A CONCERNED public, alarmed at the surge in burglaries in their area, converged in Durrow last week.
Almost 200 residents from Durrow, Cullohill and surrounding areas voiced their concerns over crime in the area last Wednesday at a public meeting organised by the Durrow Community Council.
Due to a series of burglaries in the area, the meeting was due to be held in the Presentation Hall in Durrow.
However, with the strong feeling in the area about the issue, close to 200 people turned out for the event.
With the hall not able to cope with the number, Fr Sean O’Doherty opened the church for the meeting.
Local garda Eamon O’Connell advised the audience that if they witnessed anything suspicious they should contact gardaí straight away. Garda O’Connell said it did not matter if the call turned out to be a false alarm.
Among the public there was strong agreement that a local text alert service should be set up to report suspicious behaviour and warn the public.
One man spoke about how he felt his own house had been monitored for a prospective burglary. A suspicious motorcyclist passed his house on several occasions, slowing down and then speeding off.
“He looked to be ‘xraying’ the house to come back later. I couldn’t get the number but I felt if I had a number to text centrally that I could text there and then and warn people to be wary and for them to get the number if they could,” he said.
He added: “I do not feel any safer with a neighbourhood watch sign stuck up.”
Another local man asked Garda O’Connell: “Where do I stand in the law if someone comes into my home and I have to protect my family?”
Garda O’Connell said people could defend themselves as long as a threat was posed by an assailant.
“You can defend yourself providing there is a threat. You can hold him until gardaí arrive,” he said.
Garda O’Connell said homeowners must be mindful, however, when an assailant no longer “posed a threat.”
“You can’t be beating him up the street,” said Garda O’Connell.
There was also dismay from locals that Durrow had to rely on a car from Abbeyleix Garda Station. Currently, of the four squad cars in the Abbeyleix Garda District, only one covers the Abbeyleix and Durrow area.
Garda O’Connell empathised with the concern, adding he could not even get a push bike for the area.
Following the meeting, Garda O’Connell said the community’s vigilance was imperative to fight crime.
“We had 200 pairs of eyes here tonight. If those 200 pairs of eyes are vigilant it’s better than one pair of eyes in the garda station. If people are vigilant and call into the garda station it will help,” he said.
Noel McCarthy and Paddy Fitzpatrick of Muintir na Tire addressed the meeting on the importance of vigilance and being a good neighbour Chairperson of Durrow Community Council, Michael Dunphy, said there was fear in Durrow at the ease at which the burglaries are taking place.
“There was a feeling of frustration tonight. People are afraid,” he said.