Blackrock in need of extra resources
An impassioned plea for extra Garda resources in Blackrock was made by former councillor Donal Lynch, whose father was injured during an attempted robbery at his home earlier this year.
The meeting also heard that drugs are being openly in the community park, with no attempt being made to hide what is going on.
Mr Lynch asked why the number of gardai in Blackrock had decreased despite the fact that the population continues to grow, with thousands of new homes due to be built. The population was now greater than Ardee yet they didn’t have as many gardai. He also wanted to know what efforts were being made by the Supt, the JPC, and Oireachtas members to have more gardai allocated to the village. He said that the elderly of the area need to be able to feel confidence and secure in their own homes and community.
His questions were greeted with applause by the packed attendence at the meeting.
Local resident Corry O Dalaigh praised the gardai for their work around Halloween which had been much quieter this year. However she was concerned that drugs were being used openly in the park, with no attempt to hide what was going on, and it would be wonderful to have greatre garda resources.
Supt Gerry Curley replied that the numbers of gardai stationed in Blackrock had flucuated over the years and they now had four gardai working in Blackrock, including one who was Acting Sergeant since Vincent McConnon retired earlier this year. He assured the meeting that he had looked for a replacement Sergeant and he was very disappointed that one had not been assigned to the station. He would like to one sergeant and five gardai in the station.
He said that policing had worked well at Halloween and he said he would keep the problems in the park in mind and would get the drugs unit to look at it.
Mr Frank O’Callaghan of The Ferns said his biggest concern was the increase of traffic travelling at speed through the village and called for ramps to be installed. He said this had been done in other villages like Knockbridge, Haggardstown and Dunleer. He feared it would only be a matter of time before someone is injured or killed in Blackrock. The problem was being caused by traffic coming in from Greengates.
Mr Paddy Donnelly of Louth County Council contended that the control of speeding was a matter for the gardai. He said that the provision of speed ramps or cushions could cause other problems. He said that the council would carry out a survey to see what works were needed but warned that it wouldn’t be done immediately as there were a number of other surveys to be carried out.