The sale or supply of drugs and domestic offences have both increased in Clare since this time last year.
Members of this county’s joint policing committee have been told that almost all other areas of crime here have either reduced or remained static since the beginning of the pandemic.
Chief Superintendent Sean Colleran told members this morning that the Drugs Unit here has had a number of what he called ‘very significant detections’ in the first quarter of this year, and continues to work with similar units in neighbouring counties of Limerick, Galway and Tipperary.
While offences for the possession of drugs have dropped by almost half since this time last year, offences relating to sale and supply have gone up by 14 percent.
More than 100 domestic incidents have been recorded in this county in the first three months of 2021, with a breach of barring order instances up by more than 40 percent compared to this time 12 months ago.
Almost all other areas of crime have remained at a similar level or dropped, though Gardai locally are urging caution on the numbers, referencing the lockdown that has taken place since this year began, while most of the first quarter of last year remained COVID-free.
A number of representatives in Ennis raised concerns about continued anti-social behaviour incidents around the town, with the Chief Superintendent insisting Gardai here continue to be ‘proactive’ in an attempt to curb the problem and that they’re aware of areas where the behaviour is most commonly taking place.
Councillors in the Shannon Municipal District also noted ongoing issues with an illegal encampment in Sixmilebridge – Gardai again say they are aware of the issue and have issued a summons for trespassing.
Gardai say they will continue COVID-19 checkpoints on county borders now that the 5k limit has been relaxed, but Chief Superintendent Colleran admitted resources have been stretched in the Division.
