Rural policing concerns after recent spate of burglaries

There are escalating concern that rural villages in East Mayo are being left exposed due to lack of Garda resources according to a local councillor, writes Trevor Quinn.

Gardaí attended three incidents of burglary that occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, October 29th in the Carracastle village, near Charlestown.

Investigations are continuing into the spate of burglaries, but no arrests have yet been made.

There has also been burglaries in nearby Kilmovee recently.

Councillor Gerry Murray claimed an 'inadequate policing presence' is having a significant impact.

"The difficulty now is that one-time Swinford station was open 24 hours per day but that has now been downgraded," he said.

"What we would be campaigning for in the local elections would be for the restoration of the Swinford station to a 24-seven service because they were within easy striking distance of the various towns and villages."

Cllr Murray said Charlestown and the surrounding areas 'previously came under Claremorris but now it is Ballina'.

"It's a long way from Ballina to Carracastle post-midnight and it is a rural area and when you had guards based in Swinford you could have patrols in Kiltimagh, Charlestown or Kilkelly within 10 or 15 minutes," he added.

Meanwhile, Paul Burke, the chairman of Kilbeagh Community Alert said they are arranging a meeting with Gardaí at Charlestown Arts Centre over the coming weeks to address safety and burglary concerns.

Kilbeagh Community Alert, who have 350 members, run garda text alert and senior alert schemes in Charlestown and the surrounding areas and he has can be contacted on 087 3878408.