NEWS 5
THURSDAY, APR 8 2021
'Unreal criminality' leads to rising concern in village PÁRAIC MCMAHON
R
paraic@clareecho.ie
ISING crime in the village of Newmarket-on-Fergus has prompted concern from local residents. On Friday last, Gardaí seized €20,000 worth of estimated cannabis from a property on the main street of Newmarket-on-Fergus. It followed a serious assault whereby one individual was left with several stitches, the matter is set to go before a sitting of Ennis District Court. An increased Garda presence has also been observed following the completion of the second phase of the Gleann Cora housing estate. The completed 32 units were acquired by Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI) who allocated the properties based on nominations forwarded from Clare County Council's housing list. The Clare Echo has also been made aware of drug dealing and use in the village from three properties. Newmarket-on-Fergus natives de-
clined to speak on the record as they cited their fears with a potential retaliation. "The criminality in the village today is unreal," one resident told The Clare Echo. "We're no different to anywhere else, we're not escaping crime in its different forms," Cllr Pat McMahon (FF) stated. The local county councillor added, "It is the times we are living in, there is rising crime". McMahon did not believe the current levels of crime were worse than he has seen during his time on the local authority. "It comes in waves, we're no different to other places, it comes in waves". Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr McMahon affirmed that a strict process has been monitored by CHI regarding the second phase of the Gleann Cora estate. He cautioned that drugs were initially given out for free "and then it multiplies, they are unable to pay back the debts, their parents and grandparents are threatened, the debts hit thousands of euros fairly quickly, they move up the ladder fast and then take valuables".
l DRUGS BUST: Cannabis is seized by Gardaí in Newmarket-on-Fergus
Photo by John Mangan
Adult disability service operations 'very positive' by PÁRAIC McMAHON ADULT disability day and respite services operating at 70 to 85 per cent capacity have been described as "very positive". Provision of a time frame for the return of adult disability day and respite services in Co Clare were sought by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) at the March sitting of the Regional Health Forum West. Close working relationships between the HSE and service providers during the summer months allowed for "the earliest possible resumption of services in August and September" last year, Chief Officer with Mid
West Community Healthcare, Maria Bridgeman detailed. Capacity reduction has been "necessary" to comply with public health guidance and to keep all users safe, she highlighted. "Service Providers in Clare have confirmed that some services have fully resumed where other services are operating at 70 % to 85 % capacity which is very positive. It should be noted that a number of individuals have chosen not to return to their Day or Respite Service while Level 5 restrictions are in place. Where this has happened, regular contact is maintained with these individuals and their families," she added.