This article is from page 4 of the 2013-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
NEW figures show a reduction in the number of people arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Clare during Christmas 2012.
Gardaí arrested 12 people between December 17, 2012, and January 6, 2013, compared to 15 people during the same period 12 months ago.
No fatal traffic accidents occurred during Christmas but there were five non-serious injury traffic accidents, an increase of four on the same period last year.
Road accident statistics released by the Clare Garda Davison also showed that there were 36 incidents of material damage to vehicles during Christmas 2012.
Chief Supt of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, welcomed the drop in the number of drink driving arrests.
However he described as “disap- pointing” the arrest of five people on New Years Day on suspicion of drink driving.
Gardaí are investigating burglaries, thefts and incidents of criminal damage that took place across Clare between December and January.
But overall Mr Kerin said the Christmas period had passed off without any serious violent incidents.
After a year in which Gardaí were forced to deal with a number of high profile public order disturbances, Chief Supt Kerin said December 2012 was “one of the quietest Christmases in a long time”.
Sergeant Joe Downey, Crime Prevention Officer, thanked members of the public for the help provided to Gardaí over the past 12 months.
He said, “I wish to thank all those people who assisted the Gardaí throughout the year as without their help our job would be much more difficult to perform.”