Growing Street Crime Causing Fear in `Policeless' Dunlavin

An escalation in crime in the West Wicklow village of Dunlavin, an area that no longer has a garda stationed in the district, is causing major fear among local people. The crime level in the

Dunlavin: crime problem

area actually merited the suspension of ordinary business at Monday's meeting of the Co. Council for special discussion.

According to Councillor Tommy Cullen, people told a public meeting in Dunlavin last week that they are at their `wits end' with the situation which has seen an increase in the level of street crime along with a greater number of larcenies from houses and shops.

`Residents there want to see a greater garda presence in the town and are looking for the re-opening of the garda station. They are at their wits end at the moment and the only solution they see is a full time garda presence in their village', he told the meeting.

He also said that residents are concerned about a group of travellers who have been camped beside the local school for the past year. He added that the main concern is health and claimed that teachers in the school have to pick up human excrement from the school yard every morning before they open up.