Limerick must benefit from increase in Garda numbers

LIMERICK Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne has committed to work towards ensuring that Limerick will benefit from the planned national increase in Garda numbers.

“Following recent reports that officers on dedicated foot patrols in the city centre has been discontinued it is most important to get Gardaí back on the beat,” Senator Byrne said this week.

“I was pleased to hear Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald reaffirm in the Dáil the commitment in the Programme for Government to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme, with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000.”

She went on to say that she would work with Minister Fitzgerald to ensure that Limerick sees the benefit of this increase in Garda numbers.

“In what was a really short-sighted move, Fianna Fáil chose to close down the Garda training college in Templemore after the economic crash and introduced a moratorium on Garda recruitment. This severely impacted on Garda numbers nationwide, something that was felt very much here in Limerick,” she said.

Senator Byrne believes it crucial that we “continue to use the fruits of our strong economy to provide better services in Limerick”. This, she maintains, means more Gardaí to keep our communities safe.

“With the economic recovery underway, Fine Gael in government reopened Templemore in 2014 and prioritised Garda recruitment once more. A total of 700 Garda trainees have been recruited, with a further 450 planned to be recruited during the remainder of this year.

“It is encouraging to hear the Minister confirm that even taking account of projected retirements, the current rate of recruitment will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,000 mark this year and that she is determined to bring this figure to 15,000 in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime,” she concluded.

by Alan Jacques

alan@limerickpost.ie