The Graham Dwyer murder trial boosted sales of the Resure Go panic alarm app developed by security company Resure.
Director John MacMahon said sales have increased following the Graham Dwyer murder trial, which revealed Dwyer’s plan to target an estate agent.
The company said several real estate agencies in Ireland are currently trialling the app.
The smartphone panic alarm links to a 24-7 monitoring control centre in Tyrone. When activated, the app records what is happening through the phone’s camera and microphone. Video is sent to the control centre, along with the exact location of the phone.
Resure began as Stopwatch Ireland in 2008. MacMahon joined in 2012 and Emmet Hogan joined in 2013. They focused on advancing the CCTV surveillance technology, using movement analysis to detect movement on CCTV, then analysing whether a person is meant to be there at that time and emitting an audio warning to intruders.
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Resure Go was the next venture. After 18 months of development, the personal panic alarm was ready for launch.
Resure Go App
In August 2015, Resure raised €250,000 from existing investors to allow for expansion in the UK. The company currently employs 20 staff in Ireland and says it is planning to hire another 10.
For €9.99 a month, the Resure app promises safety for lone workers, children and people out at night or in unfamiliar situations. Users can choose how to activate the alarm and protocols for when the alarm is raised. There is an option to enter a ‘duress pin’ which alerts the team that there is danger.
“We would then contact the Gardaí or PSNI on confirmed criteria,” said MacMahon. “When you sign up, you enter contact people and information about yourself so we have everything to let us make the accurate decision as quickly as we can.”
Resure Go claims to be different to simply dialing 999 due to the exact GPS monitoring, and the instant information gained from the video footage. By shaking the phone, the user can raise the alarm and not have to wait to speak to the emergency services.
Lone Workers
The app’s meeting function serves as peace of mind for employees of health and sales workers, who often meet with unknown clients.
Employees can enter details of the expected time the meeting will go on for, and where it takes place. There is also a ‘man down’ function that sets off an alarm if no movement is detected for a long time. Employers can use it to track staff working remotely who may be at risk of workplace accidents.
Many personal safety apps are available on iTunes and Android, with varying levels of functionality and cost. Popular ones include Kitestring, bSafe and Stay Safe. Resure Go is the most expensive, perhaps due to the dedicated control centre.
