Gardai say vigilance is vital in war on Shannon Estuary drug smugglers
Coastal Watch’s purpose is to raise awareness and encourage those who live, work, or use the coast, to report unusual activity to help prevent and detect crime.
Inspector Gearóid Thompson was speaking following a refresh of An Garda Síochána’s Coastal Watch in the Southern Region, which was launched last month in Castletownbere, Co Cork.
Coastal Watch’s purpose is to raise awareness and encourage those who live, work, or use the coast, to report unusual activity to help prevent and detect crime.
Insp Thompson, Limerick Division’s Coastal Watch liaison garda inspector, attended the event in Cork with two Limerick detective inspectors.
“It was great to refresh links with other Coastal Watch inspectors in the region, especially with those inspectors assigned to Clare and Kerry Divisions which are adjoining us.
“Indeed, both inspectors in those counties - Insp McMahon in Clare and Insp Clerkin in Kerry - served for many years in Limerick previously, so our links are well-established and we are all familiar with the geography of our respective areas.”
“Our two Limerick detective inspectors, who were also at the launch in Cork, provide massive support to our efforts in preventing and detecting crimes of this nature,” said Insp Thompson.
He wished to remind local communities along the Shannon Estuary that Limerick Coastal Watch is active since 2024, following an official launch.
“Our Coastal Watch takes in the areas covered by designated gardai at Glin, Foynes, Askeaton, Pallaskenry and Roxboro Road which accounts for our entire 60km coastline.
“Any coastal community that wishes to hold a community/ coastal watch meeting tying in with regular crime prevention please reach out to [email protected]” said Insp Thompson.
The vastly experienced officer in the city and county will be instrumental in establishing contact and maintaining engagement with key members of the public, and encouraging them to use local knowledge to indicate if something appears suspicious, out of place, or odd.
To support the sharing of local knowledge, An Garda Síochána will be erecting new Coastal Watch signage in the Southern Region, which includes a QR code linked to an online form which allows people to report suspicious or criminal activities on land or at sea.
The types of activities An Garda Síochána is encouraging members of the public to report is incidents like unknown boats landing in remote locations, ribs/boats with names removed or concealed, suspected illegal dumping and suspected illegal fishing.
It isn’t just on the water either as gardai ask people to be on the look-out for unexpected tyre tracks on laneways, vehicles parked in unusual places and intentionally destroyed vehicles.
It is just over two years ago that a consignment of high-grade cocaine with a value of at least €20 million was discovered in a search of a cargo ship at Foynes Port.
Limerick Coastal Watch was launched in nearby Foynes Yacht Club last year. The importance of the launch was reflected by the attendance which included senior Limerick gardai; Naval Service; Revenue (Customs); Irish Coastguard; National Parks and Wildlife (NPWS); Inland Fisheries Ireland; government ministers, councillors and Mayor John Moran, who after all is Admiral of the Shannon. The LE James Joyce, offshore patrol vessel, and RCC Faire, Customs cutter, were docked in Foynes for the day.
The event was jointly organised by Insp Thompson, Andrew Ryan, Maritime Operations Manager Revenue (Customs), and Lieutenant Commander Gavin McCarthy, Irish Naval Service.
Following the Coastal Watch event in Cork, Insp Thompson renewed an appeal to the public to help them police the Shannon Estuary.
He said some of the risk indicators the public and persons working or using Estuary waters are requested to be on the lookout for are ships and yachts sighted in remote areas, crew making landings in remote areas, vessels operating at night without lights, packages floating in the sea or hidden close to shore.
Insp Thompson said don't presume somebody else has rung, and to contact gardai immediately.