would have turned around if they knew how bad the road was’

MOTORISTS diverted to a West Clare road following a recent accident would not have travelled along the route if they knew how bad it was, a county councillor has claimed.

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

WEST CLARE’s shortage of Garda resources continues to be a concern.

No Superintendent is in Kilrush following the retirement of Ennis based Supt John Galvin at the end of February which resulted in the transfer of Supt John Ryan from Kilrush to the county town.

Multiple queries have been issued by The Clare Echo to An Garda Síochána over the past three months on plans to fill the vacancy. The Garda press office have been unable to give a commitment or an update of substance with enquiries ongoing, fuelling belief that there is no intention to appoint a Superintendent in Kilrush.

Speaking at a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) flagged, “there’s been a number of property thefts and items stolen from West Clare”. He said there was numerous concerns within the locality and felt the JPC should be writing to the Garda Commissioner asking for change and whether an increase in policing numbers would lead to an impact in West Clare.

Kilrush based Lynch outlined that the area experiences “such an influx of people during the summer months” that they would like “assurances that we would be adequately resourced”.

An Garda Síochána’s current operating model was identified by the policing authority and agreed by Government “that this is the way forward,” Supt Ryan told the meeting. He said his role in Kilrush has been taken over by Inspector McMahon.

Recruitment continues to be an issue for the Gardaí, Supt Ryan explained. “Nationally we’ve seen a difficulty in getting people to join An Garda Síochána, there’s still a commitment to get people to go in and set the commitments, whether that’s people who don’t see An Garda Síochána as a job for them or the high amount of young people going to Australia. There has been a cultural shift, you were encouraged to get a job for life in my day but now you’re encouraged to travel and see the world”.

“We are actively looking for An Garda Síochána to come to Clare but the difficulty is no other part of the country can give them to us and Templemore don’t have them,” he added.

Absence of a Superintendent in Kilrush was previously highlighted by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) at a meeting of Clare County Council. He referred to a recent “rural crime spree in West Clare” where “trailers, tractors and all kinds of vehicles were disappearing out the door”. He stated, “we’ve lost our Superintendent in West Clare, that needs to be looked at”.

An appeal for “urgent maintenance work” at the L6012 at Trusclieve Cross was made by Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) at a meeting of the West Clare Municipal District. The motion was seconded by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF).

Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Alan Kennelly reminded Cllr Keating that the schedule of MD works for 2023 was finalised and that the L-6012 was not included. The roadworks programme was adopted by elected members of the West Clare MD, following consultation. Nonetheless, he said very minor works to the road could be arranged. “I have spoken with the area engineer and the local roads senior general services supervisor and asked them to ensure that any potholes are filled and the road is main- tained in a passable condition. If more extensive remediation including drainage and resurfacing of the entire road is required, the West Clare MD does not currently have funding for works on this scale”.

Cllr Keating commented, “We had a fatal accident in the area recently and traffic was diverted, I’d say the people didn’t realise how bad the road was, they probably would have turned back and gone home had they known the way they were sent, the road is in a dreadful condition”. Absence of funding was proving frustrating for the Cross native. “Here we are again we’ll continue to maintain it but we don’t have the funds to carry out the works or whatever has to be done. I acknowledge what has been done, I always do but I think what has been done has been on the roadworks programme already and the money was allocated, what we need is more funding”.

Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) remarked, “We’d all agree, more funding is always welcome”.