Donegal crime conference

Crime conference in Inishowen, Donegal

Sinn Féin has rejected claims by establishment politicians that it is 'hijacking' the issue of spiralling crime in Inishowen, County Donegal.

Donegal Councillor and Mayor of Buncrana Pádraig Mac Lochlainn hit out at Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael for "failing the people of Innishowen" by not attending a meeting held in Quigley's Point on Monday 12 September to discuss the seriousness of crime in the peninsula.A Derry crime gang is alleged to have carried out a series of armed robberies and burglaries in the area.

Speaking to An Phoblacht Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said: "People were disgusted at the failure of establishment politicians who didn't show their faces and support the people who elected them in the first place. They somehow couldn't see past the fact that a Sinn Féin politician was chairing the meeting; they failed to see that almost all local business people attended the meeting to discuss rising crime levels, a scourge that effects everyone in the area. The fact that Sinn Féin was involved in organising the event is no excuse for a Fianna Fáil or Fianna Gael no show."

In the wake of the meeting, Councillor Mac Lochlainn called for the setting up of a local committee to gather information and inform Gardaí on criminal activity in the area.

"The whole idea of the meeting was to discuss ways in which we can all work together to help the Gardaí and act responsibly to prevent people taking the law into their own hands," said the Sinn Féin Mayor.