This article is from page 4 of the 2008-10-14 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
INCREASED numbers of burgla- ries in a rural part of north Clare has prompted the community alert scheme to increase its profile locally.
The community alert programme in the Turlough/Belharbour/Newquay area was set up 20 years ago. Over the years it had lost its impetus but it
regrouped almost 10 years ago.
There is significant concern that elderly people living alone are being targeted by travelling criminals who prey on them and take their money and any valuables they own. Con- men also call to their hopes, under the pretence that they are carrying out work, but their only interest is robbing them.
Secretary of the group, Margaret Healy said the increased number of break-ins prompted the scheme to 1n- crease its profile in the local area.
“There was a lot of break-ins; peo- ple going around to elderly people. It started from there. We have it both ways – burglaries and conmen call- ing,” she said.
“Everyone in the community has
wised up a lot. If a strange car is seen, the local guards will be called. It is a full community-based thing,’ said Ms Healy.
The nearest town to Turlough – which has been hit over the summer – is Gort and that is 15 miles away, while Ennistymon is 18 miles away. Given their rural location, it 1s cru- cial that residents are in regular con- tact, with a particular focus on those UaiauetcareDleyatee
“There are a lot of elderly people living in the area. It is gone to the stage you are not safe living on your own. It is seriously important to keep an eye out on your neighbours. Eve- rybody needs to be alert. The guards have no power unless the people in the village help out,” said Ms Healy.
The community alert meetings take place regularly, where issues of con- cern in the locality are discussed.
‘People can’t be as trustworthy as they were one time. All we can do is thrash out what we know. There is no solution,’ she added.
The secretary of the community alert group in the area Fergal Lang- ley said there is huge concern that the burglaries are occurring during the daytime and criminals are watching their targets.