Call for increase in Garda numbers

THE Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, has been urged to ensure that any new Garda officers are allocated to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown to make up for what has been described as a disproportionate cut suffered by the force in the area.

According to figures provided to Cllr Cormac Devlin (FF) by his party’s justice spokesperson, Niall Collins, the area has lost a total of 83 officers over the past five years. This is, at a drop of 18 per cent, according to Cllr Devlin, well ahead of the comparable figure of 15 per cent for the greater Dublin area.

“The loss of 83 officers, including three inspectors, 11 sergeants and 70 rank and file gardaí has put a considerable strain on the remaining officers,

? Cllr Devlin said.

“When the Government closed Dalkey, Kill O’The Grange and Stepaside Garda stations we were promised it would free up Garda resources to tackle crime and increase Garda visibility in our communities.

“While local Garda management and rank and file gardaí are making every effort to police the district, the loss of 83 officers is having an affect on visibility and may also account for the dramatic increase in crimes like burglary and theft.

“The latest reported crime figures show burglary rates across Dublin jumped by 17 per cent in 2014, with thefts from cars up by over 16 per cent during the same period. I am calling on Minister Frances Fitzgerald to ensure any new allocation of officers corrects the disproportionate cut suffered by the force in Dún Laoghaire,

? added Cllr Devlin.

Meanwhile, Senator Katherine Zappone has also stated that the Tallaght Garda District must receive its fair share of new recruits and vehicles being made available to the force in the coming weeks.

The Independent Senator and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee said local Garda resources must benefit from the national roll out of

“400 fit for purpose

? Garda vehicles and the introduction of the first 100 new Garda recruits since 2009.

Senator Zappone said she will be contacting the Garda Commissioner to ask that Tallaght is prioritised for fleet renewal and recruits.

“The Tallaght district headquarters of the gardaí is one of the busiest in the country providing uniform and plain clothes units, Community Policing Units, a Street Crime Unit and Drugs Unit, supplemented as needed by the Divisional Traffic Unit and Crime Task Force,

? Senator Zappone said.

“With 172 serving gardaí and access to 32 vehicles it is not only a resource that people turn to in times of need or emergencies, but is also an integral part of the community in Tallaght and surrounding areas.

“In particular, the development of community policing has delivered real results, not just in reaching out to young people, but also by providing visible policing to reassure older members of our communities

“This valuable work is a tribute to the commitment of Garda management in Tallaght and it is important that they continue to receive the necessary resources to support their efforts.

?

The Senator added:

“In the coming weeks there is an opportunity to replace older vehicles in the local Garda fleet and to ensure numbers of officers on the beat are increased.

“This represents an important opportunity to review existing resources in Tallaght and ensure that our local gardaí have the necessary numbers, vehicles and equipment to protect and serve to local people.

?

A spokesperson for the Minister for Justice said she would continue to monitor Garda staffing levels during 2015 with a view to agreeing further intakes to the Garda college, as required.

“In September 2014, 100 new recruits entered the Garda College in Templemore,

? the spokesperson stated.

“These were the first new entrants since recruitment was ceased in 2009.

“These 100 recruits are to be sworn in as members of the Garda Síochána with full police powers in May. On Budget Day 2014, the Minister for Justice and Equality announced two further intakes of recruits to the Garda College in Templemore. Subsequently, a further 100 recruits entered the Garda college in December 2014 and will be sworn in as members of the Garda Síochána in July/August 2015. The third batch of 100 recruits entered the Garda College in January 2015 and will be sworn in as members of the Garda Síochána in August/September of this year.

?

The minister’s spokesperson added:

“The new gardaí currently being trained will contribute to the revitalisation of An Garda Síochána.

?