Local leaders set up text alert system after Murphy release

COMMUNITY leaders in west Wicklow are setting up a crime text alert system linking several towns and involving gardaí in the wake of the release of local convicted sex offender Larry Murphy.

Vigilant neighbours will be able to warn communities of suspicious individuals or report crimes in progress through the mobile phone-led initiative.

The text-alert system will take in communities in a 20-mile radius around the rural village of Grangecon, Murphy’s former home.

Concerned locals will text a local co-ordinator about a suspected crime or individual. The co-ordinator then passes the report to local gardaí and community members on the system.

Local Sinn Féin representative in Baltinglass, Gerry O’Neill, who is leading the initiative explained: “What we intend to do is set up the community alerts, get a co-ordinator for each community. On receiving a complaint, they contact the gardaí and text out a group message to the area. It’s also to keep a look out for the likes of Larry Murphy.”

Local Inspector Gerry Connolly said he expected to meet community representatives soon about the plans.

“It’s a good idea. Even if they see strange vehicles in the area, neighbours can inform each other.”

It is hoped the crime text alert system will help prevent burglaries, boost safety for local women as well elderly people living alone.

Louise Byrne, a mother-of-three living in the village of Moone said she and her family were victims of burglaries twice in recent years. Her home is also near where hitch-hiker Jo Jo Dollard went missing 15 years ago.

Involved now in setting up the crime text alerts in her own area, Ms Byrne said: “If there are people going around robbing houses, they’re not just going to stay in one area. The more people know what’s going on the better. With Larry Murphy out, it’s spurred us on because you wouldn’t know who’s around the place.”

One west Wicklow area, Kilbride, already operates a crime text alert system but will join the larger initiative with several other villages including Baltinglass, Moone, Dunlavin and Grangecon.

Kilbride neighbourhood watch’s Austin Tisdall said up to 166 households had signed up there at very little cost, with each home contributing €2 since the system began last year.

“We used to have a lot of burglaries and joyriders. There’s a lot less crime with everyone linked in now.”

Alert neighbours used the system recently to foil a robbery in Sally Gap, he said.

Community leaders in west Wicklow will meet in Grangecon next week to discuss the text alert scheme.