LATEST: Clare woman lands significant new role with Community Safety Partnership

A Clare woman has been appointed to the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership (CLCSP) by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan TD.

Aontú West Clare Rep, June Dillon has been appointed to the role, saying on her appointment:  "I am really looking forward to working collaboratively with the other appointees and helping to make the county and region safer for all."

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Ms Dillon works as a Community Nurse is Chair of the ‘Safer Clare’ Campaign, an initiative she was instrumental in establishing to highlight concerns around crime, roads, infrastructure and services in the region.

She said that "we have a beautiful county, but it has it's problems like all others", outlining that violence is becoming increasingly normalised in society, describing a “growing and palpable undercurrent of aggression” that is leaving people, particularly women, feeling unsafe.

Stating Ireland is becoming “a more violent place,” arguing that victims and survivors of domestic violence are being failed by both society and government.

She called for a zero-tolerance approach to domestic and sexual violence, saying Ireland’s sentencing remains “far too lenient” and must be strengthened, alongside increased Garda resources and improved supports for survivors.

Ms Dillon also pointed to evidence linking the consumption of pornography to rising violence against women and criticised the Government for failing to restrict children’s access to such material.

Raising concerns locally, she said people have told her they fear crime is becoming almost “inevitable” in parts of Clare, with thefts and burglaries increasing due to a lack of Garda presence.

Crimes including theft, assault, drug offences and sexual violence, she said, are leaving communities “vulnerable and afraid,” with elderly residents particularly at risk and farmers suffering significant losses through theft.

Ms Dillon also highlighted the strain on businesses, citing reports of burglars brazenly damaging premises to gain entry, adding that many business owners are already struggling with rising costs.

She said Gardaí in Clare are “stretched to the limit” and called for additional resources, the reopening of local stations, and a stronger visible policing presence to act as a deterrent.

Ms Dillon further criticised the condition of Clare’s road network, describing roads with “potholes as big as craters” and warning they pose a serious safety risk.

With increased traffic expected in the county, including during the Irish Open in Doonbeg, she said urgent investment is needed, particularly on the main route to West Clare from Ennis, which she said has been neglected "for the last 40 years".

She finished by saying: "I am looking forward to beginning work with my fellow colleagues on the Clare Local Community Safety Partnership to continue highlighting all these issues and advocating for the people of West Clare."