19 ARRESTS were made by Gardaí in Clare during a Halloween policing operation.
Across the month of October, Gardaí across the county have been undertaking dedicated patrols, checkpoints and searches as part of Operation Tombola which is the Garda Halloween Policing Operation.
From October 1ST, Gardaí in Clare responded to almost 15000 calls for service with over 600 telephone calls made by the public across the county to their local Garda stations during the Halloween policing operations.
The Clare Echo has learned that during the key Halloween period from October 29th to November 2nd, a total of nineteen arrests were made in the county for various offences.
Over this peak period, 230 calls for service were responded to by local and community Gardai including 150 telephone calls received at Garda Stations which included calls relating to Halloween related activity, such as public order, fireworks, bonfires and criminal damage.
Gardaí have worked with colleagues in Clare County Fire & Rescue Service, the National Ambulance Service and Clare County Council during Operation Tombola. The main objectives of Operation Tombola are to address anti-social behaviour, detect the sale, distribution and use of illegal fireworks and support communities in delivering a safe and enjoyable Halloween celebration.
Superintendent Susan O’Brien, Clare Community Engagement Functional Area explained, “The Garda response over the policing operation does not include the additional policing activity in place to protect communities and target criminal behaviour such as patrols, checkpoints and liquor licencing inspections to target underage drinking. In addition, a number of positive targeted search operations were undertaken with successful detections for drugs and firework offences”.
She thanked colleagues in Clare County Council and the Department of Environment for supporting the removal of bonfire stockpiles and debris countywide. “I would also like to thank our local, elected representatives and community representatives who supported the Garda policing operation over the past number of weeks”.
