New review of safety in Offaly's public places

IN the aftermath of the murder of Ashling Murphy on the bank of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, a new initiative has been launched to review public safety in Offaly.

On the recommendation of Tullamore Superintendent Eamonn Curley, the Offaly Joint Policing Committee (JPC) is to establish a sub committee to look at “safety in public spaces”.

Supt Curley said he had previously been based in Laois and he noticed a difference when he took up his position in Offaly.

“One of the things that strikes me most about the county is the multitude of public amenities across the whole county of Offaly,” he said.

He encouraged people to use the parks and walkways and acknowledged that “during the Covid-19 pandemic they were a welcome place for people to relax and continue to be that.”

It is the mission of the Garda Siochana to “keep people safe”, he stated, but added: “But we also have a mission to increase the number of people in the community who feel safe.”

The gardai had measures to do both but at the same time, there is a responsibility to maintain a safe community.

“I feel it might be appropriate for us at this time to conduct a review of safety in the public spaces across the county and this review might identify further measures which could be put in place that would enhance everyone's use of these public spaces,” he said.

He accepted that the committee might not identify any additional measures but stressed that it is “timely” to establish it.

Supt Curley said the sub committee should be comprised of two councillors, two gardai and two representatives of Offaly's public participation network (PPN).

PPN member Seamus Rourke told Monday's meeting of the JPC that elderly people still feel intimidated and cited the example of when they would be going through some wooded areas.

Chief Superintendent John Scanlan, the man in charge of policing in the Laois, Offaly and Kildare Garda Division, said it is “very difficult” to talk about the issue of safety in public spaces “when we had such a horrendous event on the canal”.

Chief Supt Scanlan said the crime normally seen in tourist areas is theft from cars and the incidence of it had decreased.

“When a place becomes popular, very popular, it becomes less attractive to criminality because there's too many people there,” he said.

Nonetheless he agreed a review was timely so that the police could examine how the areas could be made safer.

He said along with crime, there is anti social behaviour and “boy racing” in the Slieve Blooms.

When there was a “significant crime” in an area, “people are looking out for each other”, he added.

The garda chief said “days of action”, such as garda mounted units going up and down the canal bank, were a way of making people feel safe.

Cllr Tony McCormack described the establishment of the sub committee as a “fantastic idea” but was concerned about groups of people “hanging around” at the canal and drinking, resulting in people feeling intimidated and fearful.

“That's probably the most poignant one at the moment,” said Cllr McCormack.

Cllr Mark Hackett said the review was needed but urged female membership on the committee.

He also said consultation with people in walking and running groups would be useful.

Cllr John Leahy told the meeting that people wearing hoodies were his “bugbear” and he asked if fines could be imposed on those wearing them in public places saying they were sometimes “frightening a lot of people, not alone females, but males as well”.

Cllr John Clendennen said a balance had to be struck and urged care not to “infringe on civil liberties”.

“I think young people need to get out of houses... Are we providing enough facilities for them to avail of in terms of youth services?” he asked.

Cllr Clendennen said “car enthusiasts” were using the Slieve Blooms at night and it was very challenging to get a message out that the mountains were open during the day but “not so much” at night.

Responding, Chief Supt Scanlan said there is a balance between “what young people's behaviour is perceived to be and what it might be”.

“Sometimes people are gathering because of other trades in society that are not exactly legal,” he said.

However, he said the pandemic had shown that we have a “very compliant society” which is “good for looking out for itself”.

Also at the meeting, Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick, JPC chair, said community text alert groups were very effective, while Cllr Leahy urged the removal of “red tape” which slowed the installation of CCTV on public roads.

Cllr Neil Feighery praised the gardai for the measures they had taken in the Tullamore area, especially the use of the mounted unit.

The JPC agreed that the sub committee reviewing safety in public spaces will comprise two councillors, Cllr Mark Hackett and Cllr Neil Feighery, two garda inspectors, Inspector Alan Kerins (Birr) and Inspector Ollie Baker (Tullamore), and two PPN representatives, Seamus Rourke and Penny Rowe.