Moate "not considered a major crime area", safety meeting hears

Concerns over Garda resources, response times and anti-social behaviour in Moate were among the issues raised at a community meeting attended by a local Garda Seargeant.

Moate Garda Sgt. Neil O'Connor attended the meeting at St Mary's Hall, The Old Schoolhouse, on Thursday, October 29, which was hosted by local residents Shane Lynam and Cathal Cully.

The meeting provided an opportunity for residents to raise concerns directly with Garda representatives, discuss issues affecting the town and seek advice on how best to report incidents.

One of the main concerns raised was the level of Garda resources available to Moate, particularly as the town continues to grow and new housing developments contribute to an increasing population.

Sgt. O'Connor outlined that the local station currently has one sergeant and three Gardaí, while the traffic unit based in Moate operates as a divisional resource covering both Meath and Westmeath.

Residents expressed concern that the increasing demands on Garda resources could result in lengthy waiting times for assistance.

One attendee said there were occasions when residents could be waiting six or seven hours for Gardaí to attend an incident, with Sgt. O'Connor explaining that response times depend on the number of patrol cars available, the urgency of the call and other incidents being dealt with across the wider division.

"Moate is generally a good town. It's not considered a major crime area," he said.

Residents spoke about incidents involving young people, vandalism, damage to property and the harassment of vulnerable members of the community.

One attendee described their own experience of having their door repeatedly targeted and damaged by teenagers, explaining that it took almost seven weeks for the matter to progress through the reporting process.

The Garda representative explained that reports contribute to crime statistics and help inform decisions around where resources are needed.

Residents were also advised that information about suspected ongoing criminal activity, including suspected drug dealing, could be provided anonymously.

The meeting heard that 999 or 112 should be used to report emergencies, while non-emergency incidents can also be reported via email or through the local Garda station.

Issues surrounding e-scooter use, illegal parking, dash cameras and the recording of incidents involving young people were also discussed.

The meeting concluded with a call for greater community involvement, with plans to circulate crime prevention advice and encourage residents to look out for vulnerable neighbours.

Organisers said the intention was to create a better channel of communication between the community and Gardaí, ensuring that concerns could be raised and addressed in a constructive manner.

For more information, go to Moate - Community Support Network on Facebook.