Gardaí: We won’t let criminals take over estate

CRIMINAL elements in Clare were warned that gardaí will “meet them head-on” and not allow them to take over an Ennis housing estate that was the scene of a grenade attack last weekend.

Superintendent John Scanlan yesterday addressed a public meeting in Ennis, where residents said they are living in fear.

“I want to reassure you that whoever has placed down the challenge to law and order and thinks they can behave in such a manner will be met head-on by the gardaí,” he said, adding that the Garda Armed Response Unit has been deployed in the Cloughleigh area.

Supt Scanlan told the gathering of 60 locals: “I am sorry that we have not been able to do more for you, but let me reassure you that those people who think that they can overcome law and order by ratcheting up things to this level have another thing coming.”

The grenade failed to explode but caused concern among residents, including Marie Miller, who was evacuated from her home.

“I am now living in constant fear and can’t sleep at night,” she said.

Another, Dolores Nevin, added: “For the first time in my life, I don’t feel safe. Do we have to live like this?”

Co-owner of the house that was targeted, expectant mother-of-six Julie Anne McDonagh, said: “It was my house that was attacked and it was said on the radio that it was to do with drugs. It had nothing to do with drugs in my house.”

Local shop owner John Guerin asked Supt Scanlan: “Do you realise how bad the drug problem is in the area? I know exactly what houses are dealing drugs and our lovely young people are being reared in this.”

Supt Scanlan responded: “There is a serious drug problem and we are meeting it head-on. A significant number of arrests have been made in the last 12 months.”