Renewed calls for more gardai in Clare as latest statistics show increases in reported crimes

Renewed calls have been made for the allocation of additional gardai to Clare given new figures which show there were more than 3,300 reported crimes across the county last year

Reacting to the CSO figures, Deputy Cathal Crowe noted that while the overall number of reported crimes has remained static since 2019, seven garda stations have recorded increases within their areas.

“While I welcome decreases in stations such as Kilrush, Ennis and Shannon, there are concerning increases in areas such as Sixmilebridge, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ardnacrusha and Killaloe," said the Fianna Fail TD.

According to the figures, Killaloe had the highest number of crimes reported (210) outside of Ennis, Shannon and Kilrush while Sixmilebridge garda station saw an increase of 34% in reported crimes during 2024 – the largest of any garda station in Clare.

“With garda recruitment in Templemore finally on the rise, the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, should soon be able to bolster garda numbers in different divisions. I will be making the case to him and the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, for a particular emphasis to be put on the Clare-Tipperary Garda Division."

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“Whilst I fully and wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Chief Superintendent of this Division, and her team, it is a fact that garda numbers in Clare have been down for some years now and the most recent crime stats would show that we are in need for additional policing," said Deputy Crowe.

In a statement, the Fianna TD called for a rebalancing of garda allocations outside of Dublin. “The trend in recent years has been for graduates of Templemore to be immediately posted to stations in Dublin city and whilst there is an understandable need for our capital to be well policed, the lack of new recruits coming to Clare is definitely showing and needs to be addressed."

Deputy Crowe says he believes the number of gardai stationed in County Clare needs to be counted differently to other counties, given their role in the policing of Shannon Airport.