FARMERS HIT BACK AT TRAVELLING CRIME GANGS

By PATSY McARDLE

FARMERS and rural residents throughout Co. Monaghan are taking up the cudgels in a highly organised manner to thwart roving criminal gangs involved in a spate of housebreakings, both during day-time and after dark, in different localties.
THE campaign was sparked-off last Wednesday night at Tullycorbett Community Centre where a crowd of more than 150 concerned residents attended a meeting organised by Co. Monaghan Executive of the Irish Farmers’ Association to discuss measures for the prevention of further raids on dwellings in the wider mid-Monaghan region. Householders from all over Co. Monaghan attended, including farmers from the North Monaghan and South Monaghan areas.
The meeting was forerunner of a further series of meetings to be arranged in different areas aimed at curbing the activities of the raid gangs.
The Chairman of Monaghan IFA Executive Mr. Bertie Stewart welcomed the attendance and outlined the scenario which prompted such firm and positive action by the IFA.
He welcomed the senior garda representatives present: Inspector Fintan McTiernan, Carrickmacross; Sergt. Noel Harraghy, Crime Prevention Officer, Cavan/Monaghan Divisional Headquarters, Monaghan; and Sergt. Michael Bracken of Ballybay.
The general attendance also included Ms. Elaine Malone from FBD Insurance; Mr. Tom Staunton of the Garda texting alert service, and Mr. Martin McAviney, representing a security cameras provider.
Full report in The Northern Standard