The Eircom-sponsored service will enable gardaí to warn teachers of known offenders or suspicious people lurking around schools in the Gurranabraher, Knocknaheeny, Blarney Street, Blarney and Ballincollig areas of the city.

The computerised system, COMET (Community Emergency Texting), will enable text messages to be sent not just to teachers, but to a variety of target groups.

For example, elderly people will be provided with information about bogus callers in their area and if they don’t have access to a mobile phone they can nominate "a buddy" who will keep them informed. 

Superintendent Con Cadogan, who is in charge of the service, said they would also be able to supply youth groups with information, such as warnings about dangerous drugs which may be on the streets.

The Gardaí are also hoping to input information from the ESB and City and County Councils on topics such as road closures, water and electricity outages, while the HSE may use the system to advise on health issues and, in particular, restrictions on hospital visiting due to swine flu and the winter vomiting bug.

Details of COMET (Community Emergency Texting) were outlined by gardaí at a community safety forum meeting in Gurranabraher. It is expected that the free service will be taken up by many of the 85,000 people living in the area.

For those who wish to avail of the text alerts, application forms will be available from Garda stations in Gurranabraher, Blarney, Ballincollig and Rathduff and also from community alert and neighbourhood watch coordinators. (Source: Irish Examiner)