Youghal’s and Districts’ inaugural Community Alert Scheme will be officially launched on Thursday night (March 5th). The public are invited to attend the Walter Raleigh Hotel at 8pm, where the new association’s committee and officers will be formally introduced. Report Christy Parker

The evening will feature two guest speakers -Diarmuid Cronin, Cork-based Community Alert Development Officer and Denis Kelly, development officer with Muintir na Tire. The Community Alert initiative has emerged in the wake of increasing and abysmal social disorder in the town. A nadir was reached last Halloween when property and individuals were attacked in a night now notorious in the public conscious. Several exploratory meetings, with Garda contribution, were held prior to an official committee being formed.
Local councillor Michael Beecher is the group treasurer. He affords credit for the group’s establishment to Chairman Moss Lynch who, “initiated the idea and pursued it determinedly.” Vice Chairman is Johnny Dempsey and Secretary is Pa Forrest.
Mr. Lynch says that once on a formal footing the scheme can access funding, interact more efficiently with local gardai and address wider community issues. “We can procure safety alarms for elderly people living alone for example,’ he says. “There is so much going on and so much we can do to help, but most of all we need the public to take an interest and contribute in whatever way they can, even if its just keeping any eye out for others in a small way,” he explains. ‘That’s why we hope people will attend the meeting.”
Meeting is at 8 pm. Further details from Moss Lynch on (024) 92542