A 'mosquito' with a difference has been employed by a well known Letterkenny business to deter teenage 'pests' from loitering around his premises.

Mr Kevin Grimes, of the Four Lanterns is using the Mosquito system which plays a high pitch sound outside his premises that is audible only to teenagers. Over a short period of time the noise becomes so annoying the unruly teenagers are forced to flee. Adults cannot hear the noise.

Speaking to the Donegal News Mr Grimes said they had found the system to be very effective. He stressed the system was working in England and Canada and does not infringe on anyone's human rights.

VAST MAJORITY ARE ALL RIGHT

"I must stress the vast majority of teenagers coming here are well behaved but there is a very small minority - I'd say two groups - who we were having particularly bother with giving hassle to customers and our staff. If our staff asked them to move on they would be verbally abused," he said.

"Sammy Wasson of MacSecurity approached us and showed me the Mosquito system. It sounded off the wall a bit but we decided to give it a trial and it has worked really well. Only teenagers of a certain age can hear it. The system gives out a buzzing noise which creeps up on them over a short period of time and they have to move on. It is remotely operated and we only use it when there are troublemakers around," he said.

Mr Grimes said the system cost around ¤1,100 but was very effective.

"In a way it is like CCTV or other modern technology and is used only as another management tool. We have to look after our genuine customers and staff who don't need to be abused at the premises by unruly teenagers. We've been assured it meets all necessary regulations," Mr Grimes added.

The Four Lanterns group has been in operation since 1979 an employs over 100 people. with branches in Letterkenny, Buncrana and Donegal Town.