Laois community put an end to rural crime by using brilliant illegal measures

A community alert group in a small rural village in Laois have taken illegal measures to prevent rural crime from happening again in the area.

The people of Errill were so put back by the constant criminal activity in the area that they decided to take drastic measures that broke some laws. Inspired by local businessman Martin Bergin, the residents raised over €15,000 to buy CCTV equipment and install cameras on every road around the village. They did so without acquiring any planning permission, which is illegal, but the community alert group were so frustrated with the constant criminal activity in the area that they didn't want to wait around.

Since the deployment of the heightened security measures there hasn't been a single reported break-in in the area, and Mr Bergin told the Irish Independent that the operation has been a success and other rural areas affected by criminal activity may follow suit.

"We put the cameras up without planning permission because we could not afford to wait around because of red tape and we have no intention of taking them down," said the garage owner and army reservist," he said.

"The criminals are well aware that there are cameras on every road into the area which also record registration plates and the proof that they work is that there has been no criminal activity for the past year," he added.

He said: "This success came about because we broke the rules and we make no apologies for that because it is a small price to pay to protect our community.

"The criminals don't believe in upholding the law whereas their victims and the gardaí must play by the rules.