*Cathal Crowe. Photograph: Joe Buckley

A CLARE TD has reported to Gardaí two individuals for a TV licence scam which occurred in Ennis.

Deputy Cathal Crowe (FF) made the report to Ennis Garda Station on Friday after becoming aware of an incident on Thursday night whereby homes on the Gort Rd were visited by a man and woman claiming to be a TV licence inspector.

Elderly residents were deliberately targeted as part of the scam whereby the duo claimed “in light of the Ryan Tubridy payment controversy there was an escalation of licence inspections”.

Meelick native Crowe has described the incident as “bizarre” but was left stunned when constituents informed him that his name was used by the pair trying to take money off Ennis residents.

He stated, “the man accompanying the woman, when asked to identify himself, said he ‘works with Cathal Crowe TD’ and was assisting in identifying homes. The couple stayed chatting on the doorstep of a number of elderly residents and were overheard asking”.

According to Crowe, the pair managed to obtain access to some homes but he was unsure if they took money off any households in the county town. “The whole thing sounds ridiculous but I think the use of my name, along with some pseudo-political chat, kept some engaged in chat. It goes without saying, this is an outright scam and has nothing to do with me or my office team”.

TV licence inspectors when they are carrying out checks never ask or take money off the public and instead only request to see if the household has a television.

Related News

chloe jake corry 1
Record number of 350 cyclists for Odd Socks Cycle in Clare
maxresdefault
Clare-based podcast ‘Weshtern Philosophy’ returns for season 3
galway arts centre 1
Six month pilot launched to provide greater access to arts & culture
fire harmony row 02-04-25
Emergency crews tackle blaze in Ennis

Advertisement

Latest News
clare v limerick minor 18-04-24 graham ball 1
Clare minor hurlers looking to make their mark as championship commences
diarmuid mcmahon
McMahon to become Ennis Chamber President for second time
galway arts centre 1
Six month pilot launched to provide greater access to arts & culture
clare v waterford u20 04-05-24 james organ 1
Organ helps Clare grind out win over Waterford
fire harmony row 02-04-25
Emergency crews tackle blaze in Ennis
Premium
claire joe collins 1
'Check upstairs & outside' - inquest hears details on death of Kilnaboy couple
john carmody 2
Antrim were deserving league winners says Carmody as Clare fall short
clare v cork u20 26-03-25 diarmuid stritch 1
Clare target better shooting efficiency & first championship win for Déise date
cork v clare u20 01-05-25 evan cahill 1
Clare's U20 footballers lose by nine points to Cork in Quilty
clare v limerick u20 22-03-25 luke pyne 1
Clare U20 footballers 'relishing chance' to play three more games in Munster

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement