Concerns about garda strength in Arklow district

COUNCILLORS have expressed concerns about garda strength and resourcing in the Arklow Municipal District.

The discussion took place while councillors considered the proposed make-up of the district’s Policing Plan Committee.

Cllr Pat Fitzgerald (FF) said he was concerned about the potential impact of the divisional headquarters move to Wexford. He noted that the district had written to the outgoing Superintendent, however there had been no reply on the issues raised.

Cllr Pat Kennedy (FF) said he knew of an estate where six or seven homes were broken into in on the same night recently. He said it was his understanding that there had been a reduction in the number of gardai stationed in Rathdrum from five to two.

‘It is unacceptable to think two gardai can cover a rural area like Rathdrum,’ he said.

Cllr Fitzgerald raised a concern about speeding in the Ferrybank area of Arklow. ‘Someone is going to be killed,’ he warned. In relation to the issue of drug use, Cllr Fitzgerald asked if Arklow was the only town in the county without a drugs unit.

Cllr Miriam Murphy (Ind) said public knowledge of the drug scene in Arklow was ‘astonishing’ and she had been stopped by members of the public.

‘They know so much about the drug scene in Arklow. I’ve been told stories that will shock you,’ she added.

Cllr Peir Leonard (Ind) said that the gardaí don’t have the resources they need.

Cllr Murphy suggested that some people don’t report incidents because they fear nothing will be done because of resources. She argued councillors should encourage people to report.

Cllr Fitzgerald suggested that the members write to the new Superintendent to outline their concerns. They could also write to local TDs to provide the district’s view on garda strength in the area.

Cllr Kennedy said he was concerned for the elderly while Cllr Leonard added that the situation also had an effect on people’s mental health.

Cllr Tommy Annesley (FF) said he had been told that there had been only two gardai on night duty recently ‘in a town the size of Arklow’.

Cllr Leonard said that young people ‘could get drugs on the street easier than sweets in a shop’.

Councillors agreed that the first meeting of Arklow Municipal District’s Policing Plan Committee would take place in November.

Cllr Annesley suggested the committee include representatives from Arklow’s Chamber of Commerce and the local vintners. The District Administrator said the committee should include councillors, local TDs, members of the Public Participation Network, the district’s Garda Superintendent, the Municipal District Administrator and Engineer. Cllr Leonard asked if the drugs taskforce officer could be invited to establish a connection with Arklow’s young people.