Residents in Co. Roscommon and surrounding rural areas will form a “protest rally” against rural crime this weekend (Sunday, September 29).
The protest follows a spate of robberies in the county in the past six weeks, including a burglary at Elphin Livestock Mart, which was targeted by what is believed to have been a criminal gang.
It is understood that a sum of money was stolen, and damage was done to electrical infrastructure at the mart.
Councillors have raised the concern that the issue of continued rural crime is due to a reduction in opening hours for garda stations in the area.
Independent Councillor Anthony Waldron has organised a public ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration, which will begin at Castlerea Mart at 4:00p.m.
Protesters will march to the town square of Castlerea, with seating areas in the square for those unable to march, but want to support the cause.
Cllr. Waldron has asked people to join in order “protect” homes, farms, and businesses to “stand strong with rural Ireland”.
The councillor said that protesters will be calling for “immediate government action to combat the surge in rural burglaries”.
Rural crime
An Garda Síochána in Co. Roscommon also carried out hi-visibility patrols and checkpoints this week as part of Operation Táirge.
The operation is aimed at preventing organised retail crime, which refers to situations where a number of persons are acting together, targeting retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell back into the retail supply chain through the black market.
Gardaí visited a number of business premises and supplied crime prevention information in the county.
Gardaí targeted the following areas: Castlerea, Tulsk, Strokestown Elphin, Boyle, Frenchpark, Ballaghaderreen, Loughlynn, Roscommon, Ballyleague, Knockcroghery and Athleague.
A detailed analysis of theft from shops by An Garda Síochána found that supermarkets are targeted in over 40% of theft from shops. Small shop, convenience stores and service stations make up 19%.