The National Crime Forum was told yesterday that Castletownbere, the largest whitefish port in the State, was extremely concerned that the area, in one of the remoter parts of west Cork, might be targeted by drug smugglers.
The forum heard that the basis for the fear was the closure more than three years ago of the Customs office in the town.
"Hundreds of yachts and Spanish trawlers are constantly using this port, buses are up and down from Cork city and fish lorries are back and forth from the Continent," said a submission on behalf of the Castletownbere/Rossmacowen/Bere Island community alert group. "We feel very vulnerable, and although we are sure the Garda are doing their best, more stringent control could be implemented. For example, during last summer a suspicious-looking yacht with no name or numbers was seen in Ardgroom Harbour. The Garda were notified but unable to check it out as they were busy elsewhere.
"When the Customs officer was based in Castletownbere, he was aware of all boats coming in and out of the harbour." The group, formed to combat crime in the Beara Peninsula, was established in January 1992 as part of a Garda initiative in response to public demand. Its objectives were to establish a business watch scheme; organise social functions for senior citizens and crime prevention seminars; and organise a programme to keep in contact with elderly people and offer them advice on better security measures. The forum was told that every crime committed "sends a shudder of fear and apprehension through the whole community, especially the elderly and vulnerable. Even though crime numbers may be low in comparison to urban areas, per capita the level of petty crime (assaults, larcenies and burglaries) is as high as anywhere.
"The work of the local Garda and of community alert groups like ours goes a long way to prevent crime."
The group said that all necessary resources must be made available in the fight against crime and noted that the new Garda helicopter and increased investment in the Naval Service would help to combat crime.