‘Disappointing’ footfall to weekly garda clinic

THE weekly garda clinic in Adamstown has seen a “disappointing” footfall and is likely to be reduced in terms of how often it is held, due to poor turnout.

A new garda clinic opened in early January at Adamstown Youth and Community Centre, following demand by local representatives for extra garda resources to tackle anti social issues.

However, during its first six weeks, gardai say they took a report of three crimes and completed one passport.

At the JPC Policing meeting, Lucan gardai said the first four clinics were held on a Wednesday, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm and the last two clinics were held on Friday morning.

“The volume of callers to the clinics was very low. Over a six week period we took a report of three crimes, we completed one passport, and we did discuss various issues with local residents from the Adamstown area who had different concerns,” said a senior Lucan garda.

“It is our view that people who want to report serious matters will continue to use established methods which is call into the local garda station or call into a local community guard. We are disappointed really with the footfall in relation to the clinics. Needless to say we will try and continue them but maybe not as frequently as the current plan at the moment.”

Cllr Liona O’Toole (Ind) can understand why gardai are disappointed with the turnout, but believes a change of venue is required, citing a local retail unit as a potential location.

“It would be more visible to people if it is in a shopping centre or retail area. More people would be passing by and they would know that the clinic is opened at such a time, every week,” said Cllr O’Toole.

“The community centre is a place where people go to drop their kids off to a class, then maybe do shopping and pick the kids up afterwards.”

O’Toole is working with locals on a proposal to utilise a retail unit at Adamstown Crossing.

“The group is meeting on Friday, we need to compile evidence based information and prepare a document for the chief executive. Tenants are waiting to move into retail units at Adamstown Crossing, but that will bring in a higher footfall when it happens.”