There are calls for the Drugs Unit to be drafted into Ennistymon to deal with what’s being described as a growing problem of serious anti social behaviour in the North Clare town
It follows a number of criminal incidents in recent weeks whereby several business premises had their windows smashed in, while the wheels on several parked cars were slashed
Local representatives claim outside elements are distributing drugs to a certain section of young people in the town who are then "running amok" in both Ennistymon and Lahinch, generating fear and intimidation
On Monday’s Morning Focus with John Cooke Lahinch Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery made those calls and
Richard Nagel of Fianna Fail and another North Clare represenative echoed the concerns and need for action.
Members of the European Parliament representing Ireland North & West – which includes County Clare – were in the county on Friday evening to address members of Clare County Council about the pressing local issues being discussed at European Level
Farm payments and the Common Agricultural Policy dominated the discussions at Aras Chontae an Chlair, but questions were also raised about job creation and support, Shannon Airport’s Independence and the complaints being made by those representing Knock airport about the deal
John spoke to MEPs Marian Harkin from Sligo, Jim Higgins from Mayo and Pat the Cope Gallagher from Donegal and started by asking if European Parliament Representation is working for Clare given that we’re on the edge of the vast area their elected for.
Paul Moroney – a Kilrush Town Councillor- has been a retain firefighter for 12 years
He spoke with John about a comment made by Fergus O’Dowd,
Minister of State for the NewEra Project whilst responding to a query by Senator John Kelly in the Seanad last Thursday night
Councillor Moroney was disappointed at the Minister’s comment
Michael McNamara TD of the Labour Party also commented on the Minister’s comment saying he spoke to Minister O’Dowd about the comment and that he said he fully appreciates the commitment and contribution of firefighters
Deputy McNamara praised the contribution that firefighters make.
Garda Niamh Browne of Ennis Garda Station joined John in studio to appeal for the public’s assistance with information on crimes committed in the past week
Contact Ennis Gardai on 065 6848100.
President Michael D Higgins was made freeman of Ennis on Friday
He spoke to Trudy Waters and other journalists and said he’s very proud to be declared a free man of Ennis and to share such an accolade with the legendary Mohammad Ali
The honour was bestowed on the country’s first citizen, who was accompanied by his wife Sabina at a music filed ceremony at the offices of Ennis Town Council on Friday
His brother John, sister Kathleen as well as nieces and nephews were among the guests present, along with councillors past and present as well as Oireachtas members and Bishop of Killaloe Kieran Reilly
Along with a special scroll to mark the conferring , an historic atlas of Ennis was also presented to President Higgins.
Michael Vaughan, President of the Irish Hotels’ Federation and Lahinch businessman, supported Councillor Slattery’s calls for action now- antisocial behaviour must be tackled head on
Donoch O’Loughlin, Lahinch businessman and Chairperson of the Lahinch Community Council said anti-social behaviour is a huge issue in North Clare
The Ennis Book Club Festival kicks off this week
Clare FM’s Doireann Wylde went along to a meeting of the organising committee to find out how the festival came about and how it’s shaping up for this year.
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