‘I hit victim in self-defence’
MINISTER’S ENFORCEMENT CLAIM AS DEATHS SPIKE
TAOISEACH Simon Harris has said he is concerned about the lack of Garda resources allocated to roads policing — as junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers said enforcement levels have “collapsed”.
The Taoiseach made the comments ahead of a meeting yesterday afternoon with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Minister Chambers, Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan.
The number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year stands at 63, up from 48 in the same period last year.
Victims have included tragic Carlow pals Katie Graham (19), Daryl Culbert (21) and Michael Kelly (25), while Una
Bowden (47) and her daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (9) perished in Mayo. The Taoiseach said that he and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris have discussed road safety and that the Commissioner has provided assurances that the number of Gardaí in dedicated road policing roles will increase.
It follows Mr Harris’ instruction to Gardaí to undertake 30 minutes of road policing on each shift.
“You don’t need a guard to tell you not to drink and drive,” the Taoiseach argued. “You don’t need a guard to tell you not to take drugs and drive.
“Thirty minutes doesn’t sound like a lot [but] 30 minutes multiplied by the number of guards is a significant period of time.
“The second assurance that [Commissioner Harris] did give me and the minister was that this year we’ll see road policing numbers grow.
“I am concerned about the level of Garda resources in road traffic policing. I know the Commissioner has to make difficult decisions with the resources available to him.
Tangible
“I want to see those resources increased. So does he and he expects them to increase over the course of this year.”
Mr Chambers, meanwhile, told The Star that enforcement levels have “collapsed” on the roads.
“You have double-digit reductions in enforcement with the reductions in the numbers and roads policing units,” he explained.
“In addition to what the Commissioner has outlined, I welcome the fact he’s complimenting the work of roads policing units with the initiative now with 30 minutes per day for all uniformed police Gardaí.
“But that needs to be complimented with tangible allocations to roads policing units who have the core responsibility when it comes to enforcement.”
Following a meeting with Taoiseach Harris and other senior ministers yesterday, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) yesterday agreed to spend an additional €3m on road safety campaigns effective immediately.
Work will also be undertaken to enable road cameras to identify mobile phone use and seatbelts.
A MAN who admits killing a construction worker and who made reference to a “Conor McGregor knockout” told gardai he was defending himself when he hit the deceased.
“I’m sorry I didn’t go home,” Maurice Boland told detectives.
Mr Boland (36), of Bridgeview Close, Tallow, Co Waterford pleads not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Cian Gallagher (26) at Barrack St in Tallow on November 10, 2022.
Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told defence counsel the deceased’s blood alcohol level was high at the time and agreed this would make them more vulnerable to a fall. The trial continues.