Garda figures drop to lowest in 5 years – Curran

New figures released to Fianna Fáil General Election Candidate for Dublin Mid-West John Curran, show a massive drop in local Garda numbers in the last 5 years.

John Curran explained, “There has been a total drop of 29 Gardaí in our local Garda stations of Clondalkin, Lucan and Ronanstown. These figures include the Government’s recent announcement of 10 new recruits to the area. The number of Gardaí is at a critically low level in our communities of Dublin Mid-West and the Government’s recent recruitment drive has not adequately addressed the problem.

The rate of retirements from the force and a recruitment embargo over the last 5 years has led to chronic personnel shortages. The Government’s recent recruitment process is simply insufficient to fill the massive shortfall in personnel and in the strength of the force in all divisions. Gardaí on the frontline in our communities are not able to gain any ground in terms of overall strength.”

He continued, “I have been informed that as of the 31 July 2015, Clondalkin Garda numbers are down from 97 in 2010 to 86 in 2015. In Lucan, Garda numbers are down from 83 in 2010 to 70 in 2015 and Ronanstown, the numbers are down from 94 to 89 Gardaí. It shows just how under-resourced frontline policing has been under this Government and clearly that is impacting on Gardaí and community policing.

It’s clear that Gardaí are under resourced and cuts made to Gardaí in recent years have made it more difficult for Gardaí to do their jobs. A total of 29 frontline Gardaí have been cut from Clondalkin, Lucan and Ronanstown Garda Stations since 2010. The number of Gardaí in 2010 was 274 and now in 2015 is just 245.”

“There is a clear need for extra resources and it is also very clear now that Gardaí are stretched and frontline policing has been seriously hit by regressive cuts.  Fianna Fáil’s first priority is restoring the strength of the Garda force to 14,000 if re-elected to Government.

“I am particularly concerned about the rise in burglaries and assaults.  These crimes have a serious impact on the victims. We need a radical overhaul of policing in Dublin.  This needs to start with filling very serious gaps in the garda force and giving the Gardaí the resources they need to increase street patrols and respond quickly to criminal activity,” concluded John Curran.