Cuts move isn’t good for country

IT’S a joke that an Irish naval ship cannot patrol our waters as there are not enough sailors to take her to sea.

The hi-tech LE Orla simply does not have the correct number of hands to man the vessel, defend our coastline and nab drug dealers.

Instead she’s tied up at Haulbowline Naval Base in Co Cork.

Now comes news of more cutbacks to our security services as detectives hunting gangland killers and child sex attackers have had their budgets cut.

A directive was sent to all gardai working in Special Crime Operations in which a ban on overtime was announced.

The Garda Representative Association rightly slammed the move and called on the Government to show its commitment on keeping the streets safe.

It’s bonkers to cut overtime just when the Force is getting on top of the bloody feuds that left so many dead.

But this Government is going around with blinkers on when it comes to defending the State and the citizens.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan admitted yesterday cash for small Garda stations would be better spent on mobile policing.

This Government cannot leave our Defence Forces stretched like this.

Our navy and gardai want to do their jobs. Get the cheque book out and let them do it.