This article is from page 5 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
A CRIMINAL investigation is underway into claims that Clare road signs are being swiped and sold off to theme pubs in the States.
Gardai in Limerick have confirmed that a probe is being conducted after property, including various road direction signs, was found in the back of a van in Cratloe.
Shocked members of the Killaloe area committee of Clare County Council were told that officers made the find when they went to move a number of illegally parked vehicles in the Cratloe area.
It is alleged that a large number of signs found in the back of a van, parked close to the site where some Travelling families had been camped, may have been stolen from poles around the county.
Garda sources said they could confirm that a number of road signs and other property have been seized and an investigation is on-going.
“Gardai visited the scene in relation to complaints from residents and councillors concerning vehicles illegally parked. During the course of the visit, garda attention was drawn to a van and gardai recovered a mix of property, including road signs, which are now the subject of an investigation.”
Councillor Cathal Crowe told the meeting that as many as 40 road signs were recovered by gardai.
The garda source said he couldn’t comment further on the number as the investigation is ongoing.
Cllr Crowe asked officials to investigate whether it was possible for the county council to get the directional signs back and put them back up on their poles.
“If these signs were stolen, then they are not in situ and this is the height of the tourist season. We should try to have them put back up,” the councillor said.
Cllr Paschal Fitzgerald said that he had information that place-name signs are being stolen and shipped out of the country.
Councillors welcomed news that new signs, highlighting the various tourist attractions and scenic spots around South East Clare, have now been erected. Councillors also asked officials whether it would be possible to erect a sign at Longpavement, saying “Welcome to Clare”. Cllr Crowe said, “there is nothing to mark that boundary”.