Tag Archives: garda

GARDAí at Ennis, are quite literally looking into  matters following an unusual find. They  are investigating the theft of manhole covers in the locality and have  arrested two young men, 17 and 19 years, this Wednesday afternoon. They are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Ennis Garda Station. In total 15 manhole covers were recovered following the search of a vehicle at Monreagh, Tubber. The theft/removal of manhole covers is potentially lethal to road users and has been highlighted by An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority.

THE issuing of adult cautions is becoming more prevalent in recent times, something gardaí have attributed to the current economic climate. At a meeting of the county’s Joint Policing Committee Superintendent Derek Smart, of Ennis Garda District, outlined to the committee that the number of theft and theft-related offences had increased by three instances, bringing the total to 858. Noting in the breakdown of these figures that thefts from shops accounted for 230 of these crimes, Councillor John Crowe asked the Superintendent to clarify if these would have resulted in successful prosecutions. Superintendent Smart said, “The vast majority of them would end up in convictions. Most shops have good CCTVs, and we would also make use of the adult caution in the case of a first time offence, which keeps the matter out of the courts. We are seeing this being used a lot more in the current economic times”. After the meeting, Superintendent Smart told The Clare Champion, “It …

GARDAÍ are investigating a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Francis Street, Ennis, this Sunday afternoon  at approximately 1.40pm. A female, 74 years, was fatally injured when she was struck by a car. The deceased was pronounced dead at scene and was brought to Limerick Regional Hospital. The road was closed at scene to facilitate Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and diversions were put in place. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

CLARE County Council, An Garda Siochána, the Fire Service and Clare Civil Defence are responding to more than 150 separate weather related incidents around the county. Several thousand homes in areas right across the county are without electricity. An emergency number – 1890 252 943 – has been established for members of the public to report fallen trees, blocked roads and flooding. This number will be operational until 7.30pm. The south-east of the county is one of the worst affected areas, particularly in Killaloe and around Sixmilebridge, with fallen trees reported on most routes. The north and west of the county have also been badly affected. Clare County Council says it expects storm conditions to abate later this evening but it is urging members of the public to avoid making any unnecessary journeys due to storm debris and traffic lights out of operation on the county’s roads.

GARDAÍ in the county have noted a sizable spike in the theft of catalytic converters from cars, with five stolen at different locations in one day alone. Catalytic converters are a part on the exhaust system which helps reduce the pollutants in emissions. To have this item replaced costs in the region of €1,500 and gardaí are advising the public to take precautions where possible. Speaking to The Clare Champion, Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Joe Downey said, “There is an increase in these thefts and people need to be more alert. There were five catalytic converters stolen this past Tuesday, three in Shannon and two in Ennis”. He explained to steal these parts, the thief crawls under the vehicle and simply cuts it out. It only takes approximately two minutes. Sergeant Downey said those who have fallen victim to this crime will know, as when they start their car the exhaust system will be must noisier. “They cost €1,500 …

  By CAROL BYRNE GARDAÍ are appealing to landlords to frequently check their properties arising from the discovery of six cannabis growhouses, all located in rental properties in County Clare in the past three weeks. The warning comes after gardaí uncovered a sixth grow house in County Clare last Thursday, where cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to €144,000 were found in Mullagh. This latest haul brings the total drugs seized in the county to €1.43 million. The seizure was made as part of an ongoing operation targeting the cultivation, possession and sale of cannabis in the county. “Because of recent discoveries of cannabis growhouses in the county we are asking all those who have rented properties to check them and ensure all is in order and if they have any suspicions to contact the Gardaí immediately,” Superintendent Derek Smart of Ennis Garda Station said. He said “in the vast majority” of grow house cases the operations …

GARDA investigations are ongoing in respect of the discovery of the  body of Mr Tony McIlroy in Ballynacally on Saturday morning last. The body of 61 year-old, Mr McIlroy, from Kilmaley, was found  close to the community centre. A post mortem examination was carried out on Saturday and determined Mr McElroy died from natural causes. While gardaí have ruled out foul play and are treating the matter as a sudden death,  they continue to investigate the wider movements of Mr McElroy leading up to his death in order to prepare a file for the county coroner. Mr McIlroy’s funeral mass took place on Tuesday morning in Kilmaley Church, with burial afterwards at Mount Temple Cemetery, Kilmaley.

A SEIZURE of 240 cannabis plants in East Clare on Wednesday brought the approximate street value of plants found in separate garda searches around the county to €1.29 million in the past week. Gardaí seized 240 cannabis plants with an approximate street value of €190,000 at a house in Faha, Cahir at 2.30pm on Wednesday. The seizure was made as a part of an ongoing operation into the sale and supply of illegal drugs in the Clare area by the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit. There were no arrests as part of the search. The scene was being preserved for technical examination on Wednesday evening. Last Wednesday as part of an operation targeting the cultivation of cannabis, gardaí from Kilrish Garda Station searched a house at Breaffa, Carraigaholt, and discovered 600 plants growing and evidence of in excess of 500 harvested plants. The drugs seized were estimated to have a street value of almost €500,000. On Monday morning, gardaí searched a …