Clapped out garda cars run to a halt

OLD garda cars are not being replaced and many rural areas of north Kerry are left without an effective garda presence as a result, a Listowel politician has warned.

Rural dwellers in north Kerry are becoming increasingly vulnerable to criminal elements due to this stealthy policy, Listowel Town Councillor Tom Walsh warned this week following a meeting of the joint-policing committee in Listowel.

Cllr Walsh said that significant numbers of garda cars that were decommissioned on reaching their maximum mileage limit are simply not being replaced under the Government’s swingeing cost-cutting measures.

“This is a dangerous situation. I have become aware of significant reductions in the number of marked patrol cars in rural areas. This puts communities that are already isolated at further risk of increased crime,” he said

He also warned that much of the garda fleet helping to police the region are on the point of being decommissioned and will not be replaced.

“All of this means the Gardaí will not be able to respond to emergency callouts in a timely manner. It adds to the fear of many families and older people who are already concerned about the risk of crime in their communities. The visual nature of rural policing is particularly important,” he said.

Cllr Walsh added that, with Ballylongford and Moyvane Garda stations earmarked for closure , these communities will feel particularly vulnerable now with fewer cars patrol on the roads. According to Cllr Walsh this amounts to the State failng to fulfil its basic obligation to protect citizens.

“People feel safer knowing that gardaí are available to patrol their area and a visible garda presence dramatically reduces criminal activity. It is a fact that gardaí on routine patrols have apprehended a significant number of individuals linked to organised crime. With a reduced number of patrol cars, the capacity for effective policing is reduced.”