Traffic pilot programme may be extended

A PILOT programme that has resulted in motorists slowing down on the Tulla Road could be extended to other parts of Ennis.
At this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), which outlined that crime figures for Ennis have decreased, town manager Ger Dollard spoke about the success of the traffic management pilot scheme.
Electronic displays showing the speed at which cars are travelling were installed at four points on the Tulla Road by Ennis Town Council earlier this year.
The data collected is to be forwarded to the gardaí, along with being used by the town council for road design. At the meeting, Mr Dollard confirmed the pilot scheme has been a success and consideration is now being made to extend the scheme to other areas of Ennis.
At the JPC meeting, Chief Superintendent Peter Duff outlined that, in general, gardaí have seen a drop in reported crime levels in comparison to the same time period last year.
The number of assaults are down from 81 in the first nine months of last year to 63, while the number of assaults causing harm for the same time period have been reduced from 25 to 23.
The level of criminal damage by fire has dropped by just over 50% from 27 to 13, while incidences of criminal damage have also fallen from 231 in 2010 to 174 in 2011.
Robbery of a person has fallen by 80% so far this year, with 10 reported incidences in the first nine months of last year and two for the same time period this year.
Arrests for possession of drugs have dropped by almost 50%, from 131 to 66, while arrests for drugs for sale or supply have fallen from 46 in the first nine months of last year to 35 for the same period this year. Drug searches carried out by the gardaí under warrant have also reduced from 151 to 84.
Superintendent Duff outlined to the meeting that there have been two substantial drugs seizures following successful operations by the gardaí in recent months. He stated that a quantity of methadrone had been seized earlier this year, with gardaí conducting a follow-up search in Lissycasey. A cannabis grow-house was also detected in the outskirts of Ennis. Both matters are now before the courts.
There were two incidents involving explosives in the Ennis district so far this year, with one man arrested by gardaí, who is currently before the courts.
The number of sexual offences has also seen a reduction from 27 to 21 in the first nine months of this year. However, Superintendent Duff outlined that many of these cases are historic, with some dating back to the’60s. “Due to changes in society, people feel more confident about reporting these matters.”
He said that while there could be problems with evidence due to the historic nature of the complaints, gardaí investigate each matter as much as they can.
Mr Dollard informed the meeting the CCTV community system is fully up and running and linked with the garda system.
He outlined that CCTV cameras, improved lighting and a pedestrian crossing have led to Tim Smythe Park, previously the scene of anti-social behaviour, “operating to a system we expected for the enjoyment of everyone”.
Councillor Johnny Flynn welcomed the fact that anti-social behaviour has “settled down” at the playground.
Councillor Mary Coote Ryan described it a “wonderful facility” saying that while she was concerned in the early days, “now it’s a joy to see”.
At the meeting, Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber, asked the gardaí if night-time pedestrianisation is to be introduced permanently in the town centre. Inspector John Galvin told her that for the gardaí, “safety comes first” and a decision is made to close streets to traffic if large groups of people gather after closing time. “We call it as we see it,” he said.
The meeting was earlier told that public order offences have dropped from 406 to 395 in the first nine months of this year. According to Superintendent Duff, the majority of public offences happen at night and are alcohol-related. He added that gardaí have seen a reduction in night-time activity and this could be “a reflection on the economic situation”.
Mr Dollard outlined Ennis is currently being looked at as a potential pilot town for the Purple Flag, a safety accreditation standard for towns at night.
In the run-up to Hallowe’en, he urged people to look out for stockpiled material, which could be used for bonfires and to report this to the council.
The reduction in reported crime statistics was widely welcomed at the meeting. The meeting was attended by Mayor of Ennis Michael Guilfoyle, Councillor Brian Meaney, Councillor Mary Howard, Councillor Mary Coote Ryan and officials from Ennis Town Council. Ennis gardaí were represented by Superintendent Peter Duff, Inspector John Galvin and Sergeant Paul Slattery. Community representatives Robert Wilkie and Mary Leahy were also in attendance.