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clareecho.ie
Nov 9 2023
THE CRAIC IS 90!
Clare Gardaí under siege Four assaulted in one month Social media fueling hostile attitudes Calls to introduce body-cams
by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie
lEnnistymon’s Vincent Wall showed it’s never too late to learn. The ninety year old was recently conferred with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Art from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. An artistic trait has always been evident in the Wall family with his sons, Steve and Joe part of the much loved bands, The Stunning and The Walls. Photo by Brian Arthur
VIOLENCE towards Gardaí in Clare has increased with more members of the force being out of work with injury. In the past month, at least four Gardaí stationed in Ennis were out of work “because of assaults and injuries” they sustained while on duty. Superintendent John Ryan who has responsibility for the Clare Community Engagement
area expressed his view that social media is fuelling a more hostile reception for members of An Garda Síochána. Speaking at a meeting of the Ennis Municipal District, he admitted that there are many consequences when assaults on their members leaves them short-staffed. “We can’t get replacements for them, we have to operate with what we have”. Introduction of bodycameras on Gardaí is needed, he
believed. “Body cams will come down the line but it needs to be pushed because it will protect our members”. Supt Ryan highlighted that Gardaí across the county are struggling to do their job with no sign of increasing resources. “The demands on us are increasing...the new model is bringing us to areas like Tulla which we wouldn’t have had to respond to previously”. Full story Page 14/15