Tag Archives: garda

GARDAÍ have searched an address in Clare as part of Operation Ketch 5, which targets suspects involved in the possession and distribution of child pornography. Searches of 23 properties were made between February 1 and 4 as part of an on-going search and recovery operation targeting suspects involved in the possession and distribution of Child Exploitation Material (Child Pornography) either through Social Network sites or via File Sharing Networks. The Online Child Exploitation Unit (OnCE) at the Garda National Protection Services Bureau is leading the operation, and involved searches under warrant issued pursuant to the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 in a number of Garda Division throughout the country, including an address in County Clare. Liaison is being maintained with the Child and Family Agency regarding any child protection concerns that arise. The searches were conducted by the Online Child Exploitation Unit and the newly established Divisional Protection Service Units and local Detective Units. These searches were conducted in 11 counties across …

A CLAMP-DOWN on unaccompanied learner drivers came into effect in the past week with the introduction of new legislation. “Once and for all we need to stamp out the entirely false notion that once someone has a learner permit they are free to drive as they wish. A learner permit is not a driving licence,” declared Transport Minister Shane Ross, as the “Clancy Amendment” became law. This is three years on from when Geraldine Clancy (58), and her daughter Louise (22), died on December 22, 2015 when an unaccompanied learner driver lost control of her car at a junction a kilometre from their home in Kilworth, County Cork. The unaccompanied learner driver was given a three-month suspended sentence for dangerous driving. She admitted failing to yield at a blind junction and striking the Clancys’ car. Minister Ross said there new provisions now make it an offence for the owner of a vehicle to knowingly allow an unaccompanied learner or an …

BELLHARBOUR’S John Kerin, Clare’s Chief Superintendent, is calling time on a 41-year career with the gardaí. It has been a distinguished one, which has seen him to the forefront of some of Ireland’s most high profile investigations. In his earlier days on the force, Chief Supt Kerin was one of the first garda responders to one of the country’s worst rail disasters, the Buttevant train crash of August 1, 1980, which saw 19 people lose their lives and up to 80 seriously injured. June 7, 1996 was a day that will be forever remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of the force, as it was the day Detective Garda Jerry McCabe died and his partner, Detective Garda Ben O’Sullivan, was shot in Adare. For Chief Superintendent Kerin, it is a day he will never forget, as it was the day he first took up duty as detective inspector and it was to be his first call …

GARDAÍ have thanked the public for their assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 17 year old Kalem Murphy. He has been located safe and well. Gardaí had been searching for Mr Murphy, who is from the Lahinch Road in Ennis. He had been reported as missing from the Blanchardstown area of Dublin on Sunday November 4.    

Gardaí have renewed their appeal seeking the assistance of the public in tracing the whereabouts of 17-year-old Natasha McNeil who is missing since Thursday June 21, 2018 and who may be in the Ennis area. Natasha is described as 160cm (5’2”) and is of slim build. She has brown hair, and has tattoos on her right ankle and wrists. She was last seen near Heuston Railway Station in Dublin. Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Garda Station, Limerick on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

A UNITED Airlines flight from Rome to Chicago has diverted to Shannon this afternoon due to a bomb scare. It is understood that an anti American slogan was written on a mirror in a bathroom of the aircraft. Furthermore, there was a mention of a bomb being on board. The airport has remained open. At the time of writing the passengers have left the aircraft and many of them are on the tarmac outside the plane. The plane has been parked some distance away from the terminal building.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to motorcycle riders to ‘Bike Safe’ as the risk to riders’ safety is set to increase over the summer months. An examination of forensic collision investigation files published in 2016 by the RSA found that almost a third of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol and that bikers speeding was a factor is almost half of all motorcyclist deaths. While the majority of motorcycle riders are absolutely aware of their vulnerability when biking, some may not be so safety conscious. Younger riders on powerful machines need to appreciate the risk they face and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The RSA study also found that half of the 80 motorcyclists deemed culpable for the collision were aged between 25 and 34 years old. The message from the RSA and gardaí to these bikers is to never drink drive. You simply cannot …

Gardaí in Clare detected a motorist driving 52km/h above the speed limit along the N17. The car was found travelling at 152km/h in a 100km/h zone. Details of the speeding detection were released by An Garda Síochána, ahead of a national speed enforcement operation this weekend. The operation, known as Slow Down Day, is supported by the Road Safety Authority and other stakeholders, and will take place for a 24-hour period, from 7am on Friday to 7am on Saturday. The objective of the operation is to reduce the number of speed-related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. The aim of Slow Down Day is to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, increase compliance with speed limits and act as a deterrent to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed. In terms of road safety, 2017 was the lowest on record, with 157 road deaths. Excessive and inappropriate speed is a major contributory factor in road traffic collisions. …