Major An Garda Siochana, Irish Naval Service and Revenue (Customs) initiative launched

OVER €21 million worth of cocaine was found on a ship docked at Foynes Port last Christmas and a new initiative plans to uncover more drug smuggling on the Shannon Estuary.

On Saturday, Coastal Watch Limerick was launched at Foynes Yacht Club. It is a multi-agency collaborative effort between An Garda Siochana, Irish Naval Service and Revenue’s Customs Service aimed at the prevention and detection of illegal drug importation, promoting vigilance from coastal communities and a wide range of organisations and agencies that operate at sea and along Limerick’s 60km of coastline.

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 Inspector Gearoid Thompson, Andrew Ryan, Maritime Operations Manager Revenue (Customs), and Lieutenant Commander Gavin McCarthy, Irish Naval Service.

Speakers included Mayor Moran, Insp Thompson, Coastal Watch Liaison Officer, Mr Ryan, Dr Aine Lynch, NPWS and Chief Superintendent Derek Smart.

placeholder image — Speakers included Mayor Moran, Insp Thompson, Coastal Watch Liaison Officer, Mr Ryan, Dr Aine Lynch, NPWS and Chief Superintendent Derek Smart.

The chief superintendent said the collaboration of all law enforcement agencies strengthens their ability to intercept drug smuggling operations.

“Through vigilance and community involvement, Coastal Watch ensures we can continually monitor our coastline and in doing so prevent or at least limit the ability of criminals to use our waterways to support their criminal activities,” said Chief Supt Smart.

The scourge of illegal drugs permeates every facet of society and Ireland has witnessed a number of significant sea based drug seizures in recent times, he said.

Insp Thompson said some of the risk indicators the public and persons working or using Estuary waters are requested to be on the lookout for are:

Suspicious activity in relation to persons or vehicles. Ships and yachts sighted in remote areas. Crew making landings in remote areas. Unusual objects at sea or ashore.

Ships away from their normal shipping lanes Vessels operating at night without lights. Packages floating in the sea, lying on the beach or hidden close to the shore.

Insp Thompson said don't presume somebody else has rung and to contact gardai immediately.