughout Ireland. Michael Neylon, president of Lions Club of Ennis has confirmed that the club will be getting involved with campaign, along with working to help local families in need as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Michael explains that all clubs in the district were contacted about the project and after remote consultation with members the Lions Club of Ennis will be making a donation. “At local level we have a few members engaging with vulnerable families who are in particular need during this Covid-19 crisis. We have also offered our services to the Clare County council Community Response group.” The project, led by James O’Sullivan …

WOMEN affected by domestic abuse and domestic violence are finding it more difficult to make contact for support with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic removing “little windows of freedom”, according to Clare Haven. However the local service have assured that they are open and working to protect women and children despite the ongoing health crisis. This comes as Clare Gardai confirmed a number of domestic violence incidences were reported to them last week. Clare Haven Services, which has been supporting women and children affected by Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence in Co Clare for 25 years, has welcomed as “timely” a new Government awareness and information campaign on domestic violence. Dr Siobhán O’Connor, Manager of Services, said that the campaign comes at a critical time for women and children who may be confined and isolated with their abuser in towns and townlands across the county. She said that the campaign was creative and strong in its message to survivors and communities …

HIGH levels of public compliance with the near lock-down imposed to tackle the spread of Covid-19 have been reported by one of Clare’s most senior Gardaí. Superintendent John Galvin of Kilrush Garda Station said that since the restrictions on movement came in at midnight last Friday, the main role of the force had been to advise the public on how best to comply with them. In tandem with the regulations instructing those over-70 to remain at home and preventing others from leaving their homes for all but essential work, certain medical appointments and food shopping, a major nationwide policing operation began to ensure compliance with the public health measures. “At this point, almost everyone has realised the seriousness of the situation we are facing with regard to Covid-19,” Superintendent Galvin said. “People are heeding the regulations and our main role to-date has been in advising anyone we encounter on what they can and cannot do. In general, people are very …

Following the Government’s announcement in relation to measures to delay COVID-19, An Garda Síochána is putting in place a number of measures to maximise our operational availability and support other vital public services including: – A contingency roster will go into effect from Monday next – Annual leave for personnel will be restricted to no more than 5% of a Divisional/Bureau workforce at any given time with effect from 13 March 2020 – Approximately 325 Garda students in the Garda College will be attested as Garda members next week and allocated to Garda stations nationally in the coming weeks (approximately 200 from one class, and 125 from the next class) – Garda members working as tutors/instructors in the Garda College will be deployed to operational duties or essential training services – Training in the Garda College will be deferred until further notice expect for specialist training activity (firearms, driver, armed support) – In order to enhance community support, 210 additional vehicles have been hired – Members …