Muintir na Tíre celebrates 40 years since founding of community alerts

Current Munitir na Tíre regional community alert organiser Diarmuid Cronin said in the mid-1980s criminals started targeted vulnerable elderly people in isolated rural areas because they knew a lot of gardaí had been posted to the Border and there was a skeleton force left behind. Picture: Denis Minihane

A commemoration is being planned to mark the 40th anniversary of the founding of Muintir na Tíre’s nationwide community alert scheme which was prompted by the brutal murders of elderly people in East Cork.

In 1985, three masked men forced their way into a house at Ballycureen, Glounthaune, occupied by retired farmer brothers, John, 77, and James Willis, 75.

The gang, who were looking for money, savagely and repeatedly beat the brothers. James died that night as a result of his injuries.

In the nearby parish of Dungourney, a well-loved local Mick Walsh was murdered by a gang from Dublin.

In Co Roscommon, a week later, two elderly unmarried sisters were savagely beaten with an iron bar. One of them died.

Following Mr Walsh’s death a meeting was held in Dungourney, attended by eleven Muintir na Tíre Community Councils.

It was decided to initiate a series of open public meetings throughout East Cork to discuss the tragedies and the concern about safety of the elderly, especially in isolated areas.

After this meeting, it was Muintir na Tíre Imokilly region development officer Kevin Hickey who coined the term 'community alert'.

A further meeting was held in Carirgtwohill community centre which was attended by 300 people. The following day, RTÉ recorded a programme for Nationwide dealing with the robberies and murders.

Current Munitir na Tíre regional community alert organiser Diarmuid Cronin said in the mid-1980s criminals started targeted vulnerable elderly people in isolated rural areas because they knew a lot of gardaí had been posted to the Border and there was a skeleton force left behind.

Mr Cronin, who is responsible for community alert organisations in Cork, Limerick, and Kerry, said there now more than 900 such groups nationwide.

Understandably, in 1985, rural communities were living in fear, but to the disappointment of the criminals these communities did not succumb to it. 

Instead they were empowered to do something about it,” he said.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by then Minister of Justice Michael Noonan and the Cork Muintir na Tíre deputation to set up community alert.

“A partnership then began and ‘community alert’ was born. It was led by Muintir na Tíre and their community councils and supported and guided by the gardaí, it has in the 40 years since been transformational,” Mr Cronin said.

He said several other European nations studied and attempted to replicate community alert.

“But it is the uniqueness of the challenges and the determined nature of the communities in rural Ireland that have made those successes possible. While the face of crime has changed many times during the 40 years since the formal memorandum of understanding was signed off, Muintir na Tire has been steadfast in its efforts to continue to empower communities,” he said.

Muintir na Tíre chief executive Rosie Palmer said communities across the country are working every day to realise their vision of safe towns and villages, which are vibrant spaces to live, raise families, work and socialise.

“The 40th anniversary is a great opportunity to reflect on the huge impact that community alert has had in achieving that vision,” she said.

Mr Cronin said a Muintir na Tíre sub committee has been set up to organise the anniversary commemoration.