A Coastal Watch for Co Clare was launched yesterday in Ennis. It is primarily aimed at preventing and detecting the illegal importation of drugs, said Chief Supt Liam Quinn. The Clare Garda drugs team has made 194 seizures of illegal drugs since it was set up in February 1995.
The Coastal Watch scheme" is based on the same principle as Neighbourhood Watch, Business Watch and Community Alert schemes. Coastal Watch, however, will have a unique feature, a confidential dedicated telephone line operated 24 hours a day in Ennis. The number is (065) 20999.