Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Commissioner and his team. I thank them for coming before the committee. I welcome the Commissioner's vision for protecting the most vulnerable people and providing a consistently high standard of service. I welcome the increase in the number of front-line gardaí as part of the move towards a more visible and more responsive policing service which is better suited to local needs.

I live in Louth, which is a very proud county. Drogheda is experiencing a bad time as a result of shootings and petrol bombings. Over 75 criminal attacks have happened in Drogheda since last July. It is getting a bad name and we want that to stop. At 8.20 p.m. last Thursday, a man was shot in Termon Abbey in the north of the town. Children who were playing in the area ran away in fear and are now afraid to go out on the streets. Three hours later, there was a petrol bomb attack on a house in Moneymore. Luckily, no one was in the house at the time. Last night, a petrol bomb was thrown at a house in the Rathmullan area of the town. Tens of thousands of people from all over the country visited Drogheda in August 2018 when Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann was held there. The people of the town, the local authorities, the gardaí and the many volunteers did a fantastic job during the festival. Drogheda had a fantastic name before all of this happened suddenly in recent months.

I commend Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan. As a former football manager, I am always pleased to get an opportunity to praise a team. Chief Superintendent Mangan has nothing but praise for the courage of the gardaí in Drogheda in confronting these gangs. He has spoken about the acts of bravery and kindness of many members of the force. Most people do not get to hear about such acts. We welcome the deployment of an extra 25 gardaí to the town in recent weeks. We also welcome the presence of the armed emergency response team and the regional support units. It is not nice to live in Drogheda at the moment. Drogheda is a fantastic town and has a lot to offer. Can the Commissioner give the people of Drogheda any kind of comfort?

The Fleadh will happen again this year and tens of thousands of people will visit the town. People living in Drogheda are afraid. Children are scared to go out on the street. We have the necessary resources but the crimes to which I refer are still happening. I know that the position will not change overnight but can the Commissioner give any kind of comfort to the people of Drogheda and County Louth?