A Donegal community is winning a battle with crime-gangs after an astonishing 300 people signed up to become the eyes and ears for law and order.
Some of the huge crowd which turned out to discuss break-ins across Donegal recently.
Concerned residents in the Manorcunningham, St Johnston, Raphoe, Carrigans, Convoy and surrounding areas came together to launch a fight-back against burglars in recent weeks.
The move followed nightly raids on the homes of pensioners.
A meeting called almost a month ago was attended by more than 1,500 people looking at ways of beating the crime gangs terrorising pensioners.
Now a follow-up meeting saw an incredible 300 people sign up to run an early warning Text Alert system.
Businessman Tony Morning, who initially called the meeting to combat the crime-gangs, said the community has pulled together and shown great local spirit.
“I never thought there would be this level of community co-operation. It has been fantastic,” he said.
“We had 300 people here signing up to take part in and run the Text Alert system. We will have people in every town land and it is spreading to other parts of the county.
“I honestly believe that local people realised that Enda Kenny and his Government were not going to help us so we had to help ourselves and our elderly.
“We had more than 1,500 people at our first meeting. That’s 3,000 eyes on the look-out for people acting suspiciously.
“People are being much more vigilant now and ensuring that these elderly people can rest safer in their beds at night,” he said.
At present the group are continuing to sign people up for the text alert scheme and continuing to fit and install alarms and sensor lights for elderly people at cost price thanks to help from local security companies.
Local people are also checking on elderly neighbours at all hours to reassure them of their support.
