Call for garda sub-station to be opened in town centre

A call has been made for a garda sub-station to be established in Dundalk.

Cllr. Mark Dearey believes it would lead to a safer town centre, and said a lot of people find the Crescent garda station an intimidating building.

Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan agreed garda stations are intimidating, though he described Dundalk’s as one of the most modern he has been in.

A sub-station is a novel idea, but it would be subject to resources.

Nevertheless, he has promised to look at a mobile unit, and noted Dublin’s O’Connell Street has a garda office.

At the annual Joint Policing Committee public meeting, the chief superintendent heard from one citizen that he has ‘not much faith’ in the guards, as after his house was robbed almost two weeks ago, there has been no follow-up.

Mr. Mangan replied such ‘poor service is extremely disappointing’, but he will see what is going on with the case.

The chief superintendent said the garda breath test scandal shouldn’t have happened.

‘If an issue of criminality or discipline emerges within the Louth division, I will deal with it. I won’t kick the can down the road.’

Members of the public were afforded the opportunity to address the JPC on issues of concern.

John Morgan, an accessibility campaigner, highlighted the abuse of disabled parking badges by people who don’t own them.

Larry Magnier, meanwhile, revealed Tidy Towns volunteers are being targeted when it becomes known they make complaints to the guards about low-level vandalism.

The problem of boy racers performing doughnuts at the Ballymascanlon roundabout and other areas of north Louth is continuing, according to Tony Clarke, of Cooley Community Alert.

He said it is ongoing on back roads and main roads.

Superintendent Gerry Curley replied gardaí have had some success dealing with this problem, but will continue to target these drivers.

Traffic management generated a lot of comment, with a number of people annoyed