Firefighters were attacked by stone-throwing youths after they were called to deal with a bonfire in the Cloughleigh area Ennis last night.
While fire service personnel escaped injury, a fire appliance was damaged and has to be removed from service.
Fire crews and Gardaí responded to a report of a fire in a green area in Cloughleigh. While dealing with the incident, stones and other missiles were thrown at personnel and their vehicle.
A window in one fire appliance was smashed while the vehicle’s windscreen was also damaged and will have to be replaced. A fire officer, who was in the appliance at the time, escaped injury.
Other firefighters were struck by an array of missiles including rocks, bottles and sticks but no injuries were reported. Personnel extinguished the fire and retreated from the scene for their own safety. Gardaí were informed of the incident and attended but were also targeted.
Chief Fire Officer for Clare Mr Adrian Kelly said: “This is completely unacceptable behaviour, and the matter is being treated very seriously. Because of this escalation of anti-social behaviour, the Fire Service will be reviewing its procedures. This this may result in a longer attendance time due to the necessity of ensuring it is safe for our personnel before proceeding to incidents in this area.”
“We have attended in excess of 10 small rubbish fires in the Cloughleigh area over last two weeks. Due to anti-social behaviour while attending these incidents, fire personnel wear full fit kit, including helmets and face shields while travelling to these incidents,” Mr Kelly added.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “Gardaí responded to an incident of criminal damage incident on the Childers Road in Ennis yesterday evening. Damage was caused to a window of a Fire Service vehicle, but no injuries were reported. Enquiries are ongoing.”
