Demands to re-deploy Garda resources in local communities
By Maurice Garvey
PLUMMETING garda numbers and visibility of the streets in Dublin South Central has forced constituency TD’s to demand that Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan re-deploy policing resources to pre-2010 levels.
Minister of State Catherine Byrne, and TD’s Joan Collins, Bríd Smith and Aengus Ó Snodaigh, met last week with community representatives who work with various policing forums.
Garda numbers have decreased in the Ballyfermot area
There are 136 less gardai now in DMR South Central Division, than there was in 2010.
Meanwhile, the number of community gardai has declined from a high of 21 gardai and two garda Sergeants, to only four in total.
“It’s quite stark, that’s the reason we met with community representatives in the Dáil last week, and agreed to hand a letter into the Minister,” said Deputy Ó’Snodaigh.
“We are worried about the effect this is having on community morale and policing in general. Visibility on the streets has dropped, and contributed to gangs and crime.”
On the back of that meeting, the TD’s handed in a letter on Tuesday to the Justice Minister via Catherine Byrne.
It states they believe “if this shortfall is not addressed immediately” that it could undo a lot of the good work built up in recent years between gardai, community leaders and elected reps.
They cited additional garda resources pumped into the North Inner City area despite a “murderous and ongoing feud between two criminal gangs”, one of which “still operates from the Dublin South Central area.”
The letter also highlights the depletion of the local drugs squad.
“Dublin South Central needs a good portion of any new deployment of garda recruits, into the area.
“Hopefully you may be able to impress upon the Garda Commissioner the need to make more garda resources available to the Dublin South Central area to address the community garda shortfall outlined.”
