Special Report (Rural Ireland): Community makes sure area stays safe despite the lack of a Garda presence

It says much about the almost resigned attitude to rural crime, that in Tournafulla they say they are lucky to just have break-ins.

“There’s been no violence which is the main thing,” says Willie Joe Curtin, farmer and member of the local Community Alert scheme.

Isolation has always left the area vulnerable but particularly since the Garda station, which had been part- time for many years, closed completely in 2013.

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“Up to 1995 our local sergeant was living in the parish. When he retired then there was nobody living here but the station was still there.

“Then it went but there was a Garda we were liaising with from Newcastle West who was on our scheme. He might be off duty but you could approach him any time.

“He was a real community Garda. He was interested. He got to know the area and the people. Now he’s gone and we don’t know the guards any more. The Community Alert have to fill the gap.” That gap is an area of 320 households and 765 people, watched over by a voluntary team of 70, who are all signed up to the text alert system which they can use to notify each other of any suspicious activities.

“All the members keep a lookout for strange vehicles, especially for people with vans. They take the number and can put it into the text system if they think it’s worth keeping an eye on.

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Tournafulla’s Garda station closed completely in 2013.

“We also cover the Church — we watch over the cars during Masses and other services and we watch houses when families are away at funerals or weddings.”

The Community Alert also provides personal alarms for people who may need to summons medical help, as well as smoke alarms and sensor lights, using a combination of local collections, state grants and some donations from their local Airtricity wind farm.

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“It says a lot that we have no other way to try to care for our areas. If you did need to get the Garda out, it could be an hour or two before they’d get here. They don’t have the manpower any more.

“But we don’t mind doing it. It means everyone feels more secure. They feel safer, their cars and property are safe. People are more comfortable living here if they’re not worried about every car passing their gate.”