YOUGHAL AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ALERT MEETING JUNE 2010

By Christy Parker

There was a warm welcome when a member from the floor informed that provision was now being made for a celebratory party for the Junior Cert students next September. The Parents Council of Pobalscoil na Trionoide are arranging the event in tandem with the Quays nightclub. The celebration will run from 7-11pm in an alcohol-free environment and admittance will be by ticket only. The Quay’s management will provide security personnel. It was also noted that the occasion could prove to have been a precedent for similar arrangements depending on its success or otherwise.

Chairman Jack Dempsey said it was a significant initiative and offered an opportunity for young people to appreciate that enjoyment need not necessarily be dependent on alcohol. “A lot of thought seems to have gone into it and it’s good to see such responsibility,” he added.

Socially monitored alarms

Sergeant Sharkey told the meeting that from June 1st, the government had changed the procedure for processing applications for the supply of socially monitored alarms. He did not have details, but said it seemed future applications would face greater difficulties. Under the previous directive, Youghal had submitted 15 applications with 26 outstanding and to be subsequently submitted. The good news was that the department had asked that these also now be submitted and the total would be considered prior to June 1st. This had been done and hopefully all 41 would be approved. In response to a query from the chairman, he said the alarms themselves were free but there was an annual monitoring cost of about  €55/€60

Mr. Dempsey said it could be a difficult cost for some people but at least people were forewarned now. A private company, in conjunction with garda co-operation, would install the alarms.

Motoring advice

Sergeant Sharkey then read from a Garda circular denoting policing priorities over the June bank holiday. The appraisal however contained some statistics and information with year round relevance. It was noted that one-third of road fatalities concerned pedestrians, thus walkers are advised to wear bright or high visibility clothing on rural roads particularly, while drivers are asked to be alert to unexpected pedestrian traffic. Drivers are also advised to rest when tired and to ensure children are seated in appropriate child or booster seats. Passengers are cautioned to wear seat belts at all times and not to tolerate bad driving or speeding.

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists too have high representation on the fatality list, with four having died since mid-April. The sergeant said motorcycle traffic increases over summer months and appealed to riders to avoid speed excessive, riding under influence of drink or drugs and not to ignore fatigue. He said research indicates the majority of motorcycle deaths occur at weekends and during daylight, with 40% of them single vehicle accidents. Further advice to motorcyclists included checking bike thoroughly, being aware of slow moving or stationary vehicles and changes in weather and road surfaces, being visible as possible and not allowing others to dictate one’s speed when riding in groups. (It wasn’t outlined, but most motorcyclists would also wish that vehicle drivers would be alert to the possible presence of motorcyclist when executing manoeuvres.)

Crime figures

The sergeant reported that crime figures for the past month were relatively low there were some serious incidents amongst them. There had been four recorded thefts –two from vehicles, including theft of stereo equipment in Foxhole on Sunday May 30th and a wallet from a van in South Main Street on Sunday May 16th. An oil tanks was emptied in Blackwater Heights (May 9th) and an unspecified theft at Lackaroe (May 8th).

There were eight recorded public order offence across various parts of town. Four pubs were ‘inspected’ and found to be in order and on May 28th, an under-age drinking incident was recorded at North Abbey cemetery. A fraudulent cheque was detected in Tallow Street, with a local man suspected and a definite line of inquiry being pursued.

Five

Five people were detected in possession of drugs and will appear in court in due course. There five drunk-driving cases recorded, all between May 15th -19th.

Criminal damage incidents again amounted to five, with a two detected and no apparent logic to any of them. In one incident, a vacant property in Carlton Village was damaged during a drinking expedition.

There were two burglaries reported on May 29th, including a Ballymacoda bar in which spirits and cash were taken. The sergeant said the cash till and drink were recovered close to the scene, which “points to a very local job.” He added that further burgled property was also recovered from a stashed location in the area. The second break-in was of a house in Rhincrew, in which a back door was left open and an inner door was forced. A wallet with a substantial amount of cash was stolen.

Assaults numbered four, two minor relatively, including at the GAA disco the previous weekend. Two more serious assaults, causing harm, occurred , one allegedly on May 17th involving two local youths, One suspect was arrested and a file is being prepared for the DPP. On May 26th, a local young man was seriously injured at Chestnut Drive and four people had subsequently been arrested. On May 31st the main suspect in that case, a 17 year old, was arrested and remanded in custody at Clonmel District Court to Youghal District Court on June 4th. Meanwhile a local man suspected of “a lot of crime” and whom gardai had been seeking, was also arrested on May 31st and would too appear in Youghal court on June 4th. In reply to the floor, the sergeant said most crime incidents in Youghal had a “strong local aspect” to it.

Dodgy €50’s, boy racers, hot cigarettes…

Concern was raised about fraudulent €50 notes. The sergeant said a major counterfeit operation had been raided in recent days in Dublin. He said complaints in Youghal were relatively rare. Advising on what to do should a business detect a forged note, Sergeant Sharkey said it was best to retain the note and ask the individual to wait while the gardai were summonsed. He stressed that anyone could harbour a false note unknowingly and that the gardai would be interested perhaps in trying to trace from where it may have been acquired as against assuming the holder was behaving criminally. Ultimately though, it was felt that the holder’s demeanour would prove a good indicator of their position, with guilty individuals more often than not legging it fast! “We shouldn’t feel guilty or embarrassed either just because our note is being tested,” commented the chairman.

Community Alert Treasurer Michael Beecher was perturbed that ‘boy racers are starting again for the summer,” with tyre marks evident on newly resurfaced roads, suck as Cork Hill. He also wondered if cigarette smuggling was a particular problem in Youghal. Sergeant Sharkey said he hadn’t any intelligence that indicated cigarettes were being illegally sold in great volumes in Youghal currently, but information could arrive at any time. As regards boy racing he advised that enforcement was only one deterrent and that speed bumps etc were a viable alternative. He mused that (Cllr) Beecher might wish to raise that at “another forum.”

A lady from the floor asked how prevalent and successful were drug searches. The sergeant said on average about 30-35 street/car searches were conducted per month. In May, these had resulted in three finds from a total of five. House searches, by contrast, depended on stronger reason for doing so and these measured about three per month. Information came through tip-offs and criminal arrests, amongst other sources and often provided new names to more established identities.

The sergeant added that an Garda liked to rotate responsibility for drug crimes amongst the rank and file. A new garda, Aidan D’ardais had now assumed the plainclothes role in Youghal, replacing Garda Ian Brown.

Some in attendance has reservations about children acquiring pellet guns from a new shop in town. Sergeant Sharkey said they weren’t illegal though he had some concern that a laser facility may be associated with them. He would inquire further into it.

The meeting concluded with reference to the group’s finances. Mr. Beecher said that following the donation of €50 (genuine one!) to Cumann na Daoine in respect of crime-warning signs, a total of €763.50c. The next annual church gate collection is imminent this summer and meantime the next community alert meeting will be on July 6th at 7.45 pm, Walter Raleigh.

YOUGHAL AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ALERT MAY 2010

By Christy Parker

Prior to the meeting, PRO Garda John Sharkey circulated information packs covering such areas as home & holiday security, scams, child protection, safe driving and victim support. Pa Forrest chaired the meeting in the absence of Jack Dempsey. Shortly after commencement, treasurer Michael Beecher quoted the current finances as €704.58.

Community Safety Week

Sergeant John Sharkey delivered an account of the previous week’s Garda Community Safety Week. He referred to Community Garda Peter Queally’s involvement with the Foroige beach clean up and also reported that Garda Queally had called to crime victims, including an elderly man duped and robbed by a man posing as a garda detective. The sergeant said yellow ‘calling cards’ are available on which householders ask unknown callers offering services to enter their details with a view to being contacted later, rather than being immediately admitted to their homes. The cards are available at the garda station or through Cuman na Daoine, Meals on Wheels and the Rotary club. The sergeant said the Community Alert committee had selected the first 15 of the current 40+ personal security alarm applications for government funding.

Celebrations and Signs

The PRO said Sergeant Kennedy and the Pobalscoil Parent’s Council had discussed a celebratory disco in lieu of the upcoming Junior Cert examinations, with regard to sidestepping underage drinking. He informed the meeting that car burglary warning signs had now been erected at the Front Strand, Claycastle, Glenbower and Gortroe, with the group contributing €50 towards costs.

Sergeant Sharkey said the gardai had discussed anti-fraud measures with the Chamber of Commerce.

Crime statistics

There had been only one reported assault since the previous meeting, although there had been at least one other ‘unreported’ assault in which the victim had declined to file a complaint. “Unfortunately this sometimes happens and hinders us taking action,” he added. The crime statistics for the month April 6th to May 4th were as follows:

Burglaries (5) – Youghal Bridge, Cork Hill, Summerdale Lawn, Clashadonna and O’Reilly’s Terrace. One involved a business premises and the other private. In regard to the ‘bogus garda’ incident, at Clashadonna, the sergeant said a similar incident had occurred in Cobh and a suspect has been identified and is being sought. He is not from the Youghal area The burglaries at the business premises and at one private residence were also being resolved.

Assault (1) Store Street.

Criminal damage (11): Tallow Street (3), CBS school, St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Pobalscoil na Trionoide, Chestnut Drive, Pearse Square, Raheen Park.  These included a number of tyres being slashed in Tallow Street area. The sergeant declined to relate the incidents to underage drinking but said CCTV was being studied regarding four non-Irish individuals who may or may not be involved.

Drunk Driving (1): Lighthouse Hill

Caught In Possession of Drugs: (4): Seafield/Perks, Claycastle, Mill Road, Dolphin Square.

Possession of drugs with intent to supply (1): Quarryvale. This followed on a house search and amounted to an estimated €1,000 worth of cannabis. A DPP file is being prepared.

Fraud (1): Tesco’s and detected.

Public Order Incidences (6): Bayview Grove, Friar Street, Claycastle (2), Blackwater Heights, O’Brien’s Place. These involved drunkenness, disorderly conduct, etc.

Street Searches for Drugs (30): At Seafield, Ballyvergan, Clashanonna, O’Brien’s Place, Green Park, Tallow Street, Killeagh Road, Front Strand.

Thefts (6): Centra Supermarket Killeagh, Ballyvergan (from car), Claycastle, Lighthouse Hill (from car), Lidl’s, Aura (from car), Tesco. Three of these were thefts from cars.

Underage drinking (3) South Main Street, Dun Coran, Ashe Street.

Licensed Premises: Twelve premises were visited and all found to be in order as regards late or underage drinking.

From the floor:

Sergeant Sharkey said an off licence proprietor had sought a meeting with gardai relevant to alcohol purchases for underage consumption. “He is being conscientious and we will give him whatever assistance we can,” said the sergeant.

One member of the attendance provided the garda with a knife he had discovered while out walking and agreed to give further details on location later. Sergeant Sharkey recalled a campaign theme called “How Big Do You Feel?,” which emphasised that knife-carriers, contrary to their own self-estimation, held minimal status in the wider picture. Regarding an imminent diving knife promotion at Lidl’s, the sergeant said it was up to the retailers to police such sales. “If someone buys a knife for diving, that’s fine,” he commented, “but they’d have no business carrying it around on a Saturday night.”

Asked if on-street drug detections were increasing or otherwise, the sergeant said the rate of infringement seems to have subsided compared to 2009, when there were ‘strong concerns about heroin, which fuels serious crime.” He also explained that gardai need “reasonable suspicion” before searching someone, although some individuals might be searched regularly. The meeting heard that Youghal is shortly to be the focus both of a pilot referral scheme and also a ‘dial-up and stop drugs’ project, whereby the public will be urged to assist the battle against drugs.

On foot of an inquiry from treasurer Michael Beecher, Sergeant Sharkey explained that June to August would see increased local garda resources with the deployment of the Midleton-based traffic unit and increased overtime allowance to assist weekend policing.

Concern was expressed about anti-social behaviour in the college gardens. It was reported that some youths had leapt from heights nearing 20 feet at the town walls to escape detection, barely avoiding serious injury. The sergeant further informed that an individual brought to the garda station on another matter could also be breathalysed. Regarding the supply of alcohol to minors, a shopkeeper in attendance said a first offence can close a business while a second discretion can result in failure to have a licence renewed. “It’s a big risk for retailers because should an accident subsequently occur, it will be traced back,” observed Sergeant Sharkey.

Alcohol was deemed to be regularly involved in assaults, the meeting heard, while the majority of victims know their assailant/s, as being domestically related, friends, rivals, school enemies, etc.. “Its up to the victim to follow up with an official complaint,” stressed the sergeant.

The next  meeting is on Tuesday June 1st at 7.45 pm.

National Senior Help Line number is 1850 440 444

The freezing weather conditions failed to halt January’s Youghal and District Community Alert meeting on. Jack Dempsey welcomed the attendance on his inaugural occasion as chairman. By Christy Parker Email: news@youghalonline.com

The first item brought an administrative clarification whereby discretion was afforded to the committee to use their discretion to spend up to €100 of the group’s finances on relevant goods or services should ever it be deemed necessary. Expenditure over that amount would require seeking authorisation from a general meeting.

Emphasis on elderly

January’s gathering focused strongly on protection for the elderly. Garda Sergeant John Sharkey drew attention to distributed leaflets that advertised a Senior Help Line. He described this new, national-based service as “manned by elderly people for elderly people.”

The help line puts callers in touch with their peers and may be considered particularly helpful for those living alone, seeking advice or a friendly chat or generally desiring social contact. It runs 365 days a year from 10am to 4pm and from 7pm to 10pm. The number is 1850 440 444 and cost the same as a local call. “We’re keen to have the number distributed directly to as many elderly people as possible in the Youghal area or to their families, neighbours and friends who may do so,” stressed the sergeant.

Sergeant Sharkey also reminded the attendance that some high visibility vests remained available for the general public and can be acquired from the garda station. The remaining goods are predominantly large sized but were described as tight fitting nonetheless, especially when worn over jackets, etc.

Maintaining the emphasis on the elderly, the sergeant said all Garda authorities were anxious that contact between gardai and senior citizens be sustained, especially as inclement weather can cause severe difficulties. He pointed out that recently appointed Community Garda Peter Queally was in the process of compiling a list of names and phone numbers of elderly people in the area. However data protection laws forbade many community organisations from divulging this information and he asked that information on any elderly person who might be considered in need of a garda visit, whether for a chat or more practical assistance, be forwarded to the gardai or Garda Queally personally.

The icy weather may have departed but then again it may well return. The sergeant delivered some motoring advice in respect of icy conditions, including checking road conditions in advance of travelling either by consulting the garda website or from the station. Driving in low gears was also advocated as was, basically, driving slowly.

Crime figures

Crime figures since the previous month’s meeting were reflected low, probably influenced by the adverse weather. The statistics as given by sergeant Sharkey read as:

Thefts: (6); Lidl’s (1) Tesco’s (2) private residences Store Street (2), private residence in Walter Raleigh vicinity (1)

Minor Assaults (3); Tesco’s (2), Nealon’s Quay (1)

Criminal Damage (9); Duncoran, Seafield Estate, South Abbey, Gort Aoibhinn, Blackwater Heights, Magner’s Hill, Harbour View, Tallow Road, and Carlton Village.

Drink Driving (3); Cork Hill, Millfield Abbey and North Cross Lane.

Burglary (2): Timeless Jewellers; Kilcoran Road (elderly person)

Drug Arrests (4); Claycastle, North Main Street, Tallow Street and at Youghal garda station (non resident presumably!)

Opportunism

The chairman illustrated how the cold weather presented criminals with opportunity. He said drivers sometimes tend to leave engines running but unattended momentarily, by way of heating their cars. Thieves were regularly taking advantage of this lapse to steal the vehicles. “It may be unlikely to happen around here but its as well to be aware of it,” he advised.

Mr. Dempsey then inquired whether updated personal alarms or the funding for same, were yet available. He said the devices in mind were “similar to a watch” and worked on the same principal as those worn round one’s neck. Sergeant Sharkey said funding, as reported by Michael Ahern TD at a previous meeting, was expected to be reintroduced in the last budget, but seemingly was not. A local TD up the country was calling for it to be restored following a recent attack on an elderly person in their vicinity, he added.

On the beat

The chairman commended the gardai for their increased presence on the street. He recalled seeing two gardai walking on Tallow Street and happening on a traffic congestion situation that ere quickly able to alleviate. “I’ve even seen a garda on patrol near St Raphael’s!,” he said, suitably impressed. He added, “It’s very reassuring to see the uniform on the streets.” His sentiments were echoed from the floor, with one speaker equally delighted that a garda had “actually walked” through his estate recently. “Its great. People were commenting on it,” he declared.

Reflecting how rural policing has altered (many would say diminished) in Ireland over recent decades, Sergeant Sharkey was asked as to how this novel method of policing had come about! Were there plenty of gardai in the station nowadays?  (One might have imagined some sort of station overflow, by which gardai were somehow spilling onto the streets from whence they were obliged to walk to keep warm!) The sergeant said numbers were at a satisfactory level although replacements for gardai retiring in the coming years may not be forthcoming. “But we don’t intend to let anyone be transferred unless they are replaced,” he insisted.

Worth attending

Meanwhile the chairman felt moved to reassure all present that their attendance was highly relevant. “There will be times when we will question whether we are justified in coming to meetings,” he began. “But it is always worthwhile,” he proceeded, before explaining that if even one person in the year was saved from becoming a crime victim or one other person dissuaded from committing a crime, then everything was justified.

Mr Dempsey further stressed that anyone in attendance should never feel anything they may wish to say is unimportant. He advised that in some cases, it might be preferable not to wait until the Any Other Business slot at the end of the meeting, when people may be about to leave, before airing their point. “Come to me or the secretary in advance even and we’ll put it on the agenda,” he promised.

Help and the plight of the elderly.

The agenda came full circle when a man in attendance informed Community Garda Peter Queally that he would be willing to led voluntary assistance to elderly people, such as grass or wood cutting, window washing, etc., The gesture was gratefully appreciated and accepted. Garda Queally suggested that a few more similar volunteers, perhaps given designated areas, would be of enormous benefit to his work and to the elderly community. “It would also serve to reassure older people,” he observed.

The garda proceeded that he was endeavouring to compile his list of elderly citizens and trying to prioritise who most needed visitors. He hoped to seek help from retired gardai amongst others, to assist this work.

Finally, the plight of many elderly people was exemplified by two poignant testimonies delivered towards the meeting’s conclusion. One spoke of a woman who bid farewell to a shop assistant one recent weekend and remarked how she would probably not have company again until the following weekend. Her adult children were generally “too busy” to call to her. A second story concerned a woman who lingered at another retail outlet most days, simply to find company.

As the chairman said, it’s always worthwhile attending the community alert meetings.

The next one is on Tuesday February 2nd and every first Tuesday thereafter, at the Walter Raleigh as always. Meetings start at 7.45 and last an hour at most.

The Youghal & District Community Alert programme elected the following officer at the November AGM in the Walter Raleigh hotel. Chairman: Jack Dempsey; Vice-chair: Pa Forrest; Secretary: Kay Curtain; Treasurer Michael Beecher; Pro: Sgt John Sharkey; Asst PRO: Garda Peter Queally. By Christy Parker

The incoming committee thanked outgoing Chairman and Youghal & District Community Alert programme founder Moss Lynch. Treasurer Michael Beecher said there was “tremendous credit” due to Mr Lynch, having kept the movement alive almost single-handedly over a year prior to the surge in public interest that sustains it today. Mr Lynch declined the offer of a titular position as President, saying he sought “no honours” for his commitment, but rather it was a pleasure to work for the community’s interests.

Incoming Chairman Jack Dempsey’s inaugural initiative was to re-arrange monthly meeting’s starting time a quarter hour earlier, at 7.45pm, with meetings lasting an hour at most. He also stressed that the new starting time would be stringently observed.

A question from the floor inquired as to a previous intention make a contribution gesture towards an elderly-related project. The chairman said that, with only one source of funding –an annual collection- thus far, the kitty was relatively modest. This money would likely be needed to cover unavoidable costs through 2010. However, he suggested the issue be re-considered after the next annual collection and this was agreed.

New Community Garda Peter Queally said was currently endeavouring to acquire a list of elderly people in the town and district, whether living in isolation or otherwise and asked that information on same be forwarded to him from any community source. It was suggested that a volunteer group of responsible younger people –teenagers perhaps- could also be organised to assist in visits, errand and caring for such vulnerable citizens. The chairman supported the idea but reminded that it would need to be very carefully organised.

It was suggested that a coffee morning be organised to raise funds and awareness of the Community Alert group. It was noted that a lot of people remained unaware of its functions and procedures and the treasurer Michael Beecher said he would look into the matter.

The chair concluded with an appeal to town councillors present for a few days of free parking prior to Christmas. He was told the council normally facilitated free parking from 4pm in the run up to Christmas but the issue would be discussed at the next town council meeting (Dec 14th).

At the meetings conclusion the attendance were given high visibility jackets as part of Road Safety Authority initiative.

Crime statistics

Earlier, the meeting had received a report from Sergeant John Sharkey on crime affairs and statistics over the intervening time since October’s meeting.

These transpired as follows:

Burglaries (3): Walter Raleigh, Strand Street & South Abbey

Criminal damage (9): Strand Street, Catherine Street, St. Raphael’s, Store Street, Father O’Neill’s GAA ground, Chestnut Drive (2), Cork Hill.

Driver Under Influence (4): tested @ Lackaroe, Priory Court, Claycastle, Ballymacask.

Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) Checkpoints: (9 failures): Mounted at Rhincrew (2), Greencloyne (2), Strand Street (2), Ballyvergan (2), Claycastle, Ballyvergan.

Drugs: (3): Carlton Wharf (3).

Minor assaults (7): Strand Street, DeValera Street, South Main Street, Front Strand, Stepping Stone House, Chestnut Drive, Cork Hill.

Assault Causing Harm (2): Lighthouse Hill, Usual Place pub.

The next Community Alert meeting will take place in the Walter Raleigh at 745 pm on Tuesday January 5th and on the first Tuesday of every month thereafter. Inquiries, etc to, Garda John Sharkey @ Youghal garda station (024) 92200 or to any committee member.

Youghal’s Community Alert group –which is anybody who wants to attend- is seeking an enhanced attendance at its forthcoming AGM on Tuesday November 24th. The meeting at the Walter Raleigh, will appoint officers, such as Chairperson, Treasurer, PRO, etc, for the coming year and will commence at 8pm. By Christy Parker

Attendances increased gradually during 2009 as people grew to appreciate the value of direct communication between each other and with the gardai on matter of social and criminal concern. Nonetheless, there remains a general unawareness that the monthly gatherings offer a genuine and enlighteining forum in which to express views, seek information and relay fears, in confidence, to those charged with policing and advising in the community.

Meetings commence at 8pm and last approximately an hour Inquiries, etc: Pa Forrest 087-7468531 or to Sergeant John Sharkey at Youghal garda station (024- 92200).

A gathering of approximately 20 attended The Walter Raleigh on Tuesday September 1st when the Youghal & District Community Alerts resumed its monthly meetings following the August recess. Committee members present were Chairman Mossie Lynch, Treasurer Michael Beecher, Secretary Pa Forrest, Assist Secretary Kay Curtin and Garda Sergeants John Sharkey (PR) and Paul Kennedy.   By Christy Parker

Stastistics:

Recapping the previous six weeks, Sergeant Sharkey said criminal and disorderly activity had, fortunately, been relaively low in the region. The sergeant’s subsequent report summarised garda investigations in the jurisdiction over the past six weeks as follows: Thefts: 11; Fraud: 7; Drugs: 2; Public Order Offences: 11; Drivers Under The Influence: 8; Criminal damage: 17; Burglary: 3; Assaults: 3.
The gardai said that the majority of investigations been successful, with some outstanding incidents likely to be brought to successful conslusions in the coming weeks.

Phone & Tell:

Sergeant Sharkey reiterated that members of the public should never hesitate to alert gardai with regard to  witnessing suspicious behaviour or holding concerns. In fact, he proceeded, on very quiet nights the gardai would probably welcome the diversion!

Mr. Beecher remarked on the incidences of underage drinking and mentioned specific areas of town where the problem appeared to particularly manifest. Sergeant Sharkey said it would be impractical to mount surveillance programmes in these or other areas but repeated the importance of reporting illegal behaviour. “We will respond to every call and while sometimes culprits may be gone, on the balance of probabalities we will catch them a lot of the time,” he assured.

Community Be Alert:

Chairman Mossy Lynch told the gathering that “community alert is not just about all present here, but should be about the town as a whole.” He urged that “everyone should alert within their community.” Mr. Lynch floated the idea of one or two people in different areas being the focal point of community alertness on their own and others’ behalfs. However, it was deemed that it might overburden such individuals, not to mention compromise their lives generally and it was agreed that the community alert movement is progressing satisfactorily as it is. It was also observed that resident’s networks have a vital role to play in community protection.

Halloween

Responding to a query from the floor, Sergeant Sharkey said there would be “significant resources” deployed to meet the now depressingly anticipated social disruptions attached ot Halloween night. It was put to the gardai that the town was insufficiently policed last Halloween when particularly violent and disruptive incidents evolved. Ironically, that night sparked increased interest in the Community Alert project and strengthened the resolve of the townspeople against social disruption.

General community policing

The gardai have no plans to allocate individual gardai to particular areas, Sergeant Sharkey said. He said the system, which operates in some towns, including Cobh, has inherent flaws in that should a garda be absent, for example, incidents on his ‘patch’ might suffer poor response. Also a garda in one area might carry a far greater workload then others, he explained. The sergeant said that as a rule the garda that responed to a call would deal with the matter thereafter.

Alarms, CCTV, invitations, funds, bus and schools

The meeting heard that recession-rleated funding shortage is delaying the processing of house alarm application forms. It had been mooted earlier in the year that the funding which was frozen pending a procedure reassesment, woud be resumed from September 1st. However, further news had as yet not been forthcoming. The forms remain in the garda station, with further applications welcomed.

The sergeant said a meeting with the relevant Rapid co-ordinator regarding the application for CCTV funding for the town was imminent. He said it took a lot of research and time to acquire an accurate pre-tender estimate. He said the application could now proceed but that funding again was a likely impediment.

Treasurer Michael Beecher confirmed that letters had been issued to the council and the Chamber of Commerce formally inviting them each to appoint a representative to attend Community Alert meetings. It was noted that in particular Mayor Sandra McLellan, Cllr Michelle Hennesssy and Cllr Beecher were regular particpants anyway.

Mr. Beecher said the Community Alert group had raised almost €800 through the July church gate collections. Following some suggestions and a short discussion on how best to disperse the money, it was agreed that it would best be spent on a “community–based” project rather than administered to benefit individuals, with an information session incorporated. Further discussion will ensue.

Mr. Beecher referred to a pilot community bus scheme being managed by the Youghal Transport Group. The group, of which he is treasurer, intends to purchase a bus designed specifically with elderly and disabled in mind. South & East Cork Area Development (SECAD) had provided €4,500 funding. He said it was necessary to be a group committee member to avail of the service and new members are now being sought. Meanwhile the project (though not the bus hopefully) was about to get “off the ground,” and would soon go to tender.

Sergeant Sharkey agreed with a view from the floor that a Community Alert representative/s should endeavour to visit Pobalscoil na Trionoide, particlarly perhaps transition year. He said a visit need not specifically regard Community Alert business but that it could be included within it.