This article is from page 3 of the 2006-06-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
GARDAÍ have launched a major crackdown, targetting Limerick criminals who are carrying out crimes in east Clare.
The Clare People has learned that a two-fold initiative, involving the establishment of mobile patrols and setting up static checkpoints, has been mounted in recent weeks.
One garda sergeant and five gardaí have been deployed to the ‘AntiCrime Patrol Unit’ which is based in Ennis, Killaloe and throughout east Clare. In addition, garda checkpoints are being set up every night, in east Clare areas including Killaloe, Sixmilebridge and Cratloe, as part of the campaign.
A number of Limerick people, known to gardaí, have been stopped and searched in recent days, in an initiative which senior gardaí hope will curb rising crime levels in the area.
Superintendent John Kerin said the initiative is part of a major crackdown on crime in Clare, which is being committed by gangs of Limerick criminals.
“The sole purpose is to stop travelling criminals entering Clare, from the Limerick side.
“We found that, through analysis of crime trends, a lot of crime has been happening during the daytime in the Killaloe district.
“Criminals are coming into county Clare from the borders of Limerick,” said Superintendent Kerin.
Gardaí say the initiative is still in its infancy, and it is difficult to pinpoint how effective it will be.
However sources say early indications suggest that crime rates in east Clare are showing a decrease.
Hopes are high that this trend will continue, in the wake of the area experiencing spiralling rates of burglaries over the past year.
“We are concentrating a lot of our efforts in this area at the moment.
“So far this has been effective.
“While it is hard to measure the success of this, crime has decreased, certainly in east Clare and Sixmilebridge,” he added.
“The patrol unit will operate for the foreseeable future,” he said.
Gardaí say the initiative is also targeting drink drivers in the east Clare area, in the face of the growing number of people arrested on suspicion of the offence, throughout the Division.
The initiative was given the goahead by Assistant Garda Commissioner Gerry Kelly.
Funding was allocated, as part of a specialised budget, under Operation Anvil – an ongoing national campaign against criminal activity – following a submission by garda management in Clare. The operation is being conducted by existing garda resources in the Clare Division.
“We will be reviewing this on a monthly basis.
“We are certainly happy with this to-date,” added Supt Kerin.