Tag Archives: Clare Joint Policing Committee

ALCOHOL and drug use in the home have been blamed, in part, for what Clare’s Garda Chief Superintendent has described as “a very significant increase” in breaches of court orders in cases of domestic abuse. Outlining crime figures for January to March at the meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran noted a 43% rise in the breaches of barring orders, safety orders and protection orders issued by the courts to protect victims and families. The rise, from 21 breaches in the first quarter of last year to 30 to date in 2021, is in sharp contrast to a general drop across most crime categories during the pandemic. The chief superintendent also outlined an increase of 10% in the number of domestic disputes where no offence was disclosed. These rose from 92 incidents between January and March of last year to 101 in the same period in 2021. Concerns about domestic abuse during the pandemic were …

A BRAWL that took place in broad daylight on the streets of Ennis was widely condemned at a meeting, this week, of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC). Several members voiced fears over activities in the centre of the county town since the onset of the pandemic, which has seen the introduction of pedestrianisation on O’Connell Street and reduced footfall as people work from home. Clare’s Garda chief also conceded that the pressure to staff roadside checkpoints had reduced the presence of the force in the town. However, he pledged to boost the visibility of gardaí on the streets as restrictions ease. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard referred to footage circulating on social media that appears to show two young men brawling on Darcy’s Corner, a busy junction in the heart of the town. Despite the presence of onlookers, the men can be seen to leave the footpath and exchange blows in the middle of the road, before leaving …

CLARE’S Garda chief has promised a “proactive” approach to an illegal encampment at the Station Yard in Sixmilebridge. The matter was raised at this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Councillor PJ Ryan. The Independent representative said there was considerable concern because those involved had turned down an offer of Council accommodation, and were refusing to move on until they are provided with housing at an alternative location of their choice. Deputy Cathal Crowe expressed his annoyance at the situation, saying it threatened the integrity of the social housing system. “At this stage, they are absolutely taking the mick,” he said. “They have obviously travelled from somewhere, during Covid, and despite the travel restrictions. They now say they can’t travel back to the UK, because of Covid, and that the Council has to house them as a solution. “It is important to say that Travellers have the right to housing. Everyone respects that. However, there are a …

CLARE’S top Garda has responded to concerns over the use of tourist facilities in Ennis to provide homeless accommodation. In recent weeks, the situation has been blamed for a spike in anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, in residential areas close to the town centre. The issue was raised at this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Deputy Joe Carey, who said the location and nature of the Ashford Court Hotel make it unsuitable as a homeless service. “There is fall-out on the streets of residential areas nearby,” he said. “This has been raised by a number of people. I don’t believe that the tourist accommodation being used is adequate. The proper supports are not there, especially to support complex cases. There is spill-out on to the streets and residents have been contacting us as public representatives, to voice their concerns. “We need a multi-agency approach to nip this in the bud and root out unsavoury behaviour.” Cathaoirleach …

Clare’s Joint Policing Committee heard that there has been a 22% increase in the number of people caught drink driving in the county this year, with 27 more people detected under the influence. The issue of drink driving was relayed as “an area of concern” by Clare’s Chief Superintendent John Kerin, who told the committee that more young people are being detected now than in the previous 10 to 15 years. “It is a trend we are seeing country-wide. It is a worrying trend. What I’d be saying to them is you might get away with it one night, maybe two but you will be caught,” he said. Supporting this, he stressed that there were 13,572 breath tests conducted in the county so far this year, an increase of 48% on last year. Chief Superintendent Kerin said he will make no apology for this increase, as it saves lives. He said people might say that this is too many but he …