Irish security firm shortlisted for award

AN attack which left a man fighting for his life is behind the setting up of a security firm shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Netwatch was founded by David Walsh and Niall Kelly in 2003, a year after a close friend was beaten up by a criminal gang when he answered an alarm call at his company in Carlow.

Unaware the group was still at the scene, the business man was badly beaten and lucky to escape with his life.

“I was a keyholder for the company where I worked too and the shortcomings of traditional security systems became blatantly obvious,” said Mr Walsh, 41.

The entrepreneurs felt there had to be a security solution that would provide greater protection to keyholders.

With specialist equipment from Australia, they devised a system which allows the Netwatch Command Centre to watch in real time any intrusion at a client’s premises and more importantly, to speak directly to criminals before a crime is committed.

The Carlow-based company is among 24 others in three categories vying for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2007.

The finalists will travel to Haiti, to exercise their strategic expertise to help a number of communities improve their economic and social circumstances. The winner will be announced on October 25.