The head of the Ennis Garda Division is reassuring that the town is performing better than many other areas of similar size, when it comes to anti-social or public order incidents.
Concern has been raised at this week’s Ennis Municipal District meeting, that people are afraid for their lives to report incidents to the Gardaí.
It follws a number of high profile incidents in the town in recent months.
Concern has been raised at this week’s Ennis Municipal District Meeting that the county town’s reputation and tourism offering could become tarnished, if anti-social behaviour isn’t elimated.
It follows a number of high-profile incidents, most recently a serious assault involving weapons on Francis Street and a suspicious house fire in Cloughleigh, which is thought to have been caused by petrol bombs.
Clare County Council has written to An Garda Síochána to consider introducing the ‘See Something, Say Something’ scheme, which has been successfully launched in Tralee and Swords.
Pat Daly, who’s the Vice-Chair of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee, has called for people to be encouraged to utilise the Garda Confidential Line, saying people are afraid to report incidents.
Councillor Daly believes this could be the greatest tool in the fight to eliminate anti-social behaviour.
Ennis traders have previously called for an increased Garda presence on the town’s streets, in the wake of an increase in public order incidents during the pandemic.
John O’Connor of Custy’s Music Shop believes there still needs to be a proactive approach, rather than a reactive one.
The Head of the Ennis Garda District has moved to reassure people, however, that the town is no worse off than other areas of similar size and demographic, when it comes to anti-social or public order incidents.
Superintendent John Galvin believes public perception can deter people from reporting crimes, but he says one nugget of information from the public could be the difference in progressing an investigation.
He’s expressed hope that community Garda numbers will be boosted, as recruitment for An Garda Síchána is stepped up in the future, but insists that they are active on the streets, in Estates and in schools.
Superintendent Galvin has dismissed any suggestion that the town is deteriorating and says Ennis remains a great place to live and to work.
Anyone who’s concerned about anti-social or public order incidents in their area can report them, confidentially, through the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
