Over 27,000 emergency calls made to two local Garda stations in 2015

OVER 27,000 999 calls were made to two Northside Garda stations in 2015. 

The Coolock Garda District received 16,015 calls during 2015, averaging over 1,300 per month throughout the year, while for the same period, the Raheny Garda District received 11,305 calls during this time, averaging almost 950 per month.

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan (Ind) received the information from the Department of Justice via a Parliamentary Question.

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, told Deputy Broughan that the communications centre in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) is responsible for the management of all emergency calls received to the emergency line 999 within the DMR. 

Minister Fitzgerald said local Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all resources, including mobile units, in the context of crime trends, policing needs, and other operational strategies in place on a district, divisional and regional level.  

This is to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.  

“Every effort is made to ensure that all calls received are attended to in a timely manner and this situation is kept under review,” said Minister Fitzgerald.  

Deputy Broughan said: “Coolock Garda Station services all the parishes of North Coolock, Ayrfield, Donaghmede and Edenmore while Raheny Station services all the parishes of Raheny, Kilbarrack, Harmonstown, part of Artane and Howth, Sutton and Baldoyle at nighttime.  

“The operational area of the two stations thus covers much of Dublin Bay North. 

“Yet I am surprised at the high number of calls to the emergency 999 line.  

“Combing both districts shows that over 27,000 calls were made in 2015 averaging out to over 70 per day.”

Deputy Broughan added: “I will be following up on this question to see what trends are like around the capital and indeed around the country and requesting further breakdown on the types of calls received.”