Government responds to Garda numbers criticism

THE North Dublin Metropolitan Region has lost nearly a fifth of its gardaí since this Government came into power.

According to figures released to Fianna Fáil, North Dublin has lost 152 gardai over the last five years.

There is now a total of 673 gardaí working in the North Dublin Garda region, which covers Balbriggan, Garristown, Lusk, Rush, Skerries, Malahide, Swords, Howth, Coolock, Clontarf, Raheny, Ballymun, Santry and Dublin Airport Garda stations.

This compares to a total of 825 gardaí who covered the same area five years ago.

For the North Dublin Metropolitan Region, the figures are: 2010 (825), 2011 (796), 2012 (763), 2013 (733), 2014 (705) and 2015 (673).

Senator Darragh O’Brien (FF) said the figures were clear evidence of the dramatic cuts to Garda resources in Dublin over the past five years,

“while crime in the community has increased

?.

“This is a damning indictment of this Government’s lack of commitment to community policing,

? he said.
Senator O’Brien accused the Govenrment of cutting Garda numbers to

“dangerously low levels

? and highlighted the closure of Rush Garda Station, the downgrading of Malahide Garda Station and cuts in resources across other local stations.

“Communities across North Dublin are suffering the consequences,

? he stated.

“There is absolutely no doubt that the surge in burglaries, thefts, anti-social behaviour and drug related crime in our communities is directly linked to the slash and burn of local Garda resources.

“Despite going above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis, the bottom line is that the gardaí are stretched beyond their limit and they simply do not have the manpower to maintain a strong presence on our streets and engage in robust crime prevention measures.

?

Senator O’Brien added:

“We simply cannot tolerate a situation where people feel vulnerable in their homes and the gardaí are not being supported in improving community safety.

?

In a speech made in the Seanad last week, Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald pointed out that last September the Government reopened the Garda College for new recruits for the first time since 2009.

“We will not let it close again to new recruits,

? she said.

“Three hundred (gardaí) have already started their training. The first 99 have attested and are now working in communities nationwide.

“We promised seamless ongoing recruitment and we are delivering on that promise.

“Two hundred and fifty more recruits will enter Garda College over the coming months.

“Significantly, each intake will comprise 125 recruits, an increase from the 100 recruits taken in as part of the first three tranches since recruitment recommenced last September.

“This ramped-up recruitment signifies the determination of Government to delivering an effective, responsive police service to protect our communities and respond to emerging crime trends.

?

The Minister for Justice added that the additional recruitment would bring to 550 the total number of gardaí that will have been recruited by the Government between September 2014 and 2015.

“Additional recruitment is being further supported by reforms and efficiencies measures,

? she added.

“For example, 125 gardaí are returning to frontline policing as a result of civilianisation of Garda immigration functions at Dublin Airport.

?