Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last week the local newspaper reported, on foot of a national report, that there are now situations where gardaí are searching houses in Kinnegad. Criminal gangs that are linked to "Fat" Freddie Thompson and gangs operating in Dublin are relocating to the midlands. They are coming into peaceful communities and causing disruption. The Minister spoke about accelerated recruitment for the Garda. I ask that these additional gardaí not be located exclusively in the capital city or other large urban areas. They are also needed in the rural and provincial towns around Ireland.

Finally, I wish to make a point about some of the replies from the Minister relating to Garda figures for personnel attached to particular stations. The figures are inaccurate. It might not be the Minister but certainly somebody is trying to manipulate the figures. In the case of Kinnegad, they say there are five gardaí there. There is not. There is no sergeant and there are only two operational gardaí.

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