Other News In Brief

Call For More Investment In Crime Prevention Programmes

The Labour Party has demanded further investment in crime prevention programmes as drug dealing, violent crime, burglary and antisocial behaviour continues to "devastate many communities".

Labour candidate for Dublin North-West, Andrew Montague said a Mulvey-style commission is needed to tackle criminality within the area of north Dublin.

"In most cases a small number of offenders cause most of the problems," Labour's spokesperson on Community Affairs stated.

"I established a crime prevention programme in Ballymun working with local Gardaí to identify the most prolific offenders which brings together a range of organisations to use every means possible to reduce the offences committed by these prolific offenders.

"Since Strive started in 2016, we have seen many of these repeat offenders desist completely from crime and take up jobs. Others have reduced the seriousness of their criminal activity, but there are, however, others that continue in criminality. That is where the three justice agencies work together to seek criminal sanctions and prison sentences.

"What is occurring across communities on the Northside is not acceptable. The Labour Party’s proposals on establishing a Mulvey-style commission is exactly what is needed to micro-target crime across North Dublin communities."

Wind Warnings Activate Across Coastal Counties

A number of Met Éireann warnings are in place across coastal communities as another burst of strong gales batter Ireland today.

Yellow alerts have been issued for counties Wicklow, Donegal, Galway and Mayo as south to south east winds veer towards the west on this afternoon, Thursday 16 January.

Strong gales can also be expected in counties Kerry, Wexford, Cork and Waterford, where further status yellow alerts are in place.

It comes as the nation picks itself back up again after western coastal areas were battered by Storm Brendan on Monday.

Met Éireann has warned of a risk of coastal flooding and strong gales of up to 110km per hour on coasts and hills.

Water Plant Issues Affect Public Galway Supply

Mechanical and operational issues at the Teeranea/Lettermore water treatment plant have resulted in a Boil Water notice being issued.

This was announced after the public water supply was affected by elevated levels of turbidity.

The Health Service Executive, Irish Water and Galway County Council issued a precautionary Boil Water Notice to protect 911 consumers on the Teeranea/Lettermore Public Water Supply and the Lettercallow Group Water Scheme.

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. Certain water supplies can be prone to increased levels of turbidity after heavy rain, or because algae has grown in the water source or because material such as sediment in the water mains has been disrupted.

Irish Water drinking water compliance and operational experts are working with colleagues in Galway County Council to resolve this situation as soon as possible.

In the meantime, all customers of this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice.

Commenting, Tim O'Connor, Irish Water's Asset Operations Water Lead said: "We are aware of the impact that this notice will have on the area affected. We advise customers of the Teeranea/Lettermore Public Water Supply and the Lettercallow Group Water Scheme to adhere to the Boil Water Notice until further notice. We will continue to work closely with Galway County Council and the HSE to monitor the plant and lift the notice as quickly as it is safe to do so and safeguard the supply for the future. We will issue a further update as soon as more information is available."



(JG/CM)