A planned community watch group to protect businesses in the town of Carndonagh has yet to be established due to a lack of proactivity.
A spate of burglaries at shops, restaurants and businesses last summer prompted a public meeting to set up a Business Watch group and protect against thefts and criminal damage attacks. However, Gardai have this week revealed that no such group was formed.
Inspector Denis Joyce told the Donegal Joint Policing Committee on Monday that there has been a difficulty getting people to sign up for the committee, despite local business people being canvassed and considering it to be a good idea.
Cllr Albert Doherty expressed his disappointment that no further action was taken after the Business Watch meeting in July 2017. Some 60 business owners gathered to discuss crime prevention in the town and make plans for a liaison group to be set up.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Cllr Doherty said: “The reports in relation to the Carn Business Watch is extremely disappointing and at variance with my experience with the well-attended public meeting and the number of people who gave their email and addresses to Sergeant Wallace.
“I would really like to know who was visited, when they were visited and who was visiting them. It’s a poor reflection of Carndonagh if the report reads there wasn’t an interest.”
Inspector Joyce said: “Gardai canvassed a number of businesses in town. The interest is there, the desire is there, some people have to stand up now and attend the meetings.”
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