Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch has new chairman
Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch has a new chairperson in Pat Bowes. Pat takes over from Joe Tobin who served for six years.
In his final address at the group's AGM on Monday night at the community youth centre, Joe said Neighbourhood Watch had been an integral part of his life for the last six years and it was the right time to step aside. He added that he looked forward to continuing to work as a volunteer for Neighbourhood Watch and speaking from the back benches.
He took great comfort in knowing the work of Neighbourhood Watch will continue to provide some security to the people of Fermoy through the Socially Monitored Alarms and the new scheme of Text Alert. Joe added that the help of Avondhu Blackwater Partnership and especially Mary Allen was invaluable to Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch.
Community Garda Kathryn Canty thanked Joe on behalf of the Gardai and herself for the hundreds of hours of voluntary work he'd given over the years. "Every time I picked up the phone you were there" she told him.
The new Chairperson Pat Bowes added his thanks to Joe for all his work over the years. "I hope we can continue your work. I look forward to taking up this important post and working in partnership with An Garda Síochána. We need to look to our neighbours, community and society in general to look out for on another," he said.
Cllr Noel McCarthy, a member of Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch Committee since its early days also thanked Joe for his great work over the years. "I look forward to working with the new chairperson Pat Bowes and furthering the Text Alert scheme," he said.
Committee member Sharon Roche wished Pat Bowes the best of luck, telling him to "keep up the good work."
Paul Lillis said he's glad Pat is the new chairperson. "He has great experience in the community which will be brought to the fore in Neighbourhood Watch."
Sharlene Daly, a native of Springfield, Fermoy, who is studying security at the College of Commerce said that, as a young adult and a native of the town it was an eye-opening experience to see the great voluntary efforts of the Fermoy Neighbourhood Watch Committee.
"I am impressed by their efforts at crime prevention. I would like to see other young people getting involved in Neighbourhood Watch and the Text Alert Scheme. Young adults need to be aware of the social problems that can affect the citizens of Fermoy that are happening on a daily basis.”
In concluding the meeting, Sergeant Andrew Geary highlighted future measures to allow Text Alert to reach its full potential in Fermoy. There are also plans to continue the Socially Monitored Alarms Scheme, however future fundraising efforts will be needed, members were advised, to allow the scheme to continue.
Published:
Friday 13th December 10:04am
