Rural residents being scammed in Offaly by bogus workmen

RURAL residents are being scammed in Offaly and North Tipperary on a regular basis by bogus workmen.
Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy told The Midland Tribune this week that the problem is significant and growing, with elderly people in particular finding the experience very distressing.
The Councillor said the matter has been raised during a number of Neighbourhood Watch meetings in recent weeks, and during the meetings the Gardaí introduced the local people to a possibly effective deterrent called the Bogus Caller Button.
Bogus callers could typically involve two or three men arriving at your house offering to carry out maintenance work such as power hosing the outer walls or cleaning the gutters. In some instances one of the criminals was talking to the resident at the front door while the other accomplices went around the back or the side of the house and started power hosing or cleaning the gutters. Some residents feel too intimidated to stop them doing the work. Once the work is done the residents are asked to pay several hundred Euros. Feeling intimidated, they pay.
“Last week, I attended the AGM of Birr Neighbourhood Watch,” said Cllr Audrey Hennessy Kennedy. “In attendance were committee members Helena Kennedy and Sarah Kane, along with members of An Garda Síochána and representatives from TASK Community Care. I would like to sincerely thank Helena and Sarah for the tremendous work they do with Birr Neighbourhood Watch. Their commitment and dedication to this vitally important committee is truly commendable and greatly appreciated by the community.
“During the meeting the Gardaí highlighted the recent increase in break-ins and Bogus tradespeople calling to houses, particularly in rural areas. This is a worrying trend and underlines the importance of vigilance and community support.”
Theresa Maloney from TASK Community Care also spoke at the meeting about the Bogus Caller Button. This is a discreet panic button that can be installed at both the front and back doors of a home to help protect vulnerable people and older residents in both rural and urban areas. When pressed, the button sends a silent alert to a 24/7 monitoring centre, where staff can listen in, reassure the person, and arrange help if needed.
For more information on this important safety measure, you can contact: Councillor Audrey Hennessy Kennedy on 087 446 8660; Theresa Maloney, TASK Community Care on 087 970 5651; or Helena Kennedy, Chairperson of the Birr Neighbourhood Watch 086 8957536.
“I would strongly encourage family members”, continued Cllr Hennessy Kennedy, “to check in on loved ones and elderly neighbours and to inform them about this panic button system, which can provide great reassurance and peace of mind in their own homes. I also encourage community groups to share this information so that more people are aware of it.”

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