Elderly farmers urged to get alarm

Elderly farmers have been urged to avail of personal alarms in the event of them being subjected to rural crime.

A Galway councillor has encouraged farmers to apply to their local community for the personal alarm which is subsidised.

Rural dwellers and particularly those living alone are in dread of being attacked in their homes by mobile gangs of criminals.

Cllr Peter Keaveney from Glenamaddy said that rural crime was a major concern amongst farm families in the area. The Fine Gael councillor said that it was imperative that farmers, and particularly those living in remote areas, would equip themselves with personal alarms in the event of attacks taking place.

“We are not in the business of scaring people but the reality is that attacks do happen. We saw it in Williamstown a couple of years ago when two elderly brothers were tied up for hours in an horrific experience”, Cllr. Keaveney added.

He said that the rural community had to protect themselves and added that the cost of around €80 for such an alarm was money well spent.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) are also advocating that farmers consider applying for the personal alarm under the Seniors Alert Scheme.

Rural Development Chairman Billy Gray said that subsidised monitored personal alarms were available to all those aged 65 or over who met the criteria of the scheme and had a landline telephone.

“Community groups have been issued with grants to cover the costs of purchasing and installing the alarms and the recipient only has to pay the yearly monitoring fee of approximately €80.

“These alarms provide great security for older people or older couples living alone as the alarm is monitored 24 hours a day.

“And if you have any concern for your own safety, whether it’s an intruder or an accident, all you have to do is press the button and there’s someone at the end of the line to help”, Mr. Gray explained.

He added: “Most farmers would be aware of their local community group, but for anyone who isn’t, a full list of groups and contact details covering the whole country is available to download on the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government website”.