Tag Archives: Superintendent John Galvin

GARDAÍ have launched an investigation after shots were fired in broad daylight in Ennis this week. Nobody was injured during the incident which occurred at around 2.45pm on Tuesday in the Beech Park area of Ennis. A video which appears to show the incident has been circulating on social media showing two men dressed in black while a third person filmed them. Superintendent John Galvin of Ennis Garda Station told the Clare Champion that gardaí are “actively investigating” the incident including carrying out of a number of follow up searches. He appealed to anyone who may have information about the incident to come forward to gardaí. “Anybody who was in the area at the time or who may have dash cam footage we would appeal to them to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100 or  or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.”

FEARS have been expressed that farmers and dwellers in East and North Clare will be forced to take the law into their own hands in a scenario akin to the infamous Padraig Nally court case following a spate of rural crime. Councillor Pat Burke has revealed one farmer told him he has a “shotgun loaded at the head of the bed” at night to protect himself from any intruder, while former councillor Bill Slattery has warned there could be another Padraig Nally scenario involving North Clare farmers who are being “bullied and threatened”. In December, 2006, Padraig Nally was cleared of the manslaughter of John Ward by the Court of Criminal Appeal, which overturned an initial six-year sentence. Mr Nally, of Funshinagh Cross, Claremorris, shot the father of 11 at his farm on October 14, 2004. In court evidence, Mr Nally said he believed Mr Ward had been on his land to commit a burglary and confirmed he had been …

EFFORTS by Deputy Cathal Crowe to obtain the current deficit in Clare Garda numbers following a dramatic decline in national recruitment proved unsuccessful at a joint Policing Committee meeting on Monday. Commenting on Budget 2023, Deputy Crowe recalled funding was provided for 1,000 new Garda recruits and 400 new civilian recruits. Shortly after this announcement, the Fianna Fáil Deputy said he was contacted by a number of Gardai who stressed that more analysis was required to examine these figures to ascertain the figures for retirement, those on illness benefit and to take into account there are 110 members who are currently suspended on full pay at home when they could be back on the streets once an investigation is concluded. Deputy Crowe asked Clare Gardai for a breakdown of retirements, resignations, suspensions and new recruitment as well as how this has impacted on overall Garda numbers in the county in recent years. Superintendent John Galvin confirmed he would not comment …

TWO fatal road collisions, which happened within days of each other, have left the community of East Clare reeling.  The incidents, which claimed the lives of a two men, have also prompted an appeal from Gardaí for vigilance on the part of all road users, particularly in bad winter weather.  Last Saturday night, Billy Hickey, a man in his 80s died in an incident on Main Street, Mountshannon, shortly before 8pm. Warm tributes were paid by those who knew him. Senator Timmy Dooley, a Mountshannon native, extended his sympathies to Mr Hickey’s family.  “I’ve known Billy all my life,” he said. “The entire community is just shocked at his untimely passing. He was a kind and friendly gentleman and deeply rooted in the area, even though he was a native of Tipperary. “His wife is from Scariff and the community is in shock there too. His grandchildren are part of the GAA community and well known, particularly in Clare camogie. …

A PROMINENT Ennis retailer has raised concerns over the impression created by rough sleeping in the heart of the town, writes Fiona McGarry. Oliver Moylan of The Ennis Cash Company said the presence of a small number of people sleeping in an area around the top of O’Connell Street is creating a negative image of the town, particularly in the busy run in to Christmas. Those providing emergency accommodation, meanwhile, have said they are fully prepared to engage with rough sleepers, and that there is sufficient provision in Ennis so that nobody should be without a bed at night. Mr Moylan, who contacted The Champion to raise his concerns, is proprietor of a business trading since the 1880s. “People sleeping rough on the main street is creating a terrible impression of Ennis, especially as businesses are trying to get back on their feet and really need footfall and shoppers back on the streets,” he said. “There are people spreading out …

INCREASED traffic on roads across Clare has been reported by Gardaí, but general compliance levels with Level 5 restrictions are said to be relatively good. As the country comes to the end of a third straight month at the highest lockdown level, Superintendent John Galvin said that while movement beyond 5km is increasing, a lot of it is down to the return to school, as well as the distances that Clare people normally travel for essential work reasons. “We are certainly seeing a rise in the number of people on the roads at the moment,” the Kilrush-based superintendent said. “A certain level of that is down to the reopening of schools and overall people’s compliance is quite good. If you think about someone living in Kilrush and working in Ennis, if they’re an essential worker, they have to travel well beyond the 5km.” Superintendent Galvin said that fears over large-scale house parties around St Patrick’s Day weren’t realised. “Overall, it …

‘EXPECT to meet us anywhere,’ is the message from Clare Gardaí as they continue to enforce public health restrictions on travel. Following the return to Level 5, the policing plan for the division will now see three static checkpoints in Clare, and a number of roving, randomised checkpoints on roads across the county. “We will have checkpoints right across the division and you can expect to meet us anywhere,” said Superintendent John Galvin. “As well as three static checkpoints, we will be operating random, short-term checkpoints at a wide range of locations. The message is that if you are on out on the roads, we will be asking you about the purpose of your journey.” Superintendent Galvin noted that the approach taken to policing the 5km travel restrictions will be a “common sense” one. “We will be there to explain, advise and encourage,” he said. “People are entitled to travel to shop for essentials, for example, but they shouldn’t need …

THE Clare-based chairperson of the Dáil committee on Covid-19 has described the prospect of legislating to give Gardaí the power to break up house parties as “tricky”. Deputy Michael McNamara called on government to make clear the rationale for new measures announced this week, which also include a reduction on numbers attending indoor and outdoor gatherings. “What is the basis of the current measures?” he asked, adding that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly must come before the committee to explain the government’s thinking. In relation to the extension of powers for Gardaí, Deputy McNamara said that what was being proposed is still unclear. He also warned that Constitutional issues may arise. “I’m unclear, at this point, as to what exactly the government is proposing,” he said. “In general terms, under the Constitution, the assumption is that a Garda is an invitee at a person’s home. The household or ‘teaglach’ is inviolable. If Gardaí are asked to leave, they must do …