Published: Wednesday, 28th October, 2009 5:25pm

Kinnegad community activists infruitful meeting with Gardaí

Local community activists in Kinnegad met with members of An Garda Siochána last week in a bid to boost links between the police and residents' organisations.

Members of Kinnegad Community Council gathered in Serenity House, Kinnegad on Thursday last and met with Superintendent John Gantly and Inspector Jarlath Folan of Mullingar Garda Station, and Sergeant Bill Tooher of Kinnegad Garda Station.

A number of issues were discussed, leading to the ground being prepared for the establishment of a new neighbourhood watch/community alert scheme in Kinnegad.

The meeting was called to discuss the problem of anti-social behaviour in Kinnegad, in light of a number of incidents which have taken place in the town in recent months.

Representatives from each housing estate in the town attended, with each estate proposing solutions to ongoing problems being experienced by law-abiding residents.

While members of the Gardaí acknowledged that resources are tight, they pledged to work with and support Kinnegad Community Council and local residents to provide temporary resources, and to assist with the development of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Sergeant John Connolly, the Crime Prevention Officer at Mullingar Garda Station, will attend a second meeting in Kinnegad on November 9, with a view to setting up such a scheme, and all residents are welcome to attend.

Two-hour parking

Other matters discussed at last Thursday's meeting included the need for improved lighting to create a better environment for residents of Kinnegad.

Residents also talked with Gardaí about future assistance with youth projects.

Meanwhile, the three Gardaí present also confirmed that the force would support a two-hour parking rule in Kinnegad, if the required bye-laws were introduced by Westmeath County Council.

Local county councillor Denis Leonard welcomed the outcome of last week's meeting.

"I welcome the initiative taken by Kinnegad Community Council in getting the residents associations, the business community and the Gardaí both in Kinnegad and Mullingar together to look at a way forward in dealing with anti social behaviour," he said.

"The community representatives were very clear about the need for more Garda cover and the need for Gardaí on the beat.

"The Gardaí were adamant that much could be achieved through a joint approach as they cannot be everywhere. The idea of a neighborhood watch/community alert type approach seemed the ideal framework for this joint approach.

"There is a lot of anger out there that in recent times so few have caused so many problems for the wider community and there was certainly a willingness among all concerned to show no tolerance to intimidation, destruction of property or to those trying to create a culture of fear.

"It was great to see progress on issues like Hallowe'en, on street parking and a neighbourhood watch. November's public meeting will be crucial to advancing all of these.

"It was heartening to see so many people from estates, the business community, sporting groups and the wider community determined to work together to eradicate this destructive behaviour.

"It was certainly made clear as well that support will be sought from Westmeath County Council to create some of the facilities needed to cater for the large influx of housing," Cllr. Leonard concluded.