The Youghal RNLI Lifeboat held their annual open day on Sunday 1st August 2010

The Lifeboat station and the Atlantic 75 class lifeboat were open to the public and the voluntary lifeboat crew members were on hand to show the public around and answer any questions. The Youghal Lifeboat crew demonstrating two launch and recovery’s of the Atlantic 75 Lifeboat.

Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Click on image to enlarge

Denise FitzGerald Reports | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Mark Nolan from Youghal is the son of locals Kieran and Brenda.   Mark has fond memories of his childhood days on boats, angling and sailing in Youghal, the old Regattas, and as a member of Youghal Sea Angling Club.

Having completed his Leaving Certificate,   Mark entered the Gardaí in 1980 and served in Limerick for fifteen years.  During his time there, Mark held onto his love of the water by his association with the Limerick and Clare Angling Club, despite the fact that members had to travel approximately forty miles to the boat moored in Liscannor in Co. Clare.    Mark transferred to Fermoy in 1995, and then on to Midleton in 1997, when Mark and his family moved back to Youghal, where they have lived for the past 15 years.

Mark is married to Caroline (Bulman) and they have three children – Gary, Sarah and Jack.  The late Buddy Bulman (Caroline’s Dad) and Kieran Nolan were friends for many years, and long before Mark met Caroline he spent many an occasion in the company of Buddy and his Dad, boating in Youghal Bay.

One of Mark’s ambitions was to serve with the RNLI.  Now living back in Youghal, Mark applied for, and offered his services to the Youghal RNLI.   In 1997 Mark was successful and accepted as a member.  In 1998 he went to the RNLI Centre in Cowes, Isle of Wight, for a week’s intensive training course.   Thus commenced Mark’s dedication and involvement with the local branch of the RNLI.
During his 13 years of service with Youghal RNLI, Mark said that there had been 213 call outs/rescues.   He was involved in 38 of the callouts/rescues and five lives were saved.

Age, for most people, is a relative thing but certainly there are some ages which are more special than others.  And so it was for Mark Nolan when he reached that special birthday on July 20th last.   That age, for Mark,  also brought with it some sadness and sense of loss as it means his retirement from the RNLI, which is the compulsory retirement age for all members.

Mark said that he will truly miss being involved with the RNLI as part of the crew.   He will miss, as he calls it, the ’buzz of the active service’ and being on the boat with the other members of crew, ‘on call’  or ‘on exercise’.

Mark, however, is still looking forward to being associated with Youghal RNLI and one of the ways in which this can be achieved is through his young son, Jack, aged 11 years, who is passionate about the sea and all it involves.   At this very young age Jack is a member of Aquatrek and is trained to level 3 sailing.   To attain this training at any age is to be lauded, but to do so at such a tender age shows an interest, love and commitment that is unique.   Mark continued on to say that Jack, at an early age, spent a lot of time on the water, and sails regularly with Aquatrek.   Thus, the love of the sea comes from Kieran, to Mark to Jack.

Mark, quite passionately, said “I am privileged to have been part of the Youghal RNLI where I have made lots of friends, and was part of a team of dedicated and professional people who were involved in the saving of lives, and I am truly grateful for what have been, for me, some of the best years of my life”

The wealth of expertise which Mark has gained will surely never be wasted.   Mark will always be interested and involved with the Youghal RNLI and will be always be happy to share some of his knowledge and experience of the sea to the younger, enthusiastic crew.

Garda Mark Nolan, guardian of seas and land, we salute you.

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.

Bogus Garda, Valuable Bike Stolen, Amongst Latest Crime Incidents In Youghal

Youghal householders are being warned to beware of individuals impersonating gardai calling to their doors. Garda Peter Queally told listeners to Saturday’s CRY Garda report that one such incident happened in the Clashadonagh area on the previous Thursday (April 22nd).
Report: Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

At approximately 3.40 pm a man described as “Irish, tall, about 40, well spoken, with short, light brown hair called to an elderly man living alone. He was wearing a navy coat and dark glasses and claimed to be a plainclothes garda. The man subsequently gained entry to the house and stole an envelope containing €800. The man is believed to have been driving a dark coloured car and may have followed his victim from town. Information is being sought to help the investigation.

Calling card

Garda Queally said similar incidents have recently been reported around the country, including in Cobh. He also informed listeners of a business card initiative now being launched to help combat such crimes. Householders, rather than opening the door to unknown callers, ask the caller to fill in their details on the bright yellow card. Having acquired the information without allowing entry, they inform the caller that they will contact him or her should they require their services. The scheme operates on the basis that bona fide callers will not object to it. It also serves as a deterrent to bogus individuals. The cards are now being distributed through various community groups, including those affiliated to Cumann na Daoine and can also be acquired at the garda station.

Valuable bike stolen

Deception was also used in the theft of a valuable bicycle from Sport and Leisure at Barry’s Lane. Three individuals were believed to be involved, on the basis that two accomplices drew the shop owner’s attention while a third absconded with the bicycle, which had not as yet been securely tied outside the premises. The bike was a black, white and red Trek 1.2, valued at €800.

The incident occurred at about 12.40 pm on Monday April 19th. CCTV only produced a rear photograph of the chief suspect, although the two suspected accomplices, who have denied involvement, are known. The shop owner believes all were non-Irish nationals, probably Polish.

Lidl supermarket also suffered a robbery last week. At about 1.10pm, on Thursday 22nd April, two individuals absconded with a large quantity of alcohol. One suspect was in his 20’s, wearing a black jacket, had brown, curly, receding hair and glasses. He was carrying a black backpack o his back. The second male was also in his 20’s, wearing a light grey baseball cap and blue jumper with ‘Brazil’ written on the back of it. It is thought that one thief distracted staff, while the second placed the drink on an aisle close to the entrance. He then left quickly with the goods when someone entered the shop.

Community Safety Week

Garda Queally also spoke of Community Safety Week, which runs from Sunday April 25th to Saturday May 1st. He advised that on Thursday next, April 29th, in his role as community garda, he will be operating a confidential advice service in the garda station from 4-6pm. “If anyone wants to call and talk about safety or has any apprehensions or ideas related to community safety, I’ll be happy to assist,” he said. The service is a pilot initiative.

Bank holiday

The garda also warned of increased Garda checkpoint activity over the coming May bank holiday, along with more prevalent speed checks. He revealed that one third of all road deaths in 2009 were pedestrians. “It’s a high percentage and the advice to pedestrians is to be highly visible, with bright clothes when walking in rural areas and to exercise caution at all times,” he said, adding that. “drivers are should slow down and be vigilant when approaching areas where there are likely to be people walking.” Further advice alluded to passengers applying seat belts and children being seated in tandem with appropriate rear car seats or booster seats.

Garda Queally quoted national statistics that 57 people had died on Irish roads so far this year, six of them in the previous week. Last May bank holiday, 345 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, with five fatal collisions and six fatalities. Over the 2010 Easter weekend, over 200 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Beach clean

Before departing the studio, the garda asked that due recognition be afforded to the member of the Foroige youth club, participating parents and other volunteers who had spent the day picking litter from Youghal beach. It was noted that the day’s endeavours reflected well on Youghal’s youth at time when adverse publicity regarding anti-social behaviour of various misfortune remains a blight.

Finally, the garda reminded that the next Community Alert meeting is on Tuesday May 4th at 7.45pm sharp, in the Walter Raleigh hotel.

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.

Garda Confidential No: 1 800 666 111

Community Garda Peter Queally aired some timely advice on the Saturday garda report on Community Radio Youghal. The garda said he had accessed information from the garda website that he felt merited imparting to listeners, especially with the Christmas holiday season imminent. By Christy Parker

Garda Queally provided the guidelines under various heading as follows:

How to prevent being burgled:

* Keep suitcases and bags in attic or with handles tied together as thieves will use them to transport items from your house.
* Keep windows and doors shut and locked even when at home; a thief will burgle property even when someone inside, e.g. when they see bathroom light go on.
* Use an alarm if possible, even if leaving house for a short time.
* Chain wheelie bin to a fence away from house as a burglar will stand on it to gain entry. “It happens regularly,” said the garda.
* Join local neighbourhood watch/community alert group. Garda Queally added that part of his remit is to start up neighbourhood watch schemes and he would be more than willing to help anyone who wishes to do so with information and other assistance.
* Secure front door and ensure windows have window locks.
* Fix broken garden gates.
* Put wire basket on inside of window box as it prevent burglars from fishing keys through letter box

Pointers on going away for Christmas holidays:

* Make your home look as though someone is living there; cancel newspaper, milk deliveries etc.
* Trusted neighbours may help you by collecting post and opening/closing curtains, turning on lights etc.
* Ask them to park their car in your driveway.
* Avoid discussing holiday plans where strangers might hear details.
* Leave important documents and other valuable items with a family member, a bank or locked in a safe.
* Do not put your home address on your luggage when travelling abroad; your work address will suffice, where applicable. Address can be noted at airport, etc.
* Make sure all doors and windows are locked and set alarm if you have one.

Precautions when at home over Christmas:

* Put Christmas presents under tree early on Christmas morning or keep tree out of view from window.
* Lock and bolt doors and windows.
* If expecting a parcel delivery, make sure someone is home to receive it or have a neighbour do so.
* Keep keys, mobile phones and other valuable items locked away out of site.
* Never leave keys in door or within sight from windows or doors.
* Once you’ve opened gifts, don’t leave boxes on view outside to advertise your good fortune to criminals.

Avoid being a victim when out shopping:

* Take extra care to conceal our pin number when using a cash point or check-out; never let anyone see your pin number and never write it down.
* If you carry a handbag keep your purse at the bottom or even on your person. “Avoid leaving handbags or purses on top of a trolley or in front compartment. It only takes a second to have it stolen, warned the garda.
* Never leave wallet in back pocket and keep handbag zipped at all times.
* Stay alert when using your mobile phone. It’s very easy for someone to snatch it out of your hand.
* Always put shopping parcels in boot of car and lock it.
* Don’t leave any valuables on seat of car as they attract thieves and as well as losing your valuable you have a broken window to replace too.
* Keep car door locked even when travelling.
* Don’t leave your house keys in your car.
* Secure your Sat-nav and hide it when not in use; don’t preset your exact home address into it.

Underage drinking:

Garda Queally said he had visited Youghal’s off licences in recent weeks to address this issue. “It’s still a very big problem and moreso as false IDs can be acquired on the internet,” he noted. He then stressed that it is illegal to buy alcohol if under 18 or for supply to someone under 18. “We will be trying to detect this increasingly in coming weeks,” he attested. The garda asked that parents discuss drinking issues with their children and advised also that, “they see you as a role model so try to set a good example on how to use or not use alcohol.”

Addressing festive celebrations, the following guidelines were offered:

* Everyone is responsible for safety, whether having a house party, office party or similar.
* Serve alcohol responsibly and don’t sere it to people already drunk.
* Don’t serve alcohol to people under 18.
* Have low or non-alcohol alternatives available.
* Serve food that is tasty and filling.
* Promote safe transport options for your guests, including calling taxis and having bus timetables available.

Staying safe on a night out:

* Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be home.
* Carry our mobile phone with you and make sure it is charged.
* If one of your group has had too much to drink, ensure they get home safely.
* Watch out for one another.
* Plan your trip home in advance, e.g. arrange a lift.
* Never drink and drive.
* If you’re a designated driver, park in a well-lit area and don’t leave property visible inside.
* If you see someone in trouble, call 999 or your local garda station.

For further information/guidelines see:  http://www.garda.ie/

Youghal gardai are keen for parents to be particularly aware of their children’s whereabouts and intentions over the coming Halloween. Speaking on the station’s weekly CRY report, Garda Peter Queally recalled that last year was a particularly disruptive and depressing Halloween in east Cork and asked parents to understand the potential for problem, whether through peer pressure or personal intent. He also reassured that extra garda resources would be deployed throughout the region. Report: Christy Parker   Email: news@youghalonline.com

EGGS

Garda Queally also requested retailers to be alert for signs of intended disruption, such as a sudden increase young people purchasing eggs  “They are unlikely to be baking cakes!” he suggested ruefully, adding that, “throwing eggs, even against a hard surface like a wall is deemed a criminal offence of defacing property.” The garda’s concern coincides with a report that Tesco’s in Youghal and Midleton had decided, almost unbelievably, to locate their eggs near the stores’ entrances, at €1 per ½ dozen. Given the time of year, there are those who would consider the initiative more cynically opportunistic than coincidental.

FIREWORKS

The radio report also outlined firework offences related to Halloween. Possessing unlicensed (bought from unlicensed dealers) fireworks carries a fine of up to €10,000 and/or five years imprisonment. Similar penalties apply for throwing an unlicensed firework or having possession with intent to supply. Types of firework thus considered include loud Black Cats, whereas such as Sparklers are normally licensed for sale.

While it is not an offence to conduct firework display in one’s garden, it may be offensive, Garda Queally explained. He recommended that people consult with their neighbours or consider possible disruption to them, especially regarding the welfare of small children who maybe sleeping, or possibly pet animal concerns, before dispatching fireworks.

ALCOHOL

Garda Queally rounded off the Halloween agenda by submitting that Halloween partying on the beach was not illegal but the same didn’t apply to consuming alcohol there simultaneously. That in turn prompted him to remind parents to check also on their offspring’s activities during this week of school holidays. “We have a serious underage drinking problem,” he explained.

GARDA PATROLS

The spokesman then addressed an unfortunate misconception regarding garda patrols. “Recently,” he said, ‘some elderly people have called to the station seeking reassurance of Garda presence or even reporting suspicious disturbances in the vicinity of their homes late at night. Some callers mistakenly believed that, with the station closed overnight, Youghal gardai are dispersed to Midleton. “That’s not the case. In fact, we have extra resources on patrol in town because the station is unmanned,” reassured Garda Queally. “And if someone rings us, the phone will be answered in Midleton and a message relayed to us immediately.”

Garda Queally also reported that a woman declined to ring the gardai on a Saturday night because she was afraid they’d be too busy. “We are never too busy for a call. We have the resources,” he said.

CRIME

From a quiet week previous, there were two particular incidents recalled. A burglary at the Walter Raleigh resulted in a fast arrest, with the alleged culprit due to appear before Youghal’s November court sitting.

On October 17th, between 8 and 10 pm, damage was caused to property at the new St. Raphael’s building. Garda Queally said CCTV footage was quite good and several youths may be identified in due course. However, he said gardai are also eager for any information on the incident, with full confidence assured. He repeated the possible consequences arising from of arrest for such incidents. “You only get one or two chances at the Juvenile Diversion programme before court appearances ensue. A conviction there stays with your for a long time and can badly affect job and travel prospects,” he concluded. Youghal gardai can be contacted on (024) 92200.

Friday night (16th Oct. 2009) the Youghal Golf Club was the venue for a night of nostalgia and enjoyment when Pat O’Leary surrounded by family, friends and colleagues celebrated his retirement from the force. Photo: John Hennessy www.jhennessy.net

Guests on the night included Chief Superintendent Kieran McGann, Superintendent Flor Horan and Detective Inspector Brian Goulding. Several presentations were made to the highly respected garda, not only by his colleagues, but also by the community he served so well for so long.

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.

There were dramatic scenes on Youghal Bridge last night as a full-scale rescue operation got underway following reports of a man entering the water.Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Members of the Gardaí, Fire Bridade, Youghal Lifeboat, Coast Guard and Coast Guard helicopter got a search underway following the discovery of men’s clothes on the bridge at 12.05am. The search was called off at 3am after no body was recovered and there were no plans to continue searching today. A garda spokesman said the operation was undertaken to ‘err on the side of caution’
He added that there are no reports of a missing person or any incident reported to gardai that would necessitate further operations today.