As preparations are well under way across the country for Halloween festivities, An Garda Síochána is advising people to be safe and sensible.
Operation Tombola is a nationwide operation focusing on preventing and detecting the sale of fireworks and associated public order and anti-social behaviour issues during the Halloween period.
The loud noises, bright flashes, and sudden vibrations can be overwhelming to domestic animals such as dogs or cats as well as livestock animals.
In Ireland it is an offence to possess unlicensed fireworks under Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875 and is an arrestable offence. Those found guilty of the offence could receive a maximum fine of €10,000, a prison sentence of up to five years or both.
Gardai across Clare will be working hard to keep people safe during this period. Gardaí have already made seizures of illegally held fireworks.
Dangers of fireworks and bonfires
Illegal fireworks:
It is illegal to buy, use, or ignite fireworks without a license.
Serious injury
Fireworks are dangerous, unpredictable, and can cause serious injuries such as burns or loss of fingers.
Bonfires
Stay away from bonfires, as they can be dangerous and collapse unexpectedly, you can report the gathering of items used for a bonfire to your local garda station and we will work with Clare County Council to dismantle them. Keep dangerous substances away from bonfires such as petrol, oil or diesel.
By following this simple advice, you can make sure that you, your family, friends and neighbours can all have a safe Halloween:
Please be mindful and respectful that not everyone in our community will be participating, skip houses that have no lights on.
Children should always be accompanied by an adult when trick or treating
Please trick or treat in lit up areas or otherwise ensure that you are highly visible to road users
Remember that it is a criminal offence for any person to throw fireworks in the street or in other public places
Do not engage in throwing things like eggs and flour. This is vandalism and may be classed as criminal damage
Keep your animals indoors on Halloween night to preven them running away.
Please care for the environment – illegal fireworks and illegal bonfires can not only be extremely dangerous but can cause lasting environmental damage.
If you witness or are the victim of Anti Social Behaviour over Halloween please report same to your local garda station or through ringing 999 and your local gardai will respond.
An Garda Síochána are also asking drivers to slow down and show extra caution while driving over Halloween as more people including small children will be out on roads.
If you, or a friend or someone in your group finfds themselves in danger or in an emergency at any time during Halloween, please call 999/112 for our assistance and that of other frontline services.
Should anyone feel unsafe or in danger in their home, we ask that they please call 999 and we will support them.