Gangland murder a “wake up call” says senator

Jerry Buttimer

Jerry Buttimer

FINE Gael Cork South Central Senator Jerry Buttimer today condemned the murder of a man in a gangland style shooting in Wilton last night, calling for resources to be made available to Gardaí to help prevent the escalation of drug and turf wars.

“Under no circumstances can we countenance this level of gangland crime on the streets of Cork.  It is imperative that the resources are given to gardaí to help in the prevention of drug and ‘turf’ wars.

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New text scheme to tackle crime

texting-pictures-006

texting-pictures-006THE Irish love of texting is set to be put to good use by tackling crime in a novel new pilot scheme developed by the Gardaí and eircom in Cork.

The Community Emergency Text (COMET) system could be rolled out across the country if the pilot proves successful. COMET is set to get up and running within the next two weeks in the Blarney, Ballincollig and Gurranabraher areas and will put the emergency services and members of the community in immediate contact to help stop crime and report emergencies.

According to Sergeant Brian Murphy from Blarney Garda Station who was the project manager responsible for COMET, “This is a texting service for the whole community and we are very hopeful this pilot scheme will prove a great success.

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O’ Brien welcomes drug crackdown

Jonathon O'Brien
Jonathon O Brien

Jonathon O Brien

SINN Féin representative, Cllr Jonathon O’  Brien has welcomed the progress in Operation Reuben to date.
Fifteen people were arrested as part of the operation earlier this week, a move which gardaí say will seriously hamper drug dealing in the city.
“Operation Reuben is a very welcome development in the fight against drug dealing. For too long drug dealers in this City have been under the
impression that they are above the law. While the quantity of drugs seized is small the message it sends to the scum who deal drugs in our community is of a far greater importance.

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Housing policy leaves residents “living in fear”

Chris O'Leary
Chris O'Leary

Chris O'Leary

INDEPENDENT city councillor Chris O’Leary has claimed that “Residents are living in fear because of poor housing allocation policy, which led to two housing estates being under siege for more than five days by rival groups, in stand off at times with Gardaí holding a peace line.”

Anti-social behaviour campaigner Cllr O’Leary said he was, “Horrified to see local estates under siege because of a small minority of individuals who were allowed to hold the rest of the residents to ransom”.

Cllr O’Leary added, “ Surely decent residents deserve better treatment than this from their landlords.

“I am now calling for an Independent enquiry into Cork City Council’s housing allocations and letting policy.
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Candidate forced to contact gardaí over poster vandalism

Green party candidate Mick Murphy who was forced to contact gardaí over continued vandalism of his election posters.
Green party candidate Mick Murphy who was forced to contact gardaí over continued vandalism of his election posters.

Green party candidate Mick Murphy who was forced to contact gardaí over continued vandalism of his election posters.

A LOCAL election candidate has been advised to contact gardaí after continued vandalism of his election posters.

While many candidates have had graffiti added to their signs or have seen some of their posters pulled down Green party candidate Mick Murphy was advised to contact officials by Party Chairman Dan Boyle after the candidate came to realise that a high proportion of his posters were being cut down.

Last week, Mr Murphy had to travel through his ward to remove stickers placed over his mouth on his posters which said ‘shut your mouth’.

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