“Communities are being destroyed by crime” says the Mayor of Ennis who is calling for an immediate increase in Garda resources, the “urgent implementation” of public CCTV and the establishment of a dedicated Armed Support Unit (ASU) in the county. His comments come as gardaí in Ennis have launched investigations following separate incidents of assault, suspected possession of weapons and shots fired at a home in the county capital. Ennis is the county town, the administrative capital of Clare, and yet our garda numbers remain far too low. “The people of Ennis deserve a properly staffed police service, not promises, not statements, but actual boots on the ground.” “A permanent ASU in Ennis is essential.”