Lack of unmarked patrol car frustrates Gardaí

Lack of unmarked car hampers Gardaí


Neill O’Neill

THE Westport Garda District has been without an unmarked patrol car for almost two months, hindering the ability of local Gardaí to effectively carry out their duties at times it has been claimed.
The previous unmarked patrol car - a Toyota Corolla - reached the end of its service life almost eight weeks ago and has not been replaced. This has frustrated members of the force locally, who say it hinders their ability to fully complete their duties, as there are certain crimes and instances which require them to use discretion when being investigated - including those of a sexual nature or the execution of certain warrants.
It is believed they have called on local politicians to intervene and help them secure a replacement unmarked patrol car. The absence of the vehicle caused acute embarrassment for local officers when the eyes of the world’s media was on Westport recently after the discovery of the bodies of two murdered children - Ruairi and Eoghan Chada - in Rosbeg outside the town.
While Westport was the main centre of investigation once the boy’s father Sanjeev Chada had been arrested on suspicion of the crime, he was brought from hospital to Westport Garda Station for questioning and to his subsequent court appearance in Swinford, and then on to Castlerea Prison, in an unmarked patrol car car that was borrowed from the Castlebar Garda District, as Westport had no suitable vehicle of their own.
The Westport Garda District includes sub-stations in Louisburgh, Newport and Achill. Currently there is one small patrol car based in Achill and one in Louisburgh, while a large van, a smaller van and one marked patrol car cover the rest of the sizeable district.