Garda resources in Castlebar are adequate – inspector

Garda resources in Castlebar are adequate – Inspector


Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie

A SENIOR garda has rebuffed claims there is not enough gardaí in Castlebar and claims that they have ‘adequate resources’ to tackle crime in the county town.
The issue of garda numbers in Castlebar and its environs was raised at the town council’s Joint Policing Meeting last week. Councillors claimed that there was an increase in crime while there was also a reduction of gardaí in the town.
However, Inspector Joe McKenna revealed that while there had been an increase in burglaries in 2012, there was a reduction in thefts from shops and in public order offences. He said he could not provide the exact figures, but stressed that people were being prosecuted and that he believed the Gardaí had the resources to do their job.
“I prosecuted in Castlebar District Court last week and it was a full day with every type of crime. I have to say there is great work being done in the town, and people are being caught, prosecuted and punished. Castlebar is a big town with a lot of people in it. The resources we have are stretched due to cutbacks, but it’s the same with other agencies. I still believe we have adequate resources to tackle the problems in Castlebar,” he said.
Insp McKenna explained that he was stationed in the town from 2002 to 2009. He said that problems in certain parts of the town during that time had now been resolved. He said that the gardaí had to work within the law and urged the people to continue to co-operate.
“We are a civilised society,” he said. “We need to go through the due process and work within the law. We may know who is [committing a crime] but we still have to go through the process. We want people to feel safe in their homes … and we will work with the resources we have to do our utmost to deal with any issues.”
While acknowledging the some garda stations were closing, Insp McKenna said the garda had not left the area and will continue to serve the area and provide a service to the community.
The issue of crime in Castlebar was raised by Labour councillor Harry Barrett, who said he was getting a lot of complaints regarding shop lifting and bag snatching. While acknowledging the issue of resources, Cllr Barrett said the people of the town wanted to see gardaí on patrol in the streets to make them feel safer.
Cllr Blackie Gavin commented that an 80-year-old woman who was living in the centre of town had a window broken on New Year’s Eve and was living in fear. He said that the gardaí could not be everywhere and called for a text-alert system to be put in place.
Cllr Frank Durcan proposed that the JPC write to the Minister for Justice expressing its concern regarding the reduction in gardaí. Cllr Therese Ruane also raised concerns regarding the closure of rural garda stations and called for an end to the embargo on the recruitment of gardaí.
Insp McKenna also asked business people not to keep money in their floats, as he said it was being targeted. He asked them to bring money home or lodge it.

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