Burglary surge prompts call for personal alarms for elderly

FIANNA Fáil TD Michael Kitt has proposed a personal alarm scheme for all people over the age of 66.  The Galway East Deputy was commenting following the brutal murder of Eugene Gillespie in Sligo, and after the latest CSO crime statistics revealed a surge in burglaries over the past year.[private] 'The savage murder of Eugene Gillespie in Sligo further underlined the need for us to ensure that older people have enhanced security. Violent crimes against older people have increased in recent years and there is no doubt that many older people here in Galway are feeling more vulnerable than ever in their homes. The latest crime figures show that there was a 10.3 per cent surge in burglaries in the year to the end of June, as well as a 43 per cent increase in muggings and thefts from the person. All this points to the need for greater protection for householders, and particularly older people who feel most at risk,' he said. Pensioners Earlier this year, Fianna Fáil published an extensive policy document on enhancing the rights of older people and supporting a safe and independent living environment for all pensioners. 'The â€ËœActive Ageing and Quality Caring' document states that all persons aged 66 years and over should have access, if they so desire, to a personal alarm scheme. It will engage with providers of these services to make them available on the most attractive terms, either through state-supported services or via private arrangements with those who can afford them.  'The Justice Minister Alan Shatter is pursuing a policy of closing and downgrading many local Garda stations across the West of Ireland.  This, coupled with the surge in burglaries, has left many older people in this area feeling extremely nervous about their personal safety,' Deputy Kitt concluded.[/private]