Dingle becomes a model of law and order amid crisis
WEST Kerry has become a model of law and order since the government shut pubs to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. The number of public order and drink driving offences has fallen to zero and, unlike the pattern experienced elsewhere across the country, the Dingle Garda District has seen no increase in domestic incidents.
In the two weeks since pubs were ordered to close down on Sunday, March 15, there hasn’t been a single public order incident in Dingle. The late night roaring drunks have disappeared, nobody is using the town centre streets as a public toilet, no wing mirrors are being kicked off cars. Gone too are the incoherent desperados who are often seen challenging Gardaí as they try to keep the peace in the early hours of the morning on a ‘normal’ weekend.
Instead the streets now fall silent after dark, with only the occasional person who ventures out to stretch their legs betraying any sign of life in a town that would usually be getting into gear as the Ibiza of the west at this time of year.
And even though Gardaí are continuing to mount roadside checkpoints, nobody has been arrested for drink driving in West Kerry since the pubs closed. However, drink driving spot checks will continue and the number of checkpoints will be increased over the coming weeks so the warning that “anybody who drinks and drives can expect to be caught” is not to be taken lightly.
Gardaí in the Dingle District have also seen no increase in the number of domestic incidents, even though this has become a cause for concern elsewhere in Ireland since pubs were ordered to close down.
Meanwhile, the rush to beaches and other public areas has abated since the government issued a ‘stay at home’ order on last Friday evening. On the weekend of March 21- 22 large numbers of people availed of the fine weather to enjoy the fresh air on popular beaches in West Kerry. Some people travelled long distances to get here and many locals were none too happy to see them at a time when ‘social distancing’ is the order of the day.
Last weekend Local Gardaí had preparations in place to close beaches and other public areas if large numbers turned up again, but this proved unnecessary as people stayed away following Friday’s announcement of a virtual lockdown of the country. Beaches in West Kerry weren’t empty over the weekend but they were much quieter and the roads had very little traffic.
Gardaí will continue to patrol public places to ensure ongoing compliance with the increasingly restrictive regulations but they are satisfied that people in West Kerry are being very conscientious in complying with the spirit of the law.
Gardaí are also happy with the level compliance with the regulations, the respect for social distancing on the streets and in shops in Dingle, and particularly the way people are being so mindful of the elderly in supermarkets.
While many shops and voluntary groups are providing home delivery services for elderly and medically vulnerable people, Gardaí are also happy to lend a hand if needed.
“If anybody needs assistance, such as getting shopping or medicine delivered or help staying in contact, we’ll do anything we can to help. We don’t want anybody to be stuck,” said Sgt Elaine O’Donoghue. Dingle Gardaí can be contacted on 9151522.