This article is from page 15 of the 2006-05-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
FEARS that Miltown Malbay may become a safe haven for fugitives has prompted concerned locals to take action.
The Clare People exclusively revealed five weeks ago that a 61-yearold man, who was wanted in the UK on suspicion of committing sex crimes against children, had been living in rented accommodation in the town while an international manhunt was underway.
He was arrested by local gardaí, working in co-ordination with personnel from the Crime and Security section of Garda Headquarters.
His presence in the heart of the town sent shockwaves through the local community.
This dramatic revelation, allied to concerns over a recent spate of crime in the area, has prompted locals to organise a public meeting on crime and social order. The meeting has been organised by the newly-formed Active Retirement Association, whose secretary Joe Ryan is hopeful of good community support.
He said locals were shocked to discover that a man suspected of committing sex crimes was living in the community, unnoticed, for at least two months.
“That man, who was taken away, was one of the most wanted men in England and that is of concern,” said Mr Ryan.
He pointed out that a number of incidents, including damage to cars and windows, has also led to public concern.
Mr Ryan said, while the past five to six weeks have been relatively quiet in Miltown, previously a spate of car break-ins had caused grave distress.
“We don’t know when it is going to break out again. We wanted to talk to gardaí about our concerns and then decided to open the meeting up to the public,” he said.
“We want to re-activate Neighbourhood Watch, stamp out crime and get back to the way things were.”
Local county councillor Christy Curtin is encouraging people to attend the meeting next Monday night, at the Armada Hotel.
“People are entitled to be safe. We have to be reassured about permanent garda presence in the town,” he said.
Sergeant Joe Hehir, who is stationed in Miltown Malbay, said he is hopeful that that Neighbourhood Watch scheme will be set up in Miltown and Mullagh/Quilty, after a lapse of a number of years.
“The Neighbourhood Watch scheme existed up to four or five years ago, but unfortunately, it became inactive. It is a very good way where local people are given a chance to participate in the locality and look out for each other,” said Sgt Hehir.