Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin calls on community in Lifford to make their voice heard

Published: 11 April, 2006

Sinn Féin Cllr Tony McDaid will chair a public meeting next Tuesday night in Lifford with regard to the inadequate response from Gardaí to the apparent rise in crime and anti-social behaviour over the last number of months. Speaking prior to the meeting Cllr McDaid said this was an opportunity for the public to make a positive contribution for developing a community safety strategy.


The meeting will take place in Lifford Community Centre on Tuesday 18th April at 8pm. The focus of this discussion will be the apparent rise in criminal activity and anti-social behaviour around Lifford and will also discuss the seemingly unwillingness of the Gardai to address this in meaningful matter. Sinn Féin Cllr Tony McDaid will chair the meeting and will be inviting various representatives from the clergy, local businessmen and the Gardaí.


Speaking in advance of the meeting Cllr McDaid said:


"This meeting has been organised by Sinn Féin in conjunction with various concerned individuals including the local clergy, businessmen and concerned residents. I would like to stress from the outset that this is a public meeting and we would welcome all shades of opinion no matter what the perspective to come along on the night and have their say. This is a public meeting, not a Sinn Féin meeting.


"It is intended to be a constructive contribution to the ongoing policing debate in Lifford. It is important that we as a community stand up to incidents of a criminal nature that emerge in our midst and work in partnership with the Gardaí to combat this ongoing menace. It is also apparent that the Gardaí and other appropriate agencies need more resources in terms of round the clock coverage.


"This meeting has been convened because the entire community feel powerless to stop these criminals who have been terrorising our communities and particularly business people. We have been inundated with complaints over the last number of months and felt it was time to act. This meeting is about empowering our communities with an integrated approach on how to make their areas safe.


"I would like to issue an open invite to all those concerned about this menace to come along and have your voice heard on the night. In particular, we extend the invite to elected representatives from across the political spectrum and people and groups in community leadership roles to come along on the night and have their say. We need to speak with one voice on these matters".