Responding to today’s reports from the annual Garda Representative Association conference, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice, Jim O’Callaghan said, “The various issues caused by the inadequate resourcing of An Garda Síochána have been repeatedly flagged by my colleagues and myself, particularly in the past number of weeks when we identified issues such as Gardaí being forced to use rental cars.
“Over 60 Garda vehicles have been removed from service without replacement since the beginning of 2018. It is no surprise then that Gardaí spent more on vehicle hire in 2018 than it had in any two years since 2011.
“Over half of the commitments specified in the 2018 Policing Plan have not been realised. This plan pointed to a range of areas where the lack of resources had previously led to failures – inaction on tackling cyber or economic crime, lack of recruitment of new members and decommissioning of Garda speed vans.
At present the northern region is experiencing an increased cycle of serious crime. The gangland feud in Drogheda requires the constant presence of the armed support unit that is currently based in Louth. The increased criminality, particularly from gangs targeting ATM machines, means that extra resources in the northern region are required. An armed support unit devoted exclusively to the Cavan/Monaghan division would greatly assist in tackling increased serious crime in the area.
“The Armed Support Unit will benefit from 25 additional new recruits from Templemore in June but there is an immediate requirement for further resource in of Gardaí in the northern region. This must be addressed by government.
“Other border county towns will probably also be targeted by the serious gangs involved in the ATM robberies. These can only be prevented with a strong, armed Garda presence.”
