’Elderly community live in fear’ - calls for community guard in Mountcharles - Donegal Daily

Sinn Féin councillor Noel Jordan is calling on the Garda Commissioner to appoint a permanent Garda in Mountcharles following a spike in crime

Sinn Féin councillor Noel Jordan has called for a permanent community Garda to be restore to Mountcharles.

Jordan highlighted the issue during a meeting of the Donegal Municipal District on Tuesday.

Mountcharles has been left without a permanent Garda since the retirement of Jim Connolly in April of this year.

However, following a spate of burglaries, Jordan said that many elderly residents are concerned at the lack of a Garda presence in the town, and he fears the station will close.

Donegal Daily spoke to Jordan following the conclusion of the council meeting in Donegal Town.

"You see the station closed on almost a daily basis, and that's the way it's going. We have no permanent guard since the retirement of Jim Connolly. Jim was a community Garda, and people felt safe. He used to call in to people, and locals knew that he was always in the area and there was much less fear," said Jordan.

Jordan highlighted how 'opportunistic' criminals are, and he believes the lack of a permanent Garda in Mountcharles has led to the increase of burglaries in the area.

"Criminals see the opportunity, they know there is no Garda in the community, and they are preying on homes, primarily holiday homes. However, it's clear they are also watching other houses, and elderly residents are living in fear, and it's an unwanted fear for people living in the area," said Jordan.

Jordan has spoken to the Superintendent in Donegal Town, and is once again calling on the Garda Commissioner to intervene.

"This is the second time that I've called for the Garda Commissioner to deploy the necessary Garda resources needed in our area - and I know we are not the only area without cover.

"We have had the closure of a Garda station in Glencolmcille a few years ago. Dunkineely has no Garda, either does Ballintra, and now Mountcharles has none," said Jordan.

The Sinn Féin councillor said that when he flagged the problem to the Superintendent, he was told they don't have the resources.

"The Superintendent told me all they can do is put a blue light patrol out at times around the county, and he said they would be visible. In my view, it's not been very visible - and we need a permanent Garda back in Mountcharles," said Jordan.