Tag Archives: Clare JPC

THIS month’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) in Clare revealed a staggering 105% increase in thefts from shops in the county from 2021 to 2022. The figure was revealed by Chief Superintendent Sean Colleran in his briefing to local politicians at the start of the month and covered the first four months of each year. Gardai in Clare have also revealed that Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are the most common days for thefts from shops and almost two thirds of all thefts from shops occur between 12 noon and 6 p.m. In an effort to help shop owners take action against potential theft, they have issued advice on the types of shoplifters out there and how to identify them. Opportunist: Could be anyone, unattended goods taken / little risk of getting caught. Persistent: Regular thief, mixing purchased goods with stolen goods, could be a frequent customer. Young people: usually engage in thefts in groups through peer pressure. Substance …

NEW figures show a steep rise in incidents of domestic abuse, with Clare’s most senior Garda pledging the issue is “top of the agenda” for the force, writes Fiona McGarry. Outlining figures for last November to January, Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran said breaches of court orders, including barring and safety orders, was down 16% on the same period for 2020/21. Domestic disputes, however, increased by 49% in that time frame. The Chief described the breach of orders as “red flag” offences. “They are a concern because it means that orders are in place,” he said. “There is a reduction of 16% and that requires a proactive response by us in terms of breaches, including the arrest of suspects in those cases.” The sharp rise in the incidence of domestic disputes where no offence is disclosed was also described as a cause for concern. “These are calls for service where we interact with complainants in domestic-related incidents,” the Chief outlined. “The …

CLARE’S most senior garda has expressed concern about a “significant” increase in the number of people caught driving while intoxicated, writes Fiona McGarry. Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran highlighted a 27% increase in Driving Under the Influence (CUI) incidents between last November and January, when compared to the same period in 2020/21. Addressing the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting last week, the chief was critical of drivers who are willing to take risks with their lives and those of others. In terms of the numbers of people detected driving while intoxicated, Chief Superintendent Colleran said: “It’s up to 38 for this three-month period, as opposed to 30 for the previous three months. “As much as we talk about driver behaviour, and messages getting through, it points to the fact there are still people out there that take risks, and they take risks with other people’s lives because of the offences they commit.” In respect of road traffic collisions, he said this …

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in parts of Shannon is leading to the “terrorising” of people trying to go about their daily lives, Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has said. Deputy Cathal Crowe told the quarterly meeting of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC) that a stronger approach needs to be taken to tackle a raft of incidents in the town. “This is a parental and a policing issue,” he said. “There are kids being dropped off from Sixmilebridge, Quin and from across the region and they think their children are just spending time with their friends. “The truth is that there is terrorising going on in the shopping centre. Last week, a trolley was pushed down two or three flights of stairs and it narrowly missed a pensioner who was out doing the shopping.” Responding to the Fianna Fáil TD’s concerns, Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran said the issue of anti-social behaviour was widespread. “This is not just a concern for Shannon,” he said. “There …

Fiona McGarry heard calls at the Clare JPC to tackle people moving up the ladder in drug dealing DRUGS kingpins are living like Pablo Escobar and openly flaunting the proceeds of crime, Clare’s Fianna Fail TD told the Garda Commissioner this week. At the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, Deputy Cathal Crowe questioned whether the law is too soft and failing to prevent people moving up the ladder from small-time dealers to global gang leaders. Denying the claim that the criminal justice system is not rigorous enough in tackling drugs, Commissioner Harris said there had been a large number of successful operations in Clare over the last year. He said hundreds of thousands of Euros worth of drugs and tens of thousands of Euros in cash had been seized in the county, and he undertook to provide a written report to JPC members. In a written question to the Commissioner, who attended the JPC meeting at the invitation of its …

MEASURES should be put in place to ensure teenagers socialise responsibly during the Halloween break, according to a local councillor. Speaking at a recent Joint Policing Committee, Councillor Ann Norton acknowledged local gardaí have worked very well over the years with local nightclub owners. The Independent Councillor said she appreciated young people would like to enjoy themselves with their friends after being restricted over the last 18 momths during to Covid-19. Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran said apart from a few flashpoints in certain locations during the summer months, public order offences in the county have been in decline. Like previous years, he confirmed gardaí would be working in co-operation with nightclub owners to ensure there were no major incidents during holiday periods like Halloween. “It is something we are conscious of and we will continue working to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable night.” Councillor Joe Killeen said people were delighted with the increase in local tourists on staycations …