Policing plan in place for West Limerick ‘Mecca’

GARDAÍ have assured councillors in West Limerick that significant police resources are in place to address any issues that arise in Rathkeale over the Christmas period.

Addressing local representatives of Adare-Rathkeale Municipal District at a special meeting this Wednesday, Detective Inspector Alan Cullen of Newcastle West Garda Division told council members that the policing plan for the region would be evaluated on a daily basis.

Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary claimed to have learned that illegal substances fueled much of the unruly behaviour in Rathkeale and other towns and villages during Christmas. He called for greater scrutiny on this issue.

“Just last night there was a group of young adults marauding up and down the main street like badly trained dogs without any regard for man or beast. We see young people upsetting old people, pounding on their windows and doors and throwing things at cars. This is not acceptable in a civilised society,” he said.

Independent councillor Emmett O’Brien suggested that sniffer dogs could be used as a “random deterrent” to deal with drug users on the streets over Christmas. He also called for greater Garda resources to patrol the Shannon Estuary and prevent smugglers using the river as a means to transport drugs and ultimately “destroy young lives”.

Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey said that Gardaí should work with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and Revenue Commissioners in Rathkeale over Christmas to look at where the wealth being brought into the State comes from.

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Fianna Fail councillor Kevin Sheahan pointed out that the hundreds of visitors to Rathkeale from the UK every Christmas help boost the local economy and said that this was to be welcomed.

“It’s like those fellas that go to Mecca. This is their Mecca.”

Cllr Adam Teskey closed the meeting by asking the press to report “favourably” on proceedings.

by Alan Jacques

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