Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's response and the commitment he received from the Garda Commissioner that no stone will be left unturned to get these criminals. The fear must be in the bedroom of the criminal, not in that of the ordinary citizens who are having sleepless nights in some parts of Drogheda. This must end. I must point again to the inequality in Garda numbers in two towns of equal size. It is unacceptable that Dundalk has 52 more gardaí than Drogheda. While it is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, it is also a matter for public comment in that we needed more gardaí on the streets of Drogheda before these recent incidents happened.

I welcome the interest the Minister has shown in this matter. There is an open invitation for him to visit Drogheda. It is important the Garda Commissioner visits Drogheda, as he did other parts of the country recently, at an appropriate time such as for a local policing committee meeting.

We are absolutely resolute in Drogheda that there must be more gardaí and that they are fully supported. These criminals must be put behind bars for a long time. If we need to change the law and put tougher penalties on them, we must do that.

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