Garda numbers covering Tallaght ‘pales in comparison to areas of similar population’

By Mary Dennehy

A LOCAL TD has this week criticised Garda numbers in Tallaght after learning that the local station has 124 less officers than a station in Limerick – which has 20,000 less people in its catchment area.

Dublin South West Fianna Fáil TD and spokesperson on Dublin, John Lahart TD, has said that the number of Garda assigned to Tallaght Garda Station is far below what is required – and “pales in comparison to other areas of similar population”.

He said: “The most recent figures made available to me from the Minister for Justice show that there are 175 Gardaí attached to Tallaght Garda Station, for an area with a population of approximately 80,000 people.

“Compare this to Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick City which has a total of 309 Gardaí with a population of approximately 60,000 and it is obvious that Tallaght needs an increase of numbers, urgently, to enable the Gardaí to efficiently service the substantial area covered by Tallaght Garda Station.”

He added: “The facts of the matter are, when compared like for like, Tallaght Garda Station and the people it serves are not getting a fair slice of the pie.

“A lot of the focus recently has been on Dublin’s Inner City, and I understand and support that.

“However, it is important that the Garda Commissioner displays an equal commitment to the surrounding areas, and this can be done by strengthening the Garda numbers in Tallaght.”

Lahart was speaking in the wake of figures released to him in a response to Parliamentary Questions that he had submitted to the Tánaiste and Minster for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.