Youghal And District Community Alert November Meeting In The Nook. – By Christy Parker

THE YOUGHAL AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY ALERT (YDCA) GROUP held its November meeting in the Nook bar on Thursday morning the 17th by way of augmenting its public profile. The officers present were Des Heffernan, chairman and Michael Beecher, PRO.

Amidst the comfort of a winter fire and complimentary tea, coffee and scones, the gathering was addressed by three speakers, while copious amounts of advisory and information literature on crime, alcohol and drug abuse and personal security was also distributed.

An Garda

PRO Sergeant John Sharkey eschewed the regular crime report to deliver a general summary of garda work in the locality and to take questions from the floor. The sergeant outlined that he is one of four sergeants plus 20 other gardaí and one civilian officer at the station. The service operates om a maximum base of one sergeant and five gardaí per shift across three shifts every 24 hours. He stressed that when the station closes at 10 pm, there remains a full complement of gardaí patrolling the general locality and under instruction from Midleton headquarter. “People should never hesitate to call us,” he added. “Calls are never a nuisance and are always valued.  It’s far better to be safe than sorry. Likewise, if you are unhappy with the Garda service in any way, please report it to a sergeant or any senior officer, as you would with any service provider. ”

Crime

Crime-wise, Sergeant Sharkey said Youghal was generally quiet at present, probably due in some measure to various Garda and community initiatives that focus on the principal of each individual being central to protecting their own property. This in turn created a culture of protectionism across the community that deterred would-be criminals.

Nonetheless, he said, there were issues of concern, particularly underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, as epitomised on Halloween night for example. Equally, unacceptably disruptive behaviour in the town in recent weeks had seen Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued to several young people. This effectively banned them from the main street and other areas for three month, with further action towards building a case towards court proceedings, following failure to comply.

The sergeant also referred to the important role played by Community Garda Peter Queally, underlining the crucial link between the town’s individuals, groups and organisations and Garda effectiveness.  In a similar vein, he promoted the monthly Community Alert meetings as an important mechanism by which the public and An Garda can interact with the public and build confidence and trust. Again he urged the community to ring the gardaí if harbouring any concerns or suspicions about anyone or anything.

Such an approach was particularly relevant to the rising level of rural crime, especially housebreaking and burglaries. Such perpetrators would drive or walk an area and he encouraged people to note unusual behaviour, note details such as car makes, colours and number plates and, especially, exercise caution when presented with yarns or offers that would incur entrance a stranger’s entrance to one’s home or the production of one’s money. It was important also to realise that many con artists will pose as health officials, civil servants, construction workers, gardaí, nurses, etc. The theft of car keys from homes was a current trend, the garda also reminded, urging they be kept in a secure location.

Sergeant Sharkey further warned about urban scams, often with gangs confusing shopkeepers with elaborate tactics in seeking change, or ‘buying’ expensive items with bogus credit numbers, etc.

Likewise the internet, he elaborated, was now a minefield of deception. Various incidents were relayed from the floor, including strangers interceding Facebook accounts in pretence of being stranded family member and seeking transference of money abroad for assistance. Bogus e-mails or phone calls seeking bank account details or pin numbers were also prevalent.  Youghal Garda station is on (024) 92200.

Care and Repair

An interesting and informative question-and-answer session followed between the attendance and the sergeant before spokesman for the Care and Repair movement Pat Carey took the microphone. Mr Carey explained that Care and Repair currently consisted of about nine volunteers who, working in pairs, conduct light repair work of behalf of the elderly (over 65’s). The service is co-ordinated through Cumann na Daoine, he said and all volunteers are Garda vetted, he assured.

Mr Carey advised that the group’s insurance does not cover heavy duty work such as general plumbing or electrical projects. A year in existence, the service averages one job per week now. The average time spent on a job is three hours daily but return visits are accommodated. Usually a job is undertaken within two days of being requested.  Care and Repair is a free, non- profit making  service, he proceeded, other than the provision of materials, though voluntary contributions (which some clients prefer to pay) are accepted on behalf of Cumann na Daoine. Gardening, painting, decorating, household repairs and alarm installation feature highly on the retinue “but no job is too small,” said the speaker. I response to an inquiry, he said the group operates within a three mile radius of the town.  Cumann na Daoine is on (024) 91900.

Drugs

The third speaker was Eddie McBride, new Youghal-based community drugs worker with the Southern Regional Drugs Task Force, replacing Eric Trihy. Mr McBride, from Waterford, said his background was in youth community development and family support pertinent to drugs issues. He was now charged, through Foróige, with co-ordinating drug abuse amongst the 14 to 24 age groups. The methodology centred firstly on “Education and Prevention,” he explained and secondly –for those already victims of the drug culture- “harm reduction.”

The official explained how his work entailed much liaising with Community Garda Queally on an advisory, as against a criminal, basis. Mr McBride brought interesting analysis to his address, not least informing that the “number one drug of choice and the one that caused the most upheaval in people’s lives is alcohol.” Given the setting it was an ironic equation. In terms of common usage, alcohol, he outlined, precedes cannabis and then opiates. Heroin exists in every town and village but it isn’t of prime concern, he stressed.

Mr. McBride said that in 2010 “63 individuals and 77 parents or concerned persons” in Youghal had sought help from the service he was now managing. He welcomed the statistic as evidence of increasing numbers realising their difficulties and actively seeking a solution towards better lives.

Interestingly, the speaker also dismissed a direct link between crime and drug use as considerably exaggerated. Amongst his other assertions is all drug issues are individual-based, with society comprised of communities, comprised of families, comprised of individual. He further advised that introduction to drugs are usually through ‘friends, peers or family, with alcohol generally involved. These and other matters relevant to his posting will be considered in an interview with Mr McBride in an upcoming issue of Youghal News. Eddie can be contacted on (024) 90793 / 086 3842183 for confidential advice and support.

The fourth and final speaker of the morning was Dermot Cronin, Community Alert Development Officer – Southern Garda Region. The next edition of Youghjal News will contain a report on Mr. Cronin’s address.

Loneliness And Isolation Features Highly At Youghal Community Alert AGM.
By Christy Parker

CONCERN over lonely and isolated elderly people and was a prominent issued raised at October’s Youghal and District Community Alert meeting. The occasion was also the group’s AGM and was conducted in Cumann na Daoine following the unavailability of the Walter Raleigh hotel.

Outgoing chairman Michael Beecher commenced proceedings by asking Pa Forrest to deliver the treasurer’s report, which showed a current balance of €1,043.45 from an opening sum of €905.08. A Red Store coffee morning with guest speakers had brought a debit of €120 while the annual church gate collection month collected €1,042.35.

Crime report

Community Garda Peter Queally delivered the monthly crime report, while deviating from previous practice in largely not identifying specific times and areas. There had been just one theft from a shop over the previous month and two general thefts and gardai had conducted 10 street drug searches of which there were three arrests for possession. Six public order incidents were detected, three burglaries -one of which was aggravated burglary- had occurred, alongside three criminal damage offences and one drink driving arrest.

The aggravated burglary had occurred in the Quality Hotel at approximately 5.30 am on September 12th. The night porter had disturbed an intruder, who launched a brief attack. Nothing had been stolen and an investigation is on-going.

Garda Queally said October and November are prime months for burglaries and advised that property owners take all common sense precautions, such as securing doors and windows, keeping valuable possessions concealed and also being mindful of elderly neighbours, etc.  He described how recently a local woman, 87 and accustomed all her life to keeping her door open, was visited by two men. They demanded money and when told she had none, asked for her bank details. “She was sharp enough to change the last two digits,” revealed the garda, “but it illustrates the danger. A neighbour had seen the walk in but had presumed they were relatives or something.”

Underage drinking

The garda said Sergeant John Sharkey had addressed the Junior Cert and transition year students, but nonetheless there had been three incidents of underage drinking detected following the exam results. The miscreants had been brought to their homes and details referred to the Juvenile Liaison Officer for further pursuance. “It was a busy enough night and the real perpetrators were those that acquired the alcohol for them,” he proceeded, adding gratefully that the night had produced “no public order incidences.”

New committee

Before new officers were elected, outgoing chairman Michael Beecher thanked all who had participated in the group’s work during his tenure. He paid tribute also to those who assisted with installing 21 socially monitored alarms lately, noting that willing hands remained available to accompany the chief installer, ‘Joe from Wexford,’ in installing the outstanding 10 alarms form the current tranche of 31. Garda Queally proposed that food money for the installers should be provided from the group’s finances on such occasions and this was agreed. Mr. Beecher further thanked outgoing committee secretary Kaye Curtain and likewise treasurer Pa Forrest, regular attendees, members of the media and the Walter Raleigh for its excellent co-operation in providing meeting space.

The new committee was then elected, with Desmond Davis proposed as chairman from the floor and elected unopposed. Des, as he is known, is a Wicklow man resident in Youghal for over three years and is also chairman of the Care and Repair project. Michael Beecher swapped chairs to assume the role of secretary, again unopposed, while Moss Heaphy takes over as treasurer from Pa Forrest.

Attendances

The first issue to confront the new committee came from the floor when ideas were sought by which to attract greater numbers to the monthly meetings. That attendances in recent months have been quite small, is probably due to several factors; primarily the relatively low level of crime in the area, people reluctant to travel at night to a meeting, especially in bad weather and  -according to the group generally- detailed  coverage from the local media addressing people’s curiosity.

Following some discussion, it was decided that November’s meeting will be a morning session at the Red Store, with complimentary tea/coffee and scones. It is hoped that the convenience of time and venue will entice elderly members of the community to attend but also family members and anyone with questions or concerns regarding any aspect of community or personal security.

Alone, lonely and vulnerable

There was considerable discussion on the plight of what initiatives the group could make to address the issue of elderly people alone and vulnerable. That there is a widespread, sad and silent problem out there was evident from the testimony of those who had helped to install the monitored alarms and those involved with the Care and Repair project. Several spoke of the intense loneliness being experienced by many people in Youghal in the latter years of their lives.

They described how elderly people, often ignored by their own family, welcomed tradespeople into their homes as much if not more, for the social interaction as for the work at hand. “We chatted over tea for a couple of hours in her kitchen. There was no fire lighting and no television on. She said that every day was just so lonely. It was heart breaking,” testified one speaker.

From the floor a woman said she had volunteered to join the Care and Repair programme as a companion/assistant for the elderly during worker visit. There was a waiting list however and she wondered how she could become involved. It was explained that currently two tradespersons attended a job but consideration was now being given towards replacing one of those with a companion. The Care and Repair project was currently mostly in need of drivers however so this would be a valuable asset to bring to any involvement.

Re-visits

Garda Queally wondered if a re-visit system could be initiated, by way of providing further reassurance and company for those who were known to be alone and requiring more social contact. The idea was accepted but underlying issues were further aired, including providing identity details to reassure householders, recognition that many elderly people would feel uneasy with visits from people they do not already know.

The new chairman advised that commitment could evolve towards a task that the group might find beyond their capabilities. It was decided also that other sectors of the community might care to become involved in regular visits, with possibly some transition students at Pobalscoil na Tríonóide being encouraged to participate. All told, it was felt that increased liaison between Care and Repair and the Community Alert groups could be beneficial.

Community alert means alert community

A pivotal point was made by Mossy Lynch, co-founder of the Community Alert movement in Ireland and former chairman of the Youghal branch. He said ‘community alert’ meant more than a group or committee being alert, “but,” he asked, “is the community alert to the needs of the people within it –their neighbours.”

Mr Beecher, who had assisted in the installation of the monitored alarms, remarked on how delighted the recipients were, often regarding the reassuring devise as akin to having company in the house. He further reflected that the satisfaction was mutual, his point echoed by others, who agreed that chatting to the more senior members of the community was usually both educational and entertaining. The issue will be revisited at November’s meeting, which will be held in the Red Store at 11 am. Guest speakers may attend and if so details will be announced in due course.

Note: Application forms  for personally monitored and fire alarms are available on-going through committee members, Community Garda Peter Queally and at Youghal garda station (024-92200).

This year’s Community Alert AGM will be held in the Cumann na Daoine premises, Catherine Street, Youghal, on Wednesday October 5th at 7.45 pm. All are welcome.

GARDAI CONCERNED OVER SCHOOL RUN CONGESTION  – By Christy Parker  

YOUGHAL GARDAI want parents and other drivers to park carefully when dropping off and collecting children at Gaelscoil Choráin and to be extra mindful of the requirements of residents and other drivers in the area. Community Garda Peter Queally says there have been “a number of complaints” arising from congestion on the street since the school re-opened, especially in the mornings. We can see both sides of the problem and we realise the difficulties,” says the garda. “We will be talking to the school and maybe the school could liaise with parents. It’s a geographical thing and it’s further complicated with other parents accessing Bunscoil through Strand Street”

Crimes

Meanwhile entry into derelict buildings is deemed trespassing, breaking and entry and/or burglary and perpetrators will be pursued as such, according to the garda.  Garda Queally was speaking after a man was arrested on suspicion of just such an infringement. “Sometimes these incidents also lead to criminal damage,” he proceeds, “People need to be aware that we follow up reports of such incidences and indeed we put a lot of time into investigating them.”

Garda Queally expresses concern at the number of derelict sites in the Youghal area. “As well as being eyesores, they present an ongoing problem for us,” he says.” We would be concerned that a they could be prone to someone setting light to wooden structures, which could cause immense damage to neighbouring properties as well. We’d ask owners to secure their premises.”

Garda Queally also referred to the increasingly common occurrence of ‘drive-off’ theft from petrol stations. “It’s not the cleverest of crimes,” he advised. “Almost every garage in the county has CCTV now and we practically always have a successful investigation as a result.”

Elsewhere on the crime front, the garda warns householders to be on the alert for bogus callers. Last week two foreign nationals were arrested having called to houses on false pretences of collecting for charity.  “They showed ID but not permits for collecting money,” says the garda. One of the me was subsequently repatriated to Poland on foot of a EU arrest warrant while the other was sent to Monaghan where he was being sought by gardai.

Alarms

The Waterford native referred also to community matters and had good news for those awaiting socially monitored alarms. “After several months delay, the latest applications have been sanctioned and we have received funding to buy and install about 30 alarms.” He said. “We expect the installers from Wexford to start work in a couple of weeks. It’s been a long wait because the rules changed and our hands were tied.”

Garda Queally said forms for the next round of applications were now available from the garda. That process would take several months also be he added that for people urgently requiring the appliances, the option remained to purchase them privately, at a cost of about €250. The gardai would provide information on how this could be done.

GARDAI IN YOUGHAL are poised to “come down heavily” on so called ‘boy racers’- the June meeting of The Youghal and District Community Alert group heard. Community Garda Peter Queally made the observation while elaborating on the presence in town of a traffic corp. section. “They are here for the summer and are monitoring the situation regarding by racers,” he said. “They have the noise level detectors.” The garda said Garda headquarters in Fermoy were also very aware of the situation in Claycastle car park and “is keen to target the issue.” He added that some court appearances were imminent and more were likely. Drivers under 18 would be subject to the Juvenile Liaison System.

The meeting began with reference to the Youghal Concerned Citizens Group which was meeting simultaneously in the Red Store. Mr Beecher noted that that growingly successful group would heretofore be meeting on twice monthly on Thursdays and urged people to attend.

Crime stats

Garda Queally then delivered the statistics on reported crime since the previous month’s meeting. There had been three burglaries, for two of which a man had been arrested. A file was being prepared for the DPP. The third burglary occurred on Thursday May 26th between 10 pm and 1.30 am Friday in a house on the Quarry Road. Jewellery had been taken and gardai were keen for information, on (024) 92200.

Nine incidents of criminal damage had been recorded. These included another infringement, on May 30th, at Perks, where several such incidents had occurred recently. The culprits had been attempting a break-in but had fled empty handed.

There was one incident of drink-driving, on June 2nd. Drug detections involved four cases of possession plus two with intent to supply. There were only three recorded public order offences, despite two bank holidays.

Two robberies had occurred, including an incident where three men forced the manager of the Red Store to unlock the premises at knifepoint before escaping with a four-figure figure sum of money. That crime remains under investigation and anyone with information is again invited tome forward, anonymously if preferred. The second robbery –against a person- occurred in the front strand and an arrest had been made, with a court appearance likely to follow. There as one shop theft, at Lidl on May 4th.

Garda Queally said there had also been one alleged rape reported. He did not divulge details or any further information on the matter other than to say that a man had been arrested and questioned and that a file was being prepared for the DPP. He understood that such an alleged incident could cause particular unrest in the community but reassured that there was no cause for alarm.

In general the reported crime overview was thus:

Burglaries (3): BallyGlavin  (May 14th); Clifton terrace (May 15th); QuarryRoad (May 26th).

Criminal Damage (9): @ North Main Street (May 5th); Blackwater Heights (2) –May 9th and May 23rd); Cliftonville (May 15th); Yew Wood (May 21st;); O’Brien’s Place (May 29th); Spa Hill (May 29th); Perks (May 30th); Burgess Cross May 10th ).

Drink-Driving (1): detected @ Greencloyne.

Drugs –possession (4): Kenny’s Lane (May 6th); Chestinut Drive (May 12th); Killeagh Road (May 18th); Green Park (May 23rd).

Drugs –intent to supply (2): The Rise (May 6th): Ard Na Mara (May 18th).

Public Order (3): Blackwater Heights (May 23rd); Lighthouse Hill (May 30th); The Mall (June 3rd).

Robbery (2):  Red Store (May 16th); Front Strand (May 30th).

Theft from Shop (1): Lidl (May 4th).

Conference reflection

There was some discussion on the recent conferences night, hosted by Muintir na Tire, at Cuman na Daoine and which dealt with elderly abuse and home insulation. Mr Beecher said the occasion had been a considerable success and that another such event would likely occur in September or October. He said the increasing evidence of elderly abuse –whether physical, sexual, finance, psychological, emotional or discriminatory- was very alarming. “Their rights are being provoked,” he stated. Garda Queally said he had received a call on a case of suspected elder abuse within a fortnight of the meeting.  The chairman also noted that legally, an elderly person can refuse to enter a nursing home, adding that he recognised that very many nursing homes provided excellent care.

Regarding the Warm Home Scheme, the chairman said it was eye-opening to discover that there were grant schemes available of which many people were aware. It emerged from the floor, through Cllr Michelle Hennessy, that insulation grants were available in some instances for people on fuel allowance and renting privately, regardless of age.

Garda Queally was asked whether gardai can issue fines for dog litter. He replied that it was a matter for the litter warden. Michael Beecher said the issue had largely been resolved in Dun Chorainn with the assistance of the town hall, signage and information leaflets that outlined the serious health risks, particularly to children. He said a lot of loose dogs from outside an area exacerbate the problem. Garda Queally said A Mr. Dave Scully of Killeagh was the dog warden for the area on (024) 95106.

Drinking and worms

A lady from the floor recalled two unsavoury incidents at the front strand. First, she witnessed a dog ‘leaving his message’ in the water adjacent to some children. Then she noted a group of girls, one of whom was in charge of baby in a pram, boisterous and drinking on the promenade. The bottles were left, broken, in their wake. The garda said it was illegal to drink in public and that gardai would respond appropriately if called.  Mr. Beecher said he would like to see dogs banned form the beach entirely on health grounds. “The worm in dog dirt live for years!” he explained aid. As things stand, dogs on the beach must be on a leash between the hours of 11 am to 7 pm?? through June to the end of August.  Another voice from the floor said he saw a small child pick up “hard” dog litter on afternoon! “He could have taken a bite out of it!” he warned, to a collective shudder. Mr Beecher said covert CCTV was due in town to help counteract the scourge.

Never wasting time

It was also observed from the floor that some of the public knew nothing about community alert, some knew but didn’t want to be involved, others felt it was pointless reporting issues to the gardai, while yet more were simply afraid to do so for fear of reprisals.  The speakers stressed that the community must always be alert to potential injustice or criminality in its midst and trust the gardai to respond to such threats when they become manifest. He urged that people not merely read or inquire about Community Alert meetings but also to attend some meetings. He added that he had recently alerted gardai to an incident in the strand arena, the response had been instantaneous and the culprit subsequently arrested.  Garda Queally availed of the diversion to reassure that “no matter how trivial a suspicion may appear, it is best reported and would never be regarded of trivial concern by gardai.

It was recorded that there are concerns amongst residents in South Abbey regarding some anti-social behaviour by some members leaving Nagle House the youth centre. It was relayed that a very small group of about three were the main players and efforts were being made to curtail it.

Flag Day:

It was noted that weekend 9/10th of July was available and it was agreed that it was ideal for this year’s collection.  A summer break will ensue meanwhile and the next Community Alert meeting will take place on Tuesday September 6th.

On the road again for Headway

The run kicked off in Youghal at 12:00pm on Sunday August 29th 2010, continuing on through Dungarvan, Cappaquin and Lismore before steering back to Cork City for a party at the Clarion Boardwalk that afternoon. Photo/Video www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Motorbike enthusiasts from all across the country were asked to don their helmets and rev there engines for brain injury this August as Cork Lions Club roar off on an epic run to raise funds and awareness for Headway.

Founded in 1985, Headway works to bring about a positive change to the lives of those with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), by providing vocational, community, rehabilitative and psychological support services. Given that road traffic accidents account for more that half of all brain injuries reported in Ireland, Cork Lions Club feel that a Motor Cycle Run is the perfect way to support Headway and promote safe road use at the same time.

For further information:

Event Organiser: Declan Moon 086 2567394 moondeclan@gmail.com

Cork Lions Club: Teresa Dineen 087 696255

Headway: Paula Larkin 021 4871303 paula.larkin@gmail.com

Click on the image to start slideshow of the start of the run

* Headway offer services and support to people affected by acquired brain injury (ABI). In many cases people with brain injury have no obvious physical disability but the effects can be profound and unique to the individual. Brain injury can happen to anyone at any time in life and can be the result of a road traffic accident, or a blow to the head, stroke, haemorrhage, infection or tumour.

* It is estimated that up to 30,000 people are living with the effects of a brain injury in Ireland. Road Traffic accidents are the biggest cause of injury to Headway’s service users. A recent study in Beaumont Hospital found that , of patients with serious head injuries, 50% were not wearing seat belts in there vehicles, and 50% of cyclists and  33% of motor cyclists were not wearing helmets.

* The impact is often life-long, affecting both the person with the injury and their family members in a variety of ways. Due to the many and varied effects of acquired brain injury, people often have difficulty living independently, working or returning to education, participating in social and leisure activities and maintaining family roles or personal relationships.

* Headway has been supporting those affected by acquired brain injury since 1985. It provides a range of community-based services in Limerick, Cork, Kerry and Dublin along with outreach services in the South-Eastern region. Services include rehabilitation training, day activity, psychological therapy and family support, counselling, outreach, family education workshops, supported employment, community access and a national helpline on 1890 200 278