Locals are ‘tipping off’ burglary gangs

Paul Neilan

Locals are tipping off travelling gangs on when to strike the isolated, the elderly and the vulnerable, a Ballyconnell councillor believes.
Fine Gael’s Peter McVitty was speaking at the recent joint policing committee where he said he “honestly believed” locals were involved and that more gardaí were needed to tackle the problem.
“The more guards the better, it’s very difficult with all the link roads, the gardaí can’t really be expected to watch them all,” he said.
“I honestly believe that some local in each area is ringing these guys to clear the way for them by mobile phone,” he said.
Chief Superintendent James Sheridan said, regarding “travelling criminal gangs” that there was “definitely a percentage where some burglaries by these crime gangs has local involvement”.
Cllr McVitty replied that the “message should go out for neighbours to look out for each other, some people might call them ‘nosy neighbours’ but they have to help the gardaí.”
“We depend on locals,” said the chief superintendent, “they are the first point in any investigation; you go and talk to the locals, we acknowledge that and need to work with them.”
Deputy Brendan Smith said it was a “sad reflection on society” that doors and windows had to be locked.
Cllr Gerry Murray, however, knew of one robbed local who told him that he had “no interest” in going to the guards because of their lack of response. “He isn’t one bit interested in getting involved because they are not swift enough in getting to the victims, three weeks it could be,” he said.