Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

The issue of Garda resources in the Inishowen area has been raised in the Donegal and national media. This is not an argument for increased Garda resources along the Border. As Fine Gael spokesperson on North-South co-operation, I laud the fact the Border is no longer policed as it was in the 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s. The fading of the Border should be welcomed and encouraged by every Member. My specific request is for increased Garda resources in a part of north-east Donegal which circulates around the fourth largest city on this island, Derry city.

A spate of burglaries across Inishowen in recent weeks has caused upheaval and great anxiety in every home. Across the area, people are installing house alarms and I have been contacted by many people who are keeping nightly neighbourhood vigils. I have met senior Inishowen gardaí to discuss the matter. I welcome the fact that the assistant commissioner is taking the issue seriously which was reflected in his trip to Donegal last week. I commend the superintendent in the Inishowen district who is taking the issue seriously and the efforts made by the Garda in deployment for the short term.

From speaking to many public representatives in the area, I believe it is time to examine the ethos of community policing in the area. I will use, for illustration, a comparison between the Inishowen area and the greater Cork area. Cork city has a population of 120,000 while Derry's is 90,000. If suburban areas are included, Cork's figure rises to 190,000. However, Derry's figure is distorted by the fact that it does not account for the part of east Donegal that is considered to be a suburb of Derry. In east Cork, there are 22 gardaí based in Glanmire, a 24-hour station, Carraigtwohill has a 24-hour station and 50 gardaí are based at Cobh. In the west, 50 gardaí are based in Gurranbraher, 16 in Blarney and 50 in Bandon. In east Inishowen, Burnfoot has 16 gardaí, Muff, two, Carrigans, five, Newtowncunningham, four, and Carndonnagh, five. There are no Garda stations in Quigley's Point or Killea.

The Inishowen Peninsula is the most northerly part of this island. It is geographically proximate to Derry city, which is the natural shopping centre and university town in the region. Inishowen is part of the Catholic diocese of Derry. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in distributing Garda Síochána resources, must acknowledge this fact and, accordingly, allocate such resources as are necessary for a region which is situated adjacent to a major city with a six-figure population.

I raised this matter over a five-year period when serving as a Member of Seanad Éireann. There is still time for action to be taken in respect of it. In light of North-South ministerial collaboration and co-operation, there is room for progress to be made.

The problem I am highlighting only related to Inishowen a number of weeks ago. In recent days, however, it has emerged that it is becoming prevalent throughout Donegal. This problem, which is termed "creeping crime" by some, will soon become all-island in nature. We must be vigilant and the only way to do so is by deploying additional Garda resources in the rural areas to which I refer. We must also engage with local communities. I acknowledge the efforts of the assistant commissioner and the force in general in examining the nature of the community policing ethos.

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