Rosslare Harbour briefing invite for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris

The Joint Policing Committee of Wexford County Council has agreed to invite the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to a meeting, to discuss Garda resources in Rosslare Harbour and around the county.

The need for more Garda and immigration staff and improved facilities in Rosslare Harbour was raised by Cllr. Ger Carthy who commended the multi-agency emergency response to the recent discovery of 16 migrants in a lorry on board a ferry from France.

Highlighting the urgent need for better resources for gardai working in Rosslare, he suggested that the committee write to the Minister for Justice and the OPW, bringing pressure to bear.

The view was endorsed by Fianna Fail TD James Browne who proposed extending an invitation to the Garda Commissioner to attend a JPC meeting to discuss Garda resources in County Wexford.

Deputy Browne said he was aware that the Commissioner had already attended a number of JPC meetings around the country.

Accepting Cllr. Carthy’s congratulations on the handling of the Rosslare Harbour incident, Superintendent Jim Doyle said it was a text book response which was helped by the fact that they had time to prepare before the ferry docked in Rosslare.

On the staffing situation, he said: ‘Rosslare being a hotspot, we would need more staff down there.’

Cllr. George Lawlor asked if there was also a need for new technology equipment, given the scale and strategic importance of Rosslare Harbour for access to Europe.

Declan McPartland said there is a vital need for expensive equipment for x-raying trucks to help with detection. ‘We should put resources where it’s necessary’.

Superintendent Doyle said there are scanners in the customs service which the gardai use.

Adding that he didn’t wish to comment further on the specifics of the Rosslare incident, he said prevention is the biggest challenge in relation to the trafficking of migrants.

Cllr. Lawlor said adequate resources and equipment are vital in Rosslare Harbour and the Department of Justice should be made aware of that.