This article is from page 1 of the 2013-09-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
LOCK UP your houses and have a neighbour keep an eye on your property when going to the All-Ireland hurling final replay is the message from gardaí and community alert groups alike as criminals target an empty county on September 28th.
Following a spate of burglaries and attempted break-ins all over Clare on September 8th, the date of a drawn final, Banner supporters are being warned in advance to secure their property before heading to Croke Park.
A number of premises, including one closed public house, was targeted while the Banner took on Cork in Croke Park nine days ago.
Recent incidents have shown that criminals are now taking note of local events as well as hurling matches to strike at houses and premises.
As a result communities in parts of Clare are being forced to arrange for neighbours to police their property when they attend weddings and funerals – as organised groups of burglars have started targeting major community events.
According to the Spancilhill/Clooney Community Alert Group, members are working around the clock trying to keep their area safe.
The group have recently agreed a partnership with Barefield Community Alert in an effort to pool resources and help maintain cover.
“There is no doubt in my mind that these criminals are targeting specific events in specific areas. Weddings, funerals, big matches – anything that they can find out about in the paper,” said Joe Corbett of the Spancilhill/Clooney Community Alert Group.
“When my mother died last year I had to arrange for two people to look after the property while the funeral was on. People are living in fear. It used to be the case that you could lock the door behind you and be confident that your property would be safe, but that is not the case anymore. A number of places were targetted during the the All-Ireland final, which is a really horrible thing for people to come home to.”
His comments come as gardaí investigate a spate of burglaries across Clare.
In the seven days between September 6 and 15, gardaí recorded multiple burglaries in areas such as Mullagh, Crusheen, Corofin, Kilmaley, Ennis and Killaloe.
Tinerana House, the 19th century mansion believed to be owned by Euromillions winner Dolores McNamara, was among the properties hit by criminals while all taps, light fittings and a copper cylinder were stolen from one Killaloe property.
Crime Prevention Officer, Sgt Joe Downey, is encouraging people attending major events to leave someone behind to look after property.
He added, “If that isn’t possible then hopefully they would have alarms or some form of electronic surveillance at the house.”