The CEO of Ennis Chamber says she has “no problem” walking around the county town, but admits to feeling “uncomfortable” at times.
It follows an online discussion in which many Clare residents have claimed Ennis is no longer as safe as it once was.
The post that sparked the heated debate says it’s a “sad state of affairs” that people “no longer feel safe going for that walk alone” in the county town.
Some of those who have lent their voice to the conversation have agreed with the sentiment, while others have either claimed that there isn’t a safety issue in Ennis, or that the problem does exist but is decades old.
Between 2015 and 2025, attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences rose by over 43% in Ennis, while public order offences dropped by 30% over the same period.
Ennis Chamber CEO Margaret O’Brien says she occasionally feels uncomfortable at particular times of the day at particular locations in the town.
Former Local and General Election candidate, Kevin Hassett, took to the comments section of the post where he suggested immigration has made Ennis less safe.
The Kilkee farmer says he wants to see crime statistics published by nationality.
The Justice Minister has previously clarified that where nationality is identifiable, it is recorded in Garda PULSE crime statistics, but isn’t included in the Central Statistics Office’s regular publications.
Ennis native Angela Coll says any negative experience she’s had has been at the hands of a white Irish man.
You can listen to the full interview here:
