Falling number of Gardaí in Dublin Rathdown is “shocking” says McCarthy

Labour Councillor Lettie Mc Carthy says the Minister for Justice is “failing the people of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.”

McCarthy said it is “deeply concerning” to see what she calls “the level of neglect exhibited by Government in tackling the alarming recruitment and retention crisis plaguing the ranks of An Garda Síochána.”

“Members of An Garda Síochána in the Dublin Rathdown area are resigning and retiring quicker than new recruits coming on stream,” she claimed.

McCarthy said the area that has experienced huge population growth over the last few years and this growth will continue over the next few years.

She said that Cherrywood will have a population of around 25,000 people and as planning permissions materialise, so too, will the demand for additional Gardai.

“This is simply not adequate for the population of the area and so unfair on serving Gardaí,” she said.

“Not only do they not have the resources, but new recruits face lower pay and conditions since 2013. Government needs to act.”

McCarthy using Fine Gael’s monkier of “the party of law and order” against them, said that the party were responsible for the collapse in Garda frontline numbers.

“All Fine Gael representatives need to explain why the people of Ireland are being left without adequate policing. Despite repeated warnings and mounting evidence highlighting the severity of the issue, Government has failed to prioritise the improvement of conditions for guards and make the profession more attractive,” she said.

“All of us want to feel safe and we want to feel secure in our own homes and on our streets. I’m calling on Government to prioritise this matter and demonstrate genuine commitment to the well-being of both An Garda Síochána and the communities they serve.”