THE BUSINESS BRIEF(S)

intrusion on Netwatch clients’ sites are the hours between 6 pm and midnight, with over half of incidents taking place during this time.

“Each year St Patrick’s Day weekend sees a significant rise of criminal activity across our customers’ sites in Ireland as businesses close for a long weekend. Based on last year’s increase in attempted breaches on our clients’ sites, we urge businesses to be on high alert this St. Patrick’s Day weekend,” said Colin Hayes, Managing Director at Netwatch Ireland and UK.

NBI says almost 7,000 premises ready to connect

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company rolling out the new high speed fibre broadband network under the National Broadband Plan, has announced this week that almost 7,000 Roscommon premises are now ready to connect to the NBI network.

Under the National Broadband Plan, County Roscommon is expecte to see an investment of €76 million in the new network.

There are now 6,927 premises in the county ready to order high-speed broadband with 1,619 already connected to the network. NBI is calling on people in Roscommon to visit nbi.ie/map/ to see if their premises is ready to connect.

Athlone Business Watch Scheme launch

An Garda Síochána and Athlone Chamber of Commerce are set to launch a new Business Watch Scheme on March 24th in a bid to tackle rising crime in the town.

The Business Watch Scheme is a crime prevention programme designed and implemented around the country by An Garda Síochána and follows the same principles as the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the Chamber business has been operational for the past 20 years, with a flourishing market for its fitted kitchens in Ireland and Britain.

Located on the Racecourse Road in Roscommon town, Mark says the key to his business’s success has been “hard work and a highly skilled staff”. All involved paid tribute to LEO for the great support received.

President Alan Shaw called on local businesses to take part in the scheme.

“Working together, we can reduce crime in our busness community, especially in the areas of shoplifting and in the circulation of counterfeit notes. The scheme is easy and free to join so we are very hopeful that the scheme will experience a high level of uptake,” he said.

Chamber of Commerce CEO Tommy Hogan has confirmed those interested should contact the Gardaí at westmeath.crimeprevention@ garda.ie with ‘Athlone Business Watch Scheme in the subject line and business details inlcuding contact details and key holder’s name in the main body.