Tag Archives: gardai

The body of a man found on the shoreline at Aughinish, Kinvara on Sunday evening last been identified as an 86-year-old retiree who was last seen near Salthill on June 17. A post mortem is due to take place tomorrow (Thursday) at Limerick Regional Hospital. On Sunday, gardaí in Gort received a report that the body of a male was found washed up on the rocks at Aughinish, Kinvara. When they went to the scene, they found the body. A local doctor was called and he was pronounced dead at 10pm at scene.

A person has been arrested as part of an operation targeting prostitution in the Mid-West region, following Garda searches in Ennis and Limerick in recent weeks. Ennis gardaí involved in the operation carried out a series of searches of premises in the town and on the back of this, one person was arrested last weekend. A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution in relation to the matter. Clare gardaí are working in conjunction with other garda divisions across the Mid-West as part of the operation and their investigations are ongoing. By Carol Byrne

TWO people have been arrested following an incident at a funeral in Shannon on Sunday, while parish priest Fr Tom Ryan said lives could have been lost but for the intervention of the gardaí. Martin ‘Red Breast’ McDonagh died last Wednesday night and was reposing in Shannon on Sunday before his funeral, which took place in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo on Monday. It is understood that a row broke out close to Ss John and Paul Church, in which a number of people, associated with two separate families, were involved. No arrests were made in relation to this. Shortly afterwards, one vehicle rammed into another at traffic lights close to Aidan Park. Another vehicle, owned by a party not connected with the dispute, was also damaged. A vehicle was seized at the Old Lodge shortly afterwards and one person arrested. A second person was subsequently arrested. Speaking on Monday, Fr Ryan said, “The first thing I’d like to do is extend …

THE theft of village signage has been described as “epidemic” by local Councillor Pat Hayes, who highlighted that signs have been stolen in four villages in East Clare. Councillor Hayes said Feakle, Caher, Flagmount and Killanena have had signage taken. He said some thefts have occurred in recent weeks, while others were some time ago. He said it is not the directional signage, which is usually the common problem, but in this case it is the larger signs for the villages themselves. “It seems to be specific to this side of the county. Directional signposts are also missing. The GAA one in Caher was taken down and a couple of business ones were taken as well. It seems to be an epidemic for the last while. I would very much be appealing to the public out there. There might be huge value in those signs but it is the communities that put them up and maintain them. They are part …

As heavy rain and hail showers are forecast this evening (Tuesday), gardaí have appealed to road users to take extra care and for drivers to always drive at a speed appropriate to the conditions. The heavy rain and hail showers will create potentially hazardous conditions for road users. Road users are advised: • It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. • Heavy hail showers will make roads slippery, increase stopping distances and reduce visibility. • Take special care when driving behind trucks or buses as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility. • Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. • Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to be seen. Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt. • Pedestrians should walk on a footpath, and if there is no footpath, walk …

CLARE’S Garda Division cannot afford to lose any more gardaí, as resources are “stretched”, following a 13% decrease in personnel over the last six years. That’s the view expressed by the division head, Chief Superintendent John Kerin, at this week’s Joint Policing Committee meeting in Ennis. The Garda chief said four upcoming retirements and five promotions would pose further challenges. He said he is “seriously concerned” by the reduction of 44 gardaí in the Clare Garda Division, which has occurred over the last six years. There are now 294 gardaí in the division, compared to the 338 gardaí who were stationed in County Clare back in 2010. Since 2010, the number of superintendents has fallen from four down to two, while the number of sergeants in the division has been reduced from 42 down to 38. Chief Superintendent Kerin said rural counties, such as Clare, are “suffering”. He added, “I hope the situation doesn’t deteriorate any further. It’s difficult to …

TRAFFIC was blocked for a period of time in the Market in Ennis this afternoon, after a crash which involved five vehicles. While an ambulance was present at the scene, a Garda spokesman said that there were no serious injuries. The incident occurred at around 3pm, when a Toyota Corolla came off the road and struck a Toyota Avensis, which was in a parking space right in front of Taylor’s pub. The Avensis then struck a vehicle in front of it, and the knock on effect resulted in another two vehicles being damaged. Both the Corolla and the Avensis were very badly damaged, but the impact on the other vehicles didn’t seem to be anywhere near as serious. Speaking to the Champion shortly after the incident, the owner of the Avensis said she hadn’t been in the vehicle when the crash happened. “I was above around the corner and we heard an unmerciful bang,” she commented. The woman was quite emotional and …

As part of an operation targeting the illegal sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Shannon area Gardaí have seized cannabis herb (pending analysis) with an estimated street value of €110,000. A van was stopped and searched in Clonmoney West, Bunratty, on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 3.30pm; during the course of the search cannabis herb was seized. Two men, aged 37 and 27, were arrested in connection with this incident and were currently detained at Shannon Garda Station under the provisions of Section 2 – Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. These operations use advanced analytical and intelligence methods to disrupt criminals and dismantle their networks. Drug seizures play a critical role in targeting the livelihood of criminals and reducing their ability to carry out illegal activities. Drug seizures also help protect communities from the devastating impact of drugs and the associated criminality.