INDEPENDENT councillor Ursula Gavan has called for urgent action to increase policing in the Castletroy and Annacotty area after renewed reports from residents of anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Gavan told the Limerick Post she has met with residents who are increasingly concerned at the lack of Garda resources.
“‘The Office of Public Works are working to identify a suitable site for the long awaited Garda Station’ was a headline made just before the last general election,” Gavan pointed out.
“Government politicians need to stop the rhetoric, prioritise site-selection, and immediately increase Garda numbers.”
At this rate, Cllr Gavan claims, talk of a Garda station in the area will still be doing the rounds as an election promise at the next general election.
“Castletroy/Annacotty is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the country. We have seen a rapid expansion of house building due to its proximity to the University of Limerick and both the National Technological Park and Annacotty Business Park. Our public services however, for the wider community, have lagged in comparison,” she suggested.
“We were promised a library and a Garda Station, yet we only have a public park and Greenway, across both of which have seen a rise in anti-social behaviour,” the Independent councillor said.
She believes the issue is not to be put at the local Garda doors, but failure of successive Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael governments to invest in Templemore, which is at full capacity, “limiting Garda numbers locally and nationally”.
“We want to feel safe letting our kids go the park, or to the shops. Currently we have seven rostered Gardaí to cover Castletroy,Annacotty, and Castleconnell, and unfortunately, we are seeing that they over stretched and under-resourced.
“Castletroy and Annacotty residents, community groups, and local reps are calling now for immediate action as we deserve the same level of protection and presence that other major urban areas enjoy,” she concluded.
