A Portlaoise group which was setup to protect vulnerable pensioners from vicious street thugs, have received worldwide support for their safety campaign.
The tough tackling group which was formed by Belfast native Tom Duffy, 53 has received great praise for their actions from people all across the globe. The new group which was started by Tom after he heard of a disgraceful attack on an elderly pensioner in the town have been patrolling streets of the town since the last couple of months and have vowed to protect OAPs from pick-pockets and robbers.
The group’s leader Tom spoke to The Irish Sun about their campaign recently, saying he and his fellow crime stoppers are completely “overwhelmed and humbled” by the public support they have received. Tom told the paper: “It is a people’s movement and we’re saying enough is enough. We are not going to let our elderly people be attacked and hassled. I’ve had emails from people in West Belfast, Sydney, Belgium from people offering their support. “I have not got any emails from people saying we are doing wrong. We are here to help people.
“You should see the great response of the people of this town — it is very humbling. We are not vigilantes. “Here, there is nothing but pure respect — people are thanking us. A lady came up to me and said her aunt was coming to town for the first time in years because she feels safe. The people here are supporting us.” Before adding: “We just want our town to be safer. We will protect anyone who comes into town today. “It doesn’t matter what colour or creed, or nationality, we will protect them. We are here for them.”
Tough tackling Tom said the groups main focus is on gangs of aggressive beggars who, have disgracefully attacked pensioners. He further explained: “We have about 12 to 15 lads at the minute. There are people coming and going when they have the time to spare. “We have seen two or three suspicious people around and there are apparently 15 down in the town so we are going to go there and stand around so they know we are there. “It is non-confrontational — we will just stand and look at them.”
Tom also revealed that the group have even had a good support from the Gardai in the town, saying: “The guards are out on foot patrol. “They are being civil and friendly towards us and we are being civil to them. We don’t have a problem with them and it seems they don’t have a problem with us. “We are all chasing the same goal.
“The last thing we want is confrontation. The gardai walked towards us and they stopped to talk to us and smiled at us. They know we are here to help. “They know we are here to do good, we are not here to do their job. We can give them a hand if they ever need our help.”
Source: The Irish Sun
