Age Action has urged all communities to review the safety precautions being taken by their older neighbours, friends and relatives, in the wake of the death of Waterford pensioner Mr Paddy Barry.

Age Action extends its condolences to Mr Barry’s family. He died this morning from injuries he sustained in a burglary at his home on September 16. He is the victim of one the most callous, cold-hearted forms of crime.

“This attack must act as a wake up call to all communities to ensure their older members are taking basic precautions to prevent crime,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. “Garda statistics show that older people are less likely to be victims of crime than other sections of society, so long as they take basic security precautions.”

Age Action is urging older people to ensure they take precautions such as:
• Locking doors and windows at night;
• Using a door chain when answering the front door;
• Never allowing in uninvited trades people who seek access to your home, unless they have photo identification. In such cases use the chain on the door, ask for the card, check the photo tallies with the person at the door and if you are in doubt call the number on the card. Do not allow anyone into your home unless you have verified their identity and confirmed that they have genuine business being in your home;
• Do not keep large sums of money in your home.

Communities are urged to establish community watch schemes and to make contact with their local Garda station for crime prevention advice. “If communities were to react by taking these steps it would be practical and lasting response to this tragedy,” Mr Timmins said.

“We are anxious that older people do not respond to this latest attack by retreating into fortified homes, for fear of being victims of crime,” Mr Timmins said. “If people take basic precautions they should be able to continue living full, active lives, without any undue fear of being victims of crime.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT EAMON TIMMINS, HEAD OF ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS, AGE ACTION. 01-4756989 OR 087-9682449.