A businessman leading the fightback against burglars has called for the army to “stop playing card-games” and patrol Donegal’s villages and towns to protect the elderly.
Tony Morning says the army must be brought onto the streets of Donegal.
Tony Morning is spearheading a campaign after the recent spate of aggravated burglaries in Manor, Carrigans, St Johnston, Raphoe and other places.
More than 1,500 angry people attended a meeting where a €10,000 bounty was offered leading to the arrest of the thugs behind the robberies.
Last night Mr Morning, from Manorcunningham, said the army must be told to stop playing ‘snap’ at Finner Camp army base and other army bases and protect their elderly neighbours.
He stressed he has no issue with the army but his gripe rests with the Government’s inaction.
“The Government must give the army permission to get out onto the streets and patrol Donegal’s villages and towns.
“They must allow them out of the army base where they are playing games of ‘snap’ and ‘tig’.
“I have nothing against the lads in the army – it’s the Government who need to get their act together.
“I know the guys in the army would be more than happy to help protect their elderly neighbours but the order must come from the Government.
“The Gardai don’t have the resources but the army do and the Government should be instructing them to do it,” he said.
Mr Morning was speaking following yet another burglary locally.
A 77 year old man was tied up and beaten when up to three raiders burst into his home just before 7pm last night.
The gang robbed the man of €1,000 and also a legally-held shotgun on Station Road in Glenties.
Mr Morning condemned the latest raid but said the community must “turn the screw” on burglars.
“It is terrible that another elderly person has been preyed upon but we must continue to turn the screw on these people.
“We must continue to look at every avenue of protection be that text alert or having alarms an sensors put in to as many homes as possible,” he said.
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