This article is from page 42 of the 2014-02-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 42 JPG
CLARE County Council is considering installing security cameras at a graveyard near Ennis to combat mounting problems with crime and anti-social behaviour.
It follows a spate of incidents at Drumcliff graveyard in recent months. There have been a number of thefts from cars parked at the cemetery.
There have been reports of antisocial and intimidating behaviour by large groups attending the graveyard.
The area has also been the scene of violent incidents between feuding members of the Traveller community.
In a separate incident last November, Gardaí investigated a complaint of damage to a baby’s grave.
Ennis woman Christine Quinn discovered damage to the grave of her late son Patrick.
“I was devastated when I saw what happened and so was my husband, absolutely devastated. It breaks my heart. Who would do such a thing?”
At the time, the mother of three called on the council to install cameras in the area to prevent future in- cidents.
The January meeting of Ennis Town Council heard allegations of aggressive and intimidating behaviour by people visiting Drumcliff.
Cllr Mary Howard told the meeting she witnessed a group of people “drinking and being aggressive” in Drumcliff on Christmas day.
Clare County Council has confirmedit is considering installing CCVT near the cemetery.
The issues at Drumcliff were raised yesterday at the February meeting of Ennis Town Council.
In a motion, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) called on the local authority to look at the feasibility of placing CCTV at Drumcliff graveyard.
Cllr Howard said that while a number of thefts have been reported from vehicles at Drumcliff, a high number have gone unreported.
“You often meet people up there (Drumcliff ) who are upset because a window was smashed or something has been stolen from a car,” she said.
She said she feels CCTV is the only way to address the problems. Cllr Brian Meaney (FF) said Drumcliff had been the location of violent incidents between feuding Traveller families while graves had been dam- aged in other incidents.
“It’s a pity but I think we have to put it [CCTV] in,” he added.
Administrative officer Betty Devanny confirmed Clare County Council is examining the feasibility of temporary installation of CCTV at specific locations at Drumcliff cemetery.
“This is necessary to combat the ongoing issues in relation to theft from vehicles in the car park, antisocial behaviour and illegal dumping”, she added.
Public lighting is also being considered in the car park area of Drumcliff.